USDF CONNECTION Official Publication of the United States Dressage Federation
2016 Archived Issues
YOUR CONNECTION TO DRESSAGE EDUCATION • COMPETITION • ACHIEVEMENT
© John Borys Photography
www.usdf.org
W W W. U S D F. O R G
FEBRUARY 2016
USDF CONNECTION Official Publication of the United States Dressage Federation
2015 YEARBOOK
2015 US Dressage Finals Grand Prix Open champions William and Gwen Poulin
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IN THIS ISSUE 4
INSIDE USDF The US Dressage Finals Debate By George Williams with Janine Malone
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RINGSIDE Awards and Rewards By Jennifer O. Bryant
22 28
CLUB CONNECTION Regional and GMO Excellence
40 58
A DESTINATION EVENT Now in its third year, the US Dressage Finals have become a standout championships By Jennifer M. Keeler
CONVENTION 2015: NOT A GAMBLE Meetings, cheers and a few tears in Las Vegas By Jennifer O. Bryant
THE JUDGE’S BOX Tour Guide By Lilo Fore
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AMATEUR HOUR 2015 USDF Arts Contest Winners
240 THE TAIL END Forever Dreaming By Jill Giese
IN EVERY ISSUE 10 12 232 234 238
MEMBER CONNECTION HEADS UP SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT SHOP @ X USDF CONNECTION SUBMISSION GUIDELINES 238 USDF OFFICE CONTACT DIRECTORY 239 ADVERTISING INDEX
Volume 17, Number 8
ON OUR COVER Rider Gwen Poulin (FL) was all smiles as she trotted to the Grand Prix Open Championship at the 2015 US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan. Her partner was William (Sir Sinclair x Kennedy), a KWPN gelding owned by Belinda Nairn-Wertman (FL). Photo by SusanJStickle.com.
2 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
2015 YEARBO OK Year-End Awards 76 98 99 100 100 100 101 101 101 101 101 104 105
Adequan/USDF Horse of the Year Adequan/USDF DSHB Horse of the Year Adequan/USDF Materiale Horse of the Year Adequan/USDF Dressage Breeder of the Year Adequan/USDF DSHB Breeder of the Year Adequan/USDF Musical Freestyle Adequan/USDF Musical Freestyle Challenge Adequan/USDF USEF Four-Year-Old Adequan/USDF FEI Five-Year-Old Adequan/USDF FEI Six-Year-Old Adequan/USDF Adult Amateur Adequan/USDF Junior/Young Rider Adequan/USDF Vintage Cup
Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Championships Results 108 111 115 120 123 125 128 131 135
Region 1 Results Region 2 Results Region 3 Results Region 4 Results Region 5 Results Region 6 Results Region 7 Results Region 8 Results Region 9 Results
USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semifinals Results 139
USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semifinals Results
Great American Insurance Group/USDF Breeders’ Championship Series Final Results 140 140 141 142 142 143 144 145 145
East Coast Series Mid-States Series New England Series North Central Series Northwest Series Rocky Mountain Series Southeast Series Southern Series West Coast Series
Adequan/USDF All-Breeds Awards 146 147 147 147 151 152 154 154 155 156 157 157 157 158 159 161 161 166 166
American Connemara Pony Society Inc. American Hackney Horse Society American Haflinger Registry American Hanoverian Society American Holsteiner Horse Association Inc. American Morgan Horse Association American Mule Association American Mustang & Burro Association Inc. American Paint Horse Association American Quarter Horse Association American Saddlebred Registry Inc. American Shire Horse Association American Trakehner Association American Warmblood Registry American Warmblood Society Appaloosa Horse Club Inc. Arabian Horse Association Belgian Warmblood Breeding Association Canadian Hanoverian Society
167 167 168 168 168 169 170 170 170 171 173 174 174 176 176 176 176 180 180 180 184 184 184 188 188 190 191 191 192 192 195 197 198 199 199 201 201 202 204 205 205
Canadian Horse Breeders Association Canadian Sport Horse Association Canadian Warmblood Horse Breeders Association Cleveland Bay Horse Society of North America Curly Sporthorse International Draft Cross Breeders & Owners Association Fell Pony Society of North America Inc. FPZV USA Friesian Heritage Horse and Sporthorse International Friesian Horse Association of North America Friesian Horse Society Inc. Friesian Sport Horse Registry LLC Friesian Sporthorse Association Gypsy Horse Registry of America Inc. Gypsy Vanner Horse Society Hungarian Horse Association of America International Andalusian & Lusitano Horse Association International Friesian Show Horse Association International Georgian Grande Horse Registry LLC International Sporthorse Registry/Oldenburg NA Irish Draught Horse Society of North America Knabstrupperforeningen for Danmark KWPN of North America Inc. New Forest Pony Society of North America North American Danish Warmblood Association North American Shagya-Arabian Society North American Thoroughbred Society NorthAmerican SportPony Registry Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry Oldenburg Horse Breeders Society NA Division of GOV Performance Horse Registry Pinto Horse Association of America Inc. Rheinland Pfalz-Saar International Spanish-Norman Horse Registry Inc. Swedish Warmblood Association of North America The Foundation for the Pure Spanish Horse United States Lipizzan Federation United States P.R.E. Association Welsh Pony & Cob Society of America Inc. Weser Em Ponies & Small Horses Westfalen Horse Association
Rider Awards 208 210 214 222 224 226 227
USDF Gold Medalists USDF Silver Medalists USDF Bronze Medalists Musical Freestyle Rider Awards Master’s Challenge Awards Rider Performance Awards Horse Performance Certificates
Annual Recognition 228 229 230 230 231 231 232 232 232 232 232
USDF University Program Benefit Classes 2015 Youth Volunteer of the Year 2015 Youth Convention Scholarship Winners Thanks to the 2015 Youth Silent-Auction Donors USDF/Dover Saddlery National Merit Winners 2015 High School Dressage Club Pin Recipients 2015 Shining Star Recipients Ravel Grant Winner USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award USDF National Nominee USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award USDF Regional Nominees
USDF CONNECTION
•
February 2016
3
inside usdf
president@usdf.org
USDF OFFICERS & EXECUTIVE BOARD PRESIDENT
GEORGE WILLIAMS
The US Dressage Finals Debate
421 Park Forest Way, Wellington, FL 33414 (937) 603-9134 • Fax: (740) 362-5539 president@usdf.org
Location discussion, and proposed logo change, dominate the USDF convention
LISA GORRETTA
By George Williams, USDF President, with Janine Malone
VICE PRESIDENT
18120 Snyder Road, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 (216) 406-5475 • vicepresident@usdf.org SECRETARY
MARGARET FREEMAN
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200 Aurora Lane, Tryon, NC 28782 (828) 859-6723 • secretary@usdf.org TREASURER
STEVEN SCHUBERT P.O. Box 2044, Methuen, MA 01844 (978) 360-6441 • treasurer@usdf.org
REGIONAL DIRECTORS REGION 1 DC, DE, MD, NC, NJ, PA, VA
LISA SCHMIDT ON THE SPOT: USDF president George Williams and US Dressage Finals Organizing Committee chair Janine Malone field questions and feedback during the 2015 Board of Governors assembly
The number of competitors at Regional Championships has grown as riders vie for invitations to the Finals. As the Finals grew in stature, the Executive Board began receiving increasing numbers of comments from USDF members that the event should remain at the Kentucky Horse Park permanently. Over the past year, former USDF secretary and Region 1 director Janine Malone, who chairs the US Dressage Finals Organizing Committee, and I visited many potential venues in the western US, seeking an appropriate western location so that the Finals could rotate as the BOG had intended. After making our on-site visits and extensively comparing such factors as physical setup, costs, amenities offered, and travel distances, Janine and I recommended that the Executive Board consider the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, CA, southeast of Palm Springs. It was the one venue that we felt could easily accommodate the complex needs of the US Dressage Finals and whose good footing and stabling would continue to attract competitors. The Executive Board supported the proposal and approved further negotiations with the HITS facility and budgeting for the 2017 Finals’ being held in
4 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
5 Thads Hill Road, Hampton, NJ 08827 (201) 981-1823 • region1dir@usdf.org REGION 2 IL, IN, KY, MI, OH, WV, WI
KEN LEVY 330 North Mill Creek Road, Noblesville, IN 46062 (317) 773-4532 • region2dir@usdf.org REGION 3 AL, FL, GA, SC, TN
SUSAN BENDER 1024 Grand Prix Drive, Beech Island, SC 29842 (803) 295-2525 • region3dir@usdf.org REGION 4 IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD
ANNE SUSHKO 1942 Clifford Street, Dubuque, IA 52002 (563) 580-0510 • region4dir@usdf.org REGION 5 AZ, CO, E. MT, NM, UT, W. TX, WY
HEATHER PETERSEN 12395 Gull Lane, Peyton, CO 80831 (719) 683-8435 • region5dir@usdf.org REGION 6 AK, ID, W. MT, OR, WA
CAROLYNN BUNCH 18430 111th Place SE, Snohomish, WA 98290 (360) 577-6201 • region6dir@usdf.org REGION 7 CA, HI, NV
TERRY WILSON 2535 Fordyce Rd., Ojai, CA 93023-9630 (805) 890-7399 • region7dir@usdf.org REGION 8 CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT
DEBRA REINHARDT 160 Woods Way Drive, Southbury, CT 06488 (203) 264-2148 • region8dir@usdf.org REGION 9 AR, LA, MS, OK, TX
SHERRY GUESS 18216 S. 397th East Avenue, Porter, OK 74454 (918) 640-1204 • region9dir@usdf.org
AT-LARGE DIRECTORS ACTIVITIES COUNCIL
SUE MANDAS 9508 Bridlewood Trail, Dayton, OH 45458 (937) 272-9068 •ald-activities@usdf.org ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL
KEVIN BRADBURY PO Box 248, Dexter, MI 48130 (734) 426-2111 • ald-administrative@usdf.org TECHNICAL COUNCIL
CAROLYN VANDENBERG
CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
112 Eden Ranch Dr., Canyon Lake, TX 78133 (830) 226-5006 • ald-technical@usdf.org
JENNIFER BRYANT
t was business as usual for the most part at the 2015 Adequan/USDF Annual convention, December 2-5. However, we were in Las Vegas—so, as evidenced by many attendees’ Facebook posts, it was not all routine budgets, elections, and awards. (For a complete report on the activities as well as the festivities, turn to page 58.) One hot-button issue typically surfaces during the convention, and in Las Vegas the main topic was the future location of the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan. There was—and continues to be—so much discussion around this issue that I want to devote this space to explaining why the Finals have been held in Kentucky since their inception and what may (or may not) happen going forward. Four years ago, at the 2011 convention in San Diego, the USDF Board of Governors (BOG)—USDF’s governing body, composed of delegates representing USDF’s group and participating members—passed a motion to create the US Dressage Finals: a national head-to-head championships for top adult-amateur and open riders from the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Championships series of competitions. The motion stated that the Finals “is proposed to rotate every three years from east to west.” The inaugural Finals were held in 2013 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, and the 2014 and 2015 editions were held there, as well. Based on the original approved motion, 2016 would have been the year to rotate the Finals’ location. However, in 2014, the search for suitable alternative venues was still ongoing, and the USDF Executive Board voted to delay the move by one year. This made 2017 the new target year for a move. In its three years of existence, the US Dressage Finals has established itself as a true destination competition.
UB40 Olivi, Keur x Michelangelo, Elite
Sir Sinclair, Keur
Florianus II
Contango, Preferent
Lord Sinclair x Flemmingh, Preferent
Florestan I x Damenstolz
Contender x Kronprinz
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ringside
jbryant@usdf.org
Awards and Rewards In a sport that’s “all about the journey,” sometimes an award just feels good
USDF CONNECTION The Official Publication of the United States Dressage Federation EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Stephan Hienzsch 859/271-7887 • stephh1enz@usdf.org
——— Editorial——— EDITOR
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Jennifer O. Bryant 610/344-0116 • jbryant@usdf.org YEARBOOK SECTION EDITOR
D. J. Carey Lyons CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Hilary M. Clayton, BVMS, PhD, MRCVS EDITORIAL ADVISORS
6 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Janine Malone Lisa Gorretta • Elisabeth Williams
——— Production ——— SENIOR PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR
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USDF Connection is published ten times a year by the United States Dressage Federation, 4051 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511. Phone: 859/971-2277. Fax: 859/971-7722. E-mail: usdressage@ usdf.org, Web site: www.usdf.org. 2014 AW USDF members receive USDF ConARD W IN nection as a membership benefit, paid by membership dues. Copyright © 2016 USDF. All rights reserved. Reproduction of articles requires permission from USDF. Other text may be reproduced with credit given to USDF Connection. USDF reserves the right to refuse any advertising or copy that is deemed unsuitable for USDF and its policies. Excluding advertisements, all photos with mounted riders must have safety head gear or USEF-approved competition hat. USDF assumes no responsibility for the claims made in advertisements. Statements of fact and opinion are those of the experts consulted and authors, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or the policy of USDF. The publishers reserve the right to reject any advertising deemed unsuitable for USDF, as well as the right to reject or edit any manuscripts received for publication. USDF assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. All materials must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Questions about your subscription or change in address? Contact USDF Membership Department, 859/971-2277, or usdressage@usdf.org. POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: USDF, 4051 IRON WORKS PARKWAY, LEXINGTON, KY 40511. Canadian Agreement No. 1741527. Canada return address: Station A, P.O. Box 54, Windsor, Ontario N9A 6J5.
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bone, like an Olympic medal. A modest reward can do much to buoy the spirits and make us feel that for once—at last!—we did something right amid the struggles to sit the trot, to keep that horse’s damned outside shoulder from escaping to the right all the time, and to produce something resembling a credible leg-yield. My own dressage journey has had its share of disappointments, and I’m betting yours has too. There have been years when I watched from the sidelines with a twinge of envy as USDF members filed on stage to accept their awards at the Salute Gala & Annual Awards Banquet (coverage of the 2015 event begins on page 58). So it was an extra thrill that I was able to join the parade in Las Vegas to accept an AllBreeds award. There are grander honors to be had in dressage, of course, and maybe someday Junior and I will claim one. But never again will I underestimate the amount of dedication, work, and yes, luck that it takes to reach even a modest milestone. If a success comes your way, savor it. Then give thanks for the healthy, sound horse that enabled that success, and enjoy every moment you have with him!
Melissa Creswick (CA) Margaret Freeman (NC) Lisa Gorretta (OH) Anne Gribbons (FL) Terry Wilson (CA)
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GRATIFYING: Accepting Junior’s All-Breeds award from USDF executive Stephan Hienzsch (left) and Adequan representative Deven Vespi (right)
AH
f I were in equestrian sports for the payout, I’d have switched to rodeo 20 years ago. When I was the editor of an allbreed equine publication in upstate New York, my publisher was a team roper, my advertising sales manager was a barrel racer, and the ad manager’s husband was a steer wrestler. During the competition season, I would regularly be regaled with tales of the previous evening’s wins—described as “a trip to the pay window.” I, a lifelong English rider, was astonished. “You mean you won money?” I asked. They did indeed. On a modestly successful night, they might win back their entry fees. If they did really well, they’d actually make money. Money, as we English riders know, is not the usual prize at our shows. We’re supposed to be in it for the intangibles—personal satisfaction, feedback on our progress, fun with our horses— the sole physical rewards being pieces of satin ribbon or perhaps a trophy. Major competitions, such as the Great American/USDF Regional Dressage Championships, do offer prize money, but as a rule cash awards are, well, not the rule. Don’t get me wrong: Those intangibles are why I love dressage, and why I show. The external rewards come too few and far between to sustain us, and true horsemen aren’t motivated purely by points and ribbons. That said, dressage is hard. It’s fabulous, but it’s frustrating. The investment (of time, money, heart, soul, sweat, blood, tears) is significant, and the inevitable setbacks can be crushing. There is a reason Olympian Steffen Peters calls dressage “the most difficult sport on the planet.” So please don’t kill me for saying this, but every once in a while, if the universe throws us a bone in the form of a dressage award or prize, it feels…wonderful. It doesn’t even have to be a huge
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inside usdf
editorial@usdf.org
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4
TIME TO NOMINATE CANDIDATES April 15, 2016 is the deadline for nominations for Participating Member (PM) Delegates in All Regions To accept the nomination, and if elected, a PM delegate nominee must: t Be a current Participating Member of USDF. t Have a permanent residence and reside in the region for which they are running to represent. t Agree to serve a one year term, from the time of election in 2016 until the election in 2017. t Attend the 2016 USDF convention.
June 1, 2016 is the deadline for nominations for USDF Vice President, USDF Secretary, Regional Director in Regions 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 Nominations for USDF Vice President, USDF Secretary, and Regional Director in Regions 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 will also be accepted from the floor of the Board of Governors meeting at the 2016 annual convention in St. Louis, Missouri.
e-mail all nominations to
nominations@usdf.org
Thermal. However, the board felt that, inasmuch as it was the BOG that had green-lighted the Finals’ creation, it was only appropriate for the BOG to once again determine the future of the Finals. For more than two hours during its assembly at the 2015 convention in Las Vegas, the BOG held a spirited discussion about the US Dressage Finals: Should they remain at the Kentucky Horse Park, or should they move west? Delegates raised many questions: Is it too soon to move west? Would it be better to hold off on a move until the siteselection committee identifies a suitable venue or location that’s situated in a more central part of the western US (i.e., not so close to the West Coast or so far to the south)? Will a western location create an incentive for more riders to compete in dressage and thereby help to grow the sport in that part of our country? Should we not give USDF’s western regions that opportunity? How would a move west affect Finals attendance? Would we lose so many competitors from the eastern regions that the Finals’ long-term financial feasibility would become questionable? What makes a Finals a bona fide national competition? What about the many top West Coast combinations who are currently unwilling or unable to make the long trip to Kentucky? Is the US Dressage Finals truly a national championships if many of the eligible top combinations do not attend? If we do move, will we lose access to the Kentucky Horse Park? Each question brought up more valid concerns, ultimately making any decision even more difficult. For so many of the questions, there was no simple and definitive answer. When the vote was finally tallied, the BOG had elected to keep the Finals in Kentucky “until such time as the western USDF Regions 5, 6, 7, and 9 can come forth with a proposed venue site and dates that the four regions agree are appropriate to host the National Finals.” A follow-up motion, also approved, states that “any recommendation for a change of venue and date be
8 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
subject to the approval of the USDF Executive Board, after receiving the recommendation of the appointed site-selection committee.” The BOG then voted on a third motion, “to establish a travel fund to aid competitors traveling from long distances to attend the USDF National Finals, effective for the 2017 Finals.” This motion, which passed, will require the Executive Board to establish criteria to define “long distances” and to determine a feasible manner in which to best achieve the intended goal of the motion. Perhaps most interesting, when I looked at the final tally of votes by region, is that the issue of the Finals’ location is not a question of “east versus west.” There was support for, and opposition to, a move expressed by delegates from every region. In the end, although there were passionate arguments on both sides, I am very proud of how the BOG tackled this very difficult and delicate decision. At the convention, another sensitive issue was addressed and put to rest, at least for the time being. As you know, the issue of helmet awareness and the use of protective headgear in dressage has made tremendous strides forward. Correspondingly, the USDF has received comments and complaints that our logo depicts a rider in a top hat and not in a helmet. Furthermore, it pictures a male rider, while the majority of our members are female. The Executive Board has been pursuing a solution to this dilemma for the past couple of years. After a meeting in May 2013, the board announced that it was seeking suggestions for what a new logo might look like. There were very few responses, so we had our art director, Karl Lawrence, quietly work on this project. Finally, at the 2015 convention, we felt we had a potential new logo for our regional directors to present at their regional meetings for feedback. The message back was overwhelmingly in favor of keeping the current USDF logo as it is. I am happy to report that the logo withstood a challenge and, far from making a final salute, it will remain the official image of our organization. ▲
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member connection Equine Welfare Kudos to Jennifer Bryant for her December 2015/January 2016 “Ringside” editorial, “Think Globally, Act Locally.” In it, she resolves to support reputable equine welfare causes and take action if she should see any suspected abuse or neglect of our noble equine partners. She calls on each one of us in the equestrian community to join her and do the same. I would like to share an idea that my nine dressage friends and I have been implementing since 2011. We decided to form an animal-advocacy group, which we call ALF (Animal-Loving Friends). We take turns hosting dinners at one another’s homes and also donate to worthy animal charities. The hostess chooses the charity, and we each donate at least $20. We are not wealthy women, but the $200 or more donation is greatly appreciated by the designated charity. We try to meet every two or three months and keep an album to record the meetings, donations, and thank-you letters from the rescue organizations. Most of our charities have been horserelated, but we have chosen dog and cat rescues as well. So far, we have contributed more than $6,000 to these wonderful organizations, and we are highly motivated to do more. In fact, we have started a second chapter of ALF at Brookfield Farms in Clarence, NY, where I currently board my horse. For 2016, our resolution is to spread this idea across the country and network with other like-minded groups. We hope to start a Facebook page where chapters of ALF can support and congratulate each other when monies are raised. Our total of $6,000 is small in the grand scheme of things, but if multiple groups in every state were to do what we are doing— preserving precious friendships while donating to worthy animal rescues— the monetary help to relieve animal suffering could be exponential. Are you ready to accept Jennifer Bryant’s challenge? We are! Donna Winnick East Amherst, NY
As a practicing veterinarian and dressage enthusiast, I have been involved in a number of horse abuse and starvation cases, both as a veterinarian and as an expert legal witness. These cases are heart-rending and involved a spectrum of intentional abuse, drug addiction, animal hoarding, ignorance, bankruptcy, and owner health disorders. Equine sanctuaries and rescues are a great idea, but there are always cost issues, too many horses on too little land, and illness or death of the sanctuary owners or managers. Often, nothing can be done for these horses until law enforcement is involved. During the recent recession, horse abandonment and starvation reached a horrifying peak. Often, as horses get older and more infirm, they are passed from bad to worse circumstances until they end up neglected and starving to death. There is a sad spiral from competition dressage horse to schoolmaster to skinny riding-lesson hack to starvation in a dirt lot. As horse owners, we have a responsibility to understand how these things happen. These unsound horses should be put down, long before they get to the riding-lesson-hack stage. We, as horse owners, may feel that we have failed our horse if we euthanize it, but I think that we have failed if our horse dies alone of exposure and starvation. We should not feel obligated to keep a debilitated horse alive for 30 years; and if a horse is unsound and unusable and we cannot be responsible for it, euthanasia is a reasonable and humane option. What in involved with euthanizing a horse? The procedure itself is painless, and the horse knows nothing. Cost-wise, euthanizing a horse and having the carcass hauled off for tallow or buried can easily cost more than $2,000. Putting large carcasses into landfills adds grossly to atmospheric methane and carbondioxide release. If the euthanasia can be done humanely and without frightening the horse, and the meat on the carcass used for something
10 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
editorial@usdf.org
useful—such as pet, foxhound, condor, zoo, or wild-cat-sanctuary meat—this is the most humane and ecologically sound pathway. Right now, our oceans are being fished to extinction, in part to supply fish for cat food! Would it not be better ecology to use horse meat rather than fishing every last fish out of the sea? In California, sanctuary condors are dying of lead poisoning from eating deer meat contaminated with lead shot from hunters. Wild cats in sanctuaries and zoos need meat also. What about horse meat for human consumption? There is a market for it, both in the US and other countries. Horses currently are slaughtered for food in Mexico and Canada, and this is where most US racehorses, sadly, end up. The conditions in Mexico are too horrific to even talk about. Maybe there is a way to humanely kill some number of horses for food consumption here in the States. Maybe Debbie Stephens’ horse would still be alive. We should also decrease horse breeding in general and “pet” breeding in particular. Every stallion owner wants a full book every year, but is this the best thing for horses in general and the breed in particular? The same goes for mares: Does every brokendown mare need to be bred? If we see a starvation or abuse situation developing, it is our responsibility as horse owners to act and act fast. If polite conversation is not productive, there are state and local laws protecting animals. If necessary, animal control, law enforcement, or the prosecutor’s office need to be involved. In most abuse cases, not only is the animal owner responsible, but the land owner is also responsible, whether the land owner owns the animals or not. This is a difficult subject to explore, but I think that, given our love and devotion to our sport and our horses, some solutions can be developed that will help our equine friends. Carol Meschter, DVM, PhD, DACVP Los Altos, CA
HEADS UP
YOUR DRESSAGE WORLD THIS MONTH
CHAMPIONSHIPS
Graves, Vinios Take USEF National Dressage Titles
THE NEW CHAMPIONS: Laura Graves and Verdades defeated Steffen Peters and Legolas 92 to win their first USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship
Graves, of Geneva, FL, knocked San Diego-based Olympian Steffen Peters and Four Winds Farm’s Legolas 92 off their customary top spot on the leader board. With a combined total score of 74.015, Peters had to settle for second with his first of two mounts at the Festival. Legolas’ stablemate Rosamunde, also owned by Four Winds Farm, gave the 2015 Pan American Games team and individual gold medalist a run for his money. Peters and “Rosie” placed third on 73.741.
12 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Christina Vinios and her Folkestone OLD took the title in the Dutta Corp./ USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship. Vinios, of Wellington, FL, earned a combined total score of 69.799 percent. Shelly Francis, Loxahatchee, FL, won the reserve championship riding Rubinio, owned by Patricia Stempel (69.593). Placing third was Jane Karol, Concord, MA, on her own Sunshine Tour (68.189). 2016 USEF championI-I CHAMPIONS: Against a spectacular ships dates Florida sunset backdrop, Christina Vinios and announced. Folkestone OLD take their victory lap Similar to the 2015 format, the 2016 US Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp. will be divided between two competitions. The Pony Rider, Junior, Young Rider, and Young Adult “Brentina Cup” Championships will coincide with the Markel/USEF Young and Developing Horse Dressage National Championships and the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals, August 24-28 at Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, IL. The Grand Prix and Intermediaire I National Championships will be held at Epona Farms, Thousand Oaks, CA, November 3-6.
Digital Edition Bonus Content
Watch video on demand from the 2015 US Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp.
SUSANJSTICKLE.COM
T
he US Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp. changed locations and dates in 2015. The Grand Prix and Intermediaire I competitions moved south to Wellington, FL, December 9-12, where the big winner was US dressage’s newest superstar pair, Laura Graves and her Verdades, who claimed their first United States Equestrian Federation Grand Prix Dressage National Championship title with a combined total score of 76.531 percent.
OLYMPIC GAMES
FEI Proposes Changes to Olympic Equestrian Formats
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t its 2015 General Assembly in Puerto Rico in November, the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) led by president Ingmar De Vos proposed radical changes to the Olympic equestrian competition formats. Responding to the Olympic Agenda 2020 recommendations as put forth by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), De Vos said: “We need to take advantage of the excitement and drama of our sport, make it easier to understand, attract young and larger audiences, be broadcast-friendly, and see more nations represented in our sport.” A cornerstone of the proposed format is three-member teams instead of the traditional four. Individual discipline formats were proposed to change as follows: Dressage: Total of 15 teams and 15 individual athletes, using heats to qualify the top 18 for the individual final. Eventing: Dressage would be condensed to a single day using a shorter test. The individual jumping phase would serve as the qualifier for the top six or seven teams to advance to the team final. A discipline name change to “equestrian triathlon” also
DEBATING THE FUTURE: FEI president Ingmar De Vos (left) and FEI Olympic-discipline chairs Frank Kemperman (dressage), John Madden (jumping), and Giuseppe Della Chiesa (eventing) explain proposed format changes to national-federation delegates at the 2015 FEI General Assembly
was suggested, to help explain the sport to a mainstream audience. Jumping: 20 teams and 15 individuals, with a jump-off for first place in both individual and team categories. If team gold is decided by a jump-off, all three team horse/ rider combinations would compete against the clock, but only the best score would count. The team-jumping format would mirror that of the
current Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup, with just the top 10 teams starting with zero penalties in the medal final. After gathering feedback at the General Assembly and refining its proposals, the FEI will present revised recommendations at the FEI Sports Forum 2016 in April. New formats will be voted on at the FEI General Assembly 2016 before being submitted to the IOC in early 2017.
PARA-EQUESTRIAN
Hart, Shoemaker Win Para-Equestrian Dressage National Titles
FEI/RICHARD JUILLIART
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iders competed for titles in two divisions at the 2015 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships, held October 30-November 1 at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, TX. In the high-performance division, six-time national champion Rebecca Hart, a Grade II para-equestrian from Unionville, PA, rode her Danish Warmblood mare, Schroeter’s Romani, to claim her seventh title on an overall score of 73.333 percent. Grade III
athlete Angela Peavy, Avon, CT, rode Ozzy Cooper, a Trakehner gelding owned by Rebecca Reno, to the reserve championship with an overall score of 71.278. Placing third was Grade Ia athlete Roxanne Trunnell, Rowlett, TX, on Julia Handt’s Westfalen gelding, Royal Dancer (69.352). Kate Shoemaker, a Grade III rider from Edmond, OK, won both the title and third place in the national division. She earned an overall score of 71.435 percent aboard her
Hanoverian gelding, Solitaer 40, to take the national-division championship. Riding her Dutch Warmblood gelding, Dachstein, Shoemaker placed third with an overall score of 67.791. She also was awarded the Lloyd Landkamer Memorial Sportsmanship Award for exemplifying good sportsmanship throughout the competition. Reserve-champion honors in the national division went to Grade II athlete Kelly Boccia, Phoenix, AZ, on her Donauwalzer CSF (68.556).
USDF CONNECTION
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February 2016
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HEADS UP
YOUR DRESSAGE WORLD THIS MONTH
OBITUARY
OBITUARY
Monsieur
Winterprinz
T
he Danish Warmblood gelding Monsieur, 35, who with owner/ rider Charlotte Bredahl-Baker won team bronze at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, was euthanized October 17 following a colic episode. Bredahl-Baker owned Monsieur from the age of five until his death at her farm in Solvang, CA. Standing 17.3 hands and as spooky as he was statuesque and talented, the gelding put the native of Denmark on the American dressage map and helped to set BredahlBaker on a career path that has included becoming an FEI 4* dressage judge and, most recently, the USEF national dressage assistant youth coach. Monsieur was the USDF Grand Prix Horse of the Year in 1994 and 1997. He was retired at the age of 18.
T
CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Winning team bronze at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics
he Hanoverian stallion Winterprinz (Warkant x Weltmeyer) died November 29 at the farm of rider/owner Carolyn Adams in Pleasanton, CA. He was 21. According to Adams’ husband, Patrick Adams, Carolyn Adams imported Winterprinz from Germany as a three-year-old. Together they achieved many successes at the FEI levels, including competing at the 2011 US Pan American Games trials. The striking black stallion was also a wellknown sire, with progeny throughout the US and worldwide.
USDF
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efore he was a big name in the dressage community, USDF executive director Stephan Hienzsch was a big name in the ski world. A member of four NCAA championship teams in the 1970s and a two-time NCAA individual champion, Hienzsch was inducted into the University of Colorado Athletics Hall of Fame in a November 5 ceremony in Boulder, CO. The honor made for a challenging week for Hienzsch, as
the induction ceremony fell on the first day of the 2015 US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan. In an e-mail to the USDF Executive Board, Hienzsch said he felt compelled to attend the ceremony but understood that the timing was less than optimal. Board members responded enthusiastically, urging him to attend. And indeed the Finals went on seamlessly, although surely Hienzsch wound up a bit more jet-lagged than he’d planned.
STAR ATHLETE: Induction ceremony with CU associate director of development Tate Nelson (right); at a World Cup in Sun Valley, ID, in 1977
14 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
CLIXPHOTO.COM; COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO; COURTESY OF STEPHAN HIENZSCH
USDF Executive Director Inducted into University Athletics Hall of Fame
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FINANCIAL AID
Fund Aids Adult-Amateur Riders
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he Dressage Foundation, Lincoln, NE (dressagefoundation. org) in November announced the 2015 recipients of the Carol Lavell Gifted Memorial Fund Scholarships for Adult Amateurs. The following nine riders each received $1,000 toward concentrated training time away from the daily pressures of job and family: Region 1: Christine Dickenson (PA), a member of the Lehigh Valley Dressage Association, will train with Pierre St. Jacques. Region 1: Emily Hadden Morris (PA), a member of the Western Pennsylvania Dressage Association, will train with Phoebe DeVoe Moore. Region 2: Lindsey Saad (WV), a member of the Western Pennsylvania
Dressage Association, will train with Kristin Stein. Region 3: Joanna Simonton (FL), a member of STRIDE, will train with Greta Wrigley. Region 4: Jean Rude (IA), a member of the Eastern Iowa Dressage and Eventing Association, will train with Patti Becker. Region 5: Dian Seabury (AZ), a member of the Tucson Dressage Club, will train with Shelley Lawder. Region 7: Laurie Daniel-Smith (CA), a member of the California Dressage Society, will train with Julie Thomas. Region 9: Cecilia Cox (TX), a member of the Alamo Dressage Association and the Houston Dressage Society, will train with Whit Watkins.
REGION 4 RECIPIENT: Jean Rude (IA) on her Oldenburg, Hot-Royal Hit
Region 9: Carrie Chaffin (TX), a member of the Houston Dressage Society, will train with Lyndon Rife.
GOVERNANCE
Dressage Groom Wins FEI Award
USEF Broadens Reach of Drugs & Meds Rules Penalties
Jose Eduardo “Eddie” Garcia Luna (second from right), groom for US Olympian Steffen Peters for the past decade, was presented with the Best Groom award at the FEI Awards 2015, held November 13 in Puerto Rico during the 2015 FEI General Assembly. He’s pictured with fellow honorees Boyd Exell (AUS), Reem Acra Best Athlete; Jessica Mendoza (GBR), Longines Rising Star; Oriana Ricca Marmissolle (URU), Against All Odds; and Anne-Rose Schoen of Les Chevaux Qui Pansent les Plaies (Horses That Heal Wounds) (HAI), FEI Solidarity.
16 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
JOHN BORYS; FEI/RICHARD JUILLIART
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ntil recently, it’s been the person designated trainer on the entry form who bears responsibility for violations of the US Equestrian Federation’s drugs and medications rules at USEF-licensed competitions. But as of December 1, 2015, additional parties may be culpable. A change to USEF General Rule (GR) 404 states that, besides the trainer, “persons responsible” “may include the individual who rides, vaults, or drives the horse and/or pony during competition; the owner; and support personnel. Support personnel includes, but is not limited to, grooms, handlers, longeurs, and veterinarians if they are present at the competition or have made a relevant decision about the horse and/or pony.” GR 404 further notes that “Neither the trainer nor any persons responsible, including support personnel, may be relieved from his responsibility under the USEF’s Drugs and Medications Rules due to a lack or insufficiency of stable security.”
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HEADS UP
BEHIND THE SCENES
Dressage Hits the Silver Screen
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hen the horses arrived in New York City for the 2015 Equus Film Festival, November 19-22, no discipline was left behind, and dressage and dressage-evocative footage took center stage in several of the 145-plus films, documentaries, and shorts screened at the vintage Village East Cinema. A sampling: Mozart: David Penitente (Bartabas) is an operatic, hour-long combination of music and classical dressage. This film won the EFF Equestrian Full Length Movie Video Winnie Award; watch it at youtube.com/ watch?v=6lYPrT0WiQA. A short video called Tribute (vimeo.com/67438595) opens with the narrator, international dressage competitor Catherine Haddad-Staller, noting: “Dressage is like sculpture in motion. It’s art that changes in shape— something that has a lot of harmony and balance to it when DRESSAGE WINNERS: Kayla “Hudi” it is done correctly.” She discusses Barteau, Lauren Stark, and Yvonne the relationship between Barteau accept the EFF Equestrian communication with the horse Fun Film Winnie Award for Dream and creativity, and emphasizes upon a Horse from presenter Christian the importance of discipline and Oliver of Edge Brewing (left) routine in helping to climb the levels. Dressage trainer/author Paul Belasik’s The Lost Quixotes: The Art of Collecting the Riding Horse, focuses on how to achieve collection. In the 48-minute film (available on Amazon), Belasik also talks about the history of dressage and the great masters through the ages. Michael Kurn Talks to Carl Hester, part of an FEI TV series, is an informative 10-minute interview with the British Olympian as he reviews his Grand Prix Special test at the 2015 European Championships (youtube.com/watch?v=pSvJdE-4U3w). The 25-minute An Affair of the Heart: The Relationship Between Horses and Their People focuses on the relationship between horses and humans, showing horses free and wild or under saddle. The winner of the EFF Equestrian Fun Film Winnie Award, Dream upon a Horse consists of three minutes of skits mixing dressage with reining and whimsy, such as when the trainer and horse are sitting down reading a book together. The well-known dressage trainer, competitor, and author Yvonne Barteau co-produced and co-edited An Affair of the Heart and Dream upon a Horse. —Diana De Rosa
18 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Susan J. Stickle, Equine Photographer
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ob title: Owner of SusanJStickle.com Photography with partner Jonna J. Koellhoffer, Bradenton, FL (dressagephotos.com) What I do: It starts, obviously, show day. You’re up early. You’re at the show way before the first ride. The rest of the work starts after the show, editing all the photos. Depending on the size of the show, it could be anywhere from 5,000 images to 50,000.
IN THE SCRUM: Among the photographers at major domestic and international dressage competitions, you’re likely to see Sue Stickle (at left, shooting at Dressage at Devon in Pennsylvania)
How I got started: We used to ride way back when and compete in dressage. I was always interested in photography, so we photographed each other’s rides. One thing led to another. I had a couple other people ask me if I’d take pictures. Our first show was 1993 in New Jersey, and we grew from there. In 2003, I started doing this full-time. After 9/11, we reassessed “what you want to do with your life.” I didn’t want an office job any more. Best thing about my job: At the show, shooting. We love seeing the little victories involved. Worst thing about my job: The weather. My horse: I sold my horse in 2004 because the business kinda took over everything. Tip: I study everything that I shoot, and I’m always trying to get better. —Katherine Walcott
JANICE FISCHER; JONNA J. KOELLHOFFER/SUSANJSTICKLE.COM
DRESSAGE AT LARGE
YOUR DRESSAGE WORLD THIS MONTH
USDF BULLETINS
What you need to know this month New Year-End Awards BEGINNING THIS YEAR, there will be an Adequan/USDF Para-Dressage Rider of the Year award. In addition, USDF Vintage Cup awards will be split into professional and adult-amateur divisions. See the USDF Member Guide for more information.
Free Online Reports Available USDF HISTORICAL AWARDS REPORTS, owners’/lessees’ horse portfolios, and breeders’ horse portfolios, and dam/sire reports are available to current USDF participating, group, and business members free of charge. Please note that you must be logged into the USDF website to obtain your free reports.
L Program Accepting Faculty Applications THE USDF L EDUCATION PROGRAM is accepting applications for new faculty members. Applicants must meet the following requirements: • USEF “S” judge for at least two years • Experience teaching in a classroom/lecture environment • Willing to serve on the L Education Program Committee and to assist in working toward the committee’s goals. Contact the L Program Committee liaison at lprogram@usdf.org for more information.
WORLD CUP FINALS
2018 Jumping, Dressage Finals Awarded to Paris
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et ready to bid our athletes bon voyage: the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) has awarded the 2018 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Final and FEI World Cup Dressage Final to Paris. Paris beat out Las Vegas and Gothenburg, Sweden, to win the hosting bid. Paris last hosted the World Cup Jumping Final in 1987 and the Dressage Final in 1991. The Finals will be held April 10-15, 2018, at the AccorHotels Arena (formerly the Paris Bercy Arena) in central Paris.
Get more from USDF Connection magazine. Go online and login to access bonus features. WWW.USDF.ORG 20 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
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club connection
Regional and GMO Excellence
editorial@usdf.org
Region 5: Kathleen Gale, Tucson, AZ (Tucson Dressage Club)
Annual awards recognize outstanding regional volunteerism and GMO media
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nnual awards recognize extraordinary volunteers in USDF’s nine regions as well as within USDF’s group-member organizations (GMOs). The 2015 Regional GMO Volunteer of the Year awards and the 2015 GMO photography, newsletter, and website awards were presented during the USDF Board of Governors assembly at the 2015 Adequan/USDF National Convention in Las Vegas.
Congratulations to all of the 2015 GMO award winners! We’ve published the winning photographs, as well.
Regional GMO Volunteers of the Year Region 1: Debbie DelGiorno, Wyoming, DE (Eastern States Dressage and Combined Training Association)
Region 5 GMO Volunteer of the Year Kathleen Gale
Region 6: Lise Jumper, Emmett, ID (Idaho Dressage and Eventing Association)
Region 1 GMO Volunteer of the Year Debbie DelGiorno
Also recognized was First Coast Classical Dressage Society member Lisa Beardsley, Jacksonville, FL, the 2015 recipient of the Ruth Arvanette Memorial Fund grant. This annual grant helps a deserving group member to attend convention and take important learning and contacts back to his or her GMO.
Region 4 GMO Volunteer of the Year Kelly Vallandingham
22 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Region 6 GMO Volunteer of the Year Lise Jumper
Region 7: Melissa Creswick, Clovis, CA (California Dressage Society)
Region 7 GMO Volunteer of the Year Melissa Creswick
JENNIFER BRYANT
Lisa Beardsley (FL) accepts the general-interest article award for GMOs under 75 members for First Coast Classical Dressage Society from USDF president George Williams. Beardsley was also the 2015 Ruth Arvanette Memorial Fund grant recipient.
Region 2: Kathryn Rizzoni, Columbus, OH (Ohio Dressage Society) Region 3: Heather Stalker, Alachua, FL (Arredondo Dressage Society) Region 4: Kelly Vallandingham, Mahtomedi, MN (Central States Dressage and Eventing Association)
Region 8: Karin Swanfeldt, Ayer, MA (New England Dressage Association)
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Region 8 GMO Volunteer of the Year Karin Swanfeldt
Region 9: No nominations.
GMO Photography Awards, Best Amateur Photograph GMOs with fewer than 75 members First place: Fay Seltzer, In Balance, French Creek Equestrian Association, March/April 2015
Laura Graves and Verdades won the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle as part of the Stillpoint Farm FEI Nations Cup CDIO3* at the 2015 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival.
Available for your order! There are no known contraindications to the use of intramuscular Adequan® i.m. brand Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan in horses. Studies have not been conducted to establish safety in breeding horses. WARNING: Do not use in horses intended for human consumption. Not for use in humans. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children. Caution: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. Each 5 mL contains 500 mg Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan. Brief Summary Indications: For the intramuscular treatment of non-infectious degenerative and/or traumatic joint dysfunction and associated lameness of the carpal and hock joints in horses. See Product Package Insert at www.adequan.com for Full Prescribing Information.
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Photo by Fay Seltzer, French Creek Equestrian Association, first place, GMOs <75
USDF CONNECTION • February 2016
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club connection GMOs with 75–174 members First place: Sharon Blandford, The Half Halt, Central Tennessee Dressage Association, June 15, 2015
GMOs with 500 or more members No nominations
GMO Newsletter Awards, First-Person Experience Article GMOs with fewer than 75 members First place: “But, Still He Waits” by Lisa Spallone, Dressage Deciphered, First Coast Classical Dressage Society, 3rd Quarter 2015
Photo by Sharon Blandford, Central Tennessee Dressage Association, first place, GMOs 75-174
Honorable mention: “Feedback from the George Williams Clinic: Check This off My Bucket List” by Linda Otto, In Balance, French Creek Equestrian Association, November/ December 2014. GMOs with 75–174 members First place: “Grace Gregory’s Silver Lining” by Elizabeth TeSelle, The Half Halt, Central Tennessee Dressage Association, November 2014 Honorable mention: “Attire: What to Wear When” by Susan HoffmanPeacock, DASC Collected Comments, Dressage Association of Southern California, Spring 2015
editorial@usdf.org
GMOs with 175–499 members First place: “Experiencing the 2014 United States Dressage Finals Live on USEF Network” by Maureen Welch, NODA News, Northern Ohio Dressage Association, December 2014 Honorable mention: “A Dressage Geek in Defense of Dressage Judges” by Robert Dunn, Cross Country Magazine, Central States Dressage and Eventing Association, July 1, 2015 GMOs with 500 or more members First place: “How I (and Some Dashingly Dressed Donkeys) Met the Duchess” by Jo Ellen Hayden, PVDA Newsletter, Potomac Valley Dressage Association, May 2015 Honorable mention: “Ten Years, Two Months, and a Few Days with a Character” by Bran Plunkett, Collected Remarks, Georgia Dressage and Combined Training Association, June 2015.
The GMO Awards Judges Honorable mention: Cheryl Pelly, DASC Collected Comments, Dressage Association of Southern California, Spring 2015 GMOs with 175–499 members First place: Lisa Michelle Dean, Impulsion, Kentucky Dressage Association, July/August 2015
Photo by Lisa Michelle Dean, Kentucky Dressage Association, first place, GMOs 175-499
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SDF thanks the judges who had the tough task of choosing the 2015 Arvanette grant recipient; the Regional GMO Volunteers of the Year; and the GMO newsletter, website, and photography award winners: Ruth Arvanette Memorial Fund grant: Scarlett Fahrenson, Jennifer Jarvis, Cindi Wylie All are members of the USDF Group Member Organizations (GMO) Committee, with Cindi Wylie taking over as chair in 2016. Regional GMO Volunteers of the Year: Robert Dunn, Loretta Lucas, Lisa Toaldo All are members of the USDF GMO Committee. Photography awards: Ron Schwane, Derith Vogt Ron Schwane is a professional equine-sports photographer and the owner of Ron Schwane Photography. Derith Vogt owns and operates D&G Photography, which specializes in eventing and dressage images. Article awards: Anne Sushko, Carolyn Tice Carolyn Tice is a member of the USDF GMO Committee. Anne Sushko is the committee’s immediate past chair. Website awards: Melissa Berschens, Kasha Ford, Deb Heier, Corinne Stonier Melissa Berschens and Kasha Ford co-own the design and marketing firm Silver Buckle Services. Deb Heier and Corinne Stonier are GMO Committee members.
24 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
JENNIFER BRYANT
Jennifer Thompson of Central Tennessee Dressage Association, GMO photography 75-174 members
GMO Newsletter Awards, General-Interest Article GMOs with fewer than 75 members First place: “Horse Stable Fire Prevention and Preparation” by Lisa Beardsley, Dressage Deciphered, First Coast Classical Dressage Society, Vol. 1, Issue 1, 1st Quarter 2015 Honorable mention: “The Wheelbarrow Load” by Elizabeth Hussey, Direct Rein, Columbia Dressage and Combined Training Association, July 2015 GMOs with 75–174 members First place: “Care and Maintenance of the Senior Equine” by Pamela J. Wangenheim-Hawkins, DASC Collected Comments, Dressage Association of Southern California, Summer 2015
Pamela J. Wangenheim-Hawkins of Dressage Association of Southern California, GMO newsletter general interest, 75-174 members
Honorable mention: “Take It from a Pro: 4 Things You Don’t Know About Trailer Safety” by Victoria Bellino, The Half Halt, Central Tennessee Dressage Association, August 2015
JENNIFER BRYANT
GMOs with 175–499 members First place: “Put Down the Paste!” by Jennifer Selvig, DVM, Cross Country Magazine, Central States Dressage and Eventing Association, May 1, 2015 Honorable mention: “Report from the Large Animal Rescue Class” by Polly Butterworth, STRIDE Newsletter, STRIDE Dressage Association Inc., May 2015 USDF CONNECTION • February 2016
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club connection
editorial@usdf.org
Start Your Nominations!
I
t’s not too soon to start thinking about nominations for the 2016 GMO and Regional Volunteer of the Year awards, and about applying for the Ruth Arvanette Memorial Fund grant. Applications are due August 31. For information about the GMO awards, visit usdf.org and navigate to Awards/Service. Arvanette Fund info can be found under Membership/Group Member.
GMOs with 500 or more members First place (tie): “No Band-Aids Allowed: A Clinic with Shannon Dueck” by Diane Skvarla, PVDA Newsletter, Potomac Valley Dressage Association, July 2015 First place (tie): “Get Press on Your Wins!” by Lori Savit, Dressage Letters, California Dressage Society, August 2015.
GMO Website Awards, Best User Experience
GOOD THINGS come to THOSE WHO WAIT and NOW for THOSE WHO simply CAN’T REVELATION RED LABEL AVAILABLE IN STANDARD SIZES
GMOs with fewer than 75 members First place: Austin Dressage Unlimited (austindressageunlimited.org) Honorable mention: Central Washington Dressage Society (centralwashingtondressage.org) GMOs with 75–174 members First place: Nebraska Dressage Association (nebraskadressage.org)
Melissa Ward of Nebraska Dressage Association, GMO website 75-174 members
Honorable mention: Southern Eventing and Dressage Association (sedariders.org)
Arlene ‘Tuny’ Page with Woodstock
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albionsaddles
Image by Shannon Brinkman
GMOs with 500 or more members First place: Potomac Valley Dressage Association (pvda.org) Honorable mention: Georgia Dressage and Combined Training Association (gdcta.org). Congratulations to all of the winners! ▲
26 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
JENNIFER BRYANT
GMOs with 175–499 members First place: Kentucky Dressage Association (kentuckydressageassociation.com)
Tour Guide FEI small-tour, medium-tour, U25 tour, and big-tour test combinations explained. Also: What’s the difference between the Intermediate A and B tests? By Lilo Fore
T
he Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) groups dressage tests into four combinations, or “tours,” of increasing difficulty: small, medium, Under 25, and big. With the increasing numbers of FEI tests, it can be confusing for competitors and show management to figure out which tests are used in, or combined, for which tours. In this article, I’ll sort them out for you.
Medium tour. These are tests of “advanced standard.” The object of these tests is to prepare the horse for the Grand Prix, which is a test of the “highest standard.” There is no freestyle in the medium tour. Permitted tests and combinations: Intermediate A Intermediate B Int. A + Int. B
SIZING IT UP: The FEI has developed four “tours” to help horses and riders progress successfully from Prix St. Georges to Grand Prix
Small tour. This classification refers to the Prix St. Georges test of “medium standard” and the Intermediate I tests of “advanced medium standard.” The permitted tests and test combinations are: Prix St. Georges PSG + Intermediate I PSG + I-I Freestyle PSG + I-I or I-I Freestyle PSG + I-I + I-I Freestyle I-I I-I + I-I Freestyle.
Int. A + Intermediate II Int. B + I-II Int. A + Int. B + I-II. Under 25. The U25 tour is for riders between the ages of 16 and 25. Permitted tests and combinations: Int. A + Grand Prix 16-25 Int. B + GP 16-25 Int. A + GP 16-25 + Grand Prix Freestyle Int. B + GP 16-25 + GP Freestyle I-II + GP 16-25 I-II + GP 16-25 + GP Freestyle
28 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
editorial@usdf.org
GP 16-25 + Grand Prix Freestyle. Big tour. This refers to tests of the “highest standard.” Permitted tests and combinations: I-II I-II + GP I-II + Grand Prix + GP Freestyle or Grand Prix Special GP + GP Special or GP Freestyle GP + GP Special GP + GP Freestyle GP + GP Special + GP Freestyle Nations Cup formula at a CDIO: GP + GP Special or GP Freestyle Championship formula at a CDIO or FEI championship: GP + GP Special + GP Freestyle.
Intermediate A and B Tests Explained Now we can discuss the reasoning behind the creation of the Intermediate A and B tests. The FEI and many dressage judges felt that there was too big of a jump from the small tour (PSG and I-I) to the big tour (I-II, GP, and GP Special). Intermediate II was not being used very much, as it was in many opinions not a very rider- or horse-friendly test. The I-II was changed and is now more rider-friendly and easier to judge. However, the revised I-II test did not solve the problem that there still was a big jump from the small tour of “medium and medium/advanced standard” to the big tour of the “highest standard.” The biggest challenges, of course, were the piaffe and passage tour and the one-tempi changes. The level of collection in the PSG and I-I horse is not as confirmed as that of the Grand Prix horse, which in many instances created problems for the green FEI horse not yet strong enough to carry itself in the required GP level of collection. The FEI and judges realized that young GP horses should not be asked to piaffe too much on the spot at first, or to perform the difficult piaffe-passage transitions that require the highest level of thoroughness, engagement, and collection. To encourage horses
ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
the judge’s box
to maintain the desire to go forward in these movements, the FEI decided to create Intermediate-level tests that allow the horse to travel up to two meters in the piaffe. The A and B tests call for seven to 10 steps of piaffe, but when traveling forward two meters, the steps are really what we call “half-steps.” Although the horse is allowed to advance two meters in the piaffe, the tests do not require it to do so. If the rider is capable of showing a true piaffe of excellent quality performed more or less “on the spot,” we have to reward this with the maximum score. What riders do have to ensure is that the piaffe starts out of the walk, as stated in the test. In the Intermediate A and B tests, the transition to passage occurs out of a collected trot. In the A test, the passage is performed on a curved line to help the horse to stay supple and more controlled on the rider’s aids, and to keep the horse from pushing through the aids. In the B test, the passage occurs on a straight line and
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through the corners of the short side. Passage therefore is slightly more difficult in the B test. In the Intermediate A and B tests, as in the Intermediate II test, the rider is given the opportunity to develop the passage between two letters instead of having to start at a specific marker, as in the Grand Prix. There is one controversy about the placement of the piaffe on the short side at C in the Intermediate A and B tests. Riders feel that horses become confused
having to walk into the piaffe at C, when in the big tour they must walk in collection through the short side and could potentially anticipate the piaffe at C. I understand the concern and admit that it could potentially become confusing to the horse, with anticipation disturbing the quality of the collected walk in the Grand Prix test. What is horse-friendly in the A and B tests, however, is the transition to extended walk coming from the collected trot, not the passage,
DRESSAGE WEEK April 28– May 1, 2016 CDI-W, 1*, JR, YR, YH, U25
photo by John Borys
Evening of Musical Freestyles Saturday, April 30, 7:00 p.m. 2016 Official Qualifying Competition 2016 Olympic and 2017 World Cup Selection Trials
photo by FastWinn Photography
National Grand Prix & Intermediaire Championships
photo by John Borys orys
Pluto VI Andorella
Adequan FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North
AGCO/USEF Junior & Young Rider National Dressage Championships USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ National Dressage Championships Markel/USEF Young & Developing Horse Dressage Championship
Pluto Virtuosa 47
Arcola
UNITED STATES LIPIZZAN FE FEDERATION
Entries open February 25 Entries close April 5 Enter online at www.equestrianentries.com
Del Mar Fairgrounds 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Del Mar, CA 92014 858.792.4288 www.delmarnational.com facebook.com/delmarnational Exhibitor/Technical Information Equestrian Concepts Regina Antonioli 805.306.1885 | eqconcepts@earthlink.net photo: Amy McCool Photography
Learn about Lipizzaners & locate a breeder by visiting:
USLipizzan.org • 503-589-3172
USDF CONNECTION • February 2016
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the judge’s box as in the big-tour tests. The A and B tests also offer a friendly introduction to the one- and two-tempi changes: seven two-tempis and seven onetempis—a lower number than that required in the big-tour tests. In the A test, canter pirouettes are placed on the short diagonal as in the I-I test: pirouette on the center line with a flying change. In the B test, the pirouettes are performed on the long diagonal MXK with a flying change at X between the pirouettes. This progression prepares the horse for the later required pirouettes with a flying change in between as required in the Grand Prix—of course more difficult in GP because they are ridden on the center line. I think the canter movements in the Intermediate A and B tests are well chosen to help rider and
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horse progress to the higher standard of tests.
member of the ground jury at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, and she was president of the ground jury at the 2015 Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final.
Building a Progression The Intermediate A and B are not easy tests, but they contain many wellthought-out exercises. Some horses and riders may find them easier than others, but the FEI and its judges were striving to give riders the opportunity to gradually introduce their horses to the big-tour tests and to let both become comfortable with the greater requirements as they prepare to step up to Grand Prix. All in all, I think it is a definite step in the right direction. ▲
• Adult-amateur issue
Lilo Fore, of Santa Rosa, CA, is an FEI 5* judge and an examiner in the USDF Instructor/Trainer Program. She was a
• The next generation: Meet the USDF’s youth leaders
COMING NEXT MONTH • Straighten your horse with Gerhard Politz • The latest on footing with Dr. Hilary Clayton
Take USDF with you wherever you go... USDF has launched a new app,
“USDF: Your Dressage Connection” The app provides access to USDF media and publications, and features stream and social media components. Easy access to the digital editions of USDF Connection, USDF Member Guide, and the Online Stallion Guide, as well as new online-only content. USDF members have full access to all content and features of the app, with the exception of retail titles. This is just another way that USDF is YOUR CONNECTION TO THE
AMERICAN
DRESSAGE COMMUNITY Take advantage of this new member benefit today! To download the app and view tutorial videos on how the app works, visit the USDF website.
www.usdf.org/app 30 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
amateur hour
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2015 USDF Arts Contest Winners
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he USDF Adult and Youth Arts Contest recognizes members’ creative excellence in dressagerelated photography, art, and writing in three age divisions: fifteen and under,
sixteen to 21, and adult. The grandprize-winning art entry from 2015 graces the cover of the 2016 USDF Member Guide. Here, enjoy all of the winners by USDF’s talented members.
GRAND PRIZE: “Golden Wheat” by Emily Nordhues
32 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Get Creative!
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tart wielding those paintbrushes and cameras. Share your best dressage-related creative efforts in the 2016 Arts Contest. The grand-prize winner is featured on the cover of the annual USDF Member Guide. For contest and entry details, go to usdf.org.
ART, 15 & UNDER FIRST PLACE: “Valegro” by Brynne Varvel
ART, 15 & UNDER SECOND PLACE: “Shades of Dressage” by Lauren Booth
USDF CONNECTION • February 2016
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amateur hour
ART, 16 ART 16-21 21 FIRST PLACE PLACE: “R “Refl flections” ti ” by b Savannah S h Collier C lli
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ART, 16-21 SECOND PLACE: “Passage” by Anja Stadelmann
ART, ADULT SECOND PLACE: “Show Ponies” by Cathy Zappe
ART, ADULT FIRST PLACE: “White Champion” by Leann Martin
34 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
PHOTOGRAPHY, 15 & UNDER FIRST PLACE: PHOTOGRAPHY PLACE “Littl “Little M Man”” b by Cl Claire i M Mullhollem llh ll
PHOTOGRAPHY, 15 & UNDER SECOND PLACE: “Snow Kissed” by Emily Nordhues
USDF CONNECTION • February 2016
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amateur hour
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2015 Arts Contest Results GRAND PRIZE WINNER Emily Nordhues, Bartlesville, OK ART DIVISION Adult First Place Leeann Martin, Duncanville, TX Adult Second Place Anna Rockwell, San Quentin, CA Youth (16-21) First Place Savannah Collier, Magnolia, TX Youth (16-21) Second Place Anja Stadelman, Dunbarton, NH Youth (15 and Under) First Place Brynne Varvel, Bloomington, IN Youth (15 and Under) Second Place Lauren Booth, Warner Robins, GA
PHOTOGRAPHY, 16-21 FIRST PLACE: “Diamond(s) Are a Girl’s Best Friend” by Caroline Cheval
PHOTOGRAPHY DIVISION Adult First Place Andrea Waxler Kaplan, Nashua, NH Adult Second Place Michele Dodge, Plymouth, CA Youth (16-21) First Place Caroline Cheval, Boulder, CO Youth (16-21) Second Place Madison Chalfant, Elmira, NY Youth (15 and Under) First Place Claire Mulhollem, Carlisle, KY Youth (15 and Under) Second Place Emily Nordhues, Bartlesville, OK PHOTOGRAPHY, 16-21 SECOND PLACE: “Equum Vitale” by Madison Chalfant
36 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
amateur hour The
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2016 USDF Arts Contest 2 Divisions Art and Photography 3 Age Groups 15 and under, 16 to 21 and Adult
ENTRY DEADLINE JULY 1 The grand prize winning entry will be used as the cover art for the USDF Member Guide.
www.usdf.org (awards/other awards) for complete contest rules and entry form PHOTOGRAPHY, ADULT FIRST PLACE: ““Sitting at A”” b by Andrea d Waxler l Kaplan l
NEBRASKADRESSAGE.ORG
Nebraska is the birthplace of organized dressage in America, with Lowell Boomer founding USDF in 1973 in Lincoln, NE.
W Nebraska Dressage Association is proud to represent Nebraska as a charter GMO, carrying on Mr. Boomer’s legacy.
EDUCATION. COMPETITION. COMMUNITY.
38 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
PHOTOGRAPHY, ADULT SECOND PLACE: “A Day at the Spa” by Michele Dodge
USDF 2016 Member Perks Partners Discounts available to 2016 USDF members DressageClinic.com Educational videos from the top dressage trainers around the globe. 15% discount on membership
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A Destination Event Now in its third year, the US Dressage Finals have become a standout championships BY JENNIFER M. KEELER PHOTOGRAPHS BY SUSANJSTICKLE.COM
WORTH THE TRIP: Californian Elizabeth Landers trots to the 2015 US Dressage Finals Third Level Open Freestyle reserve championship aboard her Hanoverian gelding, His Highness Crusador
40 February 2016 â&#x20AC;¢ USDF CONNECTION
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fter a smashing debut in 2013 followed by explosive growth the next year, the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan settled into a comfortable rhythm for its third annual edition, held November 5-8, 2015. The rolling green hills of the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington once again welcomed competitors from across the country for this unique national head-to-head championship competition for adult-amateur and open riders at all levels from Training to Grand Prix. Even the occasionally-temperamental November Kentucky weather seemed more comfortable this year, offering mostly cool, sunny weather. As the Finals have matured, they are proving to be what USDF leaders had hoped: not just another horse show, but a true destination event. “I have had the privilege of attending all three of our national finals competitions—the first and third years as a judge, and the second year coaching several students who qualified,” said FEI 4* judge Jayne Ayers, of Dousman, WI. “Each year has been an amazing experience. The Kentucky Horse Park has such a special atmosphere and so many amenities that make the event like none other.” “When I came to the Finals last year, I never thought I’d love the show as much as I did, but after I got home I immediately put in a time-off request at work for 2015 so that I could be sure to come back if I qualified,” said adult-amateur rider Amy Gimbel, of Oldwick, NJ. Gimbel did more than just qualify, riding her Dutch Warmblood mare, Eye Candy, to multiple titles at the 2015 Finals. Heather McCarthy, of Prairie Grove, IL, was another repeat Finals competitor, returning to the Bluegrass last year with several mounts of her own and with several clients and students, as well. “We look forward to coming to the Finals all year,” McCarthy said. “When we’re at Regionals [Great American/USDF Regional Championships], we all keep our fingers crossed, hoping we’re going to qualify because it’s such a fun show to come to.” Said USDF president George Williams: “The US Dressage Finals are fast becoming one of the most important dressage competitions on the American landscape, as well as proving to be an event that more and more competitors strive to be invited to. Each year we look for ways to build the competition and to continue to make it a positive and memorable experience for our competitors. We have new people coming to the Finals each year, but this time I especially noticed so many familiar faces. People are not just coming one time; they’re coming back year after year, which I believe is indicative of the Finals becoming a true destination event.” Participation in the 2015 Finals was strong, remaining nearly identical to the record-setting numbers of 2014. There
“LIKE NONE OTHER”: Adult amateur Amy Gimbel (shown winning the Second Level Freestyle AA championship and the Second Level AA reserve championship aboard her Eye Candy) had high praise for the Finals
were 396 exhibitors in Finals and open Dressage in the Bluegrass classes (357 competitors in the Finals divisions), with 36 states and all nine USDF regions represented. Florida led the state count with 38 riders in the Finals, followed by Texas (31), Ohio (27), and New Jersey (21). Riders ranging from 12-yearold Sophia Holloway, of St. Simons Island, GA, to Olympic dressage team bronze medalist and Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame inductee Michael Poulin, of DeLeon Springs, FL, competed for national titles and more than $50,000 in prize money across 30 divisions. And once again, families, friends, and dressage enthusiasts who couldn’t attend in person could share in the experience thanks to live online streaming of select classes on the US Equestrian Federation’s USEF Network. Despite its size and scope, a trademark of the Finals has been a special atmosphere and excellent organization thanks to an all-star team of staff, officials, and volunteers. “Every year gets better from an organizational standpoint because we learn how to run the show more efficiently, which then of course benefits the competitors,” said show manager Janine Malone, of Zebulon, NC. “Key members of the management team have worked together at the Finals every year and know what is needed to get the job done, and we always make a point to review the feedback from competitors and other stakeholders to see how we can make things better. “For instance, one big change from previous years was the assignment of stalls in the [climate-controlled] Alltech barns,” Malone said. “We always have far more requests for stalls in these barns than we are able to accommodate, and many felt that exhibitors competing in the earlier reUSDF CONNECTION
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A Special Dedication
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he 2015 Finals were especially poignant, as the recent loss of three prominent figures in the US dressage community were remembered and honored during the event. The competition was officially dedicated to former USDF Region 4 director and internationally known competition manager Lloyd Landkamer, who lost his battle with cancer on September 25. Landkamer was a supporter and believer in the Finals from their inception, serving on the show’s organizing committee and managing the competition for the first two years. “Lloyd was determined to be at the US Dressage Finals again this year,” USDF president George Williams said during the emotional dedication ceremony. “Sadly, it was not meant to be, and we can only take some comfort in knowing he is here in spirit.” New perpetual trophies were presented in memory of two other dressage supporters who
VERONICA HOLT PERPETUAL TROPHY: Holt’s daughter Sally Hayes holds the new trophy while current USDF Region 5 director Heather Petersen and USDF president George Williams look on
42 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
left us in 2015. The Veronica Holt Perpetual Trophy for the Grand Prix Open champion, presented by USDF Region 5 and Friends, is named for the late FEI steward, USDF regional director, and longtime USDF and GMO volunteer who was the 2006 USDF Volunteer of the Year. Holt’s daughter Sally Hayes presented the inaugural trophy to Gwen Poulin, of DeLeon Springs, FL, who rode Belinda NairnWertman’s Dutch Warmblood gelding, William, to an emotional victory. USDF Region 4 honored the memory of another former regional director, Miki Christophersen, by creating a perpetual trophy to be presented to the Prix St. Georges Open champion. Christophersen, the 2011 USDF Volunteer of the Year, was a former Kansas City Dressage Society president and chair of the USDF Nominating Committee. The inaugural recipient was James Koford, of Raleigh, NC, who rode Maryanna Haymon’s Hanoverian stallion, Doctor Wendell MF, to the title.
MIKI CHRISTOPHERSEN PERPETUAL TROPHY: Honoring the late former USDF Region 4 director are her daughter, Cathy Hanna; son, Hunter Christophersen; widower, Ed Christophersen; and USDF president George Williams
gional championships had a big advantage getting stalls in the Alltech than those competing in the later regionals. For the first time this year, we allocated Alltech stalls based on the percentage of entries from each region. The competitors from each championship that requested Alltech stalls and completed their entries the earliest received their regions’ allotment of those stalls. Hopefully, the competitors felt that this system was more equitable to everyone.” Finals first-timer Elizabeth Landers, one of 19 West Coast competitors, hauled two horses almost 50 hours from Agoura Hills, CA, to compete at First and Third Levels. For her efforts, she took home a Third Level Open Freestyle reserve championship with her Hanoverian gelding, His Highness Crusador. “I’m still a little speechless. I’ve been in Europe and around the world, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a nicer place than this,” said Landers. “From the beautiful grounds to the outstanding organization it’s all been amazing, and the easy access to information is mind-boggling. To be able to sit here and follow live scores and go through my test with scores and comments all on my smartphone is almost unbelievable. The footing is the best I’ve ever seen—it’s consistent everywhere you go, from warm-up to show ring— and the [indoor] Alltech Arena is truly spectacular, a dream
to ride in. What’s especially interesting about the Alltech is that I have a horse who can be spooky, but he walked in and was immediately at ease; there’s just something about it. I could almost not go back home, it’s so beautiful here.” Officials and competitors alike agreed that the bar has been raised for horses and riders coming to the Finals. “I definitely think the competition has been tougher here this year, and it’s a great thing to see,” said Rachael Hicks. The adult amateur from Prospect, KY, found herself in the winner’s circle several times during the week, including to accept the Janine Westmoreland Malone Perpetual Trophy presented by USDF for winning the Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur Championship with her Westfalen gelding, Fabio Bellini. “There wasn’t a single time where you saw an exhibitor and wondered how they got there. The quality was very impressive.” “I judged the first competition in 2013, and I was thrilled to see that the quality of the horses and the riding was at a much higher standard this year,” said FEI 4* judge Janet Foy, of Colorado Springs, CO. “It was exciting to judge large classes with everyone scoring in the high 60-percent to lower 70-percent range, even with some mistakes. I did not see one rider that needed an improved seat! And I saw horses that are par with top-quality horses in Europe.”
What actually makes “good” footing good? As horsemen, we love to talk about the footing. Good, bad, but never indifferent. Good footing can actually increase the longevity of a horse’s career. Bad footing can send you straight to the vet. Recently the FEI published a white paper discussing the science behind good footing. The same scientific approach that has been applied to Attwood’s premium blends for almost twenty years. From the hoof’s first impact to the rollover, there is a concussive element to all footing. Mostly, the horse’s soft tissue will absorb much of it, but good footing can minimize the effects. As the horse’s hoof impacts the surface, there is movement forward. Not enough grip and the horse will slip. Too much grip and the horse cannot move freely. It takes a master craftsman who understands the science and a horse’s biomechanics to make truly good footing. That’s why America’s leading riders choose Attwood.
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An Unexpected Journey
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or young dressage professional Christine Landry, of East Dennis, MA, competing at the US Dressage Finals wasn’t even a pipe dream. But when a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity presents itself from the most unlikely of circumstances, as Landry put it, “You have to make it happen.” A lifelong dressage enthusiast, Landry, now 26, got her big break after graduating from high school, when she became a working student for “the Bills” William Warren and Bill McMullin. She worked at WarrenMcMullin Dressage in Stoughton, MA, for three years while earning a business degree from Framingham (MA) State University. Then another door opened: “I got a job working for Steffen and Shannon Peters in San Diego from 2011 to 2012,” Landry said. “It was incredible; the amount of knowledge I gained was amazing.” During her stint, Landry accompanied Lientje Schueler, then assistant trainer at Team Peters, on a trip to Germany. “While we were there I saw Santino, who was a three-year-old, and it was love at first sight,” Landry recalled. But even as she took the leap to purchase the young Hanoverian, more changes were in the air. “At the same time, I was invited to stay and train [in Germany]. So I went home for the summer, finished my job in San Diego, and went back to Germany, where I was reunited with Santino. I eventually brought him home the following year, and we started doing the Four-Year-Old classes. He was always super-talented.” But before long, the honeymoon was over. “When he turned five, everything changed. All of a sudden he became a real handful—just so unhappy and naughty to work with. No one could figure out what was happening or why, and it just went on and on with no answer in sight. It felt like a dead end, and I was devastated for both of us,” said Landry. “Finally, out of desperation, we did a nuclear scan, and everything lit up. The vet was like, ‘Huh, maybe we should have checked for Lyme disease earlier.’ But who would have thought it?” After a lengthy course of treatment, Santino slowly reverted to the horse Landry had fallen in love with. “It turned out that all the bad behavior was a result of the physical symptoms he was experiencing from Lyme, but we didn’t know it. All of a sudden, his great attitude was back. He seemed to say, ‘OK, I can do this,’ and he was my teammate again.” Having lost nearly a year, the young pair cautiously returned to showing in the spring of 2015. They started out at First Level and immediately qualified for the Great American/USDF Region 8 Championship. So
44 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
I DO, I DO! Even her upcoming nuptials couldn’t keep young dressage pro Christine Landry from making the trip to the Finals with her horse, Santino
“We went ahead and tried Second Level, and he just got better and better and suddenly we were qualified for that too,” said Landry. “We went to Regionals, and he won! The Finals weren’t ever on my radar because I was just so grateful to have my horse back. Then we received the Finals invitation, and I couldn’t believe it. It was surreal to even think that we could have made it after what we’d been through.” Although the invitation was tempting, Landry had concerns about attending the Finals. She was working full-time for Massachusetts-based Grand Prix-level rider and trainer Cindi Rose Wylie. Money was tight, and the prospect of making the thousand-mile trip to Kentucky was daunting. What’s more, Landry had her mind on something even more important: her upcoming wedding. As it has for several other Finals competitors, crowdfunding saved the day. Explained Landry: “I set up a GoFundMe account, and a lot of friends really helped out with donations. My fiancé, Chris, and I packed our truck and drove ourselves down, trying to make things as affordable as possible. The weekend before we left for the Finals was like a whirlwind with trying to get wedding stuff done, cake tastings and all that; thank goodness I have my mom to help me! To have all of this happen all at once is just crazy.” The craziness paid off. Landry and the horse she refused to give up on competed in both the First and Second Level divisions at the US Dressage Finals, placing fifth in the hard-fought First Level Open Championship. “If you want it badly enough, you have to make it happen one way or another,” Landry said. “You hope and you pray and you find the money. It’s an opportunity that can’t be passed up. Now I’ll go home and can’t wait to wear that wedding dress, but I sure hope to be back.”
Regions Cup Introduced at 2015 Finals
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dding another element of competition and spurring on a bit of regional rivalry, the top-scoring riders in various divisions from each of the Great American/USDF Regional Championships competed on regional teams in the inaugural US Dressage Finals Regions Cup. Explained show manager Janine Malone: “A successful regional-championship program is the foundation of the US Dressage Finals, so from the beginning the organizing committee has considered ways to incorporate better recognition of the regions and of the competitors that qualified from each regional championship. We also wanted the Finals to include a lighthearted component that would add interest to the event. [USDF president] George Williams studied regional-championships results to determine how the teams could be as evenly matched as possible regardless of the number of competitors they had in attendance. At the same time, we wanted to ensure that adult amateurs would be represented and that the system would be reasonably uncomplicated and fair. Since this was the first year of the Regions Cup, I’m sure that plan will be tweaked going forward, but I hope we added another layer of interest to the event.”
The three-member Regions Cup teams comprised the highest-scoring eligible horse/rider combinations in the Training and First Level championship classes (open or adult amateur) as well as in the FEI-level championship classes (open or adult amateur) at each of the nine Great American/ USDF Regional Championships. The highest-scoring eligible adult-amateur horse/rider combination in the Second through Fourth Level Regional Championship classes was named as the third member of each regional team. Coming out on top after three days of championship competition was Region 3—which happened to send 84 competitors to the 2015 Finals, the most of the nine USDF regions. Team Region 3 (Kathryn Stoy/ Rapunzel of Hillock, First Level open; Camilla Van Liew/Dartesch, Third Level AA; and James Koford/ Doctor Wendell MF, Prix St. Georges open) earned a winning average score of 70.762 percent. Finishing in second was Team Region 8 (David Collins/Bojing, Jennifer Huber/Duchesse du Pre, and Heather Mason/ Romantico SF) with 70.039. Team Region 2 (Nicole Trapp/Paolucius, Rachael Hicks/Don Cartier, and Heather McCarthy/Saphira) placed third with 69.629.
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“I have to admit that I was very skeptical about the idea of the Finals,” said FEI 4* judge Natalie Lamping, of Ocala, FL. “But I judged last year and was honored to be asked to return, and once again the organizers did an amazing job. I agree that the quality has improved; but more importantly, the riders are simply so excited to be there, even the ones that had bad luck with their rides. I also see how this event is so important to so many adult-amateur riders that they are willing to make sacrifices to be part of it, and it’s these people who support and pay for our sport. I am now a believer.” ▲ Jennifer M. Keeler, of Lexington, KY, is a freelance writer and marketer who served as the press officer for the 2015 US Dressage Finals. Her website is YellowHorseMarketing.com. Turn to page 48 for photos and complete results from the 2015 US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan. Digital Edition Bonus Content
Watch select tests from the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan on demand on the USEF Network.
46 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
US Dressage Finals by the Numbers TOP STATES BY # OF ENTRIES:
TOP REGIONS BY # OF ENTRIES:
Florida = 38 Texas = 32 Ohio = 27 New Jersey = 21 Michigan = 18 Kentucky = 18 North Carolina = 17 Virginia = 14 Georgia = 14 California = 13 Maryland = 13 Illinois = 13 New York = 12 Alabama = 11 South Carolina = 11 Missouri = 10
Region 3 = 84 Region 1 = 60 Region 8 = 58 Region 2 = 57 Region 4 = 50 Region 9 = 38 Region 7 = 12 Region 5 = 10 Region 6 = 4 Note: These are the regions through which a horse/rider combination qualified for the US Dressage Finals, which is not necessarily their “home” region as competitors may declare in another region for a particular year.
Thank You 2015
Mark Your Calendars...
US Dressage Finals
Patrons Platinum Judith E. Jones In Memory of Madison S. Jones III
Gold Janne Rumbough Epique Equestrian LLC Elizabeth Meyer
Silver California Dressage Society Sandy Collins Juliet Sears LeDorze 2 White Feet, Inc.
and
USDF Dressage in the Bluegrass
Bronze Barbara Noble and Joe Floyd Maryal Barnett Centerline Events LLC Cauleen Glass Marianne Ludwig Northern Ohio Dressage Association Oak Hill Ranch LLC Rosinburg Events LLC Deborah Stanitski The Paddock Group LLC Barbara Wolfe
Nov. 10-13, 2016 Kentucky Horse Park Compete in a national championship that showcases competitors in adult amateur and open divisions, at Training Level through Grand Prix.
Friends Jeanne Ahrenholz Lisa Battan Jaralyn G. Finn Joyce Hardesty Ronnie & Theresa Horne Jackie Pisani Jennifer Margaret Thompson
For more information visit
usdressagefinals.com
US DRESSAGE FINALS PRESENTED BY ADEQUAN
THE 2015 US DRESSAGE FINALS PRESENTED BY ADEQUAN The 2015 US Dressage Finals Presented by Adequan were held November 5-8, 2015 in Lexington, KY.
7.
QROWN PRINCE (Hanoverian), Deborah Gunset, owner; Lisa Schmidt (NJ), rider; Quaterback, sire; Halleluja H.A., dam ......................................................................71.818% 8. EDISTO (Dutch Warmblood), Sherry Yanney, owner; Anne Yanney (SC), rider; Idocus, sire; Lamiera, dam .......................................................................................70.152% Judges: William Warren, Kristi Wysocki, Jeanne McDonald, Natalie Lamping, Lois Yukins, Jayne Ayers, 9. DUBLIN L (Hanoverian), Douglas & Louise Leatherdale & Leatherdale Farms, owners; Mike Suchanek (MN), rider; Damsey, sire; Wilbranda, dam....................................67.879% Janet Foy, Anne Gribbons, Liselotte Fore, Kathy Rowse, Axel Steiner, Christel Carlson, Joan Darnell 10. PAOLUCIUS (Hanoverian), Nicole Trapp (WI), owner/rider; Pablo, sire; Ghizelle, dam............................................................................................................67.273%
Training Level Adult Amateur
CH. HAMPTON (Danish Warmblood), Ashlee Watts (TX), owner/rider; Blue Hors Hotline, sire; Madigan L, dam .................................................................75.152% RS. FREUDENTÄNZER (Hanoverian), Christine Malpartida (FL), owner/rider; Furst Nymphenburg, sire; Design-Ra, dam .............................................................72.273% 3. GOTHAM (American Warmblood), Sara Stone (IL), owner/rider; Gabriel, sire; Mystic, dam .........................................................................................70.758% 4. DACAPRIELLA (Hanoverian), Alyssa Barngrover (AZ), owner/rider; Dacaprio, sire; Nebella, dam ....................................................................................70.000% 5. EVITA (Dutch Warmblood), Lucy Tidd (MD), owner/rider .......................................70.000% 6. DON NOIR (Oldenburg), Terry Swenson Blair (GA), owner/rider .............................69.318% 7. DE BLASIO (Oldenburg), Ken Mcgrath & Belinda Chu, owners; Belinda Chu (IL), rider ..............................................................................................69.167% 8. HALLAH GGF (Hanoverian), Carol Ann Head (NH), owner/rider; Hotline, sire; Raphaela HB, dam ..............................................................................68.939% 9. LEXI ANNA (Hanoverian), Eliza Slone & Daniel Temeles, owners; Eliza Slone (VA), rider ...............................................................................................68.333% 10. FAULKNER (Oldenburg), James Gerhart, owner; Valerie Pervo (OH), rider; Hilltop Festrausch, sire; Pompon, dam ....................................................................68.106%
Training Level Open CH. HEARTSONG (Oldenburg), Leslie Waterman, owner; Debbie Hill (AL), rider ..........75.833% RS. RAPUNZEL (Westfalen), Kayla Mckay (FL), owner/rider .........................................73.333% 3. WIEBEKKA (Oldenburg), Vanessa Carlson, owner; Mimi Benton (AR), rider; Wradar, sire; Wiebekin, dam ....................................................................................72.727% 4. DAUNTLESS (Hanoverian), Betsy Sell & Shade Tree Farm Inc., owners; Kristin Stein (OH), rider ............................................................................................72.576% 5. BRIEL B (Friesian), Karen Dellecker, owner; Gwen Poulin (FL), rider.......................72.576% 6. BOJING (Hanoverian), David Collins (NY), owner/rider; Benetton Dream, sire; Wie Lanthana, dam..................................................................................................71.970%
Ashlee Watts and Hampton, Training Level Adult Amateur
48 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
First Level Adult Amateur CH. RAZMITAZ (Zweibrucker), Judith Carrington & Catalina Sherwood, owners; Catalina Sherwood (AZ), rider..................................................................................69.118% RS. HAMPTON (Danish Warmblood), Ashlee Watts (TX), owner/rider; Blue Hors Hotline, sire; Madigan L, dam .................................................................68.284% 3. SS SERAPHINA (Oldenburg), Heather Fultz (FL), owner/rider ................................68.088% 4. FASCINATION (Hanoverian), Emily Anderson, owner; Amy Itkin (WA), rider .........67.892% 5. HALLAH GGF (Hanoverian), Carol Ann Head (NH), owner/rider; Hotline, sire; Raphaela HB, dam....................................................................................................67.745% 6. CLEARLY SUNSHINE (Oldenburg), Sara McConnell (MO), owner/rider ...................67.451% 7. ASTA LINDEBJERG (Danish Warmblood), Amelia Hellman (VA), owner/rider........67.402% 8. LAXWELL (Oldenburg), Birgitt Dagge (FL), owner/rider; Lingh, sire; Dessous, dam ...........................................................................................................67.010% 9. KIR ROYAL (Oldenburg), Pamela Hara (GA), owner/rider........................................66.373% 10. FS DJAMBO (Westfalen), Andrea Jackson (NJ), owner/rider; FS Don’t Worry, sire; Dancing Flower, dam ..............................................................66.176% 10. CROWN OF FIRE (Thoroughbred Cross), Michelle Calongne (TX), owner/rider ......66.176%
First Level Open CH. STERNLICHT HILLTOP (Hanoverian), Hilltop Farm Inc, owner; Michael Bragdell (MD), rider; Soliman de Hus, sire; Rhapsody GGF, dam ..............74.363% RS. FURST AURUM (Oldenburg), Ronald Woodcock & Stacey Hastings, owners; Stacey Hastings (NC), rider; Furst Romancier, sire; Kapella, dam ...........................72.598% 3. RAPUNZEL OF HILLOCK (Hanoverian), Lisa Smith, owner; Kathryn Stoy (AL), rider; Rousseau, sire; Big Girl, dam ....................................................................................71.569% 4. SUNDANCER (Oldenburg), Lisa Giltner (FL), owner/rider........................................71.275% 5. SANTINO (Hanoverian), Christine Landry (MA), owner/rider .................................71.078%
Debbie Hill and Heartsong, Training Level Open; Courtney Bruso, representing SmartPak; Lois Yukins, judge; John Cashman, Adequan Territory Manager; and George Williams, USDF President
6.
DUBLIN L (Hanoverian), Douglas & Louise Leatherdale & Leatherdale Farms, owners; Mike Suchanek (MN), rider; Damsey, sire; Wilbranda, dam....................................70.980% 7. LIBERTY (Oldenburg), Elizabeth Landers (IL), owner/rider; Ludwigs As, sire; Funni Belinda, dam ......................................................................70.637% 8. LORELEI (Hanoverian Cross), Lisa Giltner (FL), owner/rider ....................................70.392% 9. WIEBEKKA (Oldenburg), Vanessa Carlson, owner; Mimi Benton (AR), rider; Wradar, sire; Wiebekin, dam ....................................................................................70.147% 10. FRANCA SYMPATHICA (Hanoverian), Renee Delisse, owner; Paige Peters-Windham (TX), rider; Fidertanz, sire; Soraya, dam............................69.412%
Michael Bragdell and Sternlicht Hilltop, First Level Open 7.
FAULKNER (Oldenburg), James Gerhart, owner; Valerie Pervo (OH), rider; Hilltop Festrausch, sire; Pompon, dam ....................................................................67.778% 8. FRF BACKTALK (Morgan), Marissa Klimkiewicz (MI), owner/rider .........................65.000% 9. HESA DANDY JULE (Quarter Horse), Patricia Bures (IL), owner/rider; Sir Jules Mac, sire; Quincy Superstar, dam...............................................................64.944% 10. FARADAY (Oldenburg), Kathryn Rizzoni (OH), owner/rider; Fernet Branka, sire; Kaumajet, dam ........................................................................63.111%
First Level Open Freestyle
CH. FURST AURUM (Oldenburg), Ronald Woodcock & Stacey Hastings, owners; Stacey Hastings (NC), rider; Furst Romancier, sire; Kapella, dam ...........................74.278% First Level Adult Amateur Freestyle RS. RAE SANGRIA (Oldenburg), Kristin Stein (OH), owner/rider; CH. SS SERAPHINA (Oldenburg), Heather Fultz (FL), owner/rider ................................72.167% Royal Prince, sire; Ferrymore Lane, dam..................................................................73.556% RS. MARCO VON LAAR (Friesian), Carol Wertz (NC), owner/rider; Onne 376, sire; 3. LIBERTY (Oldenburg), Elizabeth Landers (IL), owner/rider; Wydana von Laar, dam ............................................................................................69.333% Ludwigs As, sire; Funni Belinda, dam ......................................................................72.333% 3. SILHOUETTE (Oldenburg), Michelle Morehead (KY), owner/rider; 4. ASTI FCH (Haflinger), Bryn Walsh, owner; Rebecca Reed (ME), rider; Staccato*, sire; Lafonsa, dam...................................................................................68.722% Arno van Het Nieshof, sire; Cristal Lite SDH, dam ....................................................71.111% 4. AMADEUS (Swedish Warmblood), Malena Brisbois (VA), owner/rider; 5. COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO (Hanoverian), Andrea Ruting (NC), owner/rider; Amiral, sire; Rock Starlet, dam .................................................................................68.667% Curator, sire; Acella, dam..........................................................................................70.444% 5. LAXWELL (Oldenburg), Birgitt Dagge (FL), owner/rider; 6. ARGENTUM BSH (Oldenburg), Dove Butler, owner; Lingh, sire; Dessous, dam.........................................................................................68.000% Katie Hoefs-Martin (CA), rider; Art Deco, sire; Sasia, dam.......................................70.000% 6. ULLA AMAZING GRACE (Holsteiner), Jean Tuttle (NC), owner/rider; 7. DANTE (Oldenburg), Lynn Jendrowski (VA), owner/rider; Camiros, sire; Feliz, dam ...........................................................................................67.833% Donarweiss GGF, sire; Wicka Alina, dam ..................................................................69.667%
Heather Fultz and SS Seraphina, First Level Adult Amateur Freestyle; Courtney Bruso, representing SmartPak; Hallye Griffin, USEF Managing Director Dressage; John Cashman, Adequan Territory Manager; Natalie Lamping, judge; and Allyn Mann, Director Luitpold Animal Health
Stacey Hastings and Furst Aurum, First Level Open Freestyle; Natalie Lamping, judge; George Williams, USDF President ; Danielle Aamodt, representing Dietrich Insurance; John Cashman, Adequan Territory Manager; and Allyn Mann, Director Luitpold Animal Health
USDF CONNECTION
â&#x20AC;¢
February 2016
49
US DRESSAGE FINALS PRESENTED BY ADEQUAN
Catalina Sherwood and Razmitaz, First Level Adult Amateur
US DRESSAGE FINALS PRESENTED BY ADEQUAN
DAUNTLESS (Hanoverian), Betsy Sell & Shade Tree Farm Inc., owners; Second Level Adult Amateur Freestyle Kristin Stein (OH), rider ............................................................................................68.933% CH. EYE CANDY (Dutch Warmblood), Amy Gimbel (NJ), owner/rider; 9. H ACE OF HEARTS (Hanoverian), Otterbein University, owner; UB 40, sire; Wednesday, dam...................................................................................76.333% Jennifer Roth (OH), rider; Hochadel, sire; Feline, dam.............................................68.822% RS. FEINEST PROOF (Oldenburg), Jamie Reilley (NJ), owner/rider; 10. VALSAR (Half Andalusian), Melody Light, owner; Lynn Jendrowski (VA), rider; Feiner Stern, sire; Proof Run, dam ...........................................................................69.000% Principe, sire; Shall we Tango, dam..........................................................................68.222% 3. RHIANNON (Oldenburg), Cariann Wlosinski (KY), owner/rider; Rousseau, sire; Odette, dam ....................................................................................68.889% Second Level Adult Amateur 4. REMINGTON (Hanoverian), Sandra Cohen (NY), owner/rider; CH. E. FELIX (Dutch Warmblood), Kristen Ortt (MD), owner/rider; Royal Diamond, sire; Joy, dam .................................................................................67.933% Ferro, sire; Bissextile, dam........................................................................................71.138% 5. I’M FULL OF STUFF (Belgian Warmblood), Jennifer Strauss (WI), owner/rider; RS. EYE CANDY (Dutch Warmblood), Amy Gimbel (NJ), owner/rider; Pascal D’ Pau, sire; Plush Stuff, dam .........................................................................67.500% UB 40, sire; Wednesday, dam...................................................................................70.610% 6. HOT-ROYAL HIT (Oldenburg), Jean Rude (IA), owner/rider .....................................66.256% 3. RHIANNON (Oldenburg), Cariann Wlosinski (KY), owner/rider; 7. POINT D’ESPRIT (Oldenburg), Debra Cangialosi, owner; Rousseau, sire; Odette, dam ....................................................................................70.488% Rebecca Ruthberg (FL), rider; Pointmaker, sire; Exclusive Faigie, dam ...................65.278% 4. SMILE (Oldenburg), Barbara Wolfe (NJ), owner/rider; Sandro Hit, sire; 8. LAXWELL (Oldenburg), Birgitt Dagge (FL), owner/rider; Wolkenzeuber, dam .................................................................................................70.244% Lingh, sire; Dessous, dam.........................................................................................65.222% 5. WOHLTAT (Oldenburg), Amanda Silver (WA), owner/rider.....................................68.740% 9. LECARTIER (Holsteiner), Amy Richwine & Brad King, owners; 6. LEISL TF (Hanoverian), Molly Schiltgen (MN), owner/rider; Amy Richwine (IN), rider..........................................................................................64.278% Linaro, sire; Guarded Moment, dam ........................................................................67.927% 10. BELLE AMIE (Percheron Cross), Janet Hill (MI), owner/rider ...................................63.278% 7. ROUGH DIAMOND (Oldenburg), Sara McConnell (MO), owner/rider......................67.561% 8. FINLANNDIA (Trakehner), Sandra Piazza (SC), owner/rider; Distelzar, sire; Finity, dam.........................................................................................65.894% Second Level Open Freestyle 9. CARMEN (Dutch Warmblood), Theresa Hunt (AZ), owner/rider; CH. HB DSCHAFAR (German Riding Pony), Sara Schmitt (NJ), owner/rider..................77.611% Facet, sire; Faire Thee Well, dam...............................................................................64.919% RS. FWF PRINCESS JULIANA (Georgian Grande), Mary Adams, owner; Jonni Allen (MO), rider; 10. I’M FULL OF STUFF (Belgian Warmblood), Jennifer Strauss (WI), owner/rider; Pieter fan Lutke Peinjum, sire; Flying W Farms Dresden Figurine, dam .................72.500% Pascal D’ Pau, sire; Plush Stuff, dam .........................................................................64.593% 3. AUGUST RUSH (Friesian Sporthorse), Morgan-Bailey Horan (AL), owner/rider; Friedrich, sire; Edgewood BJ’s Aria, dam..................................................................71.944% Second Level Open 4. XENIA FAN WILLOW VIEW (Friesian), Vickie Short, owner; CH. FLEUR DE LIS L (Hanoverian), Douglas & Louise Leatherdale Linda Strine (KY), rider; Goffert 369, sire; Hedde L., dam .......................................69.722% & Leatherdale Farms, owners; Mike Suchanek (MN), rider; 5. GUATEQUE IV (Pura Raza Espanola), Coves Darden LLC, owner; First Dance, sire; De La Rosa, dam............................................................................72.683% Stacey Hastings (NC), rider; Layco, sire; Yazmin, dam .............................................69.500% RS. FELISSIMO (Hanoverian), Molly Maloney (NY), owner/rider ..................................70.041% 6. FINIAN (Oldenburg), Anthea Kin (OK), owner/rider; 3. FWF PRINCESS JULIANA (Georgian Grande), Mary Adams, owner; Frohwind, sire; Verlieben, dam ................................................................................68.000% Jonni Allen (MO), rider; Pieter fan Lutke Peinjum, sire; 7. MIRROR IMAGE (Canadian Sport Horse), Evelyn Cudd, owner; Flying W Farms Dresden Figurine, dam ...................................................................70.000% Shelley Van Den Neste (FL), rider; Reflection II, sire; Shooting Star 3E, dam..........67.444% 4. ENDAVOUR ADVENTURE (Dutch Warmblood), Susan Harris (KY), owner/rider .....69.268% 8. SAMMY D SF (Hanoverian), Joan Buvala, owner; 5. SIR EASTWOOD (Oldenburg), Kymberly Pullen (PA), owner/rider; Elizabeth Gagliardi (IN), rider; Sir Donnerhall, sire; Welcome, dam........................67.333% Sir Sinclair, sire; Pompon, dam.................................................................................68.862% 9. KISS-ME-QUICK (Oldenburg), Renee’ Peters (OH), owner/rider; 6. MCKENSEY (Hanoverian), Joan Ehrich, owner; John Mason (TX), rider; Axel, sire; Major Flame, dam....................................................................................67.056% Mazarin, sire; Walesca, dam.....................................................................................68.537% 10. DEVON F/T FRIESIAN CONNECTION (Friesian), Jack Milam, owner; 7. GUATEQUE IV (Pura Raza Espanola), Coves Darden LLC, owner; Stacy Posthumus (MI), rider ....................................................................................66.667% Stacey Hastings (NC), rider; Layco, sire; Yazmin, dam .............................................67.602% 8. LORELEI (Hanoverian Cross), Lisa Giltner (FL), owner/rider ....................................67.358% 9. LAUREL (Oldenburg), Carol Smith, owner; Lauren Chumley (NJ), rider; Third Level Adult Amateur Longchamp, sire; Pastora, dam................................................................................67.154% CH. DONNEUR (Oldenburg), Katherine Lewis (SC), owner/rider ...................................71.239% 10. PROPHET (Danish Warmblood), Dana Hongisto (WI), owner/rider; RS. RHIANNON (Oldenburg), Cariann Wlosinski (KY), owner/rider; Rambo, sire; Edelkarina, dam ..................................................................................67.154% Rousseau, sire; Odette, dam ....................................................................................69.231% 8.
Kristen Ortt and E. Felix, Second Level Adult Amateur
50 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Mike Suchanek and Fleur de Lis L, Second Level Open; Allyn Mann, Director Luitpold Animal Health; Natalie Lamping, judge; George Williams, USDF President; Stephan Hienzsch, USDF Executive Director; Danielle Aamodt, representing Dietrich Insurance; and John Cashman, Adequan Territory Manager
3.
EYE CANDY (Dutch Warmblood), Amy Gimbel (NJ), owner/rider; UB 40, sire; Wednesday, dam...................................................................................68.846% 4. DARTESCH (Dutch Warmblood), Camilla Van Liew (SC), owner/rider; Special D, sire; Sedesch, dam ...................................................................................67.735% 5. DUCHESSE DU PRE (Hanoverian), Jennifer Huber (FL), owner/rider; Dauphin, sire; Wranis, dam ......................................................................................67.051% 6. DEVOTION (Oldenburg), Amy Schaaf (NC), owner/rider; Donates, sire; Donation, dam...................................................................................66.581% 7. SADIRA TWF (Oldenburg), Amy Hedden (VA), owner/rider; Starlight, sire; Revlon, dam......................................................................................66.453% 8. WOHLTAT (Oldenburg), Amanda Silver (WA), owner/rider.....................................66.282% 9. DONATA (Westfalen), Antonella Bath (OH), owner/rider; De Kooning, sire; Doretta, dam ................................................................................66.026% 10. CRUSEDOR (Dutch Warmblood), Gardner Bloemers (VA), owner/rider..................65.256%
Third Level Open CH. CARZANOLA (Dutch Warmblood), Nancy Hinz (TX), owner/rider; Tuchinski, sire; Lanola, dam .....................................................................................73.761% RS. FLORETIENNE (Oldenburg), Leslie Waterman, owner; Emily Miles (KS), rider; Florestan I, sire; Tamarinde, dam .............................................................................70.171% 3. ROMANTIC MAN (Hanoverian), Kenzie’s Awesome Equines LLC, owner; Cyndi Jackson (AZ), rider; Rubinero, sire; Andriana, dam........................................69.829% 4. HAPPENSTANCE (Oldenburg), Mary Blanford, owner; Laura Sevriens (GA), rider..69.658%
Katherine Lewis and Donneur, Third Level Adult Amateur; Courtney Bruso, representing SmartPak; George Williams, USDF President; John Cashman, Adequan Territory Manager; and Natalie Lamping, judge
Sara Schmitt and HB Dschafar , Second Level Open Freestyle 5.
NATASHA B (Friesian), Elisabeth Ritz, owner; Katherine Poulin (OH), rider; Fabe 348, sire; Jantsje K, dam ..................................................................................69.017% 6. HOT DATE (Hanoverian), Kymberly Pullen (PA), owner/rider; Hotline, sire; Finalee, dam........................................................................................68.932% 7. FAOLAN (Oldenburg), Bridget Hay (NJ), owner/rider; Freestyle, sire; Wyoming, dam.................................................................................68.932% 8. COLTRANE (Dutch Warmblood), Elisabeth Austin (KY), owner/rider......................68.547% 9. HERO L (Hanoverian), Douglas & Louise Leatherdale & Leatherdale Farms, owners; Mike Suchanek (MN), rider; His Highness 2, sire; Waterlily L, dam.........................68.291% 10. LILI MARLENE (Oldenburg), Ann Marie Cowdrey, owner; Luke McLaughlin (TX), rider.....................................................................................67.949%
Third Level Adult Amateur Freestyle CH. REMANESSA (Hanoverian), Julie McCrady (MO), owner/rider................................70.778% RS. SADIRA TWF (Oldenburg), Amy Hedden (VA), owner/rider; Starlight, sire; Revlon, dam......................................................................................69.444% 3. RHIANNON (Oldenburg), Cariann Wlosinski (KY), owner/rider; Rousseau, sire; Odette, dam ....................................................................................69.333% 4. GRACEFULL RENDITION HU (Zweibrucker), Horses Unlimited, owner; Lori Tormoehlen (MI), rider ......................................................................................66.444% 5. TALBOT (Dutch Warmblood), Janice Turner (NJ), owner/rider ................................66.167% 6. OTTO (Dutch Warmblood), Stacy Rose & Kristi Niblo, owners; Stacy Rose (NY), rider; Kassander, sire; Diola NL860372 Draver, dam ....................65.833%
Nancy Hinz and Carzanola, Third Level Open; Kristi Wysocki, judge; Matt Fine, USEF Senior Director Competition Operations; George Williams, USDF President; and John Cashman, Adequan Territory Manager
USDF CONNECTION
•
February 2016
51
US DRESSAGE FINALS PRESENTED BY ADEQUAN
Amy Gimbel and Eye Candy, Second Level Adult Amateur Freestyle
US DRESSAGE FINALS PRESENTED BY ADEQUAN
7. 8.
JAVA JOE (Thoroughbred Cross), Patty Keim (OH), owner/rider .............................65.444% DEMITASSE (American Warmblood), Blaire Aldridge Dean (MO), owner/rider; Winner, sire; Unorthodox, dam................................................................................65.167% 9. DAUWE EGBERT (Friesian Sporthorse), Elisabeth Faase (GA), owner/rider; Zorro, sire; Coalies Queen FD, dam ...........................................................................64.333% 10. FINNEGAN’S RAINBOW (Friesian Cross), Alison Ferrell (FL), owner/rider ...............63.944%
9.
Third Level Open Freestyle
CH. CORENZO (Hanoverian), Douglas & Louise Leatherdale & Leatherdale Farms, owners; Mike Suchanek (MN), rider; Conteur, sire; Ramira, dam .........................................70.741% RS. FAOLAN (Oldenburg), Bridget Hay (NJ), owner/rider; Freestyle, sire; Wyoming, dam.................................................................................70.481% 3. KYNYNMONT GUNSMOKE’S GIDEON (Connemara), Pam Liddell, owner; Jessica Jo Tate (MD), rider; Gun Smoke, sire; Kynynmont Tara, dam.......................69.667% 4. FLORETIENNE (Oldenburg), Leslie Waterman, owner; Emily Miles (KS), rider; Florestan I, sire; Tamarinde, dam .............................................................................69.407% 5. BRIGHT LIGHTS (Dutch Warmblood), Shelley Browning, owner; Jane Arrasmith (CA), rider ........................................................................................69.000% 6. ROMANTIC MAN (Hanoverian), Kenzie’s Awesome Equines LLC, owner; Cyndi Jackson (AZ), rider; Rubinero, sire; Andriana, dam........................................68.926% 7. CELTIC GRACE (Friesian Sporthorse), Bobbi Wojtowicz, owner; Jonni Allen (MO), rider; Roi Des Blues, sire; Zena, dam ...........................................68.333% 8. MADOC GARETH (Welsh Cob), Kristin Cyprus, owner; Allison Cyprus (TX), rider; Sydenham Henry, sire; Okeden Mai, dam ...............................................................68.000% 9. BARROCO (Lusitano), Candace Platz, owner; Melissa Maclaren (VT), rider; Torre, sire; Vadia, dam ..............................................................................................67.815% 10. SANTIAGO SF (Trakehner), Kailee Surplus (AZ), owner/rider; Kostolany, sire; Sidney, dam ....................................................................................67.556%
CH. GRIFFINDOR (Oldenburg), Brianna Zwilling (MO), owner/rider; Galiani CH, sire; Ronja M, dam .................................................................................72.333% RS. HIS HIGHNESS CRUSADOR (Hanoverian), Elizabeth Landers (IL), owner/rider; His Highness 2, sire; Lynn, dam ...............................................................................70.389% 3. TOWN AND COUNTRY ELANCOURT (Dutch Warmblood), Reese Koffler-Stanfield, Kiki Courtelis & Town and Country Sporthorses LLC, owners; Reese Koffler-Stanfield (KY), rider; Ampere, sire; Belita V, dam .............................70.111% 4. MAGGIO (Andalusian), Virginia Moon, owner; Kathryn Stoy (AL), rider; Lepanto I, sire; Orisha, dam......................................................................................69.944% 5. HOLLYWOOD (Hanoverian), Marline Syribeys (GA), owner/rider; Hohenstein, sire; Fatima, dam .................................................................................69.167% 6. DENMARK (Friesian Sporthorse), Joni Abney (TN), owner/rider; Nico, sire; Vlarina, dam .............................................................................................69.056% 7. RAINIER (Oldenburg), Kathryn Stoy (AL), owner/rider ...........................................68.111% 8. BOEGELY’S MAURICIO (Danish Warmblood), Tillie Jones & Tish Gade-Jones, owners; Tillie Jones (NE), rider; Michellino, sire; Sondervangs Mazurka, dam ....................67.222% 9. TRIJNTJE V.D. BOKKEFARM (Friesian), Karen, Marc & Melissa Guerra & Blue Honey Friesians, owners; Stacey Hastings (NC), rider; Beart 411, sire; Corrie V/D Bokkefarm, dam ............................................................67.111% 10. WINTERLILIE (Hanoverian), Elizabeth Gagliardi (IN), owner/rider; Winterprinz, sire; Shiney Saber, dam.......................................................................64.833%
Fourth Level Adult Amateur CH. DON CARTIER (Rhinelander), Rachael Hicks (KY), owner/rider; Don Schufro, sire; Carmina, dam..............................................................................72.185% RS. SIR FREDERICO (Hanoverian), Carden Burdette, (GA), owner/rider; Sandro Hit, sire; Donnerfee, dam.............................................................................67.815% 3. VALENTINO (Dutch Warmblood), Terri Sue Wensinger (TX), owner/rider; Riverman-ISF, sire; Joivette, dam.............................................................................67.815% 4. WELT ERBE (Hanoverian), Donna Richardson, owner; Amalia Boyles (CA), rider; Weltmeyer, sire; Solveig, dam..................................................................................66.148% 5. AUSTIN CHASE (Holsteiner), Sarah Pape Hester (TX), owner/rider; Ariadus, sire; Konsuelo, dam ....................................................................................65.593% 6. WALK OF FAME (Zweibrucker), Birgitt Dagge (FL), owner/rider; Wind Dancer, sire; Dancing Queen, dam .................................................................64.778% 7. DON RUBIN (Oldenburg), Andria Allen (CO), owner/rider; Donnerschlag, sire; Legende, dam ..........................................................................64.333% 8. VANITY (Holsteiner), Selena Pape (KY), owner/rider ..............................................63.037%
Julie McCrady and Remanessa, Third Level Adult Amateur Freestyle
52 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
DARTESCH (Dutch Warmblood), Camilla Van Liew (SC), owner/rider; Special D, sire; Sedesch, dam ...................................................................................62.074% 10. WINNIE TOO (American Warmblood), Cecilia Cox (TX), owner/rider; Gaucho III, sire; Kristiana, dam ................................................................................61.593%
Fourth Level Open
Fourth Level Adult Amateur Freestyle CH. WELT ERBE (Hanoverian), Donna Richardson, owner; Amalia Boyles (CA), rider; Weltmeyer, sire; Solveig, dam..................................................................................69.944% RS. BE COOL METALL (Dutch Warmblood), Nelson Long (TN), owner/rider .................68.611% 3. ZIDANE (Dutch Warmblood), Becky Shealy (SC), owner/rider ................................68.278% 4. WALK OF FAME (Zweibrucker), Birgitt Dagge (FL), owner/rider; Wind Dancer, sire; Dancing Queen, dam .................................................................67.444% 5. TEODOR (Russian Warmblood), Alexandra Tomson (NY), owner/rider ..................66.722% 6. VALENTINO (Dutch Warmblood), Terri Sue Wensinger (TX), owner/rider; Riverman-ISF, sire; Joivette, dam.............................................................................65.944% 7. TALISMAN BHF (Andalusian), Torrey Wilkinson (VA), owner/rider; Temerario VII, sire; Dance on Aire, dam ...................................................................65.444% 8. RELIANCE (Oldenburg), Susan Jones (KY), owner/rider; Rohdiamant, sire; Gesstine, dam .............................................................................61.111% 9. SHAMROCK H (Dutch Warmblood), Lynda Chesser (MI), owner/rider; Metall, sire; Negra, dam ...........................................................................................60.778% 10. VIN DIESEL (Swedish Warmblood), Sarah Alder-Schaller (TX), owner/rider; Vermouth, sire; Regata, dam ...................................................................................60.722%
Brianna Zwilling and Griffindor, Third Level Open Freestyle; Allyn Mann, Director Luitpold Animal Health; Matt Fine, USEF Senior Director Competition Operations; Danielle Aamodt, representing Dietrich Insurance; and Anne Gribbons, judge
Fourth Level Open Freestyle CH. CELTIC GRACE (Friesian Sporthorse), Bobbi Wojtowicz, owner; Jonni Allen (MO), rider; Roi Des Blues, sire; Zena, dam ...........................................72.944% RS. DELIZA (Oldenburg), Victoria Carson, owner; Domenique Carson (MD), rider; De Laurentis, sire; Dutch Treatt, dam .......................................................................69.444% 3. LHINCOLN (Hanoverian), Cody Armstrong (VA), owner/rider; Londonberry, sire; Whest Indies, dam .....................................................................68.778% 4. FEMI (Trakehner), Margaret Neesemann, owner; Suzanne Graham (FL), rider; Stiletto, sire; Fem Fetale, dam..................................................................................68.056% 5. KATHARINA V.V. (Friesian), Carol Notarianni, owner; Jennifer Conour (IN), rider; Aswyn Van De Pluum, sire; Rozalinda, dam ............................................................67.500% 6. VIGGO (Swedish Warmblood), Cassandra Hummert-Johnson (OH), owner/rider; Chapman, sire; Blaze of Glory, dam .........................................................................66.722% 7. ROCAZINO (Oldenburg), Fie Studnitz Andersen (MA), owner/rider; Rosentanz, sire; Escarda, dam..................................................................................66.056% 8. TEIMIR HB (Lusitano), Jannike Gray (CT), owner/rider; Titon HB, sire; India II, dam....65.778% 9. GRYPHON Z (Friesian Sporthorse), Stephanie Brown-Beamer (NY), owner/rider ......65.278% 10. WEYDOR DAZ (Appaloosa), Belynda Moore (WA), owner/rider; Wishes & Dreams, sire; Little Shady Lady, dam .......................................................64.444%
Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur CH. FABIO BELLINI (Westfalen), Rachael Hicks (KY), owner/rider; Furst Heinrich, sire; Dakota, dam .............................................................................69.079%
Amalia Boyles and Welt Erbe, Fourth Level Adult Amateur Freestyle
Jonni Allen and Celtic Grace, Fourth Level Open Freestyle; George Williams, USDF President; Danielle Aamodt, representing Dietrich Insurance; Stephan Hienzsch, USDF Executive Director; John Cashman, Adequan Territory Manager; Natalie Lamping, judge; and Allyn Mann, Director Luitpold Animal Health
Rachael Hicks and Fabio Bellini, Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur and Intermediate I Adult Amateur; Hallye Griffin, USEF Managing Director Dressage; tephan Hienzsch, USDF Executive Director; Courtney Bruso, representing SmartPak; John Cashman, Adequan Territory Manager; Allyn Mann, Director Luitpold Animal Health; Janine Malone; and Kristi Wysocki, judge
USDF CONNECTION
â&#x20AC;¢
February 2016
53
US DRESSAGE FINALS PRESENTED BY ADEQUAN
Rachael Hicks and Don Cartier, Fourth Level Adult Amateur
Mike Suchanek and Corenzo, Fourth Level Open; John Cashman, Adequan Territory Manager; Joan Darnell, judge; Hallye Griffin, USEF Managing Director Dressage; George Williams, USDF President; and Allyn Mann, Director Luitpold Animal Health
US DRESSAGE FINALS PRESENTED BY ADEQUAN
RS. DAMANI (Hanoverian), Heather Mason, owner; Alexandra Krossen (NJ), rider; Duvall, sire; Gqdiva, dam .........................................................................................68.202% 3. BAILANDO (Dutch Warmblood), Erin McHenry (AZ), owner/rider..........................67.412% 4. ROXY ROYALE (Hanoverian), Patricia Fannin (TN), owner/rider..............................66.140% 5. VENUS (Austrian Warmblood), Johnny Harrison (CA), owner/rider .......................66.096% 6. MADAME NOIR (Danish Warmblood), Jennifer Huber (FL), owner/rider; Nobleman, sire; Silke, dam ......................................................................................66.009% 7. TRIFECTA (Half Arabian), Courtney Horst-Cutright & Betty Horst, owners; Courtney Horst-Cutright (MI), rider; Traumdeuter, sire; HCF Falanne, dam............65.702% 8. TVORUP’S GAMBLER (Danish Warmblood), Linda Holste (TN), owner/rider; Quatro, sire; Nekita, dam..........................................................................................65.482% 9. BEATRIX (Dutch Warmblood), Sarah Baggette (TN), owner/rider; Sorento, sire; Vera, dam............................................................................................64.342% 10. TALISMAN BHF (Andalusian), Torrey Wilkinson (VA), owner/rider; Temerario VII, sire; Dance on Aire, dam ...................................................................63.246%
6.
BEATRIX (Dutch Warmblood), Sarah Baggette (TN), owner/rider; Sorento, sire; Vera, dam............................................................................................65.395% 7. CLAUDIA (Oldenburg), Katherine Ratliff (NC), owner/rider ....................................64.298% 8. BAILANDO (Dutch Warmblood), Erin McHenry (AZ), owner/rider..........................64.123% 9. REAL DIAMOND (Oldenburg), Laurie Simons (MS), owner/rider; Rhodiamant, sire; Helena, dam ...............................................................................63.026% 10. ZODIAK (Dutch Warmblood), Barbara Wolfe (NJ), owner/rider; Goodtimes, sire; Gondalie, dam...............................................................................62.939%
Intermediate I Open
CH. ROCKY LANE (Westfalen), Rebecca Knollman (OH), owner/rider; Rock Forever, sire; Rica, dam ....................................................................................70.132% RS. ROMANTICO SF (Hanoverian), Heather Mason (NJ), owner/rider; Romancero H, sire; Wesermelodie, dam..................................................................70.044% 3. STRATOCASTER (Oldenburg), Judith Sprieser, owner; Lauren Sprieser (VA), rider.......69.781% 4. RISKY BUSINESS (Oldenburg), Cyndi Jackson (AZ), owner/rider; Prix St. Georges Open Royal Diamond, sire; Shining Ghia, dam .................................................................69.649% CH. DOCTOR WENDELL MF (Hanoverian), Maryanna Haymon, owner; 5. SAPHIRA (Oldenburg), John McGuire & Marilyn Johnson, owners; James Koford (NC), rider; Don Principe, sire; Stellar Hit MF, dam ...........................72.982% Heather McCarthy (IL), rider; Florencio, sire; Roxina, dam ......................................69.430% RS. ROMANTICO SF (Hanoverian), Heather Mason (NJ), owner/rider; 6. SHAKESPEARE RSF (Hanoverian), Maurine Swanson, owner; Romancero H, sire; Wesermelodie, dam..................................................................71.096% Marcus Orlob (NJ), rider; Sandro Hit, sire; Acapella, dam........................................68.991% 3. DONA ROSA (Oldenburg), Kim Yacobucci (AZ), owner/rider ...................................69.781% 7. DOCTOR WENDELL MF (Hanoverian), Maryanna Haymon, owner; 4. ROCKY LANE (Westfalen), Rebecca Knollman (OH), owner/rider; James Koford (NC), rider; Don Principe, sire; Stellar Hit MF, dam ...........................68.947% Rock Forever, sire; Rica, dam ....................................................................................69.430% 8. ZARCITA (Dutch Warmblood), Leslie Waterman, owner; Debbie Hill (AL), rider; 5. SIR SHERLOCK (Hanoverian), Leslie Waterman, owner; Emily Miles (KS), rider; Parcival, sire; Sarita, dam .........................................................................................68.202% Sir Donnerhall I, sire; Shari, dam..............................................................................69.079% 9. ZHIVAGO (Dutch Warmblood), David Ryan, owner; Shauntel Bryant (WA), rider ..67.982% 6. WHAT HAPPEN (Hanoverian), Heather Mendiburu & High Point Solutions, owners; 10. WHAT HAPPEN (Hanoverian), Heather Mendiburu & High Point Solutions, owners; Heather Mendiburu (NJ), rider; Waldstar, sire; Gina de Ro, dam ............................68.991% Heather Mendiburu (NJ), rider; Waldstar, sire; Gina de Ro, dam ............................67.939% 7. QREDIT HILLTOP (Oldenburg), Hilltop Farm Inc, owner; Michael Bragdell (MD), rider; Quaterback, sire; Dream Rubina, dam.....................................................................68.684% Intermediate I Adult Amateur Freestyle 8. BOXSTER A (Hanoverian), Iris Aberbach, owner; Michael Bragdell (MD), rider; CH. BONIFAZ S (Hanoverian), Colene Stevens (OH), owner/rider; Bugatti Hilltop, sire; Winsome A, dam.....................................................................68.333% Brentano II, sire; Windgame, dam ...........................................................................66.125% 9. STRATOCASTER (Oldenburg), Judith Sprieser, owner; Lauren Sprieser (VA), rider.......68.114% RS. DAMANI (Hanoverian), Heather Mason, owner; Alexandra Krossen (NJ), rider; 10. BRIGHT LIGHTS (Dutch Warmblood), Shelley Browning, owner; Duvall, sire; Gqdiva, dam .........................................................................................65.958% Jane Arrasmith (CA), rider ........................................................................................68.114% 3. FABIO (Oldenburg), Kristy Truebenbach Lund, owner; Jenifer Gaffney (OH), rider; West Coast, sire; Doramber, dam .................................64.417% Intermediate I Adult Amateur 4. FESTINA (Danish Warmblood), Holly Spencer (SC), owner/rider; CH. FABIO BELLINI (Westfalen), Rachael Hicks (KY), owner/rider; Blue Hors Hertug, sire; Fie, dam...............................................................................62.458% Furst Heinrich, sire; Dakota, dam .............................................................................68.553% 5. LAUREN (Hanoverian), Kristine Kuchinski-Broome (FL), owner/rider; RS. DAMANI (Hanoverian), Heather Mason, owner; Alexandra Krossen (NJ), rider; Letkiss, sire; Diamond, dam .....................................................................................62.042% Duvall, sire; Gqdiva, dam .........................................................................................68.158% 6. DECORUS (Hanoverian), Laurie McCullough-Leibfried (PA), owner/rider; 3. MADAME NOIR (Danish Warmblood), Jennifer Huber (FL), owner/rider; Don Frederico, sire; Saint Helena, dam ....................................................................58.583% Nobleman, sire; Silke, dam ......................................................................................67.193% Intermediate I Open Freestyle 4. BONIFAZ S (Hanoverian), Colene Stevens (OH), owner/rider; Brentano II, sire; Windgame, dam ......................................................................................................65.965% CH. SAPHIRA (Oldenburg), John McGuire & Marilyn Johnson, owners; Heather McCarthy (IL), rider; Florencio, sire; Roxina, dam ......................................73.125% 5. ROXY ROYALE (Hanoverian), Patricia Fannin (TN), owner/rider..............................65.833%
James Koford and Doctor Wendell MF, Prix St. Georges Open; Stephan Hienzsch, USDF Executive Director; George Williams, USDF President; Danielle Aamodt, representing Dietrich Insurance; and Rebecca Knollman and Rocky Lane, Intermediate I Open; Danielle Aamodt, representing Dietrich John Cashman, Adequan Territory Manager Insurance; John Cashman, Adequan Territory Manager; and George Williams, USDF President
54 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
RS. WHAT HAPPEN (Hanoverian), Heather Mendiburu & High Point Solutions, owners; Heather Mendiburu (NJ), rider; Waldstar, sire; Gina de Ro, dam ............................72.917% 3. SHAKESPEARE RSF (Hanoverian), Maurine Swanson, owner; Marcus Orlob (NJ), rider; Sandro Hit, sire; Acapella, dam........................................72.708% 4. RISKY BUSINESS (Oldenburg), Cyndi Jackson (AZ), owner/rider; Royal Diamond, sire; Shining Ghia, dam .................................................................69.500% 5. ROMANTICO SF (Hanoverian), Heather Mason (NJ), owner/rider; Romancero H, sire; Wesermelodie, dam..................................................................68.667% 6. RONDO DEL REY (Hanoverian), Kathleen Jones, owner; John Mason (TX), rider; Regazzoni, sire; Daisy, dam ...............................................68.375% 7. UN AMI (Dutch Warmblood), Nan Troutman, owner; Shelley Van Den Neste (FL), rider .............................................................................67.958% 8. POLICE (Pura Raza Espanola), Coves Darden LLC, owner; Stacey Hastings (NC), rider; Delegado Mac, sire; Negrera IV, dam..........................67.208% 9. ZAIDA (Dutch Warmblood), Sally Booth, owner; Jennifer Conour (IN), rider; Sir Sinclair, sire; Beameda, dam...............................................................................67.042% 10. CASARO (Trakehner), Kristin Wasemiller-Knutson (OK), owner/rider; Nico, sire; Thekla, dam..............................................................................................66.958%
Intermediate II Adult Amateur CH. RADCLIFFE (Holsteiner), Amy Leach (IL), owner/rider; Rantares, sire; Felicitous, dam..................................................................................65.351% RS. WILBY (Hanoverian), Phyllis Sumner (GA), owner/rider; Walt Disney I, sire; Doretta, dam..............................................................................63.947%
Amy Leach and Radcliffe, Intermediate II Adult Amateur; Stephan Hienzsch, USDF Executive Director; John Cashman, Adequan Territory Manager; George Williams, USDF President; Danielle Aamodt, representing Dietrich Insurance; Natalie Lamping, judge and Allyn Mann, Director Luitpold Animal Health
Heather McCarthy and Saphira, Intermediate I Open Freestyle; Hallye Griffin, USEF Managing Director Dressage; Courtney Bruso, representing SmartPak; John Cashman, Adequan Territory Manager; and Jeanne McDonald, judge 3. 4.
WIES V/D KLUMPERT (Dutch Warmblood), Greenwood Sporthorses, owner; Amy Paterson (MO), rider; Future, sire; Sarina V.D. Klumpert, dam........................63.246% SCHANDO (Danish Warmblood), Krista Nordgren (ME), owner/rider; Schwadroneur, sire; Laila, dam ................................................................................61.140%
Intermediate II Open CH. SANDRO PAIX (Oldenburg), Sandi Chohany, owner; Heather McCarthy (IL), rider; Sandro Hit, sire; Ariyola, dam ...................................68.509% RS. BENIDETTO (Hanoverian), Linda Woltz & Stacy Parvey-Larsson, owners; Stacy Parvey-Larsson (FL), rider; Belissimo M, sire; Crispy Sweet, dam .................68.158% 3. ZAR (Dutch Warmblood), Heather Mason (NJ), owner/rider; Iroko, sire; Inga, dam ................................................................................................68.114% 4. ELFENPERFEKT (Trakehner), Alice Drayer, owner; Abraham Pugh (PA), rider; Peron, sire; Elfentraum, dam........................................66.974% 5. ZANIA (Dutch Warmblood), Jami Kment (NE), owner/rider; Sir Sinclair, sire; Melody, dam ..................................................................................66.053% 6. WITNESS HILLTOP (Dutch Warmblood), Hilltop Farm Inc, owner; Michael Bragdell (MD), rider; Hamlet, sire; Francis, dam........................................65.395% 7. DON DERRICK (Dutch Riding Horse), Dawn Weniger (NC), owner/rider; Don Ruto, sire; Gambrina, dam................................................................................63.728% 8. GA DEVA (Dutch Warmblood), Melanie Montagano (NJ), owner/rider..................63.640% 9. CATAPULT (Holsteiner), Francesca Nicoletti (OH), owner/rider; Cantour, sire; Hell or Highwater, dam ......................................................................62.719% 10. UBILEE II (Oldenburg), Lisa Smit (FL), owner/rider; Opus, sire; Dionysus, dam......62.456%
Heather McCarthy and Sandro Paix, Intermediate II Open; Danielle Aamodt, representing Dietrich Insurance; and John Cashman, Adequan Territory Manager
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US DRESSAGE FINALS PRESENTED BY ADEQUAN
Colene Stevens and Bonifaz S, Intermediate I Adult Amateur Freestyle; Allyn Mann, Director Luitpold Animal Health; Stephan Hienzsch, USDF Executive Director; Matt Fine, USEF Senior Director Competition Operations; Danielle Aamodt, representing Dietrich Insurance; Jeanne McDonald, judge
US DRESSAGE FINALS PRESENTED BY ADEQUAN
Grand Prix Adult Amateur CH. ELFENFEUER (Oldenburg), Alice Tarjan (NJ), owner/rider; Florencio, sire; Elfensonne, dam ..............................................................................69.000% RS. APOLLO (Dutch Warmblood), Rachael Hicks & Virginia Frazier, owners; Rachael Hicks (KY), rider; Gribaldi, sire; Finckenburgh, dam ..................................67.133% 3. FYNN*/*/*/*/*/ (American Warmblood), Candace Platz (ME), owner/rider.........63.267% 4. WIETZE G (Friesian), Lynnette Wadsworth (FL), owner/rider; Rypke, sire; Wijke, dam............................................................................................62.100% 5. PLATO CARLOS (Dutch Warmblood), Virginia Moon (AL), owner/rider; Peter Pan, sire; Fleuriecarla, dam.............................................................................60.933% 6. CAPTAIN JACK (Swedish Warmblood), Selena Pape (KY), owner/rider ..................60.333% 7. RAZZMATAZZ (Oldenburg), Tina Cook (NC), owner/rider; Rolling Stone, sire; Elan Vital, dam ..........................................................................59.800% 8. BLUE AND WHITE RAVEN (Morgan), Jennifer Drescher (MD), owner/rider ............58.967% 9. RADCLIFFE (Holsteiner), Amy Leach (IL), owner/rider; Rantares, sire; Felicitous, dam .........................................................................................................58.700% 10. WIES V/D KLUMPERT (Dutch Warmblood), Greenwood Sporthorses, owner; Amy Paterson (MO), rider; Future, sire; Sarina V.D. Klumpert, dam........................56.667%
Grand Prix Open CH. WILLIAM (Dutch Warmblood), Belinda Nairn-Wertman, owner; Gwen Poulin (FL), rider ............................................................................................68.533% RS. THOR M (Dutch Warmblood), Pineland Farms, owner; Michael Poulin (ME), rider; Mirakel, sire; Debora, dam .......................................................................................68.400% 3. ZAR (Dutch Warmblood), Heather Mason (NJ), owner/rider; Iroko, sire; Inga, dam ................................................................................................67.467% 4. BAHAI (Hanoverian), Nora Batchelder (FL), owner/rider; Harmony’s Baroncelli, sire; Rose, dam .....................................................................66.867% 5. WAKEUP (American Warmblood), Emily Miles (KS), owner/rider; Wagnis, sire; Maiden Montreal, dam.......................................................................66.800% 6. EQUESTRICONS ET VOILA (Hanoverian), Et Adventure LLC, owner; Marcus Orlob (NJ), rider; Earl, sire; Manjane, dam ..................................................66.000% 7. SANDRO PAIX (Oldenburg), Sandi Chohany, owner; Heather McCarthy (IL), rider; Sandro Hit, sire; Ariyola, dam...................................................................................65.733% 8. WELTDORFF (Hanoverian), Emily Miles (KS), owner/rider; Weltmeyer, sire; Luna, dam .....................................................................................65.667% 9. ELLEGRIA (Westfalen), Lauren Sprieser (VA), owner/rider; Ehrentanz I, sire; Patrizia, dam.................................................................................65.400% 10. LEONARDO (Hanoverian), Carolyn Kotila, owner; Judy Kelly (MI), rider; A Jungle Prince, sire; Golden Girl, dam ....................................................................64.933%
Alice Tarjan and Elfenfeur, Grand Prix Adult Amateur and Adult Amateur Freestyle; Hallye Griffin, USEF Managing Director Dressage; John Cashman, Adequan Territory Manager; George Williams, USDF President; and Col. Axel Steiner, judge
Grand Prix Adult Amateur Freestyle CH. ELFENFEUER (Oldenburg), Alice Tarjan (NJ), owner/rider; Florencio, sire; Elfensonne, dam ..............................................................................71.083% RS. FYNN*/*/*/*/*/ (American Warmblood), Candace Platz (ME), owner/rider;........66.750% 3. WIETZE G (Friesian), Lynnette Wadsworth (FL), owner/rider; Rypke, sire; Wijke, dam ............................................................................................61.542% 4. EDYKTS ENCHANTRES (Arabian), Courtney Varney (FL), owner/rider; Edykt, sire; Mieta PASB, dam ...................................................................................58.125%
Gwen Poulin and William, Grand Prix Open; Hallye Griffin, USEF Managing Director Dressage; Courtney Bruso, representing SmartPak; Lois Yukins, judge; John Cashman, Adequan Territory Manager; Sally Hayes, Veronica Holt’s daughter; and George Williams, USDF President
Grand Prix Open Freestyle CH. THOR M (Dutch Warmblood), Pineland Farms, owner; Michael Poulin (ME), rider; Mirakel, sire; Debora, dam...........................................72.583% RS. WELTDORFF (Hanoverian), Emily Miles (KS), owner/rider; Weltmeyer, sire; Luna, dam .....................................................................................71.208% 3. ZAR (Dutch Warmblood), Heather Mason (NJ), owner/rider; Iroko, sire; Inga, dam ................................................................................................70.917% 4. ELLEGRIA (Westfalen), Lauren Sprieser (VA), owner/rider; Ehrentanz I, sire; Patrizia, dam.................................................................................68.333% 5. BAHAI (Hanoverian), Nora Batchelder (FL), owner/rider; Harmony’s Baroncelli, sire; Rose, dam .....................................................................66.417% 6. LAMBORGHINI (Danish Warmblood), Jocelyn Wiese, owner; Tracey Amaral Olsen (MA), rider; Michellino, sire; Abbey Row, dam ......................65.792% 7. UIVER (Dutch Warmblood), Terri Rocovich (CA), owner/rider .................................65.500% 8. SANDRO PAIX (Oldenburg), Sandi Chohany, owner; Heather McCarthy (IL), rider; Sandro Hit, sire; Ariyola, dam ...................................64.667% 9. LOU BEGA (Hanoverian), Andrea Manos (GA), owner/rider; Lauries Crusador, sire; Arianka, dam........................................................................64.292% 10. CATAPULT (Holsteiner), Francesca Nicoletti (OH), owner/rider; Cantour, sire; Hell or Highwater, dam ......................................................................63.625% Michael Poulin and Thor M, Grand Prix Open Freestyle
56 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
US DRESSAGE FINALS PRESENTED BY ADEQUAN
THE 2015 US DRESSAGE FINALS HIGH SCORE BREED AWARDS RECIPIENTS American Connemara Pony Society
International Andalusian & Lusitano Horse Association
National Levels, Open Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Kynynmont Gunsmokeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gideon; Pam Liddell, owner; Jessica Jo Tate, rider FEI Levels, Open Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Kynynmont Gunsmokeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gideon; Pam Liddell, owner; Jessica Jo Tate, rider
FEI Levels, Adult Amateur Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Talisman BHF; Torrey Wilkinson, owner/rider National Levels, Open Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Barroco; Candace Platz, owner; Melissa Maclaren, rider FEI Levels, Open Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Barroco; Candace Platz, owner; Melissa Maclaren, rider
International Georgian Grande Horse Registry
American Hanoverian Society National Levels, Adult Amateur Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Freudentänzer; Christine Malpartida, owner/rider FEI Levels, Adult Amateur Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Bonifaz S; Colene Stevens, owner/rider National Levels, Open Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sternlicht Hilltop; Hilltop Farm Inc., owner; Michael Bragdell, rider FEI Levels, Open Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Doctor Wendell MF; Maryanna Haymon, owner; James Koford, rider
American Holsteiner Horse Association National Levels, Adult Amateur Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Austin Chase; Sarah Pape Hester, owner/rider FEI Levels, Adult Amateur Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Radcliffe; Amy Leach, owner/rider National Levels, Open Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lyric PT; Christine Miller, owner; Laurie Moore, rider FEI Levels, Open Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Catapult; Francesca Nicoletti, owner/rider
American Quarter Horse Association
National Levels, Open Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; FWF Princess Juliana; Mary Adams, owner; Jonni Allen, rider
International Sporthorse Registry/Oldenburg NA National Levels, Adult Amateur Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Rio Reloncavi; Robin Mershon, owner/rider National Levels, Open Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Wiebekka; Vanessa Carlson, owner; Mimi Benton, rider
KWPN of North America National Levels, Adult Amateur Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; E. Felix; Kristen Ortt, owner/rider FEI Levels, Adult Amateur Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Zodiak; Barbara Wolfe, owner/rider National Levels, Open Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Coltrane; Elisabeth Austin, owner/rider FEI Levels, Open Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Zar; Heather Mason, owner/rider
National Levels, Adult Amateur Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Docs Flood Water; Lee Ann Smith, owner/rider
North American Danish Warmblood Association
American Warmblood Registry National Levels, Open Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Benji; Jean Thornton, owner/rider
National Levels, Adult Amateur Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Hampton; Ashlee Watts, owner/rider FEI Levels, Adult Amateur Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Madame Noir; Jennifer Huber, owner/rider FEI Levels, Open Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Rania; Susan Bender, owner; C. Michelle Folden, rider
American Warmblood Society
Oldenburg Horse Breeders Society NA Division of GOV
National Levels, Adult Amateur Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Gotham; Sara Stone, owner/rider FEI Levels, Adult Amateur Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Fynn*/*/*/*/*/; Candace Platz, owner/rider
National Levels, Adult Amateur Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Donneur; Katherine Lewis, owner/rider FEI Levels, Adult Amateur Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Claudia; Katherine Ratliff, owner/rider National Levels, Open Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Furst Aurum; Stacey Hastings & Ronald Woodcock, owners; Stacey Hastings, rider FEI Levels, Open Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Qredit Hilltop; Hilltop Farm Inc., owner; Michael Bragdell, rider
Arabian Horse Association National Levels, Adult Amateur Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Stone of Fire; Phyllis Walsh, owner/rider FEI Levels, Adult Amateur Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Trifecta+//; Cortney Horst-Cutright & Betty Horst, owners; Courtney Horst-Cutright, rider
Belgian Warmblood Breeding Association National Levels, Adult Amateur Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m Full of Stuff; Jennifer Strauss, owner/rider FEI Levels, Open Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Gran Casso; Jenna Stern, owner/rider
Rheinland Pfalz-Saar International National Levels, Adult Amateur Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Razmitaz; Catalina Sherwood & Judith Carrington, owners; Catalina Sherwood, rider National Levels, Open Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Rumor Has It; Lynn Klus, owner; Betsy Van Dyke, rider
Swedish Warmblood Association of North America Draft Cross Breeders & Owners Association
National Levels, Adult Amateur Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Odessa; Michele Deluna, owner/rider
National Levels, Adult Amateur Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Benjamin Blue; Kerry Rose, owner/rider
Welsh Pony & Cob Society of America Friesian Horse Association of North America FEI Levels, Adult Amateur Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Wietze G; Lynnette Wadsworth, owner/rider National Levels, Open Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Natasha B; Elisabeth Ritz, owner; Katherine Poulin, rider FEI Levels, Open Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Beerend W.; Vickie Short, owner; Linda Strine, rider
Friesian Sporthorse Association National Levels, Open Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Celtic Grace; Mary Adams, owner; Jonni Allen, rider
! e t a D e th e v Sa
National Levels, Open Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Madoc Gareth; Kristin Cyprus, owner; Allison Cyprus, rider FEI Levels, Open Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Madoc Gareth; Kristin Cyprus, owner; Allison Cyprus, rider
Westfalen Horse Association National Levels, Adult Amateur Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; FS Djambo; Andrea Jackson, owner/rider National Levels, Open Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Raelynne; Rhonda Mancuso, owner; Kathleen Petersen, rider FEI Levels, Open Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Rocky Lane; Rebecca Knollman, owner/rider
2016 Adequan/USDF A Adequan/ n/ Annual Convention /PWFNCFS %FDFNCFS r 4U -PVJT .0 USDF CONNECTION
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Convention 2015:
Not a Gamble Meetings, cheers, and a few tears in Las Vegas BY JENNIFER O. BRYANT
58 February 2016 â&#x20AC;¢ USDF CONNECTION
E
volving from its origins as an adult playground, Sin City has remade itself into a major business-meeting destination—with shows, gambling, and dining to fill attendees’ free time, of course. Las Vegas hosts numerous conventions on any given day, and in December the USDF took full advantage of the fact that the American Association of Equine Practitioners would be in town at the same time as the 2015 Adequan/USDF Annual Convention. An impressive lineup of top veterinarians provided much of the educational content at the USDF convention, held December 2-5 at the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino. They lectured on topics ranging from equine back lameness to sport-horse maintenance, and in future issues we’ll be bringing you reports on the horse-health sessions. In this article we’ll focus on the main convention happenings: honors, awards, and important business decisions.
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An Emotional Awards Banquet The bestowing of USDF’s top honors—the Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the Roemer Foundation/ USDF Hall of Fame—is always an emotional affair. But in Las Vegas the ceremony was more poignant than usual because the honoree had passed away just a few short months earlier. Former USDF Region 4 director and internationally acclaimed dressage-show manager Lloyd Landkamer, who died of cancer in September, was the 2015 USDF Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. (Read his obituary in the November 2015 issue of USDF Connection.) USDF president George Williams and USDF vice president Lisa Gorretta presented a moving tribute that included photos and the showing of videotaped remarks by longtime dressage young-rider supporter and US Equestrian Federation director Howard Simpson. The Lifetime Achievement Award honors USDF members who have made extraordinary volunteer contributions to the organization on a national level. “He brought his indefatigable spirit, passion, and willingness to do whatever was to be done,” Simpson said of Landkamer in the video. Presenters and audience members alike were visibly emotional during the ceremony.
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GLITTERING PLAYGROUND: Las Vegas dazzles at night
LAS VEGAS NEWS BUREAU
Podcast Alert
Listen to podcast episode 106. George Williams discusses the 2015 Adequan/USDF Annual Convention at usdf.podbean.com.
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V E G A S
On a more upbeat note, the USDF tipped its hat to the gold-medal-winning 2015 US Pan American Games dressage squad. A slide show highlighted memorable moments from the Toronto Games for competitors Steffen Peters/ Legolas (who also won individual gold), Laura Graves/Verdades (individual silver), Kimberly Herslow/Rosmarin, and Sabine Schut-Kery/Sanceo. Star riders and horses tend to get most of the attention in dressage, but our sport is volunteer-driven. and several prestigious USDF awards help focus the spotlight on especially deserving contributors. Landkamer, of course, was a consummate behind-the-scenes force. The USDF also recognizes an annual Volunteer of the Year and Youth Volunteer of the Year. Rebekah Mingari, 19, of Crestwood, KY, is the 2015 USDF Youth Volunteer of the Year. This energetic young
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LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: USDF president George Williams and USDF vice president Lisa Gorretta with a photo of the late Lloyd Landkamer, the 2015 recipient
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www.dehner.com 60 February 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ USDF CONNECTION
JENNIFER BYRANT
V E G A S
Watch a slide show honoring 2015 USDF Youth Volunteer of the Year Rebekah Mingari, Volunteer of the Year Rosalind Kinstler, and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Lloyd Landkamer.
YOUTH VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: Trainer Angela Jackson (left) accepts on behalf of Rebekah Mingari from presenters Roberta Williams and Roz Kinstler of the USDF Youth Programs and FEI Jr/YR Committees, and USDF Youth Programs Advisory Subcommittee chair Catherine Chamberlain
of the USDF Youth Programs Committee and a past member of several additional USDF councils and committees. A dressage instructor/trainer and competitor, Kinstler has been active as a part of the USDF Jr/YR NAJYRC team ef-
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Podcast Alert
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Listen to podcast episode 104. Interviews with Rosalind Kinstler and Rebekah Mingari at usdf. podbean.com.
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woman is known for her dedication to the USDF Region 2 junior and young-rider teams at the FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC)—maker of goodie bags, organizer of pizza parties, and news broadcaster via social media. Mingari has also been the Jr/YR representative to her USDF group-member organization (GMO), the Kentucky Dressage Association. Youth in dressage have been a special passion for the 2015 USDF Volunteer of the Year, Rosalind “Roz” Kinstler. Kinstler, of Whitmore Lake, MI, is the current chair
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: Roz Kinstler (right) accepts the award from presenters George Williams and Lisa Gorretta
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BREEDER OF THE YEAR: Hilda Gurney (second from left) accepts the Hilltop Farm trophy from Dressage Extensions general manager Jill Waterman, Hilltop Farm representatives Michael Bragdell and Natalie DiBerardinis, and Allyn Mann of Adequan
fort, the USDF/USEF Young Rider Graduate Program, and many other youth dressage educational programs. Following the special honors, it’s on to the presentation of the Adequan/USDF year-end awards, with six perpetual trophies taking center stage. The Hilltop Farm Trophy is awarded to the Adequan/ USDF Dressage Breeder of the Year. Olympian and sporthorse breeder Hilda Gurney, Moorpark, CA, is the 2015 recipient. The StallionExpo Trophy goes to the Adequan/USDF
Dressage Sport Horse Breeding (DSHB) Breeder of the Year. Canadian Hanoverian breeding facility Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Limited took 2015 honors. One trophy is awarded to a rider: the Adult Amateur Grand Prix Trophy. Riding her Kastel’s Nintendo, Californian Charlotte Jorst was the adult-amateur Grand Prix champion. You’ll find profiles of the final three trophy winners in the yearbook section of this issue, beginning on page 76. The highest-scoring DSHB champion receives the Travel-
DSHB BREEDER OF THE YEAR: Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd.’s Jill Giese (second left) and John Dingle (third left) with the StallionExpo Trophy
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DSHB HORSE OF THE YEAR: Lesley Pollington (center), owner of winning horse Daphne, accepts the Traveling Trot trophy from USDF senior competitions coordinator Stacy Dunham, Dressage Extensions’ Jill Waterman, Adequan’s Allyn Mann, and USDF Competitions Department manager Krystina Firth
riale champion. He is owned by Jill Giese and DMV, and ridden by John Dingle. The 2015 Pan Am Games team and individual gold medalist, Legolas, won the crowning performance award: the Colonel Thackeray Trophy as the Adequan/USDF Grand Prix Horse of the Year. Owner Akiko Yamazaki of Four Winds Farm LLC accepted the award.
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ing Trot trophy, by artist Barbara Noble: In 2015, that was Daphne (Diamond Stud – D’Amore, De Niro), owned by Lesley Pollington of Ontario, Canada. The Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd. representatives were back on stage again to accept the Sunshine Sport Horse Association Trophy for Leopold DMV (Lokomotion – Dreaming) as the 2015 highest-scoring Mate-
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GRAND PRIX HORSE OF THE YEAR: Four Winds Farm’s Akiko Yamazaki (CA) (third from left) accepts the Col. Thackeray Trophy for her horse Legolas
The awards presentations were far from over: Proud owners and riders lined up to accept USDF rider medals, freestyle bars, Vintage Cup awards, junior/young rider and adult-amateur honors, young-horse year-end awards, freestyle awards, and All-Breeds awards. Representatives from many participating registries were on hand to help recognize the achievements of the many horse and pony breeds that compete successfully in dressage. Read on to see photos of the major trophy presentations as well as selected moments from the celebrations that followed.
Back-to-Back Business Meetings If there was a common complaint about the Las Vegas convention, it was that meetings were so tightly scheduled that, for some, sleep started to seem optional. Concurrent with the usual roster of USDF committee meetings, Executive Board meetings, and the Board of Governors (BOG) assembly are meetings and open forums with the USEF Dressage Committee. Some overscheduled volunteers doubtless wished they had a Harry Potter time-turner device so they could be in two places at once.
MATERIALE HORSE OF THE YEAR: Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures’ Jill Giese and John Dingle accept for Leopold DMV
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Here are summaries of the major governance happenings. US Dressage Finals location debate. This year’s hot topic was the future location of the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan. As USDF president George Williams explains in his “Inside USDF” column on page 4, after much debate, the BOG voted to leave the Finals at the Kentucky Horse Park for the time being. Not convinced that the proposed western location of Thermal, CA, is the right answer, the BOG left the door open for USDF’s western regions to DOUBLE HOY WINNER: Owner/rider Alyssa Pitts (WA) (third from left) earned Horse of the Year honors at First Level for Selestial R and at Third Level for Quintessential Hit
Mother, Daughter Earn USDF Gold Medals
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t’s not uncommon for a parent and child to share a love of horses and dressage. But a mother and daughter earning their USDF gold medals in the same year—that’s a much rarer feat. That’s exactly what happened to Leigh KentScherzer and Mallory Kent, of Vincent, AL, who took the stage together at the 2015 Adequan/USDF Annual Convention in Las Vegas to receive their USDF gold medals. Not only did the pair earn gold medals in the same year; they also earned them at the same show, on the same day! Kent-Scherzer and Kent each needed one more score for the gold medal when they entered the Dressage at Greystone show in Tennessee on November 8, 2014. “As we were walking up to the score board together, I suddenly got excited and nervous at the same time,” Kent-Scherzer recalls. “We both got a 66 percent and the final score we needed for the gold medal.” “It really was coincidental that we were both ready for the Grand Prix test at the same time,” KentScherzer says. Her own mount, the Danish Warmblood Sir Luckas, was at Fourth Level when she bought him; Kent’s horse, the Dutch Warmblood Okidokie, had competed through Intermediate I. “Ultimately, the question was whether Oki could do the piaffe and whether Luckas could do the onetempis,” says Kent-Scherzer, who calls the experience “all in the family. My husband, Wolfgang Scherzer, is a German Bereiter and our trainer. We credit him for this gift.” “Mallory and I began showing in the summer of 2008, and showing together is all we know,” says KentScherzer, an adult amateur who works full-time as a
LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER: Leigh Kent-Scherzer (center) and daughter Mallory Kent earned their gold medals in the same year
periodontist. “There have been a lot of opportunities to teach life lessons along the way, such as learning from failure and being an encouragement for others who are also on the journey.” Mother and daughter have enjoyed many successes on the road to their gold medals. In 2013, Kent-Scherzer and Kent won the Great American/ USDF Region 1 Intermediate I adult amateur and junior championship titles, respectively. That same year, Kent, now 18, won Junior Team bronze with Region 3 at the NAJYRC. Kent and Okidokie also competed in the Junior division at the 2011, 2012, and 2014 NAJYRC. The pair graduated to the Young Rider ranks in 2015, winning NAJYRC team silver for Region 3. “I loved being able to cheer her on and wipe off her boots before each ride just as much as I’ve loved showing myself,” Kent says of her mother. “While it’s easy to think that getting my gold is what I treasure the most, it is actually the journey that will always stick with me. For me, the gold medal holds many laughs and tears and many memories with my mom. I am so thankful for such an amazing horse, trainer, and parents, especially my mom, who have given me so much and so many amazing opportunities.”
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FREESTYLE SWEEP: Cody Armstrong (VA) accepts her gold, silver, and bronze freestyle bars from USDF president George Williams
FEI CURLY: Owner Lynda McNeely (center), whose Spar Trek (by Spartacus) was the Curly Sporthorse International Prix St. Georges Open champion, receives her award from Stephan Hienzsch and Adequan representative Wiss Costanza
SILVER MEDALIST: Carol Mavros (MT)
PRESENTER AND RECIPIENT: Adequan’s Deven Vespi (center) wasn’t just handing out awards; she received one too. Proud colleague Allyn Mann (right) was on hand for the bronze-medal presentation.
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WINNING GROUP: Arabian Horse Association All-Breeds award winners pose for a group photo. Among the recipients was USDF Region 3 director Sue Bender (sixth from left), owner/rider of the First Level Adult Amateur champion, Rulette (by Scrabble).
DUTCH PRIDE: F.J. Ramzes (by Juventus) won two KWPN of North America All-Breeds awards: First Level Open reserve champion and FEI Five-Year-Old champion. Accepting the awards were rider Lehua Custer (second from left) and owner Wendy Sasser (third from left).
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HAFLINGER WINNER: Linden Thompson (center) accepts the American Haflinger Registry First Level Open champion award for her horse, N’Tempo SSH1 (by Nickerson SFF), from USDF executive director Stephan Hienzsch and Adequan representative Audrey Bolte
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identify a suitable alternative and to present their findings to the Executive Board for future consideration. Executive Board elections. The positions of USDF president, treasurer, and directors of the even-numbered regions (2, 4, 6, and 8) were up for reelection. The incumbent president, George Williams; treasurer, Steven Schubert; and Region 8 director, Debra Reinhardt, ran unopposed and were reelected by acclamation. With Region 4 director Lloyd Landkamer’s untimely death in September, there was no candidate on the ballot for that position prior to the convention. Nominations were accepted from the floor of the BOG assembly; the sole nominee, former GMO Committee chair Anne Sushko (IA), won by acclamation. She takes over from interim Region 4 director Linda Landers. There were contests for the Regions 2 and 6 directors’ positions. In Region 2, incumbent Ken Levy won over challenger Sheila Woerth. In Region 6, challenger Carolynn Bunch defeated longtime director Donna Longacre. Executive director’s report. According to Stephan Hienzsch, an “ongoing theme” he hears is: “‘What’s USDF done for our GMO lately?’” He answered: “One of the best things we can do in the national office is create things that GMOs can use to promote themselves.” In January, USDF was scheduled to roll out downloadable PowerPoint presentations, handouts, and other educational materials, all available via the GMO Guide page on the USDF website, Hienzsch said. Other resources include GMO-specific ads for use in GMOs’ marketing efforts and a redesigned GMO e-newsletter containing tabs that link to regional websites. “November fourth was the one-hundredth USDF podcast,” Hienzsch said. To date there have been more than 68,000 individual listens, and USDF membership is not required to access the podcasts, he said. “GMOs can list these as a member benefit.” “The most exciting new thing,” Hienzsch said, “is the new USDF mobile app,” which will debut in 2016. Currently titled Your USDF Dressage Connection, the app will be a mobile source for the magazine you’re reading as well as for USDF’s stallion guide, streaming content, social-media channels, and video links, he said, adding that “there will be regularly updated content beyond the magazine content.” Nonmembers will have limited-time access to sample content, after which time they will be prompted to purchase access (or join USDF). Other “under the hood” improvements coming in 2016: updates to the USDF online store and a redesign of the usdf. org website, Hienzsch said.
L A S OUT IN FRONT: USDF executive director Stephan Hienzsch
Treasurer’s report. At his sixth USDF convention in this position, Steve Schubert reported that the 2015 US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan turned a small profit of approximately $7,000. “We continue to be in a very strong position,” said Schubert, who noted that the organization is exceeding its benchmark of maintaining a six-month cash reserve. Financial data and budgets are available on the USDF website under About / Governance / Financials. Committee and regional meetings. Whatever your particular dressage interest, there’s a USDF committee focused on that subject. Any convention-goer may attend the open committee meetings, learn about the issues, and voice opinions. Same for the USDF regional meetings, each led by that region’s director. The US Dressage Finals location issue dominated many regional meetings. GMO-related issues came to the forefront at various committee meetings, speaking to the USDF’s unique “umbrella” membership and governance structure, and the give-and-take for resources and members between the parent organization and its approximately 130 affiliated local and regional dressage clubs.
Save the Date!
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ark your calendars for the 2016 Adequan/ USDF Annual Convention! We’ll be “meeting at the arch” near that famous St. Louis, MO, landmark, November 30-December 3.
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L A S BOARD OF GOVERNORS: USDF vice president Lisa Gorretta and secretary Margaret Freeman overlook the delegates
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Reports and Rule-Change Forums The USDF is the official affiliated dressage organization of the United States Equestrian Federation. As such, it’s entitled to “state of the union” reports from USEF representatives. USEF CEO Chris Welton and USEF dressage chef d’équipe and technical advisor Robert Dover traveled to Las Vegas to address the USDF Board of Governors. Welton, a lawyer who brought experience in sport management and marketing to the USEF, said that his first priority was “to get the financial ship right.” When he was hired in 2014, he said, the USEF was $1.7 million in the red; by the end of 2015, “it looks like we are going to break even this year, maybe have a slight surplus.” Welton slashed costs, including the equine-liability insurance that once was included with membership (it’s still available but for a nominal fee). He wants to revamp the USEF’s fee structure, which he says “hasn’t changed significantly since the start of the organization. The groups that use the most federation resources should pay more than those that don’t use as many resources.” To help revive stagnant results in the high-performance disciplines, “The first thing I did was hire [former British Equestrian Federation performance director] Will Connell [as USEF director of sport programs] to fix the sport side of things.” Connell, who is credited with helping Great Britain dominate the equestrian competition at the 2012 Olympic Games, was hired in 2014, and his first major US test will be at this year’s Rio Olympics and Paralympics.
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From the organizations’ standpoint, ideally, every US dressage enthusiast would belong both to a GMO and to USDF directly. But in reality, many people choose one or the other—and although participating membership (direct USDF membership) was up by 4.1 percent in 2015, according to Membership Committee chair Anneliese VogtHarber, the percentage of participating members who are also group members decreased by 2.3 percent. Total USDF membership was essentially flat, with a 0.3 percent decline, she said. While some GMOs indicate that they are struggling to attract and retain members, others report steady gains. According to Membership Committee member and USDF Region 2 director Ken Levy, “Our GMO is growing because we changed our focus to offer things people wanted.” In addition to taking advantage of the GMO-available USDF educational resources, GMOs can offer the kinds of locally or regionally focused educational or competition opportunities that the national organization can’t, Levy said. Finances are a common chicken-and-egg issue for GMOs: Without programs, it’s harder to attract members; but without members, there may not be enough money to host programs. One possible solution was presented by Jenny Johnson, executive director of the philanthropic organization The Dressage Foundation, who dropped by several meetings to remind USDF members that TDF (dressagefoundation.org) offers a variety of dressage-education-focused grants. One, the Violet M. Hopkins Fund, is earmarked to aid USDF GMOs in producing educational programs.
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USEF REPORT: USEF CEO Chris Welton addresses the BOG
Welton is a horseman, but much of his previous professional marketing experience was in football, not equestrian sports. As such, “I was a little naïve in terms of how we should market equestrian sports,” he told the BOG. “I assumed because of the [participant] demographics that it would be extremely attractive to sponsors. [I learned that] we’ve got to increase the numbers of people watching the sport. That’s where the money is.” At the same time, the sport itself must remain robust. “We have to bring more young people to the sport, and support the people in the sport,” Welton said. In the world of high-performance dressage, everything’s coming up roses, according to Robert Dover, who’s been following his “road map to the podiums” since the USEF hired him in 2013. The six-time Olympian has made no secret of the fact that it takes money to win medals, and in 2015 his fund-raising efforts produced more than $870,000, Dover said, with eleven more fund-raising events planned prior to the Rio Games. Many USEF dressage personnel changes took place in 2015 or are soon to occur, said Dover: USEF managing director of dressage Jenny van Wieren-Page resigned her position, and former USEF director of dressage national programs Hallye Griffin moved up in what Dover called a “seamless” transition. Taking over USEF dressage nationalcoach “pipeline” positions were USDF president George Williams as the new youth coach and Olympian Christine Traurig as the new young-horse coach, with Olympian Charlotte Bredahl-Baker filling the newly created position of assistant youth coach. Next up for Dover will be to find a new developing coach after the woman he called his “right hand,” Olympian Debbie McDonald, steps down this spring.
To hear Dover tell it, the USEF is indeed following his road map and has a solid chance of ascending the dressage medal podium in Rio. With gold medals at the 2015 Pan Am Games and other top finishes, “We have proved again and again that we are one of the top countries in the world,” Dover said. “Our goal for 2016 is six combinations that can score in the upper seventies, with two capable of going over 80 percent. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the formula for a medal.” USEF proposed rule changes. By the time you read this, the USEF will have voted on all the proposed rule changes at its convention in January. Here’s the quick back story on the input the USEF Dressage Committee received from USDF members at the USEF rule-change open forum on proposed changes affecting dressage. One general rule (GR) proposal was to require all participants in USEF-licensed competition to be USEF members—no payment of a nonmember fee allowed. A straw poll showed little support for this proposal. Likewise, the proposed banning of the double bridle in Third Level tests received practically no support. The existing rule allows either the snaffle or the double bridle at Third Level. A proposed rule change would clarify the three-second halt rule by stating that the halt must be held for three seconds when it is performed with a salute to the judge. To align with Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) rules, a dressage rule change would require that horses competing at Grand Prix must be at least eight years of age (instead of the current seven). Fourth Level horses would have to be at least seven years old. The USEF rule regarding logos on dressage saddle pads has confused many competitors. The USEF was to consider two related rule change-proposals at its 2016 convention. One would essentially permit amateurs to compete in pads with logos; the other, put forth by the USEF Dressage Committee, would keep the rule but with simplifications and clarifications. “The purpose of the logo rule,” explained USEF DC member and USDF vice president Lisa Gorretta, “was to enforce the [USEF] amateur rule,” which prohibits amateurs from accepting remuneration or sponsorship for riding or training. The rule came about because an amateur rider accepted a sponsorship from a saddlery company and rode in a pad bearing the company’s logo, she said. The forum attendees did not favor the DC’s proposal and instead supported the proposed rule change permitting, with size restrictions, logos on the saddle pads of all competitors. USDF CONNECTION
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Fitness, Friendships, and Fun
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RISE AND SHINE: Jennifer Kotylo leads USDF members through the basic Pilates exercise known as the Hundred
with items that this year ranged from art work and jewelry to tack and riding apparel. Short of receiving an award or honor at the Salute Gala & Annual Awards Banquet, nothing excites a USDF member at the convention more than winning one of the coveted GMO baskets. In this beloved tradition, USDF’s GMOs donate gift baskets, often containing regionally themed foodstuffs and other items. Convention attendees enter their names for door-prize drawings, and lucky winners’ names are chosen during lulls in the action at the BOG assembly. We’ll end this convention recap with a photo gallery of memorable moments. Thanks to all who made the Las Vegas convention a success, and we hope you’ll “Meet Us in St. Louis” in 2016! ▲
Thank You Sponsors for your generous support of the Adequan®/USDF Annual Convention Title Sponsor
2015 Contributing Sponsors
California Dressage Society
Dressage Extensions
Supporting Sponsor Clinic in the Cloud
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DressageClinic.com
Schleese
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Convention-goers enjoy plenty of extracurricular activities. In Las Vegas, early risers worked up a sweat with equestrian-fitness pro Jennifer Kotylo, who followed her introductory lecture, “Improve Your Riding Through Movement,” with sessions focusing on Pilates, Balimo work, and a grab bag of exercises. The spine and the core are key not only to good riding, but also to overall health and mobility, Kotylo said. Top human athletes have a relatively flat-backed posture, which she said transfers energy more efficiently than a back with a pronounced lumbar curve. She quoted Pilates method founder Joseph Pilates: “A man is as young as his spinal column.” “The energy of the horse pushes the rider’s pelvis forward and back,” Kotylo explained. “A slight posterior tilt is not so bad, but an anterior tilt—an arched back—causes the energy to push you forward and up and out of the saddle. It crunches your back with every step and is bad for your horse’s back, as well.” Kotylo’s fitness sessions focused on the development of hip and spinal mobility, core strength, and relaxation to promote proper posture in and out of the saddle, to ease pain, and to help the rider move effectively with the horse. During meeting breaks, convention attendees enjoyed browsing booths set up by sponsors Adequan (Luitpold Animal Health), Standlee Hay Company, Clinic in the Cloud, Dressage Extensions, DressageClinic.com, Schleese, and the California Dressage Society (CDS was the sponsor of the welcome reception). The annual silent auction, which benefits USDF youth programs, is always a popular draw,
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JENNIFER BRYANT; LAS VEGAS NEWS BUREAU
OASIS: Palm trees and lush foliage in the courtyard of the convention hotel, the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino
NIGHT LIGHTS: Neon signs on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas
HAPPENINGS IN VEGAS: While at convention, USDF members could enjoy myriad dining and entertainment opportunities
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L A S SHAKE YOUR MARACAS: With its Carnivale atmosphere, the Rio encourages visitors to walk on the wild side
BEHIND THIS DOOR: Convention hotel also hosts the World Series of Poker
MAGICAL: The Rio is home to the show by well-known illusionists Penn & Teller
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LAS VEGAS NEWS BUREAU; JENNIFER BRYANT
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DINER TO THE STARS: Reviews and signed celebrity testimonials outside the Rio’s Hash House a Go Go restaurant
CAN YOU HEAR HIM NOW? Dave Meisner, owner of the Equuscom WiWi communication system
READY FOR BUSINESS: Sponsor booths await USDF convention traffic
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VETERINARY EXPERTISE: Dr. Kent Allen discusses the latest USEF drugs-and-meds rules
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YOUTH STANDOUT: Madison Deaton, Louisville, KY, winner of a USDF youth convention scholarship, with a couple of USDF pulley-horse friends
HOTEL VISTA: Many guests enjoyed a spectacular mountain view
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CALIFORNIA CONTINGENT: California Dressage Society members Paula Langan, Maureen van Tuyl, Ellen Corob, Melissa Creswick, and Terry Wilson at the convention welcome reception, which CDS sponsored
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BANQUET RECEPTION: NAJYRC and USDF gold medalist Anna Buffini, NAJYRC and USDF gold medalist Catherine Chamberlain, and Adequan representative Allyn Mann
WHAT AM I BID? Perusing the silent-auction items
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SERVICE WITH A SMILE: USDF IT services director Chad Compton and Competitions Department manager Krystina Firth on the job in Las Vegas
GMO PRIDE: GMO gift baskets, awarded as door prizes, are a cherished convention tradition
DONOR AND RECIPIENT: Wisconsin Dressage and Combined Training Association president Mary Hanneman (left) with the WDCTA basket winner, All Dressage Association VP Laurie Moore (MI)
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HORSE OF THE YEAR
MATERIALE
Leopold DMV
2011 bay 18.1-hand Hanoverian gelding Sire: Lokomotion • Dam: Dreaming Owner: Jill Giese & Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd., Pemberton, British Columbia Rider: John Dingle, Pemberton, British Columbia Breeder: Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd., Pemberton, British Columbia 76 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
PHOTO COURTESY OF DREAMCATCHER MEADOWS VENTURES LTD.
Sunshine Sport Horse Association Perpetual Trophy for the Highest-Scoring Champion
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o Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures founder Jill Giese, “the coolest part of the story” of Leopold DMV’s award is that he and half-siblings Ballerina DMV (who won this same award in 2012 and 2013), D-Trix DMV, Lordsley DMV, and Believe DMV “are all from our barn’s late, beloved mare Dreaming DM: one of the embryo-transfer triplets”—by Dimaggio from DMV matriarch and namesake Dreamcatcher—“that I brought to Canada as rising two-year-olds in 2004, when I moved back after twelve years in England.” Giese’s first impression of “Leo” was of “legs, legs, and legs” (much like his 18.1-hand dam’s), along with “amazing gymnastic ability and a playful character. In his turnout paddock, he maneuvers into complicated yoga positions we’ve never before seen a horse achieve, bending under fence rails to reach no-greener grass on the other side.” Leo’s barn nickname, Giese says, is “Fire Truck,” a nod to his large size and huge movement. “We joke that John [DMV top rider and head trainer John Dingle] could use a clone to ride Leo: John One steering the front end and John Two guiding the back. Standing next to Leo you can feel dwarfed—but then you may find our gentle giant wrapping you in one of his ‘neck hugs.’” Leo has a strong work ethic and “clearly likes being a people-pleaser,” Giese says. “We capitalize on this by using plenty of voice aids in his schooling.” When told he’s a good boy, he “consistently responds with even more effort.” So, she says, “the hardest challenge is to resist pushing him at this young age. He has the necessary gifts to do high-level work; his balance, rhythm, ability, and physical scope are far beyond those of any horse his age, or most others’ ages. Still, it’s obvious to us that he needs to ‘grow into himself,’ mentally and physically. And we know that patience now will reap rewards later, increasing the odds he’ll remain sound in body and mind.” Making his showing début in Region 6 at age three, Leo won his in-hand class, Giese says. He won his Materiale division and was ultimately named show grand cham-
pion. Qualifying for the Adequan/USDF Materiale division championship required a minimum of three winning scores at three shows. “Leo cleared this hurdle by winning with 80plus scores at his next two shows.” Giese says Leo “is as relaxed at shows as at home—but he knows when he’s ‘on show’ and becomes more dynamic.” Dingle, who’s describes riding Ballerina as “like a surfer’s once-in-a-lifetime wave: euphoric, almost surreal,” says that “riding Leo is like riding a controlled tsunami!” Giese’s most cherished moment of the 2015 competition season came from “a judge’s comment at the end of one particularly exuberant performance: ‘When that horse moves, the angels sing.’ For us, and for everyone on the team who make our competing possible, including staff and owner sponsors, that was particularly moving.” This year, according to Giese, she and Dingle “will continue Leo’s classical training, He needs time to grow into himself and his huge movement, and we want to keep his work fun for him.” But because “getting to even our closest USDF qualifying venue requires a border crossing and an eleven-hour journey, we try to keep our horses positive in mind and body, and minimize training interruption, by competing sparingly and strategically.” Still, both Giese and Dingle hope that their horses’ successes—along with a third consecutive Adequan/USDF DSHB Breeder of the Year award, and a certificate of achievement from the president of the Hannover Verband—will increase awareness that “meticulously trained young Hanoverians, carrying the same genetic gifts as European champions, are available just two hours north of Vancouver,” says Giese. “And in a perfect world we’d also hope to find individual or corporate sponsorship enabling John to compete Leo at the highest level possible. Ultimately, we aspire to see a North American rider partnering one of our homebred Hanoverians to the awards podium at a top international competition.” —D. J. Carey Lyons
USDF PERPETUAL TROPHIES THE COLONEL THACKERAY TROPHY Adequan/USDF Grand Prix Horse of the Year 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Metallic Monsieur Graf George Grandeur Aristocrat Brentina Brentina Rocher
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009-2011 2012-2015
FBW Kennedy Kingston Floriano Floriano Pop Art Ravel Legolas
TRAVELING TROT SCULPTURE Adequan/USDF Highest-Scoring Dressage Sport Horse Breeding Champion 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Routinier Onika Contester Stellamara Donna Novella Wamorkus Woodwind Starlight
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
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Faiza Masterpiece White Sun Dalziel HHF (tie) Duet MF (tie) David Bowie MF Dansuse MF Danae MF
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HORSE OF THE YEAR
DRESSAGE SPORT HORSE BREEDING
Daphne 2011 brown 16.2-hand Oldenburg mare Sire: Diamond Stud • Dam: D’Amore Owner/Breeder: Lesley Pollington, Richmond Hill, Ontario
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VICTORIA DEMORE PHOTOGRAPHY, LLC
Traveling Trot Perpetual Trophy for the Highest-Scoring Champion
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ith parents involved in horse racing, Lesley Pollington “was around horses from the time I was about four. But it wasn’t until I moved from the States to Toronto in 2002 that I had any exposure to dressage.” She soon switched her riding focus to the new discipline, “and was training at a barn just north of the city when I found and fell in love with ‘Darcy.’ Then my husband, Stewart Kirby, surprised me by buying her for me.” But with frequent overseas business trips, Pollington couldn’t find adequate time to ride—“and horses can’t sit around doing nothing. They’ve got to have a job.” So she decided that D’Amore would become a broodmare. For advice on the breeding business as well as information on sires, Pollington turned to the GOV (Oldenburg) registry. “I didn’t know a lot about things like genotypes, but I did know I wanted a sire based in North America.” She studied the GOV stallion book, “and when I saw Diamond Stud, I just got a feeling that he was the one: that he’d balance Darcy out nicely.” Pollington moved Darcy south to Florida for breeding and foaling. Daphne arrived “on April Fool’s Day” and—birth date notwithstanding—quickly showed promise in terms of conformation and temperament. In 2013, Pollington placed Darcy and now two-year-old Daphne with Florida trainer Sharon Jerdeman. At two, Daphne initially struck Jerdeman as “very leggy, a little bit gawky, but a very nice mover, and so brave and sensible that I was excited at the prospect of seeing how she’d mature.” Since then, the trainer’s been “very pleased with how she’s developed. It’s so rewarding to just make a suggestion—‘Why don’t we try a little counter-canter?’—and have her figure it out almost on her own. She has a good canter and a very comfortable sitting trot. She likes to take little walks around and investigate things; she’s
pretty brave. She’s offered a cool flying change. Those things don’t seem difficult; I think she enjoys them. She has good balance and a good brain.” Pollington says Jerdeman “has a special way with young horses in particular, and we’re on the same page about giving them time to develop their characters, minds, and bodies. She can take a horse all the way up the levels, but she’s also sympathetic about the choices owners may need to make. And she’s been very supportive of my efforts to define and balance my long- and short-term goals for Daphne—and for future youngsters.” Deciding to make 2015 “a year of evaluation,” Pollington entered Daphne in both in-hand and Materiale classes—and the young mare wound up becoming the highest-scoring dressage sport-horse breeding champion. Pollington says Daphne’s success has given her “the confidence to continue with breeding.” For 2016, Darcy will again be a broodmare, paired with a North America-based sire from the GOV stallion book. But Daphne—for now, at least—will continue her training with Jerdeman, who thinks the young mare has “the stamina and the energy to go up the FEI levels,” if that’s the direction her owner chooses. Eventually, Pollington says, she’d like to return to the US and be more involved in USDF programs. But for now, she and her husband have overseas commitments—for example, “remodeling an old house in Yorkshire into a bed-and-breakfast”—that come first. Still, she’s delighted with the recognition her initial foray into breeding has brought. “This is the first year I’ve been with the USDF,” she says, “so this Traveling Trot award has been more than I ever expected. In terms of encouragement, what more could I want?” —D. J. Carey Lyons
USDF PERPETUAL TROPHIES SUNSHINE SPORT-HORSE ASSOCIATION TROPHY Adequan/USDF Highest-Scoring Materiale Champion 2007 2008 2009 2010
Froelich Bakira Rashka Bad Boy
2011 2012-2013 2014 (Tie) 2015
Wildly Romantic Ballerina DMV Exodus, Gedevasegaards Diesel Leopold DMV
THE HILLTOP FARM TROPHY Adequan/USDF Dressage Breeder of the Year 2006-2007 2008 2009-2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Hilda Gurney & Dr. Mary Contakos Hilda Gurney Kenneth Borden Oak Hill Ranch LLC Hilltop Farm Inc. Oak Hill Ranch LLC Hilda Gurney
STALLION EXPO TROPHY Adequan/USDF Dressage Sport Horse Breeding Breeder of the Year 2006-2008 2009-2011 2012 2013-2015
Ken Borden Marion Dresel-O’Connor Maryanna Haymon Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd.
PIROUETTE BRONZE Adequan/USDF Adult Amateur Grand Prix Champion 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Melissa Rogers riding Marlow Jennifer Huber riding Al Pacino Carrie Schopf riding Montaigne Christi Meyers riding Wonderboy Melissa Hogan riding Diameter D’Re Stergios riding Johnny Jill Irving riding Pop Art Alice Tarjan riding Elfenfeuer Charlotte Jorst riding Kastel’s Nintendo
USDF CONNECTION
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February 2016
79
HORSE OF THE YEAR
TRAINING LEVEL
2008 bay 18-hand Dutch Warmblood gelding Sire: Jazz • Dam: Nirvana Owner/Rider: Hokan Thorn, Columbus, North Carolina Breeders: Larry and Kathy Childs, Topeka, Kansas 80 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
MONICA STEVENSON
Django
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rainer Hokan Thorn already had another young horse he was moving up through the levels when he saw a video clip of Django. “It was a very short clip, but I saw the quality in him. He was a very pretty horse; he had the looks and the size, and a super hind leg, and a very good shoulder: the things you look for in a good dressage horse.” In addition, “he was bred so well; most of the Jazz horses I’ve ridden have had great potential for piaffe and passage. “So I drove up” from North Carolina to Kansas “and tried him. He was very unproven, and I only rode him for about ten minutes, but right away I felt the potential in him. So— this was around the end of December 2014, and he was six, going on seven—we worked out a deal and I bought him.” Because Django was so unproven, Thorn decided to “spend the first six months putting a foundation on him. So from January to June, I really didn’t do anything more than train him in the basics—having them in place is one thing that I’m really picky about as a trainer—and put some muscle on him.” Django also benefited from Thorn’s firm belief in the importance of “hacking my horses out and having each one spend about a half a day turned out in the pasture to ‘be a horse.’ No matter the level, they are not hothouse flowers.” After Django finished his basic training, Thorn “decided to give him some showing experience. At the show grounds, he started out a little bit fresh; but all the Jazz horses are typically that way, and he settled in very well.”
Better yet, Thorn discovered, Django is “the kind of young horse that ‘grows’ in front of you when he goes in the ring. It’s good to have a youngster who does that: who’s even more expressive in the show ring than in the warm-up.” Thorn showed Django four times at Training Level in 2015, “just to give him showing experience, and he had scores in the mid-80s from some very good judges. Up to now, I’ve been taking my time with him; now he’s ready to move on, And he has the talent I knew he would have, so I really see him as a horse for myself—one I will take my time developing. “From age four to age six, it’s most important that the horse learns to come through from behind when moving forward. If I challenge Django to move out, he really likes to move big. If I put him in a big trot, he stays in a big trot, and I can do anything I want with him; I think he really likes to show off in that way. I think he has qualities that will let him perform at the FEI levels very well. “Not every horse needs to go through every step” up those levels, Thorn says. “I want to keep the work interesting. In many cases I get a horse going at First Level, then leave him home until he’s strong enough to move up to Fourth Level. I’m definitely going to start Django in Fourth Level: He has the strength, and he has the changes; he’s starting pirouette work. He’s going to let me bring out everything in him. He’s a very cool horse!” —D. J. Carey Lyons
TRAINING LEVEL RESULTS WINNER’S MEDIAN SCORE: 77.609%; NUMBER QUALIFIED: 617
1. DJANGO (Dutch Warmblood), Hokan Thorn, owner/rider; Jazz, sire; Nirvana, dam; Kathy & Larry Childs, breeders................................................................................................77.609% 2. ROCERO SVS (Hanoverian), Jeanne Schamblin, owner; Jessica Wisdom, rider; Rotspon, sire; Hoheit, dam; Jeanne Schamblin, breeder ...............................................................................77.216% 3. EDWINA (Dutch Warmblood), Jenny Moore, owner/rider.............................................................................76.923% 4. ACHILLES (Zweibrucker), Caryn Bloom, owner; Luke McLaughlin, rider; Albarez, sire; Navia Blanc, dam; Mary Goldberg, breeder..............................................................................76.723% 5. H ACE OF HEARTS (Hanoverian), Otterbein University, owner; Jennifer Roth, rider; Hochadel, sire; Feline, dam; Hans-Guenter Berner, breeder..........................................................................76.675% 6. FORTHRIGHT (Oldenburg), Tom Noone, owner/rider; Fred Astair, sire; May Juweel, dam; Tom Noone, breeder .........................................................................................................76.504% 7. DEHAVILLAND (Oldenburg), Sarah Lockman, owner/rider; Diamond Hit, sire; Haverford’s Redhawk, dam; Lynn & Robert De Gour, breeders .....................................................................75.988% 8. SHENGLI (Hanoverian), David Collins, owner/rider........................................................................................75.807% 9. FRANCA SYMPATHICA (Hanoverian), Renee Delisse, owner; Renee Delisse & Paige Peters-Windham, riders; Fidertanz, sire; Soraya, dam; Wilfried Fiedler, breeder ............................75.687% 10. MY MAIDEN (Danish Warmblood), Janne Rumbough, owner/rider; Blue Hors Zack, sire; Donna Xanthia, dam; Gitte Jensen, breeder ..................................................................................................75.213%
11. SOLEIL (Friesian Sporthorse), Trisha Harrahill, owner; Trisha Harrahill & Mija Sims, riders; Wizard MLF, sire; Pretty Girl, dam; Jeannie Pasturel, breeder ........................................................................75.114% 12. DIAMOND LADY MF (Hanoverian), Cackie Vroom, owner; Sally Lofting, rider; Don Principe, sire; Royal Gem, dam; Maryanna Haymon, breeder ...............................................................75.096% 13. GENIUS MVS (Dutch Warmblood), Jackie Ahl-Eckhaus, owner; Craig Stanley, rider; Uphill, sire; Lumara, dam; Jackie Ahl-Eckhaus, breeder.................................................................................74.886% 14. BASILIO THF (Hanoverian), Christine Siems, owner/rider; Belissimo M, sire; Fidertana B, dam; Christine Siems & Turkey Hill Farm, breeders ...................................................................74.598% 15. FINALIA ERS (Dutch Warmblood), Kim Rhind, owner; Yvonne & Kassandra Barteau, riders...............................74.545% 16. GOTHAM (American Warmblood), Sara Stone, owner; Brittany Burson & Sara Stone, riders; Gabriel, sire; Mystic, dam; Indian Hills Sport Horses, breeder........................................................................74.348% 17. PAOLUCIUS (Hanoverian), Nicole Trapp, owner/rider; Pablo, sire; Ghizelle, dam; Stacie Fenderson, breeder ..............................................................................................................................74.318% 17. HEARTSONG (Oldenburg), Leslie Waterman, owner; Kathryn Stoy & Debbie Hill, riders..............................74.318% 19. GOLDEN GIRL (Dutch Warmblood), Danielle Gallagher-Legriffon & Ellen Laz, owners; Danielle Gallagher-Legriffon, rider; Vic, sire; Ratina L, dam; M.A. van de Goor, breeder ..............................74.205% 20. FALCON (Dutch Warmblood), Dove Creek Farm, owner; Jessica Wisdom, rider; UB 40, sire; Vallota, dam; Dove Creek Farm, breeder .....................................................................................73.759%
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February 2016
81
HORSE OF THE YEAR
FIRST LEVEL
2010 bay 16.2-hand Oldenburg mare Sire: San Amour • Dam: Áte Owner/Rider: Alyssa Pitts, Snohomish, Washington Breeder: Judy Yancey, Ocala, Florida 82 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
MARY CORNELIUS
Selestial R
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elestial R had been under saddle just a few months when Alyssa Pitts saw her at Red Wagon Farm in Mount Vernon, WA, in March 2014. “I was there to look at her brother,” Pitts recalls. “But when she put her head over the fence, I liked her look so much that I tried her, too.” The young mare “had really nice power in her gaits” and “a very nice feel about her personality.” Pitts bought her—and then “saved up and bought her brother later. “Although ‘Seleste’ had been started before I got her,” says Pitts (who usually starts her youngsters herself ), “she seemed very young and green under saddle, possibly lacking a little confidence.” Like many youngsters, she was also very “downhill,” though her breeding suggested to Pitts that her front and hind ends would even up as she matured. “Seleste didn’t want to fight me, but she did have a little fear.” So Pitts focused on building the young mare’s trust through positive experiences in unfamiliar situations: “taking her out on trail rides; getting her exposed to horse shows and other new places. She’s very athletic and talented; dressage comes pretty easily to her. Building her confidence has been the bigger effort,” but it’s paid off. When, a few months after starting to work with the mare, Pitts became pregnant with her second child, she felt confident that Seleste was “kind enough and good enough” to continue riding her until the last few weeks before the baby came. Although Seleste was “still a baby herself” in terms of showing, Pitts “showed her a little at Training Level, and she always had a good try in her”—good enough to end up second alternate for the 2014 Markel/USEF Four-Year-Old Young Horse Championships. In May 2015, “things really got started” in Seleste’s career when Pitts rode her in a clinic with British dressage superstar Charlotte Dujardin. That session led to what Pitts
hopes will be a long-term association; she has since hosted a Dujardin clinic in Snohomish and ridden in a Dujardin public clinic in Oregon. Pitts also became “the first rider for Piaffe, a company started by Charlotte’s manager.” Working with the Olympic gold medalist has “helped us to some pretty good scores,” Pitts says. Seleste “won every First Level class we entered. In general,” she adds, “the higher-ranking the judge, the better our scores have been. Our highest this year, an 83.676 percent, was from an FEI five-star judge.” Seleste showed a little at Second Level in 2015 as well, and Pitts thinks she’s ready to start at Third Level this year. “She has a phenomenal trot: When you ask her to open up at the trot, she loves to do it. And it’s gorgeous. She also has a phenomenal ability to collect and push from behind. She’s very comfortable, a real tryer, and a pleasure to come out and ride every day.” Pitts says Seleste is “physically a slow-growing horse; I liken her to a gawky teenager:” But “she is looking more mature now, and in a year she’ll look even more like an adult horse.” Meanwhile, “her talent and her work ethic” help to overcome any awkwardness. Pitts says: “My end goal for my horses is that they become CDI Grand Prix competitors. I would love to take them all to the Finals, or to the Markel/USEF Young Horse Championships, but I’m not independently wealthy, and all the national championships are two thousand miles away. I have to think long and hard about subjecting a horse to that kind of travel. I keep waiting for the Young Horse finals to rotate locations instead of always being in the same place. Meanwhile, I’ll continue to show Seleste in our region, try to get her in front of the best judges I can, and keep my longrange focus on getting her to Grand Prix.” —D. J. Carey Lyons
FIRST LEVEL RESULTS WINNER’S MEDIAN SCORE: 77.059%; NUMBER QUALIFIED: 587
1. SELESTIAL R (Oldenburg), Alyssa Pitts, owner/rider; San Amour, sire; Áte, dam; Judy Yancey, breeder ......77.059% 2. FABERGE BLUE (Dutch Warmblood), Lara Mitchelson, owner; Michael Bragdell, rider; Contango, sire; Kroniek U, dam; Marie Emrey, breeder..................................................................................76.324% 3. FURST AURUM (Oldenburg), Ronald Woodcock & Stacey Hastings, owners; Stacey Hastings, rider; Furst Romancier, sire; Kapella, dam; Andreas Wempe, breeder ....................................................................75.420% 4. H ACE OF HEARTS (Hanoverian), Otterbein University, owner; Jennifer Roth, rider; Hochadel, sire; Feline, dam; Hans-Guenter Berner, breeder..........................................................................75.156% 5. BALALAIKA (Hanoverian), Barbara Butman, owner/rider; Breitling W, sire; Donna Faye, dam; Christian Heinrich, breeder ...............................................................................................74.780% 6. LOTTA SILVER (Trakehner), Adrienne Bessey & Hilda Gurney, owners; Adrienne Bessey & Hilda Gurney, riders; Silvermoon, sire; Livadia *M*, dam; Hilda Gurney, breeder ....................................74.444% 7. DON MARTEEN (Hanoverian), Katie Hoefs-Martin, owner/rider; Domiro, sire; Tasha, dam; Katie Hoefs-Martin, breeder ......................................................................................................73.984% 8. DIESEL VT (Hanoverian), Lynn Jendrowski, owner; Lynn Jendrowski & Cody Armstrong, riders; Dante Alighieri, sire; Flambeau, dam; Haydn & Patience Wadley, breeders..................................................73.677% 9. DINAMICO (Lusitano), Nancy Gerrard, owner; Amanda Johnson, rider; Portugal, sire; Dinamica Itapua, dam; Jose Garcia, breeder ..................................................................................................73.236% 10. ROCERO SVS (Hanoverian), Jeanne Schamblin, owner; Jessica Wisdom, rider; Rotspon, sire; Hoheit, dam; Jeanne Schamblin, breeder ......................................................................................................73.171%
11. HARIBO (Hanoverian), Morgan Matuszko, owner/rider; Hochadel, sire; Larimar, dam; Hans-Guenter Berner, breeder................................................................................................73.088% 12. U ROCK (Swedish Warmblood), Amanda Johnson, owner/rider; UB 40, sire; Piedra, dam; Carol Reid, breeder ....................................................................................................................72.903% 13. NATALIA’S NIGHTLIGHT (Oldenburg), Liz Kramer, owner; Karen Ball, rider; Windfall CB, sire; Natalia’s Fogata, dam; Liz Kramer, breeder ....................................................................................................72.871% 14. F.J. RAMZES (Dutch Warmblood), Wendy Sasser, owner; Lehua Custer, rider; Juventus, sire; J. Rambiance, dam; Cornell University, breeder.............................................................................................72.817% 15. DONNZI (Hanoverian), Kerry Province, owner/rider; Dauphin, sire; High Society, dam; Regina Nelson, breeder...................................................................................................................................72.721% 16. INSIDER (Trakehner), Sherri Mellskog, owner; Kathryn Stoy, rider; Le Rouge, sire; Ira XIII, dam; Hans Derlin, breeder .......................................................................................................................................72.593% 17. CHALK HILL’S LORD FREDERICK (Oldenburg), Missy Gilliland, owner/rider ...................................................72.507% 18. LEVIANA (Hanoverian), Daniela Banner, owner/rider ...................................................................................72.427% 19. FALCON (Dutch Warmblood), Dove Creek Farm, owner; Jessica Wisdom, rider; UB 40, sire; Vallota, dam; Dove Creek Farm, breeder ........................................................................................................72.414% 20. DOUGLAS VL (Dutch Warmblood), Glenda Needles, owner/rider; Sydney, sire; Windy, dam; B. van Leur, breeder...................................................................................................................72.353%
USDF CONNECTION
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February 2016
83
HORSE OF THE YEAR
SECOND LEVEL
2010 bay 17-hand Oldenburg gelding Sire: Rosenthal • Dam: Legacy Owner: Nikki Taylor-Smith, Richmond, Texas Rider: Carly Taylor-Smith, Malibu, California Breeder: Margaret Neider, Fabius, New York 84 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
SUSANJSTICKLE.COM
Rosalut NHF
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rainer and former British dressage judge Nikki TaylorSmith was in the market for a young horse to bring along. On the Internet, she came across “an Oldenburg that had been judged a Foal of Distinction—not a term we use in the UK” at a recent keuring. Research revealed that the designation was “a higher ranking than Premium; very few foals a year get it. I thought, ‘If a German judge gave this foal that award, he must be really good!’ Then I saw a video of him at the keuring with his mother; his movement was amazing. “So I called the breeder and said, ‘I don’t suppose that foal you’ve got is still for sale’—but he was! So I bought him—literally—over the phone.” Taylor-Smith planned to bring the youngster, Rosalut NHF (for his breeder’s North Hill Farm), to her own Texas barn in December, as soon as he was weaned. But North Hill, near Albany, NY, “got snowed in big-time. I couldn’t drive my trailer there until January. So he was about seven months old when he finally arrived.” Taylor-Smith “did all the ground work on him: broke him in, lunged him, and so forth. But as soon as I sat on him in the big arena and felt his trot, I knew what I had. I thought, ‘I’m not going to do him justice.’ But my daughter, Carly, is an amazing rider—so when he was three and a half, I sent him to her.” Now working out of a Malibu barn, Carly Taylor-Smith had apprenticed for a year with a trainer in the UK, then spent four years as rider and head trainer for US Olympian Jan Ebeling before going out on her own. She says her first ride on Rosalut told her “he was very well balanced for his age and had three good gaits and a super, super temperament. So we knew he was good, but we didn’t know how good he was going to be.” According to Carly, “He picks things up incredibly fast, so teaching him basics is very easy. You ask him once or twice,
and in a day or two he’s got it. And he’s very brave: At a show or at home, he doesn’t flinch, he doesn’t really look at anything. He just focuses on me. We sort of complement each other: I give him confidence, and he gives me confidence. I make things very black-and-white for him so he really knows right from wrong. And I think making it that simple for him is a big part of why he’s come along the way he has.” The pair’s first major milestone was the USEF Four-YearOld test. “I knew that my horse was ready and that he could do that test; it was pretty easy at home,” says Carly. “So we just tried it and got some good results, and at each show it got a little bit better.” They qualified for—and won—the 2014 Markel/USEF Four-Year-Old title. In 2015, they returned to Lamplight in Illinois, this time claiming the Markel/USEF Five-Year-Old championship. Now, says Carly, Rosalut is “ready for [FEI] Six-Year-Old work. There’s nothing in the Six-Year-Old test that he can’t do; we’re working on the changes, and in a couple of months the timing should be solid. And the more he goes to shows, the more easily I can ride him there the same way I ride him at home. I try to help him understand that even if it’s a different place, it’s the same old arena. I’m confident, and that helps him be confident. It’s just another day.” Carly hopes to qualify Rosalut for this year’s World Breeding Championship for Young Dressage Horses, scheduled for the Netherlands in late July. “That will be a little more pressure for me because the standard is so high. I don’t know how it will go, but we’ll try.” Besides, “he’s always been a cocky horse, full of himself, since my mum had him as a yearling. He knows he’s good. So now there’s nothing that really challenges him; he’s ‘been there, done that, no big deal.’” —D. J. Carey Lyons
SECOND LEVEL RESULTS WINNER’S MEDIAN SCORE: 73.526%; NUMBER QUALIFIED: 314
1. ROSALUT NHF (Oldenburg), Nikki Taylor-Smith, owner; Carly Taylor-Smith, rider; Rosenthal, sire; Legacy, dam; Margaret Neider, breeder ...............................................................................73.526% 2. FWF PRINCESS JULIANA (Georgian Grande), Mary Adams, owner; Jonni Allen, rider; Pieter fan Lutke Peinjum, sire; Flying W Farms Dresden Figurine, dam; Flying W Farms Inc. & George Wagner, breeders....72.622% 3. U ROCK (Swedish Warmblood), Amanda Johnson, owner/rider; UB 40, sire; Piedra, dam; Carol Reid, breeder .........................................................................................................................................72.439% 4. DREAM CATCHER (Dutch Warmblood), Wendy Roberts, owner; Brian Hafner, rider; Contester, sire; Gigi, dam; Hamacher Farm & Mary Hamacher, breeders......................................................72.248% 5. CHAMP (German Riding Pony), Rachel Lundeen, owner; Stacey Lucko, rider...............................................71.870% 6. LOTTA SILVER (Trakehner), Adrienne Bessey & Hilda Gurney, owners; Adrienne Bessey & Hilda Gurney, riders; Silvermoon, sire; Livadia *M*, dam; Hilda Gurney, breeder ....................................71.707% 7. HIS HIGHNESS CRUSADOR (Hanoverian), Elizabeth Landers, owner/rider; His Highness 2, sire; Lynn, dam; Peter Mahler, breeder ..................................................................................................................71.524% 8. LEUNS VELD’S DUCO (German Riding Pony), Sara Schmitt, owner; Amanda McAuliffe, rider......................71.395% 9. IRIS (Oldenburg), Hilda Gurney & Rick Roeder, owners; Hilda Gurney, rider; Idocus, sire; Winter’s Eve, dam; Hilda Gurney, breeder ......................................................................................................70.897% 10. NEXUS GF (Pura Raza Espanola), Teri Young, owner; Kim Elsner, rider; Gaucho III, sire; Nina GF, dam; Lanys Kaye-Eddie, breeder ......................................................................................................70.860%
11. WISPERLE (Hanoverian), Cathy Balance, owner; Heather McCarthy, rider; Widmark, sire; Arriana, dam; Cathy Balance, breeder ...................................................................................70.758% 12. EYE CANDY (Dutch Warmblood), Amy Gimbel, owner/rider; UB 40, sire; Wednesday, dam; Judy Barrett, breeder ........................................................................................................70.752% 13. SAVAROTH (Westfalen), Susan Hardesty, owner; Julia Mineikis, rider ..........................................................70.385% 14. DANTARES (Dutch Warmblood), Gretta Williams, owner/rider; Donatelli, sire; Napua, dam; Deborah Harrison, breeder .......................................................................................................70.244% 15. WOOHOO (Hanoverian), Jessica Fan, owner/rider; Wonderful, sire; Diachee, dam; Nanni Baker, breeder ..............................................................................................................70.133% 16. EMALINA (Dutch Warmblood), Stephanie McNutt, owner/rider; Alex, sire; Fisher’s Asina, dam; Christ Fisher, breeder......................................................................................................70.017% 17. FESTIVAL HW (Rhinelander), Karen Baillie, owner; Donna Gatchell, rider; Flatley, sire; Gracia, dam; Johannes Baumeister, breeder..................................................................................................69.744% 18. BENJI (American Warmblood), Jean Thornton, owner/rider; Blue Eyed Dream, sire; Wrummy, dam; Equivale Farm & Jean Thornton, breeders ...........................................................................69.695% 19. E. FELIX (Dutch Warmblood), Kristen Ortt, owner/rider; Ferro, sire; Bissextile, dam; Caroline Stearns & Justaplain Farm, breeders ................................................................................................69.491% 20. HB DSCHAFAR (German Riding Pony), Sara Schmitt, owner/rider ................................................................69.438%
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February 2016
85
HORSE OF THE YEAR
THIRD LEVEL
2009 bay 16.1-hand Oldenburg gelding Sire: Quaterback • Dam: Stellar Hit Owner/Rider: Alyssa Pitts, Snohomish, Washington Breeder: Sherry Smith, Mansfield, Georgia 86 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
EMILY LOGAN
Quintessential Hit
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he renowned Oldenburg stallion Quaterback was an up-and-coming three-year-old, says Alyssa Pitts, when “this video of him went viral. He was such a phenomenal young horse!” Pitts forwarded the video to her breeder friend Sherry Smith—“who watched it and said, ‘Omigosh, I want to breed to this horse!’” Smith bred her Sandro Hit daughter Stellar Hit to Quaterback, and Quintessential Hit was the result. When Smith presented the dam and foal at an Oldenburg inspection, officials named Stellar Hit a Mare of Distinction and Quintessential Hit a Premium Foal and Foal of Distinction. Pitts “felt drawn to ‘Quin’ from the first second I saw him.” She planned to buy him as a foal from Smith, who’d agreed to give her first right of purchase, but complications arose and the sale didn’t happen. So “Quin was still unstarted at the end of his three-year-old year, and at that point I was able to buy him from Sherry.” But by then, Pitts’s first child was on the way. “So to get Quin started, I sent him to cutting-horse trainer Randy Leighton, a terrific horseman who’s been one of the biggest influences on my life and my riding.” After her son’s arrival, Pitts brought the now four-year-old Quin home and continued his training, but she didn’t start competing him until his five-year-old year. In spring and early summer of 2014, Pitts showed Quin a few times in the Pacific Northwest area. That August, “I took him to Dressage at Lamplight [in Illinois] for the [Markel/ USEF] Young Horse Five-Year-Old Championship. He placed fifth in the preliminary test and eighth in the final.” In 2015, Pitts moved Quin up to Third Level, where “all but one of his scores were in the seventies, and most were in the upper seventies.”
Pitts describes Quin’s temperament as “one of the best out there. He’s intelligent, has a great work ethic, and you couldn’t find a nicer horse to work with. You teach him something, he learns it, and he’s got it. Part of what makes him so special is that he’s got all the athletic ability in the world and the mind to go with it. The other part is that he’s eager to try everything. And he’s that rare horse that has no weaknesses: Nothing is hard for him. His three gaits never score less than an 8. His trot is out of this world; he’s been getting a lot of 10s in it. He’s incredibly powerful, incredibly supple, and has so much push. The canter is huge, has a huge volume; he’s clearly pushing strongly from behind. And his extended trots and extended canters get huge scores.” The one thing Pitts is careful about is that “Quin can be just a little too ‘electric’ in showing: He can feel everything so strongly that he gives me a little too much.” So she tries to make sure he’s getting enough showing experience and exposure “that his electricity doesn’t work against him.” In 2016, Pitts plans to “get Quin into the ring in Prix St. Georges, maybe do some Developing Prix St. Georges with him.” Pitts says she’s had “some pretty amazing offers” for Quin, “but I’m not ready to part with him just yet.” She adds, “Whatever happens, I believe he’s one of the finest horses— and maybe the finest horse—that I’ll ever get to ride. So I have this incredible responsibility to do right by him: to find a way—even if it takes the last cent I have—to get him to the right competitions and the right venues,” with the goal of “making him the best Grand Prix horse possible. “I’m trying to choose our path forward wisely—to do what’s best for Quin. And I have nobody to answer to but him.” —D. J. Carey Lyons
THIRD LEVEL RESULTS WINNER’S MEDIAN SCORE: 77.308%; NUMBER QUALIFIED: 345
1. QUINTESSENTIAL HIT (Oldenburg), Alyssa Pitts, owner/rider; Quaterback, sire; Stellar Hit, dam; Sherry Smith, breeder..........................................................................................................77.308% 2. CARZANOLA (Dutch Warmblood), Nancy Hinz, owner/rider; Tuchinski, sire; Lanola, dam; P.W. Witteveen, breeder ..................................................................................................................................74.860% 3. QUINCY (Oldenburg), Jennifer Mason, owner; Nicholia Clarke, rider; Quarterback, sire; Brentina, dam; Jennifer Mason, breeder........................................................................................................74.103% 4. RATZBERNA (Hanoverian), Ginny Commander, owner; William Warren, rider; Ruehmann, sire; White Lady, dam; Barbara Keller, breeder......................................................................................................72.728% 5. DONAVAN (Dutch Warmblood), Four Winds Farm LLC, owner; Steffen Peters & Akiko Yamazaki, riders; Vivaldi, sire; Zilla, dam; C. van Heuckelum, breeder.......................................................................................72.500% 6. FINESSE (Oldenburg), Lisa Bradley, owner; Nicholia Clarke, rider; Festrausch, sire; Brentina, dam; Jennifer Mason, breeder........................................................................................................72.436% 7. DAVANNA (Dutch Warmblood), Kara Kush, owner; Heather McCarthy, rider; Rousseau, sire; Savanna, dam; Ada van de Kolk, breeder.......................................................................................................72.425% 8. MONIQUE (Danish Warmblood), Jane Cleveland, owner/rider; Tailormade Temptation, sire; Naturgaarden’s Kapriche, dam; Poul-Erik Klausen, breeder ..........................................................................72.174% 9. SERAPHINA MRF (Hanoverian), Tori Polonitza, owner/rider; Sinatra Song, sire; Chenya, dam; Douglas Langer, Maple Run Farm LLC & Shannon Langer, breeders .............................................................71.090% 10. DIGBY (Oldenburg), Anja Pflanz & Susan McConnell, owners; Anja Pflanz, rider; Dimaggio, sire; Mon Dieu, dam; Georg Sieverding, breeder ...................................................................................................70.834%
11. LILI MARLENE (Oldenburg), Ann Marie Cowdrey, owner; Luke McLaughlin, rider........................................70.705% 12. CHARMEUR (Dutch Warmblood), Rosanna Malcolm, owner; Samantha Billings, rider; Florencio, sire; Leontine, dam; H. Verstraten, breeder ...................................................................................70.641% 13. AUDI (Dutch Warmblood), Emily Donaldson, owner/rider; Sir Sinclair, sire; Priceless, dam; Nancy Murray, breeder ...................................................................................................................................70.513% 14. SADIRA TWF (Oldenburg), Amy Hedden, owner/rider; Starlight, sire; Revlon, dam; Laureen Megan, breeder ................................................................................................................................70.303% 15. BENEFACTOR RRS (Hanoverian), Melinda Walton, owner; Silva Martin & Emily O’Neill, riders; Bonheur, sire; Heidekleid, dam; Melinda Walton & T.L. Smith, breeders ......................................................70.256% 16. FYNNEMANN (Rhinelander), Jackie McRae, owner/rider; Fidertanz, sire; Royal Tough, dam; Hannelore Koch, breeder ................................................................................................................................70.193% 17. CALIMERO (Holsteiner), Sarah Lockman, owner/rider; Conteur, sire; Melodie I, dam; Maria Petzold, breeder....................................................................................................................................70.192% 18. CALECTO V (Danish Warmblood), John Byrialsen & Tina Konyot, owners; Chloe Taylor, rider; Come Back II, sire; Bahera, dam; Inge Toft, breeder .......................................................................................70.128% 19. EARL’S EVEREST (Hanoverian), Regina Agren, owner/rider; Earl, sire; Model A, dam; Judy Pappin, breeder ......................................................................................................................................69.959% 20. ZOLTAIRE (Dutch Warmblood), Jennette Scanlon, owner/rider; Ijsselmeer, sire; Ohia Lehua, dam; Deborah Harrison, breeder .............................................................................................................................69.872%
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February 2016
87
HORSE OF THE YEAR
FOURTH LEVEL
2008 bay 16.1-hand Oldenburg gelding Sire: Quaterback • Dam: Brentina Owner/Breeder: Jennifer Mason, Orange, California Rider: Nicholia Clarke, Temecula, California 88 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
TERRI MILLER
Quincy
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uincy’s story begins at the 2004 Verden Elite Winter Auction in Germany. There a California emergencyroom physician, Jennifer Mason, joined with her dressage instructor and friend, Kathleen Raine, to buy an impressive mare named Brentina. The next year, Raine began competing the mare (now called Breanna to avoid confusion with Peggy and Parry Thomas’s storied Brentina). In 2007, Breanna’s co-owners agreed that Mason would arrange a breeding by embryo transfer, “and that,” she says, “is how I got Quincy. For me, breeding is a hobby, and I’m an amateur. But I love Breanna, and I love trying to pick a stallion I think will complement her.” Eleven months later, Quincy arrived—and, Mason says, “He’s had the same personality since he was born: He’s a pleasure to be around; he loves people; he’s a happy, happy horse. And he’s a family horse: He’s grown up in my family, with my two children. We can ride him on the trail, play with him; my kids can groom him and get him ready. He’s easy to be around.” Along with Quincy’s own sunny disposition, Mason credits “the people who’ve helped me” for fostering his trainability and cooperative attitude. “When he was very young, I took him to three-day [event] rider and trainer Tamra Smith, She broke him for me; I think a lot of his good manners can be attributed to her. Then when I started riding him, I had help from Kathleen, who’s trained most of her Grand Prix horses up the levels herself.” Smith showed Quincy a few times in 2013, followed by Raine in later 2013 and early ’14. Then Mason turned him over to another longtime friend, Niki Clarke, who she says shares her enthusiasm for keeping horses’ lives well rounded. “Niki’s horses are out in the pasture a good portion of the day; after a busy work week or a show, they spend the next few days just hacking on the trail or being a pleasure horse.”
Clarke says her facility includes “a Western arena as well as a dressage ring. I do a lot of cross-training: I do jumping, we go out on trails, do trot work up hills.” She even has a cutting-horse training tool: “a flag that runs on a cable; horses learn to follow and ‘cut’ the flag before they go into a ring with a live cow.” She’s used it “with a lot of horses,” including Quincy; “I think it’s good for them to deal with the pressure, and it’s a little outside the realm of dressage.” Clarke took the reins on Quincy during the 2014 competition season, riding him at Second Level. The pair won the 2014 Second Level California Dressage Society Championship, the California-Bred Futurity, and the Six-Year-Old Breed Futurity. In January 2015, Clarke brought Quincy out for “his first test at Third Level. In mid-November, he did his first Prix St. Georges, scoring a 71 and a 72.” He also “had a very solid year” in terms of getting past an early tendency to spook, “more out of playfulness than anything else, I think—but because he’s so athletic, if he spooked, you’d end up somewhere you hadn’t meant to be.” This year, Mason says, Quincy will work with Olympian Christine Traurig, the new USEF national dressage younghorse coach; “and I think Quincy will be doing Prix St. Georges in the Developing Horse program. It’s thrilling to see horses progress through the levels: to see them mature and develop, see the progress they make. And having had Quincy from a foal, seeing him go up through the levels is really exciting.” “We have some great people who’ve contributed to making Quincy the horse he is. He’s been so successful, and I’ve been so lucky to have this happen. I’m blessed. And he’s our pet; he’s our good boy. He’s definitely part of the family; he always has been and always will be.” —D. J. Carey Lyons
FOURTH LEVEL RESULTS WINNER’S MEDIAN SCORE: 73.159%; NUMBER QUALIFIED: 111
1. QUINCY (Oldenburg), Jennifer Mason, owner; Nicholia Clarke, rider; Quaterback, sire; Brentina, dam; Jennifer Mason, breeder........................................................................................................73.159% 2. RELEVÉ (Hanoverian), Sandy Savage, owner/rider; Rotspon, sire; Welteje, dam; Laurel Ritter, breeder..............................................................................................................................72.430% 3. ROHANNA (Hanoverian), Leslie Cokin, owner; William Warren, rider; Rotspon, sire; Donna Lady, dam; Pam Talbot, breeder .........................................................................................................71.960% 4. DOMINUS (Oldenburg), Janelle Frazer, owner; Susan Martin, rider; Donnerschlag, sire; Paquita, dam; Fairwind Farm & Sue Curry Shaffer, breeders .........................................................................................................................71.439% 5. MONTANA (Danish Warmblood), Brenda Duet, owner; Claudia Novick, rider; Rambo, sire; Lomani, dam; Oak Hill Ranch LLC, breeder..........................................................................................................................................71.438% 6. MONIQUE (Danish Warmblood), Jane Cleveland, owner/rider; Tailormade Temptation, sire; Naturgaarden’s Kapriche, dam; Poul-Erik Klausen, breeder ....................................................................................................71.389% 7. SAN CORAZON (Oldenburg), Janice Davis, owner; Morgan Barrows, rider; San Amour, sire; Ridehna, dam; Colette Ross-Prince, breeder .......................................................................................................................................70.833% 8. SERAPHINA MRF (Hanoverian), Tori Polonitza, owner/rider; Sinatra Song, sire; Chenya, dam; Douglas & Shannon Langer and Maple Run Farm LLC, breeders ....................................................................................................70.757% 9. LA BELLADONNA (Oldenburg), Nancy Holowesko, owner; Dorie Addy-Crow, rider; Hofrat, sire; La Donnarina, dam; Nancy Holowesko, breeder .............................................................................................................................70.549% 10. CONTENTO SOGNO (Dutch Warmblood), Cecelia Stewart, owner/rider; Florencio, sire; Nuviera, dam; M.H.J. van den Corput-Leurs, breeder .....................................................................................................................................70.222%
11. KYNYNMONT GUNSMOKE’S GIDEON (Connemara), Pam Liddell, owner; Jessica Jo Tate, rider; Gun Smoke, sire; Kynynmont Tara, dam; Pam Liddell, breeder .....................................................................70.000% 12. MADOC GARETH (Welsh Cob), Kristin Cyprus, owner; Allison Cyprus, rider; Sydenham Henry, sire; Okeden Mai, dam; Patricia Holmes, breeder .................................................................................................69.681% 13. LE SAVANT (Westfalen), Shelley Ullman, owner; Meagan Davis, rider; Fantastico, sire; Rimini-Girl, dam; Margret & Matthias Koster, breeders.................................................................................69.583% 14. OKIDOKIE (Dutch Warmblood), Mallory Kent, owner/rider; Legaat, sire; Dorien, dam; G.W. Lovink, breeder .......................................................................................................................................69.444% 15. MONTEGO (American Warmblood), Jean Thornton, owner/rider; Morgengold II, sire; Wrummy, dam; Jean Thornton, breeder ........................................................................................................69.298% 16. SIJMEN FON LACLAR (Friesian), Barbara Hanus, owner; Barbara Hanus & Heather McCarthy, riders; Jorrit 363, sire; Saleta K., dam; LaVerne Kauffman, breeder .........................................................................68.784% 17. RUDI REGALI (Westfalen), Nancy Szakacs, owner/rider; Riccione, sire; Rubina, dam; Antonius Buning, breeder...............................................................................................................................68.717% 18. DON RUBIN (Oldenburg), Andria Allen, owner/rider; Donnerschlag, sire; Legende, dam; Sue Curry Shaffer, breeder ..............................................................................................................................68.716% 19. DAISY VAN WITTENSTEIN P (Dutch Warmblood), Phoebe Crane, owner; Betsy Van Dyke, rider; Johnson, sire; Ziggy van Wittenstein A, dam; C. van Pernis & M. van der Kleu, breeders ............................68.611% 20. WELT ERBE (Hanoverian), Donna Richardson, owner; Amalia Boyles, rider; Weltmeyer, sire; Solveig, dam; Guenter Roehrich, breeder ......................................................................................................68.500%
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February 2016
89
HORSE OF THE YEAR
PRIX ST. GEORGES
2005 bay 17-hand Hanoverian gelding Sire: Rosentanz • Dam: Wolkentaenzerin Owners: Kimberly Herslow and Kiroli Enterprises LLC, Stockton, New Jersey Rider: Kimberly Herslow, Stockton, New Jersey Breeder: Josef Brinkemoeller, Germany 90 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
SUSANJSTICKLE.COM
Rosmarin
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s an equine-science major at Delaware Valley College, Kimberly Herslow learned the usefulness of “putting a dressage base on my hunter/jumpers.” While developing her own horse business after college, she continued her dressage education “on more of an à la carte basis” with visits from international trainer and clinician Richard Ulmann. “We’d work together, and he’d help me with my young horses.” Back then, Herslow “was always training from scratch. I’d buy young, unbroken horses, start them under saddle, and sell them once they’d begun showing—I had a farm to pay for!” Then some clients offered to help buy and bring along a horse Herslow could train and compete to the FEI levels. With their support, she arranged a horse-shopping trip to Europe. Herslow liked Rosmarin on sight, “and within the first five minutes of riding, I pretty much knew he was the one. He gave me a great feeling, was nicely balanced, and listened.” She looked at “another twenty or thirty horses,” but “Reno” remained her choice. Reno was then “three coming four, and he’d had only about six months under saddle, though he’d shown and been reserve champion in Verden. So I didn’t just want to get him out and showing; I wanted to establish a relationship with him, and to get him solid in his basics.” When they did start showing, “we did enough to qualify for Regionals. First Level was our first Regional class, when he was five. Then we quickly moved up, and I decided we needed to go to Florida; I felt he was good enough to be competitive down there.” In Florida, with help from trainer Robert Dover, “We ended up winning both the Third and Fourth Level classes we showed in there. And Reno stepped up pretty quickly; he liked the challenge of the training, and the excitement. But we went home
after a couple of months—couldn’t afford to stay longer.” In 2012 they “started to school some of the Developing sequences and tried to qualify. But the class was pretty competitive; with my greenness and his greenness, we almost made the cut—but not quite.” Before heading to Florida the next year, “we showed at Devon, and Reno came second in the first ‘real’ Prix St. Georges we’d ever done.” Meanwhile, Herslow’s partners had concluded that they could no longer continue paying half of Reno’s bills. “Luckily, we were able to reach a buyout agreement, and my family was able to help me. “That was my first season really doing CDI competition in Florida. Reno quickly got into the groove with it, even though there were a lot of new things to figure out.” And Herslow started working with trainer Lars Petersen, “who helped me to ride the tests correctly. By the end of the season, we rode on the Nations Cup team that won the gold medal, and Reno had the high score.” In 2014, Reno “got a little sore from some footing he’d been working on, and I decided I didn’t want to push him. So we didn’t compete much that year.” Back in Florida in 2015, with her eye on the upcoming Pan American Games, Herslow began working with USEF dressage developing coach Debbie McDonald. Reno made the team as one of two small-tour horses and helped to win team gold. Where next? Herslow says she’ll be “excited to move Reno up to Grand Prix, but I’ll take my time. I won’t try for the Olympics—not the 2016 Olympics, anyway. I think our next big goal will be the [2018] World Equestrian Games. Reno is just ten, and I’m in no rush. He loves his work, and I’d hate to do anything to make him not feel that way.” —D. J. Carey Lyons
PRIX ST. GEORGES RESULTS WINNER’S MEDIAN SCORE: 73.105%; NUMBER QUALIFIED: 510
1. ROSMARIN (Hanoverian), Kimberly Herslow & Kiroli Enterprises LLC, owners; Kimberly Herslow, rider; Rosentanz, sire; Wolkentaenzerin, dam; Josef Brinkemoeller, breeder.........................................................73.105% 2. BAKARI (Hanoverian), Ann Romney, owner; Jan Ebeling, rider; Breitling W, sire; Come Back, dam; Christian Heinrich, breeder .............................................................................................................................72.132% 3. AVANTI (Dutch Warmblood), Cadence LLC, owner; Elizabeth Ball, rider; Tuschinski, sire; Fleur, dam; H. Bax, breeder.............................................................................................................................72.053% 4. RASSING’S LONOIR (Danish Warmblood), Olivia LaGoy-Weltz, owner/rider; De Noir, sire; Lorani, dam; Jan og Dorte Rassing, breeder...................................................................................................71.776% 5. RABINITO (Rhinelander), Michelle Krebs, owner; Judy Kelly, rider; Rittmeister, sire; Terra Nova II, dam; ZG Werner-Gutzeit, breeder.............................................................................................71.744% 6. SANCEO (Hanoverian), Alice Womble, owner; Sabine Schut-Kery, rider; San Remo, sire; Rivera, dam; Gerhard Dustmann, breeder .....................................................................................................71.513% 7. MONTANA (Danish Warmblood), Brenda Duet, owner; Claudia Novick & Stacey Hastings, riders; Rambo, sire; Lomani, dam; Oak Hill Ranch LLC, breeder................................................................................71.481% 8. SIMPLY NYMPHENBURG (Hanoverian), Michael Davis, owner; Cesar Parra, rider; Sir Donnerhall I, sire; Wendy, dam; Peter Enders, breeder ...............................................................................................................71.447% 9. AYOKAY (Dutch Warmblood), Claire Darnell, owner/rider .............................................................................71.316% 9. DIDO (Danish Warmblood), Adrienne Bessey, owner/rider; Royal Hit, sire; Doreen, dam; Atterupgaard, breeder ....................................................................................................................................71.316%
9. VIVALDI (Dutch Warmblood), Michelle Syufy, owner; Kristen Aggers, rider; Gribaldi, sire; Vobria, dam......71.316% 12. DE NOIR 3 (Hanoverian), Lauren Asher, owner; Mette Rosencrantz, rider ....................................................71.009% 13. FINE AND SMART (Westfalen), Juliet Le Dorze, owner; Leslie Reid, rider; Furst Piccolo, sire; Whoopy, dam; Friedrich-Wilhelm Kahlert, breeder.......................................................................................70.921% 14. SARUMBA (Hanoverian), D’Re Stergios, owner/rider ....................................................................................70.757% 15. SUMMERSBY (Hanoverian), Jessica Jo Tate, owner/rider; Sir Donnerhall, sire; Roxane, dam; Martin Götze, breeder ....................................................................................................................................70.735% 15. CONRAD (Dutch Warmblood), Julia Jeschke, owner; Dorie Addy-Crow, rider; Johnson, sire; Palmyra, dam; F.S.M.M. van Euken, breeder ..................................................................................................70.735% 17. CALIENTE DG (Dutch Warmblood), Brenda Linman, owner; Craig Stanley, rider; OO Seven, sire; Satina, dam; DG Bar Ranch Inc., breeder........................................................................................................70.724% 18. KASTEL’S ADVENTURE (Dutch Warmblood), Kastel Denmark, owner; Charlotte Jorst, rider; Special D, sire; Sunette S, dam; DHR. Naber, breeder.....................................................................................70.711% 19. REY DEL MUNDO (Westfalen), Jim & Tiffany Mahoney, owners; Guenter Seidel, rider; Rock Forever, sire; Fiona, dam; Norbert Trentmann, breeder.........................................................................70.579% 20. WYOMING (Hanoverian), Bruce Grivetti, owner; Tina Konyot, rider; Weltmeyer, sire; Donna Clara, dam; Fenna Schulte-Landwehr, breeder..................................................................................70.448%
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February 2016
91
HORSE OF THE YEAR
INTERMEDIATE I
2006 black 16.1-hand Hanoverian gelding Sire: Romancero H • Dam: Wesermelodie Owner/Rider: Heather Mason, Lebanon, New Jersey Breeders: Gerhard Stahmann and Ot Felde, Germany 92 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
SUSANJSTICKLE.COM
Romantico SF
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omantico came to trainer Heather Mason’s barn in late 2012. “His owner was going to Florida with her trainer, and they didn’t want to take Romantico because he was ‘difficult.’ So I took him in, trained him through the winter, and then started competing him at Third Level in the spring. He went on to win the Region 8 Third Level Open championship; then he was champion Third Level [Open] horse at the US Dressage Finals. “Right after the Finals, the owner said she wanted to talk to me. I was a little worried; I thought she might tell me to put him up for sale—and he’s one of the few training horses coming through my barn that I’ve ever gotten really attached to. “Instead, she offered to give him to me. She’d gotten him as an amateur’s horse, and he was not an amateur horse. Seeing us doing well, she wanted us to stay together. So I think she was happy when I said I’d take him. Now she can enjoy his success without having to worry about his expenses—or about riding him!” What’s Romantico’s appeal? “He’s a very interesting horse. He’s got a lot of personality. He’s very quiet, totally not spooky, never needs lungeing—but he’s also very naughty. He likes to nip: not from meanness; just to say, ‘I can do this!’ He’s one of those horses that always wants to stretch the limits, push the envelope a bit. “But he’s got three super gaits and a lot of talent. He loves to show, and you don’t have to worry about him spooking at anything. At shows, in fact, I think he’s actually the bestbehaved horse in this area.” Reliable though Romantico is while showing, “He’s a tricky boy at home. Along with the nips, he can be hard to get to the outdoor ring. Though he’ll work hard for you once he’s there, on the way he’ll play games, hop around, want to go back to the barn. That’s not every day; just whenever he feels like doing it. “That kind of behavior was tough on his owner, and a demonstration of why, as I told her, he’s not an amateur’s
horse. He’s a little too self-confident, but that makes him very good in the ring. He likes to show off.” Of the movements Romantico has learned so far, Mason says his flying changes are what she enjoys most—“because even though they’re still a little inconsistent, they’re very good. He really likes doing them; he’s learning his ones now, and he’s very good about them. He likes having a difficult movement to master—likes it a lot better than the simpler stuff.” Planning to “do the Small Tour” with Romantico in 2016, Mason is using her stay-at-home winter to get ready for that effort. The horse “already does everything in the Grand Prix, but his movements need to be confirmed. So with him we’ll be concentrating on the things he’ll need for the Small Tour. “The pirouettes are the most challenging movement at this point, mostly because he likes to get a little too ‘up and down’ in them. That requires more strength” than most horses expend in pirouettes. “But they’re coming along, and he’s quite reliable in them now; we just want to get him a little more ‘grounded’ in them. By next year I expect they’ll also have a little quicker tempo; they’re a bit slow now. This year he’s been very good in them but still a little up-anddown; by next year, I think they’ll be easy for him.” In addition to looking toward Small Tour competition, Mason is considering “the Saugerties [NY] CDI in August. Romantico hasn’t done a CDI yet; I think that will be a good one to start him with. Beyond that, we’ll continue to do the Regionals and maybe the National.” Mason is not in any hurry to move Romantico up to FEIlevel competition. “I’ll want to be sure he’s confirmed before moving him up, but I might dabble in it a little with him in the next year. If he gets bored doing the Small Tour, I’ll have to move him up—but I don’t see that happening for another year or so.” —D. J. Carey Lyons
INTERMEDIATE I RESULTS WINNER’S MEDIAN SCORE: 74.737%; NUMBER QUALIFIED: 252
1. ROMANTICO SF (Hanoverian), Heather Mason, owner/rider; Romancero H, sire; Wesermelodie, dam; Gerhard Stahmann & Ot Felde, breeders.....................................................................74.737% 2. SAPHIRA (Oldenburg), John McGuire & Marilyn Johnson, owners; Silva Martin & Heather McCarthy, riders; Florencio, sire; Roxina, dam; Wolfgang Sames, breeder ..................................73.355% 3. DE NOIR 3 (Hanoverian), Lauren Asher, owner; Mette Rosencrantz, rider ....................................................72.895% 4. ROSMARIN (Hanoverian), Kimberly Herslow & Kiroli Enterprises LLC, owners; Kimberly Herslow, rider; Rosentanz, sire; Wolkentaenzerin, dam; Josef Brinkemoeller, breeder ................72.849% 5. RONALDO (Danish Warmblood), Cecelia Stewart, owner; Christopher Hickey, rider; Blue Hors Romanov, sire; Trostruplund’s Scarlet, dam; Soren Clausen & Stutteri Trostruplund, breeders ....72.395% 6. ASTERIOS (Danish Warmblood), Stacy Williams, owner; Charlotte Jorst, rider; Akinos, sire; Urwetta, dam; Niels Nielsen, breeder ............................................................................................................72.368% 7. RASSING’S LONOIR (Danish Warmblood), Olivia LaGoy-Weltz, owner/rider; De Noir, sire; Lorani, dam; Jan og Dorte Rassing, breeder...................................................................................................72.040% 8. AVANTI (Dutch Warmblood), Cadence LLC, owner; Elizabeth Ball, rider; Tuschinski, sire; Fleur, dam; H. Bax, breeder.............................................................................................................................71.737%
9. WYOMING (Hanoverian), Bruce Grivetti, owner; Tina Konyot, rider; Weltmeyer, sire; Donna Clara, dam; Fenna Schulte-Landwehr, breeder..................................................................................71.697% 10. LET’S DANCE (Hanoverian), Anne Gribbons, owner/rider; Laurentio, sire; Germany, dam; Renate See, breeder..............................................................................................................71.316% 11. DIANA C. (Hanoverian), Douglas & Louise Leatherdale and Leatherdale Farms, owners; Diane Creech, rider; Damsey, sire; Belinda, dam; Anders & Charlotte Groenborg, breeders.........................71.158% 12. WIDELO (Hanoverian), Barbara McLean, owner; Teri Patton-Rich, rider .......................................................71.053% 12. KASTEL’S ADVENTURE (Dutch Warmblood), Kastel Denmark, owner; Charlotte Jorst, rider; Special D, sire; Sunette S, dam; DHR. Naber, breeder.....................................................................................71.053% 14. RISKY BUSINESS (Oldenburg), Cyndi Jackson, owner/rider; Royal Diamond, sire; Shining Ghia, dam; Canaan Ranch & Melanie Pai, breeders..........................................................................70.987% 15. FABIO BELLINI (Westfalen), Rachael Hicks, owner/rider; Furst Heinrich, sire; Dakota, dam; Gestut Sprehe GmbH, breeder.................................................................................................70.724%
USDF CONNECTION
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February 2016
93
HORSE OF THE YEAR
Zar 2004 chestnut 17.2-hand Dutch Warmblood gelding Sire: Iroko • Dam: Inga Owner/Rider: Heather Mason, Lebanon, New Jersey Breeder: Carol Collyer, Ithaca, New York 94 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
ERIKA OLIJSLAGER PHOTOGRAPHY
INTERMEDIATE II
T
rainer Heather Mason first took on Zar, a product of Cornell University’s breeding program, as a stallion prospect. She gelded him when he grew to 17 hands (not wanting a 17-hand-plus stallion in her barn), then put him up for sale as a three-year-old (not wanting “another seventeen-hand FEI horse”), but eventually decided to keep him. In 2011, Zar returned value on Mason’s investment in him by winning the Adequan/USDF Third Level Horse of the Year title. Now he’s earned his second HOY honor, this time at Intermediate II. So it’s natural to ask in what ways he’s remained the same over those intervening five years and in what ways he’s changed. Says Mason: “Zar was spooky as a youngster, and he’s always been nervous at shows”—something she doubts he’ll ever outgrow. So “early in the morning of every day he shows, he gets ten minutes on the lunge line. The few times we haven’t lunged him, he’s been too explosive in his class—so lungeing him on show-day morning is now standard practice. And after his warmup on the lunge, he’s as settled and reliable as you could want.” Of the work Zar is doing with Mason these days, she says, “Right now, I’m really enjoying doing the piaffe and passage, because he’s changing it. He has very good technique, and he’s just now getting strong enough to really sit, carry himself, and express himself. “When he started piaffe, he was very, very grounded, and really fast. His technique has changed so much over the last few years, though, that it’s been amazing. The difference is a combination of greater strength and greater confidence—because whenever he’s really nervous, he moves his legs very fast. In those early days when he was very nervous, he did just about the fastest piaffe you’d ever see. And now
he’s calm enough that he thinks about the movement and works through it, and I can ride it easily. In fact, I’d say that now he does the most ridable piaffe of any horse I have.” At 17.2, Zar is the biggest horse in Mason’s barn. Compared with how he was in 2011, she says, he has “a lot more muscle, a lot more strength, and a little more ‘Grand Prix attitude.’ He’s definitely a strong horse, but he wants to be a good horse, and he tries very hard to do that. I’m only five-feet-four, and he’s still pretty ridable for me.” And, as in 2011, “he’s still a sweetheart.” Thinking about Zar’s 2015 competitive year, Mason says, “The quality that stands out most for me is his consistence. Pretty much every test he did was a good, solid test. Whether it was the I-I, the I-II, the Grand Prix, or the Grand Prix Freestyle, he was consistent.” The 2015 show that stands out the most in Mason’s mind is the Adequan/USDF Region 8 Championships, “because he was absolutely perfect,” winning the Intermediate II Open, Grand Prix Open, and Grand Prix Freestyle Open titles. Zar’s most educational outing, however, was to November’s US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington—“because it was a pretty overwhelming place, and he needs experience learning to handle that sort of thing.” As usual, Mason plans to “winter in place” in New Jersey with her horses: a great time to train and practice and plan, she says. Beyond that, 2016 “is looking like more Grands Prix, and CDIs; in 2015 we did only one CDI. This year, maybe I’ll move Zar up more, but only if he’s ready. He’s not naturally strong behind, so he needs time to build those muscles.” The horse turns twelve this year, she adds, “so he’s young still.” —D. J. Carey Lyons
INTERMEDIATE II RESULTS WINNER’S MEDIAN SCORE: 73.158%; NUMBER QUALIFIED: 65
1. ZAR (Dutch Warmblood), Heather Mason, owner/rider; Iroko, sire; Inga, dam; Carol Collyer, breeder ........73.158% 2. SANDRO PAIX (Oldenburg), Sandi Chohany, owner; Heather McCarthy, rider; Sandro Hit, sire; Ariyola, dam; Dr. Rolf-Peter Schulze, breeder 70.724% 3. ROYAL KONIG (Oldenburg), Lauren Thornlow, owner/rider; Rubin-Royal, sire; Pica Ramira, dam; Gerlinde Reinhardt, breeder ...........................................................................................................................70.395% 4. LAKOTA HD (American Warmblood), HeidiDressage LLC, owner; Heidi Degele, rider; Mick, sire; Rena, dam; Heidi Degle, breeder...................................................................................................69.737% 5. SAGACIOUS HF (Dutch Warmblood), Hyperion Farm Inc, owner; Chase Hickok, rider; Welt Hit II, sire; Judith, dam; G. van de Boogaard, breeder ...........................................................................69.000% 6. BREITAN (Hanoverian), Amy Ebeling & Elizabeth Meyer, owners; Jan Ebeling, rider; Breitling W, sire; Carrera, dam; Oltmann Hans-Heinrich, breeder .................................................................68.553% 7. ALLURE S (Dutch Warmblood), Kerrin Dunn, owner; Angela Jackson, rider; Rousseau, sire; Sizarma H, dam; Dan & Gina Ruediger breeder .............................................................................................67.873% 8. WINTERSNOW (Oldenburg), Adrienne Bessey & Hilda Gurney, owners; Adrienne Bessey, rider; Winterprinz, sire; Lavinia, dam; Hilda Gurney & Mary Contakos, breeders ...................................................67.632%
9. VOLARE (Dutch Warmblood), Sylvia Wong, owner; Carly Taylor-Smith, rider; Jazz, sire; Gisela, dam; Deborah Harrison, breeder ........................................................................................................67.368% 10. SCHABOS WAITONGO (Hanoverian), Grace Goodby, owner/rider; Wittinger, sire; Nancy, dam; Heinrich Allwoerden, breeder.........................................................................................................................67.303% 11. CONTENDION (Hanoverian), Judy Pappin, owner; Jennifer Marchand, rider; Contendro I, sire; Wandy, dam; Judy Pappin, breeder................................................................................................................66.908% 12. HIGHSCHOOL MCF (Hanoverian), Susan Alvey, owner; Petra Warlimont, rider; Hochadel, sire; Ria, dam; Andrea & Jens Stuven, breeders.....................................................................................................66.820% 13. LUX STENSVANG (Danish Warmblood), Caroline Roffman, owner; Sierra Keasler, rider ...............................66.579% 14. WISDOM MVS (Dutch Warmblood), Jackie Ahl-Eckhaus, owner/rider; Farrington, sire; Lumara, dam; Jackie Ahl-Eckhaus & Mark Eckhaus, breeders .......................................................................66.415% 15. HS WITH HONORS (Hungarian), Chelsea Reher, owner/rider; HS Wistar, sire; Miss Rockaway, dam; Jessica Wisdom, breeder .............................................................................................66.283%
USDF CONNECTION
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February 2016
95
HORSE OF THE YEAR
GRAND PRIX
2002 brown 17-hand Westfalen gelding Sire: Laomedon • Dam: Furstin Owner: Four Winds Farm LLC, Los Gatos, California Rider: Steffen Peters, San Diego, California Breeder: Johannes Kissing, Germany 96 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
DIANA DE ROSA
Legolas
F
our Winds Farm owner Akiko Yamazaki calls Legolas’s fourth Adequan/USDF Grand Prix Horse of the Year title “pretty wonderful”—especially as it capped a year that was “a bit of a roller coaster.” For Legolas and rider Steffen Peters, 2015 included two major international competitions: the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final in April and the Pan American Games in July. The World Cup Final was set for Las Vegas’s cavernous, echoing Thomas & Mack Arena. Mindful that Legolas “has always been noise-sensitive,” Peters devised a new training aid: “Epona Farms had been kind enough to host an evening underthe-lights ‘demo’ freestyle with Legolas and to invite about a hundred spectators,” Yamazaki explains. “Before the ride began, Steffen asked everybody to ‘applaud, cheer, make lots of noise!’ while he rode. We recorded the crowd, and Steffen then had the recording played during a number of training sessions. “It was the kind of noise Legolas needed to be ready for,” Yamazaki says. “People in Vegas are a very different audience. For them, the World Cup is another ‘Las Vegas show,’ so they don’t hold back. And having a US horse performing can get them even more excited!” The desensitizing work paid off : Despite the noise and excitement, Legolas stayed focused and finished third in the Grand Prix, “right behind Charlotte Dujardin’s Valegro and Edward Gal’s Glock’s Undercover,” Peters says. “I was happily surprised.” Going into the Grand Prix Freestyle at the World Cup Final, “Legolas wasn’t too crazy about the crowd,” Peters says. “But we need people to be enthusiastic, and our horses need to get used to it.” The pair’s score of 80.35 percent would have placed them fourth, but a post-ride steward’s check found a little blood on the horse’s side. That disqualified them. Peters—who’d ridden in his usual dull/no-rowels spurs—immediately acknowledged that “it is clearly my fault. I rode the horse, and I am responsible for the welfare of the horse.”
Recovering from that disappointment took “some time and effort,” Yamazaki says. “But the outpouring of support that followed showed the respect Steffen has among the riders’ community.” Going into the Pan Am Games in Toronto, Yamazaki says, “Steffen’s primary goal was to help win team gold, because that would qualify the US for the 2016 Olympics.” The US riders felt good about their chances going in; but when two Canadians scored above 75 percent early on the first day, Peters remembers, “I thought, ‘My gosh, this might not happen. We really have to score above 76 percent.’ So the pressure was tremendous. “I was very glad that Legolas and I could deliver under that pressure—and I give a tremendous thank-you to my teammates Kim [Herslow], Sabine [Schut-Kery], and Laura [Graves], who did a fantastic job. It was wonderful training with them all summer, and then the reward at the end was so special. I don’t think most other people can realize how extremely excited we were to win the team gold.” A day later, Peters and Legolas won individual gold. In Toronto, Yamazaki was especially pleased that “although Legolas was very electric, he still looked supple.” Then, at September’s Thousand Oaks (CA) CDI-W, horse and rider scored 81.325 in the Freestyle, “with Legolas delivering one of his best performances: He really was the most supple we’ve seen him.” “When Legolas is supple,” Peters says, “it shows me that he’s confident, that he’s feeling good. That’s been the case since the Pan American Games—so I completely agree with Akiko. “The canter work has always been the most difficult part for him, and this suppleness has clearly improved the quality of the canter in terms of covering ground in each stride. There’s also a bit more consistency in the changes; there’s more selfcarriage. And all that makes his job more enjoyable for him— for both of us.” Peters adds: “To me, the essence of dressage is that you show expression based on suppleness, not on tension.” —D. J. Carey Lyons
GRAND PRIX RESULTS WINNER’S MEDIAN SCORE: 77.330%; NUMBER QUALIFIED: 178
1. LEGOLAS (Westfalen), Four Winds Farm LLC, owner; Steffen Peters, rider; Laomedon, sire; Furstin, dam; Johannes Kissing, breeder........................................................................................................77.330% 2. ROSAMUNDE (Rhinelander), Four Winds Farm LLC, owner; Steffen Peters, rider; Rock Forever, sire; First Lady, dam; Hannelore Koch, breeder........................................................................74.960% 3. MARIETT (Danish Warmblood), Lars Petersen & Marcia Pepper, owners; Lars Petersen, rider; Come Back II, sire; Zendi, dam; Gunnar Mousten, breeder ............................................................................73.090% 4. DRESSED IN BLACK (Westfalen), Ashley Holzer & Diane Fellows, owners; Ashley Holzer, rider....................72.370% 5. DOKTOR (Oldenburg), Patricia Stempel, owner; Shelly Francis, rider ............................................................71.920% 5. MY LADY (Danish Warmblood), Janne Rumbough, owner; Mikala Gundersen, rider; Michellino, sire; Marion, dam; Yvonne Lindholm, breeder ............................................................................71.920% 7. GALANT (Belgian Warmblood), Jacqueline Shear, owner; Lisa Wilcox, rider ................................................71.240% 8. ZONNEKONING (Dutch Warmblood), Katie Poag, owner/rider; Florett AS, sire; Maraba, dam; J. Kamp Haers, breeder ...................................................................................................................................70.500%
9. ALCAZAR (Dutch Warmblood), Jane Forbes Clark, owner; Katherine Bateson-Chandler, rider; Contango, sire; Polina, dam; St. van Winden, breeder ...................................................................................70.100% 10. PIKKO DEL CERRO HU (Hanoverian), Horses Unlimited, owner; Lisa Wilcox, rider; Pik L, sire; Rohweena, dam; Horses Unlimited, breeder .................................................................................................69.961% 11. ZERO GRAVITY (Dutch Warmblood), Charlotte & James Mashburn, owners; Guenter Seidel, rider; Royal Hit, sire; Naica, dam; J.M.M. Rockx, breeder.........................................................................................69.900% 12. KASTEL’S NINTENDO (Dutch Warmblood), Charlotte Jorst & Kastel Denmark, owners; Charlotte Jorst, rider....69.544% 13. DESTINY (Danish Warmblood), Diamante Farms, owner; Devon Kane, rider; Diamond Hit, sire; Midt-West Regina, dam; Poul Nielsen, breeder .............................................................................................69.405% 14. ZABACO (Dutch Warmblood), Amy Grahn, owner; Andreanna Patzwald, rider; Contango, sire; Piacenza, dam; Beth Godwin, breeder ...........................................................................................................69.325% 15. LOMBARDO LHF (Hanoverian), Brian & Rebecca Hafner, owners; Brian Hafner, rider; Londonderry, sire; Waluga, dam; Klaus Juergens, breeder............................................................................69.050%
USDF CONNECTION
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February 2016
97
Adequan/USDF Dressage Sport Horse Breeding Horse of the Year Colts/Geldings of Current Calendar Year
4. DOLCE FH (Hanoverian), Jennifer Hunt, owner; Danic Weltino, sire; Sangrita, dam; Eliza Rutherford, breeder ....................................................................................77.250% 5. JIVE TALK (Dutch Warmblood), Sandi Lieb, owner; UB 40, sire; Bellatango, dam; Sandi Lieb, breeder .......................................................................................................................77.175% 5. DALIA (Hanoverian), Heather Waite, owner; Dacaprio, sire; Windspiel, dam; Heather Waite, breeder ................................................................................................................77.175%
1. WOHLSTADT 121 (Oldenburg), Cara Kettenbach, owner; Wolkenlos, sire; Wisconsin, dam; Cara Kettenbach, breeder .................................................................................80.050% Two-Year-Old Colts/Geldings 2. FLORIOSO (Oldenburg), Erin Powers, owner ................................................................................77.850% 1. DEBONAIR MF (Hanoverian), Maryanna Haymon, owner; Doctor Wendell MF, sire; 3. SPIDERMAN MG (Hanoverian), Kathy Hickerson, owner.............................................................77.207% Rising Star MF, dam; Maryanna Haymon, breeder ......................................................................82.375% 4. KALYPSO MG (Dutch Warmblood), Carbery Fields Farm & John Caron, owners .........................77.157% 2. WRISE AND SHINE (American Warmblood), Emily Miles, owner; WakeUp, sire; 5. KENOBI (Westfalen), Karyn Joy, owner ........................................................................................75.825% Daquan, dam; Jana Wagner, breeder...........................................................................................81.400% 5. BENZ (Oldenburg), Kari McClain, owner; Bugatti Hilltop, sire; 3. VIKTORIE (Oldenburg), Laurie McLaughlin, owner; Versache, sire; Espree, dam; Kari McClain, breeder..............................................................................................75.825% O’ Pretty Lady, dam; Laurie McLaughlin, breeder ........................................................................77.400% 4. IRONMAN MG (Dutch Warmblood), Carbery Fields Farm & John Caron, owners; Fillies of Current Calendar Year Schroeder, sire; Valanta, dam; Kathy Hickerson, breeder ............................................................77.150% 1. KHALEESI (Dutch Warmblood), Gwen Blake, owner; Dante Weltino, sire; 5. WUNDERBAR DMV (Hanoverian), Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd and Leroy Contessa, dam; Gwen Blake, breeder...........................................................................................80.300% & Riki Fuller, owners; Windfall CB, sire; Ballerina DMV, dam; 2. BEATRIX SWF (Hanoverian), Mary Nuttall, owner .......................................................................79.675% Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd, breeder...........................................................................76.750% 3. DAVINA GGF (Hanoverian), Rachel Ehrlich, owner; Dancier, sire; 5. IMPRESSIONIST (Dutch Warmblood), Cara Kettenbach, owner; Soprano, sire; Rendezvous GGF, dam; Rachel Ehrlich, breeder ...........................................................................78.500% Vera, dam; Debra MacMillan, breeder .........................................................................................76.750% 4. BEDELIA HHV (Hanoverian), Renee Bambach, owner; Bon Balou, sire; Whimsical HPF, dam; Renee Bambach, breeder..........................................................................78.225% Two-Year-Old Fillies 1. I-CANDY (Dutch Warmblood), Krista Melby, owner; Ampere, sire; Priscilla, dam; 5. RIGALETTA 121 (Oldenburg), Cara Kettenbach, owner; Rousseau, sire; Gwen Blake, breeder.....................................................................................................................80.500% Darling ISF, dam; Cara Kettenbach, breeder.................................................................................77.800% 2. CREMONA (Oldenburg), Margaret Young, owner; Franziskus, sire; Yearling Colts/Geldings Cassis, dam; Petra Jens Ringkamp, breeder .................................................................................79.850% 1. WICKED WILD WF (Hanoverian), Glenn & Kerstin Witaszek, owners; 3. DULCE (Oldenburg), Karen Fitzgerald, owner; De Niro, sire; Wild Dance, sire; Paradise, dam; Glenn & Kerstin Witaszek, breeders.........................................78.500% Heide Von Brandenburg, dam; Judy Yancey, breeder ..................................................................78.910% 2. DONARSHAUN GGF (Hanoverian), Rachel Ehrlich, owner; Donar Weiss GGF, sire; 4. AMBROSIA (Oldenburg), Stefanie Moses, owner; Ampere, sire; Rhapsody GGF, dam; Rachel Ehrlich, breeder ..............................................................................78.463% Rosa Canina, dam; Stefanie Moses, breeder ................................................................................78.750% 3. FLORISTDANZO 121 (Oldenburg), Cara Kettenbach, owner; Floriscount, sire; 5. RABINNA 121 (Oldenburg), Cara Kettenbach, owner; Regazzoni, sire; Wisconsin , dam; Cara Kettenbach, breeder ................................................................................78.000% Barcelona SP, dam; Cara Kettenbach, breeder .............................................................................78.500% 4. LIONEL (Danish Warmblood), Cara Kettenbach, owner; Solos Landtinus, sire; Licata, dam; Oak Hill Ranch LLC, breeder .....................................................................................77.850% Three-Year-Old Colts/Geldings 1. BE NIRO WS (Hanoverian), Erika-West Danque, owner; Benetton Dream, sire; 5. HELSTON WBF (Hanoverian), Lisa Trevan, owner; Hotline, sire; Winessa, dam; Erika-West Danque, breeder................................................................................80.337% Donna Negra, dam; Jacke Mathieson, breeder............................................................................77.550% 2. SHORTSTOP (Oldenburg), Maurine Swanson, owner; Shakespeare RSF, sire; EM Wyneth L, dam; Maurine Swanson, breeder .........................................................................79.700% Yearling Fillies 3. D-TRIX DMV (Hanoverian), Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd & John Dingle, owners; 1. DANAE MF (Hanoverian), Maryanna Haymon, owner; Doctor Wendell MF, sire; Dancier, sire; Dreaming, dam; Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd, breeder..........................78.850% Rising Star MF, dam; Maryanna Haymon, breeder ......................................................................82.150% 4. HARRISON VZ (Dutch Warmblood), Danielle Veasy, owner; Idocus, sire; 2. BELLIALUNA RTH (Westfalen), Alanna Sellers, owner; Belissimo M, sire; Versailles, dam; Danielle Veasy, breeder ......................................................................................78.000% Sweet Samba, dam; Alanna Sellers, breeder...............................................................................78.938% 5. RANGO (Oldenburg), Celeste Brown, owner; Rodioso, sire; Donnerstrahl, dam; 3. BELLEZA FRF (Hanoverian), Deborah Davenport, owner; Belissimo M, sire; Adria & Harry Diel, breeders .........................................................................................................77.700% Havanna K, dam; Deborah Davenport , breeder..........................................................................78.025%
DANAE MF, owner Maryanna Haymon (NC), handler Brendan Curtis (PA)—Adequan/USDF DSHB Horse of the Year: Yearling Fillies
DEBONAIR MF, owner Maryanna Haymon (NC)—Adequan/ USDF DSHB Horse of the Year: Two-Year-Old Colts/Geldings
98 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
HARMONIA, owner Sandi Lieb (FL), handler Dean Graham (FL)—Adequan/USDF DSHB Horse of the Year: Three-YearOld Fillies
LEFT: STACYLYNNEPHOTO.COM; MIDDLE: STACYLYNNEPHOTO.COM; RIGHT: VICTORIA DEMORE PHOTOGRAPHY LLC
ADEQUAN/USDF YEAR-END AWARDS
2015 ADEQUAN/USDF YEAR-END AWARDS
1. HARMONIA (Dutch Warmblood), Sandi Lieb, owner; Idocus, sire; Zodica, dam; Sandi Lieb, breeder .......................................................................................................................82.475% 2. SHOW GIRL REF (Hanoverian), Stacy Munoz, owner; Sonntagskind, sire; Gavotte, dam; Royal Equus Farm, breeder ...................................................................................81.688% 3. DALLAS MW (Oldenburg), Jennifer Vanover, owner; Sir Gregory, sire; De Lovely, dam; Nancy Holowesko, breeder...........................................................................................................81.575% 4. DANIKA GGF (Hanoverian), Rachel Ehrlich, owner; Don Frederico, sire; Rendevous, dam; Rachel Ehrlich, breeder....................................................................................80.800% 5. WALDINA (Oldenburg), Angela Prenosil, owner; Sir Gregory, sire; Waldrose, dam; Ann Kitche & Huntington Farm, breeders....................................................................................77.950%
Four-Year-Old and Older Stallions 1. ROCAZINO (Oldenburg), Fie Studnitz Andersen, owner; Rosentanz, sire; Escarda, dam; Heino Lueschen, breeder ......................................................................................83.550% 2. SHAVANE (Oldenburg), Maurine Swanson, owner; Shakespeare RSF, sire; EM Rheporter, dam; Maurine Swanson, breeder ........................................................................81.750% 3. MW FEINERMARK (Oldenburg), Jennifer Vanover, owner; Fidertanz, sire; Cindy, dam; Ludger Holthaus, breeder.........................................................................................81.475% 4. LORDSLEY DMV (Hanoverian), Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd, Jill Giese & Tony Ma, owners; Lokomotion, sire; Dreaming, dam; Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd, breeder...........................................................................80.900% 5. DREAMMASTER DMV (Hanoverian), Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd & Jill Giese, owners; Dimaggio, sire; Dreamcatcher Elite, dam; Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd & Jill Giese, breeders .......................................................80.100%
Three-Year-Old Colts/Geldings 1. D-TRIX DMV (Hanoverian), Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd & John Dingle, owners; John Dingle, rider; Dancier, sire; Dreaming, dam; Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd, breeder.......................82.700% 2. FOOLKILLER (Hanoverian), Becky McCollum, owner; Wanja Gerlach, rider; Furst Nymphenburg, sire; Donatella, dam; Bernhard Keuter, breeder........................................79.200% 3. HIGH VOLTAGE HVH (Hanoverian), Nancy Stanton, owner/rider; Harvard, sire; Wruffian Q, dam; High Valley Hanoverians, breeder ...................................................................78.300% 4. WON MILLION (Hanoverian), Anna Hopla, owner; JT Burnley, rider; Widmark, sire; Flair, dam; Meg Williams, breeder................................................................................................77.200% 5. HARRISON VZ (Dutch Warmblood), Danielle Veasy, owner/rider; Idocus, sire; Versailles, dam; Danielle Veasy, breeder ......................................................................................76.400%
Three-Year-Old Fillies 1. DALLAS MW (Oldenburg), Jennifer Vanover, owner; Meagan Davis, rider; Sir Gregory, sire; De Lovely, dam; Nancy Holowesko, breeder ................................................................................79.000% 2. REGGATTA BAY (Oldenburg), High Point Hanoverians & Larissa Barilar, owners; Larissa Barilar, rider; Rosenthal, sire; Swing Easy, dam; High Point Hanoverians, breeder.........78.800% 3. WONDERFUL DREAM DMV (Hanoverian), Shelley Evans, owner/rider; Windfall CB, sire; Dreammasters Chance, dam; Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd, breeder...........................73.800% 4. LILLIANNA (Oldenburg), Jodie Cressman, owner;/rider; Leonidas, sire; Rajani, dam; Jodie Cressman, breeder...............................................................................................................73.400% 5. MEERA (Belgian Warmblood), Hillary Oliver, owner/rider; Tailored Fortune, sire; My Magnolia, dam; Kathleen Peterson, breeder .........................................................................72.000%
Four- and Five-Year-Old Stallions/Geldings
Four-Year-Old and Older Broodmares
LEFT: CAROLYNN BUNCH PHOTOGRAPHY; RIGHT: VICTORIA DEMORE PHOTOGRAPHY LLC
Adequan/USDF Materiale Horse of the Year
1. SPS SCARLETT (Hanoverian), Diane Nauman, owner; Sandro Hit, sire; Fabiola O, dam; Christian-Wilhelm Ohse, breeder .......................................................................78.300% 2. SHALIMAR GGF (Hanoverian), Rachel Ehrlich, owner; Schroeder, sire; Walkuere, dam; Rachel Ehrlich, breeder ......................................................................................77.750% 3. DARLING ISF (Dutch Warmblood), Cara Kettenbach, owner; Sir Sinclair, sire; Saigon, dam; Iron Spring Farm Inc., breeder ...............................................................................77.050% 4. FLORETTE MG (Dutch Warmblood), Kathy Hickerson, owner; Schroeder, sire; Torette, dam; Kathy Hickerson, breeder .......................................................................................76.975% 5. RENDEZVOUS GGF (Hanoverian), Rachel Ehrlich, owner; Rascalino, sire; Weser Melodie, dam; Rachel Ehrlich, breeder .............................................................................76.450%
1. LEOPOLD DMV (Hanoverian), Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd & Jill Giese, owners; John Dingle, rider; Lokomotion, sire; Dreaming, dam; Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd, breeder...............87.100% 2. FORMANCIER (Dutch Warmblood), Gail Redinger, owner/rider; Furst Romancier, sire; Baileys, dam; M.M.P. Ophey-V.D. Berk, breeder...........................................................................87.000% 3. LORDSLEY DMV (Hanoverian), Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd, Jill Giese & Tony Ma, owners; John Dingle, rider; Lokomotion, sire; Dreaming, dam; Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd, breeder...........................................................................84.200% 4. FILANDER (Hanoverian), Jessica McCaskill, owner/rider; Walldorf, sire; Damselfly, dam; Lisa Brownell, breeder.......................................................................................83.200% 5. DANTE COEUR (Oldenburg), Marne Martin-Tucker, owner/rider; Dante Weltino, sire; Royal Coeur, dam; Marne Martin-Tucker, breeder .......................................................................81.800%
Four-Year-Old and Older Maiden/Yeld Mares
Four- and Five-Year-Old Mares
1. DAPHNE (Oldenburg), Lesley Pollington, owner; Diamond Stud, sire; D’Amore, dam; Lesley Pollington, breeder...................................................................................85.250% 2. BALLERINA DMV (Hanoverian), John Sharpe and Leroy & Riki Fuller, owners; Ballettmeister, sire; Dreaming, dam; Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd & Jill Giese, breeders ...........................83.000% 3. D’AMORE (Oldenburg), Lesley Pollington, owner; De Niro, sire; World Lady, dam; Helmut Pluemer, breeder .............................................................................................................80.725% 4. SAMBUCA (Danish Warmblood), Bonnie Padwa & Caroline Forsberg, owners; Soreldo, sire; Valenta, dam; Erik Kristensen, breeder...................................................................80.625% 5. MW WEISS SCHWARZ (Oldenburg), Jennifer Vanover, owner; Sir Donnerhall I, sire; Wild Rose, dam; Josef-Ludwig Brinkhus, breeder .......................................................................79.500%
1. DAPHNE (Oldenburg), Lesley Pollington, owner; Sharon Jerdeman, rider; Diamond Stud, sire; D’amore, dam; Lesley Pollington, breeder ..................................................84.500% 2. FLORIANNA (Hanoverian), Kat Phillips, owner; Shiloh Gilbert, rider; Floriscount, sire; Wolga, dam; Jarck Hermann, breeder .........................................................................................83.500% 2. SHEQUIN (Oldenburg), Robin Brueckmann, owner/rider; Sir Gregory, sire; Whest Indies, dam; Maurine Swanson, breeder..........................................................................83.500% 4. AMICA NERA (Hanoverian), Erin Herzog, owner/rider; Alabaster, sire; Bijou, dam; Anders & Karin Groenburg, breeders ...........................................................................................82.900% 5. ANGELA’S ANGEL (Oldenburg), Stacia Dyess-Hammond, owner; Angela Jackson, rider; Rosenthal, sire; Alsonara, dam; Theresa Schnell, breeder ...........................................................82.700%
SPS SCARLETT, owner Diane Nauman (OR), rider Jessica Wisdom (WA)—Adequan/USDF DSHB Horse of the Year: Four-year-old and older Broodmares
D-TRIX DMV, owner Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd. (BC) & John Dingle (BC); rider John Dingle (BC)—Adequan/USDF Materiale Horse of the Year: Three-year-old Colts/Geldings
DAPHNE, owner Lesley Pollington(ON), rider Sharon Jerdeman (FL)—Adequan/USDF Materiale Horse of the Year: Four- and Five-year-old Mares
USDF CONNECTION
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February 2016
99
ADEQUAN/USDF YEAR-END AWARDS
Three-Year-Old Fillies
1. Hilda Gurney 2. Oak Hill Ranch LLC 3. Jennifer Mason 4. Judy Yancey 5. Douglas & Louise Leatherdale
Adequan/USDF DSHB Breeder of the Year 1. Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd. 2. Maurine Swanson 3. Rachel Ehrlich 4. Cara Kettenbach 5. Gwen Blake
Adequan/USDF Musical Freestyle First Level 1. H ACE OF HEARTS (Hanoverian), Otterbein University, owner; Jennifer Roth, rider; Hochadel, sire; Feline, dam; Hans-Guenter Berner, breeder .......................................................77.833% 2. FINALIA ERS (Dutch Warmblood), Kim Rhind, owner; Yvonne & Kassandra Barteau, riders......77.133% 3. BB MAGEE (Mule), Susan Magee, owner; Laura Hermanson, rider.............................................76.217% 4. ALOTA BLING (Holsteiner), Brian MacMahon, owner/rider; Ariadus, sire; Kardinale, dam; Catherine Willson, breeder ...........................................................................................................76.133% 5. LIBERTY (Oldenburg), Elizabeth Landers, owner; Emily Goldman & Elizabeth Landers, riders; Ludwigs As, sire; Funni Belinda, dam; Gerd Sosath, breeder ......................................................74.267% 6. LAXWELL (Oldenburg), Birgitt Dagge, owner/rider; Lingh, sire; Dessous, dam; Ute Vaske, breeder ........................................................................................................................74.167%
Second Level
3. GRIFFINDOR (Oldenburg), Brianna Zwilling, owner/rider; Galiani CH, sire; Ronja M, dam; Fernando Cardenas, breeder ........................................................................................................76.533% 4. ELZARMA TF (Dutch Warmblood), Kerrin Dunn, owner; Isabel Frederickson & Angela Jackson, riders; UB 40, sire; Allure S, dam; Kerrin Dunn, breeder................................76.333% 5. DENMARK (Friesian Sporthorse), Joni Abney, owner/rider; Nico, sire; Vlarina, dam; Hidden Promise Sporthorses, breeder .........................................................................................75.400% 6. BOEGELY’S MAURICIO (Danish Warmblood), Tillie Jones & Tish Gade-Jones, owners; Tillie Jones, rider; Michellino, sire; Sondervangs Mazurka, dam .................................................74.900%
Fourth Level 1. SOLITAIRE (Oldenburg), Andrea DeLeo, owner; Yvonne Barteau, rider; Sandro Hit, sire; Lady’s Nice, dam; Stall Troff, breeder ............................................................................................76.333% 2. AYOKAY (Dutch Warmblood), Claire Darnell, owner/rider...........................................................75.900% 3. LHINCOLN (Hanoverian), Cody Armstrong, owner/rider; Londonberry, sire; Whest Indies, dam; Maurine Swanson, breeder..........................................................................75.867% 4. GRYPHON Z (Friesian Sporthorse), Stephanie Brown-Beamer, owner/rider ..............................75.667% 5. MADOC GARETH (Welsh Cob), Kristin Cyprus, owner; Allison Cyprus, rider; Sydenham Henry, sire; Okeden Mai, dam; Patricia Holmes, breeder ..........................................74.733% 6. WALK OF FAME (Zweibrucker), Birgitt Dagge, owner; Birgitt & Katrin Dagge, riders; Wind Dancer, sire; Dancing Queen, dam; Irmgard Gies, breeder ................................................74.250%
Intermediate I 1. ROMANTICO SF (Hanoverian), Heather Mason, owner/rider; Romancero H, sire; Wesermelodie, dam; Gerhard Stahmann & Ot Felde, breeders ..................................................77.563% 2. BEIJING (Dutch Warmblood), Alexandra Dominguez, owner/rider ............................................76.375% 3. UKARDE (Dutch Warmblood), Laine Hills, owner/rider; Biotop, sire; Milia, dam; M.T.S van Esch, breeder ................................................................................................................75.500% 4. SAPHIRA (Oldenburg), John McGuire & Marilyn Johnson, owners; Silva Martin & Heather McCarthy, riders; Florencio, sire; Roxina, dam; Wolfgang Sames, breeder ................75.063% 5. WINZALOT (Hanoverian), Jamie Pestana, owner/rider; Wolkenstein II, sire; Franzisca, dam; Hans-Heinr. Doescher, breeder...........................................................................74.969% 6. ROSMARIN (Hanoverian), Kimberly Herslow & Kiroli Enterprises LLC, owners; Kimberly Herslow, rider; Rosentanz, sire; Wolkentaenzerin, dam; Josef Brinkemoeller, breeder ......................................73.800%
1. FWF PRINCESS JULIANA (Georgian Grande), Mary Adams, owner; Jonni Allen, rider; Pieter fan Lutke Peinjum, sire; Flying W Farms Dresden Figurine, dam; Flying W Farms Inc. & George Wagner, breeders .........................................................................82.167% 2. ENYA WS (Dutch Warmblood), Nichole Charbonneau, owner/rider; UB 40, sire; Perlinda, dam; Carrie O’Brien, breeder.........................................................................................77.333% Grand Prix 3. FESTIVAL HW (Rhinelander), Karen Baillie, owner; Donna Gatchell, rider; Flatley, sire; 1. LEGOLAS (Westfalen), Four Winds Farm LLC, owner; Steffen Peters, rider; Laomedon, sire; Gracia, dam; Johannes Baumeister, breeder ...............................................................................77.134% Furstin, dam; Johannes Kissing, breeder......................................................................................80.925% 4. EMERALD (American Warmblood), Diane Breier, owner; Jennifer Conour, rider; Andre, sire; 2. VERDADES (Dutch Warmblood), Laura Graves, owner/rider; Florett AS, sire; Liwilarda, dam; Opal, dam; Indian Hills Stables, breeder ......................................................................................74.667% P. Crum, breeder............................................................................................................................79.600% 4. HB DSCHAFAR (German Riding Pony), Sara Schmitt, owner/rider..............................................74.667% 3. D’ ARTAGNAN (Hanoverian), Lynn Leath, owner/rider; Del Piero, sire; Pia, dam; 6. CHAMP (German Riding Pony), Rachel Lundeen, owner; Stacey Lucko, rider ...........................74.400% Wilfried Grabow, breeder .............................................................................................................77.625% 4. ZERO GRAVITY (Dutch Warmblood), Charlotte & James Mashburn, owners; Third Level Guenter Seidel, rider; Royal Hit, sire; Naica, dam; J.M.M. Rockx, breeder...................................77.100% 1. CON BRIO SDF (Dutch Warmblood), Franziska Seidl, owner/rider; Sir Sinclair, sire; 5. MARIETT (Danish Warmblood), Lars Petersen & Marcia Pepper, owners; Lars Petersen, rider; Windfall SDF, dam; Sheri Evers-Rock, breeder .............................................................................78.167% Come Back II, sire; Zendi, dam; Gunnar Mousten, breeder..........................................................76.825% 2. ROELOF VAN WOLFSHOL (Friesian), Kristine Erickson, owner; Julio Mendoza Loor, rider; 6. ELFENFEUER (Oldenburg), Alice Tarjan, owner/rider; Florencio, sire; Elfensonne, dam; Tsjerk 328, sire; Cora Van T Grup JE, dam; Bill & Doris Kennedy, breeders ...................................76.667% Ewald Grotelueschen, breeder .....................................................................................................76.750%
CON BRIO SDF, owner/rider Franziska Seidl (FL)—Adequan/ USDF Musical Freestyle, Third Level
AMY HEDDEN (VA), riding Sadira TWF: Adequan/USDF Third Level Adult Amateur
100 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
ADRIENNE BESSEY (CA), riding Dido: Adequan/USDF Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur
LEFT: WNCPHOTO.COM; MIDDLE : PICSOFYOU; RIGHT: SUSANJSTICKLE.COM
ADEQUAN/USDF YEAR-END AWARDS
Adequan/USDF Dressage Breeder of the Year
First Level 1. H ACE OF HEARTS (Hanoverian), Otterbein University, owner; Jennifer Roth, rider; Hochadel, sire; Feline, dam; Hans-Guenter Berner, breeder .......................................................76.227%
Second Level 1. FWF PRINCESS JULIANA (Georgian Grande), Mary Adams, owner; Jonni Allen, rider; Pieter fan Lutke Peinjum, sire; Flying W Farms Dresden Figurine, dam; Flying W Farms Inc. & George Wagner, breeders .........................................................................76.440%
Third Level 1. SADIRA TWF (Oldenburg), Amy Hedden, owner/rider; Starlight, sire; Revlon, dam; Laureen Megan, breeder ..............................................................................................................71.662%
Fourth Level 1. SAN CORAZON (Oldenburg), Janice Davis, owner; Morgan Barrows, rider; San Amour, sire; Ridehna, dam; Colette Ross-Prince, breeder................................................................................71.754%
Intermediate I 1. ROMANTICO SF (Hanoverian), Heather Mason, owner/rider; Romancero H, sire; Wesermelodie, dam; Gerhard Stahmann & Ot Felde, breeders ..................................................75.867%
Grand Prix 1. LEGOLAS (Westfalen), Four Winds Farm LLC, owner; Steffen Peters, rider; Laomedon, sire; Furstin, dam; Johannes Kissing, breeder......................................................................................78.768%
Adequan/USDF USEF Four-Year-Old
4. SARA STONE (IL), riding GOTHAM (American Warmblood); Sara Stone, owner; Gabriel, sire; Mystic, dam; Indian Hills Sport Horses, breeder .....................................................74.290% 5. MAUREEN LAMB (CA), riding IDYLLIC B (Oldenburg); Maureen Lamb, owner; Ideal, sire; Petrina, dam; Susan MacInnes, breeder ......................................................................................72.675% 6. ASHLEE WATTS (TX), riding HAMPTON (Danish Warmblood); Ashlee Watts, owner; Blue Hors Hotline, sire; Madigan L, dam; Erik & Jane Jensen, breeders ......................................72.483% 7. CAROL GLOVER (GA), riding ATHALIA (Oldenburg); Carol Glover, owner; Alpenstern, sire; Heather’s Beauty, dam; Kathryn Collier, breeder .........................................................................72.327% 8. DENICE WAX (MN), riding HOLLYHOCK FRIDA KAHLO (Morgan); Denice Wax, owner; Hollyhock Bella Noche, sire; Ironstone Flirtation, dam; Pamela Eller, breeder ...........................72.174% 8. MICHELE DELUNA (CA), riding ODESSA (Swedish Warmblood); Michele Deluna, owner; Tip Top’s Sterling, sire; King’s Ruby, dam; Leslie Morse, breeder ..................................................72.174% 10. CARROLL BOWERS (SC), riding MEELICK ISLAND SWANK (Connemara); Carroll Bowers, owner ..................................................................................................................71.819% 11. JENNIFER APPEL (CA), riding FINALE (Dutch Warmblood); Jennifer Appel, owner.....................71.731% 12. KANDER KING (MA), riding DANCE TILL DAWN (Hanoverian); Kander King, owner; Dancier, sire; Sawana, dam; Betrieb Hof H.& H. Kleemeyer GbR, breeder .......................................................71.364% 13. MADORA DANIEL (NV), riding RONALDO (Hanoverian); Madora Daniel, owner; Rousseau, sire; Dancing Queen, dam; Bjoern Kommerell, breeder......................................................................71.298% 14. RACHEL SCHILLING (TX), riding FINNEGAN SQF (Hanoverian); Rachel Schilling, owner; Fidertanz, sire; SPS Withney, dam; Jill Peterson, breeder............................................................71.196% 15. LISA MATIVI (OH), riding LAZZERI (Hanoverian); Lisa Mativi, owner; Landfriese II, sire; Granesch, dam; Lois Brady, breeder .............................................................................................71.145% 16. TRACEY TRUE (FL), riding FIRST EDITION (Hanoverian); Tracey True, owner; Fabuleux, sire; Rhapsody B, dam; Barbara Schmidt & Frederick Abblett, breeders ............................................71.087% 17. JOHN SCHAAF (NC), riding FERRANTE CF (Oldenburg); John Schaaf, owner...............................70.909% 17. HEATHER MILLER (FL), riding ROMANTICA II (Oldenburg); Heather Miller, owner; Rubignon, sire; Pointmade, dam; Rosemary Prince, breeder ...............................................................................70.909% 19. MARILEA KEATING (SC), riding REDEMPTION (Paint); Marilea Keating, owner; Windell, sire; Royal Cuvee, dam; Marilea Keating, breeder ...............................................................................70.894% 20. ELLEN KETTLER (CA), riding DHOUBLE SCOOP (Oldenburg); Ellen Kettler, owner; Don Principe, sire; Senorita, dam; Maurine Swanson, breeder ...................................................70.682%
1. TIKO (Danish Warmblood), Alice Tarjan, owner/rider; Tailormade Temptation, sire; Alexia Hardsyssel, dam; Stutteri Hove Gitte Sogaard, breeder ............................................................. 8.1 2. GENEROSA S (Dutch Warmblood), Gina Ruediger & Sonnenberg Farm LLC, owners; Brooke Voldbaek, rider; Uphill, sire; Zen Rosa, dam; Dan & Gina Ruediger, breeders.......................... 7.9 2. FINE TIME (Hanoverian), Sharon Hook, owner; Susannah Hamlin & Stacy Parvey-Larsson, riders; First Level Floriscount, sire; Don Warkancia, dam; Heinrich Buhrke, breeder ....................................................... 7.9 1. BARBARA BUTMAN (MI), riding BALALAIKA (Hanoverian); Barbara Butman, owner; 2. BAZINGA D (Hanoverian), Marie DiBiccari, owner/rider; Belissimo M, sire; Waruscha, dam; Breitling W, sire; Donna Faye, dam; Christian Heinrich, breeder .................................................74.780% Thomas Schwinge, breeder................................................................................................................... 7.9 2. MORGAN MATUSZKO (MA), riding HARIBO (Hanoverian); Morgan Matuszko, owner; Hochadel, sire; Larimar, dam; Hans-Guenter Berner, breeder.....................................................73.088% 3. MAUREEN LAMB (CA), riding DALLAS DO RIGHT (Hanoverian); Maureen Lamb, owner; Devon Heir, sire; Welt’s Wisteria, dam; Terry Mason-Esteban, breeder .......................................72.031% 4. ELIZABETH BEHRENFELD (OR), riding GWYNNEVERE (American Warmblood); Elizabeth Behrenfeld, 1. ROSALUT NHF (Oldenburg), Nikki Taylor-Smith, owner; Carly Taylor-Smith, rider; owner; Koopman’s Frans Haven, sire; Gretchen, dam; Fresno State University, breeder ............71.176% Rosenthal, sire; Legacy, dam; Margaret Neider, breeder ...................................................................... 8.4 4. MEIKE PETRY (CA), riding LUIGI (Oldenburg); Meike Petry, owner; Lord Loxley, sire; 2. SHYRIANA (Oldenburg), Marcus Orlob, owner/rider; Shakespeare RSF, sire; Fhrance, dam; A Sugar Baby, dam; Britta Budeus-Wiegert, breeder ..................................................................71.176% Maurine Swanson, breeder ................................................................................................................... 8.1 6. RUTH SHIRKEY (CA), riding WYLEIGH PRINCESS (Hanoverian); Ruth Shirkey, owner; Weltmeyer, sire; 2. FORMANCIER (Dutch Warmblood), Gail Redinger, owner/rider; Furst Romancier, sire; Heiress B, dam; Cheryl & Eric Johnson, breeders .........................................................................70.978% Baileys, dam; M.M.P. Ophey-V.D. Berk, breeder.................................................................................... 8.1 7. VALERIE PERVO (OH), riding FAULKNER (Oldenburg); James Gerhart, owner; Hilltop Festrausch, sire; Pompon, dam; Gypsy Woods Farm & Joann Smith, breeders .....................................................70.649% 8. JANNE RUMBOUGH (FL), riding MY MAIDEN (Danish Warmblood); Janne Rumbough, owner; Blue Hors Zack, sire; Donna Xanthia, dam; Gitte Jensen, breeder ...............................................70.463% 9. LISA CURRY MAIR (VT), riding WINSLET (Hanoverian); Lisa Curry Mair, owner ..........................70.304% 1. GALLANT REFLECTION HU (Zweibrucker), Anne Sparks & Horses Unlimited, owners; Lisa Wilcox, rider .................................................................................................................................... 8.2 10. KAREN ERICKSON (CA), riding BRANDO (New Forest Pony); Karen Erickson, owner; Orlando, sire; Elvira, dam; G. Timmer, breeder.............................................................................70.221% 2. EDWARD (Dutch Warmblood), Joan Pecora, owner; Patricia Becker, rider; United, sire; Jolinia, dam; A.A. van der Koppel, breeder ........................................................................................... 8.0 11. HILARI FLEMING (NV), riding FABULOUS DSF (Oldenburg); Hilari Fleming, owner; Freestyle, sire; Oladaula, dam; Armin & Jennifer Arnoldt, breeders ...........................................70.078% 3. FIGHTING CHANCE L (Hanoverian), Douglas & Louise Leatherdale and Leatherdale Farms, owners; Mike Suchanek, rider; First Dance, sire; Helia, dam; Douglas & Louise Leatherdale, breeders............ 7.8 12. ROBIN MERSHON (OH), riding RIO RELONCAVI (Oldenburg); Robin Mershon, owner; Rapture R, sire; Clio, dam; Mares’ Nest, breeder...........................................................................70.005% 13. KATIE THETFORD (WA), riding MEARA (Canadian Warmblood); Katie Thetford, owner; Wolkenstein II, sire; Aviary, dam; Krammer Warmbloods, breeder.............................................69.890% 14. ASHLEE WATTS (TX), riding HAMPTON (Danish Warmblood); Ashlee Watts, owner; Training Level Blue Hors Hotline, sire; Madigan L, dam; Erik & Jane Jensen, breeders ......................................69.853% 1. JANNE RUMBOUGH (FL), riding MY MAIDEN (Danish Warmblood); Janne Rumbough, owner; 15. JENNIFER WRIGHT-WARREN (CA), riding RHODES GEORGE (Oldenburg); Marian Wright, owner; Blue Hors Zack, sire; Donna Xanthia, dam; Gitte Joan Jensen, breeder ......................................75.213% Routinier, sire; Summer Nichole, dam; Marian Wright, breeder .................................................69.844% 2. CHRISTINE SIEMS (WA), riding BASILIO THF (Hanoverian); Christine Siems, owner; 16. EVELYN JAMES (CA), riding WALDEMAR (Oldenburg); Evelyn James, owner; Walldorf, sire; Belissimo M, sire; Fidertana B, dam; Christine Siems & Turkey Hill Farm, breeders....................74.598% Le Clic, dam; Debbie & Jim Davis, breeders..................................................................................69.706% 3. ALYSSA BARNGROVER (AZ), riding DACAPRIELLA (Hanoverian); Alyssa Barngrover, owner; 17. LIBERTY SEAFORD (VA), riding MARCO POLO GS (Trakehner); Liberty Seaford, owner; Dacaprio, sire; Nebella, dam; Alyssa Barngrover, breeder ...........................................................74.318% Ferrari GS, sire; Marionette GS, dam; Charlotte Schickedanz, breeder ........................................69.559%
Adequan/USDF FEI Five-Year-Old
Adequan/USDF FEI Six-Year-Old
Adequan/USDF Adult Amateur
USDF CONNECTION
•
February 2016
101
ADEQUAN/USDF YEAR-END AWARDS
Adequan/USDF Musical Freestyle Challenge
ADEQUAN/USDF YEAR-END AWARDS
18. TIFFANY MAHONEY (CA), riding SANS SOUCI (Oldenburg); Jim & Tiffany Mahoney, owners; San Amour, sire; Romina, dam; Ulf Immer, breeder ....................................................................69.426% 19. CAROL ANN HEAD (NH), riding HALLAH GGF (Hanoverian); Carol Ann Head, owner; Hotline, sire; Raphaela HB, dam; Rachel Ehrlich, breeder ...........................................................69.302% 20. THERESA HORNE (NC), riding LEOPOLD LUCK (Danish Warmblood); Theresa Horne, owner; Blue Hors Soprano, sire; Licata, dam; Oak Hill Ranch LLC, breeder..............................................69.265%
Second Level 1. AMY GIMBEL (NJ), riding EYE CANDY (Dutch Warmblood); Amy Gimbel, owner; UB 40, sire; Wednesday, dam; Judy Barrett, breeder......................................................................................70.752% 2. GRETTA WILLIAMS (CA), riding DANTARES (Dutch Warmblood); Gretta Williams, owner; Donatelli, sire; Napua, dam; Deborah Harrison, breeder.............................................................70.244% 3. STEPHANIE MCNUTT (MD), riding EMALINA (Dutch Warmblood); Stephanie McNutt, owner; Alex, sire; Fisher’s Asina, dam; Christ Fisher, breeder ...................................................................70.017% 4. KRISTEN ORTT (MD), riding E. FELIX (Dutch Warmblood); Kristen Ortt, owner; Ferro, sire; Bissextile, dam; Caroline Stearns breeder ....................................................................................69.491% 5. ELIZABETH BEHRENFELD (OR), riding GWYNNEVERE (American Warmblood); Elizabeth Behrenfeld, owner; Koopman’s Frans Haven, sire; Gretchen, dam; Fresno State University, breeder ............69.256% 6. MOLLY SCHILTGEN (MN), riding LEISL TF (Hanoverian); Molly Schiltgen, owner; Linaro, sire; Guarded Moment, dam; Danielle & Danise Grice, breeders ........................................................69.186% 7. BARBARA WOLFE (NJ), riding SMILE (Oldenburg); Barbara Wolfe, owner; Sandro Hit, sire; Wolkenzeuber, dam; Lepenies Lueder, breeder...........................................................................68.574% 8. JULIA HANDT (TX), riding ROYAL DANCER (Westfalen); Julia Handt, owner; Rubicell, sire; Do swidanya, dam; Franz Temmen, breeder ...............................................................................68.476% 9. KRISTINE HEGGLIN (CA), riding HOLSTEIN’S HARLEQUIN (Holsteiner); Kristine Hegglin, owner; Holsteins Herold, sire; Holsteins Scarlet, dam; Gestuet Karl-Heinz Bumann, breeder................68.462% 10. ALISON YAMA (CA), riding PRIMA (Friesian Cross); Alison Yama, owner .....................................68.095% 11. MAREN DOLLWET (CA), riding W ROYAL WINNER (Hanoverian); Marban Inc., owner; Royal Blend, sire; Fiorella, dam; Hubert Ratermann, breeder .....................................................68.013% 12. CHRISTINE DEMONT (CA), riding FUNKY DIVA (Westfalen); Christine DeMont, owner; Furst Piccolo, sire; Sequoia, dam; Christine DeMont, breeder .....................................................67.988% 13. ERIN PETERSON (WA), riding FELLINI (Westfalen); Erin Peterson, owner ...................................67.836% 14. MELISSA ROGERS (CA), riding EMPIRE (Dutch Warmblood); Melissa Rogers, owner; Tuchinski, sire; Wirenda, dam; W.M.M. van Erp, breeder .............................................................67.821% 15. DANTIA BENSON (CA), riding BAD BOY (Dutch Warmblood); Dantia Benson, owner; Olivi, sire; Lotte, dam; M. Tijssen, breeder....................................................................................67.727% 16. JENNIFER STRAUSS (WI), riding I’M FULL OF STUFF (Belgian Warmblood); Jennifer Strauss, owner; Pascal D’ Pau, sire; Plush Stuff, dam; Les Chevaux de Carlier, breeder .........................................67.470% 17. KATE EMMETT-WILDER (CA), riding TERRA COTTA (Swedish Warmblood); Kate Emmett-Wilder, owner; Legacy, sire; Tres Jolie, dam; Helen Dilworth, breeder .................................................................67.436% 18. SHERRY LITTLEJOHN (WA), riding PISSARRO (American Warmblood); Sherry Littlejohn, owner; Rembrandt, sire; Pepper Ann Titan, dam; Jim & Sherry Littlejohn, breeders .............................67.317% 19. JENNIFER WRIGHT-WARREN (CA), riding RITISHA (Oldenburg); Marian Wright, owner; Routinier, sire; Fiona, dam; Marian Wright, breeder....................................................................67.073% 20. KATHRYN LEWIS (WA), riding DOEMAAR (Dutch Warmblood); Kathryn Lewis, owner; Upper-Class, sire; Sophie, dam; W. van Beers, breeder................................................................66.708%
11. MELISSA TORREANO (FL), riding BRUNELLO M (Hanoverian); Melissa Torreano, owner; Belissimo M, sire; La Rochelle, dam; Heinrich Behrmann, breeder.............................................67.716% 12. NANCY AREND (WA), riding ZIPPITY DO DAH (Dutch Warmblood); Nancy Arend, owner; Florencio, sire; Orinette Queen, dam; G. Marsman-Bonenkamp, breeder ..................................67.692% 13. AMANDA SILVER (WA), riding WOHLTAT (Oldenburg); Amanda Silver, owner ...........................67.596% 14. ANNA URQUHART (FL), riding DE LORD (Dutch Warmblood); Anna Urquhart, owner; Lord Leatherdale, sire; Nirien, dam; W.J. Santes, breeder............................................................67.424% 15. LESA WHETZEL (CA), riding ESCORIAL (Westfalen); Lesa Whetzel, owner; Ehrentusch, sire; Funerailles, dam; Josef Ulmker, breeder ......................................................................................67.179% 16. MARTINE DUFF (SC), riding RENDEZVOUS MF (Hanoverian); Martine Duff, owner; Rousseau, sire; SPS Doreen, dam; Maryanna Haymon, breeder .................................................66.935% 17. SUSAN WREN (CA), riding WASABI (Dutch Warmblood); Susan Wren, owner............................66.352% 18. WHITNEY HARRINGTON (CA), riding WESLEY (Dutch Warmblood); Whitney Harrington, owner ...66.218% 19. KIMBERLY HARRIS (TX), riding CRAQUE HM (Lusitano); Kimberly Harris, owner; Portugal, sire; Serpa VA, dam; Jose Garcia, breeder.....................................................................66.154% 19. LAURIE EVERSON (CA), riding LOMBADY K (Oldenburg); Laurie Everson, owner; Londonderry, sire; Estina, dam; Margrit Koring, breeder.............................................................66.154%
Fourth Level
1. CECELIA STEWART (SC), riding CONTENTO SOGNO (Dutch Warmblood); Cecelia Stewart, owner; Florencio, sire; Nuviera, dam; M.H.J. van den Corput-Leurs, breeder .........................................70.222% 2. NANCY SZAKACS (CA), riding RUDI REGALI (Westfalen); Nancy Szakacs, owner; Riccione, sire; Rubina, dam; Antonius Buning, breeder .....................................................................................68.717% 3. ANDRIA ALLEN (CO), riding DON RUBIN (Oldenburg); Andria Allen, owner; Donnerschlag, sire; Legende, dam; Sue Curry Shaffer, breeder ..................................................................................68.716% 4. AMALIA BOYLES (CA), riding WELT ERBE (Hanoverian); Donna Richardson, owner; Weltmeyer, sire; Solveig, dam; Guenter Roehrich, breeder .........................................................68.500% 5. BARBARA HANUS (IL), riding SIJMEN FON LACLAR (Friesian); Barbara Hanus, owner; Jorrit 363, sire; Saleta K., dam; LaVerne Kauffman, breeder .......................................................67.111% 6. TAMMY PORTER (MO), riding LL KARGARDS STAR (Danish Warmblood); Tammy Porter, owner....67.000% 7. CATHERINE WHITT (CA), riding MIRAGE (Thoroughbred Cross); Hilda Gurney, owner................66.645% 8. MARTINE DUFF (SC), riding RENDEZVOUS MF (Hanoverian); Martine Duff, owner; Rousseau, sire; SPS Doreen, dam; Maryanna Haymon, breeder .................................................66.554% 9. CARDEN BURDETTE (GA), riding SIR FREDERICO (Hanoverian); Carden Burdette, owner; Sandro Hit, sire; Donnerfee, dam; Siegfried Beinroth, breeder ...................................................66.389% 10. JENNIFER HUBER (FL), riding DUCHESSE DU PRE (Hanoverian); Jennifer Huber, owner; Dauphin, sire; Wranis, dam; Marefield Meadows Inc., breeder...................................................66.386% 11. BECKY SHEALY (SC), riding ZIDANE (Dutch Warmblood); Becky Shealy, owner..........................66.147% 12. ALLISON BONANNO (NV), riding LEOPOLD SPS (Westfalen); Signature Performance Sporthorses, owner................................................................................66.111% 13. JESSICA BEIER (GA), riding ATTICUS (Dutch Warmblood); Greystone Equestrian LLC, owner; Contango, sire; Riviera, dam; Elaine Blount, breeder...................................................................66.042% 14. GINA ATTON-THOMAS (CA), riding UPENDO (Dutch Warmblood); Gina Atton-Thomas, owner ......65.811% 15. CECILIA COX (TX), riding WINNIE TOO (American Warmblood); Cecilia Cox, owner; Gaucho III, sire; Kristiana, dam; Janne Rumbough, breeder .......................................................65.137% 16. SONYA HUNT (VA), riding ALIEA (Oldenburg); John & Sonya Hunt, owners; Art Deco, sire; Chloe, dam; Tiffany Hattler, breeder ............................................................................................65.111% 17. JOANN KELLER (WA), riding OLIEVIA (Holsteiner); JoAnn Keller, owner; Rantares, sire; Third Level Cosmic Romance, dam; Alison Utting, breeder............................................................................64.889% 1. AMY HEDDEN (VA), riding SADIRA TWF (Oldenburg); Amy Hedden, owner; Starlight, sire; Revlon, dam; Laureen Megan, breeder .......................................................................................70.303% 18. AMY SCHAAF (NC), riding DEVOTION (Oldenburg); Amy Schaaf, owner; Donates, sire; Donation, dam; Melanie Pai, breeder ..........................................................................................64.691% 2. MOLLY SCHILTGEN (MN), riding FILA (Oldenburg); Molly Schiltgen, owner; Fidertanz, sire; Trottie True, dam; Janine Koepken, breeder.................................................................................69.091% 19. ADRIENNE WISENBERG (MD), riding VAVITE FORTUNA (Dutch Warmblood); Adrienne & Solomon Wisenberg, owners ....................................................................................64.278% 3. JULIA HANDT (TX), riding ROYAL DANCER (Westfalen); Julia Handt, owner; Rubicell, sire; Do swidanya, dam; Franz Temmen, breeder ...............................................................................68.590% 20. PETA WYLLIE (VA), riding ROYAL REQUEST (Hanoverian); Peta Wyllie, owner; Royal Prince, sire; Laneigh, dam; Karan & Tom Schwencer, breeders .........................................64.028% 4. BARBARA SPARKS (ID), riding R. CESSNA (Hanoverian); Barbara Sparks, owner; Rubino Bellissimo, sire; Lady Black, dam; Erin Warren, breeder..................................................68.270% 5. ANNA WESTFELT (CA), riding SULTAN S (Dutch Warmblood); Anna Westfelt, owner .................68.205% Prix St. Georges 6. KIMBERLY FREDERICK (CA), riding CARIBBEAN VELUW (Dutch Warmblood); 1. ADRIENNE BESSEY (CA), riding DIDO (Danish Warmblood); Adrienne Bessey, owner; Kimberly Frederick, owner; Sir Donnerhall I, sire; Sareina, dam; C.E.J.M. Litjens, breeder.........68.182% Royal Hit, sire; Doreen, dam; Atterupgaard, breeder...................................................................71.316% 7. PETRA HILLEBERG (WA), riding BOOGIE WOOGIE (Dutch Warmblood); 2. CHARLOTTE JORST (NV), riding KASTEL’S ADVENTURE (Dutch Warmblood); Petra Hilleberg & Stuart Craig, owners; Tango, sire; Sissy, dam; M. Tijssen, breeder ..................68.141% Kastel Denmark, owner; Special D, sire; Sunette S, dam; DHR. Naber, breeder ..........................70.711% 8. JILL DEARING (WI), riding VIGNETTE (Lipizzan); Jill Dearing, owner; Maestoso III Sabrina, sire; 3. AMY SWERDLIN (FL), riding SCHOLASTICA (Oldenburg); Amy Swerdlin, owner; Celestial Song, dam; Rosebury Farm, breeder .............................................................................68.077% Sir Donnerhall I, sire; Loni, dam; Brigitte & Manfred Langelueddecke, breeders .......................70.321% 8. CAMILLA VAN LIEW (SC), riding DARTESCH (Dutch Warmblood); Camilla Van Liew, owner; 4. JENNIFER WETTERAU (CA), riding CERVARO (Holsteiner); Jennifer Wetterau, owner; Special D, sire; Sedesch, dam; R Giepmans, breeder....................................................................68.077% Carpaccio, sire; Edeltraut, dam; Peter Knudsen, breeder .............................................................69.145% 10. LAINE SKLAR (AZ), riding PALADIN SF (Trakehner); Laine Sklar, owner; Aul Magic+/, sire; 5. ALEXANDRA KROSSEN (NJ), riding DAMANI (Hanoverian Cross); Heather Mason, owner; Padua Go, dam; Heather Buttrum, breeder .................................................................................67.821% Duvall, sire; Gqdiva, dam; Virginia Godfrey, breeder....................................................................68.257%
102 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
LEFT: SUSANJSTICKLE.COM; MIDDLE: CAROLYNN BUNCH PHOTOGRAPHY; RIGHT: ©TERRI MILLER
Intermediate I
11. ALEXANDRA KROSSEN (NJ), riding DAMANI (Hanoverian Cross); Heather Mason, owner; Duvall, sire; Gqdiva, dam; Virginia Godfrey, breeder....................................................................67.763% 12. JANNE RUMBOUGH (FL), riding ARMAS ZUMBEL (Pura Raza Espanola); Janne Rumbough, owner; Escarzo, sire; Delicia VI, dam; Florencio Moreno Munoz, breeder................................................67.566% 13. PEGGY SCHUENEMAN (IL), riding PRIMETIME (Dutch Warmblood); Peggy Schueneman, owner; Zeoliet, sire; Innette, dam; Jim & Peg Mills, breeders ..................................................................67.105% 14. ANN ROMNEY (CA), riding DONATELLO (Hanoverian); Ann Romney, owner ..............................67.007% 15. ELMA GARCIA (CA), riding WENESA (Hanoverian); Elma Garcia, owner; Westernhagen, sire; Dancing Girl, dam; Axel Windeler, breeder ..................................................................................66.645%
Intermediate II 1. LAUREN THORNLOW (WA), riding ROYAL KONIG (Oldenburg); Lauren Thornlow, owner; Rubin-Royal, sire; Pica Ramira, dam; Gerlinde Reinhardt, breeder.............................................70.395% 2. CHASE HICKOK (FL), riding SAGACIOUS HF (Dutch Warmblood); Hyperion Farm Inc., owner; Welt Hit II, sire; Judith, dam; G. van de Boogaard, breeder .........................................................69.000% 3. ADRIENNE BESSEY (CA), riding WINTERSNOW (Oldenburg); Adrienne Bessey & Hilda Gurney, owners; Winterprinz, sire; Lavinia, dam; Hilda Gurney & Mary Contakos, breeders.................................67.632% 4. GRACE GOODBY (MA), riding SCHABOS WAITONGO (Hanoverian); Grace Goodby, owner; Wittinger, sire; Nancy, dam; Heinrich Allwoerden, breeder ........................................................67.303% 5. SHERYL ROSS (CA), riding LANCASTER (Danish Warmblood); Sheryl Ross, owner; Lobster, sire; Aleksis, dam; Gunnar Mousten, breeder.................................................................65.789% 6. KRISTY TRUEBENBACH LUND (FL), riding AKVAVIT (Spanish Warmblood); Blue Marlin Farms Inc., owner; Silvester, sire; Omni, dam...........................................................65.395% 7. AMY LEACH (IL), riding RADCLIFFE (Holsteiner); Amy Leach, owner; Rantares, sire; Felicitous, dam; Cheryl Kellerman, breeder .................................................................................64.276% 8. PHYLLIS SUMNER (GA), riding WILBY (Hanoverian); Phyllis Sumner, owner; Walt Disney I, sire; Doretta, dam; Horst Luehrs, breeder .............................................................64.079% 9. KYLE MCIVER (MA), riding LOUIS VUITTON (Lusitano); Kyle McIver, owner; Quatrilho Itapua, sire; Fidalga, dam; Agropecuaria Iannoni Ltda, breeder .................................63.289% 10. SHARON CRISWELL (CA), riding ZANZIBAR (Dutch Warmblood); Sharon Criswell, owner; Freestyle, sire; Gisela, dam; Deborah Harrison, breeder ..............................................................62.763% 11. TARYN YATES (OR), riding ORISIS (Dutch Warmblood); Taryn Yates, owner; Contango, sire; Isis, dam; Antoinette Snyder, breeder ..........................................................................................62.336% 12. KRISTA NORDGREN (ME), riding SCHANDO (Danish Warmblood); Krista Nordgren, owner; Schwadroneur, sire; Laila, dam; Jorgen & Kirsten Jensen, breeders ...........................................61.974% 13. YVETTE DIURI (CA), riding BRANCO VAN DE VOGELZANG (Belgian Warmblood); Yvette Diuri, owner .......................................................................................................................61.908% 14. JONI ZECCOLA (GA), riding MOSES (Connemara); Joni Zeccola, owner; Fergus, sire; Big Bear’s Divine Direction, dam; Leigh Roberts, breeder ...........................................................61.842% 15. JAMIE HUGHES (OR), riding HARBOR MIST (Selle Francais); Jamie Hughes, owner ...................61.711% 15. WENDY BEBIE (VA), riding LUMINENCE (Trakehner); Wendy Bebie, owner; Leonidas, sire; Willa, dam; Hilda Gurney & Mary Contakos, breeders .........................................61.711%
1. CHARLOTTE JORST (NV), riding ASTERIOS (Danish Warmblood); Stacy Williams, owner; Akinos, sire; Urwetta, dam; Niels Nielsen, breeder......................................................................72.368% 2. CHARLOTTE JORST (NV), riding KASTEL’S ADVENTURE (Dutch Warmblood); Kastel Denmark, owner; Special D, sire; Sunette S, dam; DHR. Naber, breeder ..........................71.053% 3. RACHAEL HICKS (KY), riding FABIO BELLINI (Westfalen); Rachael Hicks, owner; Furst Heinrich, sire; Dakota, dam; Gestut Sprehe GmbH, breeder...............................................70.724% 4. ADRIENNE BESSEY (CA), riding DIDO (Danish Warmblood); Adrienne Bessey, owner; Royal Hit, sire; Doreen, dam; Atterupgaard, breeder...................................................................70.000% 5. CHARLOTTE JORST (NV), riding FRAKTURA (Hanoverian); Kastel Denmark, owner; Ferro, sire; Carilla, dam; Arnd Deters, breeder..............................................................................68.474% 6. ANNE SEEMANN (CA), riding VENECIANO (Dutch Warmblood); Anne Seemann, owner; Stravinsky, sire; Ira, dam; M.C.M. v/d Sanden, breeder ...............................................................68.355% 7. PATRICIA FANNIN (TN), riding ROXY ROYALE (Hanoverian); Patricia Fannin, owner ...................68.224% 8. JENNIFER HUBER (FL), riding MADAME NOIR (Danish Warmblood); Jennifer Huber, owner; Nobleman, sire; Silke, dam; Ellen Jochumsen, breeder ...............................................................68.158% Grand Prix 1. CHARLOTTE JORST (NV), riding KASTEL’S NINTENDO (Dutch Warmblood); 9. HEATHER MENDIBURU (NJ), riding WHAT HAPPEN (Hanoverian); Heather Mendiburu Charlotte Jorst & Kastel Denmark, owners ..................................................................................69.544% & High Point Solutions, owners; Waldstar, sire; Gina de Ro, dam; Peter Rolfs, breeder..............67.921% 2. CHASE HICKOK (FL), riding SAGACIOUS HF (Dutch Warmblood); Hyperion Farm Inc., owner; 10. GINA RUEDIGER (OR), riding ROCKETTE DG (Dutch Warmblood); Sonnenberg Farm LLC, owner; Welt Hit II, sire; Judith, dam; G. van de Boogaard, breeder .........................................................68.535% Ferro, sire; Alona, dam; DG Bar Ranch Inc., breeder.....................................................................67.895%
CHARLOTTE JORST (NV), riding Asterios: Adequan/USDF Intermediate I Adult Amateur
LAUREN THORNLOW (WA), riding Royal Konig: Adequan/USDF Intermediate II Adult Amateur
CHARLOTTE JORST (NV), riding Kastel’s Nintendo: Adequan/USDF Grand Prix Adult Amateur
USDF CONNECTION
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103
ADEQUAN/USDF YEAR-END AWARDS
6. ERIN MCHENRY (AZ), riding BAILANDO (Dutch Warmblood); Erin McHenry, owner ..................68.199% 7. RACHAEL HICKS (KY), riding FABIO BELLINI (Westfalen); Rachael Hicks, owner; Furst Heinrich, sire; Dakota, dam; Gestut Sprehe GmbH, breeder...............................................68.158% 8. ANNE BUCHANAN (AZ), riding MARTINI B (Hanoverian); Anne Buchanan, owner; Metternich, sire; Lady White, dam; Alfred Nesslage, breeder .....................................................67.895% 8. JOANNA SPEED-ROSE (CA), riding ZINEDINE (Dutch Warmblood); Joanna Speed-Rose, owner; Turbo Magic, sire; Fidora, dam; FAM. Beyer, breeder ..................................................................67.895% 10. HEATHER JANS (IL), riding RICKOSHEA (Irish Draught); Heather Jans, owner; King of Hearts, sire; Josa Canella, dam; Heather Jans, breeder ...................................................67.632% 10. STACY TAYLOR (WA), riding SANTOS (Dutch Warmblood); Stacy Taylor, owner; Now or Never, sire; Jodalgar, dam; H. Helsloot, breeder ..............................................................67.632% 10. TYRELLE KESLIN (NH), riding DELAINIE (Hanoverian); Tyrelle Keslin, owner; De Laurentis, sire; Delight, dam; Kathleen Dixon, breeder ..........................................................67.632% 13. VANESSA BECKER (OR), riding VERON (Dutch Warmblood); Vanessa Becker, owner; Welt Hit II, sire; Dariant, dam; F. van Lankveld, breeder ..............................................................67.533% 14. JOHNNY HARRISON (CA), riding VENUS (Austrian Warmblood); Johnny Harrison, owner .........67.368% 15. STACY WILLIAMS (CA), riding ASTERIOS (Danish Warmblood); Stacy Williams, owner; Akinos, sire; Urwetta, dam; Niels Nielsen, breeder......................................................................67.237% 16. JULIE ROCHE (WI), riding REMINGTON (Friesian); Julie Roche, owner; Jurjen 303, sire; Wietskje B, dam; Jim Knapp, breeder ..........................................................................................67.105% 17. HEATHER MENDIBURU (NJ), riding WHAT HAPPEN (Hanoverian); Heather Mendiburu & High Point Solutions, owners; Waldstar, sire; Gina de Ro, dam; Peter Rolfs, breeder..............67.039% 18. BEVERLY GNAU (CA), riding HIGH HAPPENING (Hanoverian); Beverly Gnau, owner; Hochadel, sire; Waleria, dam; Johann Fuseler, breeder ...............................................................66.908% 19. AMALIA BOYLES (CA), riding WELT ERBE (Hanoverian); Donna Richardson, owner; Weltmeyer, sire; Solveig, dam; Guenter Roehrich, breeder .........................................................66.579% 20. JENNIFER SHEARER (CA), riding ARENTO (Dutch Warmblood); Jennifer Shearer, owner; Trento B, sire; Hutricia, dam; E. & T. Hooft, breeders....................................................................66.513%
Adequan/USDF Junior/Young Rider
Second Level 1. AMANDA MCAULIFFE (NJ), riding LEUNS VELD’S DUCO (German Riding Pony); Sara Schmitt, owner .....................................................................................................................71.395% 2. JESSICA FAN (TX), riding WOOHOO (Hanoverian); Jessica Fan, owner; Wonderful, sire; Diachee, dam; Nanni Baker, breeder............................................................................................70.133% 3. MORGAN-BAILEY HORAN (AL), riding AUGUST RUSH (Friesian Sporthorse); Morgan-Bailey Horan, owner; Friedrich, sire; Edgewood BJ’s Aria, dam; Douglas & Jennifer Moody, breeders.............69.390% 4. LAUREL KERNER (CA), riding SOREN (Dutch Warmblood); Laurel Kerner, owner; Kelvin, sire; Golinde, dam; A. & D. Noordhuis, breeders ..............................................................68.858% 5. CELSIANA WILLIAM (CA), riding HEART THROB (German Riding Pony); Celsiana William, owner ...............................................................................................................68.293% 6. AMANDA MCAULIFFE (NJ), riding DA KIEKSTE (German Riding Pony); Robin Gossett, owner; Do it Again, sire; Maisha, dam; Familie K.H. Bruns, breeder........................................................67.692%
Third Level 1. CHLOE TAYLOR (TX), riding CALECTO V (Danish Warmblood); John Byrialsen & Tina Konyot, owners; Come Back II, sire; Bahera, dam; Inge Toft, breeder.....................................................................70.128% 2. KRISTIN COUNTERMAN (VA), riding THREE TIMES (Dutch Warmblood); Caroline Stephens, owner; Jazz, sire; Madonnie, dam; P.J.H.M. Meeus, breeder ...................................................................69.189% 3. SHELBY ROCERETO (CA), riding CHAPEAU (Dutch Warmblood); Shelby Rocereto, owner; Santano, sire; Gera, dam; J. Vloet, breeder...................................................................................69.133% 4. BARBARA DAVIS (FL), riding ROTANO (Hanoverian); Michael Davis, owner; Rotspon, sire; Bona Dea, dam; Georg Woeste, breeder ......................................................................................68.737% 5. EMILEE TUBBS (OR), riding KALIBRE (Dutch Warmblood); Emilee Tubbs, owner; Elberton, sire; Froukje, dam; J.H. Schepers, breeder....................................................................68.334% 6. VERONICA WEST (CA), riding NOBLEMAN (Hanoverian); Veronica West, owner.........................68.198%
Fourth Level
Training Level 1. ISABELLA ZDOLSHEK (KY), riding SAMORANO (Dutch Warmblood); Isabella Zdolshek, owner.74.091% 2. KATELYN OMAS (TX), riding CAESAR (Holsteiner); Katelyn Omas, owner ...................................72.885% 3. SIENA MASSEY (WA), riding FINESSE (Dutch Warmblood); Christina Tann, owner; Sir Sinclair, sire; Lana, dam; Christine Snyder, breeder ................................................................72.404% 4. JANNIKE GRAY (CT), riding FRAU SCHUFRO (Dutch Warmblood); Anke Ott Young, owner; Don Schufro, sire; Mystique, dam; Ben & Ona Eby, breeders.......................................................72.105% 5. EMMA KEMINK (MI), riding WILLOW (Hanoverian); Emma & Paul Kemink, owners; Wolkenglanz, sire; Toskana, dam; Tanja Finck, breeder ...............................................................71.023% 6. RACHEL LUNDEEN (WA), riding CHAMP (German Riding Pony); Rachel Lundeen, owner .........70.909%
First Level 1. ISABELLA MACCHIONI (CA), riding DANATELO (Hanoverian); Isabella Macchioni, owner; Domiro, sire; Abundance, dam; Starr Vaughn Equestrian Inc., breeder ......................................72.188% 2. JESSICA FAN (TX), riding WOOHOO (Hanoverian); Jessica Fan, owner; Wonderful, sire; Diachee, dam; Nanni Baker, breeder............................................................................................71.574% 3. MORGAN-BAILEY HORAN (AL), riding AUGUST RUSH (Friesian Sporthorse); Morgan-Bailey Horan, owner; Friedrich, sire; Edgewood BJ’s Aria, dam; Douglas & Jennifer Moody, breeders.............70.809% 4. LEAH JAMES (NC), riding JOIE DE VIVRE (Belgian Riding Pony); Leah James, owner; Webster, sire; Dragons Lair Pink, dam; Jo McCracken, breeder ...................................................70.313% 5. ERIN VENSEL (PA), riding KING JULIAN (Shire Cross); Erin Vensel, owner ....................................70.156% 6. AKELA HAVERLANDT (OR), riding PACIFIC STERLING (Westfalen); Carol Hofelmann, owner .....69.445%
AMANDA McAULIFFE (NJ), riding Leuns Veld’s Duco: Adequan/USDF Second Level Junior/ Young Rider
104 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
1. ALLISON CYPRUS (TX), riding MADOC GARETH (Welsh Cob); Kristin Cyprus, owner; Sydenham Henry, sire; Okeden Mai, dam; Patricia Holmes, breeder ..........................................69.681% 2. MALLORY KENT (AL), riding OKIDOKIE (Dutch Warmblood); Mallory Kent, owner; Legaat, sire; Dorien, dam; G.W. Lovink, breeder ..........................................................................69.444% 3. JANNIKE GRAY (CT), riding TEIMIR HB (Lusitano); Jannike Gray, owner; Titon HB, sire; India II, dam; Comapi Ltda, breeder .............................................................................................68.056% 4. ABIGAIL FLEISCHLI (TX), riding LAGUNA (Hanoverian); Abigail Fleischli, owner; Lamentos, sire; Carmina, dam; Barbara Ivemeyer, breeder.........................................................66.000% 4. ALEYNA DUNN (CA), riding LAETITIA (Oldenburg); Aleyna Dunn & Noylan Pulaski, owners; Leonidas, sire; Willa, dam; Hilda Gurney & Mary Contakos, breeders .........................................66.000% 6. STEVIE GAUDREAU (MT), riding RI MAVERICK (Thoroughbred Cross); Jeanne Montelius-Gaudreau, owner; Black Ice, sire; Favorite Chance, dam; Jeanne Montelius-Gaudreau, breeder....................65.000
Prix St. Georges 1. JUAN MATUTE (FL), riding DHANNIE YMAS (Hanoverian); Cristina Danguillecourt, owner; Don Crusador, sire; Welina, dam; Hinrich Engelke Wahnebergen, breeder.................................70.290% 2. MARIA APONTE (FL), riding ROYAL ANGEL (Rhinelander); Maria Aponte, owner.......................69.934% 3. JUAN MATUTE (FL), riding QUANTICO YMAS (Hanoverian); Juan Matute, owner; Fighting Fit, sire; Dasrheen, dam; Marijk Goethals, breeder .......................................................69.605% 4. ALLISON CYPRUS (TX), riding MADOC GARETH (Welsh Cob); Kristin Cyprus, owner; Sydenham Henry, sire; Okeden Mai, dam; Patricia Holmes, breeder ..........................................69.079%
JANIS BEALE (PA), riding Day Dream GF: Adequan/USDF Second Level Vintage Cup
LEFT: FLATLANDS FOTO; RIGHT: RUTH HARPER
ADEQUAN/USDF YEAR-END AWARDS
3. P.J. RIZVI (CT), riding UNLIMITED (Dutch Warmblood); Lindsay Kellock & Peacock Ridge LLC, owners .......................................................................................................67.800% 4. ALICE TARJAN (NJ), riding ELFENFEUER (Oldenburg); Alice Tarjan, owner; Florencio, sire; Elfensonne, dam; Ewald Grotelueschen, breeder ........................................................................67.375% 5. LAUREN THORNLOW (WA), riding ROYAL KONIG (Oldenburg); Lauren Thornlow, owner; Rubin-Royal, sire; Pica Ramira, dam; Gerlinde Reinhardt, breeder.............................................66.575% 6. ADRIENNE BESSEY (CA), riding WINTERSNOW (Oldenburg); Adrienne Bessey & Hilda Gurney, owners; Winterprinz, sire; Lavinia, dam; Hilda Gurney & Mary Contakos, breeders.................................66.550% 7. AMY PATERSON (MO), riding WIES V/D KLUMPERT (Dutch Warmblood); Greenwood Sporthorses, owner; Future, sire; Sarina V.D. Klumpert, dam; J. Vloet, breeder......66.300% 7. RACHAEL HICKS (KY), riding APOLLO (Dutch Warmblood); Rachael Hicks & Virginia Frazier, owners; Gribaldi, sire; Finckenburgh, dam; J.A.G. Sturkenboom-Vernooy, breeder.................................66.300% 9. LEONA POLLACK (WA), riding ZUPERMAN (Dutch Warmblood); Leona Pollack, owner; Sir Sinclair, sire; Rosella, dam; H., J. & M. van Amptlves, breeders ..............................................66.000% 10. MARK CARTER (CA), riding BELLINO (Hanoverian); Mark Carter, owner; Belissimo M, sire; Donnacette, dam; Gerlinde Reinhardt, breeder...........................................................................65.300% 11. JANNE RUMBOUGH (FL), riding JUNIOR (Pura Raza Espanola); Janne Rumbough, owner; Gaucho III, sire; La Nina 1985, dam; Gremlan Farms, breeder.....................................................65.000% 12. GRACE GOODBY (MA), riding SCHABOS WAITONGO (Hanoverian); Grace Goodby, owner; Wittinger, sire; Nancy, dam; Heinrich Allwoerden, breeder ........................................................64.157% 13. KATHARINE PEPER (FL), riding AKELA (Russian Warmblood); Katharine Peper, owner .............63.477% 14. CANDACE PLATZ (ME), riding FYNN*/*/*/*/*/ (American Warmblood); Candace Platz, owner .....63.350% 15. VIRGINIA MOON (AL), riding PLATO CARLOS (Dutch Warmblood); Virginia Moon, owner; Peter Pan, sire; Fleuriecarla, dam; T. de Waal-Schrijvers, breeder ...............................................63.150%
Adequan/USDF Vintage Cup
Register Your Horse with USDF! The $95 USDF Lifetime Horse Registration: t Fulfills horse registration requirements for ALL USDF award and championship programs.* t Never needs to be renewed. *For information about rider/owner membership requirements for award and championship programs, visit the USDF website.
www.usdf.org USDF CONNECTION
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February 2016
105
ADEQUAN/USDF YEAR-END AWARDS
5. CATHERINE CHAMBERLAIN (CA), riding AVESTO (Dutch Warmblood); Kimberly Pribble, owner; 2. CRAIG STANLEY (CA), riding GENIUS MVS (Dutch Warmblood); Jackie Ahl-Eckhaus, owner; Gribaldi, sire; Tevesta, dam ...........................................................................................................69.005% Uphill, sire; Lumara, dam; Jackie Ahl-Eckhaus, breeder ..............................................................74.886% 6. LINDSEY HOLLEGER (GA), riding FRIEDENSFURST (Trakehner); Lindsey Holleger, owner; 3. ROBIN BRUECKMANN (NC), riding SHEQUIN (Oldenburg); Robin Brueckmann, owner; Donaufurst, sire; Feodamee von Krotenbach, dam; Erin Brinkman, breeder..............................68.619% Sir Gregory, sire; Whest Indies, dam; Maurine Swanson, breeder...............................................72.826% 4. JOANNA GRAY-RANDLE (NY), riding ROYAL TOURMALET SPF (Hanoverian); Joanna Gray-Randle, owner; Royal Prince, sire; Adira, dam; Andrew & Gina Leslie, breeders..........................................................72.500% Intermediate I 5. LISA SCHMIDT (NJ), riding QROWN PRINCE (Hanoverian); Deborah Gunset, owner; 1. AYDEN UHLIR (FL), riding SJAPOER (Dutch Warmblood); Ayden Uhlir, owner; Contango, sire; Quaterback, sire; Halleluja H.A., dam; Cheryl & Eric Johnson, breeders......................................72.387% Jenia, dam; A. Essen, breeder.......................................................................................................67.763% 2. ALEXANDRA DOMINGUEZ (FL), riding BEIJING (Dutch Warmblood); Alexandra Dominguez, owner .....................................................................................................65.711% First Level 3. ANGIE GRESS (FL), riding WS TUSCANO (Hanoverian); Angie & Donna Gress, owners; White Star, sire; Granessa, dam; Wolfgang Vatheuer, breeder ....................................................64.868% 1. BARBARA BUTMAN (MI), riding BALALAIKA (Hanoverian); Barbara Butman, owner; Breitling W, sire; Donna Faye, dam; Christian Heinrich, breeder .................................................74.780% 2. LYNN JENDROWSKI (VA), riding DIESEL VT (Hanoverian); Lynn Jendrowski, owner; Intermediate II Dante Alighieri, sire; Flambeau, dam; Haydn & Patience Wadley, breeders ...............................73.189% 1. CATHERINE CHAMBERLAIN (CA), riding VERDICCI (Dutch Warmblood); Catherine Chamberlain, 3. KERRY PROVINCE (NJ), riding DONNZI (Hanoverian); Kerry Province, owner; owner; Krack C, sire; Nadine’s Monday, dam; T.J.M. Coomans, breeder ......................................65.527% Dauphin, sire; High Society, dam; Regina Nelson, breeder .........................................................72.721% 2. ARIEL THOMAS (CA), riding HERALDIK STAR (Oldenburg); Ariel Thomas, owner........................62.237% 4. LYNN JENDROWSKI (VA), riding VALSAR (Half Andalusian); Melody Light, owner; Principe, sire; Shall We Tango, dam; Melody Light, breeder ........................................................71.618% 5. RUTH SHIRKEY (CA), riding WYLEIGH PRINCESS (Hanoverian); Ruth Shirkey, owner; Grand Prix Weltmeyer, sire; Heiress B, dam; Cheryl & Eric Johnson and Hidden Acres Farm, breeders........70.978% 1. PAULA MATUTE (FL), riding TARPAN YMAS (Dutch Warmblood); Cristina Danguillecourt, owner; Waterman, sire; Iriantha, dam; A.J.M. Raaijmakers, breeder......................................................71.000% 2. GENAY VAUGHN (CA), riding DONARWEISS GGF (Hanoverian); Starr Vaughn Equestrian Inc., owner; De Niro, sire; Highlight, dam; Rachel Ehrlich, breeder .................................................................68.599% Second Level 3. JUAN MATUTE (FL), riding DON DIEGO YMAS (Hanoverian); Juan Matute, owner; 1. LYNDON RIFE (TX), riding HS WROOSEVELT (Hungarian); Equifund Enterprises LLC - Wroosevelt Series, Don Frederico, sire; Wie Platine, dam; Claus Schuett, breeder ....................................................66.740% owner; HS Wistar, sire; Onika, dam; Christine Baumann, breeder...............................................69.268% 1. JANIS BEALE (PA), riding DAY DREAM GF (German Warmblood); Janis Beale, owner; Dream of Gold, sire; Sara, dam; Gwendolyn Gregorio, breeder ...................................................69.268% 3. GAIL REDINGER (ID), riding RF LIMELIGHT (Zweibrucker); Gail Redinger, owner........................68.718% 4. BARBARA WOLFE (NJ), riding SMILE (Oldenburg); Barbara Wolfe, owner; Sandro Hit, sire; Wolkenzeuber, dam; Lepenies Lueder, breeder...........................................................................68.574% Training Level 5. VICTORIA PATTERSON-PIRKO (OH), riding FANTASIA (Oldenburg); Linda Toll & Victoria 1. JANNE RUMBOUGH (FL), riding MY MAIDEN (Danish Warmblood); Janne Rumbough, owner; Patterson-Pirko, owners; Welstern, sire; Musique Debussy, dam; Carolyn Miller, breeder.........68.258% Blue Hors Zack, sire; Donna Xanthia, dam; Gitte Joan Jensen, breeder ......................................75.213%
1. WILLIAM WARREN (MA), riding RATZBERNA (Hanoverian); Ginny Commander, owner; Ruehmann, sire; White Lady, dam; Barbara Keller, breeder ........................................................72.728% 2. TORI POLONITZA (FL), riding SERAPHINA MRF (Hanoverian); Tori Polonitza, owner; Sinatra Song, sire; Chenya, dam; Douglas & Shannon Langer and Maple Run Farm LLC, breeders.........................71.090% 3. CATHIE FERGUS-WATSON (KY), riding LEVITATE (Friesian Sporthorse); Cathie Fergus-Watson & Jill Love, owners; Wilco B.L., sire; Isa, dam; Cathie Fergus-Watson, breeder ...........................68.118% 4. NANCY AREND (WA), riding ZIPPITY DO DAH (Dutch Warmblood); Nancy Arend, owner; Florencio, sire; Orinette Queen, dam; G. Marsman-Bonenkamp, breeder ..........................................................67.692% 5. KENNETH BORDEN (IL), riding OVATION (Oldenburg); Kenneth Borden, owner; Opus, sire; Windspiel, dam; Kenneth Borden, breeder .................................................................................67.518%
2. SHERYL ROSS (CA), riding LANCASTER (Danish Warmblood); Sheryl Ross, owner; Lobster, sire; Aleksis, dam; Gunnar Mousten, breeder.................................................................65.789% 3. LYNDON RIFE (TX), riding JAGO (Swedish Warmblood); Tamara Mcgowen, owner; Quite Easy, sire; Jeriko, dam..........................................................................................................64.474% 3. PATRICIA DEASY (FL), riding RENOIR (Orlov Rostopchin); Patricia Deasy, owner ........................64.474% 5. CHRISTY RAISBECK (TX), riding HERSLEV MARK’S MISTER B (Danish Warmblood); Gon Stevens, owner; Castro, sire; Herslev Marks Candi, dam; Bent & Bodil Sorensen, breeders ..................................64.145%
Grand Prix
1. MICHAEL POULIN (ME), riding THOR M (Dutch Warmblood); Pineland Farms, owner; Mirakel, sire; Debora, dam............................................................................................................68.100% 2. ANNA WHIT WATKINS (TX), riding CIPRIANI (Westfalen); Anna Whit Watkins, owner; Fourth Level Casparino, sire; Roxana, dam; Gerland Hermann, breeder..........................................................67.900% 1. WILLIAM WARREN (MA), riding ROHANNA (Hanoverian); Leslie Cokin, owner; Rotspon, sire; 3. TRACEY LERT (CA), riding UDO (Dutch Warmblood); Tracey Lert, owner; Kennedy, sire; Donna Lady, dam; Pam Talbot, breeder .......................................................................................71.960% Esther, dam; J.H. Dobelsteen, breeder .........................................................................................66.990% 2. TORI POLONITZA (FL), riding SERAPHINA MRF (Hanoverian); Tori Polonitza, owner; Sinatra Song, sire; 4. ANTHEA KIN (OK), riding WOLKENWAND (Hanoverian); Anthea Kin, owner; Wolkenstein II, sire; Chenya, dam; Douglas & Shannon Langer and Maple Run Farm LLC, breeders.........................70.757% Warina, dam; Bernd Meyer, breeder ............................................................................................66.050% 3. NANCY SZAKACS (CA), riding RUDI REGALI (Westfalen); Nancy Szakacs, owner; 5. BARBARA BREEN-GURLEY (CA), riding VINDICATOR (Dutch Warmblood); Barbara Breen-Gurley, owner; Riccione, sire; Rubina, dam; Antonius Buning, breeder...............................................................68.717% OO Seven, sire; Rendezvous, dam; Little Creek Farm LLC & Natalie Bryant, breeders.................65.850% 4. ANDRIA ALLEN (CO), riding DON RUBIN (Oldenburg); Andria Allen, owner; Donnerschlag, sire; Legende, dam; Sue Curry Shaffer, breeder...................................................68.716% 5. JONI ABNEY (TN), riding DENMARK (Friesian Sporthorse); Joni Abney, owner; Nico, sire; Vlarina, dam; Hidden Promise Sporthorses, breeder ..................................................67.708%
Prix St. Georges 1. CRAIG STANLEY (CA), riding CALIENTE DG (Dutch Warmblood); Brenda Linman, owner; OO Seven, sire; Satina, dam; DG Bar Ranch Inc., breeder ............................................................70.724% 2. KENNETH BORDEN (IL), riding RASHKA (Oldenburg); Kenneth Borden, owner; GP Raymeister, sire; Tashka, dam; Kenneth Borden, breeder ......................................................70.263% 3. CAROL HECKMAN (NY), riding MANCHADO (Dutch Warmblood); Carol Heckman, owner.........68.947% 4. TRACEY LERT (CA), riding ELYSIAN (Hanoverian); Tracey Lert, owner; Earl, sire; Whoopi, dam; Buss Hinrich-Johannes, breeder...................................................................................................68.618% 5. SHELLEY VAN DEN NESTE (FL), riding SMITH N WESSON SRF (Dutch Warmblood); Shelley van den Neste, owner; Sir Donnerhall, sire; Vivace, dam; Maasdk Kolkman, breeder ...67.895%
Intermediate I 1. SHELLEY VAN DEN NESTE (FL), riding UN AMI (Dutch Warmblood); Nan Troutman, owner.......69.803% 2. GWEN BLAKE (WA), riding BEYONCE (Dutch Warmblood); Gwen Blake, owner; Contango, sire; Precious Day, dam; Gwen Blake, breeder............................................................68.389% 3. KENNETH BORDEN (IL), riding RASHKA (Oldenburg); Kenneth Borden, owner; GP Raymeister, sire; Tashka, dam; Kenneth Borden, breeder ......................................................68.026% 4. SUZANNE GALSTERER (CA), riding WROXANNE (Oldenburg); Suzanne Galsterer, owner; Wonderful, sire; Lofty View, dam; Dantia Benson, breeder .........................................................67.632% 5. JANNE RUMBOUGH (FL), riding ARMAS ZUMBEL (Pura Raza Espanola); Janne Rumbough, owner; Escarzo, sire; Delicia VI, dam; Florencio Moreno Munoz, breeder................................................67.566%
Intermediate II
EDITOR’S NOTE: Photographs in the Yearbook award section not credited are courtesy of the award winners. Any corrections to the award listings must be received in writing by March 31, 2016. E-mail to: connection@usdf.org
1. JACKIE AHL-ECKHAUS (CA), riding WISDOM MVS (Dutch Warmblood); Jackie Ahl-Eckhaus, owner; Farrington, sire; Lumara, dam; Jackie Ahl-Eckhaus & Mark Eckhaus, breeders ..........................66.415%
WILLIAM WARREN (MA), riding Ratzberna: Adequan/USDF Third Level Vintage Cup
WILLIAM WARREN (MA), riding Rohanna: Adequan/USDF Fourth Level Vintage Cup
106 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
SHELLEY VAN DEN NESTE (FL), riding Un Ami: Adequan/USDF Intermediate I Level Vintage Cup
LEFT AND MIDDLE: JOANNA JODKO
ADEQUAN/USDF YEAR-END AWARDS
Third Level
Adult Amateur Opportunity
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October 8-9, 2016
Betsy Steiner USDF Honorary Instructor International Rider, Trainer and Coach World Equestrian Games Competitor
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USDF Adult Clinic Series
Region 1
Training Level Open
CH. QROWN PRINCE (Hanoverian), Deborah Gunset, owner; Lisa Schmidt (NJ), rider; Quaterback, sire; Halleluja H.A., dam...............................74.318% The 2015 Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 1 Dressage Championships were held RS. DAUNTLESS (Hanoverian), Betsy Sell & Shade Tree Farm Inc., owners; October 15-18 in Lexington, VA. Kristin Stein (OH), rider ............................................................................................73.068% Judges: Nancy Lowey, Judith Westenhoefer, Janine Malone, Sarah Geikie, Kem Barbosa, Catherine 3. SONG OF FIRE JSD (Oldenburg), Brandi Benedict (VA), owner/rider ......................71.932% Bass, Jayne Ayers, Marlene Schneider, David Schmutz, Liselotte Fore, Janet Curtis, Joanne Bouwhuis 4. BEAUJOLAIS 75 (Hanoverian), Emily Donaldson (PA), owner/rider; Bugatti Hilltop, sire; Conflora, dam..........................................................................71.818% 5. ECLIPSE ISF (Dutch Warmblood), Beth Gillespie, owner; Training Level Adult Amateur Felicitas von Neumann Cosel (MD), rider; Sir Sinclair, sire; Rabiola, dam ...............71.477% CH. EVITA (Dutch Warmblood), Lucy Tidd (MD), owner/rider .......................................70.114% RS. LADIES FIRST (Westfalen), Monika Schnacke (NC), owner/rider ............................69.091% 6. FELIS APOLLO (Dutch Warmblood), Jessica Jo Tate (MD), owner/rider; Ampere, sire; Dream Rubina, dam...........................................................................71.023% 3. ELIZA JANE (Dutch Warmblood), Mimi Lufkin (PA), owner/rider ...........................68.409% 7. DON TIAGO (Hanoverian), Rachel DeMarcus, owner; Donna Gatchell (VA), rider...70.341% 3. LEXI ANNA (Hanoverian), Eliza Slone & Daniel Temeles, owners; Eliza Slone (VA), rider; Liberty Gold, sire; Albemarle Pippin, dam ..........................68.409% 8. RAE SANGRIA (Oldenburg), Kristin Stein (OH), owner/rider; Royal Prince, sire; Ferrymore Lane, dam..................................................................70.227% 5. ASTA LINDEBJERG (Danish Warmblood), Amelia Hellman (VA), owner/rider........67.614% 6. FERRANTE CF (Oldenburg), John Schaaf (NC), owner/rider ....................................66.477% First Level Adult Amateur 7. MAI (Norwegian Fjord), Jody Morse (NC), owner/rider; CH. ASTA LINDEBJERG (Danish Warmblood), Amelia Hellman (VA), owner/rider........73.897% BDF Kanada King, sire; Ljaela, dam .........................................................................66.364% RS. FORUM’S VALDANO (Danish Warmblood), Laura Viola (PA), owner/rider ..............71.985% 8. DANTE COEUR (Oldenburg), Marne Martin-Tucker (MD), owner/rider; 3. AMERICAN TRADITION (Trakehner), Lynne Kuehner (PA), owner/rider; Dante Weltino, sire; Royal Coeur, dam .....................................................................65.568% Tradition, sire; Arctic Princess, dam..........................................................................69.485% 4. FERRANTE CF (Oldenburg), John Schaaf (NC), owner/rider ....................................69.338% Training Level Junior/Young Rider 5. MARCO POLO GS (Trakehner), Liberty Seaford (VA), owner/rider; CH. FHILA (Oldenburg), Laura Rhine (PA), owner/rider.................................................73.750% Ferrari GS, sire; Marionette GS, dam ........................................................................68.750% RS. WALLSTREETS WILL (Hanoverian), Lauren Rapp (VA), owner/rider .......................71.023% 6. ELIZA JANE (Dutch Warmblood), Mimi Lufkin (PA), owner/rider ...........................68.456% 3. OSCAR WORTHY (Thoroughbred), Mikayla Cutler (MD), owner/rider ....................69.318% 7. BACCALAUREATE BLN (Hanoverian), Barbara Nicks (SC), owner/rider; 4. ORANS GOLD FORTUNE (Half Arabian), Molly Ryan (VA), owner/rider...................68.864% Bordeaux, sire; Dove, dam .......................................................................................68.088% 5. HISAKI (Thoroughbred), Sarah Buehren (VA), owner/rider ....................................68.182% 8. PADDINGTON (Irish Sport Horse), Annie Connelly (VA), owner/rider .....................67.941% 6. DOT COM (Welsh Cross), Patricia Clucas, owner; Cadence Clucas (NJ), rider...........66.705% 7. SB HERITAGE (Arabian), Liliana Nabhan (VA), owner/rider; First Level Junior/Young Rider Maranello, sire; Abaskiss, dam.................................................................................66.477% CH. JOIE DE VIVRE (Belgian Riding Pony), Leah James (NC), owner/rider; 8. DAKOTA (Quarter Horse), Emma Teff (PA), owner/rider ..........................................65.909% Webster, sire; Dragons Lair Pink, dam .....................................................................69.412%
Julio Mendoza Loor and Roelof Van Wolfshol, Third Level Freestyle Champion; Betsy Minton, Great American Insurance Group representative; Stacy Durham, USDF representative; David Schmutz, judge
108 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Marcus Orlob and Equestricons Et Voila, Grand Prix Open Champion; Stacy Durham, USDF representative; Liselotte Fore, judge
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GREAT AMERICAN/USDF REGIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
2015 GREAT AMERICAN INSURANCE GROUP/USDF REGIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS RESULTS
First Level Open
5. 6. 7. 8.
GOOD LOOKIN’ (Belgian Warmblood Cross), Lynne & Andrea Miano, owners; Claire Hodges (DC), rider ..........................................................................................63.537% THE BLACK PEARL (Friesian Cross), Jamie Leuenberger (NJ), owner/rider .............63.354% LI’L LADY’S LEGEND (Appaloosa), Toni Culley, owner; Grace Culley (NJ), rider .......60.305% OCEANO (Lusitano), Sasha Dow, owner; Isabel Long (NC), rider; Hino, sire; Juma, dam...............................................................................................59.756%
Second Level Open CH. GUATEQUE IV (Pura Raza Espanola), Coves Darden LLC, owner; Stacey Hastings (NC), rider; Layco, sire; Yazmin, dam .............................................72.195% RS. COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO (Hanoverian), Andrea Ruting (NC), owner/rider; Curator, sire; Acella, dam..........................................................................................71.646% 3. SIR EASTWOOD (Oldenburg), Kymberly Pullen (PA), owner/rider; Sir Sinclair, sire; Pompon, dam.................................................................................69.390% 4. ZEREINUS (Dutch Warmblood), Samantha Farrow (NJ), owner/rider; Emilion, sire; Nireina, dam .......................................................................................68.476% 5. FESTIVAL HW (Rhinelander), Karen Baillie, owner; Donna Gatchell (VA), rider; Flatley, sire; Gracia, dam ..............................................68.171% 6. WICKED GAMES (New Forest Pony), Lesley Feakins, owner; Tiffany Bragdell (MD), rider; Wicked Court Jester, sire; Hoppenhof’s Silvia, dam...67.927% 7. ROSE IN PARIS (Oldenburg), Stephanie Collomb (VA), owner/rider .......................67.439% 8. COR ALTAIR (Clydesdale Cross), Ellen & Michael Lerner, owners; Domenique Carson (MD), rider ................................................................................66.402%
CH. STERNLICHT HILLTOP (Hanoverian), Hilltop Farm Inc, owner; Michael Bragdell (MD), rider; Soliman de Hus, sire; Rhapsody GGF, dam ..............76.397% RS. FURST AURUM (Oldenburg), Ronald Woodcock & Stacey Hastings, owners; Stacey Hastings (NC), rider; Furst Romancier, sire; Kapella, dam ...........................71.324% 3. FELIS APOLLO (Dutch Warmblood), Jessica Jo Tate (MD), owner/rider; Ampere, sire; Dream Rubina, dam...........................................................................71.176% 4. DANSEUR (Oldenburg), Brooke Doss (NC), owner/rider..........................................70.588% 5. WICKED GAMES (New Forest Pony), Lesley Feakins, owner; Tiffany Bragdell (MD), rider; Wicked Court Jester, sire; Hoppenhof’s Silvia, dam...70.147% 6. SONG OF FIRE JSD (Oldenburg), Brandi Benedict (VA), owner/rider ......................69.926% 7. DALTO BLH (Dutch Warmblood), Samantha Farrow (NJ), owner/rider; Vittorio, sire; Vietessa B.L.H., dam............................................................................69.853% Second Level Freestyle 8. GUATEQUE IV (Pura Raza Espanola), Coves Darden LLC, owner; CH. FESTIVAL HW (Rhinelander), Karen Baillie, owner; Stacey Hastings (NC), rider; Layco, sire; Yazmin, dam .............................................69.706% Donna Gatchell (VA), rider; Flatley, sire; Gracia, dam ..............................................73.833% RS. GUATEQUE IV (Pura Raza Espanola), Coves Darden LLC, owner; First Level Freestyle Stacey Hastings (NC), rider; Layco, sire; Yazmin, dam .............................................73.083% CH. DAUNTLESS (Hanoverian), Betsy Sell & Shade Tree Farm Inc., owners; 3. COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO (Hanoverian), Andrea Ruting (NC), owner/rider; Kristin Stein (OH), rider ............................................................................................72.233% Curator, sire; Acella, dam..........................................................................................72.000% RS. VALSAR (Half Andalusian), Melody Light, owner; 4. ROXANNE WLF (Hanoverian), Maryellen Lock, owner; Lynn Jendrowski (VA), rider; Principe, sire; Shall we Tango, dam ...........................72.000% Julio Mendoza Loor (MD), rider ...............................................................................70.250% 3. DANTE (Oldenburg), Lynn Jendrowski (VA), owner/rider; 5. RHIANNON (Oldenburg), Cariann Wlosinski (KY), owner/rider; Donarweiss GGF, sire; Wicka Alina, dam ..................................................................70.833% Rousseau, sire; Odette, dam ....................................................................................67.333% 4. COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO (Hanoverian), Andrea Ruting (NC), owner/rider; 6. ROYAL DESTINIE (Hanoverian), Amanda Paris, owner; Curator, sire; Acella, dam..........................................................................................69.933% Jeanie Vande Guchte (NC), rider; Rotspon, sire; Destinie, dam ...............................67.000% 5. SILHOUETTE (Oldenburg), Michelle Morehead (KY), owner/rider; 7. FMR ECLIPSE (Andalusian), Gwyneth Bohara (PA), owner/rider; Staccato*, sire; Lafonsa, dam...................................................................................69.833% Excalibur A, sire; Bravita Del Bravio, dam ................................................................66.083% 6. AMADEUS (Swedish Warmblood), Malena Brisbois (VA), owner/rider; 8. ZODIACO DOS PINHAIS (Lusitano), Katherine Abrams (VA), owner/rider; Amiral, sire; Rock Starlet, dam .................................................................................69.333% Paladium JHF, sire; Quieta Dos Filhos Vent, dam .....................................................65.583% 7. FURST AURUM (Oldenburg), Ronald Woodcock & Stacey Hastings, owners; Stacey Hastings (NC), rider; Furst Romancier, sire; Kapella, dam ...........................68.833% Third Level Adult Amateur 8. RAE SANGRIA (Oldenburg), Kristin Stein (OH), owner/rider; CH. ZORAN (Dutch Warmblood), Bonnie Stedt, owner; Devon Seery (PA), rider ..........72.308% Royal Prince, sire; Ferrymore Lane, dam..................................................................68.667% RS. ZIDANE (Dutch Warmblood), Becky Shealy (SC), owner/rider ................................69.808% 3.
Second Level Adult Amateur CH. EMALINA (Dutch Warmblood), Stephanie McNutt (MD), owner/rider; Alex, sire; Fisher’s Asina, dam ..................................................................................74.573% RS. E. FELIX (Dutch Warmblood), Kristen Ortt (MD), owner/rider; Ferro, sire; Bissextile, dam........................................................................................70.976% 3. SMILE (Oldenburg), Barbara Wolfe (NJ), owner/rider; Sandro Hit, sire; Wolkenzeuber, dam .......................................................................70.854% 4. FORUM’S VALDANO (Danish Warmblood), Laura Viola (PA), owner/rider ..............67.744% 5. AMERICAN TRADITION (Trakehner), Lynne Kuehner (PA), owner/rider; Tradition, sire; Arctic Princess, dam..........................................................................67.439% 6. RHIANNON (Oldenburg), Cariann Wlosinski (KY), owner/rider; Rousseau, sire; Odette, dam ....................................................................................65.732% 7. FURST RUBIN (Oldenburg), Sarah Nather (MD), owner/rider .................................65.305% 8. CASEY (Dutch Warmblood), Cathy Scholten (VA), owner/rider; UB 40, sire; Vinciennes, dam ....................................................................................64.512%
4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
RHIANNON (Oldenburg), Cariann Wlosinski (KY), owner/rider; Rousseau, sire; Odette, dam ....................................................................................68.723% SADIRA TWF (Oldenburg), Amy Hedden (VA), owner/rider; Starlight, sire; Revlon, dam......................................................................................68.333% PLAYBOY (Dutch Warmblood), Natalie Hopper (NJ), owner/rider; Jetset-D, sire; Kalusja, dam ......................................................................................67.756% DRIFTERS WAY (Dutch Warmblood), Lee Reilly (NJ), owner/rider; Sir Sinclair, sire; Picadillo, dam .................................................................................66.795% BERTHA NYGAARDSTOFT (Danish Warmblood), Mimi Lufkin (PA), owner/rider....66.731% DAVIDA (Hessen), Rachel Surkin (VA), owner/rider; Dardanos N, sire; Adria, dam ................................................................................................................66.282%
Third Level Junior/Young Rider
CH. IZEFFIA (Dutch Warmblood), Dawn Weniger, owner; Anna Weniger (NC), rider; Zwart, sire; Saffier, dam ................................................64.872% RS. ROMEO DSG (Danish Warmblood), Meredith Talley (KY), owner/rider; Blue Hors Don Romantic, sire; Aida, dam ................................................................64.103% Second Level Junior/Young Rider 3. FLACON (Danish Warmblood), Anecia Delduco, owner; CH. FREEWILL (Oldenburg), Kayla Kadlubek (VA), owner/rider ....................................67.622% Melanie Delduco (PA), rider .....................................................................................61.090% RS. DELACORDE (Hanoverian), Hayley Uffelman (VA), owner/rider .............................65.488% 4. GILAD VAN ROSITA (Friesian), Meredith Talley (KY), owner/rider; 3. WONDERFUL REMARK (American Warmblood), Pyt 325, sire; Rosita fan Stallotte, dam....................................................................60.962% Jamie Leuenberger (NJ), owner/rider .....................................................................65.244% 5. SURPRISING FIND (Paint), Karrigan Norris (NC), owner/rider .................................58.846% 4. SURPRISING FIND (Paint), Karrigan Norris (NC), owner/rider .................................64.146% 6. FREEWILL (Oldenburg), Kayla Kadlubek (VA), owner/rider ....................................56.090%
USDF CONNECTION
•
February 2016
109
GREAT AMERICAN/USDF REGIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
RS. WONDERFUL REMARK (American Warmblood), Jamie Leuenberger (NJ), owner/rider .....................................................................67.500% 3. GOOD LOOKIN’ (Belgian Warmblood Cross), Lynne & Andrea Miano, owners; Claire Hodges (DC), rider ..........................................................................................66.765% 4. KING JULIAN (Shire Cross), Erin Vensel (PA), owner/rider .......................................66.765% 5. ON THE FLIP SIDE (Percheron Cross), Natalie Fisher, owner; Hunter Hegler (NC), rider .........................................................................................64.926% 6. BOOKER (Thoroughbred), Sarah Consalo (NJ), owner/rider ...................................63.235% 7. THE BLACK PEARL (Friesian Cross), Jamie Leuenberger (NJ), owner/rider .............63.088% 8. SAGO SONG (Oldenburg), Chloe Meyerhoff (MD), owner/rider; Sinatra Song, sire; Rustique, dam ............................................................................62.647%
GREAT AMERICAN/USDF REGIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Third Level Open
Fourth Level Freestyle
CH. ROELOF VAN WOLFSHOL (Friesian), Kristine Erickson, owner; Julio Mendoza Loor (MD), rider; Tsjerk 328, sire; Cora Van T Grup JE, dam .............70.641% RS. HOT DATE (Hanoverian), Kymberly Pullen (PA), owner/rider; Hotline, sire; Finalee, dam........................................................................................69.615% 3. LABATUGA M (Zweibrucker), Alexadra Meeter, owner; Shannon Stevens (NJ), rider.....................................................................................69.359% 4. MARMARA (Oldenburg), Nancy Holowesko, owner; Dorie Addy-Crow (MD), rider....68.846% 5. SOLEMIA (Hanoverian), Stephanie Collomb (VA), owner/rider ..............................68.397% 6. FESTIVAL HW (Rhinelander), Karen Baillie, owner; Donna Gatchell (VA), rider; Flatley, sire; Gracia, dam ..........................................................................................68.397% 7. BELLATAE (Hanoverian), Tiffany Bragdell (MD), owner/rider; Bugatti Hilltop, sire; Gallatae, dam ..........................................................................68.333% 8. AUDI (Dutch Warmblood), Emily Donaldson (PA), owner/rider; Sir Sinclair, sire; Priceless, dam.................................................................................68.269%
CH. DELIZA (Oldenburg), Victoria Carson, owner; Domenique Carson (MD), rider; De Laurentis, sire; Dutch Treatt, dam .......................................................................70.917% RS. TALISMAN BHF (Andalusian), Torrey Wilkinson (VA), owner/rider; Temerario VII, sire; Dance on Aire, dam ...................................................................69.750% 3. LHINCOLN (Hanoverian), Cody Armstrong (VA), owner/rider; Londonberry, sire; Whest Indies, dam .....................................................................69.417% 4. LUNA POPP (Oldenburg), Anne Chapin (VA), owner/rider......................................68.000% 5. WILLIE B IRISH (Hanoverian), Robin Birk (PA), owner/rider; Wallstreet Kid, sire; Irish Cent, dam .........................................................................67.667% 6. ZIDANE (Dutch Warmblood), Becky Shealy (SC), owner/rider ................................66.000% 7. CAPTAIN MORGAN (Dutch Warmblood), Anecia Delduco (PA), owner/rider; Rampal, sire; Karen’s Dancer, dam ...........................................................................61.333% 8. ALIEA (Oldenburg), Sonya & John Hunt, owners; Sonya Hunt (VA), rider; Art Deco, sire; Chloe, dam ..................................................60.500%
Third Level Freestyle
Junior Team
CH. ROELOF VAN WOLFSHOL (Friesian), Kristine Erickson, owner; Julio Mendoza Loor (MD), rider; Tsjerk 328, sire; Cora Van T Grup JE, dam .............72.333% RS. SADIRA TWF (Oldenburg), Amy Hedden (VA), owner/rider; Starlight, sire; Revlon, dam......................................................................................70.250% 3. TRIJNTJE V.D. BOKKEFARM (Friesian), Karen, Marc & Melissa Guerra & Blue Honey Friesians, owners; Stacey Hastings (NC), rider; Beart 411, sire; Corrie V/D Bokkefarm, dam ............................................................68.917% 4. RHIANNON (Oldenburg), Cariann Wlosinski (KY), owner/rider; Rousseau, sire; Odette, dam ....................................................................................68.433% 5. PETACCHI (Trakehner), Anne Aloi (NC), owner/rider; Blue Hors Armano, sire; Piccoline, dam ...................................................................68.417% 6. FLACON (Danish Warmblood), Anecia Delduco, owner; Melanie Delduco (PA), rider .....................................................................................67.783% 7. IZEFFIA (Dutch Warmblood), Dawn Weniger, owner; Anna Weniger (NC), rider; Zwart, sire; Saffier, dam ................................................67.500% 8. ZODIACO DOS PINHAIS (Lusitano), Katherine Abrams (VA), owner/rider; Paladium JHF, sire; Quieta Dos Filhos Vent, dam .....................................................65.900%
Fourth Level Adult Amateur CH. ZIDANE (Dutch Warmblood), Becky Shealy (SC), owner/rider ................................66.393% RS. SADIRA TWF (Oldenburg), Amy Hedden (VA), owner/rider; Starlight, sire; Revlon, dam......................................................................................66.000% 3. LUNA POPP (Oldenburg), Anne Chapin (VA), owner/rider......................................65.222% 4. DEXTER S (Hanoverian), Valerie Russell (NC), owner/rider; Dauphin, sire; Angel, dam........................................................................................64.267% 5. DEVOTION (Oldenburg), Amy Schaaf (NC), owner/rider; Donates, sire; Donation, dam...................................................................................63.944% 6. DOUBLE XL++++// (Half Arabian), Caitlin Zech (OH), owner/rider; AE Excel, sire; Molly, dam .........................................................................................63.889% 7. REMUS (Dutch Warmblood), Julie Cook (KY), owner/rider; Argus, sire; Jade STV, dam........................................................................................63.778% 8. FLORINA (Westfalen), Bonnie Halka (NJ), owner/rider...........................................61.889%
CH. IZEFFIA (Dutch Warmblood), Dawn Weniger, owner; Anna Weniger (NC), rider; Zwart, sire; Saffier, dam ................................................65.676%
Young Rider Team CH. DIAMANT SKY (Westfalen), Molly Paris (NC), owner/rider; Dancing Dynamite, sire; Tax Westphalica, dam.......................................................67.039%
Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur CH. ZODIAK (Dutch Warmblood), Barbara Wolfe (NJ), owner/rider; Goodtimes, sire; Gondalie, dam...............................................................................66.382% RS. TALISMAN BHF (Andalusian), Torrey Wilkinson (VA), owner/rider; Temerario VII, sire; Dance on Aire, dam ...................................................................65.855% 3. VERDI DO RETIRO (Lusitano), Barbara Bonk (DE), owner/rider; Poderoso do Retiro, sire; Opera Do Retiro, dam .......................................................64.737% 4. REMUS (Dutch Warmblood), Julie Cook (KY), owner/rider; Argus, sire; Jade STV, dam........................................................................................64.211% 5. DOUBLE XL++++// (Half Arabian), Caitlin Zech (OH), owner/rider; AE Excel, sire; Molly, dam .........................................................................................63.553% 6. ELFEN STRING OF PEARLS (Trakehner), Amelia Lyon (MD), owner/rider; Peron, sire; Elfentraum, dam ...................................................................................63.355% 7. FURST FERRO (Oldenburg), Pam Liddell (PA), owner/rider.....................................63.224% 8. DEXTER S (Hanoverian), Valerie Russell (NC), owner/rider; Dauphin, sire; Angel, dam........................................................................................62.237%
Prix St. Georges Junior/Young Rider CH. WHISPERING DIAMOND (Polish Warmblood), Jennifer Foulon (MD), owner/rider ....65.592% RS. BIG BEAR’S ROYAL FINNEGAN (Connemara), Dawn Weniger, owner; Anna Weniger (NC), rider; Big Bear’s Blue Royal, sire; Big Bear’s Lily, dam.............59.868%
Prix St. Georges Open
CH. SUMMERSBY (Hanoverian), Jessica Jo Tate (MD), owner/rider; Sir Donnerhall, sire; Roxane, dam............................................................................75.197% RS. BOXSTER A (Hanoverian), Iris Aberbach, owner; Fourth Level Junior/Young Rider Michael Bragdell (MD), rider; Bugatti Hilltop, sire; Winsome A, dam.....................74.211% CH. CASAC (Swedish Warmblood), Linda Speer, owner; Zoe Witte (MD), rider; Sack 907, sire; Carassa, dam ................................................65.056% 3. SHAKESPEARE RSF (Hanoverian), Maurine Swanson, owner; Marcus Orlob (NJ), rider; Sandro Hit, sire; Acapella, dam........................................73.618% Fourth Level Open 4. STRATOCASTER (Oldenburg), Judith Sprieser, owner; CH. KYNYNMONT GUNSMOKE’S GIDEON (Connemara), Pam Liddell, owner; Lauren Sprieser (VA), rider; Sir Donnerhall, sire; Alabama, dam ............................72.763% Jessica Jo Tate (MD), rider; Gun Smoke, sire; Kynynmont Tara, dam.......................69.667% 5. QREDIT HILLTOP (Oldenburg), Hilltop Farm Inc, owner; RS. DUE PROCESS (Dutch Warmblood), Jeanne Belcher, owner; Michael Bragdell (MD), rider; Quaterback, sire; Dream Rubina, dam.....................72.171% Julio Mendoza Loor (MD), rider ...............................................................................67.074% 6. REINDER FAN WIFO (Friesian), Gwendolyn Schmidt, owner; Julio Mendoza Loor (MD), rider; 3. LHINCOLN (Hanoverian), Cody Armstrong (VA), owner/rider; Beintse 418, sire; Tialda Fan’E Boppelannen, dam..................................................70.395% Londonberry, sire; Whest Indies, dam .....................................................................66.593% 7. POLICE (Pura Raza Espanola), Coves Darden LLC, owner; 4. LA BELLADONNA (Oldenburg), Nancy Holowesko, owner; Stacey Hastings (NC), rider; Delegado Mac, sire; Negrera IV, dam..........................70.263% Dorie Addy-Crow (MD), rider; Hofrat, sire; La Donnarina, dam ..............................66.593% 8. RAMIRO (Danish Warmblood), Jennifer Baumert (NC), owner/rider .....................70.132% 5. FEUERBACH (Westfalen), Kaja Brix, owner; Michael Bragdell (MD), rider; Florestan I, sire; Wolke Sieben, dam ........................................................................66.333% Intermediate I Adult Amateur CH. ELFEN STRING OF PEARLS (Trakehner), Amelia Lyon (MD), owner/rider; 6. HOT MAMA (Hanoverian), Brandi Benedict (VA), owner/rider; Peron, sire; Elfentraum, dam ...................................................................................68.684% Hotline, sire; Ladybug, dam .....................................................................................65.963% RS. CLAUDIA (Oldenburg), Katherine Ratliff (NC), owner/rider ....................................67.434% 7. HOT DATE (Hanoverian), Kymberly Pullen (PA), owner/rider; Hotline, sire; Finalee, dam........................................................................................65.630% 3. ZODIAK (Dutch Warmblood), Barbara Wolfe (NJ), owner/rider; Goodtimes, sire; Gondalie, dam...............................................................................62.171% 8. HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS (Hanoverian), Forrest Hall (NC), owner/rider.......................63.444%
110 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
CH. VALENTINO (Dutch Warmblood), Kaitlyn Lingard (NC), owner/rider; Kennedy, sire; Funera, dam......................................................................................66.382%
Intermediate I Open CH. BOXSTER A (Hanoverian), Iris Aberbach, owner; Michael Bragdell (MD), rider; Bugatti Hilltop, sire; Winsome A, dam.....................................................................71.842% RS. RAMIRO (Danish Warmblood), Jennifer Baumert (NC), owner/rider .....................70.044% 3. CHARDONNAY (Oldenburg), Sheila O’Keefe & Julio Mendoza Loor, owners; Julio Mendoza Loor (MD), rider; Comic Hilltop FRH, sire; Kitty Colleen, dam .........69.035% 4. STRATOCASTER (Oldenburg), Judith Sprieser, owner; Lauren Sprieser (VA), rider; Sir Donnerhall, sire; Alabama, dam ............................68.026% 5. SHAKESPEARE RSF (Hanoverian), Maurine Swanson, owner; Marcus Orlob (NJ), rider; Sandro Hit, sire; Acapella, dam........................................67.588% 6. VONG’S DENVER (Danish Warmblood), John Stremple, owner; Pia Helsted (PA), rider; Don Bedo I, sire; Orevadbros Curie, dam ............................67.061% 7. SANFORD (Hanoverian), Jaralyn Finn (MD), owner/rider; Stedinger, sire; Daalny, dam ....................................................................................65.921% 8. APOLLINAIRE (Oldenburg), Leslie Bean Bates (NC), owner/rider ...........................65.746%
Intermediate I Freestyle CH. SHAKESPEARE RSF (Hanoverian), Maurine Swanson, owner; Marcus Orlob (NJ), rider; Sandro Hit, sire; Acapella, dam........................................73.750% RS. CHARDONNAY (Oldenburg), Sheila O’Keefe & Julio Mendoza Loor, owners; Julio Mendoza Loor (MD), rider; Comic Hilltop FRH, sire; Kitty Colleen, dam .........69.000% 3. RAMIRO (Danish Warmblood), Jennifer Baumert (NC), owner/rider .....................68.125% 4. POLICE (Pura Raza Espanola), Coves Darden LLC, owner; Stacey Hastings (NC), rider; Delegado Mac, sire; Negrera IV, dam..........................67.813% 5. DONAFERDI (Hanoverian), Linda Jurata, owner; Meghan Michaels (MD), rider; Donatelli, sire; Coco Chanel, dam.............................................................................64.875% 6. GRAFFINI GRACE (Hanoverian), Cindy Sydnor, owner; Eliza Sydnor Romm (NC), rider; Graf Genius, sire; Extra Ordinary, dam ..................64.500% 7. WIECOR VA (Hanoverian), March Enders, owner; Katie Haugh (VA), rider; Wie Weltmeyer, sire; Wanda Nevada, dam..............................................................63.063% 8. FESTINA (Hanoverian), Michelle Burch (VA), owner/rider; Fabriano, sire; Gina, dam..........................................................................................62.188%
Intermediate II Adult Amateur CH. LUMINENCE (Trakehner), Wendy Bebie, (VA), owner/rider; Leonidas, sire; Willa, dam.........................................................................................62.697% RS. ROYAL COEUR (Oldenburg), Marne Martin-Tucker (MD), owner/rider; Royal Hit, sire; Riva, dam..........................................................................................61.711% 3. WILLOW BAE (Hanoverian), Susan Harrington (VA), owner/rider; Wallstreet Kid, sire; Davignette, dam ......................................................................59.803%
Intermediate II Open CH. WITNESS HILLTOP (Dutch Warmblood), Hilltop Farm Inc, owner; Michael Bragdell (MD), rider; Hamlet, sire; Francis, dam........................................68.092% RS. GA DEVA (Dutch Warmblood), Melanie Montagano, (NJ), owner/rider.................66.645% 3. DON DERRICK (Dutch Riding Horse), Dawn Weniger (NC), owner/rider; Don Ruto, sire; Gambrina, dam................................................................................63.421% 3. ELFENPERFEKT (Trakehner), Alice Drayer, owner; Abraham Pugh (PA), rider; Peron, sire; Elfentraum, dam........................................63.421% 5. CORONADO (Oldenburg), Christine Betz (MD), owner/rider; Cor Noir, sire; Carbon Copy, dam ..............................................................................60.789% 6. LOUIS IV (Oldenburg), Andrea Ruting (NC), owner/rider ........................................55.461%
3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
ELLEGRIA (Westfalen), Lauren Sprieser (VA), owner/rider; Ehrentanz I, sire; Patrizia, dam.................................................................................64.600% CATUS (Bavarian), Christine Betz (MD), owner/rider ..............................................61.933% KILLIAN (Dutch Warmblood), Frank Burns (PA), owner/rider .................................61.933% ELFENPERFEKT (Trakehner), Alice Drayer, owner; Abraham Pugh (PA), rider; Peron, sire; Elfentraum, dam........................................61.403% DREAM OF DANCE (Oldenburg), Kimberly Patterson (OH), owner/rider ................60.933% AMICELLI (Holsteiner), Barbara Strawson & Jennifer Foulon, owners; Barbara Strawson (MD), rider; Amigo, sire; Thea, dam ...........................................60.733%
Grand Prix Freestyle CH. TONICO DO TOP (Lusitano), Linda Denniston, owner; Felicitas von Neumann Cosel (MD), rider; Emetico, sire; Jandaya Do Top, dam ......71.625% RS. ELLEGRIA (Westfalen), Lauren Sprieser (VA), owner/rider; Ehrentanz I, sire; Patrizia, dam.................................................................................70.375% 3. D’ ARTAGNAN (Hanoverian), Lynn Leath (NC), owner/rider; Del Piero, sire; Pia, dam ............................................................................................67.063% 3. CATUS (Bavarian), Christine Betz (MD), owner/rider ..............................................67.063% 5. WILDFEUER (Bavarian), Alexa Briscoe (MD), owner/rider; Welt As, sire; Investa, dam .......................................................................................64.250% 6. AMICELLI (Holsteiner), Barbara Strawson & Jennifer Foulon, owners; Barbara Strawson (MD), rider; Amigo, sire; Thea, dam ...........................................63.000% 7. GENTLEMAN (Hanoverian), Kristin Herzing (PA), owner/rider; Grusus, sire; Rumpelstilzchen, dam.........................................................................60.438%
Region 2 The 2015 Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 2 Dressage Championships were held September 17-20 in Grass Lake, MI. Judges: Marie Johnson, Sandy Osborn, Kem Barbosa, Debbie Rodriguez, Axel Steiner, Marlene Schneider, Shirley Rector, David Schmutz
Training Level Adult Amateur CH. GOTHAM (American Warmblood), Sara Stone (IL), owner/rider; Gabriel, sire; Mystic, dam .........................................................................................73.295% RS. FRF BACKTALK (Morgan), Marissa Klimkiewicz (MI), owner/rider .........................70.114% 3. BRIGANDELL (Dutch Warmblood Cross), Erin Hill (OH), owner/rider ......................69.318% 4. LUEKA (Friesian), Kara Mastern (OH), owner/rider; Wander, sire; Monique, dam..69.318% 5. RIO RELONCAVI (Oldenburg), Robin Mershon (OH), owner/rider; Rapture R, sire; Clio, dam .........................................................................................68.750% 6. DOUBLE DUTCH (Dutch Warmblood), Cathleen Hanck (IL), owner/rider ...............68.750% 7. MANE SQUEEZE (Holsteiner), Dana Shapiro (OH), owner/rider ..............................68.750% 8. STONE OF FIRE (Arabian), Phyllis Walsh (MI), owner/rider; Sunstone Bey, sire; SS Black Sapphire, dam ............................................................68.295%
Training Level Junior/Young Rider
CH. WILLOW (Hanoverian), Emma & Paul Kemink, owners; Emma Kemink (MI), rider; Wolkenglanz, sire; Toskana, dam..................................72.727% RS. RAVELLO (Oldenburg), Jennifer Haworth, owner; Abby Haworth (MI), rider; Royal Prince, sire; Gala Galatea, dam............................71.591% 3. WESTON (Hanoverian), Amy Walker-Basak, owner; Lauren Jerie (IL), rider...........69.659% 4. REMEMBRANCE FV (Oldenburg), Julie Steggerda, owner; Nikki Steggerda (MI), rider.......................................................................................69.659% 5. SAMORANO (Dutch Warmblood), Isabella Zdolshek (KY), owner/rider .................68.977% 6. RED SKY AT MORNING (Thoroughbred), Heather Geurink (MI), owner/rider; Future Storm, sire; Annuschka, dam........................................................................67.273% Grand Prix Adult Amateur 7. SOLANA (Hanoverian), Daphne Nimmons-Marvin, owner; CH. RAZZMATAZZ (Oldenburg), Tina Cook (NC), owner/rider; Saxon Marvin (KY), rider ..........................................................................................67.273% Rolling Stone, sire; Elan Vital, dam ..........................................................................60.600% RS. BLUE AND WHITE RAVEN (Morgan), Jennifer Drescher (MD), owner/rider ............59.600% 8. GRANDIFLORA (Thoroughbred), Andrea Pratt (MI), owner/rider ...........................66.364% 3. GENTLEMAN (Hanoverian), Kristin Herzing (PA), owner/rider; Grusus, sire; Rumpelstilzchen, dam.........................................................................58.200% Training Level Open CH. DINAMICO (Lusitano), Nancy Gerrard, owner; Amanda Johnson (WI), rider; 4. WILDFEUER (Bavarian), Alexa Briscoe (MD), owner/rider; Portugal, sire; Dinamica Itapua, dam ......................................................................74.205% Welt As, sire; Investa, dam .......................................................................................55.900% RS. FLAME ROBIN (Hanoverian), Carmine McConnell, owner; Grand Prix Open Patrick Tompkins (OH), rider.....................................................................................73.409% CH. EQUESTRICONS ET VOILA (Hanoverian), Et Adventure LLC, owner; 3. PAOLUCIUS (Hanoverian), Nicole Trapp (WI), owner/rider; Marcus Orlob (NJ), rider; Earl, sire; Manjane, dam ..................................................67.533% Pablo, sire; Ghizelle, dam .........................................................................................73.409% RS. WITNESS HILLTOP (Dutch Warmblood), Hilltop Farm Inc, owner; 4. SAVVY (Westfalen), Jessica Baumler (WI), owner/rider; Michael Bragdell (MD), rider; Hamlet, sire; Francis, dam........................................66.533% Serano Gold, sire; Florianne, dam ............................................................................72.386%
USDF CONNECTION
•
February 2016
111
GREAT AMERICAN/USDF REGIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Intermediate I Junior/Young Rider
6. 7. 8.
CASTLEBERRYS ROCKET MAN (Welsh Cross), Susan Kolstad (KY), owner/rider; Castleberrys Ffame, sire; Regal, dam.......................................................................71.591% CF DOUBLE DARE (Zweibrucker), Zoe Roy (MI), owner/rider; Don De Marco, sire; Double Freeze, dam .................................................................71.136% FLEUR DE LIS APT (Hanoverian), Patrick Tompkins (OH), owner/rider....................70.795% APPARITION (Zweibrucker), Stonegate Equestrian Center LLC, owner; Katie Foster (MI), rider; Beaujolais, sire; Whimsycle, dam ......................................70.455%
First Level Adult Amateur CH. BORDEAUX (Oldenburg), Heather Soones-Booher (PA), owner/rider ....................68.088% RS. I’M FULL OF STUFF (Belgian Warmblood), Jennifer Strauss (WI), owner/rider; Pascal D’ Pau, sire; Plush Stuff, dam .........................................................................66.912% 3. MARILYN MONROE (Lusitano), Meghan Matson & Autumn Kennedy, owners; Meghan Matson (MI), rider......................................................................................66.250% 4. FLORENZO (Westfalen), Jeanne Brose (MN), owner/rider ......................................66.103% 5. DANTZIG (Dutch Warmblood), Veronica Odell (MI), owner/rider; L’Andiamo, sire; J. Rambiance, dam.........................................................................65.809% 6. RIO RELONCAVI (Oldenburg), Robin Mershon (OH), owner/rider; Rapture R, sire; Clio, dam .........................................................................................65.735% 7. FARADAY (Oldenburg), Kathryn Rizzoni (OH), owner/rider; Fernet Branka, sire; Kaumajet, dam ........................................................................65.368% 8. TOP HAT CONCIERGE (Saddlebred Cross), Mike Hart & Tracy Oberst, owners; Tracy Oberst (MI), rider.............................................................................................65.221%
First Level Junior/Young Rider CH. WILLOW (Hanoverian), Emma & Paul Kemink, owners; Emma Kemink (MI), rider; Wolkenglanz, sire; Toskana, dam..................................71.471% RS. SYNOD WROUGHT IRON RINGLET (Welsh Cob), Martha Stover & Isabel Thompson, owners; Isabel Thompson (MI), rider......................................69.485% 3. REMEMBRANCE FV (Oldenburg), Julie Steggerda, owner; Nikki Steggerda (MI), rider.......................................................................................68.676% 4. TALISMAN ONE (Selle Francais), Dana Zdolshek (KY), owner/rider ........................67.941% 5. SOLANA (Hanoverian), Daphne Nimmons-Marvin, owner; Saxon Marvin (KY), rider ..........................................................................................67.941% 6. UNDER THE INFLUENCE II (Thoroughbred), Erika Petersen, owner; Kaylee Christensen (MI), rider..................................................................................67.059% 7. DONNERSTOLZ (Hanoverian), Juliyana Straley (MI), owner/rider; Donnerkeil, sire; Gabrielle B, dam............................................................................66.912% 8. SAMORANO (Dutch Warmblood), Isabella Zdolshek (KY), owner/rider .................66.324%
First Level Open CH. U ROCK (Swedish Warmblood), Amanda Johnson (WI), owner/rider; UB 40, sire; Piedra, dam ...........................................................................................69.779%
Amanda Johnson and U Rock, Second Level Open Champion; Sandy Osborn, judge; Brynne Boian; USDF representative; Kevin Bradbury, manager
112 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
RS. RUMOR HAS IT (Zweibrucker), Lynn Klus, owner; Betsy Van Dyke (IN), rider; Dunkelbraun, sire; Douviller, dam ...........................................................................66.838% 3. STERLING (Westfalen), Jessie Myers (MI), owner/rider ..........................................66.691% 4. PAOLUCIUS (Hanoverian), Nicole Trapp (WI), owner/rider; Pablo, sire; Ghizelle, dam .........................................................................................66.691% 5. ELI STONE (Dutch Warmblood), Julie Van Zee (MI), owner/rider ............................66.176% 6. CASINO (Dutch Warmblood), Stephanie Brazus, owner; Betsy Van Dyke (IN), rider; Hotline, sire; Florencia, dam .........................................66.103% 7. XANDER VAN DE TIPPE (Friesian), Cheryl Loeffler, owner; Janelle Deisig (MI), rider; Rypke, sire; Gerckjen, dam..............................................66.029% 8. LILYANA MLW (Hanoverian), Jeffrey Taylor (OH), owner/rider; Londonderry, sire; Rubizza, dam .............................................................................65.882%
First Level Freestyle CH. WINTERCYNPHONY (Hanoverian), Cynthia Caba, owner; Amy Walker-Basak (IL), rider ...................................................................................70.000% RS. SVEN (Norwegian Fjord), Laurie Moore, owner; Whitney Petersen-McIntosh (MI), rider; Glacier View’s Samson, sire; Ranka, dam.................................................................69.333% 3. FARADAY (Oldenburg), Kathryn Rizzoni (OH), owner/rider; Fernet Branka, sire; Kaumajet, dam ........................................................................68.917% 4. HESA DANDY JULE (Quarter Horse), Patricia Bures (IL), owner/rider; Sir Jules Mac, sire; Quincy Superstar, dam...............................................................68.667% 5. FRF BACKTALK (Morgan), Marissa Klimkiewicz (MI), owner/rider .........................67.083% 6. REMEMBRANCE FV (Oldenburg), Julie Steggerda, owner; Nikki Steggerda (MI), rider.......................................................................................66.667% 7. BRINA (Percheron Cross), Stephanie Baranko (IN), owner/rider; Brentwood, sire; Annabelle’s Midnight, dam ..........................................................64.750% 8. RVF G FORCE+ (Arabian), Nancy Lapier, owner; Kimberly Robbins (MI), rider; Sensation Al Z, sire; GG Biarritz, dam.......................................................................63.417%
Second Level Adult Amateur CH. I’M FULL OF STUFF (Belgian Warmblood), Jennifer Strauss (WI), owner/rider; Pascal D’ Pau, sire; Plush Stuff, dam .........................................................................69.390% RS. FLEUR ROYALE (Hanoverian), Linda Egeland (MI), owner/rider .............................66.159% 3. WENDAL (Hanoverian), Linda Deputat (MI), owner/rider ......................................65.976% 4. ANAKIN (Oldenburg), Kaye-Eileen Willard, owner; Bethany Seeboth (WI), rider .......65.488% 5. HALSTON (Anglo Arabian), Jean Hagen, owner; Crystal Hagen (MI), rider; Shatter Proof, sire; First Kat, dam.............................................................................65.305% 6. GAUCHADA (Andalusian), Meaghan Spann (OH), owner/rider; Gaucho III, sire; Tortosa, dam ...................................................................................65.061% 7. IDS FAN ‘E HOMMEMA STATE (Friesian), Carlos Macias, owner; Teegan Petit (IL), rider..............................................................................................64.817% 8. APOLLO STAR (Trakehner), Liz Messaglia (IN), owner/rider; Abdullah *Pg*E*, sire; Angelina Vom Castell, dam.................................................64.695%
Judy Kelly and Leonardo, Grand Prix Open Champion; Kevin Bradbury, manager; Sandy Osborn, judge; Brynne Boian, USDF representative
3RDSHUTTER.COM
GREAT AMERICAN/USDF REGIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
5.
Third Level Open
CH. RS. 3. 4.
CH. DON TARPANIA (Dutch Warmblood), Joanne White (OH), owner/rider..................70.641% RS. BELLA NOTTE (Hanoverian), Carrie Wilson (MI), owner/rider; Bugatti Hilltop, sire; Tenacity, dam ..........................................................................68.141% 3. NATASHA B (Friesian), Elisabeth Ritz, owner; Katherine Poulin (OH), rider; Fabe 348, sire; Jantsje K, dam ..................................................................................67.949% 4. LYRIC PT (Holsteiner), Christine Miller, owner; Laurie Moore (MI), rider; Legado De Fuego, sire; Shenandoah PT, dam..........................................................67.244% 5. DAISY VAN WITTENSTEIN P (Dutch Warmblood), Phoebe Crane, owner; Betsy Van Dyke (IN), rider; Johnson, sire; Ziggy van Wittenstein A, dam ...............66.987% 6. PROPHET (Danish Warmblood), Dana Hongisto (WI), owner/rider; Rambo, sire; Edelkarina, dam ..................................................................................66.282% 7. DIEGO M (Swiss Warmblood Cross), Angela Hambrick, owner; Therese Evans (OH), rider .........................................................................................65.705% 8. MARK FAN’E GOAIJENGEAMIEDEN (Friesian), Charlotte Bayley-Schindelholz (OH), owner/rider; Grandus 345, sire; Uniek Van De Zonschate, dam..............................65.577%
5. 6. 7. 8.
TALISMAN ONE (Selle Francais), Dana Zdolshek (KY), owner/rider ........................64.939% RIPITO (Rhinelander), Sara Krebs (MI), owner/rider ...............................................62.622% CARINO H (Holsteiner), Emma Holtvluwer (MI), owner/rider ................................61.829% DONNERSTOLZ (Hanoverian), Juliyana Straley (MI), owner/rider; Donnerkeil, sire; Gabrielle B, dam............................................................................61.768% STAR SPANGLE BANNER (Hanoverian), Kayla Lemoine (IL), owner/rider; Sherlock Holmes, sire; Emma P, dam .......................................................................61.463% ELORA (Friesian Cross), Abby Boswell (IL), owner/rider ..........................................60.671% CAPRICIOUS (Oldenburg), Mckenzie Miavitz (OH), owner/rider; Contucci, sire; Grandbrooke’s Hope, dam.................................................................58.354% CORRIGAN (Westfalen), Andra Frazee, owner; Grace Frazee (MI), rider; Cordobes I, sire; Hauptstutbuch Galaxy, dam..........................................................57.500%
Second Level Open CH. U ROCK (Swedish Warmblood), Amanda Johnson (WI), owner/rider; UB 40, sire; Piedra, dam ...........................................................................................69.390% RS. LONE STAR Q (Hanoverian), Sheila Wilson (OH), owner/rider .................................67.927% 3. LILYANA MLW (Hanoverian), Jeffrey Taylor (OH), owner/rider; Londonderry, sire; Rubizza, dam .............................................................................67.805% 4. PROPHET (Danish Warmblood), Dana Hongisto (WI), owner/rider; Rambo, sire; Edelkarina, dam ..................................................................................67.134% 5. PRINZ PONTUS WE (German Riding Pony), Kelly Kavanau, owner; Kristen Becker (IL), rider...........................................................................................66.768% 6. DERK (Dutch Warmblood), Lauren Walfish, owner; Patricia Becker (IL), rider .......66.280% 7. DAUGHTRY FS (Oldenburg), Sandra Tull (MI), owner/rider; De Laurentis, sire; Delightfull, dam..........................................................................65.488% 8. ELEWAARD (Dutch Warmblood), Vanessa Gesierich-Voltman (MI), owner/rider ..65.244% 8. ELI STONE (Dutch Warmblood), Julie Van Zee (MI), owner/rider ............................65.244%
Second Level Freestyle CH. I’M FULL OF STUFF (Belgian Warmblood), Jennifer Strauss (WI), owner/rider; Pascal D’ Pau, sire; Plush Stuff, dam .........................................................................70.500% RS. KISS-ME-QUICK (Oldenburg), Renee’ Peters (OH), owner/rider; Axel, sire; Major Flame, dam....................................................................................69.167% 3. BRIOSO HGF (Pura Raza Espanola), Andrea Landis (MI), owner/rider; Bolero CXLVIII, sire; Quintera XII, dam .....................................................................69.000% 4. DEVON F/T FRIESIAN CONNECTION (Friesian), Jack Milam, owner; Stacy Posthumus (MI), rider ....................................................................................67.500% 5. BELLE AMIE (Percheron Cross), Janet Hill (MI), owner/rider ...................................66.000% 6. BRINA (Percheron Cross), Stephanie Baranko (IN), owner/rider; Brentwood, sire; Annabelle’s Midnight, dam ..........................................................63.500%
Third Level Freestyle CH. GRACEFULL RENDITION HU (Zweibrucker), Horses Unlimited, owner; Lori Tormoehlen (MI), rider ......................................................................................69.333% RS. JAVA JOE (Thoroughbred Cross), Patty Keim (OH), owner/rider .............................65.417% 3. WINTERCYN (Hanoverian), Cynthia Caba, owner; Alyssa Basak (IL), rider; Winterprinz, sire; Weyden’s Girl, dam ......................................................................64.500% 4. SIJMEN FON LACLAR (Friesian), Barbara Hanus (IL), owner/rider; Jorrit 363, sire; Saleta K., dam..................................................................................64.000% 5. KISS-ME-QUICK (Oldenburg), Renee’ Peters (OH), owner/rider; Axel, sire; Major Flame, dam....................................................................................64.000% 6. ANAKIN (Oldenburg), Kaye-Eileen Willard, owner; Bethany Seeboth (WI), rider ..62.500% 7. AYRUS (Hanoverian), Catherine Jacob (OH), owner/rider; Armin, sire; Maritimes, dam ....................................................................................62.250% 8. BALLETINO (Hanoverian), Francesca Nicoletti (OH), owner/rider; Ballettmeister, sire; Wanda U, dam..........................................................................61.250%
Fourth Level Adult Amateur CH. DON CARTIER (Rhinelander), Rachael Hicks (KY), owner/rider; Don Schufro, sire; Carmina, dam..............................................................................74.167% RS. BRAZEN BEAUTY (Hanoverian), Suzanne Coleman (OH), owner/rider; Brentano II, sire; Femme Fatale, dam ......................................................................62.389% 3. ABSOLUT TEYN (Thoroughbred), Nancy Ray, owner; Laura Hagen (MI), rider; Absolut, sire; Edith Ann, dam...................................................................................61.500% 4. SIJMEN FON LACLAR (Friesian), Barbara Hanus (IL), owner/rider; Jorrit 363, sire; Saleta K., dam..................................................................................55.556%
Third Level Adult Amateur
Fourth Level Open
CH. IDS FAN ‘E HOMMEMA STATE (Friesian), Carlos Macias, owner; Teegan Petit (IL), rider..............................................................................................64.744% RS. DONATA (Westfalen), Antonella Bath (OH), owner/rider; De Kooning, sire; Doretta, dam ................................................................................64.359% 3. REMEMBER ME (Oldenburg), Jessica Nilles (WI), owner/rider; Rohdiamant, sire; Aranja, dam ................................................................................63.397% 4. ZHONNER (Dutch Warmblood), Kristin Payden (OH), owner/rider; Jazz, sire; Kerewin-Tetti, dam ..................................................................................62.500% 5. IMPROV (Trakehner), Katherine Short (KY), owner/rider; Incantare, sire; Intriguing, dam ...............................................................................62.115% 6. AYRUS (Hanoverian), Catherine Jacob (OH), owner/rider; Armin, sire; Maritimes, dam ....................................................................................61.859% 7. GRACEFULL RENDITION HU (Zweibrucker), Horses Unlimited, owner; Lori Tormoehlen (MI), rider ......................................................................................61.603% 8. ALEGRIA (Andalusian), Janell Scherbarth (MI), owner/rider ..................................60.769%
CH. DON VINO (Hanoverian), Kristen Becker (IL), owner/rider ......................................70.222% RS. DAVANNA (Dutch Warmblood), Kara Kush, owner; Heather McCarthy (IL), rider; Rousseau, sire; Savanna, dam ..................................68.667% 3. DAISY VAN WITTENSTEIN P (Dutch Warmblood), Phoebe Crane, owner; Betsy Van Dyke (IN), rider; Johnson, sire; Ziggy van Wittenstein A, dam ...............67.444% 4. RABINITO (Rhinelander), Michelle Krebs, owner; Judy Kelly (MI), rider; Rittmeister, sire; Terra Nova II, dam .........................................................................67.278% 5. RUGGED ELEGANCE (Quarter Horse), Linda Henderson, owner; Joanne White (OH), rider; Bud Lark, sire; Saucy Opposition, dam ..........................66.111% 6. RUFFINO (Hanoverian), Beverly Heath-Rawlings & Kathy Niebank, owners; Sarah Diggin (OH), rider; Rubino Bellissimo, sire; Dulcimer Melody, dam .............65.722% 7. HPB WRADISH (Hungarian), Karen & Greg Farris, owners; Jessie Myers (MI), rider; HS Wistar, sire; Valerie, dam..............................................65.444% 8. LYRIC PT (Holsteiner), Christine Miller, owner; Laurie Moore (MI), rider; Legado De Fuego, sire; Shenandoah PT, dam..........................................................64.056%
Third Level Junior/Young Rider
Fourth Level Freestyle
CH. ZEPELIM (Lusitano), Katrina Sadis (MI), owner/rider; Ribamar, sire; Sereia, dam.......66.731% RS. WELTRUBIN 5 (Hanoverian), Jacquelynn Mackie (MI), owner/rider.......................66.667% 3. WINTERCYN (Hanoverian), Cynthia Caba, owner; Alyssa Basak (IL), rider; Winterprinz, sire; Weyden’s Girl, dam ......................................................................64.679% 4. UNO (Dutch Warmblood), Alexander Dawson (WI), owner/rider ..........................64.487% 5. KYNYNMONT SHENANIGANS (Connemara Cross), Alexander Dawson (WI), owner/rider; Kynynmont Dublin, sire; Greystone Adirondack Roseanna, dam ...........................62.115%
CH. VIGGO (Swedish Warmblood), Cassandra Hummert-Johnson (OH), owner/rider; Chapman, sire; Blaze of Glory, dam .........................................................................67.167% RS. COOGAN (Oldenburg), Maureen Sullivan (KY), owner/rider; Cambridge, sire; Mahogany, dam............................................................................67.083% 3. SAM I AM (Hanoverian Cross), Suzannah Simon (MI), owner/rider .......................65.467% 4. SHAMROCK H (Dutch Warmblood), Lynda Chesser (MI), owner/rider; Metall, sire; Negra, dam ...........................................................................................63.000%
USDF CONNECTION
•
February 2016
113
GREAT AMERICAN/USDF REGIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Second Level Junior/Young Rider
GREAT AMERICAN/USDF REGIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Junior Team CH. ZEPELIM (Lusitano), Katrina Sadis (MI), owner/rider; Ribamar, sire; Sereia, dam.......64.662%
Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur CH. FABIO BELLINI (Westfalen), Rachael Hicks (KY), owner/rider; Furst Heinrich, sire; Dakota, dam .............................................................................66.711% RS. TRIFECTA (Half Arabian), Courtney Horst-Cutright & Betty Horst, owners; Courtney Horst-Cutright (MI), rider; Traumdeuter, sire; HCF Falanne, dam............65.132% 3. FABIO (Oldenburg), Kristy Truebenbach Lund, owner; Jenifer Gaffney (OH), rider; West Coast, sire; Doramber, dam .................................63.618% 4. ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSION (Rhinelander), Susan Griffiths (OH), owner/rider; Abanos, sire; Kaletta, dam .......................................................................................62.368% 5. DONAUSTERN (Trakehner), Stacey Bachar (IL), owner/rider; Butow *E*, sire; Donauschwan, dam ......................................................................61.908% 6. LETIZIA (Westfalen), Pam Heglund (MI), owner/rider; Laomedon, sire; Pagena, dam .................................................................................61.513% 7. POLENSIO (Dutch Warmblood), Michelle Conrad (MI), owner/rider; Ids, sire; Ilselensio, dam............................................................................................60.724% 8. DON CARTIER (Rhinelander), Rachael Hicks (KY), owner/rider; Don Schufro, sire; Carmina, dam..............................................................................60.526%
Prix St. Georges Junior/Young Rider CH. CHECKMATE (Dutch Warmblood), Helen Claire McNulty (MI), owner/rider; Obelisk, sire; Miranda, dam .....................................................................................67.237% RS. DONATELLO (Rhinelander), Keegan O’Brien & Lakeview Farm, owners; Keegan O’Brien (WI), rider; Don Bedo, sire; Wischnu, dam.....................................63.026% 3. DONNERDIAMONTE (Westfalen), James Decou, owner; Hannah Decou (MI), rider ...60.526% 4. CHOCOLAT (American Warmblood), Alexandra Lemoine (IL), owner/rider; Big Boy, sire; Close to Perfect, dam ..........................................................................58.355%
Prix St. Georges Open CH. FREEDOM (Oldenburg), Anne Ramsay, owner; Patricia Becker (IL), rider; Feuri, sire; Windjammer, dam..................................................................................70.329% RS. RABINITO (Rhinelander), Michelle Krebs, owner; Judy Kelly (MI), rider; Rittmeister, sire; Terra Nova II, dam .........................................................................70.329% 3. LAFAYETTE HQ (Hanoverian), Jennifer Truett (OH), owner/rider; Loerke, sire; Rena, dam ............................................................................................68.026% 4. RUFFINO (Hanoverian), Beverly Heath-Rawlings & Kathy Niebank, owners; Sarah Diggin (OH), rider; Rubino Bellissimo, sire; Dulcimer Melody, dam .............65.000% 5. FOLEY (Hanoverian), Amanda Johnson (WI), owner/rider; Fabuleux, sire; Romance, dam .................................................................................64.803% 6. ARAGORN (Dutch Warmblood), Jackie Pisani, owner; Amanda Johnson (WI), rider....................................................................................63.882% 7. RUGGED ELEGANCE (Quarter Horse), Linda Henderson, owner; Joanne White (OH), rider; Bud Lark, sire; Saucy Opposition, dam ..........................63.553% 8. DOLCE (Hanoverian), Heidi Kohl (OH), owner/rider ................................................62.697%
Intermediate I Adult Amateur CH. FABIO BELLINI (Westfalen), Rachael Hicks (KY), owner/rider; Furst Heinrich, sire; Dakota, dam .............................................................................63.487% RS. BONIFAZ S (Hanoverian), Colene Stevens (OH), owner/rider; Brentano II, sire; Windgame, dam ...........................................................................63.355% 3. FRANAT’S FANTOM (American Warmblood), Kelsey Lawrence (MI), owner/rider; Franat, sire; My Turn To Laff, dam.............................................................................62.697% 4. FABIO (Oldenburg), Kristy Truebenbach Lund, owner; Jenifer Gaffney (OH), rider; West Coast, sire; Doramber, dam .................................61.711% 5. TRIFECTA (Half Arabian), Courtney Horst-Cutright & Betty Horst, owners; Courtney Horst-Cutright (MI), rider; Traumdeuter, sire; HCF Falanne, dam............61.053% 6. ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSION (Rhinelander), Susan Griffiths (OH), owner/rider; Abanos, sire; Kaletta, dam .......................................................................................60.066% 7. DONAUSTERN (Trakehner), Stacey Bachar (IL), owner/rider; Butow *E*, sire; Donauschwan, dam ......................................................................59.276% 8. PRIMETIME (Dutch Warmblood), Peggy Schueneman (IL), owner/rider; Zeoliet, sire; Innette, dam ........................................................................................59.145% 8. GAILLARD (Westfalen), Ellen Ludtke (IL), owner/rider; Galaxy, sire; Irmana, dam .....59.145%
Intermediate I Open CH. SAPHIRA (Oldenburg), John McGuire & Marilyn Johnson, owners; Heather McCarthy (IL), rider; Florencio, sire; Roxina, dam ......................................72.829%
114 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
RS. LAFAYETTE HQ (Hanoverian), Jennifer Truett (OH), owner/rider; Loerke, sire; Rena, dam ............................................................................................71.776% 3. ROTSPON’S CRUSADOR (Hanoverian), Jennifer Harding (OH), owner/rider; Rotspon, sire; Laurentina, dam................................................................................68.026% 4. PEDRO E (Dutch Warmblood), Maura Weis, owner; Brad Cutshall (MI), rider ........65.724% 5. LEXINGTON STAR (Hanoverian), Joanne Trout, owner; Laurie Moore (MI), rider; Londonderry, sire; Diana, dam........................................65.329% 6. FOLEY (Hanoverian), Amanda Johnson (WI), owner/rider; Fabuleux, sire; Romance, dam .................................................................................65.197% 7. SALIERI (Westfalen), Joanne White (OH), owner/rider ...........................................64.342% 8. FREEDOM (Oldenburg), Anne Ramsay, owner; Patricia Becker (IL), rider; Feuri, sire; Windjammer, dam ........................................63.750%
Intermediate I Freestyle CH. SAPHIRA (Oldenburg), John McGuire & Marilyn Johnson, owners; Heather McCarthy (IL), rider; Florencio, sire; Roxina, dam ......................................72.625% RS. ROTSPON’S CRUSADOR (Hanoverian), Jennifer Harding (OH), owner/rider; Rotspon, sire; Laurentina, dam................................................................................67.938% 3. BONIFAZ S (Hanoverian), Colene Stevens (OH), owner/rider; Brentano II, sire; Windgame, dam ...........................................................................67.750% 4. LAFAYETTE HQ (Hanoverian), Jennifer Truett (OH), owner/rider; Loerke, sire; Rena, dam ............................................................................................66.125% 5. FABIO (Oldenburg), Kristy Truebenbach Lund, owner; Jenifer Gaffney (OH), rider; West Coast, sire; Doramber, dam .................................63.750% 5. BOLEI (Dutch Warmblood), Susan Thome (MI), owner/rider; Sir Sinclair, sire; Sidra, dam ......................................................................................63.750% 7. LETIZIA (Westfalen), Pam Heglund (MI), owner/rider; Laomedon, sire; Pagena, dam .................................................................................62.875% 8. ALGEBRAIC EXPRESSION (Rhinelander), Susan Griffiths (OH), owner/rider; Abanos, sire; Kaletta, dam .......................................................................................62.563%
Intermediate II Adult Amateur CH. RADCLIFFE (Holsteiner), Amy Leach (IL), owner/rider; Rantares, sire; Felicitous, dam..................................................................................61.382%
Intermediate II Open CH. CATAPULT (Holsteiner), Francesca Nicoletti (OH), owner/rider; Cantour, sire; Hell or Highwater, dam ......................................................................63.487% RS. SANDRO PAIX (Oldenburg), Sandi Chohany, owner; Heather McCarthy (IL), rider; Sandro Hit, sire; Ariyola, dam ...................................61.711% 3. SACRAMENTO (Dutch Warmblood), Stonegate Equestrian Center LLC, owner; Katie Foster (MI), rider; Amsterdam, sire; Lente Vrouwe, dam ...............................60.658% 4. EBIKUR (Oldenburg), Patricia Gillian, owner; Nichole Smith (IL), rider; Epikur, sire; Rollette, dam ........................................................................................59.803% 5. INKE FCF (Friesian), Julie Roche, owner; Erinn Chelstrom (WI), rider; Erik, sire; Nynke Marije, dam....................................................................................59.211% 6. WAGNER (Dutch Warmblood), Alma Ericson, owner; Amy Walker-Basak (IL), rider; Krack C, sire; Iselotte, dam.......................................58.750%
Grand Prix Adult Amateur CH. APOLLO (Dutch Warmblood), Rachael Hicks & Virginia Frazier, owners; Rachael Hicks (KY), rider; Gribaldi, sire; Finckenburgh, dam ..................................64.100% RS. RADCLIFFE (Holsteiner), Amy Leach (IL), owner/rider; Rantares, sire; Felicitous, dam..................................................................................58.700% 3. NAROK (Swedish Warmblood), Sara Justice (OH), owner/rider; Nocturne , sire; Mathida, dam .................................................................................52.400%
Grand Prix Open CH. LEONARDO (Hanoverian), Carolyn Kotila, owner; Judy Kelly (MI), rider; A Jungle Prince, sire; Golden Girl, dam ....................................................................67.050% RS. SANDRO PAIX (Oldenburg), Sandi Chohany, owner; Heather McCarthy (IL), rider; Sandro Hit, sire; Ariyola, dam...................................................................................63.750% 3. CATAPULT (Holsteiner), Francesca Nicoletti (OH), owner/rider; Cantour, sire; Hell or Highwater, dam ......................................................................62.700% 4. SIR VELO (Westfalen), Melissa Mulchahey, owner; Noel Williams (FL), rider; Sandro Bedo, sire; Fleury S, dam .............................................................................61.700% 5. INKE FCF (Friesian), Julie Roche, owner; Erinn Chelstrom (WI), rider; Erik, sire; Nynke Marije, dam....................................................................................61.350%
7. 8.
ADESCO C (Holsteiner), Elena Golubitsky (OH), owner/rider; 6. Ariadus, sire; Zenit, dam...........................................................................................61.350% EBIKUR (Oldenburg), Patricia Gillian, owner; Nichole Smith (IL), rider; 7. Epikur, sire; Rollette, dam ........................................................................................60.150% 8. UNLIMITED (Dutch Warmblood), Charlotte Bayley-Schindelholz (OH), owner/rider ..................................................58.950%
LADY CALVERT (Hanoverian), Robin & Helen Shehan, owners; Robin Shehan (FL), rider ..........................................................................................73.750% BRIEL B (Friesian), Karen Dellecker, owner; Gwen Poulin (FL), rider.......................73.750% RENAISSANCE MAN HVH (Hanoverian), Annetta Coleman & High Valley Hanoverians, owners; Austin Webster (GA), rider; Rousseau, sire; Whitney BH, dam..................73.523%
First Level Adult Amateur
Grand Prix Freestyle CH. SANDRO PAIX (Oldenburg), Sandi Chohany, owner; Heather McCarthy (IL), rider; Sandro Hit, sire; Ariyola, dam ...................................70.813% RS. CATAPULT (Holsteiner), Francesca Nicoletti (OH), owner/rider; Cantour, sire; Hell or Highwater, dam ......................................................................69.813% 3. PLUTO VI ANDORELLA (Lipizzan), Linda Leffingwell, owner; Amanda Johnson (WI), rider; Pluto III Almerina IV, sire; Andorella, dam...............67.375% 4. ADESCO C (Holsteiner), Elena Golubitsky (OH), owner/rider; Ariadus, sire; Zenit, dam...........................................................................................67.375% 5. FRUHLICH (Danish Warmblood), Catherine Teifer, owner; Chloe Fullar (MI), rider; Fruhling, sire; Garlic Girl, dam............................................63.875% 6. NAROK (Swedish Warmblood), Sara Justice (OH), owner/rider; Nocturne , sire; Mathida, dam .................................................................................61.688%
CH. QUILEUTE CCW (Oldenburg), Amy Swerdlin (FL), owner/rider; Quaterback, sire; Gluckslady, dam ...........................................................................71.691% RS. DILARA (Oldenburg), Sharon Pepe (NY), owner/rider; Daddy Cool, sire; Waldera, dam ...............................................................................70.588% 3. FRENCH KISS (Dutch Warmblood), Druanne Hall (SC), owner/rider.......................70.074% 4. KIR ROYAL (Oldenburg), Pamela Hara (GA), owner/rider;.......................................69.118% 5. LAXWELL (Oldenburg), Birgitt Dagge (FL), owner/rider; Lingh, sire; Dessous, dam.........................................................................................68.824% 6. MONTICELLO VT (Hanoverian), Heather Will (SC), owner/rider; Montserrat, sire; Far And Away, dam .......................................................................68.088% 7. SS SERAPHINA (Oldenburg), Heather Fultz (FL), owner/rider ................................68.015% 8. RUBIXX (Hanoverian), Laura Plyler (SC), owner/rider .............................................68.015%
First Level Junior/Young Rider CH. AUGUST RUSH (Friesian Sporthorse), Morgan-Bailey Horan (AL), owner/rider; Friedrich, sire; Edgewood BJ’s Aria, dam..................................................................71.103% RS. THE MAGICIAN (Lusitano), Allison Driver (TN), owner/rider ...................................70.294% The 2015 Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 3 Dressage Championships were held 3. SPRINGBORG’S KALAMAZOO (Danish Warmblood), October 9-11 in Conyers, GA. Maylyn Hinson (GA), owner/rider............................................................................69.412% Judges: Louise Cox, Susan Jacobson, Leslie O’Neal-Olsen, Sarah Geikie, Janet Hannon, R. Scott 4. DAUNTLESS B (Hanoverian), Eliza Ginn (GA), owner/rider; Dacaprio, sire; Liandra, dam.....................................................................................69.412% Peterson, Debbie Rodriguez, Susan Mandas, Sarah Michael, Susan Kolstad, Debbie Riehl-Rodriguez, 5. HALSTON (Wurttemberg), Kimberly Sosebee, owner; Sarah Murphy (GA), rider ..68.162% Kristi Wysocki, Sandra Hotz 6. TUPELO HONEY (Selle Francais Cross), Chiara Caignon (FL), owner/rider...............67.721% 7. BELL ANGELO (Hanoverian), Caroline Garren (GA), owner/rider.............................67.721% Training Level Adult Amateur 8. HERO (Appendix Quarter Horse), Anneliese Vogt-Harber, owner; CH. FREUDENTÄNZER (Hanoverian), Christine Malpartida (FL), owner/rider; Margaret Putnal (GA), rider......................................................................................67.574% Furst Nymphenburg, sire; Design-Ra, dam .............................................................73.750% RS. EL ROUGE (Trakehner), Dayle Holleger (GA), owner/rider ......................................72.159% 3. KIR ROYAL (Oldenburg), Pamela Hara (GA), owner/rider........................................70.682% First Level Open CH. RAPUNZEL OF HILLOCK (Hanoverian), Lisa Smith, owner; 4. QUILEUTE CCW (Oldenburg), Amy Swerdlin (FL), owner/rider; Kathryn Stoy (AL), rider; Rousseau, sire; Big Girl, dam............................................75.662% Quaterback, sire; Gluckslady, dam ...........................................................................70.341% 5. DON NOIR (Oldenburg), Terry Swenson Blair (GA), owner/rider .............................70.341% RS. DINAH SHORE MF (Hanoverian), Maryanna Haymon, owner; Anna Marek (FL), rider; Don Principe, sire; EM Rotina, dam ...................................75.147% 6. SHALL WE DANCE (Hanoverian), Angela Jett (GA), owner/rider; Sinatra Song, sire; Lilith, dam ..................................................................................70.341% 3. SUNDANCER (Oldenburg), Lisa Giltner (FL), owner/rider........................................74.044% 4. DOMANI (Hanoverian), Marci Biondolillo, owner; Melissa Jackson (FL), rider .......73.971% 7. DOCS FLOOD WATER (Appendix Quarter Horse), Lee Ann Smith (TN), owner/rider; TwentyFour KT Gold, sire; Peppy Doc Kings Girl, dam .............................................70.114% 5. LORELEI (Hanoverian Cross), Lisa Giltner (FL), owner/rider ....................................72.868% 6. DJANGO (Dutch Warmblood), Hokan Thorn (NC), owner/rider; 8. ROMANTICA II (Oldenburg), Heather Miller (FL), owner/rider; Jazz, sire; Nirvana, dam............................................................................................72.279% Rubignon, sire; Pointmade, dam .............................................................................70.000% 7. INSIDER (Trakehner), Sherri Mellskog, owner; Kathryn Stoy (AL), rider; Le Rouge, sire; Ira XIII, dam ......................................................................................72.279% Training Level Junior/Young Rider 8. ALOTA BLING (Holsteiner), Brian Macmahon (FL), owner/rider; CH. MADRIGAL MC (Andalusian), Christopher Watt & Robert Harriman, owners; Ariadus, sire; Kardinale, dam ...................................................................................70.882% Meghan Watt (FL), rider; Hachon MC, sire; Brisona MC, dam .................................70.455% RS. DAUNTLESS B (Hanoverian), Eliza Ginn (GA), owner/rider; Dacaprio, sire; Liandra, dam.....................................................................................70.455% First Level Freestyle CH. ALOTA BLING (Holsteiner), Brian Macmahon (FL), owner/rider; 3. OLAINA (Oldenburg), Abbie Tischer (GA), owner/rider; Ariadus, sire; Kardinale, dam ...................................................................................72.733% Oswald, sire; Romana, dam .....................................................................................70.000% RS. LAXWELL (Oldenburg), Birgitt Dagge (FL), owner/rider; 4. FERNHILL MR COOL (Irish Sport Horse), Clara Richards, owner; Lingh, sire; Dessous, dam.........................................................................................72.317% Ruth Richards (SC), rider ..........................................................................................69.091% 3. SS SERAPHINA (Oldenburg), Heather Fultz (FL), owner/rider ................................71.433% 5. BIARA G (Dutch Warmblood), Deborah Stanitski, owner; Clarke-David Folden (SC), rider; Discovery, sire; Miara, dam...................................68.977% 4. MARCO VON LAAR (Friesian), Carol Wertz (NC), owner/rider; Onne 376, sire; Wydana von Laar, dam ...................................................................68.500% 6. SPRINGBORG’S KALAMAZOO (Danish Warmblood), Maylyn Hinson (GA), owner/rider............................................................................68.182% 5. JUDGE (Thoroughbred), Sophia Holloway (GA), owner/rider .................................67.150% 6. MAX A MILLION (Andalusian Cross), Lily Darwin (SC), owner/rider .......................66.450% 7. MOONSHINE KATE (Paint), Helena Stokes, owner; Emma Grace Stokes (GA), rider; Mcbears Chris, sire; My Queena, dam ......................................................................67.727% 7. SHELA LARK (Quarter Horse), Chloe Hatch (FL), owner/rider; SBF Rugged Dancer, sire; Lucky Empressions, dam .................................................66.183% 8. A GATOR TALE (Thoroughbred), Samantha Elsey (SC), owner/rider .......................67.500% 8. AEROSA (Holsteiner), Tracy Schlabach (FL), owner/rider; GP Raymeister, sire; Panterra, dam..........................................................................65.150% Training Level Open CH. DINAH SHORE MF (Hanoverian), Maryanna Haymon, owner; Anna Marek (FL), rider; Don Principe, sire; EM Rotina, dam ...................................77.159% Second Level Adult Amateur RS. DOMANI (Hanoverian), Marci Biondolillo, owner; Melissa Jackson (FL), rider .......74.886% CH. DAHLIA ACE (Hanoverian), Lyn Davis (AL), owner/rider..........................................68.720% 3. RAELYNNE (Westfalen), Rhonda Mancuso, owner; Kathleen Petersen (FL), rider ......74.545% RS. DOLCETTO O (Dutch Warmblood), Teresa Fickling (GA), owner/rider......................68.110% 4. HEARTSONG (Oldenburg), Leslie Waterman, owner; Debbie Hill (AL), rider ..........74.432% 3. BLACK PEARL (Dutch Warmblood), Denyse Seibel & Stacy Hart, owners; Stacy Hart (FL), rider ................................................................................................66.951% 5. RAPUNZEL (Westfalen), Kayla Mckay (FL), owner/rider .........................................74.091%
Region 3
USDF CONNECTION
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February 2016
115
GREAT AMERICAN/USDF REGIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
6.
GREAT AMERICAN/USDF REGIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
VELANDO (Dutch Warmblood), Jana Henry (TN), owner/rider; OO Seven, sire; Pallandra, dam ................................................................................66.951% LITTLE BIG MAN (Hanoverian), Nancy Smith (AL), owner/rider .............................66.890% TOOTSIE ROLL (Morgan Cross), Dana Clark (GA), owner/rider.................................66.646% FINLANNDIA (Trakehner), Sandra Piazza (SC), owner/rider; Distelzar, sire; Finity, dam.........................................................................................66.037% CAYMUS (Dutch Warmblood), Beth Godwin (FL), owner/rider; Sir Sinclair, sire; Wencenza, dam..............................................................................65.976%
Second Level Junior/Young Rider CH. DIANO (Belgian Warmblood), Julia Stainback, owner; Juliet Hess (GA), rider........70.854% RS. AUGUST RUSH (Friesian Sporthorse), Morgan-Bailey Horan (AL), owner/rider; Friedrich, sire; Edgewood BJ’s Aria, dam..................................................................70.732% 3. WILD ANGELICA (Friesian Sporthorse), Angelika Kausche, owner; Ines Kausche (GA), rider ...........................................................................................68.720% 4. REGINA (Dutch Warmblood), Emily & Wendy Robinson, owners; Emily Robinson (SC), rider; Zirkoon, sire; Wanda, dam ...........................................66.707% 5. MADELINE (Swedish Warmblood Cross), Jordan Moragne, owner; Camyn Huneycutt (NC), rider ...................................................................................64.878% 6. SANDOR (Hanoverian), Kaley Breland (AL), owner/rider........................................64.451% 7. HEZA HIGH EXPECTATION (Quarter Horse), Amanda Stewart (AL), owner/rider; Heza Fine Bargain, sire; Macs Pac RRR, dam ...........................................................64.207% 8. FREEWIND (Hanoverian), Diane Paige & Katie Poag, owners; Victoria Templeton (SC), rider; Waldorf, sire; Dancing Wind, dam ..........................64.146%
Second Level Open CH. INSIDER (Trakehner), Sherri Mellskog, owner; Kathryn Stoy (AL), rider; Le Rouge, sire; Ira XIII, dam ......................................................................................73.415% RS. LORELEI (Hanoverian Cross), Lisa Giltner (FL), owner/rider ....................................71.585% 3. ELLINGTON HMF (Dutch Warmblood), Cheryl Quinn & Holly Skubic, owners; Cheryl Quinn (FL), rider; Flemmingh, sire; Valentine For II, dam ............................70.793% 4. DEMETRIUS (Hanoverian), Luis Reteguiz-Denizard & Charles Schneider, owners; Luis Reteguiz-Denizard (FL), rider ...........................................................................69.878% 5. FLORIS (Dutch Warmblood), Jacek De Haan, owner; Luis ReteguizDenizard (FL), rider...................................................................................................69.390% 6. BONJOUR BELLE PEINTURE (Warmblood Cross), Teresa Fox, owner; Jeffrey Lord (FL), rider ..............................................................................................68.963% 7. RAPUNZEL OF HILLOCK (Hanoverian), Lisa Smith, owner; Kathryn Stoy (AL), rider; Rousseau, sire; Big Girl, dam............................................68.415% 8. BENJI (American Warmblood), Jean Thornton (FL), owner/rider; Blue Eyed Dream, sire; Wrummy, dam ....................................................................68.110%
Second Level Freestyle CH. MIRAMAR (Friesian Sporthorse), Melanie Cain-Stage, owner; Brian Macmahon (FL), rider; Pieter fan Lutke Peinjum, sire; FWF Sweetheart’s Dance, dam ................................................................................69.833% RS. AUGUST RUSH (Friesian Sporthorse), Morgan-Bailey Horan (AL), owner/rider; Friedrich, sire; Edgewood BJ’s Aria, dam..................................................................67.667% 3. LAXWELL (Oldenburg), Birgitt Dagge (FL), owner/rider; Lingh, sire; Dessous, dam.........................................................................................67.583% 4. ATHALIA (Oldenburg), Carol Glover, owner; Andrea Manos (GA), rider; Alpenstern, sire; Heather’s Beauty, dam..................................................................67.000% 5. WANDERLUST (Westfalen), Birgitt, Katrin & Kati Dagge, owners; Katrin Dagge (FL), rider............................................................................................66.917% 6. MIRROR IMAGE (Canadian Sport Horse), Evelyn Cudd, owner; Shelley Van Den Neste (FL), rider; Reflection II, sire; Shooting Star 3E, dam..........66.750% 7. POINT D’ESPRIT (Oldenburg), Debra Cangialosi, owner; Rebecca Ruthberg (FL), rider; Pointmaker, sire; Exclusive Faigie, dam ...................66.500% 8. FLAGMOUNT’S TRADEMARK (Irish Draught), Toni Rogers (GA), owner/rider; The Pride of Gloster, sire; Prescott’s Flagmount Dancer, dam..................................64.250%
Third Level Adult Amateur CH. DARTESCH (Dutch Warmblood), Camilla Van Liew (SC), owner/rider; Special D, sire; Sedesch, dam ...................................................................................71.410% RS. DE LORD (Dutch Warmblood), Anna Urquhart (FL), owner/rider; Lord Leatherdale, sire; Nirien, dam ..........................................................................68.397% 3. DONNEUR (Oldenburg), Katherine Lewis (SC), owner/rider ...................................67.500% 4. DYLAN (Dutch Warmblood), Wendy Mantell, owner; Anne McCord (FL), rider......67.436%
116 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
5. 6. 7. 8.
DUQUE TOP (Pura Raza Espanola), Courtney O’Brien (FL), owner/rider .................67.051% RENDEZVOUS MF (Hanoverian), Martine Duff (SC), owner/rider; Rousseau, sire; SPS Doreen, dam.............................................................................66.859% ANY WAY (Danish Warmblood), Lyn Davis (AL), owner/rider .................................66.346% BRUNELLO M (Hanoverian), Melissa Torreano (FL), owner/rider; Belissimo M, sire; La Rochelle, dam.........................................................................65.833%
Third Level Junior/Young Rider CH. DIANO (Belgian Warmblood), Julia Stainback, owner; Juliet Hess (GA), rider........70.641% RS. BACCUS (Swedish Warmblood), Jennifer Milazzo, owner; Helena Milazzo (FL), rider ........................................................................................68.077% 3. HARMONIE NSF (Trakehner), Heather Holman (FL), owner/rider; Baron Verdi, sire; Hopi NSF, dam ..............................................................................67.821% 4. INVICTO MC (Andalusian), Christopher Watt, owner; Meghan Watt (FL), rider; Gaucho Mor I, sire; Tammy I, dam............................................................................67.692% 5. BAIL ME OUT (Belgian Warmblood Cross), Jenna Bennett, owner; Hannah Neimy (SC), rider ........................................................................................66.923% 6. REGINA (Dutch Warmblood), Emily & Wendy Robinson, owners; Emily Robinson (SC), rider; Zirkoon, sire; Wanda, dam ...........................................66.410% 7. SANDOR (Hanoverian), Kaley Breland (AL), owner/rider........................................65.128% 8. GANDOLPH (Belgian Warmblood), Molly Tatham, owner; Helena Milazzo (FL), rider ........................................................................................63.974%
Third Level Open CH. RS. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
HAPPENSTANCE (Oldenburg), Mary Blanford, owner; Laura Sevriens (GA), rider..71.603% RITZZIE SM (Hanoverian), Judith Roach, owner; Ashley Marascalco (GA), rider ....69.615% DE NADA (Dutch Warmblood), Gwen Poulin (FL), owner/rider ..............................68.974% CASSIUS CLAY (Trakehner), Erin Brinkman (FL), owner/rider; Prince Of Prussia, sire; Cassiopia, dam .....................................................................68.462% EINSTEIN JP (Dutch Warmblood), Lorna Donahue, owner; Anna Marek (FL), rider ....68.205% CON BRIO SDF (Dutch Warmblood), Franziska Seidl (FL), owner/rider; Sir Sinclair, sire; Windfall SDF, dam ..........................................................................67.628% ERIVO (Dutch Warmblood), Jill Hardt (FL), owner/rider..........................................67.500% CELINE (Dutch Warmblood), Lisa Miller, owner; Darren Chiacchia (FL), rider.........67.436%
Third Level Freestyle CH. HOLLYWOOD (Hanoverian), Marline Syribeys (GA), owner/rider; Hohenstein, sire; Fatima, dam .................................................................................75.000% RS. DENMARK (Friesian Sporthorse), Joni Abney (TN), owner/rider; Nico, sire; Vlarina, dam .............................................................................................72.667% 3. MAGGIO (Andalusian), Virginia Moon, owner; Kathryn Stoy (AL), rider; Lepanto I, sire; Orisha, dam......................................................................................71.833% 4. RAINIER (Oldenburg), Kathryn Stoy (AL), owner/rider ...........................................70.167% 5. INVICTO MC (Andalusian), Christopher Watt, owner; Meghan Watt (FL), rider; Gaucho Mor I, sire; Tammy I, dam............................................................................69.167% 6. CON BRIO SDF (Dutch Warmblood), Franziska Seidl (FL), owner/rider; Sir Sinclair, sire; Windfall SDF, dam ..........................................................................68.833% 7. TOMSON (Swedish Warmblood), Renee Genther (FL), owner/rider.......................65.583% 8. DAUWE EGBERT (Friesian Sporthorse), Elisabeth Faase (GA), owner/rider; Zorro, sire; Coalies Queen FD, dam ...........................................................................65.167%
Fourth Level Adult Amateur CH. SIR FREDERICO (Hanoverian), Carden Burdette (GA), owner/rider; Sandro Hit, sire; Donnerfee, dam.............................................................................70.056% RS. DARTESCH (Dutch Warmblood), Camilla Van Liew (SC), owner/rider; Special D, sire; Sedesch, dam ...................................................................................67.611% 3. WALK OF FAME (Zweibrucker), Birgitt Dagge (FL), owner/rider; Wind Dancer, sire; Dancing Queen, dam .................................................................67.444% 4. CONTENTO SOGNO (Dutch Warmblood), Cecelia Stewart (SC), owner/rider; Florencio, sire; Nuviera, dam....................................................................................66.167% 5. ACCOLADE (Swedish Warmblood), Kimberly Keeton & Hope Thomas, owners; Kimberly Keeton (GA), rider .....................................................................................64.333% 6. WUNDERKIND (Hanoverian), Virginia King (SC), owner/rider ................................63.722% 7. DONNEUR (Oldenburg), Katherine Lewis (SC), owner/rider ...................................63.278% 8. BE COOL METALL (Dutch Warmblood), Nelson Long (TN), owner/rider .................63.222%
Fourth Level Junior/Young Rider CH. HOSANNA (Hanoverian), Denice Kludt, owner; Claire Coman (GA), rider; Hohenstein, sire; Welfin, dam..................................................................................68.667%
Fourth Level Open CH. DUET MF (Hanoverian), Maryanna Haymon, owner; James Koford (NC), rider; Don Principe, sire; EM Rotina, dam..........................................................................70.722% RS. MONTANA (Danish Warmblood), Brenda Duet, owner; Claudia Novick (NC), rider; Rambo, sire; Lomani, dam............................................69.000% 3. RITZZIE SM (Hanoverian), Judith Roach, owner; Ashley Marascalco (GA), rider ....67.444% 4. WINTER (Dutch Warmblood), Jacek De Haan, owner; Yvonne De Haan (FL), rider .....67.333% 5. QUATER BOY (Oldenburg), Tammy Feldmann (FL), owner/rider; Quaterback, sire; Cinderella, dam ............................................................................66.111% 6. REGENTANZ (Hanoverian), Claudia Novick (NC), owner/rider; Robespierre, sire; Lilli, dam ......................................................................................65.889% 7. FEMI (Trakehner), Margaret Neesemann, owner; Suzanne Graham (FL), rider; Stiletto, sire; Fem Fetale, dam..................................................................................65.667% 8. OKIDOKIE (Dutch Warmblood), Mallory Kent (AL), owner/rider; Legaat, sire; Dorien, dam .........................................................................................65.000%
Fourth Level Freestyle
RS. FRIEDENSFURST (Trakehner), Lindsey Holleger (GA), owner/rider; Donaufurst, sire; Feodamee von Krotenbach, dam .................................................67.632% 3. WS TUSCANO (Hanoverian), Donna & Angie Gress, owners; Angie Gress (FL), rider; White Star, sire; Granessa, dam ..........................................61.513%
Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur CH. SCHOLASTICA (Oldenburg), Amy Swerdlin (FL), owner/rider; Sir Donnerhall I, sire; Loni, dam ...............................................................................69.079% RS. TVORUP’S GAMBLER (Danish Warmblood), Linda Holste (TN), owner/rider; Quatro, sire; Nekita, dam..........................................................................................66.382% 3. ROXY ROYALE (Hanoverian), Patricia Fannin (TN), owner/rider..............................65.921% 4. CONTENTO SOGNO (Dutch Warmblood), Cecelia Stewart (SC), owner/rider; Florencio, sire; Nuviera, dam....................................................................................65.263% 5. ACCOLADE (Swedish Warmblood), Kimberly Keeton & Hope Thomas, owners; Kimberly Keeton (GA), rider .....................................................................................65.066% 6. ARTISTIC (Oldenburg), Martine Duff (SC), owner/rider; Art Deco, sire; Celebration, dam...............................................................................64.605% 7. WALK OF FAME (Zweibrucker), Birgitt Dagge (FL), owner/rider; Wind Dancer, sire; Dancing Queen, dam .................................................................64.276% 8. DARRIEN (Trakehner), Susan Faulkner (SC), owner/rider; Enrico Caruso, sire; Donaubelle, dam.......................................................................63.553%
WNC EQUESTRIAN PHOTOGRAPHY
CH. FEMI (Trakehner), Margaret Neesemann, owner; Suzanne Graham (FL), rider; Stiletto, sire; Fem Fetale, dam..................................................................................71.250% RS. BE COOL METALL (Dutch Warmblood), Nelson Long (TN), owner/rider .................66.050% Prix St. Georges Junior/Young Rider CH. FRIEDENSFURST (Trakehner), Lindsey Holleger (GA), owner/rider; 3. WALK OF FAME (Zweibrucker), Birgitt Dagge (FL), owner/rider; Donaufurst, sire; Feodamee von Krotenbach, dam .................................................62.763% Wind Dancer, sire; Dancing Queen, dam .................................................................64.767% RS. HOSANNA (Hanoverian), Denice Kludt, owner; Claire Coman (GA), rider; 4. CASSIDY (Danish Warmblood), Christina Hewitt & Bent Jensen, owners; Hohenstein, sire; Welfin, dam..................................................................................62.171% Marti Hohmann (FL), rider; Blue Hors Cavan, sire; Red Rose, dam .........................64.667% 3. WS TUSCANO (Hanoverian), Donna & Angie Gress, owners; Angie Gress (FL), rider; White Star, sire; Granessa, dam ..........................................61.974% Junior Team 4. TALISMAN (Andalusian), Lisa Neal & Jamie Doolittle, owners; CH. TIPPY CANOE (American Warmblood), Allison Shields (KY), owner/rider..............64.054% Jamie Doolittle (FL), rider.........................................................................................61.316% RS. HOLLYWOOD (Hanoverian), Marline Syribeys (GA), owner/rider; Hohenstein, sire; Fatima, dam .................................................................................63.919% Prix St. Georges Open 3. GANDOLPH (Belgian Warmblood), Molly Tatham, owner; CH. DOCTOR WENDELL MF (Hanoverian), Maryanna Haymon, owner; Helena Milazzo (FL), rider ........................................................................................63.649% James Koford (NC), rider; Don Principe, sire; Stellar Hit MF, dam ...........................74.671% 4. FREEWIND (Hanoverian), Diane Paige & Katie Poag, owners; RS. DUET MF (Hanoverian), Maryanna Haymon, owner; James Koford (NC), rider; Victoria Templeton (SC), rider; Waldorf, sire; Dancing Wind, dam .........................62.432% Don Principe, sire; EM Rotina, dam..........................................................................72.039% 5. LANDETTA (Oldenburg), Helga Schroeder (GA), owner/rider; 3. BOCCACCIO IOF (Hanoverian), Marchella Richardson, owner; Lovis Corinth, sire; Nina, dam...................................................................................59.932% Debbie Hill (AL), rider; Bugatti Hilltop, sire; Roxette, dam ......................................69.342% 4. TIAMO (Dutch Warmblood), Marci Biondolillo, owner; Young Rider Team Melissa Jackson (FL), rider; Metall, sire; Irma, dam.................................................69.342% CH. OKIDOKIE (Dutch Warmblood), Mallory Kent (AL), owner/rider; 5. DEE CLAIR (Dutch Warmblood), Diane Morrison, owner; Anna Marek (FL), rider ..69.211% Legaat, sire; Dorien, dam .........................................................................................67.895% 6. HAVAJANO (Hanoverian), Melissa Jackson (FL), owner/rider .................................68.882%
Patricia Fannin and Roxy Royale, Intermediate I Adult Amateur Champion; Shawna Dietrich, Great American Insurance Group representative; Krystina Firth, USDF representative; Bill Harris, Great American Insurance Group representative with Harbin Insurance
Mallory Kent and Okidokie, Young Rider Team Champion; Shawna Dietrich, Great American Insurance Group representative; Krystina Firth, USDF representative; Sue Bender, Region 3 director; Bill Harris, Great American Insurance Group representative with Harbin Insurance
USDF CONNECTION
•
February 2016
117
GREAT AMERICAN/USDF REGIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
RS. ZEKE’S LAST CHANCE (Quarter Horse), Nellie Stallsmith (AL), owner/rider; Thats Ezekial, sire; Wimps Bar Made, dam ..............................................................59.000%
GREAT AMERICAN/USDF REGIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
7. 8.
RANIA (Danish Warmblood), Susan Bender, owner; C. Folden (SC), rider; 3. Don Schufro, sire; Rikochee, dam.............................................................................68.487% ZARCITA (Dutch Warmblood), Leslie Waterman, owner; 4. Debbie Hill (AL), rider; Parcival, sire; Sarita, dam ....................................................68.224%
GOUBERGH’S KASPER (Dutch Warmblood), Laura Herndon (FL), owner/rider; Facet, sire; Annet, dam.............................................................................................63.750% MOSES (Connemara), Joni Zeccola (GA), owner/rider; Fergus, sire; Big Bear’s Divine Direction, dam..........................................................61.711%
Intermediate I Adult Amateur
Intermediate II Open
CH. ROXY ROYALE (Hanoverian), Patricia Fannin (TN), owner/rider..............................69.737% RS. CHRYSLER V (Danish Warmblood), Elizabeth Marco (FL), owner/rider ..................68.355% 3. SCHOLASTICA (Oldenburg), Amy Swerdlin (FL), owner/rider; Sir Donnerhall I, sire; Loni, dam ...............................................................................68.224% 4. WATCH ME M (Dutch Warmblood), Mary O’Brien (FL), owner/rider ......................63.289% 5. ILJA (Dutch Warmblood), Janie Pride, owner; Billy Jackson (GA), rider; Idzard, sire; Oldert’s Karola, dam .............................................................................61.711% 6. ENEBRO XIV (Pura Raza Espanola), Lee Burton (GA), owner/rider; Saltador-Jem, sire; Comadreja, dam .......................................................................61.513% 7. CIRKELINE H (Danish Warmblood), Susanne Lauda (GA), owner/rider; Come Back II, sire; Miss. Cala D’Or, dam ...................................................................61.184% 8. ARTISTIC (Oldenburg), Martine Duff (SC), owner/rider; Art Deco, sire; Celebration, dam...............................................................................60.461% 8. NAVARRO (Dutch Warmblood), Christina Boyd (GA), owner/rider; Jetset-D, sire; Irista, dam ..........................................................................................60.461%
CH. RONALDO (Danish Warmblood), Cecelia Stewart, owner; Christopher Hickey (FL), rider; Blue Hors Romanov, sire; Trostruplund’s Scarlet, dam ............................................71.842% RS. BENIDETTO (Hanoverian), Linda Woltz & Stacy Parvey-Larsson, owners; Stacy Parvey-Larsson (FL), rider; Belissimo M, sire; Crispy Sweet, dam .................71.053% 3. RENOIR (Orlov Rostopchin), Patricia Deasy (FL), owner/rider .................................65.987% 4. PIKKA DREAM HU (Hanoverian), Jill Hardt (FL), owner/rider; Pik L, sire; Dominice, dam ........................................................................................64.934% 5. WINNIEPUUH (Hanoverian), Franziska Seidl (FL), owner/rider; Weltmeyer, sire; Luna, dam .....................................................................................63.882% 6. DREAM OF LOVE (Oldenburg), Birgitt Dagge, owner; Katrin Dagge (FL), rider; Dream of Glory, sire; Dolomita, dam .......................................................................63.882% 7. LOU BEGA (Hanoverian), Andrea Manos (GA), owner/rider; Lauries Crusador, sire; Arianka, dam........................................................................63.224% 8. ROMANO K (Brandenburg), Franziska Seidl (FL), owner/rider; Rockwell, sire; Prisca, dam .......................................................................................63.158%
Intermediate I Junior/Young Rider
Grand Prix Adult Amateur
CH. FRIEDENSFURST (Trakehner), Lindsey Holleger (GA), owner/rider; CH. PLATO CARLOS (Dutch Warmblood), Virginia Moon (AL), owner/rider; Donaufurst, sire; Feodamee von Krotenbach, dam .................................................66.645% Peter Pan, sire; Fleuriecarla, dam.............................................................................64.200% RS. WS TUSCANO (Hanoverian), Donna Gress & Angie Gress, owners; RS. EDYKTS ENCHANTRES (Arabian), Courtney Varney (FL), owner/rider; Angie Gress (FL), rider; White Star, sire; Granessa, dam ..........................................65.197% Edykt, sire; Mieta PASB, dam ...................................................................................63.050% 3. SECRET ROMANCE (Danish Warmblood), Elizabeth Yates, owner; 3. AKVAVIT (Spanish Warmblood), Blue Marlin Farms Inc., owner; Emily Yates (FL), rider; Blue Hors Romancier, sire; Lady Z, dam ..............................61.842% Kristy Truebenbach Lund (FL), rider; Silvester, sire; Omni, dam ..............................62.500% 4. SIR LUCKAS (Danish Warmblood), Leigh Kent-Scherzer (AL), owner/rider ............61.500% Intermediate I Open 5. WIETZE G (Friesian), Lynnette Wadsworth (FL), owner/rider; CH. DOCTOR WENDELL MF (Hanoverian), Maryanna Haymon, owner; Rypke, sire; Wijke, dam ............................................................................................60.400% James Koford (NC), rider; Don Principe, sire; Stellar Hit MF, dam...........................72.697% 6. GOUBERGH’S KASPER (Dutch Warmblood), Laura Herndon (FL), owner/rider; RS. DEE CLAIR (Dutch Warmblood), Diane Morrison, owner; Anna Marek (FL), rider ..70.921% Facet, sire; Annet, dam.............................................................................................59.500% 3. ADONIS (German Riding Pony), Delores Seketa, owner; Jill Hardt (FL), rider.........68.947% 4. HAVAJANO (Hanoverian), Melissa Jackson (FL), owner/rider .................................68.947% Grand Prix Open 5. BAXIMILIANA (Dutch Warmblood), Karen Lipp (GA), owner/rider; Johnson, sire; Vaximiliana M., dam .........................................................................68.882% CH. UNICO G (Dutch Warmblood), Anna Marek (FL), owner/rider; Negro, sire; Kleora, dam ...........................................................................................68.150% 6. PASCO/LADY’S KING (Thuringer Riding Horse), Susan Mitchell, owner; Kathleen Petersen (FL), rider ...................................................................................68.092% RS. WILLIAM (Dutch Warmblood), Belinda Nairn-Wertman, owner; Gwen Poulin (FL), rider; Sir Sinclair, sire; Prinses, dam............................................67.200% 7. ZARCITA (Dutch Warmblood), Leslie Waterman, owner; Debbie Hill (AL), rider; Parcival, sire; Sarita, dam .........................................................................................68.092% 3. WARINA (Dutch Warmblood), Fran Marino, owner; Anna Marek (FL), rider; Sir Sinclair, sire; Barina, dam ....................................................................................65.500% 8. BOCCACCIO IOF (Hanoverian), Marchella Richardson, owner; Debbie Hill (AL), rider; Bugatti Hilltop, sire; Roxette, dam ...........................................................................67.237% 4. BAHAI (Hanoverian), Nora Batchelder (FL), owner/rider; Harmony’s Baroncelli, sire; Rose, dam .....................................................................65.000% 5. SIGALIA (Dutch Warmblood), Franziska Seidl (FL), owner/rider; Intermediate I Freestyle Kigali, sire; Foske, dam .............................................................................................64.950% CH. UN AMI (Dutch Warmblood), Nan Troutman, owner; Shelley Van Den Neste (FL), rider .............................................................................70.438% 6. WALING M. (Friesian), Tyra Vernon (FL), owner/rider; Jasper 366, sire; Ernaa M, dam ................................................................................63.850% RS. RED DIAMOND (Rhinelander), Anne Shermyen, owner; Susannah Hamlin (FL), rider ....................................................................................68.250% 7. ZONNEKONING (Dutch Warmblood), Katie Poag (SC), owner/rider; Florett AS, sire; Maraba, dam...................................................................................63.550% 3. FESTINA (Danish Warmblood), Holly Spencer (SC), owner/rider; Blue Hors Hertug, sire; Fie, dam...............................................................................67.000% 8. UBILEE II (Oldenburg), Lisa Smit (FL), owner/rider; Opus, sire; Dionysus, dam......63.500% 4. 5.
ZON PRIMAIRE (Dutch Warmblood), Regina Haslam, owner; Ryan Garza (GA), rider ..............................................................................................65.375% DREW LOVE (Hanoverian), Pamela Aide (FL), owner/rider; Donnersohn, sire; Diamonette, dam .......................................................................65.313% LAUREN (Hanoverian), Kristine Kuchinski-Broome (FL), owner/rider; Letkiss, sire; Diamond, dam .....................................................................................62.500% BON DE NIRO (Dutch Warmblood), Pamela Aide (FL), owner/rider; Son De Niro, sire; Vasti, dam.....................................................................................62.250% SIR PRIZE (Hanoverian), Connie Wise, owner; Eline Eckroth (FL), rider; Sandro Hit, sire; Wunderwelt, dam..........................................................................60.688%
Grand Prix Freestyle
CH. BAHAI (Hanoverian), Nora Batchelder (FL), owner/rider; Harmony’s Baroncelli, sire; Rose, dam .....................................................................70.875% 6. RS. ROMANO K (Brandenburg), Franziska Seidl (FL), owner/rider; Rockwell, sire; Prisca, dam .......................................................................................69.813% 7. 3. EDYKTS ENCHANTRES (Arabian), Courtney Varney (FL), owner/rider; Edykt, sire; Mieta PASB, dam ...................................................................................68.063% 8. 4. SIGALIA (Dutch Warmblood), Franziska Seidl (FL), owner/rider; Kigali, sire; Foske, dam .............................................................................................67.438% 5. LOU BEGA (Hanoverian), Andrea Manos (GA), owner/rider; Intermediate II Adult Amateur Lauries Crusador, sire; Arianka, dam........................................................................64.125% CH. WILBY (Hanoverian), Phyllis Sumner (GA), owner/rider; 6. WIETZE G (Friesian), Lynnette Wadsworth (FL), owner/rider; Walt Disney I, sire; Doretta, dam..............................................................................67.763% Rypke, sire; Wijke, dam ............................................................................................62.313% RS. AKVAVIT (Spanish Warmblood), Blue Marlin Farms Inc., owner; 7. ZERBINO INTERAGRO (Lusitano), Johnny Robb (FL), owner/rider; Kristy Truebenbach Lund (FL), rider; Silvester, sire; Omni, dam ..............................63.947% Quixoter Interagro, sire; Estrelada, dam ..................................................................60.750%
118 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
GREAT AMERICAN/USDF REGIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Region 4 The 2015 Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 4 Dressage Championships were held October 9-11 in Lake Saint Louis, MO.
7. 8.
ASHOTTA PATRONE (Trakehner Cross), Madison Selstad (KY), owner/rider ...........65.515% KULPA (Lipizzan), Kate Phillips, owner; Laura Myllykangas (MN), rider; Maestoso Bellamira, sire; Duba, dam ......................................................................65.074%
First Level Junior/Young Rider Judges: Tami Batts, Charlotte Trentelman, Natalie Lamping, Dinah Babcock, Marlene Schneider, CH. SRC ALEJANDRO (Half Arabian), Jenna & Diane Upchurch, owners; David Schmutz, Joan Darnell, Janet Curtis Jenna Upchurch (MO), rider; Loki, sire; Alexsandria, dam.......................................70.074% CH. BONNAROO (German Riding Pony), Julia Lee Barton (KS), owner/rider; Training Level Adult Amateur FS Don’t Worry, sire; Buttercup, dam .......................................................................70.074% CH. AMICA NERA (Hanoverian), Erin Herzog (MO), owner/rider; 3. LIGUSTER (Dutch Warmblood), Margaret O’Meara, owner; Alabaster, sire; Bijou, dam........................................................................................71.364% Brooke Von Hoffmann (MO), rider; Variant, sire; Nieljane, dam..............................69.191% RS. RAPSON (Hanoverian), Colleen Rull (MO), owner/rider; 4. TAGG YORR IT (Half Arabian), April & Claire Nickelson, owners; Rapture R, sire; Wisteria, dam ..................................................................................71.136% Claire Nickelson (MO), rider; Jorrit, sire; Talsharafa, dam ........................................68.309% 3. LEANDROS (Hanoverian), Denise Jostes (MN), owner/rider ...................................71.023% 5. FHF MERCEDESWOOD (American Warmblood), Jennifer Kaiser, owner; 4. ONYX (American Warmblood), Karissa Gearen, owner; Madison Lareau (IN), rider .......................................................................................67.941% Kaitlyn Twardzik (IL), rider; Liberty, sire; Opal, dam ................................................70.682% 6. REMBRANDT (Hessen), William Woods University, owner; 5. AERIS (Half-Andalusian), Erin Zimmermann (OH), owner/rider ............................70.455% Brianna Jaeger (MO), rider; Rubinstern Noir, sire; Royality, dam............................66.838% 6. DE BLASIO (Oldenburg), Ken Mcgrath & Belinda Chu, owners; 7. CALLIGRAPHY (Holsteiner Cross), Mary Fischer (MN), owner/rider........................63.750% Belinda Chu (IL), rider ..............................................................................................70.455% 8. INQUISITIVE (Hanoverian), Megan Rydell (MN), owner/rider ................................63.162% 7. CLEARLY SUNSHINE (Oldenburg), Sara McConnell (MO), owner/rider ...................70.341% 8. FAULKNER (Oldenburg), James Gerhart, owner; Valerie Pervo (OH), rider; Hilltop Festrausch, sire; Pompon, dam ....................................................................69.773% First Level Open CH. DUBLIN L (Hanoverian), Douglas & Louise Leatherdale & Leatherdale Farms, owners; Mike Suchanek (MN), rider; Damsey, sire; Wilbranda, dam....................................75.079% Training Level Junior/Young Rider RS. WIEBEKKA (Oldenburg), Vanessa Carlson, owner; Mimi Benton (AR), rider; CH. SRC ALEJANDRO (Half Arabian), Jenna & Diane Upchurch, owners; Wradar, sire; Wiebekin, dam ....................................................................................73.015% Jenna Upchurch (MO), rider; Loki, sire; Alexsandria, dam.......................................71.705% 3. FINALIA ERS (Dutch Warmblood), Kim Rhind, owner; Yvonne Barteau (IL), rider.......71.985% RS. KABAM (German Riding Horse), Ann & Ellanor Boehning, owners; Ellanor Boehning (IN), rider; Heidbergs Nancho Nova, sire; Cahira, dam ...............71.477% 4. WILLOW (American Warmblood), Emily Miles, owner; Jana Wagner (KS), rider ...71.912% 5. RECESS (Swedish Warmblood), Ella Fruchterman, owner; 3. AAH JABASKASET STAR (Arabian), Wendy Schwagerman, owner; Kari Schmitt (WI), rider; Rashka, sire; Mona Lisa, dam ...........................................71.471% Averi Allen (MO), rider; Opus One, sire; Crystal Jabask ER, dam..............................69.091% 5. PITTER PAT (Thoroughbred), Krystina Firth, owner; Susan Posner (KY), rider........71.471% 4. BENNO’S WATERMARK (Oldenburg), Jennifer Mosle, owner; Katelyn Mosle (OH), rider; Benno’s Dream, sire; Splish Splash, dam ......................68.409% 7. SAMMY D SF (Hanoverian), Joan Buvala, owner; Elizabeth Gagliardi (IN), rider; Sir Donnerhall, sire; Welcome, dam........................71.029% 5. STELLA BRILLANTE (Morgan), Rebecca Leatherdale, Amy & Patricia Burnham, owners; Amy Burnham (MN), rider ...............................67.727% 8. H ACE OF HEARTS (Hanoverian), Otterbein University, owner; Jennifer Roth (OH), rider; Hochadel, sire; Feline, dam.............................................70.588% 6. SACRED SHOWDOWN (Paint), Daniel Patterson (MS), owner/rider; 7.
Sacred Indian, sire; Showdowns Gedget, dam........................................................67.614% FHF PALAU (American Warmblood), Jennifer Kaiser, owner; Madison Lareau (IN), rider .......................................................................................67.045% STARFIRES ORION (Half Arabian), Ella Fruchterman (MN), owner/rider; EL Pele, sire; Driver’s Starfire, dam ...........................................................................65.795%
First Level Freestyle
CH. H ACE OF HEARTS (Hanoverian), Otterbein University, owner; Jennifer Roth (OH), rider; Hochadel, sire; Feline, dam.............................................73.733% RS. FINALIA ERS (Dutch Warmblood), Kim Rhind, owner; Yvonne Barteau (IL), rider.......70.083% 3. SEVEN-N-SEVEN (Oldenburg), Carman Wakefield, owner; Training Level Open Nicole Harrington (OH), rider; Sinatra Song, sire; Dutch Treatt, dam ......................69.133% CH. WIEBEKKA (Oldenburg), Vanessa Carlson, owner; Mimi Benton (AR), rider; 4. FHF MERCEDESWOOD (American Warmblood), Jennifer Kaiser, owner; Wradar, sire; Wiebekin, dam ....................................................................................75.000% Madison Lareau (IN), rider .......................................................................................68.767% RS. DUBLIN L (Hanoverian), Douglas & Louise Leatherdale & Leatherdale Farms, owners; 5. FAULKNER (Oldenburg), James Gerhart, owner; Valerie Pervo (OH), rider; Mike Suchanek (MN), rider; Damsey, sire; Wilbranda, dam....................................72.159% Hilltop Festrausch, sire; Pompon, dam ....................................................................67.217% 3. SHAHARAZAD RHR (Zweibrucker), Nicole Harrington (OH), owner/rider ..............71.818% 6. NEAPOLITANO GLORIA (Lipizzan), Kate Phillips (MN), owner/rider; 4. FINALIA ERS (Dutch Warmblood), Kim Rhind, owner; Yvonne Barteau (IL), rider.......71.364% Neapolitano Slatana II, sire; Gloria II, dam ..............................................................65.567% 5. FRANKLYNN (Dutch Warmblood), Darcy Griffin, owner; Lauren Griffin (IN), rider; 7. SAKHER (Half Arabian), Susan Hall, owner; Heidi Williams (MO), rider; Spielberg, sire; Alamara, dam ..................................................................................70.909% Sinatra Song, sire; Anabelle EFS, dam .....................................................................63.500% 6. RAPSODY (Hanoverian), Saint Louis Equestrian Center LLC, owner; 8. FAKHJIR H (Zweibrucker), Chelsea Westra (NJ), owner/rider; Anna Eklund (MO), rider; Rapture R, sire; Raindance, dam ....................................70.341% Fantasmic, sire; Romy H, dam..................................................................................59.087% 7. FRONTENAC (Westfalen), Saint Louis Equestrian Center LLC, owner; Anna Eklund (MO), rider; Freestyle, sire; Raindance, dam ......................................70.341% Second Level Adult Amateur 8. MY SECOND FLING (Swedish Warmblood), Ella Fruchterman, owner; Kari Schmitt (WI), rider; Masterpiece, sire; Shirly, dam...........................................70.000% CH. ROUGH DIAMOND (Oldenburg), Sara McConnell (MO), owner/rider......................69.390% RS. FLORINUS (Oldenburg), Belinda Chu (IL), owner/rider ...........................................68.902% First Level Adult Amateur 3. AGATHON JP (Dutch Warmblood), Kelly Griffith (IL), owner/rider; CH. CLEARLY SUNSHINE (Oldenburg), Sara McConnell (MO), owner/rider ...................70.074% Jazz, sire; Fiana, dam................................................................................................68.537% RS. FAULKNER (Oldenburg), James Gerhart, owner; Valerie Pervo (OH), rider; 4. ROMINCKA (Dutch Warmblood), Carol & Clare Krska, owners; Hilltop Festrausch, sire; Pompon, dam ....................................................................69.265% Carol Krska (KS), rider; Welt Hit II, sire; La-Libelle, dam ..........................................68.415% 3. INGENUE (Oldenburg), Jan Tracy (MO), owner/rider; 5. LEISL TF (Hanoverian), Molly Schiltgen (MN), owner/rider; Iroquios, sire; Dona Gisele, dam...............................................................................68.088% Linaro, sire; Guarded Moment, dam ........................................................................68.293% 4. STOKBROENS ZANTUS (Danish Warmblood), Lisa Holderle (MO), owner/rider; 6. LECARTIER (Holsteiner), Amy Richwine & Brad King, owners; Blue Hors Zack, sire; Stokbroens Libelle, dam .........................................................67.059% Amy Richwine (IN), rider..........................................................................................66.829% 5. ANTARES (Dutch Warmblood), William Woods University, owner; 7. U-LILKINA-FIELD (Dutch Warmblood), Marissa Gesualdi (MO), owner/rider; Bailey Mccallum (IA), rider.......................................................................................66.397% Jazz, sire; Lilkina-Field, dam ....................................................................................66.098% 6. REGINAL TRACE BRANCH (American Warmblood), Heidi Raines (KY), owner/rider; 8. GOR DON BLEU (Hanoverian), Samantha Brinkman-Berkhofer (OH), owner/rider; Reality, sire; Douviller, dam......................................................................................65.956% Guarantor, sire; Winnetka, dam ...............................................................................65.244% 8.
120 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Third Level Adult Amateur
CH. ARAGON (Canadian Warmblood), Cara Fragomeni (MN), owner/rider ..................65.305% RS. TAGG YORR IT (Half Arabian), April & Claire Nickelson, owners; Claire Nickelson (MO), rider; Jorrit, sire; Talsharafa, dam ........................................65.244% 3. MAJESTIK LHF (Hanoverian), Jessica Spracklin & Dressage 4 Kids Inc, owners; Jessica Spracklin (OH), rider; Metternich, sire; Feine Taiga, dam ............................64.939% 4. RASPUTIN (Danish Warmblood), Madison Deaton (KY), owner/rider; Blue Hors Hertug, sire; Rambala, dam.....................................................................63.841% 5. MACU (Sport Pony), Mackenzie Peer (KS), owner/rider..........................................62.927% 6. STELLA LUNA (Friesian), Madison Peer (KS), owner/rider.......................................62.561% 7. FHF MERCEDESWOOD (American Warmblood), Jennifer Kaiser, owner; Madison Lareau (IN), rider .......................................................................................61.890%
CH. REMANESSA (Hanoverian), Julie McCrady (MO), owner/rider................................69.167% RS. GHINGER ALE (Hanoverian), Judith Nordstrom (IL), owner/rider; Good Luck, sire; Alure, dam......................................................................................67.949% 3. TEMPEST (Dutch Warmblood), Courtney Haley (IA), owner/rider; Consul, sire; Bettine, dam ........................................................................................67.372% 4. FERGIE MRF, Douglas & Shannon Langer & Maple Run Farm LLC, owners; Shannon Langer (WI), rider; Fidertanz, sire; Revlon, dam......................................66.282% 5. VIGNETTE (Lipizzan), Jill Dearing (WI), owner/rider; Maestoso III Sabrina, sire; Celestial Song, dam .......................................................65.641% 6. PALADIN (Percheron Cross), Lesley Sederholm, owner; Laura Myllykangas (MN), rider ................................................................................65.000% 7. FILA (Oldenburg), Molly Schiltgen (MN), owner/rider; Fidertanz, sire; Trottie True, dam ......................................................................................................64.744% 8. VIRGULE DU FLONZEL (Swiss Warmblood), Celine Caillat (MN), owner/rider ........64.295%
Second Level Open CH. FLEUR DE LIS L (Hanoverian), Douglas & Louise Leatherdale & Leatherdale Farms, owners; Mike Suchanek (MN), rider; First Dance, sire; De La Rosa, dam ..............................73.354% RS. FWF PRINCESS JULIANA (Georgian Grande), Mary Adams, owner; Jonni Allen (MO), rider; Pieter fan Lutke Peinjum, sire; Flying W Farms Dresden Figurine, dam.................69.756% 3. ENDAVOUR ADVENTURE (Dutch Warmblood), Susan Harris (KY), owner/rider .....69.329% 4. XENIA FAN WILLOW VIEW (Friesian), Vickie Short, owner; Linda Strine (KY), rider; Goffert 369, sire; Hedde L., dam ..............................................................................68.841% 5. OVATION (Oldenburg), Kenneth Borden (IL), owner/rider; Opus, sire; Windspiel, dam .......................................................................................66.524% 6. WILLOW (American Warmblood), Emily Miles, owner; Jana Wagner (KS), rider ...66.037% 7. RECESS (Swedish Warmblood), Ella Fruchterman, owner; Kari Schmitt (WI), rider; Rashka, sire; Mona Lisa, dam...................................................................................65.732% 8. SAMMY D SF (Hanoverian), Joan Buvala, owner; Elizabeth Gagliardi (IN), rider; Sir Donnerhall, sire; Welcome, dam.........................................................................65.671%
Third Level Junior/Young Rider CH. SAMOS RONIA (Dutch Warmblood), Lily Schoeppner (MO), owner/rider; Darlington, sire; Ladonja Ronia, dam ......................................................................66.795% RS. RASPUTIN (Danish Warmblood), Madison Deaton (KY), owner/rider; Blue Hors Hertug, sire; Rambala, dam.....................................................................66.282% 3. XENOFONTE INTERAGRO (Lusitano), Megan, David & Joan Olson, owners; Emma Smith (MN), rider..........................................................................................65.773% 4. MAJESTIK LHF (Hanoverian), Jessica Spracklin & Dressage 4 Kids Inc, owners; Jessica Spracklin (OH), rider; Metternich, sire; Feine Taiga, dam ............................65.128% 5. DIAVOLINO 5 (Hanoverian), Jennifer Mosle, owner; Katelyn Mosle (OH), rider......62.179% 6. TSF IPSWICH (Morgan), Kathryn Iverson (MN), owner/rider; Triple S Dun It, sire; Whippoorwill Gaiety, dam .......................................................62.115% 7. ARAGON (Canadian Warmblood), Cara Fragomeni (MN), owner/rider ..................61.154%
Second Level Freestyle
JESSE FRANKS PHOTOGRAPHY
CH. FWF PRINCESS JULIANA (Georgian Grande), Mary Adams, owner; Jonni Allen (MO), rider; Pieter fan Lutke Peinjum, sire; Flying W Farms Dresden Figurine, dam .................74.683% RS. XENIA FAN WILLOW VIEW (Friesian), Vickie Short, owner; Linda Strine (KY), rider; Goffert 369, sire; Hedde L., dam ..............................................................................72.133% 3. SAMMY D SF (Hanoverian), Joan Buvala, owner; Elizabeth Gagliardi (IN), rider; Sir Donnerhall, sire; Welcome, dam.........................................................................67.983% 4. DESTINEE (Hanoverian), Becky & Jim McMillin, owners; Becky McMillin (MO), rider; Dominator, sire; Choose A Dream, dam......................67.783% 5. LECARTIER (Holsteiner), Amy Richwine & Brad King, owners; Amy Richwine (IN), rider..........................................................................................67.250% 6. HOT-ROYAL HIT (Oldenburg), Jean Rude (IA), owner/rider .....................................66.717% 7. WACATION (Hanoverian), Megan Ward (IA), owner/rider; Widmark, sire; Dedicated, dam ...............................................................................59.133%
Rebecca Knollman and Rocky Lane, Prix St. Georges Open Champion; Natalie Lamping, judge; Stephan Hienzsch, USDF representative
Third Level Open CH. HERO L (Hanoverian), Douglas & Louise Leatherdale & Leatherdale Farms, owners; Mike Suchanek (MN), rider; His Highness 2, sire; Waterlily L, dam.........................76.346% RS. FLEUR DE LIS L (Hanoverian), Douglas & Louise Leatherdale & Leatherdale Farms, owners; Mike Suchanek (MN), rider; First Dance, sire; De La Rosa, dam ..............................72.308% 3. FLORETIENNE (Oldenburg), Leslie Waterman, owner; Emily Miles (KS), rider; Florestan I, sire; Tamarinde, dam .............................................................................71.795% 4. TOWN AND COUNTRY ELANCOURT (Dutch Warmblood), Reese Koffler-Stanfield, Kiki Courtelis & Town and Country Sporthorses LLC, owners; Reese Koffler-Stanfield (KY), rider; Ampere, sire; Belita V, dam .............................71.603% 5. COLTRANE (Dutch Warmblood), Elisabeth Austin (KY), owner/rider......................71.090% 6. QUANTUM JAZZ (Oldenburg), Leslie Waterman, owner; Emily Miles (KS), rider; Quaterback, sire; Tamarinde, dam ...........................................................................67.372%
Amy Paterson and Wies V/D Klumpert, Intermediate II Adult Amateur Champion; David Schmutz, judge; Stephan Hienzsch, USDF representative
USDF CONNECTION
â&#x20AC;¢
February 2016
121
GREAT AMERICAN/USDF REGIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Second Level Junior/Young Rider
GREAT AMERICAN/USDF REGIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
HEMMINGWAY (Oldenburg), Kelli Mardell (KY), owner/rider; Junior Team Hofrat, sire; Alsonara, dam.......................................................................................66.026% CH. BOEGELY’S MAURICIO (Danish Warmblood), Tillie Jones & Tish Gade-Jones, owners; 8. WINTERSTOLZ (Oldenburg), Debbie Hubbard (MO), owner/rider ..........................65.260% Tillie Jones (NE), rider; Michellino, sire; Sondervangs Mazurka, dam ....................70.541% RS. SAMOS RONIA (Dutch Warmblood), Lily Schoeppner (MO), owner/rider; Third Level Freestyle Darlington, sire; Ladonja Ronia, dam ......................................................................67.500% CH. GRIFFINDOR (Oldenburg), Brianna Zwilling (MO), owner/rider; 3. DIAVOLINO 5 (Hanoverian), Jennifer Mosle, owner; Katelyn Mosle (OH), rider......67.297% Galiani CH, sire; Ronja M, dam .................................................................................72.350% RS. DEMITASSE (American Warmblood), Blaire Aldridge Dean (MO), owner/rider; Young Rider Team Winner, sire; Unorthodox, dam................................................................................71.633% CH. CREED (Oldenburg), Lucinda Boyle, owner; Kayla Barteau (IL), rider .....................67.368% 3. TOWN AND COUNTRY ELANCOURT (Dutch Warmblood), Reese Koffler-Stanfield, Kiki Courtelis & Town and Country Sporthorses LLC, owners; Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur Reese Koffler-Stanfield (KY), rider; Ampere, sire; Belita V, dam .............................69.633% CH. BEATRIX (Dutch Warmblood), Sarah Baggette (TN), owner/rider; 4. GRAVITAS (Hanoverian), Laura Corsentino (KY), owner/rider; Sorento, sire; Vera, dam............................................................................................69.737% Grafenburg, sire; Damenwunsch, dam....................................................................68.817% RS. VANITY (Holsteiner), Selena Pape (KY), owner/rider ..............................................67.697% 5. BOEGELY’S MAURICIO (Danish Warmblood), Tillie Jones & Tish Gade-Jones, owners; 3. WALENTINO (Dutch Warmblood), Martina Minor (OH), owner/rider; Tillie Jones (NE), rider; Michellino, sire; Sondervangs Mazurka, dam ....................68.550% San Remo, sire; Iresia, dam ......................................................................................67.303% 6. VIGNETTE (Lipizzan), Jill Dearing (WI), owner/rider; Maestoso III Sabrina, sire; 4. FRESCO II (Canadian Warmblood), Patricia Toeniskoetter (MO), owner/rider; Celestial Song, dam..................................................................................................67.350% Formaat, sire; Troy’s Miss Angel, dam ......................................................................66.184% 7. REMANESSA (Hanoverian), Julie McCrady (MO), owner/rider................................66.617% 5. RICHTHOFEN 7 (Hanoverian), Judy Ethell (MO), owner/rider; 8. SAMOS RONIA (Dutch Warmblood), Lily Schoeppner (MO), owner/rider; Royal Blend, sire; Wonne, dam ................................................................................65.461% Darlington, sire; Ladonja Ronia, dam ......................................................................66.000% 6. CHOPARD (Hanoverian), Susan Maurais (IN), owner/rider; 7.
Fourth Level Adult Amateur CH. VANITY (Holsteiner), Selena Pape (KY), owner/rider ..............................................66.056% RS. RICHTHOFEN 7 (Hanoverian), Judy Ethell (MO), owner/rider; Royal Blend, sire; Wonne, dam ................................................................................65.167% 3. REMANESSA (Hanoverian), Julie McCrady (MO), owner/rider................................63.278% 4. GHINGER ALE (Hanoverian), Judith Nordstrom (IL), owner/rider; Good Luck, sire; Alure, dam......................................................................................63.278% 5. RAPHAEL (Thoroughbred), Rebecca Sturdy (IL), owner/rider; Montreal Red, sire; Joyful Pat, dam .........................................................................62.833% 6. GRECCO (Swedish Warmblood), Kathy Nardi (MN), owner/rider; Galapard, sire; Zephyr, dam .....................................................................................61.889% 7. LP SNICKERS (Arabian), Linda Freeman, owner; Michelle Freeman (IL), rider; Pasos Perfection, sire; La Lali, dam ..........................................................................61.722% 8. LL KARGARDS STAR (Danish Warmblood), Tammy Porter (MO), owner/rider .......60.833%
7. 8.
Contucci, sire; Baryshna, dam ..................................................................................64.934% LAUSANNE (Westfalen), Denise Jostes (MN), owner/rider; Laurentianer, sire; Farina, dam ................................................................................64.539% APHRODITE ISF (Dutch Warmblood), Jeanne Degrazia & George Bulfa, owners; Jeanne Degrazia (IN), rider; Sir Sinclair, sire; Persimmon-ISF, dam ........................63.684%
Prix St. Georges Junior/Young Rider CH. CREED (Oldenburg), Lucinda Boyle, owner; Kayla Barteau (IL), rider .....................68.421%
Prix St. Georges Open
CH. ROCKY LANE (Westfalen), Rebecca Knollman (OH), owner/rider; Rock Forever, sire; Rica, dam ....................................................................................68.750% RS. SIR SHERLOCK (Hanoverian), Leslie Waterman, owner; Emily Miles (KS), rider; Sir Donnerhall I, sire; Shari, dam ........................................68.487% 3. UNEXPECTED (Dutch Warmblood), Ed & Brenda Stiften, owners; Heather Romriell (MO), rider; Namelus R, sire; Helleen, dam.................................68.026% Fourth Level Junior/Young Rider CH. CHARLIE BROWN, Meghan Mcclay (MN), owner/rider ...........................................58.556% 4. GREYSTOKE (Oldenburg), Kathryn Fleming-Kuhn, owner; Martin Kuhn (IL), rider; Rosentanz, sire; Ginger, dam .............................................67.895% 5. CORENZO (Hanoverian), Douglas & Louise Leatherdale & Leatherdale Farms, owners; Fourth Level Open Mike Suchanek (MN), rider; Conteur, sire; Ramira, dam .........................................67.303% CH. FLORETIENNE (Oldenburg), Leslie Waterman, owner; Emily Miles (KS), rider; Florestan I, sire; Tamarinde, dam .............................................................................72.667% 6. CREMONT (Danish Warmblood), Underhill Farm, owner; Stewart Underhill (MN), rider ..................................................................................66.250% RS. CORENZO (Hanoverian), Douglas & Louise Leatherdale & Leatherdale Farms, owners; Mike Suchanek (MN), rider; Conteur, sire; Ramira, dam .........................................71.889% 7. ZAIDA (Dutch Warmblood), Sally Booth, owner; Jennifer Conour (IN), rider; Sir Sinclair, sire; Beameda, dam...............................................................................65.789% 3. UNEXPECTED (Dutch Warmblood), Ed & Brenda Stiften, owners; Heather Romriell (MO), rider; Namelus R, sire; Helleen, dam.................................71.111% 8. BEEREND W. (Friesian), Vickie Short, owner; Linda Strine (KY), rider; Goffert 369, sire; Jacqueline, dam ...........................................................................65.532% 4. CELTIC GRACE (Friesian Sporthorse), Bobbi Wojtowicz, owner; Jonni Allen (MO), rider; Roi Des Blues, sire; Zena, dam ...........................................69.833% Intermediate I Adult Amateur 5. GREYSTOKE (Oldenburg), Kathryn Fleming-Kuhn, owner; Martin Kuhn (IL), rider; Rosentanz, sire; Ginger, dam .............................................69.611% CH. BEATRIX (Dutch Warmblood), Sarah Baggette (TN), owner/rider; Sorento, sire; Vera, dam............................................................................................64.145% 6. COLIN (Oldenburg), Still Waters Equestrian Academy, owner; Gracia Huenefeld (NE), rider ....................................................................................67.167% RS. RAISSA M (Hanoverian), Elsie & Randall Nord, owners; Elizabeth Davin (MN), rider; Ravallo, sire; Goldtegen, dam ..................................................................................63.224% 7. ZEBASTIAN (Dutch Warmblood), Lauren Griffin (IN), owner/rider; Krack C, sire; Lobelia, dam........................................................................................67.000% 3. DONAU PRINCE (Trakehner), Kim Rhind (FL), owner/rider; Butow *E*, sire; Donauperle, dam ..........................................................................62.303% 8. HEMMINGWAY (Oldenburg), Kelli Mardell (KY), owner/rider; Hofrat, sire; Alsonara, dam.......................................................................................66.389% 4. LAUSANNE (Westfalen), Denise Jostes (MN), owner/rider; Laurentianer, sire; Farina, dam ................................................................................61.250% 5. WESTERSTORM (Dutch Warmblood), Debra Klamen (IL), owner/rider; Fourth Level Freestyle Sir Sinclair, sire; Cantira, dam ...................................................................................60.987% CH. CELTIC GRACE (Friesian Sporthorse), Bobbi Wojtowicz, owner; Jonni Allen (MO), rider; Roi Des Blues, sire; Zena, dam ...........................................74.117% 6. WALENTINO (Dutch Warmblood), Martina Minor (OH), owner/rider; San Remo, sire; Iresia, dam ......................................................................................60.592% RS. CREED (Oldenburg), Lucinda Boyle, owner; Kayla Barteau (IL), rider .....................65.417% 7. CHOPARD (Hanoverian), Susan Maurais (IN), owner/rider; 3. KATHARINA V.V. (Friesian), Carol Notarianni, owner; Jennifer Conour (IN), rider; Contucci, sire; Baryshna, dam ..................................................................................60.592% Aswyn Van De Pluum, sire; Rozalinda, dam ............................................................65.283% 8. KOKAPELLI (Hanoverian), Katelyn Myllykangas (MN), owner/rider.......................50.000% 4. RAPHAEL (Thoroughbred), Rebecca Sturdy (IL), owner/rider; Montreal Red, sire; Joyful Pat, dam .........................................................................64.650% 5. RELIANCE (Oldenburg), Susan Jones (KY), owner/rider; Intermediate I Open Rohdiamant, sire; Gesstine, dam .............................................................................63.567% CH. ZAIDA (Dutch Warmblood), Sally Booth, owner; Jennifer Conour (IN), rider; 6. WUNDERTANZ (Hanoverian Cross), Sarah Whitney (TX), owner/rider ...................58.883% Sir Sinclair, sire; Beameda, dam...............................................................................67.237%
122 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Intermediate I Freestyle CH. BEEREND W. (Friesian), Vickie Short, owner; Linda Strine (KY), rider; Goffert 369, sire; Jacqueline, dam ...........................................................................70.938% RS. ZAIDA (Dutch Warmblood), Sally Booth, owner; Jennifer Conour (IN), rider; Sir Sinclair, sire; Beameda, dam...............................................................................68.063% 3. DIEGO-GARCIA (Andalusian), Terry Johnson, owner; Alison Larson (MN), rider; Q, sire; Jewel, dam....................................................................................................65.313% 4. DONAU PRINCE (Trakehner), Kim Rhind (FL), owner/rider; Butow *E*, sire; Donauperle, dam ..........................................................................62.750%
Intermediate II Adult Amateur CH. WIES V/D KLUMPERT (Dutch Warmblood), Greenwood Sporthorses, owner; Amy Paterson (MO), rider; Future, sire; Sarina V.D. Klumpert, dam........................65.526% RS. CAPTAIN JACK (Swedish Warmblood), Selena Pape (KY), owner/rider ..................65.329%
Intermediate II Open CH. ZANIA (Dutch Warmblood), Jami Kment (NE), owner/rider; Sir Sinclair, sire; Melody, dam ..................................................................................65.658% RS. MAGIC MOMENTS (Westfalen), Elizabeth Cronin, owner; Ryan Yap (FL), rider; Salamander, sire; Fortuna, dam...............................................................................62.829% 3. IVE BEEN RIPPED+ (Half Arabian), Linda Freeman, owner; Jessica Gould (IL), rider; Shennendoahs Pride, sire; Roscza Sadon, dam................57.829% 4. PASQUINO (Dutch Warmblood), Kate Phillips (MN), owner/rider ..........................55.461% 5. CHACKOMO M (Wurttemberg), Laura Burket (KY), owner/rider ............................53.355%
Grand Prix Adult Amateur CH. CAPTAIN JACK (Swedish Warmblood), Selena Pape (KY), owner/rider ..................62.950% RS. WIES V/D KLUMPERT (Dutch Warmblood), Greenwood Sporthorses, owner; Amy Paterson (MO), rider; Future, sire; Sarina V.D. Klumpert, dam........................62.950% 3. SILVESTER (Dutch Warmblood), Karen Raber (MS), owner/rider ...........................58.600%
Grand Prix Open
Region 5 The 2015 Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 5 Dressage Championships were held October 16-18 in Scottsdale, AZ. Judges: William Warren, Cara Whitham, Christel Carlson, Lorraine MacDonald, Doreen Horsey
Training Level Adult Amateur CH. DACAPRIELLA (Hanoverian), Alyssa Barngrover (AZ), owner/rider; Dacaprio, sire; Nebella, dam ....................................................................................76.136% RS. TITAN’S BELEZA (American Warmblood), Katie Mortensen (UT), owner/rider; Titan, sire; Chula, dam..............................................................................................72.045% 3. WINDANCER M-IRAZ (Arabian), Danny Sal Da Na (NM), owner/rider; Maximuss, sire; Bey Sequins, dam...........................................................................70.000% 4. WELLCOME (Hanoverian), Heather Krebs (UT), owner/rider ..................................69.318% 5. DOOLEY NOTED (Swedish Warmblood), Meg Osman (NM), owner/rider ..............67.955% 6. QHARMA (Oldenburg), Dawn Winans (AZ), owner/rider; Quaterback, sire; Risiko, dam ...................................................................................67.727% 7. WINDANCER MAJEED MRAZ (Arabian), Danny Sal Da Na (NM), owner/rider; WinDancer M-Iraz, sire; Gilbriar Gday, dam.............................................................67.273% 8. HABIAN (Oldenburg), Jane Beebe (AZ), owner/rider; Sempatico M, sire; Nothing But Lies, dam...............................................................67.045%
Training Level Junior/Young Rider CH. RS. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
CHI (Thoroughbred Cross), Gabrielle Spirk (AZ), owner/rider .................................69.545% MISS MAISY MAE (Georgian Grande), Jamie Deconcini (AZ), owner/rider.............67.386% WILLOW (Haflinger), Pamela Farthing, owner; Katherine Nayak (AZ), rider .........65.682% MR. HOBBS (Thoroughbred), Eden Thomas (UT), owner/rider...............................65.455% ALEXA BELLA (Arabian), Michele Galante, owner; Alexandra Super (AZ), rider; Petrovne, sire; TC Fanci That, dam ............................................................................62.727% RUSTY (Warmblood), Selbi Shenold (CO), owner/rider ..........................................62.273% ELYSIUM (Friesian Sporthorse), Reagan Leach, owner; Talia Debrigida (AZ), rider......58.523%
Training Level Open CH. RS. 3. 4.
FAIRE WELL (Dutch Warmblood), Sally Riggs, owner; Laura Decesari (AZ), rider...72.500% MULATO XV (Andalusian), Marta Gonzalez, owner; Laura Decesari (AZ), rider ......70.682% EN VOGUE (Dutch Warmblood), Audrey Potter, owner; Karin Lencyk (TX), rider ...67.159% ESCAPADA (Andalusian), Mimi Junick (NM), owner/rider ......................................64.205%
First Level Adult Amateur CH. DACHSTEIN (Dutch Warmblood), Kate Shoemaker (AZ), owner/rider....................71.544% RS. RAZMITAZ (Zweibrucker), Judith Carrington & Catalina Sherwood, owners; Catalina Sherwood (AZ), rider..................................................................................71.029% 3. TITAN’S BELEZA (American Warmblood), Katie Mortensen (UT), owner/rider; Titan, sire; Chula, dam..............................................................................................70.441% 4. REVANCHE (Dutch Warmblood), Amy Roth (AZ), owner/rider; Jazz, sire; Imperial, dam...........................................................................................69.926% 5. WELLCOME (Hanoverian), Heather Krebs (UT), owner/rider ..................................67.721% 6. ROXSTAR WF (Hanoverian), Kelly Horton (AZ), owner/rider; Rienzi, sire; Tequila, dam..........................................................................................67.574% 7. EL TIGRE D ORO (Andalusian), Barbara Duzan (AZ), owner/rider; Mistral Do Top, sire; Ahovanza, dam ........................................................................67.574% 8. MISS PAKUNA (Holsteiner), Pamela Farthing (AZ), owner/rider; Coriander, sire; Ebelin, dam......................................................................................66.691%
CH. WAKEUP (American Warmblood), Emily Miles (KS), owner/rider; Wagnis, sire; Maiden Montreal, dam.......................................................................73.450% RS. WELTDORFF (Hanoverian), Emily Miles (KS), owner/rider; Weltmeyer, sire; Luna, dam .....................................................................................68.300% 3. RHUMBA (Dutch Warmblood), Andrew Baertsch, owner; Leah Nelson (MN), rider; Contango, sire; Harmony, dam........................................66.250% 4. GP RAYMEISTER (Holsteiner), Ginna Frantz, owner; Yvonne Barteau (IL), rider; Rantares, sire; Miss Nickel Annie, dam.........................65.604% 5. CHACKOMO M (Wurttemberg), Laura Burket (KY), owner/rider ............................63.350% First Level Junior/Young Rider 6. RAPTURE R (Hanoverian), Saint Louis Equestrian Center LLC, owner; CH. VOLTAIRE (Dutch Warmblood), Ann Hayes, owner; Sarah Dauz (NM), rider; Anna Eklund (MO), rider; Rotspon, sire; Damaris, dam...........................................59.050% Wanroij, sire; Magical, dam......................................................................................66.838% 7. IVE BEEN RIPPED+ (Half Arabian), Linda Freeman, owner; RS. MISS MAISY MAE (Georgian Grande), Jamie Deconcini (AZ), owner/rider.............63.676% Jessica Gould (IL), rider; Shennendoahs Pride, sire; Roscza Sadon, dam................57.500% 3. WILLOW (Haflinger), Pamela Farthing, owner; Katherine Nayak (AZ), rider .........63.603% 4. NEW YORKS FINEST (Thoroughbred), Ivana & Alissa Gilcreest, owners; Ivana Gilcreest (AZ), rider; Bonus Money, sire; Peak at the Moon, dam .................63.529% Grand Prix Freestyle 5. CHI (Thoroughbred Cross), Gabrielle Spirk (AZ), owner/rider .................................62.279% CH. WELTDORFF (Hanoverian), Emily Miles (KS), owner/rider; Weltmeyer, sire; Luna, dam .....................................................................................71.688% 6. ELYSIUM (Friesian Sporthorse), Reagan Leach, owner; Talia Debrigida (AZ), rider......54.706% RS. GP RAYMEISTER (Holsteiner), Ginna Frantz, owner; Yvonne Barteau (IL), rider; Rantares, sire; Miss Nickel Annie, dam.........................67.063% First Level Open 3. SILVESTER (Dutch Warmblood), Karen Raber (MS), owner/rider ...........................62.438% CH. DOUGLAS VL (Dutch Warmblood), Glenda Needles (CO), owner/rider; 4. CHACKOMO M (Wurttemberg), Laura Burket (KY), owner/rider ............................58.000% Sydney, sire; Windy, dam .........................................................................................71.618%
USDF CONNECTION
•
February 2016
123
GREAT AMERICAN/USDF REGIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
RS. ROCKY LANE (Westfalen), Rebecca Knollman (OH), owner/rider; Rock Forever, sire; Rica, dam ....................................................................................66.513% 3. BEEREND W. (Friesian), Vickie Short, owner; Linda Strine (KY), rider; Goffert 369, sire; Jacqueline, dam ...........................................................................66.118% 4. LORD FERRAGAMO (Rhinelander), Saint Louis Equestrian Center LLC, owner; Anna Eklund (MO), rider; Lord Loxley, sire; Fairless P, dam......................................66.053% 5. DIEGO-GARCIA (Andalusian), Terry Johnson, owner; Alison Larson (MN), rider; Q, sire; Jewel, dam .........................................................65.592% 6. RASHKA (Oldenburg), Kenneth Borden (IL), owner/rider; GP Raymeister, sire; Tashka, dam.............................................................................65.461% 7. DALLIANCE, KT Harrington (MN), owner/rider........................................................65.263% 8. RHINE MAIDEN (Hanoverian), Liz Lund (MN), owner/rider; Rhodiamant, sire; Desert Sun, dam .........................................................................64.145%
4.
FRISCO BAY (Westfalen), Stacy Williams (UT), owner/rider; Fidertanz, sire; Charisma, dam ................................................................................58.537%
Second Level Freestyle CH. FRISCO BAY (Westfalen), Stacy Williams (UT), owner/rider; Fidertanz, sire; Charisma, dam ................................................................................67.750% RS. DONNA STELLA (Oldenburg), Kendall & Sharee Brookhart, owners; Kendall Brookhart (AZ), rider; Donnerwelt, sire; Radiant Star, dam.......................61.587%
Third Level Adult Amateur First Level Freestyle
CH. FASHION (Danish Warmblood), Wendy Riddell, owner; Kendall Utter (AZ), rider; Fruehling, sire; Ea, dam ...................................................64.808% RS. UP TEMPO (Holsteiner), Carol Degirolamo (AZ), owner/rider; Camiros, sire; High Note, dam..................................................................................64.038% 3. DRESDEN (Hanoverian), Margie Cochrane (AZ), owner/rider; De Niro, sire; Diorella, dam.......................................................................................63.974% Second Level Adult Amateur 4. TALARA (Trakehner), Kara Finnegan (AZ), owner/rider ..........................................63.013% CH. DACHSTEIN (Dutch Warmblood), Kate Shoemaker (AZ), owner/rider....................69.146% 5. V.I.P. (Dutch Warmblood), Mary Ann Miller (AZ), owner/rider ...............................62.628% RS. SOLANA (Trakehner), Margaret Kurbat (AZ), owner/rider; 6. RED HAWK’S HARMONY (Oldenburg), Jennifer Kimmell (AZ), owner/rider; Bel Espace Go, sire; Sidney, dam ..............................................................................65.671% Herzberg, sire; Russian Wry, dam.............................................................................59.936% 3. CARMEN (Dutch Warmblood), Theresa Hunt (AZ), owner/rider; 7. TOVA JN (Oldenburg), Heather Krebs (UT), owner/rider; Facet, sire; Faire Thee Well, dam...............................................................................65.610% Tallison, sire; Pavlova, dam ......................................................................................59.167% 4. FASHION (Danish Warmblood), Wendy Riddell, owner; Kendall Utter (AZ), rider; Fruehling, sire; Ea, dam............................................................................................65.427% 5. DARIO (Hanoverian), Lynn Boice (AZ), owner/rider; Domiro, sire; Darial, dam ......62.805% Third Level Junior/Young Rider 6. CJA DEBBONHEIR (Arabian), Jodi Reynolds (AZ), owner/rider; CH. FANTASIA (American Warmblood), Karin Lencyk, owner; The Million Heir, sire; CJA Lorelei, dam ....................................................................62.683% Breeanon Ramey (TX), rider; Banjo, sire; Cincia, dam .............................................64.551% 7. RAZMITAZ (Zweibrucker), Judith Carrington & Catalina Sherwood, owners; Catalina Sherwood (AZ), rider..................................................................................61.585% Third Level Open 8. BACIONI (American Warmblood), Marji McFadden (AZ), owner/rider; Big Boy, sire; Kala Loan, dam ...................................................................................60.610% CH. ROMANTIC MAN (Hanoverian), Kenzie’s Awesome Equines LLC, owner; Cyndi Jackson (AZ), rider; Rubinero, sire; Andriana, dam........................................71.090% RS. WELLKNOWN (Westfalen), Alison Swanson, owner; Second Level Junior/Young Rider Ashleigh Luca-Tyson (AZ), rider ...............................................................................70.769% CH. VOLTAIRE (Dutch Warmblood), Ann Hayes, owner; Sarah Dauz (NM), rider; 3. SANS SOUCIS K (Oldenburg), Debra Pulver & River Oaks Farm, owners; Wanroij, sire; Magical, dam......................................................................................64.146% Ashleigh Luca-Tyson (AZ), rider; Sir Donnerhall I, sire; Flybaboo Air, dam .............69.679% 4. FIDERSTEP HW (Oldenburg), Dianne Delayo, owner; Allen Swafford (NM), rider ..67.500% Second Level Open 5. PAVAN (Polish Warmblood), Janet Teodori, owner; Jennifer Parker (AZ), rider ......66.667% CH. ROSA FINA (Zweibrucker), Naima Guy, owner; Cyndi Jackson (AZ), rider; 6. THE KING OF ROCK N’ ROLL (Dutch Warmblood), Radikal, sire; Nickerbocker, dam ..............................................................................68.963% Shannon Dahmer (CO), owner/rider........................................................................66.346% RS. IN D’AIRE (Belgian Warmblood), Kate & Dave Earl, owners; Verena Hill (AZ), rider .....68.902% 7. FANDANGO GSF (Zweibrucker), Kristy Doty (AZ), owner/rider ...............................65.064% 3. HS VARADO (Hungarian), Virginia Williams & Ronald Stepien, owners; 8. EL DA VINCI (Arabian), Cynthia Course, owner; Kailee Surplus (AZ), rider; Christina Rudman (CO), rider; Hungarian Sportlo Warado, sire; Miss Varro, dam ........66.159% SH Rembrandt, sire; Shahrai, dam...........................................................................64.487% CH. ROY ELS BELLE OF THE BALL (Morgan), Lindsay Naas (AZ), owner/rider; Roy El Princeton, sire; Roy El’s Countess, dam..........................................................64.833% RS. WILLOW (Haflinger), Pamela Farthing, owner; Katherine Nayak (AZ), rider .........64.833%
Gabrielle Spirk and Chi, Training Level Junior/Young Rider Champion; Brynne Boian, USDF representative; Tajie Major, technical delegate
124 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Susan Schneider and Wagner de Bonce, Grand Prix Open Champion; Brynne Boian, USDF representative; Tajie Major, technical delegate
BLUE MOON STUDIOS
GREAT AMERICAN/USDF REGIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
RS. SLIPSTREAM (Oldenburg), Sherrill Tripp, owner; Paula Paglia (AZ), rider; Sir Donnerhall I, sire; Red Hawk’s Picoletta, dam ....................................................69.926% 3. DEVEN CR (Dutch Warmblood), Shannon Lemons, owner; Simone Ahern (CO), rider; OO Seven, sire; Weltina, dam.........................................68.897% 4. EN VOGUE (Dutch Warmblood), Audrey Potter, owner; Karin Lencyk (TX), rider ...68.456% 5. SHINERS BUCKAROO (Quarter Horse), Susan Arbuckle, owner; Laura Decesari (AZ), rider; Shining Spark, sire; Fluff Your Feathers, dam ...............67.132% 6. ETOILE (Dutch Warmblood), Virginia Barry, owner; Beverly Rogers (AZ), rider; Riverman ISF, sire; Coco Drilla, dam .........................................................................65.956% 7. CHANCELLOR (Friesian), Jaimie Ringger (UT), owner/rider ....................................63.824%
CH. THE KING OF ROCK N’ ROLL (Dutch Warmblood), Shannon Dahmer (CO), owner/rider........................................................................67.083%
Region 6 The 2015 Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 6 Dressage Championships were held September 24-27 in Sherwood, OR.
Fourth Level Adult Amateur
Judges: Ida Norris, Joan Macartney, Marilyn Heath, Paramjeet Chopra, Sue Curry Shaffer, Natalie CH. DON RUBIN (Oldenburg), Andria Allen (CO), owner/rider; Lamping, Loris Henry Donnerschlag, sire; Legende, dam ..........................................................................68.389% RS. DAXIA (Hanoverian), Holly Dietz (NM), owner/rider; Training Level Adult Amateur Danone I, sire; Donnabell, dam................................................................................59.780% CH. BASILIO THF (Hanoverian), Christine Siems (WA), owner/rider; 3. PLATO EN ROUGE (Selle Francais), Lynn McKinney (AZ), owner/rider; Belissimo M, sire; Fidertana B, dam.........................................................................74.773% E’Sops Fable, sire; Nakuru, dam ...............................................................................58.722% RS. SYMPHONY (Hanoverian), Sarah Jacob (WA), owner/rider; Sir Donnerhall I, sire; Donabella, dam .....................................................................71.818% Fourth Level Junior/Young Rider 3. EBENHOLTZ (Hanoverian), Alicia Harck, owner; Anne Fisher (WA), rider; CH. FANTASIA (American Warmblood), Karin Lencyk, owner; Ehrentusch, sire; Levantine, dam.............................................................................69.886% Breeanon Ramey (TX), rider; Banjo, sire; Cincia, dam .............................................62.222% 4. CAMPARI COOL (Bavarian), Elissa Cotter & Jaimie Snyder, owners; Jaimie Snyder (WA), rider ........................................................................................69.773% 5. WINTERFAIRE (Hanoverian), Monica Zilkoski (OR), owner/rider; Fourth Level Open Winterprinz, sire; Fanfare, dam................................................................................69.659% CH. ROMANTIC MAN (Hanoverian), Kenzie’s Awesome Equines LLC, owner; Cyndi Jackson (AZ), rider; Rubinero, sire; Andriana, dam........................................67.000% 6. FASCINATION (Hanoverian), Emily Anderson, owner; Amy Itkin (WA), rider .........69.318% 7. BALTAINE (Hanoverian), Michelle Seibel, owner; Dianna Marchand (WA), rider...69.091% RS. SANTIAGO SF (Trakehner), Kailee Surplus (AZ), owner/rider; Kostolany, sire; Sidney, dam ....................................................................................64.722% 8. PARTOUCHE (Dutch Warmblood), Jessica Rattner, owner; Debra Ringold (OR), rider; Flemmingh, sire; Karmette, dam..................................68.409%
Fourth Level Freestyle CH. PLATO EN ROUGE (Selle Francais), Lynn McKinney (AZ), owner/rider; E’Sops Fable, sire; Nakuru, dam ...............................................................................60.417%
Training Level Junior/Young Rider
CH. FINNOMENON (Dutch Warmblood), Lindsey Whitcher (OR), owner/rider; Keur, sire; Topaz, dam...............................................................................................67.841% RS. CAPTAIN FANTASTIC (Canadian Warmblood), Ashley Combs (WA), owner/rider........67.386% Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur 3. JUSS ANGEL ELEGANCE (American Warmblood), Charles Roth (OR), owner/rider.66.932% CH. BAILANDO (Dutch Warmblood), Erin McHenry (AZ), owner/rider..........................66.579% 4. TYEE GOLDEN RULE (Welsh Pony), Kylie Cemulini (WA), owner/rider....................65.909% RS. ARAGORN (Dutch Warmblood), Susan Leutwyler (AZ), owner/rider .....................65.132% 5. SERENA SRF (Andalusian), Anne Storm, owner; Angela Loczi-Storm (OR), rider; 3. PROPHECY (Selle Francais), Michelle Stark-Goss (AZ), owner/rider; Dominante XXIX, sire; Evangelista MHF, dam..........................................................65.568% Fundy du Mont, sire; Once Upon A Time, dam ........................................................63.289% 6. TALYWERN LEGALLY BLONDE (Welsh Cob), Kylee Mckereghan (OR), owner/rider; 4. RAOUL (Dutch Warmblood), Sarah Lindsten (AZ), owner/rider; Menai Magic’s Boy, sire; Menai Angylaidd, dam .....................................................64.100% Lancet, sire; Monaliza, dam .....................................................................................63.224% 7. THAT GIRL (Oldenburg), Laurie McLaughlin & Tower Lane Farm, owners; 5. DON MILENIUM (Danish Warmblood), Heather Brady (NM), owner/rider.............60.461% Morgan Arndt (WA), rider; Opus, sire; Anna, dam ..................................................63.864% 8. SATURDAY’S SONG (Oldenburg), Emma & Kelly Scotthanson, owners; Emma Scotthanson (WA), rider; Sandro’s Song, sire; I’m a Doll, dam.....................63.523% Prix St. Georges Open CH. DONA ROSA (Oldenburg), Kim Yacobucci (AZ), owner/rider ...................................68.882% RS. SANTIAGO SF (Trakehner), Kailee Surplus (AZ), owner/rider; Training Level Open Kostolany, sire; Sidney, dam ....................................................................................64.737% CH. ROCERO SVS (Hanoverian), Jeanne Schamblin, owner; 3. SAMARITANO IX (Pura Raza Espanola), Sandra Luebbe Jessica Wisdom (WA), rider; Rotspon, sire; Hoheit, dam.........................................76.818% & Philip Merrill, owners; Paula Paglia (AZ), rider ....................................................64.539% RS. FLIRTINI DSF (Westfalen), Terri Smith, owner; Shauntel Bryant (WA), rider ..........73.409% 4. RISKY BUSINESS (Oldenburg), Cyndi Jackson (AZ), owner/rider; 3. ELESSAR (Dutch Warmblood), Olivia Chapeski & Jean Comer, owners; Royal Diamond, sire; Shining Ghia, dam .................................................................62.961% Olivia Chapeski (MT), rider; Riverman-ISF, sire; Whisper-ISF, dam .........................73.068% 4. EDELWEISS EE, Christine McClure, owner; Sarah Gammie (OR), rider ....................72.955% 5. DOLCE S (Dutch Warmblood), Jill Todd, owner; Matthew Eagan (WA), rider; Intermediate I Adult Amateur Quaterback, sire; Olivia, dam ...................................................................................70.568% CH. DON MILENIUM (Danish Warmblood), Heather Brady (NM), owner/rider.............62.171% RS. BAILANDO (Dutch Warmblood), Erin McHenry (AZ), owner/rider..........................59.079% 6. SOLEIL (Friesian Sporthorse), Trisha Harrahill, owner; Mija Sims (OR), rider; Wizard MLF, sire; Pretty Girl, dam ............................................................................68.864% 7. CAGLIARI (Dutch Warmblood), Virginia Erion, owner; Intermediate I Open Anastasia Thayer (WA), rider....................................................................................68.523% CH. RISKY BUSINESS (Oldenburg), Cyndi Jackson (AZ), owner/rider; 8. IZADORA (Belgian Warmblood), Jessica Rosch, owner; Laura Rising (WA), rider; Royal Diamond, sire; Shining Ghia, dam .................................................................67.829% Versace B, sire; Pik’s Pandora, dam ..........................................................................68.068% RS. DONA ROSA (Oldenburg), Kim Yacobucci (AZ), owner/rider ...................................66.513% 3. ROLEX TYME (Oldenburg), Layne Sandercott (CO), owner/rider; First Level Adult Amateur Rosario, sire; Landfuerstin, dam ..............................................................................64.211% CH. PANDOER (Dutch Warmblood), Karen Petty, owner; Alaina Carr (WA), rider; Ulft, sire; Velusa, dam...............................................................................................74.338% Intermediate I Freestyle RS. FASCINATION (Hanoverian), Emily Anderson, owner; Amy Itkin (WA), rider .........69.706% CH. RISKY BUSINESS (Oldenburg), Cyndi Jackson (AZ), owner/rider; 3. GWYNNEVERE (American Warmblood), Elizabeth Behrenfeld (OR), owner/rider; Royal Diamond, sire; Shining Ghia, dam .................................................................73.875% Koopman’s Frans Haven, sire; Gretchen, dam .........................................................69.485% RS. LAKOTA LACE (Appaloosa), Janet Wingate, owner; Shannon Dahmer (CO), rider .......69.313% 4. DISCOTHEQUE (Dutch Warmblood), Carolyn Bellamah (MT), owner/rider; UB 40, sire; Chancy Shot, dam .................................................................................69.412% Intermediate II Adult Amateur 5. GINGER (American Warmblood), Christine Thornton (WA), owner/rider ...............68.897% CH. SYLVANO (Dutch Warmblood), Lucy Ziurys (AZ), owner/rider; 6. PIKACHU (Hanoverian), Carolyn Bellamah (MT), owner/rider; Gribaldi, sire; Marcia, dam .......................................................................................62.171% Pik Solo, sire; Angelina, dam....................................................................................68.603% 7. CF FERDINAND (Thoroughbred Cross), Ashley Magee (OR), owner/rider ...............68.529% 8. HONORIUS (Trakehner), Anita Hunter (WA), owner/rider; Grand Prix Open Fandango, sire; Hunter’s Legacy, dam .....................................................................68.309% CH. WAGNER DE BONCE (Rhinelander), Susan Schneider (CO), owner/rider ................56.300%
USDF CONNECTION
•
February 2016
125
GREAT AMERICAN/USDF REGIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Third Level Freestyle
GREAT AMERICAN/USDF REGIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
First Level Junior/Young Rider
Second Level Open
CH. INSPECTOR MORSE (Oldenburg), Keihanna Boerste (OR), owner/rider..................69.559% RS. FINNOMENON (Dutch Warmblood), Lindsey Whitcher (OR), owner/rider; Keur, sire; Topaz, dam...............................................................................................68.456% 3. MUSICMAN (Hanoverian Cross), Nadine Orriss (WA), owner/rider.........................67.941% 4. CAPTAIN FANTASTIC (Canadian Warmblood), Ashley Combs (WA), owner/rider...67.500% 5. WILLOW (Swedish Warmblood), Emilie Everett (WA), owner/rider .......................67.282% 6. WELKIN (Hanoverian), Ann Casey, owner; Brenna Nordstrom (WA), rider ............66.397% 7. MODERN ART (Oldenburg), Jill Seely & Abby Glover, owners; Abby Glover (WA), rider; Art Deco, sire; Always A Tomboy, dam ............................66.324% 8. STORYBOOK MERIT SUNDANCE (Canadian Horse), Cara & Lynette Hammon, owners; Cara Hammon (OR), rider.................................64.485%
CH. CHAMP (German Riding Pony), Rachel Lundeen, owner; Stacey Lucko (WA), rider ..........................................................................................71.585% RS. ENYA WS (Dutch Warmblood), Nichole Charbonneau (WA), owner/rider; UB 40, sire; Perlinda, dam ........................................................................................71.220% 3. CATALINA (Hanoverian), Emily Sorensen (WA), owner/rider..................................69.207% 4. ELFENLADY (Oldenburg), Jessica Lyman, owner; Nicki Grandia (WA), rider...........69.146% 5. ZEPHYRUS (Dutch Warmblood), Mickie Hoff, owner; Jessica Rattner (OR), rider; Flemmingh, sire; Ra-Shell, dam ..............................................................................68.354% 6. HAYDN (Trakehner), Erin Jorgensen (WA), owner/rider; Eisenherz, sire; High Altitude, dam..........................................................................68.293% 7. WINTUITION (Zweibrucker), Cathy Jordan, owner; Danielle Thomason (ID), rider......66.890% 8. V.W. DON ALITO (Danish Warmblood), Christine Nelson, owner; Paige Ruhl (WA), rider; Don Schufro, sire; Alida, dam .............................................66.829%
First Level Open CH. SELESTIAL R (Oldenburg), Alyssa Pitts (WA), owner/rider; San Amour, sire; Ate, dam........................................................................................74.779% RS. DANCIA LS (Oldenburg), Susan Karagianes & Danette Cook, owners; Regina Agren (WA), rider .........................................................................................73.021% 3. CHUCHACO’S EMPIRE (Hanoverian), Jeffie Pike (WA), owner/rider........................71.912% 4. ROCERO SVS (Hanoverian), Jeanne Schamblin, owner; Jessica Wisdom (WA), rider; Rotspon, sire; Hoheit, dam.........................................71.618% 5. ELESSAR (Dutch Warmblood), Olivia Chapeski & Jean Comer, owners; Olivia Chapeski (MT), rider; Riverman-ISF, sire; Whisper-ISF, dam .........................70.735% 6. MANNHATTAN (Trakehner), Mckenzie Milburn, owner; Laura Rising (WA), rider; Arlington II, sire; Maxine’s Charm, dam ...................................................................70.147% 6. PROM DATE (Hanoverian), Zoeanne Arrington, owner; Heather Oleson (ID), rider; Pablo, sire; Her Highness O, dam ..................................70.147% 8. ROMANTIC ROSE (Hanoverian), Mary Richmond Brown (ID), owner/rider............70.147%
Second Level Freestyle CH. CHAMP (German Riding Pony), Rachel Lundeen, owner; Stacey Lucko (WA), rider ..........................................................................................74.400% RS. HAYDN (Trakehner), Erin Jorgensen (WA), owner/rider; Eisenherz, sire; High Altitude, dam..........................................................................72.200% 3. SAMURAI (Thoroughbred), Lea Wilson (WA), owner/rider.....................................71.233% 4. FIDERTANA B (Hanoverian), Jo Renn (WA), owner/rider; Fidertanz, sire; Donna de Nira, dam ........................................................................68.983% 5. ENYA WS (Dutch Warmblood), Nichole Charbonneau (WA), owner/rider; UB 40, sire; Perlinda, dam ........................................................................................68.817% 6. DONNERSTAG (Oldenburg), Lynn McGrew (WA), owner/rider; Depardieu, sire; Escada, dam ...................................................................................62.367%
Third Level Adult Amateur
CH. SULTAN S (Dutch Warmblood), Anna Westfelt (CA), owner/rider; Wolfgang, sire; Jaranda, dam ..................................................................................69.744% RS. R. CESSNA (Hanoverian), Barbara Sparks (ID), owner/rider; CH. DUCATI WMP (Hanoverian), Rachel Herrick (OR), owner/rider; Rubino Bellissimo, sire; Lady Black, dam.................................................................69.423% Don Frederico, sire; Rohdiamond, dam ...................................................................72.450% 3. BOOGIE WOOGIE (Dutch Warmblood), Petra Hilleberg & Stuart Craig, owners; RS. THF FLIGHT COMMANDER (American Warmblood), Martha Meyers-Harris (WA), Petra Hilleberg (WA), rider; Tango, sire; Sissy, dam .................................................68.526% owner/rider; Flight Time Gold, sire; Superfine Image, dam ...................................69.417% 4. WOHLTAT (Oldenburg), Amanda Silver (WA), owner/rider.....................................67.885% 3. TEDDY (Thoroughbred), Joan Nealey & McKenzie Devlin, owners; McKenzie Devlin (WA), rider; Original Trip, sire; Spentilltheend, dam....................66.867% 5. SLIMMERIK (Dutch Warmblood), Geri Zickert (OR), owner/rider; Flemmingh, sire; Nudel, dam ..................................................................................65.705% 4. WILLOW (Swedish Warmblood), Emilie Everett (WA), owner/rider .......................66.367% 5. CAPTAIN FANTASTIC (Canadian Warmblood), Ashley Combs (WA), owner/rider...65.167% 6. ZIPPITY DO DAH (Dutch Warmblood), Nancy Arend (WA), owner/rider; Florencio, sire; Orinette Queen, dam .......................................................................64.038% 6. WHISTLE ME A TUNE (American Warmblood), Stephanie Bonney (ID), owner/rider; Brookside Reality Shamus, sire; Perfectly Spotless, dam ........................................63.600% 7. SANTERO (Oldenburg), Heidi Flood (ID), owner/rider.............................................63.910% 8. ANDARAZJA ROSE (Arabian), Tara Wigmosta (WA), owner/rider; 7. BEOWULF (Swedish Warmblood), Kari McClain, owner; Rick Edwards (WA), rider; Out of Cyte, sire; CA Alexandria, dam.......................................................................63.782% Bugatti Hilltop, sire; Whitney, dam..........................................................................58.733%
First Level Freestyle
Second Level Adult Amateur CH. GWYNNEVERE (American Warmblood), Elizabeth Behrenfeld (OR), owner/rider; Koopman’s Frans Haven, sire; Gretchen, dam .........................................................70.244% RS. FELLINI (Westfalen), Erin Peterson (WA), owner/rider ...........................................67.866% 3. PENTËRRA (Zweibrucker), Vanessa Hemovich (WA), owner/rider; Palladio, sire; Rainfall, dam ......................................................................................67.744% 4. DOEMAAR (Dutch Warmblood), Kathryn Lewis (WA), owner/rider; Upper-Class, sire; Sophie, dam ................................................................................67.683% 5. WINTER HAWK (Hanoverian), Laura Wilson (OR), owner/rider; Winterprinz, sire; Falada, dam .................................................................................67.439% 6. FIDERTANA B (Hanoverian), Jo Renn (WA), owner/rider; Fidertanz, sire; Donna de Nira, dam ........................................................................67.317% 7. RAVINNIA (Hanoverian), Susan Hallenberg (UT), owner/rider; Rotspon, sire; Danella, dam .....................................................................................65.610% 8. WOHLTAT (Oldenburg), Amanda Silver (WA), owner/rider.....................................65.488%
Second Level Junior/Young Rider CH. THE PERFECT CRIME (Thoroughbred), Tessa Rodgers (WA), owner/rider...............65.122% RS. DARIUS (Westfalen), Mckenzie Milburn (WA), owner/rider; Dressman I, sire; Nadja, dam ...................................................................................65.061% 3. MUSICMAN (Hanoverian Cross), Nadine Orriss (WA), owner/rider.........................65.061% 4. WHAT’S UP (Dutch Warmblood), Piper Newman (WA), owner/rider.....................64.329% 5. HOLLYWOOD (Welsh Cob), Kailey Jones (WA), owner/rider; Rietheim’s Hilbert, sire; Speyksbosch Divine, dam ..................................................63.476% 6. HOT PRESENTATION (Quarter Horse), Jessica Bauscher (OR), owner/rider .............61.768%
126 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Third Level Junior/Young Rider CH. WHAT’S UP (Dutch Warmblood), Piper Newman (WA), owner/rider.....................64.679%
Third Level Open CH. DIMORA S (Dutch Warmblood), Brooke Voldbaek (OR), owner/rider; Sir Donnerhall I, sire; Tamora, dam ..........................................................................70.321% RS. QUINTESSENTIAL HIT (Oldenburg), Alyssa Pitts (WA), owner/rider; Quaterback, sire; Stellar Hit, dam ............................................................................69.551% 3. EARL’S EVEREST (Hanoverian), Regina Agren (WA), owner/rider; Earl, sire; Model A, dam............................................................................................68.910% 4. ENYA WS (Dutch Warmblood), Nichole Charbonneau (WA), owner/rider; UB 40, sire; Perlinda, dam ........................................................................................67.628% 5. AF AUGUST STAR (Half Arabian), Angela Wilson, owner; Jessica Wisdom (WA), rider; Feuertanzer, sire; El Fara Nicole, dam.........................67.500% 6. YATZEE FPF (Friesian), Paige Ruhl, David & Cathy Petrie, owners; Paige Ruhl (WA), rider; Jasper 366, sire; Welmoed V/D Goslingawei, dam ............66.282% 7. ZION-JC (Dutch Warmblood), Carol Nemchick, owner; Michael Osinski (WA), rider; Patijn, sire; Roodnoot-KEA, dam..............................................................................65.705% 8. MLLE. FAUSTINE (Hanoverian), Teresa Stewart (WA), owner/rider ........................65.449%
Third Level Freestyle CH. DIAMOND HEAD (Hanoverian), Jessica Wisdom (WA), owner/rider; Diamond Hit, sire; Heidefee, dam............................................................................74.167% RS. AF AUGUST STAR (Half Arabian), Angela Wilson, owner; Jessica Wisdom (WA), rider; Feuertanzer, sire; El Fara Nicole, dam.........................71.183% 3. YATZEE FPF (Friesian), Paige Ruhl, David & Cathy Petrie, owners; Paige Ruhl (WA), rider; Jasper 366, sire; Welmoed V/D Goslingawei, dam ............70.600%
SANTERO (Oldenburg), Heidi Flood (ID), owner/rider.............................................66.950% DESERT SUN (Hanoverian), Shelly Johnson (WA), owner/rider; Desert Moon, sire; Anabell, dam .............................................................................66.317% SANTIAGO (Westfalen), Heidi Flood (ID), owner/rider; Fidermark, sire; Lancaria, dam.................................................................................66.183% MAPLE LANE KERO (Welsh Cob), Linda Krook, owner; Michelle Sloan (WA), rider; Mill Gate Hercules, sire; Canterbrook Marmalade, dam..........................................64.900% WYATT (Oldenburg), Teresa Schlesinger-Parker (WA), owner/rider; Walldorf, sire; Solar Sargeant, dam .........................................................................61.717%
Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur
CH. VERON (Dutch Warmblood), Vanessa Becker (OR), owner/rider; Welt Hit II, sire; Dariant, dam ...................................................................................67.039% 6. RS. SANTOS (Dutch Warmblood), Stacy Taylor (WA), owner/rider; Now or Never, sire; Jodalgar, dam............................................................................65.132% 7. 3. DIVA (Westfalen), Martha Caldwell (OR), owner/rider; Donatelli, sire; Felice, dam ....64.342% 4. VAINQUEUR E (Dutch Warmblood), Julie Bennett (WA), owner/rider; 8. Welt Hit II, sire; Rena, dam.......................................................................................63.553% 5. SAPPHIRE (Oldenburg), Lara McLean (ID), owner/rider; Cimarron, sire; DCTC Crystal, dam ............................................................................60.592% 6. HPB ELLUSIVE STAR (Hungarian), Beverly Huddleston (WA), owner/rider; Fourth Level Adult Amateur HS Wistar, sire; Natures Champagne, dam ..............................................................59.013% CH. DELTA OLENAS GUNNER (Paint), Katherine Rickert (OR), owner/rider; Delta Holliday Olena, sire; Jans T Tom, dam.............................................................64.833% 7. AVATAR (Oldenburg), Sheila Buchanan (WA), owner/rider ....................................56.184% RS. PABLITO (Hanoverian), Gaylia Bullock (WA), owner/rider ......................................62.500% 8. VERTIGO (American Warmblood), Adrienne Bennett (WA), owner/rider; If I Had A Hammer, sire; Dieterjke, dam...................................................................56.118% 3. ADAGIO (Swedish Warmblood), Danielle Tihon (WA), owner/rider; Amiral, sire; Deja Vu, dam ........................................................................................61.556%
Prix St. Georges Junior/Young Rider
Fourth Level Junior/Young Rider CH. RI MAVERICK (Thoroughbred Cross), Jeanne Montelius-Gaudreau, owner; Stevie Gaudreau (MT), rider; Black Ice, sire; Favorite Chance, dam.........................63.333%
CH. ROOSEVELT (Dutch Warmblood), Rebecca Blake (WA), owner/rider......................64.145% RS. FRAPICCINO (Westfalen), Kim Lacy, owner; Madeline Joy (WA), rider; Furst Piccolo, sire; Rubina, dam ...............................................................................64.145%
Prix St. Georges Open Fourth Level Open CH. SAN CORAZON (Oldenburg), Janice Davis, owner; Morgan Barrows (WA), rider; San Amour, sire; Ridehna, dam ...............................................................................71.391% RS. PIK PARAMOUR (Oldenburg), Shauna Birdsall, owner; Jennifer Schrader-Williams (WA), rider ...................................................................69.778% 3. WEYDOR DAZ (Appaloosa), Belynda Moore (WA), owner/rider; Wishes & Dreams, sire; Little Shady Lady, dam .......................................................66.889% 4. REKO SHEA (Oldenburg), Jennifer Saia, owner; Dannelle Haugen (WA), rider ......64.500%
Fourth Level Freestyle CH. SAN CORAZON (Oldenburg), Janice Davis, owner; Morgan Barrows (WA), rider; San Amour, sire; Ridehna, dam ...............................................................................72.817% RS. WEYDOR DAZ (Appaloosa), Belynda Moore (WA), owner/rider; Wishes & Dreams, sire; Little Shady Lady, dam .......................................................72.750% 3. REKO SHEA (Oldenburg), Jennifer Saia, owner; Dannelle Haugen (WA), rider ......71.417% 4. SAMORANO (Dutch Warmblood), Elizabeth Harris (ID), owner/rider; Voltaire, sire; Ilottie, dam .........................................................................................67.833%
Young Rider Team
CAROLYNN BUNCH PHOTOGRAPHY
CH. RI MAVERICK (Thoroughbred Cross), Jeanne Montelius-Gaudreau, owner; Stevie Gaudreau (MT), rider; Black Ice, sire; Favorite Chance, dam.........................66.382%
Jessica Wisdom and Diamond Head, Third Level Freestyle Champion; Donna Longacre, Region 6 director; Brynne Boian, USDF representative
CH. BEYONCE (Dutch Warmblood), Gwen Blake (WA), owner/rider; Contango, sire; Precious Day, dam ...........................................................................70.855% RS. INDRO (Azteca), Olivia Chapeski (MT), owner/rider; Malibu K, sire; Najara, dam........69.803% 3. SAN CORAZON (Oldenburg), Janice Davis, owner; Morgan Barrows (WA), rider; San Amour, sire; Ridehna, dam ...............................................................................68.487% 4. PIK PARAMOUR (Oldenburg), Shauna Birdsall, owner; Jennifer Schrader-Williams (WA), rider ...................................................................68.289% 5. D’OREO (Canadian Warmblood), Deborah Butterfield, owner; Christine Robinson (MT), rider .................................................................................67.171% 6. AVALANCHE (Westfalen), Suzanne Beaudoin (WA), owner/rider; A Jungle Prince, sire; Manou, dam...........................................................................66.250% 7. FLORIDA (Oldenburg), Kathy Everman (OR), owner/rider; Florencio, sire; Florida-Lady, dam ............................................................................65.855% 8. REKO SHEA (Oldenburg), Jennifer Saia, owner; Dannelle Haugen (WA), rider ......65.263%
Intermediate I Adult Amateur CH. ROCKETTE DG (Dutch Warmblood), Sonnenberg Farm, LLC, owner; Gina Ruediger (OR), rider; Ferro, sire; Alona, dam ...................................................65.789% RS. DIVA (Westfalen), Martha Caldwell (OR), owner/rider; Donatelli, sire; Felice, dam ....64.539% 3. THE UNDENIABLE FAVORITE (Lipizzan Cross), Krista Melby (WA), owner/rider; Favory II Bonasera III, sire; Don’t Deny Me, dam......................................................62.632% 4. ROSENSTRAUSS (Polish Warmblood), Meg Brinton (WA), owner/rider .................62.171%
Catherine Reid and Skywalker HW, Intermediate I Open Champion; Donna Longacre, Region 6 director; Brynne Boian, USDF representative
USDF CONNECTION
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February 2016
127
GREAT AMERICAN/USDF REGIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
4. 5.
GREAT AMERICAN/USDF REGIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Intermediate I Junior/Young Rider
5.
CH. ROOSEVELT (Dutch Warmblood), Rebecca Blake (WA), owner/rider......................59.868%
Intermediate I Open CH. SKYWALKER HW (Hanoverian), Catherine Reid (WA), owner/rider; Sandro Hit, sire; High Princess, dam ........................................................................70.066% RS. BEYONCE (Dutch Warmblood), Gwen Blake (WA), owner/rider; Contango, sire; Precious Day, dam ...........................................................................69.408% 3. ZHIVAGO (Dutch Warmblood), David Ryan, owner; Shauntel Bryant (WA), rider .......67.632% 4. UNYCUS (Dutch Warmblood), Linda Smyth, owner; Nicki Grandia (WA), rider; Grafiet, sire; Octrola, dam ........................................................................................67.500% 5. WISPER (Dutch Warmblood), Nancy Thacher (WA), owner/rider; Obelisk, sire; Ifenia, dam ..........................................................................................66.711% 6. INDRO (Azteca), Olivia Chapeski (MT), owner/rider; Malibu K, sire; Najara, dam ..66.447% 7. HS WREVOLUTION (Hungarian), Jennifer Schrader-Williams (WA), owner/rider ..65.592%
6. 7. 8.
GENUINE PLEASURE (American Warmblood), Becky App (CA), owner/rider; Graf Top II, sire; Idle Rumors, dam............................................................................70.227% D’HOT TODDY (Hanoverian), Lindsay-Elisabeth Bridges (NV), owner/rider............70.114% BONAMEER DG (Dutch Warmblood), Elizabeth Thieriot (NV), owner/rider ...........70.000% DHOUBLE SCOOP (Oldenburg), Ellen Kettler (CA), owner/rider; Don Principe, sire; Senorita, dam.............................................................................69.886%
Training Level Junior/Young Rider
CH. SERENADE (Dutch Warmblood), Lucienne & Karen Bacon, owners; Lucienne Bacon (CA), rider; Ijsselmeer, sire; Gladsong, dam...................................67.727% RS. BLACK DOG’S TOP OF THE MORNING (Connemara), Michelle Cale, owner; Charlotte Greatwood (CA), rider; Wildwood Hearne Topgun, sire; Black Dog’s Fiorella, dam......67.614% 3. HERBSTLIEBE (Hanoverian), Jenna Driscoll (CA), owner/rider; Hotline, sire; Rosi La Belle, dam ...............................................................................66.705% 4. NANOOK (Morgan), Hannah Bendull, Daphna Bendull & Sigrun Erber-Bendull, owners; Daphna Bendull (CA), rider ................................65.000% 5. GATEWAY NIGHT LIGHT (Connemara), Michelle Cale, owner; Charlotte Intermediate I Freestyle Greatwood (CA), rider; Cobblestone RHYS, sire; Bright Night Surprise, dam .........58.864% CH. BEYONCE (Dutch Warmblood), Gwen Blake (WA), owner/rider; Contango, sire; Precious Day, dam ...........................................................................74.700% 6. ANY FRIDAY (Thoroughbred), Sarah Rosenberg, owner; Ramona Gerber (CA), rider.......................................................................................54.205% RS. ROSENSTRAUSS (Polish Warmblood), Meg Brinton (WA), owner/rider .................68.375% 3. CHINTILLI (Morgan), Gayle Fielding (WA), owner/rider..........................................63.188%
Training Level Open Intermediate II Adult Amateur
CH. DEHAVILLAND (Oldenburg), Sarah Lockman (CA), owner/rider; Diamond Hit, sire; Haverford’s Redhawk, dam........................................................73.750% RS. ROSENSTOLZ (Hanoverian), Jacqueline Weisbein, owner; Jane Ewer (CA), rider; Rubinstein I, sire; Paris D’Amour, dam .....................................................................73.295% 3. SHYDNEY (Oldenburg), Heidi Chote (CA), owner/rider; Shakespeare RSF, sire; EM Chee Chee, dam .............................................................71.477% Intermediate II Open 4. CASTLE MONARCH (Connemara), Kathryn Lucas, owner; CH. HS WITH HONORS (Hungarian), Chelsea Reher (WA), owner/rider; Karen Ball (CA), rider; Castle Comet, sire; Orphee Schueracher, dam .....................71.364% HS Wistar, sire; Miss Rockaway, dam .......................................................................66.645% 5. LONDONDARLING SPS (Hanoverian), Lisa Ender, owner; RS. SEBRING (Dutch Warmblood), Kathy Casey (OR), owner/rider; Jenifer Luce-Zakhary (CA), rider; Londontime, sire; Crispy Sweet, dam .................71.250% Idocus, sire; Jameela, dam .......................................................................................58.289% 6. SUN DANCER, Judy Force, owner; Kristine Howe (CA), rider....................................71.023% 7. DARJEELING (Holsteiner), Debbie Taymour, owner; Karen Ball (CA), rider; Grand Prix Adult Amateur Chevalier, sire; Kaskade, dam...................................................................................70.568% CH. ROYAL KONIG (Oldenburg), Lauren Thornlow (WA), owner/rider; Rubin-Royal, sire; Pica Ramira, dam........................................................................65.700% 8. FRANGIPANI (Dutch Warmblood), Julia Mineikis (NV), owner/rider ......................70.227% RS. HARBOR MIST (Selle Francais), Jamie Hughes (OR), owner/rider...........................62.800% CH. ROYAL KONIG (Oldenburg), Lauren Thornlow (WA), owner/rider; Rubin-Royal, sire; Pica Ramira, dam........................................................................67.832% RS. HARBOR MIST (Selle Francais), Jamie Hughes (OR), owner/rider...........................62.829%
First Level Adult Amateur Grand Prix Open
CH. APOLLO (Dutch Warmblood), Eric Di Benedetto (CA), owner/rider ........................67.059% RS. CHESSMAN 12 (Hanoverian), Anne-Elizabeth Beeman (CA), owner/rider; CH. NORTH FORKS CARDI (Welsh Cob), Jessica Wisdom (WA), owner/rider; Charming Boy, sire; Dorina, dam .............................................................................66.618% Canterbrook Llwynog, sire; Hastening Mirage, dam...............................................66.550% 3. FABULOUS DSF (Oldenburg), Hilari Fleming (NV), owner/rider; RS. HS WITH HONORS (Hungarian), Chelsea Reher (WA), owner/rider; Freestyle, sire; Oladaula, dam ..................................................................................66.544% HS Wistar, sire; Miss Rockaway, dam .......................................................................62.100% 3. WYLEIGH PRINCESS (Hanoverian), Ruth Shirkey (CA), owner/rider; 3. H. WRENDITION (Hungarian), Molly Martin (WA), owner/rider; Weltmeyer, sire; Heiress B, dam...............................................................................66.544% HS Wistar, sire; Missywilldo, dam ............................................................................55.050% 5. LION KING (Friesian Sporthorse), Georganne Benesch (CA), owner/rider; Berend, sire; Lady Chester Prize, dam......................................................................65.809% Grand Prix Freestyle 6. WALDEMAR (Oldenburg), Evelyn James (CA), owner/rider; CH. NORTH FORKS CARDI (Welsh Cob), Jessica Wisdom (WA), owner/rider; Walldorf, sire; Le Clic, dam .......................................................................................65.441% Canterbrook Llwynog , sire; Hastening Mirage, dam..............................................74.750% 7. SWEET BLUE SKYS (Quarter Horse), Kaitlin Myers (CA), owner/rider; RS. DUTCH TREAT (Dutch Warmblood), Carolyn Schroeder, owner; Gray Mel Bar, sire; Sugaree Lady, dam.....................................................................65.368% Michael Osinski (WA), rider; Metall, sire; Nana-Linda, dam ...................................69.375% 3. HARBOR MIST (Selle Francais), Jamie Hughes (OR), owner/rider...........................68.750% 8. FREYA DG (Dutch Warmblood), Sandra Harper (CA), owner/rider; Devon Heir, sire; Bakara KS, dam .............................................................................64.412%
Region 7
First Level Junior/Young Rider
The 2015 Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 7 Dressage Championships were held CH. FUERST HIT (Oldenburg), McKenzie Kelley (CA), owner/rider.................................72.941% RS. ROSANTOS (Hanoverian), Jordan Yankton (CA), owner/rider; September 17-20 in Rancho Murieta, CA. Roscallno, sire; Wentana, dam .................................................................................72.279% Judges: Kristi Wysocki, Melissa Creswick, Susan Roberto-Buchanan, Dorie Vlatten-Schmitz, Cindy 3. LONDON (Hanoverian), Emily Smith (CA), owner/rider; Lauries Crusader, sire; Rubina, dam .........................................................................68.162% Canace, Barbara Ebner, Michael Osinski, Sandra Hotz, Kari McClain, N Brent Hicks, Louise Koch, 4. DANATELO (Hanoverian), Isabella Macchioni (CA), owner/rider; Paula Lacy, Lorraine MacDonald Domiro, sire; Abundance, dam ................................................................................67.059% Training Level Adult Amateur 5. FABRIZIO (Hanoverian), Rachel Gaines (CA), owner/rider; CH. BEN (Rhinelander), Amanda Apesos (CA), owner/rider..........................................73.523% Fabriano, sire; Big Love, dam ...................................................................................66.176% RS. FINALE (Dutch Warmblood), Jennifer Appel (CA), owner/rider ..............................72.955% 6. DJEDEFRE (Oldenburg), Bryce Quinto (CA), owner/rider; 3. ODESSA (Swedish Warmblood), Michele Deluna (CA), owner/rider; De Kooning, sire; Avance, dam.................................................................................66.103% Tip Top’s Sterling, sire; King’s Ruby, dam ..................................................................72.045% 7. BELLA NOCHE (Percheron), Taylor Saunders (CA), owner/rider ..............................62.500% 4. IDYLLIC B (Oldenburg), Maureen Lamb (CA), owner/rider; 8. R TRINITY’S GOLD AF (American Warmblood), Amanda Harrington Ideal, sire; Petrina, dam ...........................................................................................71.818% & Arkenfield Farms, owners; Melissa Paich (CA), rider............................................62.206%
128 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
CH. LOTTA SILVER (Trakehner), Adrienne Bessey & Hilda Gurney, owners; Hilda Gurney (CA), rider; Silvermoon, sire; Livadia *M*, dam ................................74.044% RS. IRIS (Oldenburg), Rick Roeder & Hilda Gurney, owners; Hilda Gurney (CA), rider; Idocus, sire; Winter’s Eve, dam .........................................73.971% 3. NATALIA’S NIGHTLIGHT (Oldenburg), Liz Kramer, owner; Karen Ball (CA), rider; Windfall CB, sire; Natalia’s Fogata, dam...................................................................71.985% 4. HARMONY’S DALTON (American Warmblood), Harmony Sporthorses, owner; Leslie Webb (CA), rider .............................................................................................70.809% 5. FINO MALU (Lusitano), Jacqueline Powers, owner; Elizabeth Hendrix (CA), rider; Rossini (Alem), sire; Ujuana CD, dam .......................................................................70.221% 6. LIBERTY (Oldenburg), Elizabeth Landers (IL), owner/rider; Ludwigs As, sire; Funni Belinda, dam ......................................................................69.485% 7. SIDONNA MVS (Oldenburg), Jackie Ahl-Eckhaus (CA), owner/rider; Sir Donnerhall I, sire; Lumara, dam .........................................................................69.265% 7. DON MARTEEN (Hanoverian), Katie Hoefs-Martin (CA), owner/rider; Domiro, sire; Tasha, dam ..........................................................................................69.265%
First Level Freestyle CH. LIBERTY (Oldenburg), Elizabeth Landers (IL), owner/rider; Ludwigs As, sire; Funni Belinda, dam ......................................................................71.750% RS. ARGENTUM BSH (Oldenburg), Dove Butler, owner; Katie Hoefs-Martin (CA), rider; Art Deco, sire; Sasia, dam .........................................................................................69.833% 3. SONHADORA WML (Half Andalusian), Wendy Levy, owner; Bethany Nehse (CA), rider; Saphiro, sire; Briosa WML, dam ...................................67.667% 4. BB MAGEE (Mule), Susan Magee, owner; Laura Hermanson (CA), rider ................64.283% 5. EL GAVILAN (Andalusian), Carol Alonso (CA), owner/rider; Regalado II, sire; Emilia, dam...................................................................................62.883% 6. CELTICO III (Pura Raza Espanola), Claudia Deffenbaugh (CA), owner/rider; Becario VIII, sire; Celtica, dam ..................................................................................60.750%
Second Level Adult Amateur
TERRI MILLER
CH. HOLSTEIN’S HARLEQUIN (Holsteiner), Kristine Hegglin (CA), owner/rider; Holsteins Herold, sire; Holsteins Scarlet, dam .........................................................69.329% RS. FUNKY DIVA (Westfalen), Christine DeMont (CA), owner/rider; Furst Piccolo, sire; Sequoia, dam..............................................................................68.171% 3. PRIMA (Friesian Cross), Alison Yama (CA), owner/rider ..........................................68.049% 4. HEMINGWAY (Friesian), Kelly Prayter (CA), owner/rider.........................................66.646% 5. DAKAR (Dutch Warmblood), Michele Ting (NV), owner/rider; Donatelli, sire; Epris, dam.........................................................................................66.280% 6. QUILLA (Swedish Warmblood), Shareen Purcell (CA), owner/rider; Freestyle, sire; Sambuca, dam .................................................................................65.976% 7. DANTARES (Dutch Warmblood), Gretta Williams (CA), owner/rider; Donatelli, sire; Napua, dam......................................................................................65.427%
Sarah Lockman and Dehavilland, Training Level Open Champion; Donna Chop, Great American Insurance Group representative; Stephan Hienzsch, USDF representative; Charlotte Bredahl, CDS
8.
TERRA COTTA (Swedish Warmblood), Kate Emmett-Wilder (CA), owner/rider; Legacy, sire; Tres Jolie, dam......................................................................................65.000%
Second Level Junior/Young Rider CH. HEART THROB (German Riding Pony), Celsiana William (CA), owner/rider............66.768% RS. LONDON (Hanoverian), Emily Smith (CA), owner/rider; Lauries Crusader, sire; Rubina, dam .........................................................................66.220% 3. SOREN (Dutch Warmblood), Laurel Kerner (CA), owner/rider; Kelvin, sire; Golinde, dam ........................................................................................65.488% 4. RUFUS BL (Arabian), Madeleine & Felix Coronado & Kate Raffery-Coronado, owners; Madeleine Coronado (CA), rider; Schubert B L, sire; Cinder Bey, dam ....................62.012% 5. DELANO (Oldenburg), Olivia Owyeung (CA), owner/rider ......................................58.354%
Second Level Open CH. DREAM CATCHER (Dutch Warmblood), Wendy Roberts, owner; Brian Hafner (CA), rider; Contester, sire; Gigi, dam..................................................70.244% RS. IRIS (Oldenburg), Rick Roeder & Hilda Gurney, owners; Hilda Gurney (CA), rider; Idocus, sire; Winter’s Eve, dam .........................................68.232% 3. LOTTA SILVER (Trakehner), Adrienne Bessey & Hilda Gurney, owners; Hilda Gurney (CA), rider; Silvermoon, sire; Livadia *M*, dam ................................67.805% 4. CHRIS-CRAFT (Hanoverian), Timi Sobrato, owner; Sarah Lockman (CA), rider; Comic, sire; Glendawn, dam ....................................................................................67.683% 5. ARGENTUM BSH (Oldenburg), Dove Butler, owner; Katie Hoefs-Martin (CA), rider; Art Deco, sire; Sasia, dam .........................................................................................66.768% 6. SAVAROTH (Westfalen), Susan Hardesty, owner; Julia Mineikis (NV), rider ...........66.463% 6. APEL (Warmblood), Anne Howard (CA), owner/rider.............................................66.463% 8. MERRIEWOLD KIRIN (Morgan), Diana Wold, owner; Alejandro Salazar (CA), rider; RG Stuart’s Monarch, sire; Caduceus Marika, dam ..................................................66.402%
Second Level Freestyle CH. APEL (Warmblood), Anne Howard (CA), owner/rider.............................................69.000% RS. PIKASSO (Oldenburg), Valerie Von Burg (CA), owner/rider; Pikadero, sire; Gold Coin, dam .................................................................................65.983% 3. PANAMA JOE (Pinto), Lori Johnstone (CA), owner/rider .........................................63.983%
Third Level Adult Amateur CH. DONAVAN (Dutch Warmblood), Four Winds Farm LLC, owner; Akiko Yamazaki (CA), rider; Vivaldi, sire; Zilla, dam .................................................72.372% RS. PETIT MARC AUREL (Holsteiner), Melissa Mulchahey (CA), owner/rider................69.359% 3. ESCORIAL (Westfalen), Lesa Whetzel (CA), owner/rider; Ehrentusch, sire; Funerailles, dam ...........................................................................68.718% 4. LOMBADY K (Oldenburg), Laurie Everson (CA), owner/rider; Londonderry, sire; Estina, dam ................................................................................68.590%
Brian Hafner and Dream Catcher, Second Level Open Champion; Donna Chop, Great American Insurance Group representative; Stephan Hienzsch, USDF representative
USDF CONNECTION
•
February 2016
129
GREAT AMERICAN/USDF REGIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
First Level Open
GREAT AMERICAN/USDF REGIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
TIOLIVI (Dutch Warmblood), Lynn McGourty (CA), owner/rider ............................66.795% Fourth Level Freestyle PEPEROOGA’S PARNOO ORI (Gypsy Cob), Sara Bartholomew (CA), owner/rider; CH. AYOKAY (Dutch Warmblood), Claire Darnell (CA), owner/rider ..............................72.417% Romipen, sire; Bodi’s Peperooga, dam ....................................................................66.667% RS. WELT ERBE (Hanoverian), Donna Richardson, owner; Amalia Boyles (CA), rider; 6. LITTLE BIG MAN (Thoroughbred Cross), Laurie Dainer (CA), owner/rider...............66.667% Weltmeyer, sire; Solveig, dam..................................................................................71.333% 8. DIAMONDE SOPHIA (Lipizzan Cross), Maurya Falkner (CA), owner/rider ...............66.282% 3. RUDI REGALI (Westfalen), Nancy Szakacs (CA), owner/rider; Riccione, sire; Rubina, dam ......................................................................................67.833% Third Level Junior/Young Rider 4. WRIGLEY (Hanoverian), Emily Goldman (CA), owner/rider; CH. SKYLER ACE (Trakehner), Emily Pollard, owner; Nila Venkat (CA), rider; Wolkenstein II, sire; Berinale, dam ..........................................................................66.583% Beg, sire; Soiree, dam ...............................................................................................64.103% 5. AAVIGNON ANDANTE (Warmblood), Katharine Cassidy RS. PALADIN (Westfalen), Heather Baine (CA), owner/rider.........................................63.974% & Lisa Wilcox-Cassidy, owners; Katharine Cassidy (CA), rider .................................66.083% 3. LAFFRAN SPONTI (German Riding Pony), Carolyn Adams, owner; 6. VENTO (Lusitano), Carolyn McMullen (CA), owner/rider; Eva Larsen (CA), rider; Mollegards Spartacus, sire; Hesselteich Eliane, dam ..........63.718% Fadista, sire; Indiana, dam .......................................................................................62.083% 4. CONSTELLATION (Trakehner), Laura Phillips (CA), owner/rider ..............................59.103% 5. 6.
Young Rider Team
Third Level Open CH. DIGBY (Oldenburg), Susan McConnell, owner; Anja Pflanz (CA), rider; Dimaggio, sire; Mon Dieu, dam ...............................................................................72.756% RS. FYNNEMANN (Rhinelander), Jackie McRae (CA), owner/rider; Fidertanz, sire; Royal Tough, dam ............................................................................72.244% 3. LOVE POTION (Oldenburg), Barbara Parkening, owner; Hilda Gurney (CA), rider; Leonidas, sire; Impeccable, dam..............................................................................71.859% 4. DAUMLING (Hanoverian), Pamela Nelson, owner; Heidi Gaian (CA), rider.............71.410% 5. CHARMEUR (Dutch Warmblood), Rosanna Malcolm, owner; Samantha Billings (CA), rider; Florencio, sire; Leontine, dam .................................71.154% 6. GOLDENROD (German Riding Pony), Stephanie Gustafson (CA), owner/rider .......70.705% 7. ARTURO (Andalusian), Victoria Andrews, owner; Kristen Aggers (CA), rider; Regaliz, sire; Shalem IA, dam...................................................................................70.577% 8. GIGI (Dutch Warmblood), Glena Jue, owner; Ericka Reinig (CA), rider....................70.128%
Third Level Freestyle CH. HIS HIGHNESS CRUSADOR (Hanoverian), Elizabeth Landers (IL), owner/rider; His Highness 2, sire; Lynn, dam ...............................................................................70.250% RS. CHAPEAU (Dutch Warmblood), Shelby Rocereto (CA), owner/rider; Santano, sire; Gera, dam ..........................................................................................68.667% 3. GOLDENROD (German Riding Pony), Stephanie Gustafson (CA), owner/rider .......67.417% 4. MILAGRO (Andalusian), Peggy Harder (CA), owner/rider .......................................60.917%
Fourth Level Adult Amateur CH. RUDI REGALI (Westfalen), Nancy Szakacs (CA), owner/rider; Riccione, sire; Rubina, dam ......................................................................................70.667% RS. WELT ERBE (Hanoverian), Donna Richardson, owner; Amalia Boyles (CA), rider; Weltmeyer, sire; Solveig, dam..................................................................................69.111% 3. LAURIO (Hanoverian), Fiona Cameron (CA), owner/rider; Lauries Crusador, sire; Dakarina, dam......................................................................63.611% 4. LUCY IN THE SKY WITH DIAMONDS (Thoroughbred), Heidi Riddle, owner; Crystal Heath (CA), rider; Prince Don B, sire; Fluted Champagne, dam ..................60.944% 5. MAESTOSO II DANIELA (Lipizzan), Margaret Hoog (CA), owner/rider; Maestoso II Sabrina, sire; Daniela, dam...................................................................60.111% 6. FAR ABOVE PAR (New Forest Pony), Edie Dwan (CA), owner/rider; Jacodi’s Anja’s Amoz, sire; Hoppenhof’s Merel, dam ...............................................57.556%
Fourth Level Junior/Young Rider CH. WYNSUM (Hanoverian), Brianna & Raoul Relucio, owners; Brianna Relucio (CA), rider; Wolkentanz, sire; Weichsel, dam.................................66.000%
Fourth Level Open CH. DOMINUS (Oldenburg), Janelle Frazer, owner; Susan Martin (CA), rider; Donnerschlag, sire; Paquita, dam ............................................................................71.836% RS. RELEVÉ (Hanoverian), Sandy Savage (CA), owner/rider; Rotspon, sire; Welteje, dam .....................................................................................71.000% 3. BRIGHT LIGHTS (Dutch Warmblood), Shelley Browning, owner; Jane Arrasmith (CA), rider ........................................................................................69.611% 4. RHR SMOOTH JAZZ (Oldenburg), Jo Moran (CA), owner/rider ................................69.389% 5. FRANCHESCA (Oldenburg), Victoria Cotchett, owner; Jo Moran (CA), rider ............68.056% 6. WELTISSIMO (Hanoverian), Janet Wyllie, owner; Ari Lopez (CA), rider; Weltruhm, sire; Lemona, dam .................................................................................67.333% 7. BELVEDERE (Oldenburg), Judith Wheatley, owner; Ignacio Moran (CA), rider; Biotop, sire; White Drogida, dam .............................................................................65.171%
130 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
CH. PELLEGRINI (Hanoverian), Lisa Wilcox-Cassidy, owner; Katharine Cassidy (CA), rider; Prince Thatch, sire; Fiesta, dam ................................................................................69.342%
Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur CH. BRAXXTON (Hanoverian), Christine Ekstrand (CA), owner/rider; Baroncelli, sire; Rosana, dam ...................................................................................68.026% RS. DIDO (Danish Warmblood), Adrienne Bessey (CA), owner/rider; Royal Hit, sire; Doreen, dam.....................................................................................67.895% 3. WRIGLEY (Hanoverian), Emily Goldman (CA), owner/rider; Wolkenstein II, sire; Berinale, dam ..........................................................................66.711% 4. CERVARO (Holsteiner), Jennifer Wetterau (CA), owner/rider; Carpaccio, sire; Edeltraut, dam .................................................................................66.382% 5. DARLING (Oldenburg), Ann Romney (CA), owner/rider..........................................66.053% 6. CHOPIN R (Dutch Warmblood), Four Winds Farm LLC, owner; Akiko Yamazaki (CA), rider .......................................................................................65.724% 7. WELTBESTE (Hanoverian), Sandra Holmes (CA), owner/rider ................................65.132% 8. ASTERIOS (Danish Warmblood), Stacy Williams (CA), owner/rider; Akinos, sire; Urwetta, dam.......................................................................................64.671%
Prix St. Georges Junior/Young Rider CH. DERNIER CRI (Hanoverian), D’Re Stergios, owner; D’Re Murray (CA), rider; Don Primero, sire; Salina Bo, dam............................................................................67.566% RS. LAETITIA (Oldenburg), Aleyna Dunn & Noylan Pulaski, owners; Aleyna Dunn (CA), rider; Leonidas, sire; Willa, dam ................................................66.645% 3. COEUR DAS (Thoroughbred Cross), Ainsley Faraday (CA), owner/rider ..................58.947%
Prix St. Georges Open CH. BAKARI (Hanoverian), Ann Romney, owner; Jan Ebeling (CA), rider; Breitling W, sire; Come Back, dam ...........................................................................72.697% RS. VIVALDI (Dutch Warmblood), Michelle Syufy, owner; Kristen Aggers (CA), rider; Gribaldi, sire; Vobria, dam .............................................71.908% 3. SARUMBA (Hanoverian), D’Re Stergios (CA), owner/rider......................................70.987% 4. CELINA (Hanoverian), Victoria Von Arx, owner; Tracey Hill (CA), rider; Contendro I, sire; Aresta, dam ..................................................................................70.395% 5. AYOKAY (Dutch Warmblood), Claire Darnell (CA), owner/rider ..............................68.487% 6. BRIGHT LIGHTS (Dutch Warmblood), Shelley Browning, owner; Jane Arrasmith (CA), rider ........................................................................................67.566% 7. LEANA (Oldenburg), Barbara Filkins (CA), owner/rider; Leonidas, sire; Impeccable, dam..............................................................................65.000% 8. LUXEMBURG (Hanoverian), Leslie Fouche-Munoz, owner; Alejandro Salazar (CA), rider; Latimer, sire; Antea, dam .........................................64.605%
Intermediate I Adult Amateur CH. DIDO (Danish Warmblood), Adrienne Bessey (CA), owner/rider; Royal Hit, sire; Doreen, dam.....................................................................................69.611% RS. VENECIANO (Dutch Warmblood), Anne Seemann (CA), owner/rider; Stravinsky, sire; Ira, dam ..........................................................................................67.039% 3. SEQUOIA (Westfalen), Christine DeMont (CA), owner/rider; Sir Bedo, sire; Donna Marie, dam.............................................................................65.329% 4. WENESA (Hanoverian), Elma Garcia (CA), owner/rider; Westernhagen, sire; Dancing Girl, dam ...................................................................63.750% 5. RUBATO (Oldenburg), Celise Eberle (CA), owner/rider; Rosario, sire; Swiftest Finesse, dam .........................................................................63.224% 6. RUBICON SF (Oldenburg), Hilari Fleming (NV), owner/rider; Ruffian, sire; Mayflower, dam..................................................................................61.645% 7. BRADY BOY (Belgian Warmblood), Lisa Wiley Woelfel (CA), owner/rider; Argentinus, sire; Weltana, dam................................................................................57.237%
CH. TRACIO (Pura Raza Espanola), Tina Lovazzano & Dancing Kings Farm, owners; Shae-Bella Lovazzano (CA), rider; Martelillo IV, sire; Hipica II, dam .......................63.421%
Intermediate I Open CH. HARMONY’S ARMANI (Dutch Warmblood), Harmony Sporthorses, owner; Leslie Webb (CA), rider; Sydney, sire; Ramona, dam ...............................................74.803% RS. TENEDOS (Swedish Warmblood), Christine Stevens, owner; Amy Miller (CA), rider; San Quintero, sire; Dione, dam............................................71.382% 3. SPARTAKUS (Hanoverian), Carrie & Ken O’Neill, owners; Carrie O’Neill (CA), rider; Schwarzenegger, sire; Fifty Fifty, dam .............................70.263% 4. SETTINO (Dutch Warmblood), Pamela Nelson, owner; Heidi Gaian (CA), rider ......69.803% 5. LEANA (Oldenburg), Barbara Filkins (CA), owner/rider; Leonidas, sire; Impeccable, dam..............................................................................68.026% 6. LUXEMBURG (Hanoverian), Leslie Fouche-Munoz, owner; Alejandro Salazar (CA), rider; Latimer, sire; Antea, dam .........................................67.105% 7. RYAN (Oldenburg), Laura Blanton (CA), owner/rider; Raphael Son II, sire; Hesper, dam.............................................................................61.579%
Intermediate I Freestyle CH. WINZALOT (Hanoverian), Jamie Pestana (CA), owner/rider; Wolkenstein II, sire; Franzisca, dam .........................................................................73.875% RS. SETTINO (Dutch Warmblood), Pamela Nelson, owner; Heidi Gaian (CA), rider ......70.563% RS. DIDO (Danish Warmblood), Adrienne Bessey (CA), owner/rider; Royal Hit, sire; Doreen, dam.....................................................................................70.563% 4. LEANA (Oldenburg), Barbara Filkins (CA), owner/rider; Leonidas, sire; Impeccable, dam..............................................................................66.563% 5. DONATELLO (Hanoverian), Ann Romney (CA), owner/rider....................................65.563% 6. SPARTAKUS (Hanoverian), Carrie & Ken O’Neill, owners; Carrie O’Neill (CA), rider; Schwarzenegger, sire; Fifty Fifty, dam .............................65.438%
Intermediate II Adult Amateur CH. WINTERSNOW (Oldenburg), Adrienne Bessey & Hilda Gurney, owners; Adrienne Bessey (CA), rider; Winterprinz, sire; Lavinia, dam ..................................63.289%
Intermediate II Junior/Young Rider
Region 8 The 2015 Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 8 Dressage Championships were held September 17-20 in Saugerties, NY. Judges: Lois Yukins, Jayne Ayers, Bo Jena, Cara Whitham, Gary Rockwell, Liselotte Fore, Peter Holler, Susan White, Anne Moss, Susan White, Eleanor Stine Masek, Lisa Schmidt, Trenna Atkins, Pamela Wooding, Maryal Barnett, Beverly Rogers, Jane Weatherwax
Training Level Adult Amateur CH. DIAMO (Dutch Warmblood), Bria Shorten (NH), owner/rider ................................71.477% RS. DON PERIGNON (Oldenburg), Heather Mason, owner; Alexandra Krossen (NJ), rider; Don Alfredo, sire; Natchez Trail, dam ......................71.023% 3. SCARLETT O’HARA GSF (Zweibrucker), Jordan Clauson, owner; Matthew Beasley (CT), rider; Sinclair B, sire; With Cinnamon GSF, dam.................70.909% 4. WINSLET (Hanoverian), Lisa Curry Mair (VT), owner/rider; Wolkentanz II, sire; Liesel, dam................................................................................70.114% 5. HALLAH GGF (Hanoverian), Carol Ann Head (NH), owner/rider; Hotline, sire; Raphaela HB, dam ..............................................................................69.432% 6. N.F. MIMOSA (Dutch Warmblood), Kaitlyn Kutzer (MA), owner/rider....................68.864% 7. BENJAMIN BLUE (Percheron Cross), Kerry Rose (NY), owner/rider .........................68.182% 8. BEAVERWOOD’S FAIRY TALE (Welsh Cross), George Hoag, owner; Shannon Piatek (CT), rider; Merioneth Meryln, sire; Beaverwood’s China Doll, dam ............67.614%
Training Level Junior/Young Rider CH. FRAU SCHUFRO (Dutch Warmblood), Anke Ott Young, owner; Jannike Gray (CT), rider; Don Schufro, sire; Mystique, dam.....................................72.841% RS. SHAM’S SWEET TREAT (Welsh Cross), Georgia DiRoberto (NJ), owner/rider ..........68.636% 3. CONCERTO (Hanoverian), Sara Carlisle, owner; Lara Erdogus-Brady (MA), rider; Contucci, sire; Magissa, dam ....................................................................................67.159% 4. ON EAGLE’S WINGS (Thoroughbred), Emily Rescino (NH), owner/rider .................65.909% 5. AS DI AMORE (Hanoverian Cross), Abigail Cianciulli (NJ), owner/rider...................65.227% 6. ANTHEM (Hanoverian), Sara Carlisle, owner; Lara Erdogus-Brady (MA), rider ......65.114% 7. CROWN ROYAL (Sport Pony), Meaghan Doherty (NJ), owner/rider .......................64.318% 8. WEST POINT CADET (Warmblood), Jessica Longstreth (NJ), owner/rider ..............63.636%
CH. HERALDIK STAR (Oldenburg), Ariel Thomas (CA), owner/rider ...............................66.250%
Intermediate II Open
Training Level Open
CH. BOJING (Hanoverian), David Collins (NY), owner/rider; Benetton Dream, sire; Wie Lanthana, dam .............................................................73.409% RS. FORTHRIGHT (Oldenburg), Tom Noone (MA), owner/rider; Fred Astair, sire; May Juweel, dam...........................................................................72.273% 3. DIEGO (Hanoverian), Janie Bailey, owner; Lisa Kaptein (NY), rider ........................71.818% 4. SIRAJ DE BONCHERE (Friesian), Nancy Sholtz, owner; Krista Tycho Noone (PA), rider; Rintse 386, sire; Dutchess E., dam ...........................................................................71.818% 5. WHONDERFUL LIFE (Oldenburg), Elisabeth Straus, owner; Molly Maloney (NY), rider; Welcome S, sire; EM Rheceptionist, dam.....................71.705% Grand Prix Adult Amateur 6. SHENGLI (Hanoverian), David Collins (NY), owner/rider.........................................71.250% CH. LAREDO 183 (Austrian Warmblood), Whitney Harrington, owner; 7. GALACTIC SKY (Dutch Warmblood), Joanna Sentissi Lindsey Schulz (CA), rider.........................................................................................64.700% & Kintar Sport Horses LLC, owners; Michele Sizemore (RI), rider............................70.114% RS. DONNATO (Hanoverian), Tami Carter (CA), owner/rider..........................................62.650% 8. WOHLKINA 121 (Oldenburg), Cara Kettenbach, owner; 3. FLEUR ROUGE (Hanoverian), Christine Ekstrand (CA), owner/rider; Brittany Murphy (MA), rider; Wolkenlos, sire; Simply Red, dam.............................69.318% Werther, sire; Wild Flower, dam ...............................................................................61.850% 4. WINTERSNOW (Oldenburg), Adrienne Bessey & Hilda Gurney, owners; Adrienne Bessey (CA), rider; Winterprinz, sire; Lavinia, dam ..................................59.850% First Level Adult Amateur CH. HARIBO (Hanoverian), Morgan Matuszko (MA), owner/rider; Hochadel, sire; Larimar, dam ...................................................................................70.735% Grand Prix Open CH. UIVER (Dutch Warmblood), Terri Rocovich (CA), owner/rider .................................68.150% RS. HALLAH GGF (Hanoverian), Carol Ann Head (NH), owner/rider; Hotline, sire; Raphaela HB, dam ..............................................................................68.456% RS. RONDO (Dutch Warmblood), Anne Howard (CA), owner/rider; Kennedy, sire; Jamara, dam .....................................................................................63.400% 3. FS DJAMBO (Westfalen), Andrea Jackson (NJ), owner/rider; FS Don’t Worry, sire; Dancing Flower, dam ..............................................................67.794% 3. SANDRO DIEGO (Oldenburg), Karsan Elliott, owner; Zakir Abdoukadyrov (CA), rider................................................................................58.150% 4. BENJAMIN BLUE (Percheron Cross), Kerry Rose (NY), owner/rider .........................67.721% 5. IMPRESSIVE STUFF (Connemara Cross), Veronica Ucko & Kathleen Flynn, owners; Veronica Ucko (NJ), rider ..........................................................................................67.279% Grand Prix Freestyle CH. UIVER (Dutch Warmblood), Terri Rocovich (CA), owner/rider .................................68.063% 6. N.F. MIMOSA (Dutch Warmblood), Kaitlyn Kutzer (MA), owner/rider....................66.912% 7. FIRENZE (Hanoverian), Kerry Galvin (NH), owner/rider; RS. WINTERSNOW (Oldenburg), Adrienne Bessey & Hilda Gurney, owners; Fabriano, sire; Glossy, dam .......................................................................................66.397% Adrienne Bessey (CA), rider; Winterprinz, sire; Lavinia, dam ..................................66.000% 8. SCARLETT O’HARA GSF (Zweibrucker), Jordan Clauson, owner; 3. DONNA CARINA (Hanoverian), Madeline & Kerry McKallip, owners; Matthew Beasley (CT), rider; Sinclair B, sire; With Cinnamon GSF, dam.................66.324% Madeline McKallip (CA), rider; Donnerhall, sire; Dukate, dam................................63.188% CH. CORLANDER II (Rhinelander), Ari Lopez (CA), owner/rider; Cordino, sire; Riante, dam ........................................................................................66.711% RS. WISDOM MVS (Dutch Warmblood), Jackie Ahl-Eckhaus (CA), owner/rider; Farrington, sire; Lumara, dam..................................................................................63.816% 3. LOANSHARK (Hanoverian), Kristine Howe (CA), owner/rider .................................63.289% 4. VELOZ DE QUINTANA (Lusitano), Donna Richardson (CA), owner/rider; Nero, sire; Farpa, dam...............................................................................................61.316%
USDF CONNECTION
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131
GREAT AMERICAN/USDF REGIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Intermediate I Junior/Young Rider
GREAT AMERICAN/USDF REGIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
First Level Junior/Young Rider CH. LEUNS VELD’S DUCO (German Riding Pony), Sara Schmitt, owner; Amanda McAuliffe (NJ), rider ..................................................................................76.397% RS. WHO’LL STOP THE RAYN (Arabian), Micah & Laurie Andrews, owners; Micah Andrews (VT), rider .......................................................................................69.779% 3. MYSTERY K (Irish Sport Horse), Cecelia Bette (NY), owner/rider ............................68.750% 4. BEIJA FLOR (Lusitano), P.J. Mouquin, owner; Jannike Gray (CT), rider ....................67.721% 5. RAVANTI C (Hanoverian), Anke Ott Young, owner; Jannike Gray (CT), rider ...........67.647% 6. DEJURE (Oldenburg), Tanya Rennie, owner; Sophia Chavonelle (ME), rider; D. Day, sire; Esperanza, dam.....................................................................................67.426% 7. REINA (Hanoverian), Tracey Amaral Olsen, owner; Isabella Thorpe (MA), rider .....66.471% 8. MERCEDES (Rhinelander), Carol Liebman, owner; Elena Rittling (RI), rider; Rodin, sire; Make Mine Lucky, dam .........................................................................66.397%
First Level Open CH. FALESTO D (Dutch Warmblood), Diana Mukpo, owner; Michele Sizemore (RI), rider.....................................................................................72.868% RS. DONNZI (Hanoverian), Kerry Province (NJ), owner/rider; Dauphin, sire; High Society, dam .............................................................................71.691% 3. LET’S DANCE (Oldenburg), Peter Howe, owner; Alison Johnson (CT), rider ............70.809% 4. SANTINO (Hanoverian), Christine Landry (MA), owner/rider .................................70.221% 5. SENECA MFM (Hanoverian), Martha Gillen, owner; Doreen Byrne (NY), rider; Samarant, sire; Decuma, dam..................................................................................69.779% 6. BOLERO NSN (Dutch Warmblood), Martha Haley, owner; Bryn Walsh (ME), rider; Sir Donnerhall I, sire; Rhumba, dam .................................68.824% 7. DIRIGO (Westfalen), Pineland Farms, owner; Jennifer Dillon (ME), rider ...............67.868% 8. MW FEINERMARK (Oldenburg), Jennifer Vanover, owner; Meagan Davis (FL), rider; Fidertanz, sire; Cindy, dam .............................................67.721%
6. 7. 8. 8.
OFICIAL-RMC 1 (Pura Raza Espanola), Shelley Ullman, owner; Isabel Ullman (NY), rider; Plato, sire; Jair, dam........................................................63.110% CACHET (Hanoverian), Meagan Davis, owner; Isabel Ullman (NY), rider; Carbid, sire; Susie, dam ............................................................................................62.073% MYSTERY K (Irish Sport Horse), Cecelia Bette (NY), owner/rider ............................60.976% REINA (Hanoverian), Tracey Amaral Olsen, owner; Isabella Thorpe (MA), rider .....60.976%
Second Level Open CH. SANTINO (Hanoverian), Christine Landry (MA), owner/rider .................................72.073% RS. ESKANDAR (Dutch Warmblood), Pineland Farms, owner; Gwyneth McPherson (ME), rider; Zhivago, sire; Ostara, dam .................................71.651% 3. HB DSCHAFAR (German Riding Pony), Sara Schmitt (NJ), owner/rider..................70.610% 4. FELISSIMO (Hanoverian), Molly Maloney (NY), owner/rider ..................................70.244% 5. LAUREL (Oldenburg), Carol Smith, owner; Lauren Chumley (NJ), rider; Longchamp, sire; Pastora, dam................................................................................69.939% 6. WATCH ME TOO (Hanoverian), Jean Pecor, owner; Eliza Rutherford (VT), rider......69.817% 7. DR DIJK (Oldenburg), Joann McCarthy, owner; Colleen O’Connor-Dzik (MA), rider; Dr Doolittle, sire; Esmerella, dam.............................................................................69.512% 8. TRIPHAMMER’S STEELE (Friesian), Courtney Bolender (NY), owner/rider; SMHC’s Raven Fan Fallingasate, sire.........................................................................67.500%
Second Level Freestyle
CH. HB DSCHAFAR (German Riding Pony), Sara Schmitt (NJ), owner/rider..................73.583% RS. FEINEST PROOF (Oldenburg), Jamie Reilley (NJ), owner/rider; Feiner Stern, sire; Proof Run, dam ...........................................................................70.750% 3. EYE CANDY (Dutch Warmblood), Amy Gimbel (NJ), owner/rider; UB 40, sire; Wednesday, dam...................................................................................70.500% 4. ZEPPELIN HM (Lusitano), Lynsey Lonberg, owner; Jannike Gray (CT), rider ...........69.917% 5. REMINGTON (Hanoverian), Sandra Cohen (NY), owner/rider; Royal Diamond, sire; Joy, dam .................................................................................67.000% First Level Freestyle 6. GABRIELLA ROSSELLINI (American Warmblood), CH. COUTURE (Dutch Warmblood), Stephanie Phelan, owner; Gillian Cowley (NY), owner/rider; Gambol, sire; Melvira, dam ...............................66.417% Erin Scelba-Johnson (NJ), rider; Sir Sinclair, sire; Jazzie, dam .................................69.417% 7. MEDEA (Canadian Warmblood), Dianne Cantara (NH), owner/rider; RS. ASTI FCH (Haflinger), Bryn Walsh, owner; Rebecca Reed (ME), rider; Wizard II, sire; Olympia HB, dam..............................................................................65.333% Arno van Het Nieshof, sire; Cristal Lite SDH, dam ....................................................67.833% 3. BRIGADIER (Oldenburg), Cynthia Anderson (NJ), owner/rider ...............................67.583% Third Level Adult Amateur 4. TOKEN OF MY AFFECTION (Friesian), Catherine Varettoni (NJ), owner/rider; Anton 343, sire; Odilla, dam.....................................................................................66.083% CH. DUCHESSE DU PRE (Hanoverian), Jennifer Huber (FL), owner/rider; Dauphin, sire; Wranis, dam ......................................................................................69.936% 5. MY LAST HURRAH (Hanoverian), Thomas Byrd, owner; Kim Mullins (NJ), rider; Mazarin, sire; Biscayne, dam....................................................................................63.833% RS. EYE CANDY (Dutch Warmblood), Amy Gimbel (NJ), owner/rider; UB 40, sire; Wednesday, dam...................................................................................69.231% 6. SF HEARTS AND FLOWERS (Half Arabian), Susannah Jones (MA), owner/rider .....61.833% 3. CANO CRISTALES (Hanoverian), Sandra Holden (NY), owner/rider; 7. HALF MOONS ATISA (Arabian), Joleen Flasher (MA), owner/rider; Conteur, sire; Konny, dam ........................................................................................68.590% Black Char Azrael, sire; PK Black Satin, dam ............................................................60.583% 4. WHASABI (Oldenburg), Erin Laurent (NJ), owner/rider; Wonderful, sire; Glimmer, dam................................................................................68.333% Second Level Adult Amateur 5. TALBOT (Dutch Warmblood), Janice Turner (NJ), owner/rider ................................68.333% CH. HARIBO (Hanoverian), Morgan Matuszko (MA), owner/rider; Hochadel, sire; Larimar, dam ...................................................................................68.232% 6. OTTO (Dutch Warmblood), Stacy Rose & Kristi Niblo, owners; Stacy Rose (NY), rider; Kassander, sire; Diola NL860372 Draver, dam ....................66.731% RS. EYE CANDY (Dutch Warmblood), Amy Gimbel (NJ), owner/rider; UB 40, sire; Wednesday, dam...................................................................................67.378% 7. ASHMAAN (Dutch Warmblood), Carrie Fanning (NJ), owner/rider ........................66.667% 8. NAPOLEAN (Danish Warmblood), Melissa Borkoski (CT), owner/rider; 3. DELUXE DESIGN (Zweibrucker), Jerome Ferro & Ayman Abdelaal, owners; Rambo, sire; Louisiana, dam ....................................................................................66.603% Jerome Ferro (NY), rider ...........................................................................................66.280% 4. CROWN ROYAL VT (Oldenburg), Heather Mason, owner; Alexandra Krossen (NJ), rider; Concerto Grosso, sire; New Beginnings, dam .........66.220% Third Level Junior/Young Rider CH. LANCELOT WARRIOR (Hanoverian), Rebecca Reno, owner; 5. FS DJAMBO (Westfalen), Andrea Jackson (NJ), owner/rider; Angela Peavy (CT), rider...........................................................................................66.218% FS Don’t Worry, sire; Dancing Flower, dam ..............................................................64.512% RS. HAVANNA 133 (Wurttemberg), Gretchen Stearns & Wesley Dunham, owners; 6. FEINEST PROOF (Oldenburg), Jamie Reilley (NJ), owner/rider; Lillian Simons (CT), rider; Hotline, sire; Angel’s Dream, dam ..................................66.026% Feiner Stern, sire; Proof Run, dam ...........................................................................64.085% 3. FIGARO (Danish Warmblood), Carmella Moody, owner; Jannike Gray (CT), rider; 7. REMINGTON (Hanoverian), Sandra Cohen (NY), owner/rider; Olympic Ferro, sire; Grendalin, dam.........................................................................64.359% Royal Diamond, sire; Joy, dam .................................................................................63.293% 8. CHAMAN (Lusitano), Olivia Banyon (NJ), owner/rider; E-Nabo, sire; Fama, dam........63.049% 4. HAKUNA MATATA (Oldenburg), Marsha Montgomery, owner; Alayna Borden (NJ), rider; Gold Luck, sire; Heradora, dam .....................................64.359% 5. WILD CARD (Dutch Warmblood), Tesla Whitaker (ME), owner/rider......................63.910% Second Level Junior/Young Rider 6. LUCKY LUKE (Hanoverian), Samantha Savage (VT), owner/rider...........................63.846% CH. LEUNS VELD’S DUCO (German Riding Pony), Sara Schmitt, owner; Amanda McAuliffe (NJ), rider ..................................................................................69.512% 7. ZEPPELIN HM (Lusitano), Lynsey Lonberg, owner; Jannike Gray (CT), rider ...........63.526% RS. BEIJA FLOR (Lusitano), P.J. Mouquin, owner; Jannike Gray (CT), rider ....................65.000% 8. GABRIELLA ROSSELLINI (American Warmblood), Gillian Cowley (NY), owner/rider; Gambol, sire; Melvira, dam ......................................................................................62.692% 3. RAVANTI C (Hanoverian), Anke Ott Young, owner; Jannike Gray (CT), rider ...........64.451% 4. WROSETTA GGF (Hanoverian), Meghan Drysdale (MA), owner/rider; Werbellin, sire; Quick Ridge, dam ............................................................................63.537% Third Level Open 5. GABRIELLA ROSSELLINI (American Warmblood), Gillian Cowley (NY), owner/rider; CH. FACKELTRAGER (Oldenburg), Betsy Dangel, owner; Jane Hannigan (MA), rider; Gambol, sire; Melvira, dam ......................................................................................63.293% Fackeltanz, sire; Whisper D, dam..............................................................................71.667%
132 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Third Level Freestyle CH. DOLCE VITA LHF (Hanoverian), Terri Feldman-Hoertdoerfer, owner; Kimberly Litwinczak (MA), rider; De Niro, sire; Primel, dam ...................................69.033% RS. OTTO (Dutch Warmblood), Stacy Rose & Kristi Niblo, owners; Stacy Rose (NY), rider; Kassander, sire; Diola, dam .................................................66.900% 3. BOCAGE (Lusitano), Michelle Hirshberg (ME), owner/rider ....................................66.817% 4. TALBOT (Dutch Warmblood), Janice Turner (NJ), owner/rider ................................66.533% 5. GALLANT (Hanoverian), Heather Mason, owner; Mallory Chambers (NJ), rider....64.500% 6. PAGANO (Andalusian), Andrea Meoak (NY), owner/rider; Esteban B, sire; Rage’s Golden Honey, dam .............................................................64.267% 7. RUBICON 75 (Oldenburg), Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center, owner; Mary Jordan (ME), rider ...........................................................................................57.917%
Fourth Level Adult Amateur CH. DUCHESSE DU PRE (Hanoverian), Jennifer Huber (FL), owner/rider; Dauphin, sire; Wranis, dam ......................................................................................65.167% RS. TRIANERO JAMA (Pura Raza Espanola), Brooke Alexander (CT), owner/rider; Trianero XVII, sire; Pandereta, dam..........................................................................64.722% 3. CHANCELLOR (Belgian Draft Cross), Rhonda Piper (MA), owner/rider ...................61.222% 4. MERRITT (Dutch Warmblood), Jennifer Saunders (NY), owner/rider; Corleone, sire; Ilanta, dam .......................................................................................59.389% 5. ZIDANE (Dutch Warmblood), Jennifer Kelly (NY), owner/rider...............................56.944% 6. LORD LAKOTA (Trakehner), Regina Cristo (NY), owner/rider; Enrico Caruso, sire; Litchen, dam..............................................................................53.000%
Fourth Level Junior/Young Rider
AMY E. RILEY
CH. TEIMIR HB (Lusitano), Jannike Gray (CT), owner/rider; Titon HB, sire; India II, dam....67.556% RS. FIGARO (Danish Warmblood), Carmella Moody, owner; Jannike Gray (CT), rider; Olympic Ferro, sire; Grendalin, dam.........................................................................67.111% 3. URITHMIC (Dutch Warmblood), Heather Mason, owner; Mallory Chambers (NJ), rider; Jazz, sire; Ivonne II, dam ..........................................................................................64.444%
Jannike Gray and Teimir HB, Prix St. Georges Junior/Young Rider Champion; Stacy Durham, USDF representative; Debra Reinhardt, Region 8 director; Cindy Anderson, Great American Insurance Group representative; Katherine McHugh, NEDA representative
Fourth Level Open CH. AVIGNON (Dutch Warmblood), Katie Robicheaux (MA), owner/rider; United, sire; Ushi Danka T, dam................................................................................74.889% RS. LE SAVANT (Westfalen), Shelley Ullman, owner; Meagan Davis (FL), rider; Fantastico, sire; Rimini-Girl, dam .............................................................................68.889% 3. FAOLAN (Oldenburg), Bridget Hay (NJ), owner/rider; Freestyle, sire; Wyoming, dam.................................................................................68.833% 4. PADDINGTON (Dutch Warmblood), Paula Runnells, owner; Anne Cizadlo (NJ), rider; Droomwals, sire; Herma, dam .........................................66.778% 5. BARROCO (Lusitano), Candace Platz, owner; Melissa Maclaren (VT), rider; Torre, sire; Vadia, dam ..............................................................................................66.389% 6. ACHILLES 3 (Westfalen), Jane Gannon, owner; Colleen O’Connor-Dzik (MA), rider; Abanos, sire; Five Star, dam .....................................................................................65.444% 7. ROYAL KAVALIER (Oldenburg), Jeanette Pinard, owner; Courtney Bolender (NY), rider .................................................................................64.000% 8. EDELRUBIN (Westfalen), Shooting Stars Dressage Horses LLC, owner; Cindi Wylie (MA), rider; Ehrentusch, sire; Rubina, dam...........................................63.778%
Fourth Level Freestyle CH. GRYPHON Z (Friesian Sporthorse), Stephanie Brown-Beamer (NY), owner/rider ......75.667% RS. ROCAZINO (Oldenburg), Fie Studnitz Andersen (MA), owner/rider; Rosentanz, sire; Escarda, dam..................................................................................75.250% 3. TEIMIR HB (Lusitano), Jannike Gray (CT), owner/rider; Titon HB, sire; India II, dam....70.583% 4. TEODOR (Russian Warmblood), Alexandra Tomson (NY), owner/rider ..................67.500% 5. PAGANO (Andalusian), Andrea Meoak (NY), owner/rider; Esteban B, sire; Rage’s Golden Honey, dam .............................................................67.500% 6. SANTA MARIA (Hanoverian), Jill Dumont (NH), owner/rider; Santano, sire; Markant-RH, dam .............................................................................65.917%
Junior Team CH. LARGO 224 (Oldenburg), Eliza Gardner (RI), owner/rider .......................................69.459% RS. FREESTYLE 27 (Rhinelander), Lisa Apa, owner; Claire Murphy (NY), rider .............65.270% 3. HARKON (Holsteiner), Steven Tarshis, owner; Olivia Devine (NJ), rider; Heraldik, sire; Tbris, dam ..........................................................................................57.500%
Young Rider Team CH. LASSERRE (Danish Warmblood), Giulia Cohen (NY), owner/rider ..........................64.474% RS. SCHANEUR SOLYST (Danish Warmblood), Cheryl Singh & Sydby LLC, owners; Alexandra Singh (NY), rider .....................................................................................60.987% 3. DEINHARDT (Hanoverian), Nicole Nowak (RI), owner/rider....................................60.000%
Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur CH. DAMANI (Hanoverian), Heather Mason, owner; Alexandra Krossen (NJ), rider; Duvall, sire; Gqdiva, dam .........................................................................................67.829%
Alice Tarjan and Elfenfeuer, Grand Prix Adult Amateur Champion; Stacy Durham, USDF representative; Debra Reinhardt, Region 8 director; Cindy Anderson, Great American Insurance Group representative; Katherine McHugh, NEDA representative
USDF CONNECTION
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133
GREAT AMERICAN/USDF REGIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
RS. RATZBERNA (Hanoverian), Ginny Commander, owner; William Warren (MA), rider; Ruehmann, sire; White Lady, dam.............................70.385% 3. GLORIOUS (Dutch Warmblood), Nancy Later Lavoie (MA), owner/rider ................70.000% 4. LE SAVANT (Westfalen), Shelley Ullman, owner; Meagan Davis (FL), rider; Fantastico, sire; Rimini-Girl, dam .............................................................................69.295% 5. FAOLAN (Oldenburg), Bridget Hay (NJ), owner/rider; Freestyle, sire; Wyoming, dam.................................................................................68.846% 6. BLUES SINGER (Dutch Warmblood), Jane Ehrlich, owner; Emily Wyman (NY), rider .........................................................................................68.333% 7. UNIQUE (Dutch Warmblood), Paula Runnells, owner; Anne Cizadlo (NJ), rider .....68.269% 8. DOLCE VITA LHF (Hanoverian), Terri Feldman-Hoertdoerfer, owner; Kimberly Litwinczak (MA), rider; De Niro, sire; Primel, dam ...................................68.269%
GREAT AMERICAN/USDF REGIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
RS. MOONSHINE (Westfalen), Jane Karol, owner; Anna Jaffe (MA), rider; Lamerto H, sire; Landina, dam.................................................................................67.303% 3. MADAME NOIR (Danish Warmblood), Jennifer Huber (FL), owner/rider; Nobleman, sire; Silke, dam ......................................................................................66.842% 4. DELAINIE (Hanoverian), Tyrelle Keslin (NH), owner/rider; De Laurentis, sire; Delight, dam ...............................................................................64.737% 5. SAMAIKA (Dutch Warmblood), Bonnie Padwa (MA), owner/rider; Gribaldi, sire; Namaika, dam....................................................................................62.303% 6. DECORUS (Hanoverian), Laurie McCullough-Leibfried (PA), owner/rider; Don Frederico, sire; Saint Helena, dam ....................................................................62.237% 7. VALPARAISO (Swedish Warmblood), Laurie White, owner; Bonnie Padwa (MA), rider; Gauguin De Lully, sire; Walborg, dam..........................61.842% 8. TRIANERO JAMA (Pura Raza Espanola), Brooke Alexander (CT), owner/rider; Trianero XVII, sire; Pandereta, dam..........................................................................61.776%
4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
SCHROEDER (Hanoverian), Kathy Hickerson, owner; Elizabeth Caron (CT), rider; Sandro Hit, sire; Esmeralda, dam.............................................................................67.500% FARRELLY (Holsteiner), Jane Karol (MA), owner/rider; Florestan I, sire; Ina III, dam .....................................................................................66.184% ROLLING STONE (Oldenburg), Julia Jeschke, owner; Meagan Davis (FL), rider; Rubinstein*, sire; Waldblute, dam...........................................................................65.263% CODY (Swedish Warmblood), Natasha Grigg, owner; Lawrence Poulin (MA), rider; Riverman, sire; L A Utrilla, dam ................................64.868% AVATAR’S JAZZMAN (Morgan), Melissa Dowling, owner; Lauren Chumley (NJ), rider; KJB All That Jazz, sire; Avatar’s Cassandra, dam.......................................................61.118%
Intermediate I Freestyle
CH. ROMANTICO SF (Hanoverian), Heather Mason (NJ), owner/rider; Romancero H, sire; Wesermelodie, dam..................................................................72.563% RS. FARRELLY (Holsteiner), Jane Karol (MA), owner/rider; Prix St. Georges Junior/Young Rider Florestan I, sire; Ina III, dam .....................................................................................70.063% CH. TEIMIR HB (Lusitano), Jannike Gray (CT), owner/rider; Titon HB, sire; India II, dam....66.711% 3. DAMANI (Hanoverian), Heather Mason, owner; Alexandra Krossen (NJ), rider; RS. URITHMIC (Dutch Warmblood), Heather Mason, owner; Duvall, sire; Gqdiva, dam .........................................................................................69.438% Mallory Chambers (NJ), rider; Jazz, sire; Ivonne II, dam..........................................65.066% 4. WHAT HAPPEN (Hanoverian), Heather Mendiburu & High Point Solutions, owners; 3. DEINHARDT (Hanoverian), Nicole Nowak (RI), owner/rider....................................63.553% Heather Mendiburu (NJ), rider; Waldstar, sire; Gina de Ro, dam ............................68.063% 4. RAMAZOTTI (Bavarian), Amy Gimbel, owner; Erika Olijslager (NJ), rider ...............58.882% 5. MANCHADO (Dutch Warmblood), Carol Heckman (NY), owner/rider ....................64.938% 6. DON’T BLINK (Oldenburg), Alexis Tozour (NJ), owner/rider; Donnerluck, sire; You Blink, dam .............................................................................60.813% Prix St. Georges Open 7. DECORUS (Hanoverian), Laurie McCullough-Leibfried (PA), owner/rider; CH. RIPLINE (Danish Warmblood), Oak Hill Ranch LLC, owner; Don Frederico, sire; Saint Helena, dam ....................................................................60.750% Heather Blitz (MA), rider; Blue Hors Hotline, sire; Riviera, dam ..............................76.184% 8. LENNOX (Danish Warmblood), Erin Scelba-Johnson (NJ), owner/rider; RS. ROMANTICO SF (Hanoverian), Heather Mason (NJ), owner/rider; Solos Landwind, sire; Solos Larix, dam....................................................................59.750% Romancero H, sire; Wesermelodie, dam..................................................................74.671% 3. SUNSHINE TOUR (Oldenburg), Jane Karol (MA), owner/rider; Sir Donnerhall I, sire; History, dam...........................................................................73.618% Intermediate II Adult Amateur CH. SCHANDO (Danish Warmblood), Krista Nordgren (ME), owner/rider; 4. WHAT HAPPEN (Hanoverian), Heather Mendiburu & High Point Solutions, owners; Schwadroneur, sire; Laila, dam ................................................................................59.408% Heather Mendiburu (NJ), rider; Waldstar, sire; Gina de Ro, dam ............................70.789% RS. MUDZIMA (Thoroughbred), Jacqueline Greener (PA), owner/rider; 5. EDELRUBIN (Westfalen), Shooting Stars Dressage Horses LLC, owner; Tralos, sire; Topsy, dam .............................................................................................57.039% Cindi Wylie (MA), rider; Ehrentusch, sire; Rubina, dam...........................................70.000% 3. WALENTINA (Hanoverian), Diane Glossman (PA), owner/rider..............................56.908% 6. BARROCO (Lusitano), Candace Platz, owner; Melissa Maclaren (VT), rider; Torre, sire; Vadia, dam ..............................................................................................69.737% 7. ROCAZINO (Oldenburg), Fie Studnitz Andersen (MA), owner/rider; Intermediate II Open Rosentanz, sire; Escarda, dam..................................................................................69.671% CH. ZAR (Dutch Warmblood), Heather Mason (NJ), owner/rider; 8. MANCHADO (Dutch Warmblood), Carol Heckman (NY), owner/rider ....................69.605% Iroko, sire; Inga, dam ................................................................................................72.171% RS. CONTENDION (Hanoverian), Judy Pappin, owner; Jennifer Marchand (NY), rider; Intermediate I Adult Amateur Contendro I, sire; Wandy, dam .................................................................................66.908% CH. MADAME NOIR (Danish Warmblood), Jennifer Huber (FL), owner/rider; 3. TOMILLO VII (Andalusian), Fie Studnitz Andersen (MA), owner/rider; Nobleman, sire; Silke, dam ......................................................................................70.658% Presumido XXXVI, sire; Islena XVI, dam ...................................................................60.461% RS. MOONSHINE (Westfalen), Jane Karol, owner; Anna Jaffe (MA), rider; 4. DESIDERATA 2 (Oldenburg), Jan Williams (MA), owner/rider; Lamerto H, sire; Landina, dam.................................................................................67.763% Michelangelo, sire; Donna Colina, dam ...................................................................59.868% 3. DAMANI (Hanoverian), Heather Mason, owner; Alexandra Krossen (NJ), rider; 5. BARYSHNIKOV (Hackney), Leeda Fletcher, owner; Lisa Pierson (NY), rider; Duvall, sire; Gqdiva, dam .........................................................................................66.974% Forewood Commander, sire; Woodhurst Ballerina, dam ........................................59.605% 4. VALPARAISO (Swedish Warmblood), Laurie White, owner; 6. ERIN MEADOWS OKE DOKE (Connemara), Tanya Stepan Murray, owner; Jovanna Bonnie Padwa (MA), rider; Gauguin De Lully, sire; Walborg, dam..........................64.145% Stepan (NY), rider; Loughrea’s Oisin, sire; Erin Meadows Celtic Treasure, dam.......59.145% 5. RAPHAEL (Oldenburg), Katherine Heller (NY), owner/rider; 7. FIORETTO (Westfalen), Ruth Sigal, owner; Caroline Cheret (NJ), rider ...................59.079% Rubin-Royal, sire; Casablanca, dam.........................................................................63.750% 6. DAUPHINE OF BELAIR (American Warmblood), Clair Glover (NY), owner/rider .....62.505% Grand Prix Adult Amateur 7. SAMAIKA (Dutch Warmblood), Bonnie Padwa (MA), owner/rider; CH. ELFENFEUER (Oldenburg), Alice Tarjan (NJ), owner/rider; Gribaldi, sire; Namaika, dam....................................................................................62.368% Florencio, sire; Elfensonne, dam ..............................................................................64.850% 8. BAJANUS (Hanoverian), Diane Glossman (PA), owner/rider; RS. FYNN*/*/*/*/*/ (American Warmblood), Candace Platz (ME), owner/rider.........61.850% Bergamon, sire; Dajana, dam ..................................................................................61.184% 3. OLYMPUS (Dutch Warmblood), Nancy Binter (FL), owner/rider; Havel, sire; Jirdonie, dam .........................................................................................53.750%
Intermediate I Junior/Young Rider CH. SCHANEUR SOLYST (Danish Warmblood), Cheryl Singh & Sydby LLC, owners; Alexandra Singh (NY), rider .....................................................................................65.526%
Grand Prix Open
CH. ZAR (Dutch Warmblood), Heather Mason (NJ), owner/rider; Iroko, sire; Inga, dam ................................................................................................70.400% Intermediate I Open RS. THOR M (Dutch Warmblood), Pineland Farms, owner; Michael Poulin (ME), rider; Mirakel, sire; Debora, dam...........................................69.100% CH. ROMANTICO SF (Hanoverian), Heather Mason (NJ), owner/rider; 3. WELT CUP (Hanoverian), Louisa-Marcelle Eadie (NY), owner/rider; Romancero H, sire; Wesermelodie, dam..................................................................73.092% Weltmeyer, sire; Graefin, dam .................................................................................63.854% RS. WHAT HAPPEN (Hanoverian), Heather Mendiburu & High Point Solutions, owners; 4. PICASSO’S BLEU (Dutch Warmblood), Cindy Dix Weathersbee, owner; Heather Mendiburu (NJ), rider; Waldstar, sire; Gina de Ro, dam ............................68.684% Katie Robicheaux (MA), rider; D-Day, sire; Garina, dam..........................................63.200% 3. SUNSHINE TOUR (Oldenburg), Jane Karol (MA), owner/rider; 5. PATINELS (Dutch Warmblood), Margery Berube, owner; Sir Donnerhall I, sire; History, dam...........................................................................67.697% Kimberly Litwinczak (MA), rider; Don Primaire, sire; Fatinels, dam........................62.750%
134 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Region 9
First Level Open
Judges: Joan Macartney, Thomas Poulin, Eleanor Stine Masek, Melonie Kessler, Lois Yukins, Michael CH. RUIDOSO WOR (Hanoverian), Jackie Nixon-Fulton, owner; Osinski, Margaret Freeman, Lorraine MacDonald, William Tubman Benjamin Pfabe (TX), rider; Rousseau, sire; Wiesentanz, dam ...............................74.338% RS. SUENO GRANDE (Hanoverian), Kelly Bernard, owner; Martin Arnold (TX), rider ...74.191% Training Level Adult Amateur 3. FRANCA SYMPATHICA (Hanoverian), Renee Delisse, owner; CH. HAMPTON (Danish Warmblood), Ashlee Watts (TX), owner/rider; Paige Peters-Windham (TX), rider; Fidertanz, sire; Soraya, dam............................72.794% Blue Hors Hotline, sire; Madigan L, dam .................................................................74.886% 4. EVIOLA V (Dutch Warmblood), Matthew Cunningham (TX), owner/rider .............72.353% RS. DIAMOND MINE (Irish Sport Horse), Vanessa Dunham Watson (TX), owner/rider......74.773% 5. GYPSY QUEEN (Thoroughbred Cross), Corinne Rollez, owner; 3. GIGILOMA MG (Dutch Warmblood), Nicole Navinsky (TX), owner/rider; Ivy Backes (TX), rider ................................................................................................71.618% Uphill, sire; Uloma, dam...........................................................................................73.068% 6. RIVER (Thoroughbred), Alexandra du Celliee Muller (AR), owner/rider; 4. FINNEGAN SQF (Hanoverian), Rachel Schilling (TX), owner/rider; Sky Raider, sire; La Jo Vonnie, dam ..........................................................................70.662% Fidertanz, sire; SPS Withney, dam ...........................................................................71.591% 7. VANGENS STAR-LIGHT (Danish Warmblood), Mary Hankey, owner; 5. ROSLYN. KB (Hanoverian), Elaine Harmon (LA), owner/rider; Carlos Salguero (TX), rider........................................................................................70.294% Rotspon, sire; Willow K.B., dam ...............................................................................66.818% 8. ANA ISABELLAH (Hanoverian), Janice Graham Marquardt, owner; 6. DIAMANTE DE SERRANO (Azteca), Stephanie Koehler (TX), owner/rider...............66.705% Erika-West Danque (TX), rider; Autocrat, sire; Indullah, dam .................................70.147% 7. MADOC SWEETBRIAR ROSE (Welsh Cob), Melinda Ehrle (TX), owner/rider; Kentchurch Chime, sire; Princess Rosina, dam ........................................................66.477% First Level Freestyle 8. ROYAL RHADA (Oldenburg), Sara Sharratt (TX), owner/rider .................................66.136% CH. JYPSY ROSE (Belgian Warmblood), Jenna Stern, owner; Martin Arnold (TX), rider; Gran Casso, sire; Portia, dam..........................................68.617% Training Level Junior/Young Rider RS. GUNNER (Friesian Sporthorse), Patrick Orlaska, owner; CH. CAESAR (Holsteiner), Katelyn Omas (TX), owner/rider ...........................................75.682% Sammi Jo Stohler (TX), rider; Joris W., sire; Nurosa, dam ........................................65.383% RS. FANDANGO (Oldenburg), Noell Lacy, owner; Allison Cyprus (TX), rider; 3. MANTREH (Friesian), Tamera Mayo (OK), owner/rider............................................64.433% Falsterbo, sire; Ariel, dam .........................................................................................73.182% 4. KHINGSTONS GRAND PRIX (Half Arabian), Cynthia Hall (TX), owner/rider.............64.233% 3. BEST OF INTENTIONS (American Warmblood), Simone Page (LA), owner/rider ....69.091% 5. QUIGLEY (Irish Sport Horse), Ellen Ruckert (TX), owner/rider ................................63.500% 3. CASH SETTLEMENT (Thoroughbred Cross), Lillian Dobat (TX), owner/rider...........69.091% 6. CHEX THE DOCTOR (Quarter Horse), Janet Tornelli-Mitchell (TX), owner/rider ......61.133% 5. EXCALIBER VP (Dutch Warmblood), Holly Harper (TX), owner/rider ......................68.977% 7. NEOPOLITAN (Oldenburg), Kathy Thomas (TX), owner/rider..................................60.167% 6. HIDEAWAY’S JEDI (Thoroughbred Cross), Tatum Winans (TX), owner/rider ...........66.705% 8. DANTE RDL (Andalusian), Teresa Hurley, owner; Martin Arnold (TX), rider; 7. MEMORY LANE GOLDEN D’NILE (Welsh Cob), Emma Lorrae Patterson, owner; Saltador ORO 1, sire; Ilusion MHF, dam....................................................................59.667% Fiona Patterson (TX), rider .......................................................................................66.477% Second Level Adult Amateur 8. NASHVILLE (Dutch Warmblood), Sandra Lindenberg, owner; Hannah Kang (TX), rider; Concorde, sire; Iwaniki, dam...........................................66.023% CH. HERMES (Pura Raza Espanola), Vincent Flores (TX), owner/rider; Estimado XV, sire; Leticia III, dam.............................................................................68.049% Training Level Open RS. ROYAL DANCER (Westfalen), Julia Handt (TX), owner/rider; CH. EDWINA (Dutch Warmblood), Jenny Moore (TX), owner/rider ..............................75.568% Rubicell, sire; Do swidanya, dam .............................................................................67.683% RS. SIR GATSBY (Oldenburg), Michael Mayes, owner; Yvonne Kusserow (TX), rider ....72.159% 3. VICTORIOUS SECRET (Dutch Warmblood), Susan Sulentic (TX), owner/rider .........65.976% 3. WEC’S FERRARI (Hanoverian), Marta Renilla (TX), owner/rider .............................72.159% 4. RICHELIEU (Oldenburg), Kylie Brkusich (TX), owner/rider; 4. CHROMATIC SIGN (Oldenburg), Jennifer Albright, owner; Regazzoni, sire; Glendale Morticia, dam .................................................................65.854% Luke McLaughlin (TX), rider; Christ, sire; Mabel, dam.............................................71.023% 5. FIGARO H (Zweibrucker), Anartz Chanca (TX), owner/rider....................................65.122% 5. EVIOLA V (Dutch Warmblood), Matthew Cunningham (TX), owner/rider .............70.795% 6. DONIZETTI (Hanoverian), Kerry Walker (TX), owner/rider; 6. WEC’S ROSEWOOD (Oldenburg), Marta Renilla (TX), owner/rider .........................70.000% Don Frederico, sire; Wiebke, dam.............................................................................65.122% 7. AMIGA KD (Trakehner), Lisa Flores, owner; Jayne Lloyd (TX), rider; 7. CALIENTE (Holsteiner), Ofir Bar Shalom, owner; Ashley Brune (TX), rider .............64.207% Hirtentanz, sire; Annabel Lee, dam .........................................................................69.545% 8. FESS PARKER (Hanoverian), Rhonda Smith (TX), owner/rider; 8. LEMAC 4G (Oldenburg), Marissa Kimberlin, owner; Kate Severson (TX), rider ......69.318% Fabriano, sire; Ginger Alley, dam .............................................................................62.378%
USDF CONNECTION
•
February 2016
135
GREAT AMERICAN/USDF REGIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
LAMBORGHINI (Danish Warmblood), Jocelyn Wiese, owner; First Level Adult Amateur Tracey Amaral Olsen (MA), rider; Michellino, sire; Abbey Row, dam ......................62.600% CH. FIGARO H (Zweibrucker), Anartz Chanca (TX), owner/rider....................................70.368% 7. DONARLICHT GGF (Hanoverian), Suzanne Markham (MA), owner/rider; RS. VICTORIOUS SECRET (Dutch Warmblood), Susan Sulentic (TX), owner/rider .........69.044% De Niro, sire; Highlight, dam ....................................................................................62.500% 3. HAMPTON (Danish Warmblood), Ashlee Watts (TX), owner/rider; 8. PATTENT (Dutch Warmblood), Sarah Chatfield (ME), owner/rider .........................61.450% Blue Hors Hotline, sire; Madigan L, dam .................................................................68.971% 4. HERMES (Pura Raza Espanola), Vincent Flores (TX), owner/rider; Grand Prix Freestyle Estimado XV, sire; Leticia III, dam.............................................................................68.824% CH. ZAR (Dutch Warmblood), Heather Mason (NJ), owner/rider; 5. CROWN OF FIRE (Thoroughbred Cross), Michelle Calongne (TX), owner/rider ......68.382% Iroko, sire; Inga, dam ................................................................................................76.063% 6. WUNDERKIND I (Hanoverian), Emily Heather (TX), owner/rider............................67.794% RS. ELFENFEUER (Oldenburg), Alice Tarjan (NJ), owner/rider; 7. DIAMOND MINE (Irish Sport Horse), Vanessa Dunham Watson (TX), owner/rider......66.029% Florencio, sire; Elfensonne, dam ..............................................................................71.313% 8. ZORAJA TSH (Holsteiner), Constance Meredith (TX), owner/rider; 3. LAMBORGHINI (Danish Warmblood), Jocelyn Wiese, owner; Chicardo, sire; Ursula I, dam .....................................................................................65.809% Tracey Amaral Olsen (MA), rider; Michellino, sire; Abbey Row, dam ......................70.188% First Level Junior/Young Rider 4. THOR M (Dutch Warmblood), Pineland Farms, owner; Michael Poulin (ME), rider; Mirakel, sire; Debora, dam...........................................69.938% CH. ISTADEVATE (Oldenburg), Katja Gwin, owner; Isabel Gregory (TX), rider ...............68.824% 5. FYNN*/*/*/*/*/ (American Warmblood), Candace Platz (ME), owner/rider.........67.500% RS. FORTOULA (Trakehner), Mary Edwards, owner; Kalie Beckers (LA), rider; Stiletto, sire; Fasta, dam ...........................................................................................68.824% 6. DONNERSOHN (Hanoverian), Helen Cast & Ann Fleisher, owners; Helen Cast (MA), rider; Donnerhall, sire; Angelina, dam ........................................66.938% 3. WOOHOO (Hanoverian), Jessica Fan (TX), owner/rider; Wonderful, sire; Diachee, dam.................................................................................68.603% 7. PATINELS (Dutch Warmblood), Margery Berube, owner; Kimberly Litwinczak (MA), rider; Don Primaire, sire; Fatinels, dam........................66.750% 4. VIRTUOSO (Dutch Warmblood), Oak Hill Ranch LLC, owner; Parrish Frisbee (LA), rider .........................................................................................68.456% 8. PATTENT (Dutch Warmblood), Sarah Chatfield (ME), owner/rider .........................66.375% 5. RMS STATESMAN (Appendix Quarter Horse), Kate Romano (TX), owner/rider......67.721% 6. ONE2ONE (Thoroughbred), Diana Brown, owner; Barrett Barksdale (TX), rider ....66.029% 7. FAUSTON NAF (Friesian), Pamela DeVore, owner; Kailey Devore (OK), rider; Von Faust, sire; Gwendolyn, dam.............................................................................65.147% The 2015 Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 9 Dressage Championships were held 8. FABRICE FIRENZE (Oldenburg), Nicole Rothell (TX), owner/rider ...........................62.206% October 8-11 in Katy, TX. 6.
GREAT AMERICAN/USDF REGIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Second Level Junior/Young Rider CH. FORTOULA (Trakehner), Mary Edwards, owner; Kalie Beckers (LA), rider; Stiletto, sire; Fasta, dam ...........................................................................................68.232% RS. WOOHOO (Hanoverian), Jessica Fan (TX), owner/rider; Wonderful, sire; Diachee, dam.................................................................................67.195% 3. FAUSTON NAF (Friesian), Pamela DeVore, owner; Kailey Devore (OK), rider; Von Faust, sire; Gwendolyn, dam.............................................................................64.756% 4. FABRICE FIRENZE (Oldenburg), Nicole Rothell (TX), owner/rider ...........................64.024% 5. ISTADEVATE (Oldenburg), Katja Gwin, owner; Isabel Gregory (TX), rider ...............63.659% 6. PK MYSTIC STARDUST (Paint), Judi Dauterive, owner; Cameron Dauterive (LA), rider; Stars Ebony, sire; EJS Fancy Lady, dam ..................63.232% 7. RMS STATESMAN (Appendix Quarter Horse), Kate Romano (TX), owner/rider......62.500%
Second Level Open CH. MCKENSEY (Hanoverian), Joan Ehrich, owner; John Mason (TX), rider; Mazarin, sire; Walesca, dam.....................................................................................70.000% RS. RUMBA (Oldenburg), Alexandra du Celliee Muller (AR), owner/rider; Rotspon, sire; Chatari, dam ......................................................................................68.780% 3. DI SOLITAIRE (Dutch Warmblood), Kathryn McFadden, owner; Matthew Cunningham (TX), rider ...........................................................................68.659% 4. ROQUEFORT (Oldenburg), Ursula Lange (TX), owner/rider ....................................67.927% 5. AGUILEÑO WAE (Pura Raza Espanola), Leila Gillen, owner; John Mason (TX), rider ...67.866% 6. NETZOYE HOT (Andalusian), Deirdre Malburg (TX), owner/rider; Sabio GF, sire; Mi Coqueta, dam ...............................................................................67.500% 7. DORFPRINZ (Hanoverian), Angelyn Gunn, owner; John Mason (TX), rider; Dauphin, sire; Acciaccatura, dam.............................................................................65.854% 8. DANTE RDL (Andalusian), Teresa Hurley, owner; Martin Arnold (TX), rider; Saltador ORO 1, sire; Ilusion MHF, dam....................................................................65.610%
Second Level Freestyle CH. FINIAN (Oldenburg), Anthea Kin (OK), owner/rider; Frohwind, sire; Verlieben, dam ................................................................................71.167% RS. FESS PARKER (Hanoverian), Rhonda Smith (TX), owner/rider; Fabriano, sire; Ginger Alley, dam .............................................................................70.083% 3. NETZOYE HOT (Andalusian), Deirdre Malburg (TX), owner/rider; Sabio GF, sire; Mi Coqueta, dam ...............................................................................66.083% 4. WESTMORELAND COME FLY WITH ME (Gypsy Cob), Elizabeth Krottinger, owner; Deirdre Malburg (TX), rider; Westmoreland Tristan, sire; Desert Jewel Clononeen Donla, dam.......................................................................63.833% 5. VAUN B (Friesian), Alison Hartley (TX), owner/rider; Tsjalke 397, sire; Jantsje K, dam ...............................................................................63.333% 6. ZAFIRO (Lusitano), Cynthia Moriarty (TX), owner/rider ..........................................61.167% 7. CLAIR NAF (Friesian), Tamera Mayo (OK), owner/rider; Elijah, sire; Gwendolyn, dam ...................................................................................60.167% 8. NEOPOLITAN (Oldenburg), Kathy Thomas (TX), owner/rider..................................57.500%
Third Level Adult Amateur CH. ROYAL DANCER (Westfalen), Julia Handt (TX), owner/rider; Rubicell, sire; Do swidanya, dam .............................................................................71.090% RS. WILMA (Dutch Warmblood), Cathrine Baldwin (TX), owner/rider; Optimist, sire; Saffier’s VL, dam ...............................................................................67.756% 3. RAPIDASH (Westfalen), Nicki Atkinson (TX), owner/rider ......................................66.154% 4. RICHELIEU (Oldenburg), Kylie Brkusich (TX), owner/rider; Regazzoni, sire; Glendale Morticia, dam .................................................................64.872% 5. CESAR HHC (Lusitano), Michele Roark (TX), owner/rider; Obtuso Interagro, sire; Semiramis Interagro, dam ..................................................63.718% 6. WIN/WIN SITUATION (Westfalen), Julia Denton (TX), owner/rider ........................62.949% 7. CRAQUE HM (Lusitano), Kimberly Harris (TX), owner/rider; Portugal, sire; Serpa VA, dam...................................................................................62.692% 8. WIETHA (Dutch Warmblood), Leslie Rohrer, owner; Jena Tavormina (TX), rider....62.436%
Third Level Junior/Young Rider CH. ALARIC (Oldenburg), Kyra & Kirstin Shine, owners; Kyra Shine (TX), rider; Agincourt, sire; Felice, dam ......................................................................................69.038% RS. LÖWENHERZ (Trakehner), Madeleine Ramon (TX), owner/rider; E.H. Lehndorff ’s, sire; Laugallen, dam .....................................................................68.590% 3. LAGUNA (Hanoverian), Abigail Fleischli (TX), owner/rider; Lamentos, sire; Carmina, dam .................................................................................68.333%
136 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
4. 5. 6. 7.
SANDALO VI (Pura Raza Espanola), Madeline Hausmann (TX), owner/rider .........63.846% PERSONA GRATA (Dutch Warmblood), Emma Stephens (TX), owner/rider; Cocktail, sire; Candy, dam.........................................................................................62.692% WYNSHIRE’S VALIANT (Welsh Cob), Emma Lorrae Patterson (TX), owner/rider; Menai Magic’s Boy, sire; Menai Curiad, dam ...........................................................61.090% MESMERYZ (Arabian), Madeleine Ramon (TX), owner/rider; Europejczyk, sire; Misjaa, dam .................................................................................59.038%
Third Level Open CH. CARZANOLA (Dutch Warmblood), Nancy Hinz (TX), owner/rider; Tuchinski, sire; Lanola, dam .....................................................................................70.897% RS. BRISHEN S.G. (Hanoverian), Kathryn Gonia, owner; Paige Peters-Windham (TX), rider; Bergamon, sire; Ursula SG, dam .....................69.103% 3. LILI MARLENE (Oldenburg), Ann Marie Cowdrey, owner; Luke McLaughlin (TX), rider; Landor S, sire; Tonga II, dam .....................................68.782% 4. VASHTI (Trakehner), Kristin Wasemiller-Knutson (OK), owner/rider; Nico, sire; Thekla, dam..............................................................................................68.333% 5. WEC’S RHUSTLER (Hanoverian), Marta Renilla (TX), owner/rider..........................68.205% 6. SUSPIRO DP (Andalusian Cross), Michelle Hawkes, owner; Marta Renilla (TX), rider...........................................................................................67.756% 7. COUNT CONQUISTADOR V (Dutch Warmblood), Jody Destefanis, owner; Matthew Cunningham (TX), rider ...........................................................................67.372% 8. WINTERFAIR (Oldenburg), Andrea Hart (TX), owner/rider; Winterprinz, sire; Meriah, dam ................................................................................67.115%
Third Level Freestyle CH. DONABELLA (American Warmblood), Shelly Schoenfeld, owner; Cecilia Cox (TX), rider; Highlight, sire; Fair Rock, dam .............................................68.367% RS. WINTERFAIR (Oldenburg), Andrea Hart (TX), owner/rider; Winterprinz, sire; Meriah, dam ................................................................................67.833% 3. ROBERTO (Andalusian), Alicia Boutan, owner; Christy Raisbeck (TX), rider; Solturo, sire; Juridica, dam .......................................................................................65.250%
Fourth Level Adult Amateur CH. WINNIE TOO (American Warmblood), Cecilia Cox (TX), owner/rider; Gaucho III, sire; Kristiana, dam ................................................................................67.500% RS. VALENTINO (Dutch Warmblood), Terri Sue Wensinger (TX), owner/rider; Riverman-ISF, sire; Joivette, dam.............................................................................65.944% 3. AUSTIN CHASE (Holsteiner), Sarah Pape Hester (TX), owner/rider; Ariadus, sire; Konsuelo, dam ....................................................................................65.389% 4. SPS FARINA (Hanoverian), Laura Harper (TX), owner/rider; Fabriano, sire; Annika, dam......................................................................................62.833% 5. RAPIDASH (Westfalen), Nicki Atkinson (TX), owner/rider ......................................61.278% 6. TESKE VAN G (Friesian), Jamie Knight (TX), owner/rider ........................................60.944% 7. ASTRICK (Trakehner), Donna Arnold, owner; Beth Colle (TX), rider........................60.056% 8. RIJKENS (Holsteiner), Carrie Chaffin (TX), owner/rider; Rantares, sire; Ladybug, dam...................................................................................58.611%
Fourth Level Junior/Young Rider CH. LAGUNA (Hanoverian), Abigail Fleischli (TX), owner/rider; Lamentos, sire; Carmina, dam .................................................................................69.444% RS. CARLYLE (Hanoverian), Hannah Pierucci (TX), owner/rider; Contendro, sire; December, dam..............................................................................62.056%
Fourth Level Open CH. DANNAH (Danish Warmblood), Mary Beth Henderson, owner; Lyndon Rife (TX), rider; Don Schufro, sire; For A Doll, dam .....................................70.889% RS. MADOC GARETH (Welsh Cob), Kristin Cyprus, owner; Allison Cyprus (TX), rider; Sydenham Henry, sire; Okeden Mai, dam ...............................................................70.056% 3. WEC’S RHUSTLER (Hanoverian), Marta Renilla (TX), owner/rider..........................69.111% 4. GLORIANNA (Oldenburg), Mary Hale-Hogue, owner; Erika-West Danque (TX), rider .................................................................................66.333% 4. RAGTIME JAZZ (Swedish Warmblood), Christine Calao (TX), owner/rider .............66.333% 6. LIEBLING (Holsteiner), Inez & Kevin Campbell, owners; Kai Handt (TX), rider; Limbus, sire; Edda VI, dam .......................................................................................65.500% 7. FAYE (Hanoverian), Christine Renne, owner; John Mason (TX), rider; Forsyth, sire; Elfe, dam .............................................................................................65.111% 8. FERNANDO (Zweibrucker), Christy Raisbeck (TX), owner/rider; Florestan I, sire; Love Tale, dam................................................................................63.944%
CH. MADOC GARETH (Welsh Cob), Kristin Cyprus, owner; Allison Cyprus (TX), rider; Sydenham Henry, sire; Okeden Mai, dam ...............................................................77.333% RS. VALENTINO (Dutch Warmblood), Terri Sue Wensinger (TX), owner/rider; Riverman-ISF, sire; Joivette, dam.............................................................................72.667% 3. VIN DIESEL (Swedish Warmblood), Sarah Alder-Schaller (TX), owner/rider; Vermouth, sire; Regata, dam ...................................................................................72.167% 4. FERNANDO (Zweibrucker), Christy Raisbeck (TX), owner/rider; Florestan I, sire; Love Tale, dam................................................................................70.417% 5. JARENO IX (Andalusian), Karey Gonzalez (TX), owner/rider ...................................70.250% 6. OBADI DEL DIOS (Lusitano Cross), Doreen Atkinson (TX), owner/rider...................68.417%
Junior Team CH. FLINTSTONE (Oldenburg), Noell Lacy, owner; Madison Lacy (TX), rider; Feramo, sire; Charita, dam .......................................................................................66.216% RS. DSCHINGIS BLUE (Oldenburg), Bronwyn Cordiak (TX), owner/rider; Florencio, sire; Disney, dam......................................................................................66.014%
Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur CH. DOLCE (Swedish Warmblood), Vincent Flores (TX), owner/rider; Don Primero, sire; Day-Dream, dam ........................................................................65.263% RS. WEC’S CAMPIONE (Hanoverian), Anartz Chanca (TX), owner/rider .......................64.342% 3. AUSTIN CHASE (Holsteiner), Sarah Pape Hester (TX), owner/rider; Ariadus, sire; Konsuelo, dam ....................................................................................63.750% 4. ALLOUETTE (Hanoverian), Amanda Edwards (OK), owner/rider; Arrian, sire; Witta, dam ............................................................................................63.289% 5. TESKE VAN G (Friesian), Jamie Knight (TX), owner/rider ........................................62.829% 6. WINNETOU (Dutch Warmblood), Barbara Burkhardt (TX), owner/rider; Equador, sire; Papion, dam ......................................................................................61.842% 7. VALENTINO (Dutch Warmblood), Terri Sue Wensinger (TX), owner/rider; Riverman-ISF, sire; Joivette, dam.............................................................................61.447% 8. LORETTO (Holsteiner), Sonny Little, owner; Martha Deasy-Little (TX), rider..........60.592%
Prix St. Georges Junior/Young Rider CH. WINDSOR (Dutch Warmblood), Allison Hopkins (TX), owner/rider........................66.118%
Prix St. Georges Open
6. 7. 8.
POULIDON (Dutch Warmblood), Taylor Rowsey (TX), owner/rider; Burggraff, sire; Unette, dam ....................................................................................65.395% PACIFICA (Danish Warmblood), Nell Wade, owner; Vicky Busch (LA), rider; Blue Hors Future Cup, sire; Pari Lord, dam ...............................................................65.066% GETTYSBURG (Friesian), Raelynn Stephens, owner; Megan Suffling (TX), rider; Boldness Be My Friend Slr, sire; Gabriella SLR, dam ................................................65.066%
Intermediate I Adult Amateur CH. DOLCE (Swedish Warmblood), Vincent Flores (TX), owner/rider; Don Primero, sire; Day-Dream, dam ........................................................................65.000% RS. WEC’S CAMPIONE (Hanoverian), Anartz Chanca (TX), owner/rider .......................63.684% 3. REAL DIAMOND (Oldenburg), Laurie Simons (MS), owner/rider; Rhodiamant, sire; Helena, dam ...............................................................................63.224% 4. LORETTO (Holsteiner), Sonny Little, owner; Martha Deasy-Little (TX), rider..........62.039% 5. WINNETOU (Dutch Warmblood), Barbara Burkhardt (TX), owner/rider; Equador, sire; Papion, dam ......................................................................................60.526% 6. NESSESSITY (Holsteiner), Traci Jackson (KS), owner/rider; Ratibor, sire; Tax And Spend, dam............................................................................60.132% 7. WOLKANTAR (Hanoverian), Anthea Kin, owner; Erin Boone (OK), rider; Wolkenstein II, sire; Malou, dam .............................................................................56.579% 8. INDIGO (German Warmblood), Sue Hopkins (TX), owner/rider..............................55.658%
Intermediate I Open CH. RONDO DEL REY (Hanoverian), Kathleen Jones, owner; John Mason (TX), rider; Regazzoni, sire; Daisy, dam ......................................................................................68.750% RS. CASARO (Trakehner), Kristin Wasemiller-Knutson (OK), owner/rider; Nico, sire; Thekla, dam..............................................................................................66.382% 3. DIVINO (Hanoverian), Roberta Clark (OK), owner/rider ..........................................64.605% 4. CONAN STAR (Oldenburg Cross), Delemont LP, owner; Paige Peters-Windham (TX), rider ...........................................................................64.408% 5. PACIFICA (Danish Warmblood), Nell Wade, owner; Vicky Busch (LA), rider; Blue Hors Future Cup, sire; Pari Lord, dam ...............................................................64.276% 6. ADAGIO DC (Lusitano), Rafael Chavez & Haras Dos Cavaleiros, owners; Tiago Ernesto (TX), rider; Lirio Da Cosval, sire; Umbral Mor, dam ...........................64.145% 7. ONNO (Dutch Warmblood), Lisa Tannehill (TX), owner/rider; Haarlem, sire; Dorien, dam ......................................................................................64.013% 8. DONNERTANZ (Oldenburg), Linda Middleton, owner; Christy Raisbeck (TX), rider; De Niro, sire; Petira, dam ............................................63.750%
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CH. MADOC GARETH (Welsh Cob), Kristin Cyprus, owner; Allison Cyprus (TX), rider; Sydenham Henry, sire; Okeden Mai, dam ...............................................................70.724% RS. GRAN CASSO (Belgian Warmblood), Jenna Stern (TX), owner/rider; Fal Turro, sire; Upper Register, dam..........................................................................66.974% Intermediate I Freestyle 3. BARBAROSSA (Hanoverian), Donna Phillips, owner; CH. RONDO DEL REY (Hanoverian), Kathleen Jones, owner; John Mason (TX), rider; Matthew Cunningham (TX), rider ...........................................................................66.316% Regazzoni, sire; Daisy, dam ......................................................................................72.438% 4. RONDO DEL REY (Hanoverian), Kathleen Jones, owner; John Mason (TX), rider; RS. WEC’S CAMPIONE (Hanoverian), Anartz Chanca (TX), owner/rider .......................71.938% Regazzoni, sire; Daisy, dam ......................................................................................65.789% 3. CASARO (Trakehner), Kristin Wasemiller-Knutson (OK), owner/rider; 5. DIVINO (Hanoverian), Roberta Clark (OK), owner/rider ..........................................65.789% Nico, sire; Thekla, dam..............................................................................................71.750%
Benjamin Pfabe and Ruidoso WOR, First Level Open Champion; Donna Meyer, Great American Insurance Group representative; Margaret Freeman, judge; Jackie Nixon-Fulton, owner; Sherry Guess, Region 9 director; Brynne Boian, USDF representative
Cecilia Cox and Donabella, Third Level Musical Freestyle Champion; Michael Osinski, judge; Donna Meyer, Great American Insurance Group representative; Brynne Boian, USDF representative; Sherry Guess, Region 9 director
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GREAT AMERICAN/USDF REGIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Fourth Level Freestyle
4. 5. 6. 7.
ACCENTUATE (Dutch Warmblood), Beth Butler, owner; Fran Dearing-Kehr (TX), rider...................................................................................68.562% DONNERTANZ (Oldenburg), Linda Middleton, owner; Christy Raisbeck (TX), rider; De Niro, sire; Petira, dam ............................................68.500% BOGART VON JORRIT PM (Friesian), Saddlebrook Equestrian Center, owner; Paige Peters-Windham (TX), rider; Jorrit, sire; Xanadu PM, dam ...........................67.062% DOLCE (Swedish Warmblood), Vincent Flores (TX), owner/rider; Don Primero, sire; Day-Dream, dam ........................................................................66.938%
Intermediate II Adult Amateur
3. 4. 5. 6.
WOLKENWAND (Hanoverian), Anthea Kin (OK), owner/rider; Wolkenstein II, sire; Warina, dam ............................................................................62.400% HERSLEV MARK’S MISTER B (Danish Warmblood), Gon Stevens, owner; Christy Raisbeck (TX), rider; Castro, sire; Herslev Marks Candi, dam.......................60.800% WEC’S MISTICO (Andalusian), Marta Renilla (TX), owner/rider; Faraon TP, sire; Banbury Ella, dam ...........................................................................59.300% LEONARDO (Danish Warmblood), Kim Gentry (TN), owner/rider; Solos Landtinus, sire; Rambala, dam.......................................................................59.150%
Grand Prix Freestyle
CH. LAZULITE (Trakehner), Marie Maloney (KS), owner/rider; CH. WEC’S MISTICO (Andalusian), Marta Renilla (TX), owner/rider; Martini, sire; Lucona, dam .......................................................................................58.947% Faraon TP, sire; Banbury Ella, dam ...........................................................................67.438% RS. TRIUMPH PRIBA (Dutch Warmblood), Ivy Bartasis (TX), owner/rider; RS. WOLKENWAND (Hanoverian), Anthea Kin (OK), owner/rider; Lancelot, sire; Noraley Priba, dam ...........................................................................53.816% Wolkenstein II, sire; Warina, dam ............................................................................63.625% 3. FEISAL (Danish Warmblood), Suzan Saylor (TX), owner/rider................................61.250% Intermediate II Open CH. JAGO (Swedish Warmblood), Tamara Mcgowen, owner; Lyndon Rife (TX), rider; Quite Easy, sire; Jeriko, dam .....................................................................................63.816% RS. HERSLEV MARK’S MISTER B (Danish Warmblood), Gon Stevens, owner; Christy Raisbeck (TX), rider; Castro, sire; Herslev Marks Candi, dam.......................62.500% 3. WATERFRONT (Hanoverian), Robin Hessel (OK), owner/rider.................................59.737% 4. LEONARDO (Danish Warmblood), Kim Gentry (TN), owner/rider; Solos Landtinus, sire; Rambala, dam.......................................................................58.882% 5. JEFF THE CHEF W (Warmblood), Nancy Flanders, owner; Matthew Cunningham (TX), rider ...........................................................................56.974% 6. EL ESPIRITU (Andalusian), Pati Pieruccii (TX), owner/rider; Gaucho III, sire; Ligitima V, dam...............................................................................55.461%
Grand Prix Adult Amateur CH. DAPHENE (Hanoverian), Marty Hunt (KS), owner/rider; Davignport, sire; Delightfull, dam ...........................................................................59.900%
Grand Prix Open CH. CIPRIANI (Westfalen), Anna Whit Watkins (TX), owner/rider; Casparino, sire; Roxana, dam ...................................................................................70.050% RS. RAPPORT (Oldenburg), Joseph Calao, owner; Christine Calao (TX), rider; Routinier, sire; Nostalgia’s Place, dam .....................................................................65.950%
Editor’s note: Photographs in the Yearbook award section not credited are courtesy of the award winners. Any corrections to the award listings must be received in writing by March 31, 2015.
E-mail to: connection@usdf.org
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138 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 1 Dressage Championships Licensed by United States Equestrian Federation Inc. & Virginia Dressage Association Fall Competition Judges: Jayne Ayers & David Schmutz USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals 13 & under 1. Tori Belles (PA) ..............................................77.000% 2. Emma Teff (PA) .............................................75.000% 3. Cadence Clucas (NJ) ......................................70.000% 4. Grace Baierl (PA) ...........................................67.000% USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals 14-18 1. Jamie Leuenberger (NJ) ................................80.000% 2. Natalie Hahn (PA) .........................................78.000% 3. Isabel Long (NC) ............................................76.000% 4. Lauren Rapp (VA) ..........................................75.000% 5. Skylar Wheeler (NC) ......................................73.000% 6. Liliana Nabhan (VA) ......................................71.000% 7. Sophie-Ann Stremple (VA) ...........................69.000% 8. Mary Papantonis (NJ) ...................................68.000%
Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 2 Dressage Championships Licensed by United States Equestrian Federation Inc. & Dressage at Waterloo Autumn Classic Judges: Sandy Osborn & David Schmutz USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals 13 & under 1. Ella Angelo (MI) ............................................75.000% 2. Abigail Taft (MI) ............................................72.000% 3. Anna King (MI) .............................................68.000% 4. Annahbel Ketko (MI) ....................................65.000% 5. Faith Lutomski (MI) ......................................62.000% 6. Hailey Redman (MI) ......................................60.000% USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals 14-18 1. Isabel Linder (MI) ..........................................78.000% 2. Emma Kemink (MI) .......................................74.000% 3. Emma Holtvluwer (MI) .................................72.000% 4. Katherine Esterline (MI) ................................69.000% 5. Emilly Ashworth (MI) ....................................68.000% 6. Mckenzie Miavitz (OH) ..................................65.000% 7. Sophia Hume (MI) ........................................64.000%
Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 3 Dressage Championships and Atlanta National Fall Dressage Licensed by U.S. Equestrian Federation Judges: Sarah Michael & Debbie Riehl-Rodriguez USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals 13 & under 1. Charlotte Ferguson (SC) ................................76.000% 2. Emerson Blandford (TN) ...............................75.000% 3. Markella Stavrinakis (SC) ..............................74.000% 4. Hayden Kent (AL) ..........................................72.000% 5. Emma Grace Stokes (GA) ..............................68.000% 6. Camille Molten (SC) ......................................67.000% 7. Clara Richards (SC) ........................................66.000% 8. Lydia Mcleod (SC) .........................................65.000%
USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals 14-18 1. Marline Syribeys (GA) ...................................86.000% 2. Morgan-Bailey Horan (AL) ............................85.000% 3. Caroline Garren (GA) .....................................80.000% 4. Juliet Hess (GA) .............................................79.000% 5. Isabelle Braden (GA) .....................................75.000% 6. Ruth Richards (SC) ........................................71.000% 7. Clarke-David Folden (SC) ..............................67.000% 8. Maddison Parker (SC) ...................................65.000%
Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 4 Dressage Championships Licensed by United States Equestrian Federation Inc & Fall Classic Judges: David Schmutz, Charlotte Trentelman, Joan Darnell & Marlene Schneider USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals 13 & under 1. Claire Nickelson (MO) ....................................81.000% 2. Averi Allen (MO) ...........................................75.000% 3. Missy Mcginn (IL) .........................................73.000% 4. Ellanor Boehning (IN) ...................................72.000% 5. Ella Fruchterman (MN) .................................70.000% USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals 14-18 1. Jenna Upchurch (MO) ...................................80.000% 2. Madison Peer (KS) ........................................77.000% 3. Mackenzie Peer (KS) .....................................75.000% 4. Katelyn Mosle (OH) .......................................73.000% 5. Jes Skudlarek (IL) .........................................72.000% 6. Annie McGrath (IL) .......................................70.000%
Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 7 Dressage Championships Licensed by United States Equestrian Federation Inc. & CDS Championships Judges: Kari McClain & Cindy Canace USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals 13 & under 1. Celsiana William (CA) ....................................77.000% 2. Lucienne Bacon (CA) .....................................73.000% USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals 14-18 1. Isabella Macchioni (CA) ................................77.000% 2. Heather Baine (CA) .......................................74.000% 3. Madeleine Coronado (CA) .............................72.000% 4. Jenna Driscoll (CA) ........................................71.000%
NEDA Fall Dressage Festival: Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 8 Dressage Championships Recognized by USEF; CDI Saugerties; USDF Breeders Championships Judges: Jayne Ayers & Beverly Rogers USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals 14-18 1. Abigail Cianciulli (NJ) ....................................73.000% 2. Lindsey Johnson (NY) ...................................72.000%
Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 9 Dressage Championships Licensed by United States Equestrian Federation Inc. & HDS Autumn Classic Judges: Michael Osinski & Joan Macartney
Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 5 Dressage Championships Licensed by United States Equestrian Federation Inc. & ADA October Fest Judges: Doreen Horsey & Christel Carlson USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals 13 & under 1. Eden Thomas (UT) .........................................75.000% 2. Katherine Nayak (AZ) ....................................68.000% USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals 14-18 1. Breeanon Ramey (TX) ...................................76.000% 2. Kenzie Riddell (AR) .......................................74.000%
Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 6 Dressage Championships Recognized By USEF/ Northwest Dressage Championships and Open Show
USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals 13 & under 1. Sophie Wolf (TX) ...........................................80.000% 2. Hannah Kang (TX) .......................................78.000% 3. Sarah Evans (TX) ...........................................76.000% 4. Amy Lamberth (TX) ......................................74.000% 5. Kasey Denny (TX) ..........................................72.000% 6. Emma Stephens (TX) ....................................70.000% USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals 14-18 1. Allison Hopkins (TX) .....................................90.000% 2. Lucero Limones (TX) .....................................85.000% 3. Madison Lacy (TX) ........................................82.000% 4. Isabel Gregory (TX) .......................................80.000% 5. Kailey Devore (OK) ........................................77.000% 6. Peyton DeMarais (TX) ...................................75.000% 7. Emma Fowler (TX) ........................................73.000% 8. Katherine Henson (TX) .................................70.000% 8. Fiona Patterson (TX) .....................................70.000%
Judges: Marilyn Heath & Ida Norris USDF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals 14-18 1. Tessa Rodgers (WA) ......................................70.000% 2. Kailey Jones (WA) .........................................68.000% 3. Kylee Mckereghan (OR) ................................65.000% 4. Ashley Combs (WA) ......................................60.000% 5. Emma Scotthanson (WA) .............................59.000%
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GREATDRESSAGE USDF AMERICAN/USDF SEAT MEDAL REGIONAL SEMIFINALS DRESSAGE RESULTS CHAMPIONSHIPS
2015 USDF DRESSAGE SEAT MEDAL SEMI-FINALS RESULTS
East Coast Series Dressage at Devon, Devon, PA, September 29-October 4 Judges: Jayne Ayers, Kristi Wysocki, Janine Malone, Susan Mandas
Current Year Foal Championship CH. FLORIOSO (Oldenburg), Erin Powers, owner............................................................78.063% RS. FURSTENTRAUM (Hanoverian), Anke Ott Young, owner.........................................77.763% 3. MISS MANN (Oldenburg), Krista Mann, owner; Mannhattan, sire; Ullalla, dam; Odilon, damsire; Krista Mann, breeder ..............................................77.275% 4. LIBERTEE (Hanoverian), Raehaven Farms Inc, owner .............................................76.362% 5. ST. CRESCENCIA (Oldenburg), Gabrielle Cottone, owner .........................................76.313% 6. STEINBECK HTF (Hanoverian), Hilltop Farm Inc, owner...........................................76.112%
Colt/Gelding Championship
Mare Championship CH. WELINA (Danish Warmblood), Nancy Radtke, owner; Wildens, sire; Stenagers Santana, dam; Sandro Hit, damsire; Bjarne & May-Britt Christensen, breeders ....87.325% RS. ANDORRA ISF (Dutch Warmblood), Iron Spring Farm Inc, owner; Sir Sinclair, sire; Hivona, dam; Consul, damsire; Iron Spring Farm Inc, breeder ................................79.600% 3. BICARA (Dutch Warmblood), Iron Spring Farm Inc & Mary Alice Malone, owners; Sorento, sire; Sicara, dam; Florestan I, damsire; C. Maat & J. Maat & M. Maat, breeders....................................................................78.900% 4. SHABRINA (Oldenburg), Maurine Swanson, owner; Shakespeare RSF, sire; EM Wyneth L, dam; Widmark, damsire; Maurine Swanson, breeder .....................78.800% 5. SHTILETTO (Oldenburg), Maurine Swanson, owner; Shakespeare RSF, sire; Fhrance, dam; Fabriano, damsire; Maurine Swanson, breeder ..............................77.275% 6. DARLING ISF (Dutch Warmblood), Cara Kettenbach, owner; Sir Sinclair, sire; Saigon, dam; Jazz, damsire; Iron Spring Farm Inc, breeder ..........77.050%
CH. FLORISTDANZO 121 (Oldenburg), Cara Kettenbach, owner; Floriscount, sire; Wisconsin, dam; Sir Donnerhall I, damsire; Cara Kettenbach, breeder...................78.875% Stallion Championship RS. ROCK ROYALE (Oldenburg), Robert Jackson, owner; Rock Solid, sire; CH. ARAGON GAF (Pura Raza Espanola), Cynthia Roberts, owner; Invasor III, sire; Alsonara, dam; Archipel, damsire; Theresa Schnell, breeder ..................................77.938% Habana XXV, dam; Oleaje, damsire; Glen Aryn Farm, breeder................................76.125% 3. BY DESIGN (Oldenburg), Jennifer Mclandrich, owner; Benetton Dream, sire; Issandra, dam; RS. SAINT SANDRO (Oldenburg), Tawna King, owner ...................................................75.475% Fidertanz, damsire; Margaret Sherman & Regina Willoughby, breeders ...............76.775% 4. LIONEL (Danish Warmblood), Cara Kettenbach, owner; Solos Landtinus, sire; Licata, dam; Don Schufro, damsire; Oak Hill Ranch LLC, breeder............................76.325% 5. REX ROLAND BHF (Hanoverian), Paula Byrum, owner; Royal Prince, sire; Serenity Park Breeders Classic, Sedalia, MO, September 19 Dartmouth, dam; Domiro, damsire; Paula Byrum, breeder....................................76.162% 6. QWIN (Hanoverian), Gloria Grim, owner; Qredit Hilltop, sire; Wiesling, dam; Wolkentanz, damsire; Angela Mirarchi, breeder ....................................................75.000% Judges: Dietrich Felgendreher, Christian Schacht
Mid-States Series
Filly Championship CH. CHRISTABELL (Hanoverian), Hannah Salazar, owner; Christ, sire; Danae, dam; Donnerhall, damsire; Marefield Meadows Inc, breeder..........................................78.200% RS. CILLA BONA (Oldenburg), Nancy Holowesko, owner ..............................................77.800% 3. J’ADORE FF (Dutch Warmblood), Ginger Parker, owner ..........................................77.475% 4. IZARA ISF (Dutch Warmblood), Iron Spring Farm Inc & Mary Alice Malone, owners; UB 40, sire; Watch Me, dam; Sir Sinclair, damsire; Iron Spring Farm Inc, breeder ..76.713% 5. SHCOOTER (Oldenburg), Maurine Swanson, owner; Shakespeare RSF, sire; EM Rheporter, dam; Royal Prince, damsire; Maurine Swanson, breeder ...............76.712% 6. ROCKSTAR (Oldenburg), High Point Hanoverians & Larissa Barilar, owners...........76.650%
Welina, the 2015 Great American/USDF East Coast Series Mare Champion
140 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Colt/Gelding Championship CH. WRISE AND SHINE (American Warmblood), Emily Miles, owner; WakeUp, sire; Daquan, dam; Ferro, damsire; Jana Wagner & Wally Woo Farm, breeders.............81.400% RS. INSIGNIA (Dutch Warmblood), Laurie Ryan, owner; Sir Gregory, sire; Sioux, dam; Zeoliet, damsire; Lesley Feakins, breeder ............................................76.575% 3. JUMANI (Dutch Warmblood), Kathy Childs, owner; Johnson, sire; Nirvana, dam; Fleming, damsire; Kathy & Larry Childs, breeders...........................73.000% 4. KILKELLY KING OF PRIDE (Irish Draught), Julie Lane, owner; KEC Double Diamond, sire; Penmerryl’s Vespa, dam; Touch of the Blues, damsire; Linda Cowasjee, breeder...68.813%
Aragon GAF, the 2015 Great American/USDF East Coast Series Stallion Champion
HOOF PRINT IMAGES
GREAT AMERICAN/USDFBC SERIES FINAL RESULTS
2015 GREAT AMERICAN INSURANCE GROUP/USDF BREEDERS CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES RESULTS
Filly Championship
6.
CH. BELLEZA FRF (Hanoverian), Deborah Davenport, owner; Belissimo M, sire; Havanna K, dam; Hochadel, damsire; Deborah Davenport & Fox Run Farm, breeders....78.025% RS. QHARISMA (Oldenburg), High Point Farm, owner ..................................................77.000% 3. ESKADA (Hanoverian), Shery Fetterman, owner ....................................................75.888%
New England Series NEDA Fall Dressage Festival: Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 8 Dressage Championships Recognized by USEF; CDI Saugerties; USDF Breeders Championships, Saugerties, NY, September 17-20 Judges: Liselotte Fore, Jayne Ayers
Current Year Foal Championship CH. DAVINA GGF (Hanoverian), Rachel Ehrlich, owner; Dancier, sire; Rendezvous GGF, dam; Rascalino, damsire; Rachel Ehrlich, breeder ......................80.850% RS. INDEARAH (Oldenburg), Deborah Bourne, owner; Imperio, sire; Bosley, dam; Boston, damsire; Deborah Bourne, breeder ......................................78.000% 3. KALYPSO MG (Dutch Warmblood), Carbery Fields Farm & John Caron, owners.....75.963% 4. SPIDERMAN MG (Hanoverian), Kathy Hickerson, owner ........................................75.263% 5. SCHANELLE GGF (Hanoverian), Rachel Ehrlich, owner; Sternlicht Hilltop, sire; Shalimar GGF, dam; Schroeder, damsire; Green Gate Farm, breeder ......................73.700%
TOP: JAMIE ANDERSON; BOTTOM: CAROLE MACDONALD
Belleza FRF, the 2015 Great American/USDF Mid-States Series Filly Champion
Rocazino, the 2015 Great American/USDF New England Series Stallion Champion
STARLIGHTS FULL MOON (Hanoverian Cross), 8T Acres Equestrian Center & Ashley Glynn, owners ...........................................................................................72.975%
Colt/Gelding Championship CH. DONARSHAUN GGF (Hanoverian), Rachel Ehrlich, owner; Donar Weiss GGF, sire; Rhapsody GGF, dam; Rascalino, damsire; Rachel Ehrlich, breeder..........................77.213% RS. WICKED WILD WF (Hanoverian), Glenn & Kerstin Witaszek, owners; Wild Dance, sire; Paradise, dam; Pik Solo, damsire; Wysteria Farm, breeder .........76.950% 3. RANGO (Oldenburg), Celeste Brown, owner; Rodioso, sire; Donnerstrahl, dam; Don Gregory, damsire; Adria & Harry Diel, breeders ...............................................75.913% 4. HOTSTREAK CF (Hanoverian), Chris Preston, owner; Hotline, sire; Rococo OSH, dam; Rotspon, damsire; Mary Beth Stanton, breeder .......................75.700% 5. GENERAL PATTON (Westfalen), Silene White, owner; Grand Passion, sire; Nosy Girl, dam; Silene White, breeder .....................................................................74.188% 6. DELUKA (Hanoverian), Patricia Carter, owner; De Victor, sire; Fein Star, dam; Feinbrand, damsire; Annette Kenyon, breeder .......................................................73.163%
Filly Championship CH. DALLAS MW (Oldenburg), Jennifer Vanover, owner; Sir Gregory, sire; De Lovely, dam; Dormello, damsire; Nancy Holowesko, breeder............................80.750% RS. FEMME FERRAR FH (Hanoverian), Eliza Rutherford, owner; Fidertanz, sire; Dallara, dam; Dacaprio, damsire; Eliza Rutherford, breeder ...................................78.125%
Davina GGF, the 2015 Great American/USDF New England Series Current Year Foal Champion
USDF CONNECTION
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GREAT AMERICAN/USDFBC SERIES FINAL RESULTS
Wrise and Shine, the 2015 Great American/USDF Mid-States Series Colt/Gelding Champion
4. 5. 6.
MW BE HAPPY (Oldenburg), Jennifer Vanover & Maplewood Warmbloods, owners; Dante Weltino, sire; Bonita, dam; Rohdiamant, damsire; Juergen Fetzer, breeder .....74.304% DOLCE FH (Hanoverian), Jennifer Hunt, owner; Danic Weltino, sire; Sangrita, dam; Stedinger, damsire; Eliza Rutherford, breeder ...............................74.063% DALIA (Hanoverian), Heather Waite, owner; Dacaprio, sire; Windspiel, dam; Weltmeyer, damsire; Heather Waite, breeder .........................................................73.738% JOULE EFFECT HMF (Dutch Warmblood), Elizabeth Preston & Susan Barrett, owners; Ampere, sire; Face the Music, dam; Enrico Caruso, damsire; High Meadows Farm, breeder...........................................72.775%
RS. ROMEO (Oldenburg), Jill Schabel, owner; Rousseau, sire; Chloe, dam; Opus, damsire; Jill Schabel, breeder ........................................................................72.200% 3. FIGARO (Oldenburg), Jill Schabel, owner; Fiorano, sire; Chloe, dam; Opus, damsire; Jill Schabel, breeder ........................................................................71.238% 4. BLACK SWAN SYR DEWI (Welsh Cob), Kellie Hunter, owner; Parcmorfa Ffraed, sire; Dyffryngwy Heledd, dam; Black Swan Farm & Jacqueline Hamilton, breeders.....67.038%
Filly Championship
CH. HABANA (Dutch Warmblood), Cindy Smith, owner; Ampere, sire; Waukena, dam; Contester, damsire; Cindy Smith, breeder.....................................74.950% RS. R BUNNY (Oldenburg), Kenneth Borden, owner; Rashka, sire; Paloma, dam; Mare Championship Pit I, damsire; Kenneth Borden, breeder .................................................................74.288% CH. DELANO’S DOROTHY (Oldenburg), Margery Weekes, owner; Sir Donnerhall, sire; Donne, dam; Don Gregory, damsire; Andreas Wempe, breeder .............................81.550% 3. SHOW GIRL (Oldenburg), Patty & Richard Combs, owners; Sir Flemmingh, sire; That Girl, dam; Opus, damsire; Little Bit Farm Inc, breeder.....................................72.825% RS. MW WEISS SCHWARZ (Oldenburg), Jennifer Vanover, owner; Sir Donnerhall I, sire; Wild Rose, dam; Feiner Stern, damsire; Josef-Ludwig Brinkhus, breeder ..............81.000% Mare Championship 3. SAMBUCA (Danish Warmblood), Bonnie Padwa & Caroline Forsberg, owners; CH. RAMBOULLET (Danish Warmblood), Lisa Eckenstein, owner; Blue Hors Cavan, sire; Soreldo, sire; Valenta, dam; Erik Kristensen, breeder ..............................................80.625% Rambala, dam; Rambo, damsire; Oak Hill Ranch LLC, breeder...............................76.150% 4. SHALIMAR GGF (Hanoverian), Rachel Ehrlich, owner; Schroeder, sire; Walkuere, dam; Wolkenstein II, damsire; Greengate Farms LLC & Rachel Ehrlich, breeders ............79.750% Stallion Championship CH. OVATION (Oldenburg), Kenneth Borden, owner; Opus, sire; Windspiel, dam; 5. USELA (Dutch Warmblood), Kristine & Tessa Holloran, owners; Ronaldo, sire; Weltmeyer, damsire; Kenneth Borden, breeder......................................................77.675% Sebecca, dam; Eclatant, damsire; J.H. Hartmann-De Jong, breeder ......................78.450% 6. RENDEZVOUS GGF (Hanoverian Cross), Rachel Ehrlich, owner; Rascalino, sire; Weser Melodie, dam; Wesley, damsire; Rachel Ehrlich, breeder.............................76.550%
Northwest Series
Stallion Championship CH. ROCAZINO (Oldenburg), Fie Studnitz Andersen, owner; Rosentanz, sire; Escarda, dam; Silvio I, damsire; Heino Lueschen, breeder ......................................82.575% RS. MW FEINERMARK (Oldenburg), Jennifer Vanover, owner; Fidertanz, sire; Cindy, dam; Flemmingh, damsire; Ludger Holthaus, breeder ................................81.750% 3. ROYAL TOURMALET SPF (Hanoverian), Joanna Gray-Randle, owner; Royal Prince, sire; Adira, dam; Armin, damsire; Andrew & Gina Leslie & Sandpiper Farm LLC, breeders......77.725%
North Central Series Dressage at Lamplight September, Wayne, IL, September 19-20 Judges: Gail Hoff-Carmona, Jeffrey Moore
Current Year Foal Championship CH. BEDELIA HHV (Hanoverian), Renee Bambach, owner; Bon Balou, sire; Whimsical HPF, dam; Widmark, damsire; Renee Bambach, breeder .....................75.863% RS. RATHER WELL (Oldenburg), Kenneth Borden, owner; Rashka, sire; Roux Bien Blue, dam; Rubinstein I, damsire; Kenneth Borden, breeder ................72.237% 3. KNIGHTLY (Dutch Warmblood), Lisa Eckenstein, owner .........................................71.237% 4. PE’RE (Mustang Cross), Patricia Gruber, owner .......................................................71.013%
Colt/Gelding Championship CH. TANQUERAY MRF (Hanoverian), Caryn Vesperman, owner; Totilas, sire; Revlon, dam; Rohdiamant, damsire; Douglas & Shannon Langer & Maple Run Farm LLC, breeders....74.112%
Habana, the 2015 Great American/USDF North Central Series Filly Champion
142 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Northwest Sport Horse Breeders Dressage Classic I, Auburn, WA, August 30 Judges: Jayne Ayers, Lynn McEnespy
Current Year Foal Championship CH. FIRST DIBS (Oldenburg), Kari McClain, owner; Furstenball, sire; First Ariel Bay, dam; First Class, damsire; Kari McClain, breeder .............................76.863% RS. VIVA VIVALDI (Hanoverian), Diane Nauman, owner; Vivaldi, sire; SPS Scarlett, dam; Sandro Hit, damsire; Diane Nauman, breeder.........................................................75.875% 3. KENOBI (Westfalen), Karyn Joy, owner ...................................................................75.600% 4. QISKA (Oldenburg), Marilynn Parker, owner; Quarterback, sire; HS Wravenstar, dam; H.S. Warado, damsire; Marilynn Parker, breeder .....................................................75.063% 5. BENZ (Oldenburg), Kari McClain, owner; Bugatti Hilltop, sire; Espree, dam; Chapman, damsire; Kari McClain, breeder .............................................................73.875% 6. VESPA (Oldenburg), Laurie McLaughlin, owner; Versache, sire; Dora, dam; Davignport, damsire; Laurie McLaughlin, breeder .................................................73.813%
Colt/Gelding Championship CH. FLYING COLOURS (Hanoverian), Lauren Henderson, owner; Fabregas, sire; Free to be, dam; Fidertanz, damsire; Kathleen Richardson, breeder......................78.300% RS. FINEST KIND (Oldenburg), Cheri Ellstrom, owner; Foundation, sire; Dubonnet, dam; Diamond Hit, damsire; Kimberley Ennet, breeder.......................78.088% 3. INNSBRUCK SSH (Dutch Warmblood), Nancy Arend, owner...................................76.475%
Ramboullet, the 2015 Great American/USDF North Central Series Mare Champion
JOHN BORYS PHOTOGRAPHY
GREAT AMERICAN/USDFBC SERIES FINAL RESULTS
3.
4. 5. 6.
JAGUAR (Dutch Warmblood), Gwen Blake, owner; Dante Weltino, sire; Contessa, dam; Contango, damsire; Gwen Blake, breeder......................................76.088% VIKTORIE (Oldenburg), Laurie McLaughlin, owner; Versache, sire; O’ Pretty Lady, dam; Opus, damsire; Laurie McLaughlin, breeder ..........................75.175% JIOVANNI (Dutch Warmblood), Gwen Blake, owner; Furstenball, sire; Selicia, dam; Gribaldi, damsire; Gwen Blake, breeder.............................................72.938%
Filly Championship
SPS Scarlett, the 2015 Great American/USDF Northwest Series Mare Champion
RS. BEYONCE (Dutch Warmblood), Gwen Blake, owner; Contango, sire; Precious Day, dam; Gribaldi, damsire; Gwen Blake, breeder...................................75.875% 3. CONTESSA (Dutch Warmblood), Gwen Blake, owner; Contango, sire; Precious Day, dam; Gribaldi, damsire; Gwen Blake, breeder...................................75.100% 4. PRISCILLA (Dutch Warmblood), Gwen Blake, owner; Gribaldi, sire; Heliki, dam; Rossini, damsire; H Kloosterman, breeder ..........................................74.325% 5. VOGUE (Oldenburg), Laurie McLaughlin, owner; Versache, sire; Gana de Gauguin, dam; Ganguin De Lully, damsire; Laurie McLaughlin, breeder......74.175% 6. ARIA (Swedish Warmblood), Karyn Joy, owner.......................................................74.025%
CH. I-CANDY (Dutch Warmblood), Krista Melby, owner; Ampere, sire; Priscilla, dam; Gribaldi, damsire; Gwen Blake, breeder...........................................80.363% RS. EYE CANDY (Oldenburg), Kari McClain, owner; Sir Donnerhall I, sire; Espree, dam; Chapman, damsire; Kari McClain, breeder ........................................77.050% Stallion Championship CH. LORDSLEY DMV (Hanoverian), Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd, 3. ILLUSION (Oldenburg), Kari McClain, owner; Sempatico M, sire; Hungarian Jill Giese & Tony Ma, owners; Lokomotion, sire; Dreaming, dam; Independence, dam; Hungarian Sportlo Wistar, damsire; Kari McClain, breeder ..76.100% Dimaggio, damsire; Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd, breeder .....................76.900% 4. FIRST ROMANCE (Oldenburg), Kari McClain, owner; Furst Romancier, sire; First Arielle, dam; First Class, damsire; Kari McClain, breeder .................................76.000% 5. CONTUCCI BEY (Half Arabian), Kari McClain, owner; Contucci, sire; CW Chelsea Bey, dam; Winchester, damsire; Kari McClain, breeder .......................75.725% Rocky Mountain Series - Sport Horse Breeding, Estes Park, CO, September 17 6. VANITY (Oldenburg), Jaime Baker, owner; Versache, sire; O’ Pretty Lady, dam; Opus, damsire; Laurie McLaughlin, breeder ..........................75.013% Judges: Christel Carlson, Janet Foy
Rocky Mountain Series
Mare Championship
TOP: CAROLYN BUNCH PHTOGRAPHY; BOTTOM: KATHLEEN BRYAN
CH. SPS SCARLETT (Hanoverian), Diane Nauman, owner; Sandro Hit, sire; Fabiola O, dam; Fabriano, damsire; Christian-Wilhelm Ohse, breeder ...................77.550%
Electra, the 2015 Great American/USDF Rocky Mountain Series Mare Champion
Colt/Gelding Championship CH. SINATRAS SINSATION (Half Arabian), Jessica Klein, owner .....................................71.600%
Eeltsje F., the 2015 Great American/USDF Rocky Mountain Series Stallion Champion
USDF CONNECTION
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143
GREAT AMERICAN/USDFBC SERIES FINAL RESULTS
Flying Colours, the 2015 Great American/USDF Northwest Series Colt/Gelding Champion
Mare Championship
Harmonia, the 2015 Great American/USDF Southeast Series Filly Champion
3.
RAILEIGH P (Hanoverian), Petra Wilder, owner .......................................................67.300%
CH. ELECTRA (Dutch Warmblood), Janet Hannon, owner; Wamberto, sire; Haiti IV, dam; Coriander, damsire; Harmony Sporthorses, breeder ........................76.575%
Filly Championship CH. HARMONIA (Dutch Warmblood), Sandi Lieb, owner; Idocus, sire; Zodica, dam; Rousseau, damsire; Sandi Lieb, breeder ............................................80.925% CH. EELTSJE F. (Friesian), Paula Marsh & Wyning Edge Friesians LLC, owners; RS. JIVE TALK (Dutch Warmblood), Sandi Lieb, owner; UB 40, sire; Fabe, sire; Iduna, dam; Tjimme, damsire; Stal Widjewormer, breeder ...................77.025% Bellatango, dam; Contango, damsire; Sandi Lieb, breeder .....................................76.150%
Stallion Championship
Southeast Series Dressage Under The Oaks IV and Southeast USDFBC Finals, Weirsdale, FL, September 19-20 Judges: Carolin Walz, Merijane McTalley
Mare Championship CH. DINA LINA SRF (Dutch Warmblood), Pamela Carroll, owner...................................76.438% RS. D’AMORE (Oldenburg), Lesley Pollington, owner; De Niro, sire; World Lady, dam; Welt Hit 2, damsire; Helmut Pluemer, breeder .......................................................76.288% 3. DAPHNE (Oldenburg), Lesley Pollington, owner; Diamond Stud, sire; D’amore, dam; De Niro, damsire; Lesley Pollington, breeder..................................72.375% 4. BLING BLING (Dutch Warmblood), Emily Merritt, owner........................................71.475%
Colt/Gelding Championship CH. BRITTON (Oldenburg), Amy Mannik, owner; Benetton Dream, sire; Rainy Romance, dam; Rohdlamant, damsire; Christine Miller, breeder.................73.975% RS. HAZZATANGO (Dutch Warmblood), Sandi Lieb, owner; Jazz, sire; Bellatango, dam; Contango, damsire; Sandi Lieb, breeder .....................................71.200%
Show Girl REF, the 2015 Great American/USDF Southern Series Filly Champion
144 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Stallion Championship CH. BALDOMERO VI (Pura Raza Espanola), Cynthia Roberts, owner; Estepeno, sire; Habana XXV, dam; Oleaje, damsire; Glen Aryn Farm, breeder................................66.200%
Zoe, the 2015 Great American/USDF Southern Series Mare Champion
TOP: VICTORIA DEMORE PHOTOGRAPHY; KRISTIE NICHOLS PUCKETT, MOONFYRE PHOTOGRPAHY
GREAT AMERICAN/USDFBC SERIES FINAL RESULTS
Dina Lina SRF, the 2015 Great American/USDF Southeast Series Mare Champion
Domenikova, the 2015 Great American/USDF West Coast Series Mare Champion
Southern Series GSEC Platinum Classic II & Great American Insurance Group/USDF Breeders Championship Southern Series Qualifier II and Finals, Katy, TX, September 13
RS. AGUILEÑO WAE (Pura Raza Espanola), Leila Gillen, owner; Fugitivo XII, sire; Fabulilla MR, dam; Indiano XVIII, damsire; Watchman P.R.E. Horses, breeder .......74.875%
Judges: Christel Carlson, Susan Mandas
West Coast Series
Current Year Foal Championship CH. BEATRIX SWF (Hanoverian), Mary Nuttall, owner...................................................79.675% RS. FABIENNA SWF (Hanoverian), Mary Nuttall, owner................................................75.400%
Colt/Gelding Championship CH. BE NIRO WS (Hanoverian), Erika-West Danque, owner; Benetton Dream, sire; Winessa, dam; De Niro, damsire; Janice Graham Marquardt, breeder ...................80.337% RS. ION SWF (Dutch Warmblood), Mary Nuttall, owner; Lingh, sire; Dorothee, dam; De Kooning, damsire; Mary Nuttall, breeder ................................77.713% 3. DEN MARQ WS (Hanoverian), Patrick Orlaska, owner; Dancier, sire; Wakaluba, dam; Warkant, damsire; Janice Graham Marquardt, breeder ..............76.550% 4. HEMMINGWAY SSM (Dutch Warmblood), Donna Falcon Lynch, owner; Uphill, sire; Onilia, dam; Ferro, damsire; Maile De Goeij, breeder ...........................73.675%
Filly Championship CH. SHOW GIRL REF (Hanoverian), Stacy Munoz, owner; Sonntagskind, sire; Gavotte, dam; Graf Goetz, damsire; Royal Equus Farm, breeder ............................81.688% RS. BELIEVE WS (Hanoverian), Janice Graham Marquardt, owner; Bugatti Hilltop, sire; Wakaluba, dam; Warkant, damsire; Janice Graham Marquardt, breeder..............75.487% 3. SOVEREIGN WS (Hanoverian), Cynthia Hall, owner; Sir Gregory, sire; Royal Fortune, dam; Romanov Blue Hors, damsire; Janice Graham Marquardt, breeder .......................74.825%
Mare Championship CH. ZOE (Dutch Warmblood), Evelyn Angelle, owner; Taxateur, sire; Symphony, dam; Juventus, damsire; Evelyn Angelle & Symphony Sporthorses LLC, breeders .........76.275% RS. QIOSERA TSF (Half Andalusian), Patsy Van Etten, owner; Quaterback, sire; Ulena KDW, dam; Heroe MAC, damsire; Patsy Van Etten & Trinity Sporthorse Farm, breeders ...........73.650%
Stallion Championship CH. SUPREMAT OLD (Oldenburg), Dawn Chamorro, owner; Sandro Hit, sire; Granada, dam; Rubinstein I, damsire; Stall Troff, breeder.......................................78.275%
Great American Insurance Group/United States Dressage Federation Region 7 Dressage Championships Licensed by United States Equestrian Federation Inc. & CDS Championships, Rancho Murieta, CA, September 17-20 Judges: Kristi Wysocki, Melissa Creswick
Colt/Gelding Championship CH. SIBELIUS (Oldenburg), Anita Nardine, owner; Sir Donnerhall I, sire; Dear John, dam; Ferro, damsire; Anita Nardine, breeder ........................................80.825%
Filly Championship CH. CREMONA (Oldenburg), Margaret Young, owner; Franziskus, sire; Cassis, dam; Diamond Hit, damsire; Petra Jens Ringkamp, breeder.......................79.738% RS. BELLIALUNA RTH (Westfalen), Alanna Sellers, owner; Belissimo M, sire; Sweet Samba, dam; Sir Donnerhall I, damsire; Alanna Sellers, breeder ................78.938% 3. PULL UP MY SOCK (Swedish Warmblood), Lisa Rago, owner; Puccini, sire; Lamira, dam; Amiral, damsire; Lisa Rago, breeder..................................................76.513% 4. AMELIE (Oldenburg), Windy Carpenter, owner .......................................................75.750% 5. FONTANESSE (Oldenburg), Anita Nardine, owner; Foundation, sire; Haverford’s Redhawk, dam; Holtenstein, damsire; Robert De Gour, breeder ........71.513%
Mare Championship CH. DOMENIKOVA (Hanoverian), Marsha Anderson, owner; Donnerschlag, sire; Ballonne, dam; Bolero, damsire; Marsha Anderson, breeder .................................80.800% RS. AMIRAL’S DIVA (Swedish Warmblood), Lisa Rago, owner; Amiral, sire; Rossana Diva, dam; Rosso Di Sera, damsire; Lisa Rago, breeder.............................75.900% 3. PRECOCIOUS (Trakehner), Erin King Jackson, owner; Pavarotti, sire; Jayhawk Victory, dam; Michlynn Sterling, breeder .................................................73.100%
TERRI MILLER
Editor’s note:
Photographs in the Yearbook award section not credited are courtesy of the award winners. Any corrections to the award listings must be received in writing by March 31, 2016. E-mail to: connection@usdf.org USDF CONNECTION
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February 2016
145
GREAT AMERICAN/USDFBC SERIES FINAL RESULTS
Cremona, the 2015 Great American/USDF West Coast Series Filly Champion
American Connemara Pony Society Inc. Training Level Open
Training Level Adult Amateur 1. KAREN MCINTYRE (VA), riding RIDGETOP WINDY CITY; Karen McIntyre, owner; Kilfenora Windy Isles, sire; Greystone Echo’s Megan, dam; Top of the Ridge Farm, breeder ......66.421%
1. CASTLE MONARCH; Kathryn Lucas, owner; Karen Ball, rider; First Level Adult Amateur Castle Comet, sire; Orphee Schueracher, dam; Henry O’Toole, breeder ......................................71.364% 1. JENNIFER HENNESSY (GA), riding PROVIDENCE’S GAELIC PENCE; Jennifer Hennessy, owner; 2. RIDGETOP WINDY CITY; Karen Mcintyre, owner/rider; Kilfenora Windy Isles, sire; Moxley Duncan, sire; Piedmont Penelope, dam; Beury Stout, breeder ......................................64.867% Greystone Echo’s Megan, dam; Top of the Ridge Farm, breeder..................................................66.421% 2. PAM LIDDELL (PA), riding KYNYNMONT BRIANNA; Pam Liddell, owner; 3. GATEWAY NIGHT LIGHT; Michelle Cale, owner; Charlotte Greatwood, rider; Cobblestone RHYS, sire; Ballywhim Sterling Moss, sire; Kynynmont Arianna, dam; Pam Liddell, breeder ......................63.045% Bright Night Surprise, dam; Elizabeth Jenner & Gateway Farm, breeders..................................64.659%
Intermediate II Adult Amateur
First Level Open
1. JONI ZECCOLA (GA), riding MOSES; Joni Zeccola, owner; Fergus, sire; 1. WILDWYCH BAMBOOZLE; Jane Renner, owner/rider; Wildwych Thunder Snow, sire; Big Bear’s Divine Direction, dam; Leigh Roberts, breeder ..........................................................61.842% Rudgeway Silver Filigree, dam; Mary Prewitt, breeder ...............................................................69.196% 2. PROVIDENCE’S GAELIC PENCE; Jennifer Hennessy, owner/rider; Moxley Duncan, sire; Training Level Junior/Young Rider Piedmont Penelope, dam; Beury Stout, breeder .........................................................................64.867% 1. CHARLOTTE GREATWOOD (CA), riding GATEWAY NIGHT LIGHT; Michelle Cale, owner; Cobblestone 3. GUINNESS; Jan Pierson & Pearlie Rohrbacher, owners; Pearlie Rohrbacher, rider; RHYS, sire; Bright Night Surprise, dam; Elizabeth Jenner & Gateway Farm, breeders................64.659% Glynmary Chieftain, sire; Glynmary Meadowlark, dam; Jan Pierson, breeder ...........................63.047% 2. MACENNA SYLVIA (MA), riding KYNYNMONT LANEY; Macenna Sylvia, owner; Sir Galen’s Gild of Ledgewood, sire; Greystone Adirondack Roseanna, dam; Pam Liddell, breeder ............63.296%
Second Level Open
1. THURMAN RICHARDSON; Zoe Robinson, owner; Julie Edwards, rider; First Level Junior/Young Rider Landgate Bluebeard, sire; Aladdin’s Rhiann, dam; Gretchen Byrd, breeder................................60.488% 1. CAROLINE CHEVAL (CO), riding GREY HAVEN KELSEY KILCULLEN; Caroline Cheval, owner; Ros Na Ri Kilcullen, sire; Heaven’s Ridge Abby Dos, dam; Third Level Open Brenda Kiniyalocts & Grey Haven Farm, breeders ...............................................................................60.741% 1. KYNYNMONT COOPER O’GRADY; Pam Liddell, owner; Kaitlin Blythe, rider; Gun Smoke, sire; Kynynmont Moira, dam; Pam Liddell, breeder................................................69.423% Prix St. Georges Junior/Young Rider 1. ANNA WENIGER (NC), riding BIG BEAR’S ROYAL FINNEGAN; Dawn Weniger, owner; Fourth Level Open Big Bear’s Blue Royal, sire; Big Bear’s Lily, dam; Ronald Roberts, breeder ..................................61.579% 1. KYNYNMONT GUNSMOKE’S GIDEON; Pam Liddell, owner; Jessica Jo Tate, rider; Gun Smoke, sire; Kynynmont Tara, dam; Pam Liddell, breeder...................................................70.000% First Level Vintage Cup 1. PAM LIDDELL (PA), riding KYNYNMONT BRIANNA; Pam Liddell, owner; Prix St. Georges Open Ballywhim Sterling Moss, sire; Kynynmont Arianna, dam; Pam Liddell, breeder ......................63.045% 1. KYNYNMONT GUNSMOKE’S GIDEON; Pam Liddell, owner; Jessica Jo Tate, rider; Gun Smoke, sire; Kynynmont Tara, dam; Pam Liddell, breeder...................................................66.985% Second Level Vintage Cup 2. BIG BEAR’S ROYAL FINNEGAN; Dawn Weniger, owner; Anna Weniger, rider; 1. JULIE EDWARDS (NY), riding THURMAN RICHARDSON; Zoe Robinson, owner; Big Bear’s Blue Royal, sire; Big Bear’s Lily, dam; Ronald Roberts, breeder ..................................61.579% Landgate Bluebeard, sire; Aladdin’s Rhiann, dam; Gretchen Byrd, breeder................................60.488%
Intermediate I Open
Intermediate II Vintage Cup
1. KYNYNMONT BLUE SAPPHIRE; Pam Liddell, owner; Kaitlin Blythe & Katrina Hiller, riders; 1. JONI ZECCOLA (GA), riding MOSES; Joni Zeccola, owner; Fergus, sire; Landgate Bluebeard, sire; Kynynmont Moira, dam; Pam Liddell, breeder .................................64.277% Big Bear’s Divine Direction, dam; Leigh Roberts, breeder ...........................................................61.842%
Intermediate II Open
First Level Musical Freestyle
1. MOSES; Joni Zeccola, owner/rider; Fergus, sire; Big Bear’s Divine Direction, dam; 1. WILDWYCH BAMBOOZLE; Jane Renner, owner/rider; Wildwych Thunder Snow, sire; Leigh Roberts, breeder .................................................................................................................61.842% Rudgeway Silver Filigree, dam; Mary Prewitt, breeder ...............................................................69.000% 2. ERIN MEADOWS OKE DOKE; Tanya Stepan Murray, owner; Jovanna Stepan, rider; 2. GREY HAVEN KELSEY KILCULLEN; Caroline Cheval, owner/rider; Ros Na Ri Kilcullen, sire; Loughrea’s Oisin, sire; Erin Meadows Celtic Treasure, dam; Sandra Ferguson, breeder ..............61.678% Heaven’s Ridge Abby Dos, dam; Brenda Kiniyalocts & Grey Haven Farm, breeders....................63.833%
CASTLE MONARCH, owner Kathryn Lucas (CA), rider Karen Ball (CA)–Training Level Open (Am. Connemara Pony Soc.)
WILDWYCH BAMBOOZLE, owner/rider Jane Renner (CO)—First Level Open & Mus. Freestyle (Am. Connemara Pony Soc.)
146 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
RIDGETOP WINDY CITY, owner/rider Karen McIntyre (VA)—Training Level AA (Am. Connemara Pony Soc.)
LEFT: ©TERRI MILLER; MIDDLE: MARGARET MARTIN-JONES; RIGHT: PICSOFYOU.COM
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
2015 ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS AWARDS
GATEWAY NIGHT LIGHT, owner Michelle Cale (CA), rider Charlotte Greatwood (CA)—Training Level Jr/YR (Am. Connemara Pony Soc.)
American Hackney Horse Society
BIG BEAR’S ROYAL FINNEGAN, owner Dawn Weniger (NC), rider Anna Weniger (NC)--PSG Jr/ YR (Am. Connemara Pony Soc.)
First Level Musical Freestyle
Training Level Open
1. ASTI FCH; Bryn Walsh, owner; Rebecca Reed, rider; Arno van Het Nieshof, sire; Cristal Lite SDH, dam; Fred & Teri Ashcroft, breeders ...................................................................69.667%
1. EROS CAERUS; Brenda Rone, owner; Brenda Rone & Molly Martin, riders; Eros Anubis, sire; Halstead’s Miss America, dam; Randy Sorum & Eric Rosa, breeders...............65.909%
Yearling Fillies
Second Level Open
1. RAFINJA OF NEW HORIZONS; Gesa Zinn, owner; Stellar TVR, sire; Ricola DTA, dam; Mary Procopio, breeder ....................................................................................69.625%
1. KOOPMAN’S RUMBA; Alice Simpson, owner/rider; Koopman’s Frans Haven, sire; Three-Year-Old Fillies Makari Tarantella, dam; The Agricultural Foundation, breeder...................................................64.103% 1. RESSONANCE OF NEW HORIZONS; Mary Procopio, owner; Stellar TVR, sire; R-Noble Rose APF, dam; Mary Procopio, breeder ........................................................................68.500%
American Haflinger Registry
TOP LEFT: MICHAEL G. HENNESSY; BOTTOM LEFT: JAMIE SNYDER; BOTTOM MIDDLE: PATIENCE PATCHETT
Training Level Open
American Hanoverian Society
1. LINDY’S GOLD STANDARD; Beth Sorensen, owner; Gretchen Aycock, rider; Training Level Open Standard of Excellence TOF, sire; Lindy Lou, dam; Lisa & Peter Heck, breeders ...........................69.773% 1. H ACE OF HEARTS; Otterbein University, owner; Jennifer Roth, rider; 2. NICE AND BIG LVH; Emma Kane, owner/rider; Noble One DCF, sire; Hochadel, sire; Feline, dam; Hans-Guenter Berner, breeder .......................................................76.675% Landslide 4DA, dam; Freeman & Mary Detweiler, breeders........................................................68.883% 2. DIAMOND LADY MF; Cackie Vroom, owner; Sally Lofting, rider; 3. CASSANDRA OOS; Jan Chambers, owner/rider; Aristobelle RP, sire; Don Principe, sire; Royal Gem, dam; Maryanna Haymon, breeder .............................................75.096% Carma OOS, dam; Marcia Read, breeder ......................................................................................61.136% 3. BASILIO THF; Christine Siems, owner/rider; Belissimo M, sire; Fidertana B, dam; Christine Siems, breeders .............................................................................................................74.598% First Level Open 4. PAOLUCIUS; Nicole Trapp, owner/rider; Pablo, sire; Ghizelle, dam; Stacie Fenderson, breeder ........74.318% 1. N’TEMPO SSH1; Linden Thompson, owner; Petra Warlimont & Linden Thompson, riders; 5. DACAPRIELLA; Alyssa Barngrover, owner; Toah Hatch & Alyssa Barngrover, riders; Nickerson SFF, sire; Malta’s Margie CAF, dam; Sure Shot LLC, breeder.........................................66.029% Dacaprio, sire; Nebella, dam; Alyssa Barngrover, breeder ...........................................................73.462% 2. NEXT LEVEL GHJ; Jennie Deephouse, owner; Chelsea Deephouse, rider; Neumeister TOF, sire; Heike TOF, dam; Joel Greenisen, breeder ...................................................63.999% First Level Open 1. H ACE OF HEARTS; Otterbein University, owner; Jennifer Roth, rider; Third Level Open Hochadel, sire; Feline, dam; Hans-Guenter Berner, breeder .......................................................75.156% 1. MERRICK RVRW; Jennifer Carol, owner; Celia Jansen, rider; Walzertakt, sire; 2. BALALAIKA; Barbara Butman, owner/rider; Breitling W, sire; Mystique TOF, dam; Clark Johnson & Terri Birk, breeders ............................................................67.436% Donna Faye, dam; Christian Heinrich, breeder.............................................................................74.780%
EROS CAERUS, owner/rider Brenda Rone (WA)–Training Level Open (Am. Hackney Horse Soc.)
KOOPMAN’S RUMBA, owner/rider Alice Simpson (CA)– Second Level Open (Am. Hackney Horse Soc.)
N’TEMPO SSH1, owner Linden Thompson (MI), riders Petra Warlimont (CO) & Linden Thompson (MI)—First Level Open (Am. Haflinger Reg.)
USDF CONNECTION
•
February 2016
147
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
PROVIDENCE’S GAELIC PENCE, owner/rider Jennifer Hennessy (GA)—First Level AA (Am. Connemara Pony Soc.)
Intermediate II Open
Third Level Open 1. RATZBERNA; Ginny Commander, owner; William Warren, rider; Ruehmann, sire; White Lady, dam; Barbara Keller, breeder ........................................................72.728% 2. SERAPHINA MRF; Tori Polonitza, owner/rider; Sinatra Song, sire; Chenya, dam; Douglas & Shannon Langer and Maple Run Farm LLC, breeders ................................................71.090% 3. BENEFACTOR RRS; Melinda Walton, owner; Silva Martin & Emily O’Neill, riders; Bonheur, sire; Heidekleid, dam; Melinda Walton & T.L. Smith, breeders ....................................70.256% 4. EARL’S EVEREST; Regina Agren, owner/rider; Earl, sire; Model A, dam; Judy Pappin, breeder...69.959% 5. HIS HIGHNESS CRUSADOR; Elizabeth Landers, owner/rider; His Highness 2, sire; Lynn, dam; Peter Mahler, breeder...............................................................69.860%
1. CONTENDION; Judy Pappin, owner; Jennifer Marchand, rider; Contendro I, sire; Wandy, dam; Judy Pappin, breeder .................................................................66.908% 2. HIGHSCHOOL MCF; Susan Alvey, owner; Petra Warlimont, rider; Hochadel, sire; Ria, dam; Andrea & Jens Stuven, breeders..........................................................66.820% 3. DAVERDEN; Kaitlin Blythe, owner/rider; Davignport, sire; Gisela, dam; Angela Barilar, breeder ............................................................................................61.908% 4. WUNDERBAR; Judy Downer, owner/rider; Wonderland, sire; Santana II, dam; H. & S. Haller, breeders......................................................................................61.579% 5. RITELLO; Maureen Lamb, owner/rider; Rotspon, sire; Platine, dam; Herbert Schuett, breeder..............................................................................................................61.185%
Grand Prix Open
Fourth Level Open 1. RELEVE; Sandy Savage, owner/rider; Rotspon, sire; Welteje, dam; Laurel Ritter, breeder ....................................................................................................................72.430% 2. ROHANNA; Leslie Cokin, owner; William Warren, rider; Rotspon, sire; Donna Lady, dam; Pam Talbot, breeder .......................................................................................71.960% 3. SERAPHINA MRF; Tori Polonitza, owner/rider; Sinatra Song, sire; Chenya, dam; Douglas & Shannon Langer and Maple Run Farm LLC, breeders ................................................70.757% 4. WELTISSIMO; Janet Wyllie, owner; Ari Lopez, rider; Weltruhm, sire; Lemona, dam; Peter Rieckmann, breeder ............................................................................................................68.460% 5. HOT DATE; Kymberly Pullen, owner/rider; Hotline, sire; Finalee, dam; Darlene Ganong breeder .............................................................................................................68.334%
1. PIKKO DEL CERRO HU; Horses Unlimited, owner; Lisa Wilcox, rider; Pik L, sire; Rohweena, dam; Horses Unlimited, breeder ..............................................................69.961% 2. DONARWEISS GGF; Starr Vaughn Equestrian Inc., owner; Genay Vaughn, rider; De Niro, sire; Highlight, dam; Rachel Ehrlich, breeder .................................................................68.599% 3. DON PRINCIPE; Maryanna Haymon, owner; Michael Bragdell & James Koford, riders; Donnerhall, sire; Papagena, dam; Adelheid Bruening, breeder..................................................68.550% 4. DEVON L; Leatherdale Farms, owner; Diane Creech, rider; De Niro, sire; EM Wibranda, dam; Hans Henning Decken, breeder ..................................................................67.910% 5. LEONARDO; Carolyn Kotila, owner; Judy Kelly & Carolyn Kotila, riders; A Jungle Prince, sire; Golden Girl, dam; Carsten Haack, breeder .................................................64.800%
Prix St. Georges Open
Training Level Adult Amateur
1. CHRISTINE SIEMS (WA), riding BASILIO THF; Christine Siems, owner; 1. SANCEO; Alice Womble, owner; Sabine Schut-Kery, rider; San Remo, sire; Belissimo M, sire; Fidertana B, dam; Christine Siems, breeder....................................................74.598% Rivera, dam; Gerhard Dustmann, breeder ...................................................................................71.513% 2. ALYSSA BARNGROVER (AZ), riding DACAPRIELLA; Alyssa Barngrover, owner; 2. BOXSTER A; Iris Aberbach, owner; Michael Bragdell, rider; Bugatti Hilltop, sire; Dacaprio, sire; Nebella, dam; Alyssa Barngrover, breeder ...........................................................74.318% Winsome A, dam; Iris Aberbach, breeder ....................................................................................70.132% 3. MADORA DANIEL (NV), riding RONALDO; Madora Daniel, owner; 3. DOCTOR WENDELL MF; Maryanna Haymon, owner; James Koford, rider; Rousseau, sire; Dancing Queen, dam; Bjoern Kommerell, breeder.............................................71.298% Don Principe, sire; Stellar Hit MF, dam; Maryanna Haymon, breeder .........................................68.947%
HIS HIGHNESS CRUSADOR, owner/rider Elizabeth Landers (IL)–Second Level Open (Am. Hanoverian Soc.)
RATZBERNA, owner Ginny Commander (MA), rider William Warren (MA)— Third Level Open (Am. Hanoverian Soc.)
148 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
RELEVE, owner/rider Sandy Savage (CA)–Fourth Level Open (Am. Hanoverian Soc.)
ROMANTICO SF, owner/rider Heather Mason (NJ)—I-I Open & Mus. Freestyle (Am. Hanoverian Soc.)
MIDDLE LEFT: JOANNA JODKO; MIDDLE RIGHT: ©TERRI MILLER; RIGHT: LEFT: ERIKA OLIJSLAGER PHOTOGRAPHY
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
4. RIALTO; Margo Berry, owner; Ryan Yap, rider; Rhodiamant, sire; 3. DON MARTEEN; Katie Hoefs-Martin, owner/rider; Domiro, sire; Tasha, dam; My Fair Lady, dam; Johann Peters, breeder .................................................................................68.849% Katie Hoefs-Martin, breeder.........................................................................................................73.984% 5. ELYSIAN; Tracey Lert, owner/rider; Earl, sire; Whoopi, dam; Buss Hinrich-Johannes, breeder ...68.618% 4. DIESEL VT; Lynn Jendrowski, owner; Lynn Jendrowski & Cody Armstrong, riders; Dante Alighieri, sire; Flambeau, dam; Haydn & Patience Wadley, breeders ...............................73.677% 5. HARIBO; Morgan Matuszko, owner/rider; Hochadel, sire; Larimar, dam; Intermediate I Open Hans-Guenter Berner, breeder .....................................................................................................73.088% 1. ROMANTICO SF; Heather Mason, owner/rider; Romancero H, sire; Wesermelodie, dam; Gerhard Stahmann & Ot Felde, breeders ..................................................74.737% Second Level Open 2. BOXSTER A; Iris Aberbach, owner; Michael Bragdell, rider; Bugatti Hilltop, sire; 1. HIS HIGHNESS CRUSADOR; Elizabeth Landers, owner/rider; Winsome A, dam; Iris Aberbach, breeder ....................................................................................70.586% His Highness 2, sire; Lynn, dam; Peter Mahler, breeder...............................................................71.524% 3. SUNSHINE 504; Susan Alvey, owner; Petra Warlimont, rider; Sir Donnerhall I, sire; 2. WISPERLE; Cathy Balance, owner; Heather McCarthy, rider; Widmark, sire; Arantscha B, dam; Theo Berkemeier, breeder..............................................................................69.342% Arriana, dam; Cathy Balance, breeder..........................................................................................70.758% 4. SKYWALKER HW; Catherine Reid, owner/rider; Sandro Hit, sire; High Princess, dam; 3. WOOHOO; Jessica Fan, owner/rider; Wonderful, sire; Diachee, dam; Nanni Baker, breeder ......70.133% Irene Wiederhold, breeder............................................................................................................69.211% 4. LEISL TF; Molly Schiltgen, owner/rider; Linaro, sire; Guarded Moment, dam; 5. LAFAYETTE HQ; Jennifer Truett, owner/rider; Loerke, sire; Rena, dam; Danielle & Danise Grice, breeders.................................................................................................69.186% Suzanne Quarles, breeder ............................................................................................................68.750% 5. MCKENSEY; Joan Ehrich, owner; John Mason, rider; Mazarin, sire; Walesca, dam; Mark & Wanda Hage, breeders............................................................................68.645%
First Level Adult Amateur 1. BARBARA BUTMAN (MI), riding BALALAIKA; Barbara Butman, owner; Breitling W, sire; Donna Faye, dam; Christian Heinrich, breeder .................................................74.780% 2. MORGAN MATUSZKO (MA), riding HARIBO; Morgan Matuszko, owner; Hochadel, sire; Larimar, dam; Hans-Guenter Berner, breeder.....................................................73.088% 3. MAUREEN LAMB (CA), riding DALLAS DO RIGHT; Maureen Lamb, owner; Devon Heir, sire; Welt’s Wisteria, dam; Terry Mason-Esteban, breeder .......................................72.031% 4. RUTH SHIRKEY (CA), riding WYLEIGH PRINCESS; Ruth Shirkey, owner; Weltmeyer, sire; Heiress B, dam; Cheryl & Eric Johnson, breeders ..............................................70.978% 5. CAROL ANN HEAD (NH), riding HALLAH GGF; Carol Ann Head, owner; Hotline, sire; Raphaela HB, dam; Rachel Ehrlich, breeder ...........................................................69.302%
Second Level Adult Amateur 1. MOLLY SCHILTGEN (MN), riding LEISL TF; Molly Schiltgen, owner; Linaro, sire; Guarded Moment, dam; Danielle & Danise Grice, breeders.....................................69.186% 2. SUSAN HALLENBERG (UT), riding RAVINNIA; Susan Hallenberg, owner; Rotspon, sire; Danella, dam; Christiane Noelting, breeder..........................................................65.763% 3. SAMANTHA BRINKMAN-BERKHOFER (OH), riding GOR DON BLEU; Samantha Brinkman-Berkhofer, owner; Guarantor, sire; Winnetka, dam; Caron Martin, breeder .................................................63.476% 4. RHONDA SMITH (TX), riding FESS PARKER; Rhonda Smith, owner; Fabriano, sire; Ginger Alley, dam; Heidi Valk, breeder .................................................................63.415% 5. MARGARET IRBY (VA), riding WINSLOW SPF; Margaret Irby, owner; Waterford, sire; Adira, dam; Lisa Dahle-Mata, breeder ...............................................................62.692%
Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur 1. ANNE BUCHANAN (AZ), riding MARTINI B; Anne Buchanan, owner; Metternich, sire; Lady White, dam; Alfred Nesslage, breeder .....................................................67.895% 2. TYRELLE KESLIN (NH), riding DELAINIE; Tyrelle Keslin, owner; De Laurentis, sire; Delight, dam; Kathleen Dixon, breeder ..........................................................67.632% 3. CHRISTINE EKSTRAND (CA), riding BRAXXTON; Christine Ekstrand, owner; Baroncelli, sire; Rosana, dam; Harald Oellrich, breeder...............................................................64.474% 4. LEZLIE REHAGEN (IL), riding LEOLUIGI; Lezlie Rehagen, owner; Landor S, sire; Caline, dam; Gerhard Wehrs, breeder...................................................................64.342% 5. EMILY GOLDMAN (CA), riding WRIGLEY; Emily Goldman, owner; Wolkenstein II, sire; Berinale, dam; Brigit Finck, breeder ............................................................63.947%
Intermediate I Adult Amateur 1. CHARLOTTE JORST (NV), riding FRAKTURA; Kastel Denmark, owner; Ferro, sire; Carilla, dam; Arnd Deters, breeder..............................................................................68.474% 2. IRIS BIELY (NJ), riding RANDOLF SCOTT MF; Iris Biely, owner; Relevant, sire; SPS Doreen, dam; Maryanna Haymon, breeder ..................................................66.513% 3. CHRISTINE EKSTRAND (CA), riding BRAXXTON; Christine Ekstrand, owner; Baroncelli, sire; Rosana, dam; Harald Oellrich, breeder...............................................................64.869% 4. ELIZABETH DAVIN (MN), riding RAISSA M; Elsie & Randall Nord, owners; Ravallo, sire; Goldtegen, dam; Hans-Jurgen Meyer, breeder.......................................................64.605% 5. TINA WEST (KY), riding DRESSED TO THRILL; Tina West, owner; De Niro, sire; Rosa Canina, dam; Grace Dalrymple, breeder..............................................................................62.500%
Third Level Adult Amateur Intermediate II Adult Amateur 1. BARBARA SPARKS (ID), riding R. CESSNA; Barbara Sparks, owner; Rubino Bellissimo, sire; Lady Black, dam; Erin Warren, breeder..................................................68.270% 1. MAUREEN LAMB (CA), riding RITELLO; Maureen Lamb, owner; Rotspon, sire; Platine, dam; Herbert Schuett, breeder ................................................................61.185% 2. MELISSA TORREANO (FL), riding BRUNELLO M; Melissa Torreano, owner; Belissimo M, sire; La Rochelle, dam; Heinrich Behrmann, breeder.............................................67.716% 3. MARTINE DUFF (SC), riding RENDEZVOUS MF; Martine Duff, owner; Grand Prix Adult Amateur Rousseau, sire; SPS Doreen, dam; Maryanna Haymon, breeder .................................................66.935% 1. CHRISTINE EKSTRAND (CA), riding FLEUR ROUGE; Christine Ekstrand, owner; 4. COLLEEN HILL (MN), riding DANATO; Colleen Hill, owner; De Niro, sire; Werther, sire; Wild Flower, dam; Adolf & Susanne Eck, breeders ................................................61.200% Wiebke, dam; Kathlyn Dion, breeder ...........................................................................................65.455% 2. MARTY HUNT (KS), riding DAPHENE; Marty Hunt, owner; Davignport, sire; 5. ANNE ST. MARTIN (NJ), riding CONSTANTIN; Anne St. Martin, owner; Delightfull, dam; Angela Barilar, breeder ....................................................................................60.600% Contucci, sire; Papagena, dam; Marefield Meadows Inc., breeder..............................................64.744% Fourth Level Adult Amateur
Training Level Junior/Young Rider
LEFT: CAROLYNN BUNCH PHOTOGRAPHY; MIDDLE LEFT: AP GOUGE
1. MARTINE DUFF (SC), riding RENDEZVOUS MF; Martine Duff, owner; 1. JENNA DRISCOLL (CA), riding HERBSTLIEBE; Jenna Driscoll, owner; Rousseau, sire; SPS Doreen, dam; Maryanna Haymon, breeder .................................................66.554% Hotline, sire; Rosi La Belle, dam; Wilhelm Schwierking, breeder ................................................69.423% 2. JENNIFER HUBER (FL), riding DUCHESSE DU PRE; Jennifer Huber, owner; 2. MALLORY CHAMBERS (NJ), riding NOW PLAYING HU; Heather Mason, owner; Dauphin, sire; Wranis, dam; Marefield Meadows Inc., breeder...................................................66.386% Noble Champion, sire; Pikka Winna HU, dam; Horses Unlimited, breeder..................................67.011% 3. PETA WYLLIE (VA), riding ROYAL REQUEST; Peta Wyllie, owner; 3. LARA ERDOGUS-BRADY (MA), riding CONCERTO; Sara Carlisle, owner; Royal Prince, sire; Laneigh, dam; Karan & Tom Schwencer, breeders .........................................64.028% Contucci, sire; Magissa, dam; Delight Willing, breeder................................................................66.368%
R CESSNA, owner/rider Barbara Sparks (ID)–Third Level AA (Am. Hanoverian Soc.)
Rendezvous MF, owner/rider Martine Duff (SC)–Fourth Level AA (Am. Hanoverian Soc.)
MARTINI B, owner/rider Anne Buchanan (AZ)—PSG AA (Am. Hanoverian Soc.)
HERBSTLIEBE, owner/rider Jenna Driscoll (CA)– Training Level Jr/YR (Am. Hanoverian Soc.)
USDF CONNECTION
•
February 2016
149
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
4. MARILYN JOHNSON (IL), riding PIKK POKKET; John McGuire & Marilyn Johnson, owners; 4. RACHEL SCHILLING (TX), riding FINNEGAN SQF; Rachel Schilling, owner; Pik L, sire; Gera, dam; Horses Unlimited, breeder ........................................................................63.649% Fidertanz, sire; SPS Withney, dam; Jill Peterson, breeder............................................................71.196% 5. VALERIE RUSSELL (NC), riding DEXTER S; Valerie Russell, owner; 5. AURORA SKURTUN (CA), riding DANICA CRYSTAL; Aurora Skurtun, owner; Dauphin, sire; Angel, dam; Erin Sweeney, breeder......................................................................63.444% Diamont, sire; Table Crystal, dam; Elizabeth Austin, breeder ......................................................70.227%
Grand Prix Junior/Young Rider
1. ISABELLA MACCHIONI (CA), riding DANATELO; Isabella Macchioni, owner; Domiro, sire; Abundance, dam; Starr Vaughn Equestrian Inc., breeder ......................................72.188% 2. JESSICA FAN (TX), riding WOOHOO; Jessica Fan, owner; Wonderful, sire; Diachee, dam; Nanni Baker, breeder............................................................................................71.574% 3. JORDAN YANKTON (CA), riding ROSANTOS; Jordan Yankton, owner; Roscallno, sire; Wentana, dam; Christiane Noelting, breeder......................................................68.824% 4. JULIYANA STRALEY (MI), riding DONNERSTOLZ; Juliyana Straley, owner; Donnerkeil, sire; Gabrielle B, dam; Emily Fowler, breeder ...........................................................68.038% 5. HANNAH BOSSLER (AR), riding BON JOVI FVF; Hannah & Nicole Bossler, owners; Bonheur, sire; Cest La Ve, dam; Catherine Valentine, breeder .....................................................63.444%
1. GENAY VAUGHN (CA), riding DONARWEISS GGF; Starr Vaughn Equestrian Inc., owner; De Niro, sire; Highlight, dam; Rachel Ehrlich, breeder .................................................................68.599%
First Level Musical Freestyle
1. H ACE OF HEARTS; Otterbein University, owner; Jennifer Roth, rider; Hochadel, sire; Feline, dam; Hans-Guenter Berner, breeder .......................................................77.833% 2. RODARTE; Janice Handlers, owner; Chemaine Hurtado, rider; Rousseau, sire; Free Spirit, dam; Chemaine Hurtado & Janice Handlers, breeders.....................72.167% 3. DUCATI WMP; Rachel Herrick, owner/rider; Don Frederico, sire; Rohdiamond, dam; Sharin Hays, breeder ....................................................................................70.383% 4. WANDERFEE; Barbara Bytwerk, owner/rider; Wanderbursch II, sire; Second Level Junior/Young Rider Windrose, dam; Dieter Buenting, breeder ...................................................................................67.267% 1. JESSICA FAN (TX), riding WOOHOO; Jessica Fan, owner; Wonderful, sire; 5. SIR LANCELOT; Elizabeth Hattenburg, owner/rider; Sinatra Song, sire; Diachee, dam; Nanni Baker, breeder............................................................................................70.133% Bevolina, dam; Kent Island Sporthorses and Martin & Wendy Costello, breeders......................64.200% 2. ISABELLA MACCHIONI (CA), riding DANATELO; Isabella Macchioni, owner; Domiro, sire; Abundance, dam; Starr Vaughn Equestrian Inc., breeder ......................................65.909% 3. JULIYANA STRALEY (MI), riding DONNERSTOLZ; Juliyana Straley, owner; Second Level Musical Freestyle Donnerkeil, sire; Gabrielle B, dam; Emily Fowler, breeder ...........................................................63.476% 1. FESS PARKER; Rhonda Smith, owner/rider; Fabriano, sire; Ginger Alley, dam; Heidi Valk, breeder.........................................................................................72.967% 2. FIDERTANA B; Jo Renn, owner/rider; Fidertanz, sire; Donna de Nira, dam; Rembert Freiherr von der Bussche, breeder..............................................66.500%
Third Level Junior/Young Rider
1. MICKAYLA FREDERICK (IA), riding WRAINIER Q; Mickayla Frederick & Robert Susa, owners; Weltbekannt, sire; Desert Princess, dam; Suzanne Quarles, breeder..........................................68.026% 2. ABIGAIL FLEISCHLI (TX), riding LAGUNA; Abigail Fleischli, owner; Lamentos, sire; Carmina, dam; Barbara Ivemeyer, breeder.........................................................67.180% Third Level Musical Freestyle 1. WRAINIER Q; Mickayla Frederick & Robert Susa, owners; Mickayla Frederick, rider; 3. MARLINE SYRIBEYS (GA), riding HOLLYWOOD; Marline Syribeys, owner; Weltbekannt, sire; Desert Princess, dam; Suzanne Quarles, breeder..........................................74.188% Hohenstein, sire; Fatima, dam; Burkhard Wahler, breeder..........................................................66.320% 2. HIS HIGHNESS CRUSADOR; Elizabeth Landers, owner/rider; 4. BRIANNA RELUCIO (CA), riding WYNSUM; Brianna & Raoul Relucio, owners; His Highness 2, sire; Lynn, dam; Peter Mahler, breeder...............................................................72.584% Wolkentanz, sire; Weichsel, dam; Jan Smidt, breeder .................................................................65.270% 3. LHINCOLN; Cody Armstrong, owner/rider; Londonberry, sire; 5. KATE DOUGLAS (CA), riding DON MARCO; Kate Douglas, owner; Whest Indies, dam; Maurine Swanson, breeder..........................................................................71.867% Domiro, sire; Filoli, dam; Ericka & Kevin Reinig, breeders............................................................65.128% 4. HOLLYWOOD; Marline Syribeys, owner/rider; Hohenstein, sire; Fatima, dam; Burkhard Wahler, breeder ......................................................................................71.450% Fourth Level Junior/Young Rider 5. SERAPHINA MRF; Tori Polonitza, owner/rider; Sinatra Song, sire; 1. ABIGAIL FLEISCHLI (TX), riding LAGUNA; Abigail Fleischli, owner; Chenya, dam; Douglas & Shannon Langer and Maple Run Farm LLC, breeders.........................70.156% Lamentos, sire; Carmina, dam; Barbara Ivemeyer, breeder.........................................................66.000% 2. BRIANNA RELUCIO (CA), riding WYNSUM; Brianna Relucio, Raoul Relucio, owner; Wolkentanz, sire; Weichsel, dam; Jan Smidt, breeder .................................................................64.066% Fourth Level Musical Freestyle
Prix St. Georges Junior/Young Rider 1. NATALIE PAI (FL), riding FRITZ SAN TINO; Melanie Pai, owner; Falkenstern II, sire; Wanessa, dam; Carla Beckmann Ihnen, breeder ..........................................68.388% 2. ADRIANE ALVORD (VA), riding FILADELPHIA; Irene Cromer, owner; Werther, sire; Waldrebe, dam; Gunnar Lund & Mary Smith, breeders........................................67.040% 3. TYLIN WITTKE (TX), riding WHISPERING WIND; Janice Wittke, owner; Weltrum, sire; Cacharel, dam; Friebert Manfrahs, breeder .........................................................64.704% 4. EMILY SMITH (MA), riding DUBLIN; Emily Smith, owner; Desperados, sire; Weltfee, dam; Heinrich Giesselmann, breeder ................................................62.632%
WRAINIER Q, owners Mickayla Frederick (IA) & Robert Susa (ND), rider Mickayla Frederick (IA)—Third Level Jr/YR & Mus. Freestyle (Am. Hanoverian Soc.)
1. LHINCOLN; Cody Armstrong, owner/rider; Londonberry, sire; Whest Indies, dam; Maurine Swanson, breeder..........................................................................75.867% 2. BON WILBO; Amy Ganci, owner/rider; Bon Bonaparte, sire; Wildetaube, dam; Juergen Sandbrink, breeder...........................................................................71.000% 3. WRIGLEY; Emily Goldman, owner/rider; Wolkenstein II, sire; Berinale, dam; Brigit Finck, breeder.............................................................................................68.333% 4. WYLIE Q; Darcy Miller, owner/rider; Weltbekannt, sire; Alexandra, dam; Suzanne Quarles, breeder.................................................................................67.433% 5. SANTA MARIA; Jill Dumont, owner/rider; Santano, sire; Markant-RH, dam; River House Hanoverians & Verne Batchelder, breeders ..............................66.633%
DONARWEISS GGF, owner Starr Vaughn Equestrian Inc. (CA), rider Genay Vaughn (CA)–Grand Prix Jr/YR (Am. Hanoverian Soc.)
150 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
LHINCOLN, owner/rider Cody Armstrong (VA)–Fourth Level Mus. Freestyle (Am. Hanoverian Soc.)
LEFT: SUSANJSTICKLE.COM; MIDDLE: SHANNON BRINKMAN; RIGHT: PICSOFYOU.COM
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
First Level Junior/Young Rider
Third Level Open 1. CALIMERO; Sarah Lockman, owner/rider; Conteur, sire; Melodie I, dam; Maria Petzold, breeder .......................................................................................70.192% 2. LYRIC PT; Christine Miller, owner; Laurie Moore & Christine Miller, riders; Legado De Fuego, sire; Shenandoah PT, dam; Amber Christians & Robert Burns, breeders ......66.763%
Grand Prix Musical Freestyle
Prix St. Georges Open
1. PIKKO DEL CERRO HU; Horses Unlimited, owner; Lisa Wilcox, rider; Pik L, sire; Rohweena, dam; Horses Unlimited, breeder ..............................................................76.075% 2. DON PRINCIPE; Maryanna Haymon, owner; Michael Bragdell & James Koford, riders; Donnerhall, sire; Papagena, dam; Adelheid Bruening, breeder..................................................73.875% 3. LOU BEGA; Andrea Manos, owner/rider; Lauries Crusador, sire; Arianka, dam; Wilhelm Holzfoerster, breeder .....................................................................................................69.125% 4. BAHAI; Nora Batchelder, owner/rider; Harmony’s Baroncelli, sire; Rose, dam; Otto Fuchs, breeder....................................................................................................68.250% 5. DONNERSOHN; Ann Fleisher & Helen Cast, owners; Helen Cast, rider; Donnerhall, sire; Angelina, dam; Christy Horton, breeder ..........................................................67.282%
1. CERVARO; Jennifer Wetterau, owner/rider; Carpaccio, sire; Edeltraut, dam; Peter Knudsen, breeder......................................................................................69.145% 2. AUSTIN CHASE; Sarah Pape Hester, owner; Sarah Pape Hester & Lyndon Rife, riders; Ariadus, sire; Konsuelo, dam; John McCormick, breeder .............................................................64.967% 3. OLIEVIA; JoAnn Keller, owner/rider; Rantares, sire; Cosmic Romance, dam; Alison Utting, breeder............................................................................63.553%
American Holsteiner Horse Association
Fourth Level Open 1. OLIEVIA; JoAnn Keller, owner/rider; Rantares, sire; Cosmic Romance, dam; Alison Utting, breeder............................................................................64.889% 2. MEMOIRE; Linda Deyo, owner; Kimberly Robbins, rider; Ratibor, sire; Jessie Whispers, dam; Natalie Cwik, breeder ...............................................................................62.889%
Intermediate II Open 1. RADCLIFFE; Amy Leach, owner/rider; Rantares, sire; Felicitous, dam; Cheryl Kellerman, breeder .................................................................................64.276%
Grand Prix Open
1. ADESCO C; Elena Golubitsky, owner/rider; Ariadus, sire; Zenit, dam; Ron Svarich, Susan Svarich, breeder ............................................................................................65.050% Training Level Open 2. CATAPULT; Francesca Nicoletti, owner/rider; Cantour, sire; 1. DARJEELING; Debbie Taymour, owner; Karen Ball, rider; Chevalier, sire; Hell or Highwater, dam; Suze Randall Knipe, breeder.................................................................63.100% Kaskade, dam; Debbie Taymour, breeder.....................................................................................71.364% 3. RADCLIFFE; Amy Leach, owner/rider; Rantares, sire; 2. ZORAJA TSH; Constance Meredith, owner; Kate Severson & Constance Meredith, riders; Felicitous, dam; Cheryl Kellerman, breeder .................................................................................61.900% Chicardo, sire; Ursula I, dam; Triple “S” Holsteiner, breeder..........................................................67.668%
First Level Open
Training Level Adult Amateur
LEFT: ©TERRI MILLER; MIDDLE: CAROLYNN BUNCH PHOTOGRAPHY; RIGHT: KIM AYERS
1. CONSTANCE MEREDITH (TX), riding ZORAJA TSH; Constance Meredith, owner; 1. CLEVER; Eurimports Equestrian LLC & Stephanie Hartigan, owners; Stephanie Hartigan, rider; Chicardo, sire; Ursula I, dam; Triple “S” Holsteiner, breeder..........................................................66.957% Contendro I, sire; O-Limbana, dam; Glenn Hartigan, breeder.....................................................67.435% 2. ZORAJA TSH; Constance Meredith, owner; Kate Severson, Constance Meredith & Eva First Level Adult Amateur Oldenbroek Tabor, riders; Chicardo, sire; Ursula I, dam; Triple “S” Holsteiner, breeder ................66.389% 1. JEAN TUTTLE (NC), riding ULLA AMAZING GRACE; Jean Tuttle, owner; 3. ULLA AMAZING GRACE; Jean Tuttle, owner/rider; Camiros, sire; Camiros, sire; Feliz, dam; Kimberley Fox, breeder........................................................................66.029% Feliz, dam; Kimberley Fox, breeder ..............................................................................................66.029% 2. CONSTANCE MEREDITH (TX), riding ZORAJA TSH; Constance Meredith, owner; 4. CATULLUS; Nancy Dostal, owner/rider; Camiros, sire; Lavoisier, dam; Ann McGruder, breeder .......64.265% Chicardo, sire; Ursula I, dam; Triple “S” Holsteiner, breeder..........................................................65.460% 5. PLUM LUCKY; Paetra Hennigar, owner/rider; Lucky Champ, sire; 3. NANCY DOSTAL (NE), riding CATULLUS; Nancy Dostal, owner; Camiros, sire; E-Sina, dam; Klaus Both, breeder.................................................................................................63.529% Lavoisier, dam; Ann McGruder, breeder .......................................................................................64.265%
Second Level Open
Fourth Level Adult Amateur
1. CONTESSA 162; Julia Hanson, owner; Alannah Mac Gregor, rider; 1. JOANN KELLER (WA), riding OLIEVIA; JoAnn Keller, owner; Connection, sire; O-Norma Jean, dam; Helmar Bescht, breeder .................................................62.051% Rantares, sire; Cosmic Romance, dam; Alison Utting, breeder....................................................64.889%
DARJEELING, owner Debbie Taymour (CA), rider Karen Ball (CA)—Training Level Open (Am. Holsteiner Horse Assn.)
OLIEVIA, owner/rider JoAnn Keller(WA)—Fourth Level Open & AA (Am. Holsteiner Horse Assn.)
RADCLIFFE, owner/rider Amy Leach (IL)—I-II Open & AA; Grand Prix AA (Am. Holsteiner Horse Assn.)
USDF CONNECTION
•
February 2016
151
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
Intermediate I Musical Freestyle 1. ROMANTICO SF; Heather Mason, owner/rider; Romancero H, sire; Wesermelodie, dam; Gerhard Stahmann & Ot Felde, breeders ..................................................77.563% 2. WINZALOT; Jamie Pestana, owner/rider; Wolkenstein II, sire; Franzisca, dam; Hans-Heinr. Doescher, breeder...........................................................................74.969% 3. BONIFAZ S; Colene Stevens, owner/rider; Brentano II, sire; Windgame, dam; Guenter Spiewak, breeder ..............................................................................73.650% 4. SHAKESPEARE RSF; Maurine Swanson, owner; Marcus Orlob, rider; Sandro Hit, sire; Acapella, dam; Maurine Swanson, breeder ......................................................73.200% 5. RONDO DEL REY; Kathleen Jones, owner; John Mason, rider; Regazzoni, sire; Daisy, dam; Rudolf Bedenstedt, breeder ...........................................................70.188%
First Level Open
1. JENNIFER WETTERAU (CA), riding CERVARO; Jennifer Wetterau, owner; 1. MERRIEWOLD LEGACY; Mary-Ann Maloof, owner; Cindy Ramirez-Smith & Alejandro Salazar, riders; Carpaccio, sire; Edeltraut, dam; Peter Knudsen, breeder .............................................................69.145% Rosevale Leggo, sire; Willowist Promise to Keep, dam; Merriewold Morgans LLC, breeder.......67.685% 2. SARAH PAPE HESTER (TX), riding AUSTIN CHASE; Sarah Pape Hester, owner; 2. GBR DEVINE DECADENCE; Wendy Bizzaro, owner; Sean Cunningham, rider; Ariadus, sire; Konsuelo, dam; John McCormick, breeder .............................................................65.790% Santa Fe Renegade, sire; Greentree Ever Reddi, dam; Wendy Bizzaro, breeder..........................65.496% 3. JOANN KELLER (WA), riding OLIEVIA; JoAnn Keller, owner; 3. ORRWOOD MADISON BAY; Caroline & Victoria Fernalld, owners; Elizabeth Petersen, rider; Rantares, sire; Cosmic Romance, dam; Alison Utting, breeder....................................................63.553% Thunderbay, sire; Jellico Fancy Affair, dam; Darlene & Peter Orr, breeders .................................64.118% 4. VVB FARGO; Susan Nonis, owner; Christine Landry, rider; Caduceus Panache, sire; Intermediate II Adult Amateur Lee-Els Midnight Dream, dam; Victoria Bennett, breeder...........................................................63.530% 1. AMY LEACH (IL), riding RADCLIFFE; Amy Leach, owner; 5. ROY ELS BELLE OF THE BALL; Lindsay Naas, owner; Lindsay Naas & Tracey Krajenke, riders; Rantares, sire; Felicitous, dam; Cheryl Kellerman, breeder .........................................................64.276% Roy El Princeton, sire; Roy El’s Countess, dam; Deborah Seybold, breeder..................................63.125%
Grand Prix Adult Amateur
Second Level Open 1. AMY LEACH (IL), riding RADCLIFFE; Amy Leach, owner; Rantares, sire; Felicitous, dam; Cheryl Kellerman, breeder .........................................................61.900% 1. WINTERGREEN BEAUFORT; Ann Taylor, owner; Susan Garmier, rider; HVK Santana, sire; Kerry B Spangled, dam; Ann Taylor, breeder................................................................................67.949% Prix St. Georges Vintage Cup 2. MERRIEWOLD KIRIN; Diana Wold, owner; Alejandro Salazar, rider; RG Stuart’s Monarch, sire; 1. SARAH PAPE HESTER (TX), riding AUSTIN CHASE; Sarah Pape Hester, owner; Caduceus Marika, dam; Merriewold Morgans LLC, breeder ........................................................66.786% Ariadus, sire; Konsuelo, dam; John McCormick, breeder .............................................................65.790% 3. SSLLC COLLECTIVE SOUL; Cara-Lynne Schengrund, owner; Pamela Thompson, rider; Tug Hill Whamunition, sire; Brio Bell Martell, dam; Kevin Schengrund, breeder .......................65.834% First Level Musical Freestyle 4. FRM FLOWER OF REMINGTON; Birgit Villeminey, owner; Birgit Villeminey & Judy Kelly, riders; 1. ULLA AMAZING GRACE; Jean Tuttle, owner/rider; Camiros, sire; Caduceus Denver, sire; Bar Y’s Lori Lynn, dam; Libby Flower, breeder .........................................64.695% Feliz, dam; Kimberley Fox, breeder ..............................................................................................72.834% 5. V BACK IN BLACK; Brynne Varvel, owner/rider; Season’s Forever French, sire; Livin’ On The Edge, dam; Patrick Varvel, breeder..........................................................................64.207% Third Level Musical Freestyle
1. LISANDRO; Mary Lou Starck, owner; Jessica Starck, rider; Lintas, sire; Oregon Laurel, dam; Cheryl Kellerman, breeder .........................................................................72.667% Third Level Open 1. TOUCH OF RUM; Ann Schmidt, owner; Renee Surprenant, rider; CN The Commanding Touch, sire; 2. LYRIC PT; Christine Miller, owner; Laurie Moore & Christine Miller, riders; Rum Brook Immortal Allure, dam; Carolyn & Frank Gibbard, breeders ......................................62.879% Legado De Fuego, sire; Shenandoah PT, dam; Amber Christians & Robert Burns, breeders ......71.367% 2. EXETER’S PAINTED BLACK; Pamela Walters-Whalon, owner/rider; Homeward Middlebury, sire; Exeter’s Encore, dam; Pamela Lea, breeder..................................................................................62.436% Grand Prix Musical Freestyle 3. FLOWER OF ALLIANCE; Edward Radtke, owner; Sally Anderson, rider; Caduceus Denver, sire; 1. CATAPULT; Francesca Nicoletti, owner/rider; Cantour, sire; Caduceus Sonata, dam; Libby Flower, breeder ............................................................................62.424% Hell or Highwater, dam; Suze Randall Knipe, breeder.................................................................72.657% 4. SPR VEGAS; Deborah Greco, owner; Lisa Basselini, rider; HRH Legend Command, sire; 2. ADESCO C; Elena Golubitsky, owner/rider; Ariadus, sire; HRH True Blue, dam; Dawn & Greg Tatro, breeders......................................................................61.987% Zenit, dam; Ron & Susan Svarich, breeders..................................................................................71.500% 5. HIGHOVER FRENCH KRYSTLE; Angela Thayer, owner/rider; Highover Oaklyn Command, sire; SM Forever Krystle, dam; Katharine Thompson, breeder ............................................................60.898%
American Morgan Horse Association
Fourth Level Open
Training Level Open
1. FORSITE RENOIR; Deb M’Gonigle, owner/rider; Ravenscroft Renown, sire; 1. HOLLYHOCK FRIDA KAHLO; Denice Wax, owner/rider; Forsite A’Cappella, dam; Deb & Douglas M’Gonigle, breeders ....................................................64.730% Hollyhock Bella Noche, sire; Ironstone Flirtation, dam; Pamela Eller, breeder ...........................72.174% 2. JMF BLACK HAWK; Elizabeth Ciaccio, owner; Gayle Smith-Haro, rider; 2. LR AMIE ANGEL FIRE; Jennifer Thompson & Julie Siefert, owners; Jennifer Thompson, rider; Three K’s New Yorker, sire; Ebony Queen O’Spades, dam; Janzen Morgan Farm, breeder ..........63.108% Memory June’s Alfred, sire; Sirrah Jennifer, dam; Robert Daulton, breeder................................68.269% 3. QUIETUDE SENECA ROCKS; Ruth Shaw, owner; Elaine Hayes, rider; Calcutta of Quietude, sire; Quietude Kindle, dam; Shannon & Susan Hanley, breeders.............68.182% Prix St. Georges Open 1. AVATAR’S JAZZMAN; Melissa Dowling, owner; Lauren Chumley, rider; KJB All That Jazz, sire; 4. RUSTIC VS READY TO LAUNCH; Jennifer Thompson, owner/rider; Avatar’s Cassandra, dam; Cordia Pearson, breeder ......................................................................65.790% Dragonfire Kirin, sire; Sheza Ballerina, dam; Wendy Meyer, breeders ........................................67.530% 2. FORSITE ZEPHYR; Deb & Douglas M’Gonigle, owners; Deb M’Gonigle, rider; 5. SPRING HOLLOW CASSANOVA; Jerri Anesetti, owner/rider; Statesmans Silhouette, sire; Rapidan Imperial, sire; Clonmel Goldn Trophy, dam; Deb & Douglas M’Gonigle, breeders........63.816% Spring Hollow Legacy, dam; James & Lyn Skillington, breeders.................................................67.446%
MERRIEWOLD LEGACY, owner Mary-Ann Maloof (CA), rider Alejandro Salazar (CA)— First Level Open (Am. Morgan Horse Assn.)
WINTERGREEN BEAUFORT, owner Ann Taylor (CA), rider Susan Garmier (CA)—Second Level Open (Am. Morgan Horse Assn.)
152 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
TOUCH OF RUM, owner Ann Schmidt (MA), rider Renee Surprenant (CT)—Third Level Open (Am. Morgan Horse Assn.)
LEFT: ©SHERI SCOTT; MIDDLE: GREY HORSE PHOTOGRAPHY; RIGHT: BRENDA V. CATALDO/MOMENTS IN TIME
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur
EXETER’S PAINTED BLACK, owner/rider Pamela WaltersWhalon (MI)—Third Level AA & Vintage Cup (Am. Morgan Horse Assn.)
KENNEBEC LADYHAWKE, owner/rider Margaret BaileyMiller (ME)—PSG AA (Am. Morgan Horse Assn.)
3. FORSITE RENOIR; Deb M’Gonigle, owner/rider; Ravenscroft Renown, sire; Second Level Adult Amateur Forsite A’Cappella, dam; Deb & Douglas M’Gonigle, breeders ....................................................63.158% 1. MICHELLIE JONES (CA), riding CBMF SPLIT DECISION; Michellie Jones, owner; 4. KENNEBEC LADYHAWKE; Margaret Bailey-Miller, owner/rider; Triple S Dark Eagle, sire; CBMF Ruling Class, sire; HVK Endowed, dam; Copper Beech Morgan Farm, breeder.................62.704% Kennebec Sassy, dam; Margaret Gardiner, breeder .....................................................................61.974% 2. BRENDA THOMA (MN), riding HOLLYHOCK BELLA LUNA; Brenda Thoma, owner; 5. MYTHIC JUMA; Krista Martinko, owner/rider; Mythic Aladdin, sire; Summit’s Conbrio, sire; Hollyhock Isabella, dam; Pamela Eller, breeder .....................................62.256% W-B Bedazzlemint, dam; Ceann Shipley, breeder ......................................................................60.395%
TOP RIGHT: SPOTTED VISION PHOTOGRAPHY; BOTTOM MIDDLE: ©MEG MCGUIRE PHOTOGRAPHY; BOTTOME RIGHT: ANNIEDUNCAN.COM
Training Level Adult Amateur
Third Level Adult Amateur
1. PAMELA WALTERS-WHALON (MI), riding EXETER’S PAINTED BLACK; Pamela Walters-Whalon, owner; 1. DENICE WAX (MN), riding HOLLYHOCK FRIDA KAHLO; Denice Wax, owner; Homeward Middlebury, sire; Exeter’s Encore, dam; Pamela Lea, breeder ..................................62.436% Hollyhock Bella Noche, sire; Ironstone Flirtation, dam; Pamela Eller, breeder ...........................72.174% 2. ANGELA THAYER (RI), riding HIGHOVER FRENCH KRYSTLE; Angela Thayer, owner; 2. JENNIFER THOMPSON (WI), riding LR AMIE ANGEL FIRE; Jennifer Thompson & Julie Siefert, owners; Highover Oaklyn Command, sire; SM Forever Krystle, dam; Katharine Thompson, breeder......60.898% Memory June’s Alfred, sire; Sirrah Jennifer, dam; Robert Daulton, breeder................................68.269% 3. JENNIFER THOMPSON (WI), riding RUSTIC VS READY TO LAUNCH; Jennifer Thompson, owner; Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur Dragonfire Kirin, sire; Sheza Ballerina, dam; Wendy Meyer, breeder..........................................67.530% 1. MARGARET BAILEY-MILLER (ME), riding KENNEBEC LADYHAWKE; Margaret Bailey-Miller, owner; 4. JERRI ANESETTI (PA), riding SPRING HOLLOW CASSANOVA; Jerri Anesetti, owner; Triple S Dark Eagle, sire; Kennebec Sassy, dam; Margaret Gardiner, breeder..............................61.974% Statesmans Silhouette, sire; Spring Hollow Legacy, dam; James & Lyn Skillington, breeders...67.446% 2. KRISTA MARTINKO (MD), riding MYTHIC JUMA; Krista Martinko, owner; 5. LINDA SWANK (PA), riding SPRING HOLLOW DESTRIER; Linda Swank, owner; Mythic Aladdin, sire; W-B Bedazzlemint, dam; Ceann Shipley, breeder .....................................60.395% Statesman’s Silhouette, sire; Nodaway Tillie, dam; Lyn Skillington, breeder ..............................67.116%
First Level Adult Amateur
First Level Junior/Young Rider
1. ELIZABETH PETERSEN (CO), riding ORRWOOD MADISON BAY; Caroline & Victoria Fernalld, owners; 1. LISA ROMANO JOHNSON (NJ), riding EMR MAXIMUS; Nancy Motyka, owner; Thunderbay, sire; Jellico Fancy Affair, dam; Darlene & Peter Orr, breeders .................................64.118% Coal Creek Dallas, sire; EMR Starfire, dam; Edward Radtke, breeder...........................................62.997% 2. LINDSAY NAAS (AZ), riding ROY ELS BELLE OF THE BALL; Lindsay Naas, owner; Roy El Princeton, sire; Roy El’s Countess, dam; Deborah Seybold, breeder..................................62.879% Second Level Junior/Young Rider 1. BRYNNE VARVEL (IN), riding V BACK IN BLACK; Brynne Varvel, owner; 3. NANCY BERRINGTON (WA), riding EMR COUNSELOR; Nancy Berrington, owner; Season’s Forever French, sire; Livin’ On The Edge, dam; Patrick Varvel, breeder..........................64.207% Iron Forge Starman, sire; Caduceus Symphony, dam; Edward Radtke, breeder .........................62.206% 4. JENNIFER KAISER (MI), riding UP-HI SANTANA; Jennifer Kaiser, owner; LV’s The Music Man, sire; Up-Hi Mem-O-Ree, dam; Janis Bailey, breeder...................................61.759% Training Level Vintage Cup 5. KAREN ROSSEN (NY), riding PINK MARTINI; Karen Rossen, owner; 1. DENICE WAX (MN), riding HOLLYHOCK FRIDA KAHLO; Denice Wax, owner; LPS The Boogie Man, sire; Queen’s Midori, dam; Sheaffer Farm, breeder...................................61.481% Hollyhock Bella Noche, sire; Ironstone Flirtation, dam; Pamela Eller, breeder ...........................72.174%
ORRWOOD MADISON BAY, owners Caroline & Victoria Fernald (CO), rider Elizabeth Petersen (CO)—First Level Jr/YR (Am. Morgan Horse Assn.)
EMR COUNSELOR, owner/rider Nancy Berrington (WA)—First Level Vintage Cup (Am. Morgan Horse Assn.)
SSLLC COLLECTIVE SOUL, owner Cara-Lynne Schengrund (PA), rider Pamela Thompson (PA)—Second Level Vintage Cup (Am. Morgan Horse Assn.)
USDF CONNECTION
•
February 2016
153
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
CBMF SPLIT DECISION, owner/rider Michellie Jones (CA)—Second Level AA (Am. Morgan Horse Assn.)
Second Level Vintage Cup
Three-Year-Old Colts/Geldings
1. WVS FLAME BURNER; Celeste Brown, owner; TB Midnite Summers Dream, sire; 1. PAMELA THOMPSON (PA), riding SSLLC COLLECTIVE SOUL; Cara-Lynne Schengrund, owner; Lady In Waiting, dam; Amos Yoder & Rachel Yoder, breeders .....................................................70.375% Tug Hill Whamunition, sire; Brio Bell Martell, dam; Kevin Schengrund, breeder .......................65.834% 2. KAREN GRAVES (OH), riding KKM MILLENNIUM FIRE; Karen Graves, owner; Minion Millennium, sire; Amethyst, dam; Karen Graves, breeder ..............................................64.141% 3. JANE LANDAU (NJ), riding JUSTAWEE GRACEFUL; Jane Landau, owner; JO Farms Excaliber, sire; Triple S Caramel, dam; Jackie Moehling, breeder .................................64.026% 4. BRENDA THOMA (MN), riding HOLLYHOCK BELLA LUNA; Brenda Thoma, owner; First Level Open Summit’s Conbrio, sire; Hollyhock Isabella, dam; Pamela Eller, breeder .....................................62.256% 1. RAFTER F BOOMTOWN; Shana Kelly, owner/rider; Rafter F Boomerang, sire; 5. CELESTE BROWN (TX), riding DJJJ STAR’S ACE; Celeste Brown, owner; Coffee’s Midknight Star, sire; Little Town Taffy, dam; Matthew & Pamela Fournier, breeders...................................................63.982% DJJJ Amarak’s Beauty Mark, dam; Daniel & Jacqueline Wistrom, breeders ................................60.244%
American Mule Association
Third Level Vintage Cup 1. PAMELA WALTERS-WHALON (MI), riding EXETER’S PAINTED BLACK; Pamela Walters-Whalon, owner; Homeward Middlebury, sire; Exeter’s Encore, dam; Pamela Lea, breeder ..................................62.436%
Fourth Level Vintage Cup 1. DEB M’GONIGLE (IL), riding FORSITE RENOIR; Deb M’Gonigle, owner; Ravenscroft Renown, sire; Forsite A’Cappella, dam; Deb & Douglas M’Gonigle, breeders .........64.730%
First Level Adult Amateur 1. SHANA KELLY (IA), riding RAFTER F BOOMTOWN; Shana Kelly, owner; Rafter F Boomerang, sire; Little Town Taffy, dam; Matthew & Pamela Fournier, breeders ........63.982%
American Mustang & Burro Association Training Level Open
Prix St. Georges Vintage Cup
1. FULL MOON RISING CUERVO GOLD; Marcia Riehl, owner; Zoe Roy & Marcia Riehl, riders ..........66.250% 1. DEB M’GONIGLE (IL), riding FORSITE ZEPHYR; Deb & Douglas M’Gonigle, owners; Rapidan Imperial, sire; Clonmel Goldn Trophy, dam; Deb & Douglas M’Gonigle, breeders........63.816% Prix St. Georges Open 2. DEB M’GONIGLE (IL), riding FORSITE RENOIR; Deb M’Gonigle, owner; 1. COBRA; Marsha Hartford-Sapp, owner/rider ...............................................................................60.658% Ravenscroft Renown, sire; Forsite A’Cappella, dam; Deb & Douglas M’Gonigle, breeders .........63.158%
First Level Musical Freestyle
Intermediate I Open
1. TOMORROW’S SUN; Kathleen Betzel, owner; Kathleen Betzel & Ashley Parsons, riders; 1. GBR DEVINE DECADENCE; Wendy Bizzaro, owner; Sean Cunningham, rider; Ostwind, sire .................................................................................................................................63.421% Santa Fe Renegade, sire; Greentree Ever Reddi, dam; Wendy Bizzaro, breeder..........................72.409% 2. ROY ELS BELLE OF THE BALL; Lindsay Naas, owner; Lindsay Naas & Tracey Krajenke, riders; Roy El Princeton, sire; Roy El’s Countess, dam; Deborah Seybold, breeder..................................67.300% Intermediate I Adult Amateur 1. KATHLEEN BETZEL (SC), riding TOMORROW’S SUN; Kathleen Betzel, owner; Ostwind, sire .......64.145% 3. PINK MARTINI; Karen Rossen, owner/rider; LPS The Boogie Man, sire; Queen’s Midori, dam; Sheaffer Farm, breeder.................................................................................................................66.167% 4. CROSSFIRES DESERT ROSE; Lisa Mauriello, owner/rider; Corinthian Seville, sire; Intermediate I Vintage Cup Hilton’s Karalee, dam; Catherine Atkins, breeder.........................................................................65.584% 1. KATHLEEN BETZEL (SC), riding TOMORROW’S SUN; Kathleen Betzel, owner; Ostwind, sire .......64.145%
RAFTER F BOOMTOWN, owner/rider Shana Kelly (IA)— First Level Open (Am. Mule Assn.)
154 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
FULL MOON RISING CUERVO GOLD, owner/rider Marcia Riehl (MI)—Training Level Open (Am. Mustang & Burro Assn.)
MIDDLE: RANCE ROGERS/WWW.3RDSHUTTER.COM
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
2. JERRI ANESETTI (PA), riding SPRING HOLLOW CASSANOVA; Jerri Anesetti, owner; Second Level Musical Freestyle Statesmans Silhouette, sire; Spring Hollow Legacy, dam; James & Lyn Skillington, breeders...67.446% 1. THE SORCEROR; Gary Ward, Jo Ann Ward, owner; Bobbi Rockow, rider; UVM Magician, sire; 3. LINDA SWANK (PA), riding SPRING HOLLOW DESTRIER; Linda Swank, owner; Bery Bank Blackglama, dam; Suzanne Fox, breeder ...................................................................64.167% Statesman’s Silhouette, sire; Nodaway Tillie, dam; Lyn Skillington, breeder ..............................67.116% 4. SHELLEY JANSEN (CO), riding SCANDIAS NORDIC PROMISE; Shelley Jansen, owner; Fourth Level Musical Freestyle Townshend Norseman, sire; Scandias Crystal Promise, dam; Kathleen Defazio, breeder ..........63.874% 1. GBR MIDNIGHT SERENADE; Wendy Bizzaro, owner; Sean Cunningham, rider; Statesmans Silhouette, sire; Greentree Ever Reddi, dam; Wendy Bizzaro, breeder ....................70.833% First Level Vintage Cup 2. FORSITE RENOIR; Deb M’Gonigle, owner/rider; Ravenscroft Renown, sire; 1. NANCY BERRINGTON (WA), riding EMR COUNSELOR; Nancy Berrington, owner; Forsite A’Cappella, dam; Deb & Douglas M’Gonigle, breeders ....................................................67.084% Iron Forge Starman, sire; Caduceus Symphony, dam; Edward Radtke, breeder .........................62.206% 3. KENNEBEC LADYHAWKE; Margaret Bailey-Miller, owner/rider; 2. KAREN ROSSEN (NY), riding PINK MARTINI; Karen Rossen, owner; Triple S Dark Eagle, sire; Kennebec Sassy, dam; Margaret Gardiner, breeder..............................65.900% LPS The Boogie Man, sire; Queen’s Midori, dam; Sheaffer Farm, breeder...................................61.481%
MOONSHINE KATE, owner Helena Stokes (GA), rider Emma Grace Stokes (GA)—First Level Open & Jr/YR (Am. Paint Horse Assn.)
American Paint Horse Association Training Level Open 1. REDEMPTION; Marilea Keating, owner/rider; Windell, sire; Royal Cuvee, dam; Marilea Keating, breeder ..............................................................................................................70.894% 2. SACRED SHOWDOWN; Daniel Patterson, owner/rider; Sacred Indian, sire; Showdowns Gedget, dam; Jessica Beasant, breeder ..................................................................69.348%
First Level Open
BARINK SUPERCOOL, owner James Derry (AL), rider Marti Miller (AL)—First Level AA & Vintage Cup (Am. Paint Horse Assn.)
Training Level Adult Amateur 1. MARILEA KEATING (SC), riding REDEMPTION; Marilea Keating, owner; Windell, sire; Royal Cuvee, dam; Marilea Keating, breeder .........................................................70.894% 2. CRISSTEEN MILLER (OH), riding EASY SWINGER; Crissteen Miller, owner; Easy Top Jet, sire; Missfreezinchick, dam; Tim & Wendy Jolley, breeders ....................................64.100%
First Level Adult Amateur 1. MARTI MILLER (AK), riding BARLNK SUPERCOOL; James Derry, owner; Titans Cool Cat, sire; Super Expensive, dam; Cindy Buchanan, breeder ......................................66.131% 2. GAYLE GORDON (NV), riding DARK BY DESIGN; Gayle Gordon, owner; All Time Fancy, sire; Tuff Charisma, dam; Gayle & Lew Gordon, breeders ...................................65.294%
1. MOONSHINE KATE; Helena Stokes, owner; Helena & Emma Grace Stokes, riders; Mcbears Chris, sire; My Queena, dam; Edwina Johnson, breeder ...............................................66.471% 2. BARLNK SUPERCOOL; James Derry, owner; Marti Miller, rider; Titans Cool Cat, sire; Second Level Adult Amateur Super Expensive, dam; Cindy Buchanan, breeder .......................................................................66.131% 1. AMBER CARESS (CO), riding IM A SMOKIN SUNDEE; Amber Caress, owner; Codys Coal Smoke B, sire; Sundee Hat, dam; James Christiansen, breeder.................................66.065%
Second Level Open
Fourth Level Adult Amateur 1. IM A SMOKIN SUNDEE; Amber Caress, owner/rider; Codys Coal Smoke B, sire; Sundee Hat, dam; James Christiansen, breeder ..........................................................................66.065% 1. KATHERINE RICKERT (OR), riding DELTA OLENAS GUNNER; Katherine Rickert, owner; Delta Holliday Olena, sire; Jans T Tom, dam; Kevin Rash, breeder...............................................60.270% Fourth Level Open
Intermediate I Adult Amateur
1. DELTA OLENAS GUNNER; Katherine Rickert, owner/rider; 1. LILLA MASON (KY), riding FARCICAL; Lilla Mason, owner; Delta Holliday Olena, sire; Jans T Tom, dam; Kevin Rash, breeder ..............................................60.270% Show Em Off Sam, sire; Chocolate Milk, dam; Arie van der Heiden, breeder..............................60.592%
TOP LEFT: WNCPHOTO.COM; TOP RIGHT: ALICIA VERNON; BOTTOM MIDDLE: BOBTARR.COM
Intermediate I Open
Training Level Junior/Young Rider
1. DANIEL PATTERSON (MS), riding SACRED SHOWDOWN; Daniel Patterson, owner; 1. MISS HANDY; Wendy Bizzaro, owner; Sean Cunningham, rider; Mihi, sire; Sacred Indian, sire; Showdowns Gedget, dam; Jessica Beasant, breeder...................................69.348% Just Handy, dam; Robyn Pearson, breeder ..................................................................................66.184% 2. KIRSTEN HICKEY (NV), riding APOLLO’S PADDEE BAR; Kirsten Hickey, owner; 2. FARCICAL; Lilla Mason, owner/rider; Show Em Off Sam, sire; Chocolate Milk, dam; Sonnys Apollo, sire; Fancy Filly Lilly, dam; Kirsten Hickey, breeder .............................................68.121% Arie van der Heiden, breeder........................................................................................................60.592%
IM A SMOKIN SUNDEE, owner/rider Amber Caress (CO)— Second Level AA (Am. Paint Horse Assn.)
FARCICAL, owner/rider Lilla Mason (KY)—I-I AA & Vintage Cup (Am. Paint Horse Assn.)
SACRED SHOWDOWN, owner/rider Daniel Patterson (MS)—Training Level Jr/YR (Am. Paint Horse Assn.)
USDF CONNECTION
•
February 2016
155
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
REDEMPTION, owner/rider Marilea Keating (SC)—Training Level Open, AA, & Vintage Cup (Am. Paint Horse Assn.)
Third Level Open
1. EMMA GRACE STOKES (GA), riding MOONSHINE KATE; Helena Stokes, owner; 1. HEZA SMOKN SUNSATION; Michelle Duryea, owner; Krystal Wilt, rider; Mcbears Chris, sire; My Queena, dam; Edwina Johnson, breeder ...............................................66.324% Heza Dun Smoke, sire; Old Fashioned Gal, dam; Dewayne Mercer, breeder ...............................63.531% 2. ALEXANDRIA BELTON (NY), riding DAFFY’S SON SHINE; Alexandria Belton, owner; 2. SKEETS CHUNKY LUVBUG; JoEllen Smith, owner; Vincent Ashley, rider; Sunny Review, sire; Artisan, dam; Donald Pedersen, breeder.....................................................63.930% Skeets Peppy, sire; Docs Chunky Kid, dam; David & JoEllen Smith, breeders..............................63.333% 3. DRIFTIN RED FROSTIN; Lori Elverud, owner/rider; Driftin Red Frost, sire; Training Level Vintage Cup Dun Sum Frostin, dam; Susan Pfeifer, breeder ............................................................................61.778% 1. MARILEA KEATING (SC), riding REDEMPTION; Marilea Keating, owner; Windell, sire; Royal Cuvee, dam; Marilea Keating, breeder .........................................................70.894% Prix St. Georges Open 1. RUGGED ELEGANCE; Linda Henderson, owner; Joanne White, rider; 2. LORI FARACE (NJ), riding PERFECTLY BUFF; Lori Farace, owner; Bud Lark, sire; Saucy Opposition, dam; Sandy Simon, breeder...................................................64.868% Perfect Aim, sire; AWHE Miss Buffy, dam; Doris Sturm, breeder .................................................63.654%
First Level Vintage Cup
Intermediate I Open
Intermediate I Vintage Cup
Training Level Adult Amateur
1. HAIDASEEKER PLAYBOY; Andrea Caudill, owner/rider; 1. MARTI MILLER (AK), riding BARLNK SUPERCOOL; James Derry, owner; Docs Haidas Playboy, sire; Haidas Seeker, dam; Norman Bruce, breeder....................................61.908% Titans Cool Cat, sire; Super Expensive, dam; Cindy Buchanan, breeder ......................................66.131% 1. IVY LOFTICE (KY), riding LARKS PROTEGE; Ivy Loftice, owner; 1. LILLA MASON (KY), riding FARCICAL; Lilla Mason, owner; Show Em Off Sam, sire; Arts Self Portrait, sire; Nancys Last Lark, dam; Carol Harris Parker, breeder................................70.228% Chocolate Milk, dam; Arie van der Heiden, breeder ....................................................................60.592% 2. DEBORAH STEINER (VA), riding SONNYS CRUDE DUDE; Deborah Steiner, owner; Light Crude, sire; Sonnys Red Speck, dam; Deborah Steiner, breeder.........................................64.130% 3. MACKENZIE WARO (NY), riding DOLLY HOLIDAY; MacKenzie Waro, owner; Joe Doc Holiday, sire; Dolly Eyed Lesley, dam; Allen & Carol Wilbur, breeders............................60.577% Training Level Open 1. LARKS PROTEGE; Ivy Loftice, owner; Ellyn Kittredge & Ivy Loftice, riders; First Level Adult Amateur Arts Self Portrait, sire; Nancys Last Lark, dam; Carol Harris Parker, breeder................................70.455% 1. KAITLIN MYERS (CA), riding SWEET BLUE SKYS; Kaitlin Myers, owner; 2. IRON CLEAT; Beth Seip, owner; Nicole Trapp, rider; Iron Enterprise, sire; Gray Mel Bar, sire; Sugaree Lady, dam; Richard Ladd, breeder....................................................66.916% My Lexus, dam; Beth Seip, breeder ..............................................................................................67.955% 2. PATRICIA BURES (IL), riding HESA DANDY JULE; Patricia Bures, owner; 3. ZIPPO’S GALAXY; Amy Tremel, owner; Hannah Tremel, rider; Winchester Zippo, sire; Sir Jules Mac, sire; Quincy Superstar, dam; Rose Motelet, breeder .............................................65.147% Galaxy Storm, dam; Margaret Forner-O’Brien, breeder ..............................................................66.923% 3. HANNAH FINDER (CA), riding ROPE OF HONOR; Hannah Finder, owner; 4. HEZA FAST ROCKET; Kathleen Gliva, owner; Grace Mccall, rider; Splash Bac, sire; Honor Thy Marc, sire; Peponita Dry Cutter, dam; Sunset Ranch, breeder....................................64.265% Add a Dash, dam; Vessels Stallion Fram, breeder ........................................................................64.990% 4. JAIME POLLACK (AZ), riding I WONT KISS N TELL; Jaime Pollack, owner; 5. SONNYS CRUDE DUDE; Deborah Steiner, owner/rider; Light Crude, sire; Zippo Can Do, sire; Somewhat Silent, dam; Kenny Hobbs, breeder ............................................62.541% Sonnys Red Speck, dam; Deborah Steiner, breeder.....................................................................64.130% 5. JONI PATTEN (GA), riding ANDEROO; Joni Patten, owner; Charge It To Butch, sire; Micos Lady May, dam; Joni Patten, breeder.................................................................................61.545% First Level Open
American Quarter Horse Association
1. SWEET BLUE SKYS; Kaitlin Myers, owner/rider; Gray Mel Bar, sire; Second Level Adult Amateur Sugaree Lady, dam; Richard Ladd, breeder .................................................................................66.916% 1. LORI ELVERUD (MT), riding DRIFTIN RED FROSTIN; Lori Elverud, owner; 2. HANA VAN DUTCH FS; Rosalyne Tempelman, owner/rider; Dregneys Grand Slam, sire; Driftin Red Frost, sire; Dun Sum Frostin, dam; Susan Pfeifer, breeder.........................................62.622% Speckadina, dam; Terry Lund, breeder.........................................................................................66.053% Third Level Adult Amateur 3. HESA DANDY JULE; Patricia Bures, owner/rider; Sir Jules Mac, sire; Quincy Superstar, dam; Rose Motelet, breeder ...........................................................................65.147% 1. LORI ELVERUD (MT), riding DRIFTIN RED FROSTIN; Lori Elverud, owner; Driftin Red Frost, sire; Dun Sum Frostin, dam; Susan Pfeifer, breeder.........................................61.778% 4. PLUM SURPRISED; Kimberly Hollenback, owner; Danica Norred, rider; Peponitas Zorro, sire; Plum Precious, dam; Karen Whitfield, breeder .........................................64.477% Intermediate I Adult Amateur 5. ROPE OF HONOR; Hannah Finder, owner/rider; Honor Thy Marc, sire; 1. ANDREA CAUDILL (TX), riding HAIDASEEKER PLAYBOY; Andrea Caudill, owner; Peponita Dry Cutter, dam; Sunset Ranch, breeder ......................................................................64.265% Docs Haidas Playboy, sire; Haidas Seeker, dam; Norman Bruce, breeder....................................61.908%
Training Level Junior/Young Rider
Second Level Open
1. HANNAH TREMEL (PA), riding ZIPPO’S GALAXY; Amy Tremel, owner; 1. CHUNKYS MASTER PLAN; JoEllen Smith, owner; Vincent Ashley, rider; Winchester Zippo, sire; Galaxy Storm, dam; Margaret Forner-O’Brien, breeder.........................66.923% Master Snapper, sire; Docs Chunky, dam; David & JoEllen Smith, breeders................................63.659% 2. GRACE MCCALL (AK), riding HEZA FAST ROCKET; Kathleen Gliva, owner; 2. DRIFTIN RED FROSTIN; Lori Elverud, owner/rider; Driftin Red Frost, sire; Splash Bac, sire; Add a Dash, dam; Vessels Stallion Fram, breeder .............................................64.990% Dun Sum Frostin, dam; Susan Pfeifer, breeder ............................................................................62.622%
LARKS PROTEGÉ, owner Ivy Loftice (KY), riders Ivy Loftice (KY) and Ellyn Kittredge (OH)—Training Level Open, AA, & Vintage Cup (Am. Quarter Horse Assn.)
SWEET BLUE SKYS, owner/rider Kaitlin Myers (CA)—First Level Open & AA (Am. Quarter Horse Assn.)
156 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
HEZA SMOKIN SUNSATION, owner Michelle Duryea (NY), rider Krystal Wilt (NY)—Third Level Open (Am. Quarter Horse Assn.)
LEFT: BOBTARR.COM; ; MIDDLE: REBECCA NEFF PHOTOGRAPHY
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
First Level Junior/Young Rider
NEW YORK CITY SLICKER, owner/rider Jody Swimmer (KY)—PSG Open (Am. Saddlebred Reg.)
3. PAYTON GILBERTSON (WI), riding ICE BOX FROST; Payton Gilbertson, owner; Open Box Socks, sire; Leos Bueno Buffy SK, dam; Carolyn & Steve Kokjohn, breeders...............63.182%
First Level Junior/Young Rider
MUFASA, owner Andrea Eppley (IN), rider Luis Reteguiz-Denizard (FL)—First Level Open (Am. Shire Horse Assn.—Purebred)
American Shire Horse Association PUREBRED
1. LISA DICKERSON (NC), riding HONEY NUTT CHEX; Lisa Dickerson, owner; First Level Open Zippo Pine Chex, sire; Leos Eye of Penny, dam; Madgelann Orsack, breeder ..............................64.141% 1. MUFASA; Andrea Eppley, owner; Luis Reteguiz-Denizard, rider; 2. ANNA BATH (OH), riding CHIPS A WINNER; Antonella Bath, owner; Laurel’s Powerful Paul, sire; Wandamere Suki, dam; Greg & Heidi Lanners, breeders................66.563% Zips Mr Chips, sire; An Eternal Win, dam; Darrell & Roberta Christian, breeders ........................62.936% 2. DUKE’S MR. T.J.; Karen Lubinski, owner/rider; Duke’s Cinco De Mayo, sire; Edwards Golden Lady of Vista Ridge, dam; Sharon Duke, breeder..............................................60.736%
TOP MIDDLE: RACHEL KELLY; TOP RIGHT: JOANNA JODKO; BOTTOM LEFT: MARILYN SHELDON/BLUE MOON STUDIO; BOTTOME RIGHT: ADRIENNE BESSY
Training Level Vintage Cup
1. IVY LOFTICE (KY), riding LARKS PROTEGE; Ivy Loftice, owner; First Level Adult Amateur Arts Self Portrait, sire; Nancys Last Lark, dam; Carol Harris Parker, breeder................................70.228% 1. KAREN LUBINSKI (AZ), riding DUKE’S MR. T.J.; Karen Lubinski, owner; Duke’s Cinco De Mayo, sire; Edwards Golden Lady of Vista Ridge, dam; Sharon Duke, breeder .......60.736%
First Level Vintage Cup
1. PATRICIA BURES (IL), riding HESA DANDY JULE; Patricia Bures, owner; Sir Jules Mac, sire; Quincy Superstar, dam; Rose Motelet, breeder .............................................65.147% 2. JONI PATTEN (GA), riding ANDEROO; Joni Patten, owner; Charge It To Butch, sire; Micos Lady May, dam; Joni Patten, breeder ..........................................61.545%
American Saddlebred Registry Inc. Training Level Open
American Trakehner Association Training Level Open 1. HIGH EXPECTATIONS GS; Julie Griffin, owner/rider; Zauberruf, sire; Helari GS, dam; Charlotte Schickedanz, breeder..........................................................................65.791%
First Level Open
1. LOTTA SILVER; Adrienne Bessey & Hilda Gurney, owners; Adrienne Bessey 1. CIMARRON; Heidi Abshire, owner/rider; Friso P., sire; & Hilda Gurney, riders; Silvermoon, sire; Livadia *M*, dam; Hilda Gurney, breeder ..................74.444% Sweetheart’s Bourbon Spirit, dam; Heidi Abshire, breeder .........................................................63.231% 2. INSIDER; Sherri Mellskog, owner; Kathryn Stoy, rider; Le Rouge, sire; Ira XIII, dam; Hans Derlin, breeder ...............................................................................................72.593% Second Level Open 1. RENAISSANCE MAN; Paula Briney, owner/rider; Rejent, sire; Champagne’s Angelic, dam; Pratense Farm, breeder ..................................................................60.247% Second Level Open 1. LOTTA SILVER; Adrienne Bessey & Hilda Gurney, owners; Adrienne Bessey Prix St. Georges Open & Hilda Gurney, riders; Silvermoon, sire; Livadia *M*, dam; Hilda Gurney, breeder ..................71.707% 1. NEW YORK CITY SLICKER; Jody Swimmer, owner/rider; I’m a New Yorker, sire; 2. HAYDN; Erin Jorgensen, owner/rider; Eisenherz, sire; Callaway’s Dash of Class, dam; Greg & Kelley Reason, breeders..................................................61.711% High Altitude, dam; Sherry Tourino, breeder ...............................................................................68.049%
DUKE’S MR. T.J., owner/rider Karen Lubinski (AZ)—First Level AA (Am. Shire Horse Assn.—Purebred)
LOTTA SILVER, owners Adrienne Bessey (CA) and Hilda Gurney (CA), rider Hilda Gurney (CA)—First & Second Level Open (Am. Trakehner Assn.)
USDF CONNECTION
•
February 2016
157
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
DRIFTIN RED FROSTIN, owner/rider Lori Elverud (MT)— Second & Third Level AA (Am. Quarter Horse Assn.)
Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur
1. PETACCHI; Anne Aloi, owner/rider; Blue Hors Armano, sire; 1. AMELIA LYON (MD), riding ELFEN STRING OF PEARLS; Amelia Lyon, owner; Piccoline, dam; Esban Hansen, breeder .......................................................................................69.138% Peron, sire; Elfentraum, dam; Alice & Peter Drayer, breeders ......................................................65.724% 2. PALADIN SF; Laine Sklar, owner/rider; Aul Magic+/, sire; 2. REBECCA ARMSTRONG (CA), riding TANZARTIG; Rebecca Armstrong, owner; Padua Go, dam; Heather Buttrum, breeder .................................................................................67.436% Abdullah, sire; Tansanita Vom Castell, dam; Nolan Armstrong, breeder .....................................64.145%
Prix St. Georges Open
Intermediate I Adult Amateur
1. FRIEDENSFURST; Lindsey Holleger, owner/rider; Donaufurst, sire; 1. KIM RHIND (FL), riding DONAU PRINCE; Kim Rhind, owner; Butow *E*, sire; Feodamee von Krotenbach, dam; Erin Brinkman, breeder .........................................................68.619% Donauperle, dam; Marcia Johnson & Nancy Cornelison, breeders..............................................63.290% 2. FEMI; Margaret Neesemann, owner; Suzanne Graham, rider; Stiletto, sire; 2. SUSAN FAULKNER (SC), riding DARRIEN; Susan Faulkner, owner; Fem Fetale, dam; Jean Brinkman, breeder ..................................................................................66.579% Enrico Caruso, sire; Donaubelle, dam; Lawrence Beck, breeder .................................................61.053%
Intermediate II Adult Amateur
Intermediate I Open
1. WENDY BEBIE (VA), riding LUMINENCE; Wendy Bebie, owner; 1. ELFEN STRING OF PEARLS; Amelia Lyon, owner; Amelia Lyon & Wanja Gerlach, riders; Leonidas, sire; Willa, dam; Hilda Gurney & Mary Contakos, breeders .........................................61.711% Peron, sire; Elfentraum, dam; Alice & Peter Drayer, breeders ......................................................68.947% 2. CASARO; Kristin Knutson, owner/rider; Nico, sire; Thekla, dam; Sherry Koella, breeder ............66.250%
Third Level Junior/Young Rider
1. MADELYN GUTHRIE (IL), riding TANNEHAUSER; Alison Bush & Lael Laning, owners; Enrico Caruso, sire; Tansanita Vom Castell, dam; Nolan Armstrong, breeder ..............................67.054% 1. ELFENPERFEKT; Alice Drayer, owner; Abraham Pugh, rider; Peron, sire; Elfentraum, dam; Alice & Peter Drayer, breeders.........................................................................64.079% Prix St. Georges Junior/Young Rider 2. LUMINENCE; Wendy Bebie, owner/rider; Leonidas, sire; Willa, dam; Hilda Gurney & Mary Contakos, breeders ....................................................................................61.711% 1. LINDSEY HOLLEGER (GA), riding FRIEDENSFURST; Lindsey Holleger, owner; Donaufurst, sire; Feodamee von Krotenbach, dam; Erin Brinkman, breeder..............................68.619%
Intermediate II Open
Grand Prix Open
Four-Year-Old and Older Stallions 1. LORD LOCKSLEY; Margaret Stevens, owner; Susanne Hamilton, rider; Unkenruf, sire; Lida, dam; Tylord Farm, breeder ..........................................................................64.588% 1. HALLOWEEN FHM; Leslie Mcculloch, owner; Abdullah *Pg*E*, sire; Harmony GS, dam; Leslie Mcculloch, breeder..............................................................................77.200% 2. ELFENPERFEKT; Alice Drayer, owner; Abraham Pugh, rider; Peron, sire; Elfentraum, dam; Alice & Peter Drayer, breeders.........................................................................62.684% Four-Year-Old and Older Maiden/Yeld Mares 1. HARMONY GS; Leslie Mcculloch, owner; Adrian, sire; Hilary, dam; Gerhard Schickedanz, breeder.................................................................................74.813% 1. JULIE GRIFFIN (FL), riding HIGH EXPECTATIONS GS; Julie Griffin, owner; Zauberruf, sire; Helari GS, dam; Charlotte Schickedanz, breeder ................................................65.791% 2. PRECOCIOUS; Erin King Jackson, owner; Pavarotti, sire; Jayhawk Victory, dam; Michlynn Sterling, breeder......................................................................72.225%
Training Level Adult Amateur
First Level Adult Amateur
Four- and Five-Year-Old Mares Materiale 1. LIBERTY SEAFORD (VA), riding MARCO POLO GS; Liberty Seaford, owner; Ferrari GS, sire; Marionette GS, dam; Charlotte Schickedanz, breeder ........................................69.559% 1. PRECOCIOUS; Erin King Jackson, owner; Erin King Jackson & Kate Gilbert, riders; Pavarotti, sire; Jayhawk Victory, dam; Michlynn Sterling, breeder..............................................77.150% 2. CRISTINA KAYVON-PIERCE (CA), riding BALTIMORE; Korin Potenza, owner; Induc, sire; Bellis, dam; Soren Nissen, breeder.............................................................................67.407% 2. HIGH EXPECTATIONS GS; Julie Griffin, owner/rider; Zauberruf, sire; Helari GS, dam; Charlotte Schickedanz, breeder..........................................................................71.500% Second Level Adult Amateur 1. MARGARET KURBAT (AZ), riding SOLANA; Margaret Kurbat, owner; Bel Espace Go, sire; Sidney, dam; Heather Buttrum, breeder ......................................................66.548% 2. SANDRA PIAZZA (SC), riding FINLANNDIA; Sandra Piazza, owner; Distelzar, sire; Finity, dam; Laura Wharton, breeder ....................................................................65.897%
American Warmblood Registry First Level Open
1. CAPITANO; Shelley Schuler, owner; Angelia Bean, rider; FS Chambertin, sire; Valetta, dam; Peter Boege, breeder............................................................70.000% 2. BRUNELLO; William Hamilton, owner; Molly Maloney, rider; 1. LAINE SKLAR (AZ), riding PALADIN SF; Laine Sklar, owner; Aul Magic+/, sire; BFF In Disguise, sire; Buona Sera, dam; Peter Kross, breeder ......................................................67.280% Padua Go, dam; Heather Buttrum, breeder .................................................................................67.436% 3. CHANCELLOR; Anna Rockwell, owner; Riana Porter & Anna Rockwell, riders; 2. KATHERINE SHORT (KY), riding IMPROV; Katherine Short, owner; Incantare, sire; Winner, sire; Vixen, dam; Reta Conner, breeder ...........................................................................67.188% Intriguing, dam; Jean Brinkman, breeder....................................................................................63.205%
Third Level Adult Amateur
ELFEN STRING OF PEARLS, owner/rider Amelia Lyon (MD)—I-I Open & PSG AA (Am. Trakehner Assn.)
158 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
MARCO POLO GS, owner/rider Liberty Seaford (VA)—First Level AA (Am. Trakehner Assn.)
DONAU PRINCE, owner/rider Kim Rhind (FL)—I-I AA (Am. Trakehner Assn.)
MIDDLE: PICSOFYOU.COM
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
Third Level Open
HARMONY GS, owner Leslie McCulloch (NY)—Four-year-old and older Maiden/Yeld Mares (Am. Trakehner Assn.)
Second Level Open
PRECOCIOUS, owner/rider Erin King Jackson (CA)—Four- and Five-year-old Mares Materiale((Am. Trakehner Assn.)
Prix St. Georges Vintage Cup
1. BENJI; Jean Thornton, owner/rider; Blue Eyed Dream, sire; 1. KAY LORENZEN (AZ), riding WENDO; Kay Lorenzen, owner; Wrummy, dam; Equivale Farm, Jean Thornton, breeder .............................................................69.695% Wagnis, sire; Meannie, dam; Jana Wagner, breeder....................................................................66.053%
Second Level Musical Freestyle
Third Level Open
1. EMERALD; Diane Breier, owner; Jennifer Conour, rider; Andre, sire; 1. BUTTERCUP; Jean Thornton, owner/rider; Blue Eyed Dream, sire; Opal, dam; Indian Hills Stables, breeder ......................................................................................74.667% Wrummy, dam; Jean Thornton, breeder......................................................................................65.910% 2. GABRIELLA ROSSELLINI; Gillian Cowley, owner/rider; Gambol, sire; 2. GABRIELLA ROSSELLINI; Gillian Cowley, owner/rider; Gambol, sire; Melvira, dam; Belinda Nairn-Wertman, breeder.........................................................................68.200% Melvira, dam; Belinda Nairn-Wertman, breeder.........................................................................64.272%
Third Level Musical Freestyle Fourth Level Open 1. MONTEGO; Jean Thornton, owner/rider; Morgengold II, sire; Wrummy, dam; Jean Thornton, breeder......................................................................................69.298%
Prix St. Georges Open 1. WENDO; Kay Lorenzen, owner; Kay Lorenzen & Cyndi Jackson, riders; Wagnis, sire; Meannie, dam; Jana Wagner, breeder....................................................................66.250%
TOP LEFT AND MIDDLE: PHOTO BY SUZANNE; BOTTOM LEFT; BOTTOM MIDDLE: STEPHEN ECONOMOU
First Level Adult Amateur
1. DEMITASSE; Blaire Aldridge Dean, owner/rider; Winner, sire; Unorthodox, dam; Reta Conner, breeder .....................................................................................73.833%
Four- and Five-year-old Stallions/Geldings Materiale 1. TLF VALDEMAR; Mary Barrett, owner; Colleen Barrett, rider; TLF Valinor, sire; In a Dream, dam; Mary Barrett, breeder ......................................................................................66.200%
American Warmblood Society
Training Level Open 1. ANNA ROCKWELL (CA), riding CHANCELLOR; Anna Rockwell, owner; Winner, sire; Vixen, dam; Reta Conner, breeder ...........................................................................67.188% 1. GOTHAM; Sara Stone, owner; Brittany Burson & Sara Stone, riders; Gabriel, sire; Mystic, dam; Indian Hills Sport Horses, breeder .....................................................74.348% 2. ADDALAIDE; Lexis Gibrick, owner; Brittany Burson, rider; Aegypt, sire; Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur Commander Amanda, dam; Theresa Lyons, breeder...................................................................72.728% 1. KAY LORENZEN (AZ), riding WENDO; Kay Lorenzen, owner; Wagnis, sire; Meannie, dam; Jana Wagner, breeder .........................................................................................66.053% First Level Open 1. ONYX; Karissa Gearen, owner; Kaitlyn Twardzik, rider; Liberty, sire; Opal, dam; Karann Oury, breeder ............................................................................68.802% Third Level Junior/Young Rider 2. PHANTOM FAN SEAKELE; Tina Wallick, owner/rider; Diablo Wally, sire; 1. GILLIAN COWLEY (NY), riding GABRIELLA ROSSELLINI; Gillian Cowley, owner; Country Lady Deligth, dam; Launetta Oakleaf & Tammi Nowick, breeders................................67.872% Gambol, sire; Melvira, dam; Belinda Nairn-Wertman, breeder ..................................................64.272%
CAPITANO, owner Shelley Schuler (PA), rider Angelia Bean (PA)—First Level Open (Am. Warmblood Reg.)
GABRIELLA ROSSELLINI, owner/rider Gillian Cowley (NY)—Third Level Jr/YR (Am. Warmblood Reg.)
DEMITASSE, owner/rider Blaire Aldridge Dean (MO)— Third Level Mus. Freestyle (Am. Warmblood Reg.)
USDF CONNECTION
•
February 2016
159
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
HALLOWEEN FHM, owner Leslie McCulloch (NY)—Fouryear-old and older Stallions (Am. Trakehner Assn.)
Grand Prix Adult Amateur
1. PISSARRO; Sherry Littlejohn, owner/rider; Rembrandt, sire; 1. CANDACE PLATZ (ME), riding FYNN*/*/*/*/*/; Candace Platz, owner .......................................63.350% Pepper Ann Titan, dam; Jim & Sherry Littlejohn, breeders .........................................................67.317% 2. LEGATO; Anne Ward, owner/rider; L’Andiamo, sire; Fantastic, dam; Janet Youse, breeder .........65.687% Training Level Junior/Young Rider 1. KAITLYN BRITTENDALL (GA), riding TASCHI Z; Kaitlyn & Suzanne Brittendall, owners; Oh Babu Bertus, sire; Mary Estabrook, breeder ...........................................................................67.727% Third Level Open 1. FHF CRUISEWOOD; Dixie Pederson, owner; Mandalyn Skiles, rider; Cottonwood Flame, sire; Third Level Junior/Young Rider Miss Caribbean Bay, dam; Forrest Hill Farm & Margaret Kaiser, breeders ...................................64.122% 1. MANDALYN SKILES (IN), riding FHF CRUISEWOOD; Dixie Pederson, owner; Cottonwood Flame, sire; 2. DONABELLA; Shelly Schoenfeld, owner; Cecilia Cox, rider; Highlight, sire; Miss Caribbean Bay, dam; Forrest Hill Farm & Margaret Kaiser, breeders ...................................64.122% Fair Rock, dam; Shelly Schoenfeld, breeder .................................................................................62.821%
Prix St. Georges Junior/Young Rider
Fourth Level Open 1. JOSS; Jann Rappe, owner/rider ....................................................................................................62.180% 2. STORYTIME; Debra Tomajko, owner/rider; Derwin Rebound, sire; Rocky Mount, dam; Laurence Roberts, breeder...........................................................................61.714%
1. JENNIFER FOULON (MD), riding MR. M; Jennifer Foulon, owner; Master, sire; Napolita, dam; Kristina Keskinen, breeder ..................................................................................65.000%
Training Level Vintage Cup 1. BONNIE GORICHAN (MI), riding ZAMARA; Bonnie Gorichan, owner ...........................................62.273%
Prix St. Georges Open 1. MR. M; Jennifer Foulon, owner/rider; Master, sire; Napolita, dam; Kristina Keskinen, breeder.......65.000%
First Level Vintage Cup
Intermediate I Open
1. TINA WALLICK (OH), riding PHANTOM FAN SEAKELE; Tina Wallick, owner; Diablo Wally, sire; Country Lady Deligth, dam; Launetta Oakleaf & Tammi Nowick, breeders................................67.872%
1. PIPER; Elizabeth Carlin, owner; Jill Allard, rider; Tresor, sire; Ted’s Pockets, dam; Sara McCormick, breeder..............................................................................67.171%
Second Level Vintage Cup
Grand Prix Open
1. SHERRY LITTLEJOHN (WA), riding PISSARRO; Sherry Littlejohn, owner; Rembrandt, sire; Pepper Ann Titan, dam; Jim & Sherry Littlejohn, breeders .........................................................67.317%
1. FYNN*/*/*/*/*/; Candace Platz, owner/rider .............................................................................63.350%
Training Level Adult Amateur
Third Level Vintage Cup
1. CECILIA COX (TX), riding DONABELLA; Shelly Schoenfeld, owner; Highlight, sire; 1. SARA STONE (IL), riding GOTHAM; Sara Stone, owner; Gabriel, sire; Fair Rock, dam; Shelly Schoenfeld, breeder .................................................................................62.821% Mystic, dam; Indian Hills Sport Horses, breeder ..........................................................................74.290% Fourth Level Vintage Cup 2. KAITLYN TWARDZIK (IL), riding ONYX; Karissa Gearen, owner; Liberty, sire; Opal, dam; Karann Oury, breeder.................................................................................................70.402% 1. JANN RAPPE (WA), riding JOSS; Jann Rappe, owner ...................................................................62.180% 2. DEBRA TOMAJKO (NJ), riding STORYTIME; Debra Tomajko, owner; First Level Adult Amateur Derwin Rebound, sire; Rocky Mount, dam; Laurence Roberts, breeder .....................................61.714% 1. KAITLYN TWARDZIK (IL), riding ONYX; Karissa Gearen, owner; Liberty, sire; Opal, dam; Karann Oury, breeder.................................................................................................68.802% Grand Prix Vintage Cup 1. CANDACE PLATZ (ME), riding FYNN*/*/*/*/*/; Candace Platz, owner .......................................63.350% 2. TINA WALLICK (OH), riding PHANTOM FAN SEAKELE; Tina Wallick, owner; Diablo Wally, sire; Country Lady Deligth, dam; Launetta Oakleaf & Tammi Nowick, breeders ..67.872% Second Level Musical Freestyle 1. PISSARRO; Sherry Littlejohn, owner/rider; Rembrandt, sire; Pepper Ann Titan, dam; Jim & Sherry Littlejohn, breeders .........................................................70.167% 1. SHERRY LITTLEJOHN (WA), riding PISSARRO; Sherry Littlejohn, owner; Rembrandt, sire; Pepper Ann Titan, dam; Jim & Sherry Littlejohn, breeders .............................67.317% Third Level Musical Freestyle 2. ANNE WARD (FL), riding LEGATO; Anne Ward, owner; L’Andiamo, sire; 1. FHF CRUISEWOOD; Dixie Pederson, owner; Mandalyn Skiles, rider; Cottonwood Flame, sire; Fantastic, dam; Janet Youse, breeder ...........................................................................................65.687% Miss Caribbean Bay, dam; Forrest Hill Farm & Margaret Kaiser, breeders ...................................69.938% 2. DONABELLA; Shelly Schoenfeld, owner; Cecilia Cox, rider; Highlight, sire; Third Level Adult Amateur Fair Rock, dam; Shelly Schoenfeld, breeder .................................................................................66.833% 1. CECILIA COX (TX), riding DONABELLA; Shelly Schoenfeld, owner; Highlight, sire; Fair Rock, dam; Shelly Schoenfeld, breeder ........................................................62.821% Fourth Level Musical Freestyle 1. BEAU-REGARD; Clare Morrison, owner; Clare Morrison & Jennifer Conour, riders; Fourth Level Adult Amateur JAS St Sweetheart Rudy, sire; Coaxed, dam; Patricia Clark, breeder............................................64.350% 1. JANN RAPPE (WA), riding JOSS; Jann Rappe, owner ...................................................................62.180% 2. DEBRA TOMAJKO (NJ), riding STORYTIME; Debra Tomajko, owner; Grand Prix Musical Freestyle Derwin Rebound, sire; Rocky Mount, dam; Laurence Roberts, breeder .....................................61.714% 1. FYNN*/*/*/*/*/; Candace Platz, owner; Candace Platz, rider.....................................................67.500%
Second Level Adult Amateur
JOSS, owner/rider Jann Rappe (WA)—Fourth Level Open, AA, & Vintage Cup (Am. Warmblood Soc.)
MR. M, owner/rider Jennifer Foulon (MD)—PSG Open & Jr/Yr (Am. Warmblood Soc.)
160 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
DONABELLA, owner Shelly Schoenfeld (PA), rider Cecilia Cox (TX)—Third Level AA & Vintage Cup (Am. Warmblood Soc.)
LEFT: ©MEG MCGUIRE PHOTOGRAPHY; RIGHT: SUSANJSTICKLE.COM
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
Second Level Open
FOREST FIRE N ICE, owner/rider Linda Kelley (AK)—Training Level Open & AA (Appaloosa Horse Club)
Appaloosa Horse Club Inc. Training Level Open
LAKOTA LACE, owner Janet Wingate (CO), rider Shannon Dahmer (CO)—I-II Open (Appaloosa Horse Club)
Training Level Vintage Cup 1. PATRICIA ESTES (FL), riding IMAGE OF GLORY; Patricia Estes, owner; Nuggets Super Shado, sire; KK the Dream Begins, dam; Lisa Estridge, breeder .........................63.846%
1. FOREST FIRE N ICE; Linda Kelley, owner/rider; Jade Forest, sire; Chocklate Sprinkles, dam; Timothy McCoy, breeder ....................................................................69.891% First Level Musical Freestyle 2. SPOTTED IN A CROWD; Melinda Freckleton, owner/rider............................................................68.628% 1. TVR DUNNY CHIP; Linda Kelley, owner/rider; T&C Diamond Chip, sire; Bi-O-Baby Plaudit, dam; Totten Valley Ranch, breeder ...............................................................69.500%
TOP MIDDLE AND BOTTOM LEFT: BRENDA PARDEE; TOP RIGHT: SANDY GRAHAM PEARCE; BOTTOM RIGHT: BJC PHOTOGRAPHY
First Level Open 1. MAGIC IN THE DARK; Kim Bazer, owner; Emily Lasher, rider; IDZ of Magic, sire; Ladies in Mercedes, dam; Jean Mustaikis, breeder ........................................67.051% 2. TVR DUNNY CHIP; Linda Kelley, owner/rider; T&C Diamond Chip, sire; Bi-O-Baby Plaudit, dam; Totten Valley Ranch, breeder ...............................................................66.029%
ARABIAN
Intermediate II Open
Training Level Open
Arabian Horse Association
1. LAKOTA LACE; Janet Wingate, owner; Shannon Dahmer, rider ...................................................61.711% 1. ZLA PEPETS REGALO; Katie Keim, owner/rider; Kar Pepet, sire; Pea-Leyn, dam; Lea Boyle, breeder..............................................................................................68.978% 2. ASR FADLS WILLIE; Marilyn Weber, owner/rider; ASR Bah Rous, sire; Training Level Adult Amateur Ahmeds Aamala, dam; Rivian & Tom Gardner, breeders.............................................................67.045% 1. LINDA KELLEY (AK), riding FOREST FIRE N ICE; Linda Kelley, owner; Jade Forest, sire; Chocklate Sprinkles, dam; Timothy McCoy, breeder.........................................69.891% 3. TARIM TZ; Carol Di Maggio, owner; Peyton Lesser, rider; Taez, sire; Va Countess Alysa, dam; Carol Di Maggio, breeder......................................................................66.775% 2. MELINDA FRECKLETON (VA), riding SPOTTED IN A CROWD; Melinda Freckleton, owner............68.628% 4. AM VICTORY PARADE++; Paula Nelson, owner; Sara Kerr, Kathryn Doyle, Paula Nelson & Jackie Alkin, riders; AM Power Raid, sire; Amlightening Raid, dam; Bazy Tankersely, breeder ........66.304% First Level Adult Amateur 5. ENLIGHTENED; Kim Lacy & Patience Prine-Carr, owners; Kim Lacy, rider; 1. LINDA KELLEY (AK), riding TVR DUNNY CHIP; Linda Kelley, owner; OKW Entrigue, sire; Electrical Storm, dam; Patience Prine-Carr, breeder....................................66.087% T&C Diamond Chip, sire; Bi-O-Baby Plaudit, dam; Totten Valley Ranch, breeder .......................66.029% 2. TRACY LADD (CA), riding WILLY’S NATIVE SPIRIT; Tracy Ladd, owner; I Love Willie, sire; Miss Raba Deal, dam; Jerry & Susan Senteney, breeders................................64.818% First Level Open 1. SSHAQ++++//; Dayton & Debbie Canaday, owners; Debbie Canaday, rider; Sshameless, sire; D E Naztravia, dam; Shellbird Inc., breeder......................................................68.719% Training Level Junior/Young Rider 2. AUR MYSTIC ILLUSION ; Edward Dodd & Sandra Warren, owners; 1. KIERSTEN PRATT (IL), riding KF LACED BY LUKE; Kiersten, Sue & Tim Pratt, owners; Amy Miller, rider; Aur Mystic, sire; Aleeiaha, dam; Sandra Warren, breeder...............................68.516% Mr. Cool Hand Luke, sire; Ms. Roxy Roller, dam; Sonya Wrigglesworth, breeder ........................64.205%
TVR DUNNY CHIP, owner/rider Linda Kelley (AK)— First Level AA & Mus. Freestyle (Appaloosa Horse Club)
IMAGE OF GLORY, owner/rider Patricia Estes (FL)—Training Level Vintage Cup (Appaloosa Horse Club)
USDF CONNECTION
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161
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
PHANTOM FAN SEAKELE, owner/rider Tina Wallick (OH)— First Level Vintage Cup (Am. Warmblood Soc.)
Grand Prix Open
Second Level Open
1. ALEROS; Barbara Parkening, owner; Hilda Gurney, rider; Cal Dorado, sire; 1. DANCE FEVOR; Jessica Litt, owner/rider; Hey Hallelujah++//, sire; Lahrushe, dam; Barbara Parkening, breeder ...............................................................................67.150% Dancing Love, dam; Strawberry Banks Farm, breeder ................................................................67.958% 2. BEY MOON ZELA; Dawn & Samantha Hodgson, owners; Samantha Hodgson, rider; 2. EMILIO BFA+; Iva Knapp, owner; Donna Kelly, rider; ML Mostly Padron, sire; Bask-o-Zel, sire; Mar Abbie, dam; Robert Wagner & Sandy Godfrey, breeders ..........................62.800% MC Psynammon, dam; Cecil & Frances Butler and Jeff & Sybil Collins, breeders........................67.531% 3. NITE WINGS ESF; Kristine Phelps, owner/rider; Dahri El Jahdin, sire; 3. TRADE SECRET CC; Darsie Bell, owner/rider; Allience+//, sire; Saabra CC, dam; April Nite Magic, dam; Frederick & Sherry Lutz, breeders ...........................................................60.425% Cedar Crest Arabians, breeder ......................................................................................................66.684% 4. KNIGHT THYME SA; Katherine Pfeil, owner; Katherine Pfeil & Roberta Josephs, riders; Pryme Thyme, sire; Khurina Y, dam; June & Tom Yahola, breeders .............................................66.220% Training Level Adult Amateur 1. KATIE KEIM (IL), riding ZLA PEPETS REGALO; Katie Keim, owner; 5. ANDARAZJA ROSE; Tara Wigmosta, owner/rider; Out of Cyte, sire; Kar Pepet, sire; Pea-Leyn, dam; Lea Boyle, breeder.....................................................................68.978% CA Alexandria, dam; Tara Wigmosta, breeder .............................................................................65.793% 2. PHYLLIS WALSH (MI), riding STONE OF FIRE; Phyllis Walsh, owner; Sunstone Bey, sire; SS Black Sapphire, dam; Mercury Farms, breeder ........................................65.410% Third Level Open 3. KATIE KEIM (IL), riding HH FOOTLOOSE; Katie Keim, owner; 1. EMILIO BFA+; Iva Knapp, owner; Donna Kelly, rider; ML Mostly Padron, sire; Bask Flame, sire; Miss Berri V, dam; Kathleen & Nicholas Goyak, breeders.................................65.205% MC Psynammon, dam; Cecil & Frances Butler and Jeff & Sybil Collins, breeders........................68.374% 4. CAROLINE GALECKI (VA), riding AL-MARAH PARADE POWER; Caroline Galecki, owner; 2. AM CHOSE OTHELLO; Al-Marah Arabian Horses LLC, owner; Kassandra Barteau, rider; AM Double Dream, sire; Amlightening Raid, dam; Bazy Tankersely, breeder.............................63.182% Bremervale Andronicus, sire; Babre Rosemary, dam; Bazy Tankersely, breeder.........................67.931% 3. EL DA VINCI; Cynthia Course, owner; Kailee Surplus, rider; SH Rembrandt, sire; Shahrai, dam; Jennifer Madden, breeder ....................................................................................65.897% First Level Adult Amateur 4. EVG YNYR; Stephanie Parrish, owner/rider; Saladins Allon+, sire; 1. DEBBIE CANADAY (AK), riding SSHAQ++++//; Dayton & Debbie Canaday, owners; Gai Annalisha, dam; Elizabeth & Harold Green, breeders............................................................64.884% Sshameless, sire; D E Naztravia, dam; Shellbird Inc., breeder......................................................68.719% 5. BEAUDELAIRE; Jolynn Rogers, owner; Hilda Gurney, rider; 2. KAYLA REIMER (IL), riding SUNDARA BFA; Kayla Reimer, owner; Psymadre, sire; Chances Star Turf, sire; DC Holyproof, dam; Jolynn Rogers, breeder............................................64.697% BFA Hollymystique, dam; C.A. Butler & Edwin Crain, breeders ...................................................67.133% 3. KAYLA REIMER (IL), riding FOCUS PHANTASM; Kayla Reimer, owner; Prince Fanali, sire; Focus Shafana, dam; James Becker, breeder .................................................65.000% Fourth Level Open 4. ABBY TYMCHAK (PA), riding GOLD REFLECTION; Abby Tymchak, owner; 1. AM HEYYOU STAR++++//; Al-Marah Arabian Horses LLC, owner; Keeley Clark, rider; BL Majestic Gold, sire; Kailua Bay, dam; Raoul Baxter, breeder...................................................64.518% AM Good Oldboy, sire; AM Dream Playmate, dam; Bazy Tankersely, breeder.............................64.722% 5. TAMMY BOWERS (WA), riding TA IM TOO HSEXY; Tammy Bowers, owner; 2. LP SNICKERS; Linda Freeman, owner; Michelle Freeman, rider; Nyn Hisani, sire; DE Elusiv Victory, dam; Lyle Sinclair & Roger Gardner, breeders.......................63.897% Pasos Perfection, sire; La Lali, dam; Debra & Michael Vernon, breeders .....................................62.667%
Prix St. Georges Open
Second Level Adult Amateur
1. FOCUS SHALIMOR; Marilyn & Tom Weber, owners; Marilyn Weber, rider; 1. JESSICA LITT (OH), riding DANCE FEVOR; Jessica Litt, owner; Hey Hallelujah++//, sire; Focus Shali, sire; Focus Khemadoll, dam; Loy Davidson, breeder................................................62.303% Dancing Love, dam; Strawberry Banks Farm, breeder ................................................................67.958% 2. DARSIE BELL (WA), riding TRADE SECRET CC; Darsie Bell, owner; Allience+//, sire; Saabra CC, dam; Cedar Crest Arabians, breeder ...........................................................................66.684% Intermediate I Open 3. TARA WIGMOSTA (WA), riding ANDARAZJA ROSE; Tara Wigmosta, owner; 1. PSYMBAD VF; Kara Somerville, owner/rider; Psymadre, sire; Mistral Bey, dam; Out of Cyte, sire; CA Alexandria, dam; Tara Wigmosta, breeder ..................................................65.793% Ventura Farms, breeder ................................................................................................................65.263% 4. JODI REYNOLDS (AZ), riding CJA DEBBONHEIR; Jodi Reynolds, owner; 2. AURORA MR; James Ernst, owner; Danielle Casalett, rider; JS Padronov, sire; The Million Heir, sire; CJA Lorelei, dam; Debra & Joan Mingst, breeders.....................................65.427% EL Disar Eve, dam; James Ernst, breeder ......................................................................................63.092% 5. SUSANNE LANINI (CA), riding JUST IN KAYCE; Susanne Lanini, owner; 3. TUXEDO THYME ABA; Barbara Suvaka, owner; Jamie Lawton, rider; Showkayce, sire; Kaitana, dam; Carol Steppe, breeder................................................................64.878% Pyro Thyme SA, sire; SMA Alad Khelima, dam; Barbara & Daniel Suvaka, breeders ..................62.698%
DANCE FEVOR, owner/rider Jessica Litt (OH)—Second Level Open & AA (Arabian Horse Assn.—Purebred)
EMILIO BFA+, owner Iva Knapp (NC), rider Donna Kelly (NC)—Third Level Open (Arabian Horse Assn.—Purebred)
162 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
BEY MOON ZELA, owners Dawn & Samantha Hodgson (NJ), rider Samantha Hodgson (NJ)—I-II Open (Arabian Horse Assn.—Purebred )
MIDDLE: TRACY KELSEY PHOTOGRAPHY
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
3. SUNDARA BFA; Kayla Reimer, owner; Heather Cochrane & Kayla Reimer, riders; Intermediate II Open Psymadre, sire; BFA Hollymystique, dam; C.A. Butler & Edwin Crain, breeders..........................67.206% 1. BEY MOON ZELA; Dawn & Samantha Hodgson, owners; Samantha Hodgson, rider; 4. BP CALEESA; April & Claire Nickelson, owners; Claire Nickelson, rider; Bask-o-Zel, sire; Mar Abbie, dam; Robert Wagner & Sandy Godfrey, breeders ..........................62.632% TDR White Stone, sire; Suad Eleesa, dam; Carolyn Meinhardt, breeder ......................................65.956% 2. NITE WINGS ESF; Kristine Phelps, owner/rider; Dahri El Jahdin, sire; 5. VIKHTORIA BEY; Ashtyn Brandt, owner; Samantha Melchiori & Ashtyn Brandt, riders; April Nite Magic, dam; Frederick & Sherry Lutz, breeders ...........................................................62.105% WR Madison Bey, sire; Shahsvictorydanse, dam; Elizabeth Ballogh, breeder ............................65.147%
Training Level Junior/Young Rider
1. PEYTON LESSER (CA), riding TARIM TZ; Carol Di Maggio, owner; Second Level Vintage Cup Taez, sire; Va Countess Alysa, dam; Carol Di Maggio, breeder......................................................66.775% 1. DEBBIE CANADAY (AK), riding SSHAQ++++//; Dayton & Debbie Canaday, owners; 2. ELLA FRUCHTERMAN (MN), riding SOFINE STRAIT MAN; Ella Fruchterman, owner; Sshameless, sire; D E Naztravia, dam; Shellbird Inc., breeder......................................................64.207% Cahafra Inferno+, sire; SA Passing Fancy, dam; Joanna & Leary Friebele, breeders...................65.682% 2. ELLEN COROB (CA), riding HR MAVERICK; Mary Poelke, owner; Kharbon Khopi++++//, sire; 3. MACKENZIE RIVERS (TX), riding ROL CYLENT ALARM; Mackenzie Rivers, owner; HR Brittany Bey, dam; Mary & Michael Poelke, breeders ............................................................62.703% Cytosk, sire; Matoska, dam; R O Lervick Arabians, breeder..........................................................65.577% 3. CAROL MESCHTER (CA), riding ALA COWBOY; Carol Meschter, owner; 4. CLAIRE NICKELSON (MO), riding BP CALEESA; April & Claire Nickelson, owners; Cable Cowboy, sire; ALA Princess, dam; Gary Magness, breeder.................................................60.594% TDR White Stone, sire; Suad Eleesa, dam; Carolyn Meinhardt, breeder ......................................65.227%
LEFT: DARCIE STROBACH/HIGHLANDPHOTOSBYDARCIE.COM; MIDDLE: BRADY CAMPBELL PHOTOGRAPHY; RIGHT: PHOTO BY SUZANNE)
First Level Junior/Young Rider
Prix St. Georges Vintage Cup
1. MARILYN WEBER (IL), riding FOCUS SHALIMOR; Marilyn & Tom Weber, owners; 1. CLAIRE NICKELSON (MO), riding BP CALEESA; April & Claire Nickelson, owners; Focus Shali, sire; Focus Khemadoll, dam; Loy Davidson, breeder................................................62.303% TDR White Stone, sire; Suad Eleesa, dam; Carolyn Meinhardt, breeder ......................................65.956% 2. ASHTYN BRANDT (IL), riding VIKHTORIA BEY; Ashtyn Brandt, owner; WR Madison Bey, sire; Shahsvictorydanse, dam; Elizabeth Ballogh, breeder .................................................................64.688% HALF-ARABIAN 3. MORGAN RIVERS (TX), riding TAMAR ELEGANT MISS; Morgan Rivers, owner; Neposzar, sire; Equidam Elan, dam; Tamara Hanby, breeder.......................................................64.394% Training Level Open 1. FLASHFEUER; Kirsten Poole & William Campbell, owners; Kirsten Poole, rider; 4. ELLA FRUCHTERMAN (MN), riding SOFINE STRAIT MAN; Ella Fruchterman, owner; Feurertanzer, sire; Aralee Durriel, dam; James & Suzanne Mckinley, breeders...........................71.591% Cahafra Inferno+, sire; SA Passing Fancy, dam; Joanna & Leary Friebele, breeders...................62.500% 2. SRC ALEJANDRO; Diane & Jenna Upchurch, owners; Jenna Upchurch, rider; Loki, sire; Alexsandria, dam; Adrienne Hancock-Leong, breeder ................................................70.284% Second Level Junior/Young Rider 3. KINETIC ROMANCE; Joanna Norman, owner; Joanna Norman & Missy Gilliland, riders; 1. STEPHANIE PARRISH (WA), riding EVG YNYR; Stephanie Parrish, owner; Draco, sire; Bemy Sunshine, dam; Kristine Grosz & Randy Knutson, breeders............................70.192% Saladins Allon+, sire; Gai Annalisha, dam; Elizabeth & Harold Green, breeders........................63.659% 4. HOTSTEPPER RTA; Renee Kramer, owner; Cathryn Bauer, rider; Sandor, sire; Flame Dancer, dam; Red Tail Arabians LLC, breeder ....................................................................69.886% Third Level Junior/Young Rider 5. VF MAJESTIC ROGUE++/; Madeline Jahns, owner/rider; LFD Amir Rogue, sire; 1. STEPHANIE PARRISH (WA), riding EVG YNYR; Stephanie Parrish, owner; Majestic Holme, dam; Kristen Valencia, breeder .........................................................................67.693% Saladins Allon+, sire; Gai Annalisha, dam; Elizabeth & Harold Green, breeders........................64.884% 2. KEELEY CLARK (FL), riding AM HEYYOU STAR++++//; Al-Marah Arabian Horses LLC, owner; AM Good Oldboy, sire; AM Dream Playmate, dam; Bazy Tankersely, breeder.............................62.532% First Level Open 1. ARISTOCRAT CD; Jan Roeder, owner; Amy Miller, rider; Aleros, sire; 3. AMANDA HOWELL (OR), riding HH ANTONIA; Jonathan Howell, owner; Leonora, dam; Barbara Parkening, breeder .................................................................................70.956% HH Allegro, sire; Balquena V, dam; Kathleen & Nicholas Goyak, breeders ..................................61.218% 2. SRC ALEJANDRO; Diane & Jenna Upchurch, owners; Jenna Upchurch, rider; Loki, sire; Alexsandria, dam; Adrienne Hancock-Leong, breeder ................................................69.310% Fourth Level Junior/Young Rider 3. HA URIAH STAR; Dru Rouse, owner; Sheila McElwee, rider; Uriah, sire; 1. KEELEY CLARK (FL), riding AM HEYYOU STAR++++//; Al-Marah Arabian Horses LLC, owner; Sch Star Struck, dam; Betty Hinton, breeder ...............................................................................68.456% AM Good Oldboy, sire; AM Dream Playmate, dam; Bazy Tankersely, breeder.............................64.722% 4. RULETTE; Susan Bender, owner/rider; Scrabble, sire; Ramona, dam; Richard Freeman, breeder...................................................................................67.778% Training Level Vintage Cup 5. TAGG YORR IT; Sonja Hampton, owner; Claire Nickelson & Andrew Amsden, riders; 1. MARILYN WEBER (IL), riding ASR FADLS WILLIE; Marilyn Weber, owner; Jorrit, sire; Talsharafa, dam; Don & Jill Lenzini, breeders .............................................................67.500% ASR Bah Rous, sire; Ahmeds Aamala, dam; Rivian & Tom Gardner, breeders.............................67.045%
BP CALEESA, owners April & Claire Nickelson (MO), rider Claire Nickelson (MO)—First Level Jr/YR (Arabian Horse Assn.—Purebred)
EVG YNYR, owner/rider Stephanie Parrish (WA)—Second & Third Level Jr/YR (Arabian Horse Assn.—Purebred)
FLASHFEUER, owners Kirsten Poole (PA) & William Campbell (PA), rider Kirsten Poole (PA)—Training Level Open & Vintage Cup (Arabian Horse Assn.—Half-Arabian)
USDF CONNECTION
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ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
2. PHYLLIS WALSH (MI), riding STONE OF FIRE; Phyllis Walsh, owner; Sunstone Bey, sire; SS Black Sapphire, dam; Mercury Farms, breeder ........................................65.410% 1. MICHELLE FREEMAN (IL), riding LP SNICKERS; Linda Freeman, owner; Pasos Perfection, sire; La Lali, dam; Debra & Michael Vernon, breeders .....................................64.231% 1. TARA WIGMOSTA (WA), riding ANDARAZJA ROSE; Tara Wigmosta, owner; First Level Vintage Cup Out of Cyte, sire; CA Alexandria, dam; Tara Wigmosta, breeder ..................................................64.231% 1. DEBBIE CANADAY (AK), riding SSHAQ++++//; Dayton & Debbie Canaday, owners; Sshameless, sire; D E Naztravia, dam; Shellbird Inc., breeder......................................................68.719% Fourth Level Adult Amateur 2. TAMMY BOWERS (WA), riding TA IM TOO HSEXY; Tammy Bowers, owner; 1. MICHELLE FREEMAN (IL), riding LP SNICKERS; Linda Freeman, owner; Nyn Hisani, sire; DE Elusiv Victory, dam; Lyle Sinclair & Roger Gardner, breeders.......................63.897% Pasos Perfection, sire; La Lali, dam; Debra & Michael Vernon, breeders .....................................62.667% 3. PHYLLIS WALSH (MI), riding STONE OF FIRE; Phyllis Walsh, owner; Sunstone Bey, sire; SS Black Sapphire, dam; Mercury Farms, breeder ........................................62.353%
Third Level Adult Amateur
Third Level Open
1. UWANNABEME WH; Johnny Robb, owner; John Zopatti, rider; Baske Afire, sire; Kimberly, dam; Windholme Farm LLC, breeder ...........................................................................67.949% 2. KAMERAM RHAPSODY+/; Iva Knapp, owner; Donna Kelly, rider; Rolling Stone, sire; Kameram Sierra, dam; Iva Knapp, breeder ..................................................................................67.121% 3. KHEMOS KHOPI; Heather Albright-Rudd & John Albright, owners; Heather Albright-Rudd, rider; Kharbon Khopi++++//, sire; Do Yourself Proud, dam; John Albright, breeder........................66.795% 3. AF AUGUST STAR; Angela Wilson, owner; Jessica Wisdom, rider; Feuertanzer, sire; El Fara Nicole, dam; Helene Richards, breeder .............................................................................66.795% 5. CAPRIUS; Kari McClain, owner/rider; Contucci, sire; CW Chelsea Bey, dam; Debra Hocking, breeder................................................................................................................64.318%
Fourth Level Open
Training Level Adult Amateur 1. SHANA BLUM (WA), riding BOHEMIAN RHAPSHAHDY; Shana Blum, owner; Rohara Shahquille, sire; La Bohem, dam; Daleen & Dwight Holt, breeders ...............................67.443% 2. ANNE ZAHRADNIK (NY), riding ALF FREETIME; Anne Zahradnik, owner; Spring Sojourrn, dam; Mary Newton, breeder ............................................................................67.159% 3. ASHLEY GREGORY (TN), riding HIGHLITE VII; Michele Brase, owner; Illusion GA, sire; Gitchee Ya Ya, dam; Michele Brase, breeder ......................................................66.591% 4. EVELYN RIEHL (IL), riding WC DEALINA; Evelyn Riehl, owner; DeLaurentis, sire; Angelina Wind, dam; A.K. & Debra Morgan, breeders ................................................................66.136% 5. SUE SCHULTZ (IL), riding M.M. AMERICAN PI; Sue Schultz, owner; MM Amali Shetan, sire; Tinsel Tam, dam; Sue Schultz, breeder ..................................................65.227%
1. KAMERAM RHAPSODY+/; Iva Knapp, owner; Donna Kelly, rider; First Level Adult Amateur Rolling Stone, sire; Kameram Sierra, dam; Iva Knapp, breeder...................................................64.861% 1. SUSAN BENDER (SC), riding RULETTE; Susan Bender, owner; Scrabble, sire; 2. BR DANNYS SECRET; Linda Butz, owner; Angelia Bean, rider; Ramona, dam; Richard Freeman, breeder...................................................................................67.778% Danny, sire; Julliet, dam; Randy & Sherry Lucas, breeders ..........................................................63.649% 2. STEPHANIE ECKELKAMP (MN), riding FAMES HARLEY GIRL; Stephanie Eckelkamp, owner; The Color of Fame, sire; College Tuition, dam; Beverly Teigen, breeder.......................................67.436% Prix St. Georges Open 3. CARLA SCARMAZZI (VA), riding RS ROYAL EDITION; Carla Scarmazzi, owner; 1. ELIJAS TRUBADOR MGF; Tracy Pierce, owner/rider; Ballience V, sire; Rosa Linda, dam; Cameron & Mike Stewart, breeders......................................64.927% Trubadors Madrigal, sire; Sizzlin Scotch, dam; Laura Venne, breeder .........................................66.184% 4. JACKIE MOSS (IL), riding ROYALES PAINTED DIXIE; Mary Skittino, owner; 2. FA PATRIOT; Cindy, Ernie & Katie Lang, owners; Katie Lang, rider; Blue Winston Streak, sire; SBA Royale C, dam; Mary Skittino, breeder .......................................63.990% Flurry of Ca-Lyn, sire; La Sada Mega, dam; Jerry Thornton, breeder...........................................65.823% 5. CHARMA FARGO (OH), riding SRC GABRIELLA; Charma Fargo, owner; 3. TRIFECTA; Betty Horst & Courtney Horst-Cutright, owners; Courtney Horst-Cutright, rider; Loki, sire; SRC Lady in Red, dam; Adrienne Hancock-Leong, breeder .........................................62.941% Traumdeuter, sire; HCF Falanne, dam; Betty Horst & Courtney Horst-Cutright, breeders ..........65.132% 4. BUSTER BEY+; Radene Gordon-Beck, owner; Radene Gordon-Beck & Kristine Phelps, riders; CG Champagn High, sire; Rare Silk, dam; Jill Hufford, breeder....................................................64.868% Second Level Adult Amateur 1. CRYSTAL HAGEN (MI), riding HALSTON; Jean Hagen, owner; 5. FIRGROVE PALADIN+//; Sheila McElwee, owner/rider; Oxenholm Pastis, sire; Shatter Proof, sire; First Kat, dam; Jean Hagen, breeder..............................................................66.250% Mi-Gai Pacifica, dam; Kaye Phaneuf, breeder..............................................................................64.013% 2. CYNTHIA DEROUSIE (MI), riding KURT ALI KHAN; Cynthia DeRousie, owner; Focus Ali Khan, sire; A Zippo Lighter, dam; Roselee Bickhaus, breeder.......................................63.587% Intermediate I Open 3. CARLA SCARMAZZI (VA), riding RS ROYAL EDITION; Carla Scarmazzi, owner; 1. BUSTER BEY+; Radene Gordon-Beck, owner; Radene Gordon-Beck & Kristine Phelps, riders; Ballience V, sire; Rosa Linda, dam; Cameron & Mike Stewart, breeders......................................61.061% CG Champagn High, sire; Rare Silk, dam; Jill Hufford, breeder....................................................65.000% 2. TRIFECTA; Betty Horst & Courtney Horst-Cutright, owners; Courtney Horst-Cutright, rider; Traumdeuter, sire; HCF Falanne, dam; Betty Horst & Courtney Horst-Cutright, breeders ..........64.211% Third Level Adult Amateur 1. HEATHER ALBRIGHT-RUDD (IN), riding KHEMOS KHOPI; Heather Albright-Rudd & John Albright, 3. FIRGROVE PALADIN+//; Sheila McElwee, owner/rider; Oxenholm Pastis, sire; owners; Kharbon Khopi++++//, sire; Do Yourself Proud, dam; John Albright, breeder..........66.795% Mi-Gai Pacifica, dam; Kaye Phaneuf, breeder..............................................................................61.777%
ARISTOCRAT CD, owner Jan Roeder (CA), rider Amy Miller (CA)—First Level Open (Arabian Horse Assn.—HalfArabian)
UWANNABEME WH, owner Johnny Robb (FL), rider John Zopatti (NC)—Third Level Open (Arabian Horse Assn.—Half-Arabian)
164 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
KAMERAM RHAPSODY+/, owner Iva Knapp (NC), rider Donna Kelly (NC)—Fourth Level Open (Arabian Horse Assn.—Half-Arabian)
RIGHT: TRACY KELSEY PHOTOGRAPHY
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
4. CA DAVIGN; Judy Coats, owner/rider; CA Dillon, sire; Daniella, dam; Crossen Arabians LLC and Susan & Thomas Crossen, breeders....................................................60.987% 1. EF RAFIKKI; Sarah Duclos, owner/rider; Rosenthal, sire; Sabiyana, dam; Leah McGregor, breeder .....................................................................................68.326% Intermediate II Open 2. ARISTOCRAT CD; Jan Roeder, owner; Amy Miller, rider; Aleros, sire; Leonora, dam; Barbara Parkening, breeder .................................................................................68.219% 1. IVE BEEN RIPPED+; Linda Freeman, owner; Jessica Gould, rider; Shennendoahs Pride, sire; Roscza Sadon, dam; David & Mary Skittino, breeders .................................................................61.612% 3. HA URIAH STAR; Dru Rouse, owner; Sheila McElwee, rider; Uriah, sire; SCh Star Struck, dam; Betty Hinton, breeder ...............................................................................66.403% 4. HALSTON; Jean Hagen, owner; Crystal Hagen, rider; Shatter Proof, sire; Grand Prix Open First Kat, dam; Jean Hagen, breeder ............................................................................................66.250% 1. MONDAVI F+++/; Janice Mumford & Kathy Rowse, owners; Adriane Alvord, rider; 5. TAGG YORR IT; Sonja Hampton, owner; Claire Nickelson & Andrew Amsden, riders; Feuertanzer, sire; MRR Suite Dreams, dam; Jennifer Oettle, breeder..........................................63.895% Jorrit, sire; Talsharafa, dam; Don & Jill Lenzini, breeders .............................................................64.939% 2. IVE BEEN RIPPED+; Linda Freeman, owner; Jessica Gould, rider; Shennendoahs Pride, sire; Roscza Sadon, dam; David & Mary Skittino, breeders .................................................................60.300%
Second Level Open
RULETTE, owner/rider Susan Bender (SC)—First Level AA & Vintage Cup (Arabian Horse Assn.—Half-Arabian)
TRIFECTA, owners Betty Horst (MI) & Courtney HorstCutright (MI), rider Courtney Horst-Cutright (MI)—PSG & I-I AA (Arabian Horse Assn.—Half-Arabian)
3. MADELINE JAHNS (AZ), riding VF MAJESTIC ROGUE++/; Madeline Jahns, owner; 2. SARAH NEWTON (MA), riding ALF REINER; Mary Newton, owner; LFD Amir Rogue, sire; Majestic Holme, dam; Kristen Valencia, breeder......................................64.630% Lancaster, sire; Spring Sojouran, dam; Mary Newton, breeder ...................................................62.052% 4. NICOLE BOSSLER (AR), riding COLOUR ME NOT; Hannah & Nicole Bossler, owners; The Color of Fame, sire; Annllif, dam; Janelle Then, breeder .......................................................63.456% Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur 5. ELLA FRUCHTERMAN (MN), riding STARFIRES ORION; Ella Fruchterman, owner; 1. COURTNEY HORST-CUTRIGHT (MI), riding TRIFECTA; Betty Horst & Courtney Horst-Cutright, owners; EL Pele, sire; Driver’s Starfire, dam; Chaun Merkens, breeder......................................................63.382% Traumdeuter, sire; HCF Falanne, dam; Betty Horst & Courtney Horst-Cutright, breeders ..........65.132% 2. JUDY COATS (MI), riding CA DAVIGN; Judy Coats, owner; CA Dillon, sire; Daniella, dam; Crossen Arabians LLC and Susan & Thomas Crossen, breeders....................................................62.270% Second Level Junior/Young Rider 3. CAROL MAVROS (MT), riding FIRST DANCE; Carol Mavros, owner; The Color of Fame, sire; 1. CLAIRE NICKELSON (MO), riding TAGG YORR IT; Sonja Hampton, owner; NR Minuete, dam; Charles R. Hughes Loving Trust, breeder........................................................60.658% Jorrit, sire; Talsharafa, dam; Don & Jill Lenzini, breeders .............................................................63.780%
Intermediate I Adult Amateur
Prix St. Georges Junior/Young Rider 1. COURTNEY HORST-CUTRIGHT (MI), riding TRIFECTA; Betty Horst & Courtney Horst-Cutright, owners; Traumdeuter, sire; HCF Falanne, dam; Betty Horst & Courtney Horst-Cutright, breeders ..........64.211% 1. KATIE LANG (VA), riding FA PATRIOT; Cindy, Ernie & Katie Lang, owners; Flurry of Ca-Lyn, sire; La Sada Mega, dam; Jerry Thornton, breeder...........................................65.823% 2. JUDY COATS (MI), riding CA DAVIGN; Judy Coats, owner; CA Dillon, sire; Daniella, dam; Crossen Arabians LLC and Susan & Thomas Crossen, breeders....................................................60.987%
TOP LEFT: CAROLYNN BUNCH PHOTOGRAPHY; TOP MIDDLE: WNCPHOTO.COM; BOTTOM LEFT: APRIL NICKELSON
Training Level Junior/Young Rider
Grand Prix Junior/Young Rider
1. ADRIANE ALVORD (VA), riding MONDAVI F+++/; Janice Mumford & Kathy Rowse, owners; 1. JENNA UPCHURCH (MO), riding SRC ALEJANDRO; Diane & Jenna Upchurch, owners; Feuertanzer, sire; MRR Suite Dreams, dam; Jennifer Oettle, breeder..........................................63.895% Loki, sire; Alexsandria, dam; Adrienne Hancock-Leong, breeder ................................................70.284% 2. MADELINE JAHNS (AZ), riding VF MAJESTIC ROGUE++/; Madeline Jahns, owner; LFD Amir Rogue, sire; Majestic Holme, dam; Kristen Valencia, breeder......................................67.693% Training Level Vintage Cup 3. ELLA FRUCHTERMAN (MN), riding STARFIRES ORION; Ella Fruchterman, owner; 1. KIRSTEN POOLE (PA), riding FLASHFEUER; Kirsten Poole & William Campbell, owners; EL Pele, sire; Driver’s Starfire, dam; Chaun Merkens, breeder......................................................65.796% Feurertanzer, sire; Aralee Durriel, dam; James & Suzanne Mckinley, breeders...........................71.591% 2. EVELYN RIEHL (IL), riding WC DEALINA; Evelyn Riehl, owner; DeLaurentis, sire; Angelina Wind, dam; A.K. & Debra Morgan, breeders ................................................................66.136% First Level Junior/Young Rider 3. ELLEN COROB (CA), riding LADY SAVANNAH; Mary Poelke, owner; Fabricius, sire; 1. JENNA UPCHURCH (MO), riding SRC ALEJANDRO; Diane & Jenna Upchurch, owners; Flamencka, dam; Cynthia Nutter, breeder ...................................................................................64.318% Loki, sire; Alexsandria, dam; Adrienne Hancock-Leong, breeder ................................................69.310% 4. LESYA UKRAINCHUK (CO), riding PRAIRIE BELL; Lesya Ukrainchuk, owner; 2. CLAIRE NICKELSON (MO), riding TAGG YORR IT; Sonja Hampton, owner; Jorrit, sire; Gorhonik, sire; Kismet Ky-Anne, dam; Barbara Weber, breeder..................................................61.739% Talsharafa, dam; Don & Jill Lenzini, breeders ..............................................................................66.986%
TAGG YOR IT, owner Sonja Hampton (MO), rider Claire Nickelson (MO)—Second Level Jr/YR (Arabian Horse Assn.—Half-Arabian)
FA PATRIOT, owners Cindy, Ernie, & Katie Lang (VA), rider Katie Lang (VA)—PSG Jr/YR (Arabian Horse Assn.—Half-Arabian)
USDF CONNECTION
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February 2016
165
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
BOHEMIAN RHAPSHAHDY, owner/rider Shana Blum (WA)—Training Level AA (Arabian Horse Assn.—Half-Arabian)
GRAN CASSO, owner Jenna Stern (TX), riders Jenna Stern (TX) & Martin Arnold (TX)—PSG Open (Belgian Warmblood Breeding Assn.)
First Level Vintage Cup
KODACHROME, owner/rider Caroline Hamlin (IL)—Third Level Mus. Freestyle (Belgian Warmblood Breeding Assn.)
Third Level Open
1. SUSAN BENDER (SC), riding RULETTE; Susan Bender, owner; Scrabble, sire; 1. BARON ROTHSCHILD B; Ariel Stanley, owner/rider; Branco D’96, sire; Ramona, dam; Richard Freeman, breeder...................................................................................67.778% Rina V.D. Breemeersen, dam; Allyn McCracken & Bannockburn Farm LLC, breeders .................60.164% 2. CHARMA FARGO (OH), riding SRC GABRIELLA; Charma Fargo, owner; Loki, sire; SRC Lady in Red, dam; Adrienne Hancock-Leong, breeder .........................................62.941% Prix St. Georges Open 1. GRAN CASSO; Jenna Stern, owner; Jenna Stern & Martin Arnold, riders; 3. MARILYN WEBER (IL), riding MAEDAY SURPRISE; Marilyn Weber, owner; Attila, sire; Fal Turro, sire; Upper Register, dam; Clyde Smith, breeder ..........................................................64.737% Mary-Dee Picabo, dam; Marilyn & Tom Weber, breeders ............................................................62.805% 4. MICHAEL DEAN (WA), riding SAWDAS LADY PASHA; Michael Dean, owner; Second Level Adult Amateur Prince Sawda, sire; Tisrtrick, dam; Tressa Dean, breeder .............................................................62.133% 1. JENNIFER STRAUSS (WI), riding I’M FULL OF STUFF; Jennifer Strauss, owner; Pascal D’ Pau, sire; Plush Stuff, dam; Les Chevaux de Carlier, breeder .........................................67.470%
Prix St. Georges Vintage Cup
Third Level Adult Amateur 1. JUDY COATS (MI), riding CA DAVIGN; Judy Coats, owner; CA Dillon, sire; Daniella, dam; Crossen Arabians LLC and Susan & Thomas Crossen, breeders....................................................62.270% 1. ARIEL STANLEY (IN), riding BARON ROTHSCHILD B; Ariel Stanley, owner; Branco D’96, sire; Rina V.D. Breemeersen, dam; Allyn McCracken & Bannockburn Farm LLC, breeders .................60.164% 2. CAROL MAVROS (MT), riding FIRST DANCE; Carol Mavros, owner; The Color of Fame, sire; NR Minuete, dam; Charles R. Hughes Loving Trust, breeder........................................................60.658% First Level Musical Freestyle 1. JYPSY ROSE; Jenna Stern, owner; Jenna Stern & Martin Arnold, riders; Intermediate I Vintage Cup Gran Casso, sire; Portia, dam; Jenna Stern, breeder.....................................................................72.367% 1. JUDY COATS (MI), riding CA DAVIGN; Judy Coats, owner; CA Dillon, sire; Daniella, dam; Crossen Arabians LLC and Susan & Thomas Crossen, breeders....................................................60.987% Second Level Musical Freestyle 1. I’M FULL OF STUFF; Jennifer Strauss, owner/rider; Pascal D’ Pau, sire; Plush Stuff, dam; Les Chevaux de Carlier, breeder .......................................................................71.833%
Belgian Warmblood Breeding Association
First Level Open 1. JYPSY ROSE; Jenna Stern, owner; Jenna Stern & Martin Arnold, riders; Gran Casso, sire; Portia, dam; Jenna Stern, breeder.....................................................................69.371%
Third Level Musical Freestyle 1. KODACHROME; Caroline Hamlin, owner/rider; Codex, sire; Nanan van de Elshoeve, dam; Pierre de Breucker, breeder .........................................................64.500%
Canadian Hanoverian Society Training Level Open
Second Level Open
1. DANCIER’S DREAM DMV; Leroy & Riki Fuller, owners; Andrew Rae, rider; 1. I’M FULL OF STUFF; Jennifer Strauss, owner/rider; Pascal D’ Pau, sire; Dancier, sire; Silver Capitalist, dam; Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd, breeder .................63.191% Plush Stuff, dam; Les Chevaux de Carlier, breeder .......................................................................67.470%
DANCIER’S DREAM DMV, owners Leroy & Riki Fuller (BC), rider Andrew Rae (BC)–Training Level Open (Canadian Hanoverian Soc.)
DREAMMASTER DMV, owners Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd. & Jill Giese (BC), rider John Dingle (BC)– I-I Open & Vintage Cup (Canadian Hanoverian Soc.)
166 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
WISHING STAR DMV, owners Leroy & Riki Fuller (BC)–DSHB Yearling Fillies (Canadian Hanoverian Soc.)
TOP LEFT: CHERYL STEPHENS; TOP RIGHT: LISA MARTUSCIELLO
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
JYPSY ROSE, owner Jenna Stern (TX), riders Jenna Stern (TX) & Martin Arnold (TX)—First Level Open & Mus. Freestyle (Belgian Warmblood Breeding Assn.)
Intermediate I Open
D-TRIX DMV, owners Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd. & John Dingle (BC), rider John Dingle (BC)–DSHB Three-Year-Old Colts/Geldings (Canadian Hanoverian Soc.)
Three-Year-Old Colts/Geldings Materiale
1. DREAMMASTER DMV; Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd & Jill Giese, owners; 1. D-TRIX DMV; Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd & John Dingle, owners; John Dingle, rider; John Dingle, rider; Dimaggio, sire; Dreamcatcher Elite, dam; Dancier, sire; Dreaming, dam; Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd, breeder..........................82.700% Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd & Jill Giese, breeders .......................................................66.382%
Three-Year-Old Fillies Materiale
Intermediate I Vintage Cup
1. WONDERFUL DREAM DMV; Shelley Evans, owner/rider; Windfall CB, sire; Dreammasters Chance, dam; Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd, breeder...........................73.800%
1. JOHN DINGLE (BC), riding DREAMMASTER DMV; Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd & Jill Giese, owners; Dimaggio, sire; Dreamcatcher Elite, dam; Four- and Five-Year-Old Stallions/Geldings Materiale Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd & Jill Giese, breeders .......................................................66.382% 1. LEOPOLD DMV; Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd & Jill Giese, owners; John Dingle, rider; Lokomotion, sire; Dreaming, dam; Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd, breeder ..................87.100% Yearling Fillies 2. LORDSLEY DMV; Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd, Jill Giese & Tony Ma, owners; John Dingle, 1. WISHING STAR DMV; Leroy & Riki Fuller, owners; Windfall CB, sire; rider; Lokomotion, sire; Dreaming, dam; Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd, breeder.........84.200% Ballerina DMV, dam; Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd, breeder ........................................75.675% 3. DANCIER’S DREAM DMV; Leroy & Riki Fuller, owners; Andrew Rae, rider; Dancier, sire; Silver Capitalist, dam; Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd, breeder .................75.150%
Two-Year-Old Colts/Geldings
Canadian Horse Breeders Association
1. WUNDERBAR DMV; Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd and Leroy & Riki Fuller, owners; Windfall CB, sire; Ballerina DMV, dam; Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd, breeder ............76.750% 2. WESTMINSTER DMV; Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd & Jill Giese, owners; First Level Open Windfall CB, sire; Lady of the Dance, dam; Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd, breeder ......75.825% 1. CANADREAM FERARI ROLLS ROYCE; Elizabeth Howell Woodbury, owner/rider; Beckett’s Creek Calypso Ferari, sire; Sarrabelle Pharraud Hultime, dam; Canadream Farm, breeder ........60.926%
Three-Year-Old Colts/Geldings 1. D-TRIX DMV; Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd & John Dingle, owners; Dancier, sire; Dreaming, dam; Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd, breeder..........................78.850%
Canadian Sport Horse Association Training Level Open
Four-Year-Old and Older Stallions
1. SEA ANTHEM; Stephanie Brazus, owner/rider; Samual, sire; Donda, dam; 1. LORDSLEY DMV; Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd, Jill Giese & Tony Ma, owners; Ravine Ranch Sport Horses, breeder ............................................................................................66.957% Lokomotion, sire; Dreaming, dam; Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd, breeder ..................80.900% Training Level Adult Amateur 2. DREAMMASTER DMV; Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd & Jill Giese, owners; Dimaggio, sire; Dreamcatcher Elite, dam; Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd & Jill Giese, breeders .............80.100% 1. STEPHANIE BRAZUS (IN), riding SEA ANTHEM; Stephanie Brazus, owner; Samual, sire; Donda, dam; Ravine Ranch Sport Horses, breeder ................................................66.957%
LORDSLEY DMV, owners Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd., Jill Giese (BC) & Tony Ma–DSHB Four-Year-Old and Older Stallions (Canadian Hanoverian Soc.)
WONDERFUL DREAM DMV, owner/rider Shelley Evans (BC)—Three-Year-Old Fillies Materiale (Canadian Hanoverian Soc.)
USDF CONNECTION
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February 2016
167
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
WUNDERBAR DMV, owners Dreamcatcher Meadows Ventures Ltd. & Leroy & Riki Fuller (BC), handler John Dingle (BC)–DSHB Two-YearOld Colts/Geldings (Canadian Hanoverian Soc.)
Training Level Open
Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur 1. PATRICIA TOENISKOETTER (MO), riding FRESCO II; Patricia Toeniskoetter, owner; Formaat, sire; Troy’s Miss Angel, dam; Johannes Bruins-Slot, breeder........................................62.632%
1. CARUSO III; Patricia McGurl, owner/rider; Count Grannus, sire; Training Level Vintage Cup Pistachio, dam; Heather Smith-Oberten, breeder .......................................................................70.218% 1. PATRICIA MCGURL (MA), riding CARUSO III; Patricia McGurl, owner; 2. LARKIN; Edwin Miller, owner/rider; Lord Cromby (IRE), sire; Daffodil, dam; Count Grannus, sire; Pistachio, dam; Heather Smith-Oberten, breeder......................................70.218% Dave & Roxy Bell, breeders ...........................................................................................................68.636% 2. EDWIN MILLER (OR), riding LARKIN; Edwin Miller, owner; Lord Cromby, sire; Daffodil, dam; Dave & Roxy Bell, breeders...................................................................................68.636%
First Level Open
First Level Vintage Cup 1. MEARA; Katie Thetford, owner/rider; Wolkenstein II, sire; Aviary, dam; Krammer Warmbloods, breeder .............................................................................69.890% 1. CYNTHIA PAOLILLO (CT), riding M3 WOLKENLILLY; Cynthia Paolillo, owner; Wolkenstein II, sire; Aphrodite, dam; Don McPhee, Donna Hagan & M 3 Warmbloods, breeders .............................66.250% 2. M3 WOLKENLILLY; Cynthia Paolillo, owner/rider; Wolkenstein II, sire; Aphrodite, dam; Don McPhee, Donna Hagan & M 3 Warmbloods, breeders .............................66.250% Second Level Vintage Cup
Second Level Open 1. MISS ELIZABETH; Jane McGough, owner/rider; Sir Sinclair, sire; Lana, dam; Christine Snyder, breeder ..........................................................................................60.244%
Third Level Open 1. ALERO; Christina Tann, owner/rider; Arkansas, sire; Mazurka, dam; Sanford Charlotte, breeder .................................................................................61.667%
1. JANE MCGOUGH (WA), riding MISS ELIZABETH; Jane McGough, owner; Sir Sinclair, sire; Lana, dam; Christine Snyder, breeder ................................................................60.244%
Third Level Vintage Cup 1. CHRISTINA TANN (WA), riding ALERO; Christina Tann, owner; Arkansas, sire; Mazurka, dam; Sanford Charlotte, breeder .................................................................................61.667%
Second Level Musical Freestyle
1. MEDEA; Dianne Cantara, owner/rider; Wizard II, sire; Olympia HB, dam; Country Road Farm, breeder ........................................................................................................64.783% 1. FRESCO II; Patricia Toeniskoetter, owner/rider; Formaat, sire; 2. MISS ELIZABETH; Jane McGough, owner/rider; Sir Sinclair, sire; Troy’s Miss Angel, dam; Johannes Bruins-Slot, breeder...............................................................62.632% Lana, dam; Christine Snyder, breeder ..........................................................................................63.167%
Prix St. Georges Open
Grand Prix Open 1. TRAVOLTA; Joni Peters, owner/rider; Ferro, sire; Lurosa, dam; John van den Bosch, breeder.....65.962%
Training Level Adult Amateur
Cleveland Bay Horse Society of North America Inc. Second Level Open
1. DUCATI; Laura Esty, owner/rider; Doodle Bug, sire; 1. PATRICIA MCGURL (MA), riding CARUSO III; Patricia McGurl, owner; Contessa, dam; Rachel Thompson, breeder .................................................................................68.676% Count Grannus, sire; Pistachio, dam; Heather Smith-Oberten, breeder......................................70.218% 2. EDWIN MILLER (OR), riding LARKIN; Edwin Miller, owner; Third Level Open Lord Cromby, sire; Daffodil, dam; Dave & Roxy Bell, breeders.....................................................68.636% 1. DUCATI; Laura Esty, owner/rider; Doodle Bug, sire; Contessa, dam; Rachel Thompson, breeder .................................................................................64.167%
First Level Adult Amateur
1. KATIE THETFORD (WA), riding MEARA; Katie Thetford, owner; Wolkenstein II, sire; Aviary, dam; Krammer Warmbloods, breeder.............................................69.890% 2. CYNTHIA PAOLILLO (CT), riding M3 WOLKENLILLY; Cynthia Paolillo, owner; Wolkenstein II, sire; Aphrodite, dam; Don McPhee, Donna Hagan & M 3 Warmbloods, breeders .............................66.250%
Training Level Open
Second Level Adult Amateur
Prix St. Georges Open
Curly Sporthorse International 1. BOLD ADVENTURE; Alyssa Buenting, owner/rider; Sea Stinger, sire; Snuffy’s Rockette, dam ....65.901%
1. JANE MCGOUGH (WA), riding MISS ELIZABETH; Jane McGough, owner; 1. SPAR TREK; Lynda McNeely, owner; Dana & Isabella Zdolshek, Amy Rothe-Hietter Sir Sinclair, sire; Lana, dam; Christine Snyder, breeder ................................................................60.244% and Lynda McNeely, riders; Spartacus, sire; Vintry, dam; Sandra Hendrickson, breeder ............61.184%
Third Level Adult Amateur
Training Level Junior/Young Rider
1. CHRISTINA TANN (WA), riding ALERO; Christina Tann, owner; Arkansas, sire; 1. ALYSSA BUENTING (NV), riding BOLD ADVENTURE; Alyssa Buenting, owner; Mazurka, dam; Sanford Charlotte, breeder .................................................................................61.667% Sea Stinger, sire; Snuffy’s Rockette, dam......................................................................................65.901%
MISS ELIZABETH, owner/rider Jane McGough (WA)—Second Level Open & Vintage Cup (Canadian Warmblood Horse Breeders Assn.)
168 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
SPAR TREK, owner Lynda McNeely (KY), rider Amy Rothe-Hietter (OH)— PSG Open (Curly Sporthorse Intl.)
LEFT: CAROLYNN BUNCH PHOTOGRAPHY
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
Canadian Warmblood Horse Breeders Association
SIR WILLIAM, owner/rider Samantha Capoferri-Fellin (GA)—Third Level Open (Draft Cross Breeders & Owners Assn.)
DENALI, owner/rider Tracey Wilson (NJ)—Third Level AA (Draft Cross Breeders & Owners Assn.)
2. STEPHANIE BARANKO (IN), riding BRINA; Stephanie Baranko, owner; Brentwood, sire; Annabelle’s Midnight, dam; Margaret Kaiser, breeder.....................................63.382% 3. ANN JENSIS-DALE (AL), riding EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND; Ann Jensis-Dale, owner ............63.162% Training Level Open 1. BENJAMIN BLUE; Kerry Rose, owner/rider ...................................................................................69.545% 4. HELENA BUNKER (WA), riding MY TREASURE; Helena Bunker, owner........................................62.427% 2. SOME BUDDY TO LOVE; Susan Clark, owner/rider ........................................................................69.030% 3. SAMSON; Laurie Virkstis, owner/rider ..........................................................................................63.637% Second Level Adult Amateur 4. NOVEMBER’S OYSTER MOON; Mona Corrente, owner/rider ........................................................61.591% 1. DEANNA HERTRICH (WI), riding TRUE COLORS; Deanna Hertrich, owner; Kingsway Farm, breeder...............................................................................................................65.122%
TOP LEFT: ©PHOTOS BY JACKIE; TOP MIDDLE: BARRY KOSTER PHOTOGRAPHY; TOP RIGHT: SUSANJSTICKLE.COM; BOTTOM LEFT: GEORGE KILDOW; BOTTOM RIGHT: ©TERRI MILLER
Draft Cross Breeders & Owners Association
First Level Open
1. BENJAMIN BLUE; Kerry Rose, owner/rider ...................................................................................66.044% Third Level Adult Amateur 1. TRACEY WILSON (NJ), riding DENALI; Tracey Wilson, owner........................................................65.921% 2. BRINA; Stephanie Baranko, owner/rider; Brentwood, sire; Annabelle’s Midnight, dam; Margaret Kaiser, breeder ................................................................63.382% Training Level Vintage Cup 3. EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND; Ann Jensis-Dale, owner/rider ....................................................63.162% 1. LAURIE VIRKSTIS (MO), riding SAMSON; Laurie Virkstis, owner...................................................63.637% 4. MY TREASURE; Helena Bunker, owner/rider ................................................................................62.427% 2. MONA CORRENTE (NY), riding NOVEMBER’S OYSTER MOON; Mona Corrente, owner ................61.591%
Second Level Open
First Level Vintage Cup
1. TRUE COLORS; Deanna Hertrich, owner/rider; Kingsway Farm, breeder ....................................65.122% 1. ANN JENSIS-DALE (AL), riding EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND; Ann Jensis-Dale, owner ............63.162% 2. O HEAVENSENT GIDEON; Keri Zabokrtsky, owner; Jennifer Reynen, rider...................................62.134% 2. HELENA BUNKER (WA), riding MY TREASURE; Helena Bunker, owner........................................62.427%
Third Level Open
First Level Musical Freestyle
1. SIR WILLIAM; Samantha Capoferri-Fellin, owner/rider ...............................................................66.259% 1. BRINA; Stephanie Baranko, owner/rider; Brentwood, sire; 2. DENALI; Tracey Wilson, owner/rider.............................................................................................65.921% Annabelle’s Midnight, dam; Margaret Kaiser, breeder ................................................................64.334%
Training Level Adult Amateur 1. 2. 3. 4.
Second Level Musical Freestyle
KERRY ROSE (NY), riding BENJAMIN BLUE; Kerry Rose, owner....................................................69.545% 1. O HEAVENSENT GIDEON; Keri Zabokrtsky, owner; Jennifer Reynen, rider...................................68.550% SUSAN CLARK (NY), riding SOME BUDDY TO LOVE; Susan Clark, owner......................................69.030% 2. BRINA; Stephanie Baranko, owner/rider; Brentwood, sire; LAURIE VIRKSTIS (MO), riding SAMSON; Laurie Virkstis, owner...................................................63.637% Annabelle’s Midnight, dam; Margaret Kaiser, breeder ................................................................63.334% MONA CORRENTE (NY), riding NOVEMBER’S OYSTER MOON; Mona Corrente, owner ................61.591%
First Level Adult Amateur
Yearling Fillies
1. AMERICAN EVE; Gail Allen, owner; Theodore, sire; Independence, dam; Gail Allen, breeder ....73.325% 1. KERRY ROSE (NY), riding BENJAMIN BLUE; Kerry Rose, owner....................................................66.044% 2. MATOAKA; Gail Allen, owner; Theodore, sire; Liberty, dam; Gail Allen, breeder .........................70.900%
SAMSON, owner/rider Laurie Virkstis (MO)—Training Level Vintage Cup (Draft Cross Breeders & Owners Assn.)
O HEAVENSENT GIDEON, owner Keri Zabokrtsky (CA), rider Jennifer Reynen (CA)—Second Level Mus. Freestyle (Draft Cross Breeders & Owners Assn.)
USDF CONNECTION
•
February 2016
169
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
TRUE COLORS, owner/rider Deanna Hertrich (WI)—Second Level Open & AA (Draft Cross Breeders & Owners Assn.)
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
SIJMEN FON LACLAR, owner/rider Barbara Hanus (IL)—Fourth Level Open (FPZV USA)
MARDI GRAS, owner/rider Susan Traylor (CO)—Training Level Open (Friesian Heritage Horse & Sporthorse Intl.—Partbred)
Fell Pony Society of North America Inc. Third Level Open 1. LAURELHIGHLAND VICTOR; Lisa Lindholm, owner; Kate Mikulay, rider; Towerview Spirit of Joy, sire; Sleddale Liv V, dam; Mary Jean Gould Earley, breeder..................62.460%
FPZV USA
BRIA OSF, owner/rider Kari Hill (MN)—First Level Open & AA (Friesian Heritage Horse & Sporthorse Intl.—Purebred)
Intermediate I Musical Freestyle 1. BOGART VON JORRIT PM; Saddlebrook Equestrian Center, owner; Paige Peters-Windham, rider; Jorrit, sire; Xanadu PM, dam; Proud Meadows, breeder .............................................................66.875%
Friesian Heritage Horse & Sporthorse International PUREBRED
Second Level Open
First Level Open
1. MATHIJS FRIESIANS OF MAJESTY; Robert Labrie, owner; Eline Eckroth & Ashleigh Mclean, riders; 1. BRIA OSF; Kari Hill, owner/rider; Ritske R., sire; Ottsje-FPZV, dam; Max Ots, breeder ................63.750% Jakob, sire; Richtsje fan Toerenburg, dam; Friesians of Majesty & Robert Labrie, breeders........67.927%
Grand Prix Open
Fourth Level Open
1. BAUKE; Jodi Keating, owner/rider; Jillis, sire; Iemk, dam; D. Melenboer, breeder ......................61.200% 1. SIJMEN FON LACLAR; Barbara Hanus, owner; Barbara Hanus & Heather McCarthy, riders; Jorrit 363, sire; Saleta K., dam; LaVerne Kauffman, breeder .......................................................68.784% 2. KATHARINA V.V.; Carol Notarianni, owner; Jennifer Conour, rider; Aswyn Van De Pluum, sire; First Level Adult Amateur Rozalinda, dam; Evelyn Vollmer Prohaska, breeder ....................................................................63.945% 1. KARI HILL (MN), riding BRIA OSF; Kari Hill, owner; Ritske R., sire; Ottsje-FPZV, dam; Max Ots, breeder ............................................................................................63.750%
First Level Musical Freestyle
1. HOLLYWOOD JRB; Regine Brockway, owner/rider; Tjesse 400, sire; Lutske Fan Henswoude, dam; Jack & Regine Brockway, breeders ..............................................68.300%
PARTBRED
Third Level Musical Freestyle
Training Level Open
Fourth Level Musical Freestyle
First Level Open
1. MARDI GRAS; Susan Traylor, owner/rider; 1A Super Mario, sire; 1. KATHARINA V.V.; Carol Notarianni, owner; Jennifer Conour, rider; Young Gun Whiskeygirl, dam; Kari Schmidt, breeder ..................................................................67.728% Aswyn van de Pluum, sire; Rozalinda, dam; Evelyn Vollmer Prohaska, breeder ........................70.250% 2. FRIESKE ISABELLA; Jenna Briese, owner/rider; IA Palacio, sire; 2. SIJMEN FON LACLAR; Barbara Hanus, owner/rider; Jorrit 363, sire; Nadia, dam; Taleekia Bennett, breeder........................................................................................66.250% Saleta K., dam; LaVerne Kauffman, breeder................................................................................69.533% 1. MALI; Steven Anderson, owner; Melinda Price, rider; Zorro, sire; 1. KATHARINA V.V.; Carol Notarianni, owner; Jennifer Conour, rider; Super Sonic Supreme, dam; Steven Anderson, breeder..............................................................69.633% Aswyn Van De Pluum, sire; Rozalinda, dam; Evelyn Vollmer Prohaska, breeder ........................66.567%
FRIESKE ISABELLA, owner/rider Jenna Briese (MN)—Training Level AA (Friesian Heritage Horse & Sporthorse Intl.—Partbred)
EVANGELINE, owner/rider Michele Dodge (CA)—First Level AA (Friesian Heritage Horse & Sporthorse Intl.—Partbred)
170 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
STONEWALL’S RONAN, owner/rider Barbara Tuskas (OH)—First Level Vintage Cup (Friesian Heritage Horse & Sporthorse Intl.—Partbred)
Second Level Open
Training Level Adult Amateur
1. HANK P.; Laurie Motte, owner; Natalie Bennett, rider; Wander, sire; 1. JENNA BRIESE (MN), riding FRIESKE ISABELLA; Jenna Briese, owner; Sita B., dam; Klaas & Mares Vanderploeg, breeders ....................................................................66.951% IA Palacio, sire; Nadia, dam; Taleekia Bennett, breeder ...............................................................66.250% 2. JURGEN FAN BLUFFVIEW; Rita Glen, owner; Anne Furstenwerth, rider; Melle, sire; Hinke KL, dam; Carole & Jack Angelbeck, breeders...................................................63.537% First Level Adult Amateur 3. HENRY JOHN; Linda Thee, owner/rider; Frans 289, sire; Rena, dam; Andrew Dragt, breeder ....62.842% 1. MICHELE DODGE (CA), riding EVANGELINE; Michele Dodge, owner; 4. GOUKE; Annette Rose, owner; Vicki Kelley, rider; Bente D, sire; Lauren van Graf, dam; Michele Dodge, breeder ....................................................68.307% Jasper 366, sire; Matsje H., dam; F. Hertogh, breeder..................................................................61.970% 2. BARBARA TUSKAS (OH), riding STONEWALL’S RONAN; Barbara Tuskas, owner; DG Bolero, sire ......65.588% 5. RIEKE S; Coreen Kraysler, owner; Jennifer Fanning, rider; 3. ALICIA STOCK (MN), riding BRIGHT DESIGN; Alicia Stock, owner; Jorrit 363, sire; Caorline W, dam; Elaine Shabazian, breeder.......................................................61.586% Grand Design, sire; Bright Stormy Girl, dam; Amy Hoppe, breeder.............................................64.815% 4. KELLY BURNS-GAOIRAN (CA), riding LEGEND WOODS ZIA; Kelly Burns-Gaoiran, owner; Third Level Open Zero Gravity, sire; Legends Libertychance, dam; Kayla Hagel, breeder .......................................63.529% 1. TRIJNTJE V.D. BOKKEFARM; Blue Honey Friesians and Karen, Marc & Melissa Guerra, owners; Stacey Hastings, rider; Beart 411, sire; Corrie V/D Bokkefarm, dam; C.J. Beentjes, breeder.......68.934% 2. NATASHA B; Elisabeth Ritz, owner; Elisabeth Ritz & Katherine Poulin, riders; First Level Vintage Cup Fabe 348, sire; Jantsje K, dam; Charmaine Brown, breeder ........................................................68.846% 1. BARBARA TUSKAS (OH), riding STONEWALL’S RONAN; Barbara Tuskas, owner; DG Bolero, sire ......65.588% 3. XENIA FAN WILLOW VIEW; Vickie Short, owner; Linda Strine, rider; Goffert 369, sire; Hedde L., dam; Vanessa Adams, breeder.........................................................68.030% First Level Musical Freestyle 4. ELBRICHT; Susan Neipert, owner; Megan McIsaac, rider; Tietse 428, sire; 1. LEGEND WOODS ZIA; Kelly Burns-Gaoiran, owner/rider; Tetske van de Melse Hoeve, dam; Susan Neipert, breeder ..........................................................66.090% Zero Gravity, sire; Legends Libertychance, dam; Kayla Hagel, breeder .......................................66.967% 5. EAGLE FAN BOSKSICHT; Julie Roche, owner; Erinn Chelstrom, rider; Maeije 440, sire; Whita Fan ‘Bosksicht’, dam; S. Leise, breeder....................................................65.256% FEI Five-Year-Old 1. IN THE NICK OF TIME; John Ohaus, owner; Jutta Lee, rider; Fourth Level Open Derek from the Fr. Connection, sire; Carolyn & William Crawford, breeders ........................................ 7.0 1. ROELOF VAN WOLFSHOL; Kristine Erickson, owner; Julio Mendoza Loor, rider; Tsjerk 328, sire; Cora Van T Grup JE, dam; Bill & Doris Kennedy, breeders ...................................67.815% 2. FOEKE; Robin Schriver, owner; Kristin Ratajczyk, rider; Lolke 371, sire; Sabina, dam; J. v.d. Meulen, breeder ..................................................................63.445%
LEFT: KAREN KUHN; MIDDLE AND RIGHT: PICSOFYOU.COM
Friesian Horse Association of North America
Training Level Open
Prix St. Georges Open
1. HARLEQUIN FOLLOW THE SUN; Janice James, owner; Treasa Holmes, rider; Reinder 452, sire; Tearts van de Woudhoeve, dam; Dennis Gardner & Full Spectrum Friesian Stables, breeders ..70.000% 2. GALLANT PRINCE VON G; Patty Couch, owner/rider; Tietse 428, sire; Cinke Van Stal Nuve, dam; Rita Glen, breeder..............................................................................68.267% 3. ELSKE VAN D’OOSTERESCH; Karen Abbattista, owner; Marguerite Andrich, rider; Heinse, sire; Reidske Sietske V.D.Hertshoorn, dam; H.J. Hessels, breeder ...................................67.212% 4. HYNDER FAN DIJKMANIASTATE; Kathy Curtis, owner/rider; Andries 415, sire; Rijna, dam; D.B. Dijkman, breeder ...............................................................................................65.568% 5. LUEKA; Kara Mastern, owner/rider; Wander, sire; Monique, dam; Cyndi Opalek, breeder.........65.455%
1. BEEREND W.; Vickie Short, owner; Linda Strine, rider; Goffert 369, sire; Jacqueline, dam; A. Wijk, breeder ....................................................................67.368% 2. REINDER FAN WIFO; Gwendolyn Schmidt, owner; Julio Mendoza Loor, rider; Beintse 418, sire; Tialda Fan’E Boppelannen, dam; F. Anema, breeder.......................................67.139% 3. REMINGTON; Julie Roche, owner/rider; Jurjen 303, sire; Wietskje B, dam; Jim Knapp, breeder ......67.105% 4. WABE FAN DE PRAKTYKSKOALLE; Carol Mckibben, owner; Pamela Wangenheim-Hawkins, rider; Brandus 345, sire; Fimke fan de Praktykskoalle, dam; PTC, breeder ...........................................65.197% 5. VALENTINO JRB; Regine Brockway, owner; Gwen Blake, rider; Heinse, sire; Arrow of Honor Bright, dam; JRB Friesians LLC, breeder .............................................................61.678%
BRAVO FAN DILEWINNE, owner Judith Sayles (NY), rider David Donnelly (NY)—First Level Open (Friesian Horse Assn. NA)
TRIJNTJE V. D. BOKKEFARM, owners Blue Honey Friesians & Karen, Marc, and Melissa Guerra (NC), rider Stacey Hastings (NC)—Third Level Open (Friesian Horse Assn. NA)
ROELOF VAN WOLFSHOL, owner Kristine Erickson (CT), rider Julio Mendoza Loor (MD)—Fourth Level Open; Third Level Mus. Freestyle (Friesian Horse Assn. NA)
USDF CONNECTION
•
February 2016
171
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
2. IN THE NICK OF TIME; John Ohaus, owner; Jutta Lee, rider; First Level Open Derek from the Fr. Connection, sire; Carolyn & William Crawford, breeders ...............................68.456% 1. BRAVO FAN DILEWINNE; Judith Sayles, owner; David Donnelly, rider; 3. EVANGELINE; Michele Dodge, owner/rider; Bente D, sire; Beart 411, sire; Bassie H, dam; C. Groen, breeder ........................................................................71.618% Lauren van Graf, dam; Michele Dodge, breeder ..........................................................................68.307% 2. SIRAJ DE BONCHERE; Nancy Sholtz, owner; Krista Tycho Noone, rider; 4. STONEWALL’S RONAN; Barbara Tuskas, owner/rider; DG Bolero, sire..........................................65.588% Rintse 386, sire; Dutchess E., dam; Jennifer Kaiser, breeder........................................................70.883% 5. GOLDUST; Susan Traylor, owner/rider; 1A Super Mario, sire; 3. STELLA BRILJANTE; Karen & Marc Guerra, owners; Shannon Montgomery, rider; Shallowater Sugar, dam; Kari Schmidt, breeder ..........................................................................65.147% Anne 340, sire; Maeike M., dam; Alex van Orsow & Jeanne Gau-van Orsow, breeders..............69.295% 4. CHANEL E.B.; Morgan Barrows, owner; Lauren Thornlow, rider; Second Level Open Tjesse 400, sire; Elly D., dam; Carol Gessell, breeder ....................................................................67.657% 1. PHEREPAPHA; Nicol Hinde, owner/rider; Markus, sire; 5. XANDER VAN DE TIPPE; Cheryl Loeffler, owner; Janelle Deisig, rider; Midnight Breeze, dam; Sharon Evans, breeder............................................................................65.427% Rypke, sire; Gerckjen, dam; R.F. Vossema, breeder ......................................................................67.439%
Grand Prix Adult Amateur
1. REMINGTON; Julie Roche, owner/rider; Jurjen 303, sire; Wietskje B, dam; Jim Knapp, breeder ......65.395% 1. LYNNETTE WADSWORTH (FL), riding WIETZE G; Lynnette Wadsworth, owner; 2. BEEREND W.; Vickie Short, owner; Linda Strine, rider; Rypke, sire; Wijke, dam; M. de Graaf, breeder..............................................................................60.250% Goffert 369, sire; Jacqueline, dam; A. Wijk, breeder ....................................................................64.671% Training Level Junior/Young Rider 3. JESSE VAN DE SEEDYK; Seelchen Feibush, owner/rider; Jelke 367, sire; Trude fan’E Fiskbuorren, dam; G. Visbeek, breeder......................................................................63.750% 1. MARGUERITE ANDRICH (FL), riding ELSKE VAN D’OOSTERESCH; Karen Abbattista, owner; Heinse, sire; Reidske Sietske V.D.Hertshoorn, dam; H.J. Hessels, breeder ...................................67.212% Intermediate II Open 2. ALLISON SALT (PA), riding CIRINITY; Pamela McCready, owner; 1. INKE FCF; Julie Roche, owner; Erinn Chelstrom, rider; Erik, sire; Bonne 341, sire; Trinity, dam; Suzanne Tucciarone, breeder........................................................61.442% Nynke Marije, dam; Emmet & Julie Roche, breeders...................................................................63.553%
Grand Prix Open
Second Level Junior/Young Rider
1. JENNIFER FANNING (MA), riding RIEKE S; Coreen Kraysler, owner; 1. EELTSJE F.; Paula Marsh & Wyning Edge Friesians LLC, owners; Jorrit 363, sire; Caorline W, dam; Elaine Shabazian, breeder.......................................................61.586% Nicole Gluesenkamp, rider; Fabe, sire; Iduna, dam; Stal Widjewormer, breeder ........................65.725% Third Level Junior/Young Rider 2. INKE FCF; Julie Roche, owner; Erinn Chelstrom, rider; Erik, sire; Nynke Marije, dam; Emmet & Julie Roche, breeders...................................................................65.500% 1. MEREDITH TALLEY (KY), riding GILAD VAN ROSITA; Meredith Talley, owner; Pyt 325, sire; Rosita fan Stallotte, dam; Carol & Perry Duggar, breeders ....................................63.946% 3. WALING M.; Tyra Vernon, owner/rider; Jasper 366, sire; Ernaa M, dam; L.F. Mollema-Zievers, breeder .............................................................................64.300% 4. WIETZE G; Lynnette Wadsworth, owner/rider; Rypke, sire; Wijke, dam; M. de Graaf, breeder ..60.250% Training Level Vintage Cup 1. KATHY CURTIS (VA), riding HYNDER FAN DIJKMANIASTATE; Kathy Curtis, owner; Training Level Adult Amateur Andries 415, sire; Rijna, dam; D.B. Dijkman, breeder ..................................................................65.568% 1. KATHY CURTIS (VA), riding HYNDER FAN DIJKMANIASTATE; Kathy Curtis, owner; Andries 415, sire; Rijna, dam; D.B. Dijkman, breeder ..................................................................65.568% Prix St. Georges Vintage Cup 1. JULIE ROCHE (WI), riding REMINGTON; Julie Roche, owner; 2. KARA MASTERN (OH), riding LUEKA; Kara Mastern, owner; Wander, sire; Jurjen 303, sire; Wietskje B, dam; Jim Knapp, breeder ................................................................67.105% Monique, dam; Cyndi Opalek, breeder ........................................................................................65.455% 2. GWEN BLAKE (WA), riding VALENTINO JRB; Regine Brockway, owner; 3. KAREN GUERRA (NC), riding WIETSKE V.D. BOKKEFARM; Blue Honey Friesians and Karen, Heinse, sire; Arrow of Honor Bright, dam; JRB Friesians LLC, breeder .........................................61.678% Marc & Melissa Guerra, owners; Beart 411, sire; Lutske E., dam; C.J. Beentjes, breeder ............65.000% 4. BETH JOHNSON (MN), riding WHITNEE; Melinda Price, owner; Wander, sire; Pietje, dam; Debi Radke, breeder.................................................................................................63.269% Intermediate I Vintage Cup 1. JULIE ROCHE (WI), riding REMINGTON; Julie Roche, owner; Jurjen 303, sire; Wietskje B, dam; Jim Knapp, breeder ................................................................65.395% First Level Adult Amateur 2. SEELCHEN FEIBUSH (CA), riding JESSE VAN DE SEEDYK; Seelchen Feibush, owner; 1. LAUREN THORNLOW (WA), riding CHANEL E.B.; Morgan Barrows, owner; Jelke 367, sire; Trude fan’E Fiskbuorren, dam; G. Visbeek, breeder .............................................63.750% Tjesse 400, sire; Elly D., dam; Carol Gessell, breeder ....................................................................67.657% 2. LARA SCHMAUSER (WA), riding OURENSKE FAN FKS; Cathy & David Petrie, owners; Anne 340, sire; Yourica W., dam; Fred & Kelly Schulzke and Rogue River Friesians, breeders ....65.534% Grand Prix Vintage Cup 1. LYNNETTE WADSWORTH (FL), riding WIETZE G; Lynnette Wadsworth, owner; Second Level Adult Amateur Rypke, sire; Wijke, dam; M. de Graaf, breeder..............................................................................60.250% 1. ANNE FURSTENWERTH (OK), riding JURGEN FAN BLUFFVIEW; Rita Glen, owner; Melle, sire; Hinke KL, dam; Carole & Jack Angelbeck, breeders...................................................63.537% First Level Musical Freestyle 1. HARLEQUIN FOLLOW THE SUN; Janice James, owner; Treasa Holmes, rider; Reinder 452, sire; 2. LINDA THEE (NV), riding HENRY JOHN; Linda Thee, owner; Tearts van de Woudhoeve, dam; Dennis Gardner & Full Spectrum Friesian Stables, breeders ..69.834% Frans 289, sire; Rena, dam; Andrew Dragt, breeder ....................................................................62.842% 2. APOLLO; Kathleen OReagan, owner; Julio Mendoza Loor, rider; Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur Fridse 423, sire; Gretchen, dam; Gail Durand, breeder ................................................................69.600% 1. JULIE ROCHE (WI), riding REMINGTON; Julie Roche, owner; 3. VAUN B; Alison Hartley, owner/rider; Tsjalke 397, sire; Jurjen 303, sire; Wietskje B, dam; Jim Knapp, breeder ................................................................67.105% Jantsje K, dam; Charmaine Brown, breeder ................................................................................68.750%
Intermediate I Adult Amateur
Second Level Musical Freestyle
1. JULIE ROCHE (WI), riding REMINGTON; Julie Roche, owner; 1. MARCO VON LAAR; Carol Wertz, owner; Claudia Novick, rider; Onne 376, sire; Jurjen 303, sire; Wietskje B, dam; Jim Knapp, breeder ................................................................65.395% Wydana von Laar, dam; H. Joriskes, breeder................................................................................73.833% 2. SEELCHEN FEIBUSH (CA), riding JESSE VAN DE SEEDYK; Seelchen Feibush, owner; 2. XENIA FAN WILLOW VIEW; Vickie Short, owner; Linda Strine, rider; Jelke 367, sire; Trude fan’E Fiskbuorren, dam; G. Visbeek, breeder .............................................63.750% Goffert 369, sire; Hedde L., dam; Vanessa Adams, breeder.........................................................72.011%
REMINGTON, owner/rider Julie Roche (WI)— I-I Open; PSG & I-I AA & Vintage Cup; I-I Mus. Freestyle (Friesian Horse Assn. NA)
172 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
INKE FCF, owner Julie Roche (WI), rider Erin Chelstrom(WI)—I-II Open (Friesian Horse Assn. NA)
JURGEN FAN BLUFFVIEW, owner Rita Glen (OK), rider Anne Furstenwerth (OK)—Second Level AA (Friesian Horse Assn. NA)
LEFT: MICHELLE EVERETTE; MIDDLE: MICHELLE EVERETTE; RIGHT: JEANIE EATON
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
Intermediate I Open
ELSKE VAN D’OOSTERESCH, owner Karen Abbattista (FL), rider Marguerite Andrich (FL)—Training Level Jr/YR (Friesian Horse Assn. NA)
GILAD VAN ROSITA, owner/rider Meredith Talley (KY)—Third Level Jr/YR (Friesian Horse Assn. NA)
3. VAUN B; Alison Hartley, owner/rider; Tsjalke 397, sire; Four- and Five-Year-Old Mares Materiale Jantsje K, dam; Charmaine Brown, breeder ................................................................................65.067% 1. HARLEQUIN FOLLOW THE SUN; Janice James, owner; Treasa Holmes, rider; Reinder 452, sire; Tearts van de Woudhoeve, dam; Dennis Gardner & Full Spectrum Friesian Stables, breeders ..74.500%
Third Level Musical Freestyle
1. ROELOF VAN WOLFSHOL; Kristine Erickson, owner; Julio Mendoza Loor, rider; Tsjerk 328, sire; Cora Van T Grup JE, dam; Bill & Doris Kennedy, breeders ...................................76.667% 2. YATZEE FPF; Cathy & David Petrie and Paige Ruhl, owners; Paige Ruhl, rider; Jasper 366, sire; Welmoed V/D Goslingawei, dam; Monique Stevens, breeder..........................70.792% Training Level Open 3. ELBRICHT; Susan Neipert, owner; Megan McIsaac, rider; Tietse 428, sire; 1. ASLAN; Elizabeth Morosani, owner/rider; Melle van de Mansveldhoeve, sire; Tetske van de Melse Hoeve, dam; Susan Neipert, breeder ..........................................................70.500% Nebu, dam; Elizabeth Morosani, breeder.....................................................................................68.111% 4. NIKKO OF NOBLE; Diana Vick, owner; Hallie Calliham, rider; Wander, sire; Hannke, dam; Noble Friesians Inc., breeder...........................................................67.467% First Level Open 1. AUGUST RUSH; Morgan-Bailey Horan, owner/rider; Friedrich, sire; Intermediate I Musical Freestyle Edgewood BJ’s Aria, dam; Douglas & Jennifer Moody, breeders.................................................70.809% 1. REMINGTON; Julie Roche, owner/rider; Jurjen 303, sire; Wietskje B, dam; Jim Knapp, breeder ......71.625% 2. FAUSTON NAF; Pamela DeVore, owner; Kailey Devore, rider; Von Faust, sire; 2. BEEREND W.; Vickie Short, owner; Linda Strine, rider; Gwendolyn, dam; Linda Clair, breeder .........................................................................................68.676% Goffert 369, sire; Jacqueline, dam; A. Wijk, breeder ....................................................................66.625%
TOP LEFT: MARGARET MARTIN-JONES; TOP MIDDLE: SHOOT PERFECT PHOTOGRAPHY; TOP RIGHT: SUZANNEFISCHER.COM; BOTTOM LEFT: MIKE’S PHOTOGRAPHY
Friesian Horse Society
Grand Prix Musical Freestyle
Second Level Open
1. AUGUST RUSH; Morgan-Bailey Horan, owner/rider; Friedrich, sire; Edgewood BJ’s Aria, dam; Douglas & Jennifer Moody, breeders.................................................69.390% 2. FAUSTON NAF; Pamela DeVore, owner; Kailey Devore, rider; Von Faust, sire; Yearling Colts/Geldings Gwendolyn, dam; Linda Clair, breeder .........................................................................................65.610% 1. TOMAS LSI; Lorick Stables Inc. & Richard Butts, owners; Sape 381, sire; Tomasina D, dam; Lorick Stables Inc., breeder .............................................................................69.610% 3. CLAIR NAF; Tamera Mayo, owner/rider; Elijah, sire; Gwendolyn, dam; Linda Clair, breeder.......62.587% 1. WIETZE G; Lynnette Wadsworth, owner/rider; Rypke, sire; Wijke, dam; M. de Graaf, breeder ..66.625%
Three-Year-Old Colts/Geldings Materiale
Training Level Adult Amateur
1. ELIZABETH MOROSANI (NC), riding ASLAN; Elizabeth Morosani, owner; 1. OTHELLO P.B.F.; Matthews Farms & Steven Matthews, owners; Danielle Sintoni, rider; Melle van de Mansveldhoeve, sire; Nebu, dam; Elizabeth Morosani, breeder ...........................68.111% Sipke 450, sire; Maaike Dieuwke De Feys, dam; Lisa Williams, breeder......................................72.850%
Three-Year-Old Fillies Materiale
Second Level Adult Amateur
1. MAXIME ANNE-JOKE T. ; Amberly Foster, owner/rider; 1. TAMERA MAYO (OK), riding CLAIR NAF; Tamera Mayo, owner; Elijah, sire; Sake 449, sire; Anne-Joke T., dam; G. Toonen, breeder................................................................66.500% Gwendolyn, dam; Linda Clair, breeder .........................................................................................62.587%
TOMAS LSI, owners Lorick Stables Inc. (NY) & Richard Butts (NY)—DSHB Yearling Colts/Geldings (Friesian Horse Assn. NA)
AUGUST RUSH, owner/rider Morgan-Bailey Horan (AL)–First Level Open; Second Level Open, Jr/YR, & Mus. Freestyle (Friesian Horse Soc.)
USDF CONNECTION
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February 2016
173
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
WIETZE G, owner/rider Lynnette Wadsworth (FL)—Grand Prix AA, Vintage Cup, & Mus. Freestyle (Friesian Horse Assn. NA)
Intermediate I Open
1. MORGAN-BAILEY HORAN (AL), riding AUGUST RUSH; Morgan-Bailey Horan, owner; 1. DREAMASTER; Janet Tucker, owner/rider; Daen, sire; Friedrich, sire; Edgewood BJ’s Aria, dam; Douglas & Jennifer Moody, breeders .........................70.809% Tucks Bold Dream, dam; Janet Tucker, breeder............................................................................64.935% 2. KAILEY DEVORE (OK), riding FAUSTON NAF; Pamela DeVore, owner; Von Faust, sire; Gwendolyn, dam; Linda Clair, breeder................................................................68.676% Training Level Adult Amateur 1. TRACY FRASZ (CA), riding MEDIEVAL SUMMER; Tracy Frasz, owner; Galand, sire; Cantel, dam; Danna Harmon, breeder ....................................................................65.166% Second Level Junior/Young Rider 2. SHANNON MARTIN (TX), riding STAR T SETH; Shannon Martin, owner; 1. MORGAN-BAILEY HORAN (AL), riding AUGUST RUSH; Morgan-Bailey Horan, owner; Gabriel (Jonker H.), sire; Belle, dam; Kimberly Gardner-Taylor, breeder .....................................63.847% Friedrich, sire; Edgewood BJ’s Aria, dam; Douglas & Jennifer Moody, breeders .........................69.390% 2. KAILEY DEVORE (OK), riding FAUSTON NAF; Pamela DeVore, owner; Von Faust, sire; Gwendolyn, dam; Linda Clair, breeder................................................................65.610% First Level Adult Amateur 1. AMY MICHELSEN (CO), riding RIVAN OF D’ARCHANGEL; Amy Michelsen, owner; Flurry of Ca-Lyn, sire; T-Valley Tanya of Tatras, dam; Kristine Gabriel, breeder............................61.765% Second Level Vintage Cup 1. TAMERA MAYO (OK), riding CLAIR NAF; Tamera Mayo, owner; Elijah, sire; Gwendolyn, dam; Linda Clair, breeder .........................................................................................62.587% Third Level Adult Amateur 1. KATHY MATHERS (VA), riding ELFE; Kathy Mathers, owner; Donius W., sire; Second Level Musical Freestyle Welli’s Lady Victory, dam; Dawn Boyer, breeder ..........................................................................63.013% 1. AUGUST RUSH; Morgan-Bailey Horan, owner/rider; Friedrich, sire; Edgewood BJ’s Aria, dam; Douglas & Jennifer Moody, breeders.................................................72.867% Intermediate I Adult Amateur 2. CLAIR NAF; Tamera Mayo, owner/rider; Elijah, sire; Gwendolyn, dam; Linda Clair, breeder.......67.500% 1. JANET TUCKER (SC), riding DREAMASTER; Janet Tucker, owner; Daen, sire; Tucks Bold Dream, dam; Janet Tucker, breeder ..........................................................64.935%
Friesian Sport Horse Registry LLC Training Level Open
First Level Junior/Young Rider 1. HANNAH BOSSLER (AR), riding ZOEY DARQ THUNDER; Hannah & Nicole Bossler, owners; Danny, sire; TAS Darq Promise, dam; Amy Burch & Kimbery McCutchen, breeders ...................64.265%
1. SOLEIL; Trisha Harrahill, owner; Trisha Harrahill & Mija Sims, riders; Wizard MLF, sire; Pretty Girl, dam; Jeannie Pasturel, breeder......................................................75.114% Intermediate I Vintage Cup 2. MEDIEVAL SUMMER; Tracy Frasz, owner/rider; Galand, sire; 1. JANET TUCKER (SC), riding DREAMASTER; Janet Tucker, owner; Cantel, dam; Danna Harmon, breeder .........................................................................................65.166% Daen, sire; Tucks Bold Dream, dam; Janet Tucker, breeder ..........................................................64.935% 3. STAR T SETH; Shannon Martin, owner/rider; Gabriel (Jonker H.), sire; Belle, dam; Kimberly Gardner-Taylor, breeder.............................................................................63.847%
Intermediate I Musical Freestyle
First Level Open 1. SABRINA; Karen Parkey, owner; Paige Ruhl, rider; Patriot, sire; Serendippity, dam; Shauntel Bryant, breeder .............................................................................67.500% 2. ZOEY DARQ THUNDER; Hannah & Nicole Bossler, owners; Hannah Bossler, rider; Danny, sire; TAS Darq Promise, dam; Amy Burch & Kimbery McCutchen, breeders ...................64.265% 3. RIVAN OF D’ARCHANGEL; Amy Michelsen, owner/rider; Flurry of Ca-Lyn, sire; T-Valley Tanya of Tatras, dam; Kristine Gabriel, breeder............................61.765%
1. DREAMASTER; Janet Tucker, owner/rider; Daen, sire; Tucks Bold Dream, dam; Janet Tucker, breeder............................................................................65.250%
Friesian Sporthorse Association Training Level Open
1. LION KING; Georganne Benesch, owner/rider; Berend, sire; Lady Chester Prize, dam; Friesian Spirit Horse Farm, breeder .....................................................67.800% 2. ISADORA; Megan Nicholson, owner/rider; Ritske R., sire; 1. TRIPHAMMER’S STEELE; Courtney Bolender, owner/rider; Isabella-B., dam; Ginna Frantz, breeder.......................................................................................66.986% SMHC’s Raven fan Fallingasate, sire; Robert Wagner, breeder.....................................................66.768%
Second Level Open
Third Level Open
First Level Open
1. LION KING; Georganne Benesch, owner/rider; Berend, sire; 1. ELFE; Kathy Mathers, owner/rider; Donius W., sire; Lady Chester Prize, dam; Friesian Spirit Horse Farm, breeder .....................................................67.655% Welli’s Lady Victory, dam; Dawn Boyer, breeder..........................................................................63.013% 2. GUNNER; Patrick Orlaska, owner; Sammi Jo Stohler, rider; Joris W., sire; 2. JASMINE; Danielle Perry, owner/rider; Kaspar, sire; Nurosa, dam; Darlene Sharp, breeder ..........................................................................................64.444% Lady Fancy Pants, dam; Charles & Pamela Justice, breeders.......................................................60.834%
SABRINA, owner Karen Parkey (WA), rider Paige Ruhl (WA)— First Level Open (Friesian Sport Horse Reg. LLC))
174 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
DREAMASTER, owner/rider Janet Tucker (SC)—I-I Open, AA, Vintage Cup, & Mus. Freestyle (Friesian Sport Horse Reg. LLC))
LEFT: CAROLYNN BUNCH PHOTOGRAPHY
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
First Level Junior/Young Rider
Second Level Open
LEVITATE, owners Cathie Fergus-Watson and Jill Love(KY), rider Cathie Fergus-Watson (KY)—Third Level Open & Vintage Cup (Friesian Sporthorse Assn.)
First Level Vintage Cup
1. CELESTINA HP; Jill Berryman, owner/rider; Nico, sire; 1. GEORGANNE BENESCH (CA), riding LION KING; Georganne Benesch, owner; Vlarina, dam; Hidden Promise Sporthorses & Sherry Koella, breeders.......................................66.463% Berend, sire; Lady Chester Prize, dam; Friesian Spirit Horse Farm, breeder ................................67.655%
Third Level Open 1. LEVITATE; Cathie Fergus-Watson & Jill Love, owners; Cathie Fergus-Watson, rider; Wilco B.L., sire; Isa, dam; Cathie Fergus-Watson, breeder ...........................................................68.118%
Fourth Level Open 1. DENMARK; Joni Abney, owner/rider; Nico, sire; Vlarina, dam; Hidden Promise Sporthorses, breeder .........................................................................................67.708%
Second Level Vintage Cup 1. JILL BERRYMAN (MI), riding CELESTINA HP; Jill Berryman, owner; Nico, sire; Vlarina, dam; Hidden Promise Sporthorses & Sherry Koella, breeders.......................66.463%
Third Level Vintage Cup 1. CATHIE FERGUS-WATSON (KY), riding LEVITATE; Cathie Fergus-Watson & Jill Love, owners; Wilco B.L., sire; Isa, dam; Cathie Fergus-Watson, breeder...............................68.118%
Fourth Level Vintage Cup Grand Prix Open 1. LEXINGTON; Gigha Steinman, owner/rider; Flying W Farms Baron von Kolderveen, sire; Denver Miss, dam; Flying W Farms Inc., breeder .........................................................................64.400%
1. JONI ABNEY (TN), riding DENMARK; Joni Abney, owner; Nico, sire; Vlarina, dam; Hidden Promise Sporthorses, breeder ..................................................67.708%
First Level Musical Freestyle
1. GUNNER; Patrick Orlaska, owner; Sammi Jo Stohler, rider; Joris W., sire; Nurosa, dam; Darlene Sharp, breeder.....................................................................69.467% 1. GEORGANNE BENESCH (CA), riding LION KING; Georganne Benesch, owner; Berend, sire; Lady Chester Prize, dam; Friesian Spirit Horse Farm, breeder ................................67.800% Second Level Musical Freestyle 2. MEGAN NICHOLSON (WI), riding ISADORA; Megan Nicholson, owner; Ritske R., sire; Isabella-B., dam; Ginna Frantz, breeder ...............................................................66.986% 1. MIRAMAR; Melanie Cain-Stage, owner; Brian MacMahon, rider; Pieter fan Lutke Peinjum, sire; FWF Sweetheart’s Dance, dam; Flying W Farms Inc., breeder ...72.700% 2. DAUWE EGBERT; Elisabeth Faase, owner; Elisabeth Faase & Cynthia Thaxton, riders; First Level Adult Amateur Zorro, sire; Coalies Queen FD, dam; Avalon Stables & Christina Fennel, breeders .......................66.533% 1. GEORGANNE BENESCH (CA), riding LION KING; Georganne Benesch, owner; Berend, sire; Lady Chester Prize, dam; Friesian Spirit Horse Farm, breeder ................................67.655% Third Level Musical Freestyle 1. DENMARK; Joni Abney, owner/rider; Nico, sire; Vlarina, dam; Training Level Vintage Cup Hidden Promise Sporthorses, breeder .........................................................................................75.400% 1. GEORGANNE BENESCH (CA), riding LION KING; Georganne Benesch, owner; 2. DAUWE EGBERT; Elisabeth Faase, owner; Elisabeth Faase & Cynthia Thaxton, riders; Berend, sire; Lady Chester Prize, dam; Friesian Spirit Horse Farm, breeder ................................67.800% Zorro, sire; Coalies Queen FD, dam; Avalon Stables & Christina Fennel, breeders .......................66.667%
TOP RIGHT: WNCPHOTO.COM; BOTTOM LEFT: CARRIE SIMMONS
Training Level Adult Amateur
LEXINGTON, owner/rider Gigha Steinman (FL)—Grand Prix Open (Friesian Sporthorse Assn.)
MIRAMAR, owner Melanie Cain-Stage (FL), rider Brian MacMahon (FL)—Second Level Mus. Freestyle (Friesian Sporthorse Assn.)
USDF CONNECTION
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February 2016
175
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
CELESTINA HP, owner/rider Jill Berryman (MI)—Second Level Open & Vintage Cup (Friesian Sporthorse Assn.)
Prix St. Georges Open
Training Level Open
1. BRAV-O; Robyn Hahn, owner/rider; HS Pik Brado, sire; HS Spirit, dam; Charlene Summers, breeder................................................................................64.671%
1. HORSE FEATHERS RHUMBA; Nichole Crowley, owner/rider; Aislan of Lion King, sire; Horse Feathers Hope, dam; Rebecca McKeever, breeder .....................62.727%
Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur
Training Level Adult Amateur
1. ROBYN HAHN (NC), riding BRAV-O; Robyn Hahn, owner; HS Pik Brado, sire; HS Spirit, dam; Charlene Summers, breeder................................................................................64.671%
1. NICHOLE CROWLEY (MI), riding HORSE FEATHERS RHUMBA; Nichole Crowley, owner; Aislan of Lion King, sire; Horse Feathers Hope, dam; Rebecca McKeever, breeder .....................62.727%
Second Level Vintage Cup 1. LYNDON RIFE (TX), riding HS WROOSEVELT; Equifund Enterprises LLC - Wroosevelt Series, owner; HS Wistar, sire; Onika, dam; Christine Baumann, breeder...........................................................69.268%
Gypsy Vanner Horse Society Training Level Open 1. BANDERA TIGER MOTH; Sherri Barnes, owner; Heather Caudill, rider; Falcon, sire; Bandera Dexys Midnight Runner, dam; Sherri Barnes, breeder ..............................63.913% 2. GG KING OF THE BLUES; Janet Adams, owner; Heather Caudill, rider; The Gypsy King, sire; Shampoo Girl, dam; Dennis Thompson, breeder.......................................61.087%
International Andalusian & Lusitano Horse Association PUREBRED Training Level Open
First Level Open
1. MARQUES WEC; Pamela Mckee, owner; Reese Koffler-Stanfield, rider; Novillero VIII, sire; Briseta CDP, dam; Paul Vasquez, breeder .......................................................70.114% 1. AODHAN; Lori Wilson, owner; Gillian Muir, rider; Westmoreland the Lottery Horse, sire; Rosa Lee, dam; Jessica Cutting, breeder.......................................................................................64.219% 2. GALANTE; Robert Chapeski, owner/rider; Confidente SG, sire; Chinapa, dam; Cathy & Joe McCarter, breeders ...........................................................................69.773% 2. CLONONEEN LARK; Judith Mitchell, owner; Heather Caudill, rider; Clononeen Farm, breeder ..61.457% 3. FINO MALU; Jacqueline Powers, owner; Elizabeth Hendrix & Jacqueline Powers, riders; Second Level Open Rossini (Alem), sire; Ujuana CD, dam; Carolyn Lochert and Emma & Eric Carlson, breeders ......66.906% 1. GREY GHOST PHANTOM; Deborah Noonan, owner; Heather Caudill, rider; The Lion King, sire; Jeanie, dam; Deborah Noonan, breeder.......................................................62.317% First Level Open 1. GALANTE; Robert Chapeski, owner/rider; Confidente SG, sire; Chinapa, dam; Cathy & Joe McCarter, breeders ...........................................................................69.853% 1. PEPEROOGA’S PARNOO ORI; Sara Bartholomew, owner; Rachel Wade, rider; Romipen, sire; Bodi’s Peperooga, dam; Lynn Strauman, breeder ...............................................63.816% 2. FINO MALU; Jacqueline Powers, owner; Elizabeth Hendrix, rider; Rossini (Alem), sire; Ujuana CD, dam; Carolyn Lochert, Emma & Eric Carlson, breeders .............................................69.167% 3. DAVIDOSO AK; Linda Butler, owner; Alissa Jensen, rider; Kianto, sire; Third Level Adult Amateur Rafaga Jim, dam; Ami MacHugh & Jackass Mtn Ranch, breeders ..............................................68.475% 1. SARA BARTHOLOMEW (CA), riding PEPEROOGA’S PARNOO ORI; Sara Bartholomew, owner; Romipen, sire; Bodi’s Peperooga, dam; Lynn Strauman, breeder ...............................................63.141%
Prix St. Georges Open
Second Level Open
First Level Musical Freestyle
1. DANTE RDL; Teresa Hurley, owner; Martin Arnold, rider; Saltador ORO 1, sire; 1. AODHAN; Lori Wilson, owner; Gillian Muir, rider; Westmoreland the Lottery Horse, sire; Ilusion MHF, dam; Judy & Walter Henslee, breeders....................................................................66.768% Rosa Lee, dam; Jessica Cutting, breeder.......................................................................................70.000% 2. ADAGIO; Kathy Whitson, owner/rider; Centario, sire; 2. CLONONEEN LARK; Judith Mitchell, owner; Heather Caudill, rider; Clononeen Farm, breeder ..67.733% Airosa T, dam; Thomas & Vicki Nelson, breeders ..........................................................................65.565% 3. DONZI MC; Hilary Clayton, owner/rider; Taperao Do Reis, sire; Second Level Musical Freestyle Tarambola, dam; Arsenio Cordeiro & Karen Jenkins, breeders ....................................................65.046% 1. GREY GHOST PHANTOM; Deborah Noonan, owner; Heather Caudill, rider; The Lion King, sire; Jeanie, dam; Deborah Noonan, breeder.......................................................70.167%
Third Level Open
1. ARTURO; Victoria Andrews, owner; Kristen Aggers, rider; Regaliz, sire; Shalem IA, dam; Tintagel Enterprises Ltd, breeder......................................................................69.616% 2. KELICO; Linda Blake, owner; Luke McLaughlin, rider; Teodoro, sire; Second Level Open Gloriosa G, dam; Brian & Dawn Griggs, breeders.........................................................................65.746% 1. HS WROOSEVELT; Equifund Enterprises LLC - Wroosevelt Series, owner; Lyndon Rife, rider; 3. CAMINANTE DEL SOL; Jill Mincks, owner/rider; Fandango Del Sol, sire; HS Wistar, sire; Onika, dam; Christine Baumann, breeder...........................................................69.268% Ilusa XXII, dam; Leonardo & Maria Mandina, breeders ...............................................................65.192%
Hungarian Horse Association of America
HORSE FEATHERS RHUMBA, owner/rider Nichole Crowley (MI)—Training Level Open & AA (Gypsy Horse Reg. of America)
GREY GHOST PHANTOM, owner Deborah Noonan (FL), rider Heather Caudill (FL)—Second Level Open & Mus. Freestyle (Gypsy Vanner Horse Soc.)
176 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
HS WROOSEVELT, owner Equifund Enterprises LLC-Wroosevelt Series (TX), rider Lyndon Rife (TX)—Second Level Open & Vintage Cup (Hungarian Horse Assn. of America)
MIDDLE: SUSANJSTICKLE.COM
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
Gypsy Horse Registry of America Inc.
GALANTE, owner/rider Robert Chapeski (MO)—First Level Open; Training & First Level Vintage Cup (Intl. Andalusian & Lusitano Horse Assn.—Purebred)
DANTE RDL, owner Teresa Hurley (TX), rider Martin Arnold (TX)—Second Level Open; First Level Mus. Freestyle (Intl. Andalusian & Lusitano Horse Assn.—Purebred)
2. TOMILLO VII; Fie Studnitz Andersen, owner; Fie Studnitz Andersen & Francisco Garcia, riders; Presumido XXXVI, sire; Islena XVI, dam; Juan Cobian & Los Albureigs S.A., breeders.................63.250% 1. BARROCO; Candace Platz, owner; Melissa Maclaren, rider; Torre, sire; Vadia, dam; Pedro Choy, breeder ................................................................................67.443% 3. ZERBINO INTERAGRO; Johnny Robb, owner/rider; Quixoter Interagro, sire; Estrelada, dam; Fazendas Interagro LTDA, breeder......................................................................60.550% 2. KARILLO G; Susan Van Lennep, owner/rider; Favorito KG, sire; Encantada D, dam; Brian Griggs & Gloriosa Farms, breeders ......................................................65.778% 3. PICASSO FRF; Diane Redlich, owner; Yvonne Barteau & Diane Redlich, riders; Bruno, sire; Gina, dam; Garrison Ranch & Pat Garrison, breeders ...............................................65.099% Training Level Adult Amateur 1. TANIA RADDA (AZ), riding TEODORO III; Tania Radda, owner; Nieto II, sire; Teodora, dam; Caballos Espanoles Del Valle de Guadalupe, breeder ..........................................65.222% Prix St. Georges Open 2. JACQUELINE POWERS (CA), riding FINO MALU; Jacqueline Powers, owner; 1. BON ORPHEO; Ruth Andrea Levinson, owner; Jeffrey Lindberg, rider; Rossini (Alem), sire; Ujuana CD, dam; Carolyn Lochert and Emma & Eric Carlson, breeders ......64.659% Rumbero, sire; Pitomba Interagro, dam; Cheryl Person, breeder ................................................67.303% 3. SHEILA SEKELA (KY), riding ROSALEJA; Sheila Sekela, owner; 2. BARROCO; Candace Platz, owner; Melissa Maclaren, rider; Armas Realejo, sire; Patina, dam; Christina Cardenas, breeder ...................................................62.727% Torre, sire; Vadia, dam; Pedro Choy, breeder ................................................................................65.592% 3. VENTO; Carolyn McMullen, owner/rider; Fadista, sire; Indiana, dam; Francisco Cardoso, breeder ...................................................................................65.329% First Level Adult Amateur 1. BARBARA NAGLE (FL), riding FORCADO CL; Barbara Nagle, owner; Solar HM, sire; Aroeira Do Castanheiro, dam; Casa Lusitana LLC & Jorge Gabriel, breeders................................66.176% Intermediate I Open 2. HILARY CLAYTON (MI), riding DONZI MC; Hilary Clayton, owner; Taperao Do Reis, sire; 1. SULTAO; Rebecca Larkin, owner/rider; Eneas, sire; Tarambola, dam; Arsenio Cordeiro & Karen Jenkins, breeders ....................................................65.588% Ninfa, dam; Julio Alberto Pimental Da Fonseca, breeder ............................................................62.500% 3. TANIA RADDA (AZ), riding TEODORO III; Tania Radda, owner; Nieto II, sire; 2. ROEBEL COMANDO SN; Laura Kauffman, owner; Kimberly Sosebee & Laura Kauffman, riders; Teodora, dam; Caballos Espanoles Del Valle de Guadalupe, breeder ..........................................62.133% Flipper, sire; Habilidade, dam; Simone Nowak Passos, breeder ..................................................61.579%
TOP MIDDLE: OLIVIA CHAPESKI/CHAPESKI STABLES; TOP RIGHT: BILL HURLEY; BOTTOM LEFT: CORINNE FOXLEY; BOTTOMMIDDLE: MICKIE KRAJENKE
Fourth Level Open
Intermediate II Open
Second Level Adult Amateur
1. TOMILLO VII; Fie Studnitz Andersen, owner/rider; Presumido XXXVI, sire; 1. KATHY WHITSON (CA), riding ADAGIO; Kathy Whitson, owner; Centario, sire; Islena XVI, dam; Juan Cobian & Los Albureigs S.A., breeders ......................................................64.539% Airosa T, dam; Thomas & Vicki Nelson, breeders ..........................................................................65.565% 2. HILARY CLAYTON (MI), riding DONZI MC; Hilary Clayton, owner; Taperao Do Reis, sire; Tarambola, dam; Arsenio Cordeiro & Karen Jenkins, breeders .................65.046% Grand Prix Open 3. GWYNETH BOHARA (PA), riding FMR ECLIPSE; Gwyneth Bohara, owner; 1. TONICO DO TOP; Linda Denniston, owner; Felicitas Von Neumann-Cosel, rider; Excalibur A, sire; Bravita Del Bravio, dam; Lori Bohn, breeder.....................................................63.462% Emetico, sire; Jandaya Do Top, dam; T.M. Antonio, breeder.........................................................66.625%
TONICO DO TOP, owner Linda Denniston (MD), rider Felicitas Von Neumann-Cosel (MD)—Grand Prix Open & Mus. Freestyle (Intl. Andalusian & Lusitano Horse Assn.—Purebred)
TEODORO III, owner/rider Tania Radda (AZ)—Training Level AA (Intl. Andalusian & Lusitano Horse Assn.—Purebred)
FORCADO CL, owner/rider Barbara Nagle (FL)—First Level AA (Intl. Andalusian & Lusitano Horse Assn.—Purebred)
USDF CONNECTION
•
February 2016
177
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
MARQUES WEC, owner Pamela McKee (KY), rider Reese Koffler-Stanfield (KY)—Training Level Open (Intl. Andalusian & Lusitano Horse Assn.—Purebred)
Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur
Second Level Vintage Cup 1. CAROLYN MCMULLEN (CA), riding VENTO; Carolyn McMullen, owner; Fadista, sire; Indiana, dam; Francisco Cardoso, breeder...............................................................65.329% 1. KATHY WHITSON (CA), riding ADAGIO; Kathy Whitson, owner; Centario, sire; Airosa T, dam; Thomas & Vicki Nelson, breeders ...................................................65.565% 2. BARBARA BONK (DE), riding VERDI DO RETIRO; Barbara Bonk, owner; 2. HILARY CLAYTON (MI), riding DONZI MC; Hilary Clayton, owner; Taperao Do Reis, sire; Poderoso do Retiro, sire; Opera Do Retiro, dam; Eduardo Fischer, breeder..................................62.698% Tarambola, dam; Arsenio Cordeiro & Karen Jenkins, breeders ....................................................65.046% 3. ANDREA JACKSON (NJ), riding SOBERANO DO FUNCHAL; Andrea Jackson, owner; Embaixador II, sire; Magnifica Do Mirante, dam; Manuel Francisco Da Silva, breeder ...............60.724% 3. PENNY UNDERWOOD (MI), riding DULCINEYA; Kimberly David, owner; Santiago, sire; Amoria De La Corazon, dam; Cara Rothrock & Rothrock Andalusians, breeders.........................62.510% Grand Prix Adult Amateur
Third Level Vintage Cup 1. JOHNNY ROBB (FL), riding ZERBINO INTERAGRO; Johnny Robb, owner; Quixoter Interagro, sire; Estrelada, dam; Fazendas Interagro LTDA, breeder ..............................60.550% 1. CHRISTY RAISBECK (TX), riding ROBERTO; Alicia Boutan, owner; Solturo, sire; Juridica, dam; Gilda Arana, breeder .............................................................................................63.718% 2. PENNY UNDERWOOD (MI), riding DULCINEYA; Kimberly David, owner; Santiago, sire; Training Level Junior/Young Rider Amoria De La Corazon, dam; Cara Rothrock & Rothrock Andalusians, breeders.........................62.121% 1. ANGELA LOCZI-STORM (OR), riding SERENA SRF; Anne Storm, owner; 3. PATRICIA MCVARY (IL), riding AUREO; Patricia McVary, owner; Regidor XVI, sire; Dominante XXIX, sire; Evangelista MHF, dam; Jennings Lambeth, breeder ...............................66.364% Alba 8, dam; Esteban Franch, breeder .........................................................................................61.923% 2. MEGHAN WATT (FL), riding MADRIGAL MC; Christopher Watt & Robert Harriman, owners; Hachon MC, sire; Brisona MC, dam; Karen Jenkins & Music City Andalusian, breeders..............65.569% Prix St. Georges Vintage Cup 3. ISABELLA CUTILLO (CA), riding SCHEHERAZADE AFA; Isabella Cutillo, owner; 1. BARBARA BONK (DE), riding VERDI DO RETIRO; Barbara Bonk, owner; Esteban B, sire; Mountain Dream Gitana, dam; Holly Zech, breeder...........................................64.773% Poderoso do Retiro, sire; Opera Do Retiro, dam; Eduardo Fischer, breeder..................................62.698% 2. ANDREA JACKSON (NJ), riding SOBERANO DO FUNCHAL; Andrea Jackson, owner; First Level Junior/Young Rider Embaixador II, sire; Magnifica Do Mirante, dam; Manuel Francisco Da Silva, breeder ...............60.724% 1. ALEXIS RZESNOWIECKY (NV), riding RECHEIO DO RETIRO; Alexis Rzesnowiecky, owner; Dardo II, sire; Mimosa III, dam; Eduardo Fischer, breeder ............................................................67.647% First Level Musical Freestyle 2. VALERIE GOLDEN (OH), riding LISTO VI; Valerie Golden, owner; 1. DANTE RDL; Teresa Hurley, owner; Martin Arnold, rider; Saltador ORO 1, sire; Aureolo V, sire; Ambiciosa VIII, dam; Jesus Gil, breeder ...............................................................64.159% Ilusion MHF, dam; Judy & Walter Henslee, breeders....................................................................73.833% 3. ANGELA LOCZI-STORM (OR), riding SERENA SRF; Anne Storm, owner; Dominante XXIX, sire; 2. XENOPHON; Sandra Werner, owner; Shelley Van Den Neste, rider; Evangelista MHF, dam; Jennings Lambeth, breeder ...................................................................62.941% Gaucho III, sire; Reina JDE, dam; Robin Martin, breeder .............................................................70.000% Third Level Junior/Young Rider
3. AMBROSIO CA; Alice Quinn, owner; Alison Head, rider; Enamorado XXVI, sire; Isabella SMDR, dam; Deirdre Teasley, breeder .............................................................................68.967%
1. MEGHAN WATT (FL), riding INVICTO MC; Christopher Watt, owner; Gaucho Mor I, sire; Tammy I, dam; Karen Jenkins & Music City Andalusian, breeders ...............62.372%
Third Level Musical Freestyle
1. ROBERTO; Alicia Boutan, owner; Christy Raisbeck, rider; Solturo, sire; Juridica, dam; Gilda Arana, breeder .............................................................................................70.833% 1. ROBERT CHAPESKI (MT), riding GALANTE; Robert Chapeski, owner; 2. PICASSO FRF; Diane Redlich, owner/rider; Bruno, sire; Gina, dam; Confidente SG, sire; Chinapa, dam; Cathy & Joe McCarter, breeders...........................................69.773% Garrison Ranch & Pat Garrison, breeders .....................................................................................69.567%
Training Level Vintage Cup
ADAGIO, owner/rider Kathy Whitson (CA)— Second Level AA & Vintage Cup (Intl. Andalusian & Lusitano Horse Assn.—Purebred)
CAMINANTE DEL SOL, owner/rider Jill Mincks (CO)—Third Level AA (Intl. Andalusian & Lusitano Horse Assn.—Purebred)
178 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
PICASSO FRF, owner/rider Diane Redlich (OH)—Fourth Level AA (Intl. Andalusian & Lusitano Horse Assn.—Purebred)
LEFT: ©TERRI MILLER; RIGHT: JOANNE JODKO
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
2. TANIA RADDA (AZ), riding TEODORO III; Tania Radda, owner; Nieto II, sire; Teodora, dam; Caballos Espanoles Del Valle de Guadalupe, breeder .....................65.222% 1. JILL MINCKS (CO), riding CAMINANTE DEL SOL; Jill Mincks, owner; Fandango Del Sol, sire; Ilusa XXII, dam; Leonardo & Maria Mandina, breeders..........................65.192% 3. ROBERT CHAPESKI (MT), riding PALISANDRO H; Karra Markley, owner; Kianto, sire; Karina D, dam; Terri Meador, breeder .......................................................................63.855% 2. OLIVIA BANYON (NJ), riding CHAMAN; Olivia Banyon, owner; E-Nabo, sire; Fama, dam; Pablo Hermozo De Mendonza, breeder..............................................63.045% 3. PATRICIA MCVARY (IL), riding AUREO; Patricia McVary, owner; First Level Vintage Cup Regidor XVI, sire; Alba 8, dam; Esteban Franch, breeder.............................................................61.923% 1. ROBERT CHAPESKI (MT), riding GALANTE; Robert Chapeski, owner; Confidente SG, sire; Chinapa, dam; Cathy & Joe McCarter, breeders...........................................69.853% 2. SHELLEY VAN DEN NESTE (FL), riding XENOPHON; Sandra Werner, owner; Fourth Level Adult Amateur Gaucho III, sire; Reina JDE, dam; Robin Martin, breeder .............................................................67.941% 1. DIANE REDLICH (OH), riding PICASSO FRF; Diane Redlich, owner; Bruno, sire; Gina, dam; Garrison Ranch & Pat Garrison, breeders ...............................................63.311% 3. HILARY CLAYTON (MI), riding DONZI MC; Hilary Clayton, owner; Taperao Do Reis, sire; Tarambola, dam; Arsenio Cordeiro & Karen Jenkins, breeders .................65.588%
Third Level Adult Amateur
VERDI DO RETIRO, owner/rider Barbara Bonk (DE)—PSG Vintage Cup (Intl. Andalusian & Lusitano Horse Assn.— Purebred)
Fourth Level Musical Freestyle
REGALO ORO, owner/rider Penney Wetherbee (WI)—Training Level Open, AA, & Vintage Cup (Intl. Andalusian & Lusitano Horse Assn.—Half-Andalusian)
Prix St. Georges Open
1. VENTO; Carolyn McMullen, owner/rider; Fadista, sire; 1. DIEGO-GARCIA; Terry Johnson, owner; Heather Bender & Alison Larson, riders; Indiana, dam; Francisco Cardoso, breeder ...................................................................................66.333% Q, sire; Jewel, dam; Isabel Andalus & Karen Willmus, breeders ..................................................65.329% 2. TALISMAN BHF; Torrey Wilkinson, owner/rider; Temerario VII, sire; Dance on Aire, dam; Deborah Messick, breeder ..........................................................................64.868% Grand Prix Musical Freestyle 1. TONICO DO TOP; Linda Denniston, owner; Felicitas Von Neumann-Cosel, rider; Emetico, sire; Jandaya Do Top, dam; T.M. Antonio, breeder.........................................................70.906% Training Level Adult Amateur 1. PENNEY WETHERBEE (WI), riding REGALO ORO; Penney Wetherbee, owner; 2. ZERBINO INTERAGRO; Johnny Robb, owner/rider; Quixoter Interagro, sire; Reno Cabrieto R, sire; Miss Spot, dam; James & Kathleen Laake, breeders ................................69.892% Estrelada, dam; Fazendas Interagro LTDA, breeder......................................................................63.875% 2. LISA JACKSON (UT), riding BELISARUS; Lisa Jackson, owner; Hereje TG, sire; Bohemia, dam; Donya Nelson, breeder .......................................................................................66.438%
Three-Year-Old Colts/Geldings
1. HAMLET JC; Nicole Grous, owner; Pincelim II, sire; Raposa HM, dam; Jane Creagh, breeder .....70.188%
First Level Adult Amateur
1. CHANDILYN SMITH (GA), riding ASCENSO; Chandilyn Smith, owner; Excelso, sire; Denali, dam; Paul Belasik, breeder..........................................................................67.339% 2. ELIZABETH MOROSANI (NC), riding SONRISA TLM; Elizabeth Morosani, owner; Training Level Open Temerario X, sire; Nebu, dam; Jeff McQueen, breeder.................................................................66.374% 1. REGALO ORO; Penney Wetherbee, owner/rider; Reno Cabrieto R, sire; 3. ANGELA TINSLEY (CA), riding FUEGO AMOR; Angela Tinsley & Monica Stock, owners; Miss Spot, dam; James & Kathleen Laake, breeders....................................................................69.892% Genio III, sire; Le Goalette, dam; Diana Humphries & Equine Affaire LLC, breeders....................65.000% 2. BELISARUS; Lisa Jackson, owner/rider; Hereje TG, sire; Bohemia, dam; Donya Nelson, breeder .....66.438%
TOP MIDDLE: PICSOFYOUC.OM; TOP RIGHT: JOHN BORYS; BOTTOM LEFT: STACYLYNNEPHOTO.COM; BOTTOM RIGHT: PICSOFYOU.COM
HALF-ANDALUSIAN
First Level Open
Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur
1. TORREY WILKINSON (VA), riding TALISMAN BHF; Torrey Wilkinson, owner; 1. VALSAR; Melody Light, owner; Lynn Jendrowski, rider; Principe, sire; Temerario VII, sire; Dance on Aire, dam; Deborah Messick, breeder ...........................................64.868% Shall We Tango, dam; Melody Light, breeder ..............................................................................71.618% 2. SONHADORA WML; Wendy Levy, owner; Bethany Nehse, rider; Saphiro, sire; Training Level Vintage Cup Briosa WML, dam; Wendy Levy, breeder......................................................................................67.505% 1. PENNEY WETHERBEE (WI), riding REGALO ORO; Penney Wetherbee, owner; 3. ASCENSO; Chandilyn Smith, owner/rider; Excelso, sire; Denali, dam; Paul Belasik, breeder......67.339% Reno Cabrieto R, sire; Miss Spot, dam; James & Kathleen Laake, breeders ................................69.892%
Second Level Open
First Level Vintage Cup
1. LYNN JENDROWSKI (VA), riding VALSAR; Melody Light, owner; 1. VALSAR; Melody Light, owner; Lynn Jendrowski, rider; Principe, sire; Principe, sire; Shall We Tango, dam; Melody Light, breeder ........................................................71.618% Shall We Tango, dam; Melody Light, breeder ..............................................................................65.122%
VALSAR, owner Melody Light (VA), rider Lynn Jendrowski (VA)—First & Second Level Open & Vintage Cup (Intl. Andalusian & Lusitano Horse Assn.—Half-Andalusian)
ASCENSO, owner/rider Chandilyn Smith (GA)—First Level AA (Intl. Andalusian & Lusitano Horse Assn.—HalfAndalusian)
TALISMAN BHF, owner/rider Torrey Wilkinson (VA)—PSG AA; Fourth Level Mus. Freestyle (Intl. Andalusian & Lusitano Horse Assn.—Half-Andalusian)
USDF CONNECTION
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February 2016
179
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
ZERBINO INTERAGRO, owner/rider Johnny Robb (FL)— Grand Prix AA (Intl. Andalusian & Lusitano Horse Assn.— Purebred)
1. LYNN JENDROWSKI (VA), riding VALSAR; Melody Light, owner; Principe, sire; Shall We Tango, dam; Melody Light, breeder .........................................................................................................................65.122%
International Sporthorse Registry/Oldenburg NA Training Level Open
1. FORTHRIGHT; Tom Noone, owner/rider; Fred Astair, sire; May Juweel, dam; Tom Noone, breeder.......................................................................................76.504% 1. SONHADORA WML; Wendy Levy, owner; Bethany Nehse, rider; 2. IDYLLIC B; Maureen Lamb, owner/rider; Ideal, sire; Petrina, dam; Susan MacInnes, breeder....72.675% Saphiro, sire; Briosa WML, dam; Wendy Levy, breeder................................................................72.000% 3. MY FLING; Lee Kuiphof-Thome, owner/rider; Masterpiece, sire; Shirley, dam; 2. VALSAR; Melody Light, owner; Lynn Jendrowski, rider; Principe, sire; Kenneth Borden, breeder .............................................................................................................71.764% Shall We Tango, dam; Melody Light, breeder ..............................................................................71.167% 4. RAE SANGRIA; Kristin Stein, owner/rider; Royal Prince, sire; 3. CORSANA; Jennifer Swanson, owner/rider; Excelso, sire; Icy Order, dam; Ferrymore Lane, dam; Donna Mayne, breeder............................................................................71.591% Paul Belasik & Pennsylvania Riding Academy, breeders .............................................................65.667% 5. ROMANTICA II; Heather Miller, owner/rider; Rubignon, sire; Pointmade, dam; Rosemary Prince, breeder ...............................................................................70.909%
First Level Musical Freestyle
Third Level Musical Freestyle
First Level Open 1. PAGANO; Andrea Meoak, owner/rider; Esteban B, sire; Rage’s Golden Honey, dam; Kerry & Missy Sprouse, breeders.....................................................67.833% 1. RAE SANGRIA; Kristin Stein, owner/rider; Royal Prince, sire; Ferrymore Lane, dam; Donna Mayne, breeder............................................................................70.882% 2. BELIZE; Yvonne Emerson, owner; Monika Dujardin, rider; Batido, sire; Fourth Level Musical Freestyle Wisteria, dam; Marie Macdonald, breeder ..................................................................................70.588% 1. TALISMAN BHF; Torrey Wilkinson, owner/rider; Temerario VII, sire; 3. RIO RELONCAVI; Robin Mershon, owner/rider; Rapture R, sire; Clio, dam; Mares’Nest, breeder......70.005% Dance on Aire, dam; Deborah Messick, breeder ..........................................................................68.792% 4. WALDEMAR; Evelyn James, owner/rider; Walldorf, sire; 2. PAGANO; Andrea Meoak, owner/rider; Esteban B, sire; Le Clic, dam; Debbie & Jim Davis, breeders..................................................................................69.706% Rage’s Golden Honey, dam; Kerry & Missy Sprouse, breeders.....................................................67.000% 5. ROYAL TRADITION; Seana Adamson, owner/rider; Royal Prince, sire; Paragon, dam; Christine Loudon, breeder ...................................................................................69.559%
International Friesian Show Horse Association
Second Level Open
1. LAUREL; Carol Smith, owner; Lauren Chumley, rider; Longchamp, sire; Pastora, dam; Summit Sporthorses Ltd Inc., breeder ..................................................................68.333% Four-Year-Old and Older Broodmares 2. FANTASIA; Linda Toll & Victoria Patterson-Pirko, owners; Victoria Patterson-Pirko, rider; 1. SELWOOD PARK WAILEA; Gareth Selwood, owner; Anne 340, sire; Welstern, sire; Musique Debussy, dam; Carolyn Miller, breeder..................................................68.258% Sita B., dam; Lori Brock, breeder ..................................................................................................74.710% 3. ARGENTUM BSH; Dove Butler, owner; Katie Hoefs-Martin, rider; Art Deco, sire; Sasia, dam; Dove Butler, breeder .................................................................................................67.566% 4. ATHALIA; Carol Glover, owner; Andrea Manos, rider; Alpenstern, sire; Heather’s Beauty, dam; Kathryn Collier, breeder .........................................................................67.073% 5. BELIZE; Yvonne Emerson, owner; Monika Dujardin, rider; Batido, sire; Wisteria, dam; Marie Macdonald, breeder ..................................................................................66.098%
International Georgian Grande Horse Registry
Second Level Open
1. FWF PRINCESS JULIANA; Mary Adams, owner; Jonni Allen, rider; Pieter fan Lutke Peinjum, sire; Flying W Farms Dresden Figurine, dam; Flying W Farms Inc. & George Wagner, breeders.........72.622%
Third Level Open
1. OVATION; Kenneth Borden, owner/rider; Opus, sire; Windspiel, dam; Kenneth Borden, breeder .............................................................................................................67.518% Third Level Open 2. WINTERFAIR; Andrea Hart, owner/rider; Winterprinz, sire; Meriah, dam; 1. LION HEART; Susan Pommer, owner/rider; Flying W Farms Baron von Kolderveen, sire; Anna Whit Watkins, breeder.........................................................................................................66.795% Baily Jean, dam; George Wagner, breeder ...................................................................................66.516% 3. PALERMO SW; Jennifer Sotiroff, owner; Kate Sotiroff, rider; Pablo, sire; 2. FLYING W FARMS PRINCE SULTANI; Barbara Pendleton, owner/rider; Flying W Farms Koning, sire; Whits her name, dam; Katharine Albrecht, breeder....................................................................65.160% Sultana Blue, dam; Flying W Farms Inc. & George Wagner, breeders .........................................61.923%
Fourth Level Open Second Level Musical Freestyle
1. FAOLAN; Bridget Hay, owner/rider; Freestyle, sire; Wyoming, dam; Barbara Hay, breeder .......67.833% 1. FWF PRINCESS JULIANA; Mary Adams, owner; Jonni Allen, rider; Pieter fan Lutke Peinjum, sire; 2. ALIEA; John & Sonya Hunt, owners; Sonya Hunt, rider; Art Deco, sire; Flying W Farms Dresden Figurine, dam; Flying W Farms Inc. & George Wagner, breeders.........82.167% Chloe, dam; Tiffany Hattler, breeder ............................................................................................65.111%
PAGANO, owner/rider Andrea Meoak (NY)—Third Level Mus. Freestyle (Intl. Andalusian & Lusitano Horse Assn.— Half-Andalusian)
SELWOOD PARK WAILEA, owner Gareth Selwood (NY)— DSHB Four-year-old and older Broodmares (Intl. Friesian Show Horse Assn.)
180 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
FWF PRINCESS JULIANA, owner Mary Adams (MO), rider Jonni Allen (MO)—Second Level Open & Mus. Freestyle (Intl. Georgian Grande Horse Reg.)
RIGTH: JESSE FRANKS
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
Second Level Vintage Cup
Prix St. Georges Open
TOP RIGHT: SUSANJSTICKLE.COM; BOTTOME LEFT: ERICH LINDER PHOTOGRAPHY; BOTTOM MIDDLE: TAMMY ANDERSON; BOTTOM RIGHT: AP GOUGE
1. FREEDOM; Anne Ramsay, owner; Patricia Becker, rider; Feuri, sire; Windjammer, dam; Annie B Farm, breeder .................................................................................70.329% 2. RASHKA; Kenneth Borden, owner/rider; GP Raymeister, sire; Tashka, dam; Kenneth Borden, breeder.......................................................................................70.263% 3. DERBY; Cackie Vroom, owner; Sally Lofting, rider; Donnerwerth, sire; Pastora, dam; Ilona English, breeder ...........................................................................................67.434% 4. CHARDONNAY; Julio Mendoza Loor & Sheila O’Keefe, owners; Julio Mendoza Loor, rider; Comic Hilltop FRH, sire; Kitty Colleen, dam; Sheila O’Keefe, breeder ..........................................66.689% 5. CON DIA; Stephanie McNutt, owner/rider; Contucci, sire; Cor Dia, dam; Hilltop Farm Inc., breeder ......................................................................................66.480%
Intermediate I Open
FAOLAN, owner/rider Bridget Hay (NJ)—Fourth Level Open; FEI Six-Year-Old (Intl. Sporthorse Reg./Oldenburg NA) 4. TRACY MCPHERSON (WV), riding RENATUS; Tracy McPherson, owner; Rubignon, sire; Colonel’s J.D., dam; Andrew Padden, breeder ....................................................69.091% 5. JULIE COOK (KY), riding RIESLING CCF; Julie Cook, owner; Royal Prince, sire; Akino, dam; Chris Roseberry, breeder .............................................................68.409%
First Level Adult Amateur 1. ROBIN MERSHON (OH), riding RIO RELONCAVI; Robin Mershon, owner; Rapture R, sire; Clio, dam; Mare’s Nest, breeder ...........................................................................70.005% 2. EVELYN JAMES (CA), riding WALDEMAR; Evelyn James, owner; Walldorf, sire; Le Clic, dam; Debbie & Jim Davis, breeders ..........................................................69.706% 3. SHANNON KOZAKIEWICZ (PA), riding SIR FLEMMINGH; Shannon Kozakiewicz, owner; Sir Donnerhall, sire; Shirley, dam; Kenneth Borden, breeder ......................................................67.019% 4. SHANNON DEMPICH (MI), riding PAPRIKA; Shannon Dempich, owner; Parabol, sire; Fantasia, dam; Greg & Lara Schoettmer, breeders .................................................62.353%
1. RASHKA; Kenneth Borden, owner/rider; GP Raymeister, sire; Tashka, dam; Kenneth Borden, breeder.......................................................................................68.026% 2. WRANGER; Erin Boltik, owner; Heather Salden, rider; Wradar, sire; Second Level Adult Amateur Pilar, dam; Deborah Davenport, breeder .....................................................................................67.105% 1. TARYN ANDERSON (CO), riding ADDISON; Tammy Anderson, owner; 3. CHARDONNAY; Julio Mendoza Loor & Sheila O’Keefe, owners; Julio Mendoza Loor, rider; Allerhand, sire; Felicia, dam; Kim Weindel, breeder ....................................................................64.939% Comic Hilltop FRH, sire; Kitty Colleen, dam; Sheila O’Keefe, breeder ..........................................66.369% 2. CYNDI CRAIG (TX), riding FAERYN; Cyndi Craig, owner; Frohwind, sire; 4. ARTISTIC; Martine Duff, owner/rider; Art Deco, sire; Celebration, dam; Liz Hall, breeder ..........65.132% Sonny’s Mona Lisa+, dam; Cyndi Craig, breeder .........................................................................64.634% 5. FABIO; Kristy Truebenbach Lund, owner; Nicole DelGiorno & Jenifer Gaffney, riders; 3. KYLIE BRKUSICH (TX), riding RICHELIEU; Kylie Brkusich, owner; West Coast, sire; Doramber, dam; Judy Arnold, breeder..............................................................62.500% Regazzoni, sire; Glendale Morticia, dam; Kylie Brkusich, breeder...............................................64.561% 4. RICHARD DEVIN (NV), riding IMMERJOY; Richard Devin, owner; Ideal, sire; Proxy, dam; The Ultimate Piaffe, breeder ....................................................................................63.232% Training Level Adult Amateur 5. KENDALL BROOKHART (AZ), riding DONNA STELLA; Kendall & Sharee Brookhart, owners; 1. MAUREEN LAMB (CA), riding IDYLLIC B; Maureen Lamb, owner; Donnerwelt, sire; Radiant Star, dam; Kendall & Sharee Brookhart, breeders.............................61.923% Ideal, sire; Petrina, dam; Susan MacInnes, breeder .....................................................................72.675% 2. CAROL GLOVER (GA), riding ATHALIA; Carol Glover, owner; Alpenstern, sire; Heather’s Beauty, dam; Kathryn Collier, breeder..............................................72.327% Fourth Level Adult Amateur 3. HEATHER MILLER (FL), riding ROMANTICA II; Heather Miller, owner; 1. SONYA HUNT (VA), riding ALIEA; John & Sonya Hunt, owners; Art Deco, sire; Rubignon, sire; Pointmade, dam; Rosemary Prince, breeder......................................................70.909% Chloe, dam; Tiffany Hattler, breeder ............................................................................................65.111%
RIO RELONCAVI, owner/rider Robin Mershon (OH)—First Level AA (Intl. Sporthorse Reg./Oldenburg NA)
ADDISON, owner Tammy Anderson (CO), rider Taryn Anderson (CO)—Second Level AA (Intl. Sporthorse Reg./ Oldenburg NA)
ARTISTIC, owner/rider Martine Duff (SC)—I-I AA (Intl. Sporthorse Reg./Oldenburg NA)
USDF CONNECTION
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February 2016
181
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
LION HEART, owner/rider Susan Pommer (CA)—Third Level Open (Intl. Georgian Grande Horse Reg.)
Second Level Junior/Young Rider
1. MCKENZIE MIAVITZ (OH), riding CAPRICIOUS; Mckenzie Miavitz, owner; Contucci, sire; Grandbrooke’s Hope, dam; Kenneth & Natalie Ortberg, breeders........................61.829%
Intermediate I Vintage Cup
1. KENNETH BORDEN (IL), riding RASHKA; Kenneth Borden, owner; GP Raymeister, sire; Tashka, dam; Kenneth Borden, breeder ......................................................68.026% 2. JENIFER GAFFNEY (OH), riding FABIO; Kristy Truebenbach Lund, owner; 1. KATE SOTIROFF (CO), riding PALERMO SW; Jennifer Sotiroff, owner; West Coast, sire; Doramber, dam; Judy Arnold, breeder..............................................................62.106% Pablo, sire; Whits her name, dam; Katharine Albrecht, breeder..................................................65.705%
Third Level Junior/Young Rider
First Level Musical Freestyle
Prix St. Georges Junior/Young Rider
1. SILHOUETTE; Michelle Morehead, owner/rider; Staccato*, sire; 1. JESSICA PIERCE (CA), riding STERLING; Jessica Pierce, owner; Lafonsa, dam; Donald & Yolanda Williamson, breeders ..............................................................73.500% Leonidas, sire; Hobby*, dam; Carol Foster, breeder .....................................................................63.816% 2. ARGENTUM BSH; Dove Butler, owner; Katie Hoefs-Martin, rider; Art Deco, sire; Sasia, dam; Dove Butler, breeder .................................................................................................72.833% Training Level Vintage Cup 3. DANTE; Lynn Jendrowski, owner; Lynn Jendrowski & Cody Armstrong, riders; 1. CAROL GLOVER (GA), riding ATHALIA; Carol Glover, owner; Alpenstern, sire; Donarweiss GGF, sire; Wicka Alina, dam; George Atamian, breeder ...........................................72.633% Heather’s Beauty, dam; Kathryn Collier, breeder .........................................................................72.327% 2. DIANE WELLING (OH), riding DULCINEA; Diane Welling, owner; Domiro, sire; Weinblume, dam; Joann Smith, breeder................................................................66.154% Second Level Musical Freestyle 3. PAIGE HUFF (GA), riding ADALIA; Paige Huff, owner; Alpenstern, sire; 1. ATHALIA; Carol Glover, owner; Andrea Manos, rider; Alpenstern, sire; Sinamin Lace, dam; Kathryn Collier, breeder ...............................................................................62.955% Heather’s Beauty, dam; Kathryn Collier, breeder .........................................................................71.667% 2. CROWN ROYAL VT; Heather Mason, owner; Alexandra Krossen, rider; Concerto Grosso, sire; New Beginnings, dam; Virginia Tech Foundation, breeder ......................71.600% First Level Vintage Cup 3. ADDISON; Tammy Anderson, owner; Taryn Anderson, rider; Allerhand, sire; 1. EVELYN JAMES (CA), riding WALDEMAR; Evelyn James, owner; Felicia, dam; Kim Weindel, breeder..............................................................................................69.733% Walldorf, sire; Le Clic, dam; Debbie & Jim Davis, breeders ..........................................................69.706%
CAPRICIOUS, owner/rider McKenzie Miavitz (OH)—Second Level Jr/YR (Intl. Sporthorse Reg./Oldenburg NA)
ATHALIA, owner/rider Carol Glover (GA)—Training Level Vintage Cup; Second Level Mus. Freestyle (Intl. Sporthorse Reg./Oldenburg NA)
182 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
FANTASIA, owners Victoria Patterson-Pirko (OH) and Linda Toll (OH), rider Victoria Patterson-Pirko (OH)—Second Level Vintage Cup (Intl. Sporthorse Reg./Oldenburg NA)
MIDDLE: MIKE GLOVER;
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
2. SEANA ADAMSON (NV), riding ROYAL TRADITION; Seana Adamson, owner; Royal Prince, sire; Paragon, dam; Christine Loudon, breeder ......................................................69.559% 1. STEPHANIE MCNUTT (MD), riding CON DIA; Stephanie McNutt, owner; Contucci, sire; Cor Dia, dam; Hilltop Farm Inc., breeder ...............................................................66.480% 3. LYNN JENDROWSKI (VA), riding DANTE; Lynn Jendrowski, owner; Donarweiss GGF, sire; Wicka Alina, dam; George Atamian, breeder ...........................................67.735% 2. MARTINE DUFF (SC), riding ARTISTIC; Martine Duff, owner; Art Deco, sire; Celebration, dam; Liz Hall, breeder ..............................................................................................65.593% 3. JENIFER GAFFNEY (OH), riding FABIO; Kristy Truebenbach Lund, owner; Second Level Vintage Cup West Coast, sire; Doramber, dam; Judy Arnold, breeder..............................................................64.112% 1. VICTORIA PATTERSON-PIRKO (OH), riding FANTASIA; Linda Toll & Victoria Patterson-Pirko, owners; 4. SONYA HUNT (VA), riding ALIEA; John & Sonya Hunt, owners; Art Deco, sire; Welstern, sire; Musique Debussy, dam; Carolyn Miller, breeder..................................................68.258% Chloe, dam; Tiffany Hattler, breeder ............................................................................................60.789% 2. ANDREA MANOS (GA), riding ATHALIA; Carol Glover, owner; Alpenstern, sire; Heather’s Beauty, dam; Kathryn Collier, breeder .........................................................................67.073% Intermediate I Adult Amateur 3. CYNDI CRAIG (TX), riding FAERYN; Cyndi Craig, owner; Frohwind, sire; 1. MARTINE DUFF (SC), riding ARTISTIC; Martine Duff, owner; Art Deco, sire; Sonny’s Mona Lisa+, dam; Cyndi Craig, breeder .........................................................................64.634% Celebration, dam; Liz Hall, breeder ..............................................................................................65.132% 2. JENIFER GAFFNEY (OH), riding FABIO; Kristy Truebenbach Lund, owner; Third Level Vintage Cup West Coast, sire; Doramber, dam; Judy Arnold, breeder..............................................................62.106% 1. KENNETH BORDEN (IL), riding OVATION; Kenneth Borden, owner; Opus, sire; Windspiel, dam; Kenneth Borden, breeder .................................................................................67.518% Training Level Junior/Young Rider 2. ANDREA HART (TX), riding WINTERFAIR; Andrea Hart, owner; 1. EMMA SCOTTHANSON (WA), riding SATURDAY’S SONG; Emma & Kelly Scotthanson, owners; Winterprinz, sire; Meriah, dam; Anna Whit Watkins, breeder .....................................................66.795% Sandro’s Song, sire; I’m a Doll, dam; Patricia Klaus, breeder........................................................68.864% 2. CAITLIN COUCH (VA), riding RIVER RUNNER; Caitlin Couch, owner; Riverman, sire; Andorra, dam; Stacy Simpson, breeder ..............................................................66.364% Prix St. Georges Vintage Cup 1. KENNETH BORDEN (IL), riding RASHKA; Kenneth Borden, owner; 3. ABBIE TISCHER (GA), riding OLAINA; Abbie Tischer, owner; Oswald, sire; GP Raymeister, sire; Tashka, dam; Kenneth Borden, breeder ......................................................70.263% Romana, dam; Anita Gifford, breeder ..........................................................................................65.682% 2. JENIFER GAFFNEY (OH), riding FABIO; Kristy Truebenbach Lund, owner; West Coast, sire; Doramber, dam; Judy Arnold, breeder..............................................................64.112%
Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur
Three-Year-Old Colts/Geldings
1. WINTERFAIR; Andrea Hart, owner/rider; Winterprinz, sire; Meriah, dam; 1. VOLTEO; Laurie McLaughlin, owner; Versache, sire; Dora, dam; Laurie McLaughlin, breeder....74.800% Anna Whit Watkins, breeder.........................................................................................................70.150% 2. ROMEO; Jill Schabel, owner; Rousseau, sire; Chloe, dam; Jill Schabel, breeder ..........................74.275% 3. PHENIX; Angela Mirarchi, owner; Popeye, sire; Clanfair Mary Kay, dam; Angela Mirarchi, breeder ......................................................................74.250% Fourth Level Musical Freestyle 1. ALIEA; John & Sonya Hunt, owners; Sonya Hunt, rider; Art Deco, sire; Chloe, dam; Tiffany Hattler, breeder ............................................................................................67.734%
Three-Year-Old Fillies
1. VANITY; Jaime Baker, owner; Versache, sire; O’Pretty Lady, dam; Laurie McLaughlin, breeder.......78.388% 2. SHOW GIRL; Patty & Richard Combs, owners; Sir Flemmingh, sire; Intermediate I Musical Freestyle That Girl, dam; Little Bit Farm Inc., breeder .................................................................................76.638% 1. CHARDONNAY; Julio Mendoza Loor & Sheila O’Keefe, owners; Julio Mendoza Loor, rider; 3. SILHOUETTE SR; Barbara Crawford, owner; Sir Gregory, sire; Comic Hilltop FRH, sire; Kitty Colleen, dam; Sheila O’Keefe, breeder ..........................................71.875% Florence, dam; Barbara Bonk, breeder.........................................................................................73.650% 2. BEAUMONT; Andrea Lewis, owner/rider; Bolivar, sire; Phoebe, dam; Gary & Jan Lawrence, breeders ....................................................................................................66.125% Four-Year-Old and Older Stallions 3. FABIO; Kristy Truebenbach Lund, owner; Nicole DelGiorno & Jenifer Gaffney, riders; 1. OVATION; Kenneth Borden, owner; Opus, sire; Windspiel, dam; Kenneth Borden, breeder.......79.825% West Coast, sire; Doramber, dam; Judy Arnold, breeder..............................................................64.375%
Four-Year-Old and Older Maiden/Yeld Mares 1. DIAMANTE; Heather Waite, owner; Dacaprio, sire; Catalina, dam; Heather Waite, breeder .......77.200% 2. VYSHAUNA; Laurie McLaughlin, owner; Versache, sire; 1. RATHER WELL; Kenneth Borden, owner; Rashka, sire; O’ Pretty Lady, dam; Laurie McLaughlin, breeder ........................................................................76.050% Roux Bien Blue, dam; Kenneth Borden, breeder .........................................................................72.237% 3. VOGUE; Laurie McLaughlin, owner; Versache, sire; 2. VESTED; Laurie McLaughlin, owner; Versache, sire; Gana de Gauguin, dam; Laurie McLaughlin breeder...................................................................75.050% Daydream, dam; Laurie McLaughlin, breeder .............................................................................71.100%
Colts/Geldings of Current Calendar Year
Three-Year-Old Colts/Geldings Materiale
Fillies of Current Calendar Year 1. DOLCE VITA; Robin Karlin, owner; Donarweiss GGF, sire; Greengate Farm Sporthorses, breeder.....76.775% 2. VESPA; Laurie McLaughlin, owner; Versache, sire; Dora, dam; Laurie McLaughlin, breeder......75.407%
Yearling Colts/Geldings 1. DEVON; Robin Karlin, owner; Donarweiss GGF, sire; Peaches, dam; Robin Karlin, breeder ........73.525%
1. ROMEO; Jill Schabel, owner; Jessica Davis, rider; Rousseau, sire; Chloe, dam; Jill Schabel, breeder..................................................................................................75.200% 2. VOLTEO; Laurie McLaughlin, owner; Kaili Lawrence, rider; Versache, sire; Dora, dam; Laurie McLaughlin, breeder ..............................................................72.100%
Four- and Five-Year-Old Stallions/Geldings Materiale
1. RENATUS; Tracy McPherson, owner/rider; Rubignon, sire; Colonel’s J.D., dam; Andrew Padden, breeder..............................................................................75.600% 2. VISCAYNE; Laurie McLaughlin, owner; Kaili Lawrence & Morgan Arndt, riders; 1. VALKYRIE; Laurie McLaughlin, owner; Versache, sire; Versache, sire; HPB with Wonder, dam; Laurie McLaughlin, breeder .........................................72.000% Daydream, dam; Tower Lane Farm, breeder ................................................................................75.075% 2. PEPPERMYNT PATI; Angela Mirarchi, owner; Popeye, sire; Clanfair Mary Kay, dam; Angela Mirarchi, breeder ......................................................................72.600% Four- and Five-Year-Old Mares Materiale 1. SAPHYRA; Nancy Roche, owner/rider; Sir Donnerhall I, sire; Nickerbocker, dam; Carol Griffith, breeder ...................................................................................82.500% Two-Year-Old Colts/Geldings 2. BEAUCOUP D’AMIS; Trisha DeRosa, owner; Julio Mendoza Loor, rider; 1. VIKTORIE; Laurie McLaughlin, owner; Versache, sire; Hilltop Bugatti, sire; Carousel, dam; Janice Barnes, breeder .......................................................77.400% O’ Pretty Lady, dam; Laurie McLaughlin, breeder ........................................................................77.400% 3. VYSHAUNA; Laurie McLaughlin, owner; Kaili Lawrence, rider; Versache, sire; O’ Pretty Lady, dam; Laurie McLaughlin, breeder ........................................................................76.700%
Yearling Fillies
Two-Year-Old Fillies
RIGTH: CAMERON PHOTOGRAPHY
1. SANDRO’S SCARLET BEGONIAS; Francine Bagli, owner; USEF Four-Year-Old Saint Sandro, sire; Romance, dam; Tawna King, breeder ............................................................75.438% 1. VYSHAUNA; Laurie McLaughlin, owner; Kaili Lawrence, rider; 2. VIGNETTE; Laurie McLaughlin, owner; Versache, sire; Versache, sire; O’ Pretty Lady, dam; Laurie McLaughlin, breeder ......................................................... 7.5 Brealante, dam; Laurie McLaughlin, breeder ..............................................................................74.700% FEI Six-Year-Old 3. DON DE DYOLL’S SHOOTING STAR; Kristy Ernst, owner; Don De Marco, sire; G.M.A.’s Fancy Pants, dam; Gina Cook, breeder............................................70.750% 1. FAOLAN; Bridget Hay, owner/rider; Freestyle, sire; Wyoming, dam; Barbara Hay, breeder ................ 7.1
SANDRO’S SCARLET BEGONIAS, owner Francine Bagli (VA)—DSHB Two-Year-Old Fillies (Intl. Sporthorse Reg./ Oldenburg NA)
VANITY, owner Jaime Baker (WA), handler Nathan Wright (WA)—DSHB Three-Year-Old Fillies (Intl. Sporthorse Reg./ Oldenburg NA)
RENATUS, owner/rider Tracy McPherson (WV)—Fourand Five-Year-Old Stallions/Geldings Materiale (Intl. Sporthorse Reg./Oldenburg NA)
USDF CONNECTION
•
February 2016
183
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
Third Level Musical Freestyle
Training Level Open
KWPN of North America Inc. Training Level Open
1. TOUCH OF THE GUINNESS BLUES; Brian Szczech, owner; Kayce Redmond, rider; 1. DJANGO; Hokan Thorn, owner/rider; Jazz, sire; Nirvana, dam; Kathy & Larry Childs, breeders .......77.609% Touch of the Blues, sire; Fantasia, dam; Karen East, breeder .......................................................69.659% 2. GENIUS MVS; Jackie Ahl-Eckhaus, owner; Craig Stanley, rider; 2. ANAMCHARA TEMAIR; Annmarie Hernick Brockhouse, owner/rider; Uphill, sire; Lumara, dam; Jackie Ahl-Eckhaus, breeder ..............................................................74.886% Hangon Johnny, sire; Lady’s Contessa, dam; Arden Liotta, breeder ............................................64.565% 3. FALCON; Dove Creek Farm, owner; Jessica Wisdom, rider; UB 40, sire; Vallota, dam; Dove Creek Farm, breeder ......................................................................................73.759% First Level Open 4. ETOILE; Virginia Barry, owner; Beverly Rogers, rider; Riverman ISF, sire; 1. SNOWY O’MOMENT; Adrienne Raymond, owner/rider; Coco Drilla, dam; Ashley Baiker, breeder......................................................................................73.307% Snowford O’Donnell, sire; Revealing Moment, dam; Laura Gravatt, breeder .............................64.706% 5. COUTURE; Stephanie Phelan, owner; Erin Scelba-Johnson, rider; Sir Sinclair, sire; Jazzie, dam; Amy Beard, breeder .......................................................................73.174%
Prix St. Georges Open
1. RICKOSHEA; Heather Jans, owner; Lisa Froehlig & Heather Jans, riders; First Level Open King of Hearts, sire; Josa Canella, dam; Heather Jans, breeder ...................................................67.632% 1. FABERGE BLUE; Lara Mitchelson, owner; Michael Bragdell, rider; Contango, sire; Kroniek U, dam; Marie Emrey, breeder ...............................................................76.324% Training Level Adult Amateur 2. F.J. RAMZES; Wendy Sasser, owner; Lehua Custer, rider; Juventus, sire; J. 1. ANNMARIE HERNICK BROCKHOUSE (MN), riding ANAMCHARA TEMAIR; Annmarie Hernick Rambiance, dam; Cornell University, breeder..............................................................................72.817% Brockhouse, owner; Hangon Johnny, sire; Lady’s Contessa, dam; Arden Liotta, breeder...........64.565% 3. FALCON; Dove Creek Farm, owner; Jessica Wisdom, rider; UB 40, sire; Vallota, dam; Dove Creek Farm, breeder ......................................................................................72.414% First Level Adult Amateur 4. ELESSAR; Jean Comer & Olivia Chapeski, owners; Olivia Chapeski, rider; 1. ADRIENNE RAYMOND (OR), riding SNOWY O’MOMENT; Adrienne Raymond, owner; Riverman-ISF, sire; Whisper-ISF, dam; Shawna Thornton, breeder .............................................70.735% Snowford O’Donnell, sire; Revealing Moment, dam; Laura Gravatt, breeder .............................64.706% 5. FOR WILLIE; Morgane Gabriel, owner/rider; For Compliment, sire; Festival, dam; N.W.J. Krol, breeder ...............................................................................................69.853% Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur 1. HEATHER JANS (IL), riding RICKOSHEA; Heather Jans, owner; King of Hearts, sire; Josa Canella, dam; Heather Jans, breeder ...................................................67.632%
Second Level Open
1. DREAM CATCHER; Wendy Roberts, owner; Brian Hafner, rider; Contester, sire; Gigi, dam; Mary Hamacher, breeder ...................................................................72.248% Prix St. Georges Vintage Cup 2. EYE CANDY; Amy Gimbel, owner/rider; UB 40, sire; Wednesday, dam; Judy Barrett, breeder ...70.752% 1. HEATHER JANS (IL), riding RICKOSHEA; Heather Jans, owner; 3. EMALINA; Stephanie McNutt, owner/rider; Alex, sire; King of Hearts, sire; Josa Canella, dam; Heather Jans, breeder ...................................................67.632% Fisher’s Asina, dam; Christ Fisher, breeder ...................................................................................70.017% 4. E. FELIX; Kristen Ortt, owner/rider; Ferro, sire; Bissextile, dam; Caroline Stearns, breeder..............................................................................................................69.491% 5. DALANTA MG; Abby Onsgard, owner/rider; Johnson, sire; Training Level Open Valanta, dam; FA. Luimstra, breeder ............................................................................................68.055% 1. CHOCOLAT CAT CRACKER; Angela Stanaway, owner; Paige Nuckols & Angela Stanaway, riders; Apollon, sire; Xhocolat Middelsom, dam; Donna Current, breeder.............................................66.077% Third Level Open 1. DAVANNA; Kara Kush, owner; Heather McCarthy, rider; Rousseau, sire; First Level Open Savanna, dam; Ada van de Kolk, breeder ....................................................................................72.425% 1. LILY B; Stacey Quaranta, owner/rider; Colorado Skrodstrup, sire; 2. AUDI; Emily Donaldson, owner/rider; Sir Sinclair, sire; Priceless, dam; Nancy Murray, breeder.......70.513% Candi B, dam; Luffe Bogh, breeder ..............................................................................................65.147% 3. ZOLTAIRE; Jennette Scanlon, owner/rider; Ijsselmeer, sire; Ohia Lehua, dam; Deborah Harrison, breeder .............................................................................69.872% Fourth Level Open 4. DIMORA S; Brooke Voldbaek, owner; Michele Bondy & Brooke Voldbaek, riders; 1. HALIFAX MIDDELSOM; Melyni Worth, owner; April Shultz & Jontelle Forbus, riders; Sir Donnerhall I, sire; Tamora, dam; Lana Sneddon & Stonecrest Farm, breeders ......................69.327% Harlequin Middelsom, sire; Xeleste Middelsom, dam; Ena Sparre, breeder ...............................63.649% 5. CHAPEAU; Shelby Rocereto, owner/rider; Santano, sire; Gera, dam; J. Vloet, breeder ...............69.054%
Knabstrupperforeningen for Danmark
Fourth Level Open
First Level Adult Amateur
1. DAISY VAN WITTENSTEIN P; Phoebe Crane, owner; Betsy Van Dyke, rider; 1. STACEY QUARANTA (NC), riding LILY B; Stacey Quaranta, owner; Johnson, sire; Ziggy van Wittenstein A, dam; C van Pernis, M. van der Kleu, breeder................68.611% Colorado Skrodstrup, sire; Candi B, dam; Luffe Bogh, breeder ....................................................65.147%
FABERGE BLUE, owner Lara Mitchelson (FL), rider Michael Bragdell (MD)—First Level Open (KWPN of NA)
ZAR, owner/rider Heather Mason (NJ)—I-II Open; Grand Prix Mus. Freestyle (KWPN of NA)
184 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
ZONNEKONING, owner/rider Katie Poag (SC)— Grand Prix Open (KWPN of NA)
MIDDLE: ERIKA OLIJSLAGER PHOTOGRAPHY; RIGHT: WNCPHOTO.COM
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
Irish Draught Horse Society of North America
LEFT: VICKY MARSHALL; RIGHT: ALICIA FRESE
VENECIANO, owner/rider Anne Seemann (CA)—I-I AA (KWPN of NA)
KASPER, owner/rider Susan McCoskey (GA)—I-I Vintage Cup (KWPN of NA)
USDF CONNECTION
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February 2016
185
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
2. ZEBASTIAN; Lauren Griffin, owner/rider; Krack C, sire; Lobelia, dam; M.J. Rietberg, breeder ....68.042% Training Level Adult Amateur 3. N.A.S.H.; Amanda Wilgenburg, owner/rider; Vincent, sire; Cumara, dam; G.E.J. Snell, breeder ......65.833% 1. NICOLE NAVINSKY (TX), riding GIGILOMA MG; Nicole Navinsky, owner; 4. URITHMIC; Heather Mason, owner; Mallory Chambers, rider; Jazz, sire; Uphill, sire; Uloma, dam; Kathy Hickerson, breeder ....................................................................70.347% Ivonne II, dam; H.G.A.M. Ten Doeschate, breeder........................................................................64.444% 2. KAREN O’NEILL (CA), riding CADANZ’S FLEMMING; Karen O’Neill, owner; 5. SILVER LINING; John McGuire & Marilyn Johnson, owners; Marilyn Johnson, rider; United, sire; Volinda Flemming, dam; I.M.A.V. Duren Den Hollander-Reijns, breeder ...............68.418% Royal Dutch, sire; Fife & Drums, dam; Sandra Heinrichs, breeder ...............................................63.827% 3. STEPHANIE SINSON (PA), riding WINNAGAN; Darcy Miller & Philip D. Marone, owners; Glendale, sire; Ten Rifles, dam; Tara Weimer, breeder..................................................................68.068% 4. CHRISTINA TANN (WA), riding FINESSE; Christina Tann, owner; Sir Sinclair, sire; Prix St. Georges Open Lana, dam; Christine Snyder, breeder ..........................................................................................66.538% 1. CALIENTE DG; Brenda Linman, owner; Craig Stanley, rider; OO Seven, sire; Satina, dam; DG Bar Ranch Inc., breeder ............................................................70.724% 5. LINDA TAYLOR (MO), riding TANGO; Linda Taylor, owner; Farrington, sire; Ozarilla, dam; T. De Jong, breeder ................................................................................................65.568% 2. AVESTO; Kimberly Pribble, owner; Catherine Chamberlain, rider; Gribaldi, sire; Tevesta, dam..69.005% 3. HARMONY’S ARMANI; Harmony Sporthorses, owner; Leslie Webb, rider; Sydney, sire; Ramona, dam; N.W.J. Krol, breeder ........................................................................68.974% First Level Adult Amateur 1. SANDRA HARPER (CA), riding FREYA DG; Sandra Harper, owner; 4. CLAPTON JP; Peg Mills, owner; Holger Bechtloff, rider; UB 40, sire; Devon Heir, sire; Bakara KS, dam; Janice Kissel, breeder .............................................................68.241% Liana, dam; JP Farm & Peg Mills, breeders ..................................................................................68.289% 2. DEBBIE BARCUS (MT), riding VALENTINO; Debbie Barcus, owner; 5. SANTOS; Stacy Taylor, owner/rider; Now or Never, sire; Jodalgar, dam; H. Helsloot, breeder.....67.632% Lancet, sire; Herlia, dam; M. Coomans, breeder...........................................................................67.096% 3. AMY TOBIAS (GA), riding ZABRINA HF; Amy Tobias, owner; Flemmingh, sire; Intermediate I Open Tiger Tops, dam; Julie Haralson, breeder......................................................................................65.074% 1. HARMONY’S ARMANI; Harmony Sporthorses, owner; Leslie Webb, rider; Sydney, sire; Ramona, dam; N.W.J. Krol, breeder ........................................................................69.447% Second Level Adult Amateur 2. VENECIANO; Anne Seemann, owner; Anne Seemann & Katrin Glitz, riders; 1. AMY GIMBEL (NJ), riding EYE CANDY; Amy Gimbel, owner; UB 40, sire; Stravinsky, sire; Ira, dam; M.C.M. v/d Sanden, breeder ...............................................................69.211% Wednesday, dam; Judy Barrett, breeder......................................................................................70.752% 3. ROCKETTE DG; Sonnenberg Farm LLC, owner; Gina Ruediger, rider; 2. STEPHANIE MCNUTT (MD), riding EMALINA; Stephanie McNutt, owner; Ferro, sire; Alona, dam; DG Bar Ranch Inc., breeder.....................................................................67.895% Alex, sire; Fisher’s Asina, dam; Christ Fisher, breeder ...................................................................70.017% 4. SJAPOER; Ayden Uhlir, owner/rider; Contango, sire; Jenia, dam; A. Essen, breeder ...................67.763% 3. KRISTEN ORTT (MD), riding E. FELIX; Kristen Ortt, owner; Ferro, sire; 5. ARLO; Kristina Harrison, owner/rider; Royal Hit, sire; Fanny, dam; M.J.J. van Lieshout, breeder .....65.435% Bissextile, dam; Caroline Stearns, breeder ...................................................................................69.491% 4. MELISSA ROGERS (CA), riding EMPIRE; Melissa Rogers, owner; Tuchinski, sire; Wirenda, dam; W.M.M. van Erp, breeder .....................................................................................67.821% Intermediate II Open 1. ZAR; Heather Mason, owner/rider; Iroko, sire; Inga, dam; Carol Collyer, breeder .......................73.158% 5. DANTIA BENSON (CA), riding BAD BOY; Dantia Benson, owner; Olivi, sire; Lotte, dam; M. Tijssen, breeder....................................................................................67.727% 2. SAGACIOUS HF; Hyperion Farm Inc., owner; Chase Hickok, rider; Welt Hit II, sire; Judith, dam; G. van de Boogaard, breeder .........................................................69.000% Third Level Adult Amateur 3. ALLURE S; Kerrin Dunn, owner; Angela Jackson, rider; Rousseau, sire; Sizarma H, dam; Sonnenberg Farm LLC, breeder ........................................................................67.873% 1. KIMBERLY FREDERICK (CA), riding CARIBBEAN VELUW; Kimberly Frederick, owner; Sir Donnerhall I, sire; Sareina, dam; C.E.J.M. Litjens, breeder......................................................68.182% 4. VOLARE; Sylvia Wong, owner; Carly Taylor-Smith, rider; Jazz, sire; Gisela, dam; Deborah Harrison, breeder ......................................................................................67.368% 2. CAMILLA VAN LIEW (SC), riding DARTESCH; Camilla van Liew, owner; Special D, sire; Sedesch, dam; R. Giepmans, breeder...................................................................68.077% 5. WISDOM MVS; Jackie Ahl-Eckhaus, owner/rider; Farrington, sire; 3. NANCY AREND (WA), riding ZIPPITY DO DAH; Nancy Arend, owner; Lumara, dam; Jackie Ahl-Eckhaus & Mark Eckhaus, breeders.....................................................66.415% Florencio, sire; Orinette Queen, dam; G. Marsman-Bonenkamp, breeder ..................................67.692% 4. ANNA URQUHART (FL), riding DE LORD; Anna Urquhart, owner; Grand Prix Open Lord Leatherdale, sire; Nirien, dam; W.J. Santes, breeder............................................................67.424% 1. ZONNEKONING; Katie Poag, owner/rider; Florett AS, sire; 5. GERI ZICKERT (OR), riding SLIMMERIK; Geri Zickert, owner; Flemmingh, sire; Maraba, dam; J. Kamp Haers, breeder .........................................................................................70.500% Nudel, dam; Mark Lyman & Mary Giddens, breeders..................................................................65.866% 2. ZABACO; Amy Grahn, owner; Andreanna Patzwald, rider; Contango, sire; Piacenza, dam; Beth Godwin, breeder.........................................................................................69.325% Fourth Level Adult Amateur 3. VICTOR; Heather Oleson, owner/rider; Welt Hit II, sire; Orpari, dam; P. Pool, breeder.................68.775% 1. MARILYN JOHNSON (IL), riding SILVER LINING; John McGuire & Marilyn Johnson, owners; 4. STEFANO 8; Beatrice Marienau, owner/rider; Gribaldi, sire; Gracia, dam; G. Schievink, breeder .....68.600% Royal Dutch, sire; Fife & Drums, dam; Sandra Heinrichs, breeder ...............................................63.827% 5. SAGACIOUS HF; Hyperion Farm Inc., owner; Chase Hickok, rider; 2. MARY WINCHELL (VA), riding ACTION ACE; Mary & Michael Winchell, owners; Welt Hit II, sire; Judith, dam; G. van de Boogaard, breeder .........................................................68.535% Ijsselmeer, sire; Promised, dam; Sandi Lieb, breeder...................................................................60.833%
1. STACY TAYLOR (WA), riding SANTOS; Stacy Taylor, owner; Now or Never, sire; Jodalgar, dam; H. Helsloot, breeder .............................................................................................67.632% 2. VANESSA BECKER (OR), riding VERON; Vanessa Becker, owner; Welt Hit II, sire; Dariant, dam; F. van Lankveld, breeder........................................................................................67.533% 3. BARBARA BURKHARDT (TX), riding WINNETOU; Barbara Burkhardt, owner; Equador, sire; Papion, dam; A. Dijk, breeder ................................................................................63.816% 4. JULIE COOK (KY), riding REMUS; Julie Cook, owner; Argus, sire; Jade STV, dam; W. Hermus, breeder.............................................................................................63.421% 5. MICHELLE CONRAD (MI), riding POLENSIO; Michelle Conrad, owner; Ids, sire; Ilselensio, dam; J.A. van de Ven, breeder .......................................................................62.961% 5. TOBI COATE (CA), riding ZORREN TEN X; Tobi Coate, owner; Paganini, sire; Lizette, dam; A. van de Kerkhof, breeder .....................................................................................62.961%
3. ISABELLA SCHMIDT (MN), riding OCTAVIAN’S O’NEILL; Isabella Schmidt, owner; Jetset-D, sire; Fecha, dam; W. van Manen, breeder .....................................................................62.593%
Second Level Junior/Young Rider 1. EMILY ROBINSON (SC), riding REGINA; Emily & Wendy Robinson, owners; Zirkoon, sire; Wanda, dam; P. van de Velden, breeder .................................................................67.012%
Third Level Junior/Young Rider
1. SHELBY ROCERETO (CA), riding CHAPEAU; Shelby Rocereto, owner; Santano, sire; Gera, dam; J. Vloet, breeder...................................................................................69.133% 2. HELEN CLAIRE MCNULTY (MI), riding CHECKMATE; Helen Claire McNulty, owner; Obelisk, sire; Miranda, dam; E. Jeuken, breeder ..........................................................................66.892% 3. JENNA UPCHURCH (MO), riding PADDINGTON; Leslie Burket, owner; Idocus, sire; Esprit de Corps, dam; Bob Diehl, breeder.....................................................................................66.053% Intermediate I Adult Amateur 4. ANNA WENIGER (NC), riding IZEFFIA; Dawn Weniger, owner; Zwart, sire; 1. ANNE SEEMANN (CA), riding VENECIANO; Anne Seemann, owner; Saffier, dam; Zekveld van Beinum, breeder.................................................................................65.942% Stravinsky, sire; Ira, dam; M.C.M. v/d Sanden, breeder ...............................................................68.355% 5. EMILY ROBINSON (SC), riding REGINA; Emily & Wendy Robinson, owners; 2. GINA RUEDIGER (OR), riding ROCKETTE DG; Sonnenberg Farm, LLC, owner; Zirkoon, sire; Wanda, dam; P. Van De Velden, breeder .................................................................65.670% Ferro, sire; Alona, dam; DG Bar Ranch Inc., breeder.....................................................................67.895% 3. SUSAN MCCOSKEY (GA), riding KASPER; Susan McCoskey, owner; Fourth Level Junior/Young Rider Wolfgang, sire; Gelinda, dam; A.G. Winkel, breeder ....................................................................60.658% 1. MALLORY CHAMBERS (NJ), riding URITHMIC; Heather Mason, owner; 4. LAURA FREEMAN (LA), riding TRIBUTE; Laura Freeman, owner; Jazz, sire; Ivonne II, dam; H.G.A.M. Ten Doeschate, breeder........................................................64.444% Rubinstein, sire; Faire Thee Well, dam; Deborah Harrison, breeder.............................................60.526%
Intermediate II Adult Amateur
Prix St. Georges Junior/Young Rider
Training Level Junior/Young Rider
Intermediate I Junior/Young Rider
1. CATHERINE CHAMBERLAIN (CA), riding AVESTO; Kimberly Pribble, owner; 1. CHASE HICKOK (FL), riding SAGACIOUS HF; Hyperion Farm Inc., owner; Gribaldi, sire; Tevesta, dam ...........................................................................................................69.005% Welt Hit II, sire; Judith, dam; G. van de Boogaard, breeder .........................................................69.000% 2. AYDEN UHLIR (FL), riding SJAPOER; Ayden Uhlir, owner; 2. SHARON CRISWELL (CA), riding ZANZIBAR; Sharon Criswell, owner; Contango, sire; Jenia, dam; A. Essen, breeder..............................................................................67.526% Freestyle, sire; Gisela, dam; Deborah Harrison, breeder ..............................................................62.763% 3. CASSIE SCHMIDT (TX), riding VELASQUER; Leslie Schmidt, owner; Metall, sire; Kaviola, dam; GEBR. & J.Th.M van Sonsbeek, breeders ...........................................66.447% Grand Prix Adult Amateur 4. MALLORY CHAMBERS (NJ), riding URITHMIC; Heather Mason, owner; 1. CHASE HICKOK (FL), riding SAGACIOUS HF; Hyperion Farm Inc., owner; Jazz, sire; Ivonne II, dam; H.G.A.M. Ten Doeschate, breeder........................................................63.685% Welt Hit II, sire; Judith, dam; G. van de Boogaard, breeder .........................................................68.535% 5. MORGAN FLEMING (MD), riding HARMONY’S WAMBERTO; Silver Spur Operating Company LLC, owner; 2. SUZIE HALLE (CO), riding TENNYSON-ISF; Suzie Halle, owner; Rousseau, sire; Olinda, dam; L. Heida, breeder............................................................................63.224% Contango, sire; Innsbruck, dam; Iron Spring Farm Inc., breeder .................................................61.334% 1. AYDEN UHLIR (FL), riding SJAPOER; Ayden Uhlir, owner; Contango, sire; 1. SIENA MASSEY (WA), riding FINESSE; Christina Tann, owner; Jenia, dam; A. Essen, breeder.......................................................................................................67.763% Sir Sinclair, sire; Lana, dam; Christine Snyder, breeder ................................................................72.404% 2. REBEKAH MINGARI (KY), riding UNICO; Jennifer & Rebekah Mingari, owners; 2. LINDSEY WHITCHER (OR), riding FINNOMENON; Lindsey Whitcher, owner; Kennedy, sire; Hadorijke, dam; C.G.M. Lange, breeder................................................................63.882% Keur, sire; Topaz, dam; Charles & Lynn Bury, breeders.................................................................68.667% 3. KATHERINE LOSE (PA), riding RHEA; Karin & Katherine Lose, owners; Juventus, sire; Kalyana-Mitta, dam; Charan Ireland, breeder .....................................................64.791% Training Level Vintage Cup 1. CRAIG STANLEY (CA), riding GENIUS MVS; Jackie Ahl-Eckhaus, owner; Uphill, sire; Lumara, dam; Jackie Ahl-Eckhaus, breeder ..............................................................74.886% First Level Junior/Young Rider 2. CRAIG STANLEY (CA), riding GOLIMBRIA DG; Art Buller, owner; Devon Heir, sire; 1. SHAYLA OWEN (CA), riding KODIAK; Parker House, owner; Polimbria, dam; DG Bar Ranch Inc., breeder ................................................................................69.773% Eusebio, sire; Femke, dam; J. Janssen, breeder ............................................................................67.467% 3. KAREN O’NEILL (CA), riding CADANZ’S FLEMMING; Karen O’Neill, owner; United, sire; 2. MARY MALLORY (FL), riding WON DIRECTION; Mary Mallory, owner; Volinda Flemming, dam; I.M.A. V. Duren Den Hollander-Reijns, breeder...................................68.418% Inspekteur, sire; Serinka, dam; G. Looyen, breeder......................................................................64.780%
JAC VZ, owner Danielle Veasy (NC)—DSHB Yearling Colts/Geldings (KWPN of NA Inc.)
186 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
JIVE TALK, owner Sandi Lieb (FL), handler Dean Graham (FL)— DSHB Yearling Fillies (KWPN of NA)
LEFT: STACYLYNNEPHHOTO.COM; RIGHT: VICTORIA DEMORE PHOTOGRAPHY LLC
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur
First Level Vintage Cup
1. SANDRA HARPER (CA), riding FREYA DG; Sandra Harper, owner; Second Level Musical Freestyle Devon Heir, sire; Bakara KS, dam; Janice Kissel, breeder .............................................................68.241% 1. ENYA WS; Nichole Charbonneau, owner/rider; UB 40, sire; 2. DEBBIE BARCUS (MT), riding VALENTINO; Debbie Barcus, owner; Perlinda, dam; Carrie O’Brien breeder..........................................................................................77.333% Lancet, sire; Herlia, dam; M. Coomans, breeder...........................................................................67.096% 2. EYE CANDY; Amy Gimbel, owner/rider; UB 40, sire; Wednesday, dam; Judy Barrett, breeder ...72.000%
Second Level Vintage Cup 1. DANTIA BENSON (CA), riding BAD BOY; Dantia Benson, owner; Olivi, sire; Lotte, dam; M. Tijssen, breeder....................................................................................67.727% 2. SANDRA HARPER (CA), riding FREYA DG; Sandra Harper, owner; Devon Heir, sire; Bakara KS, dam; Janice Kissel, breeder .............................................................66.585% 3. DEBBIE BARCUS (MT), riding VALENTINO; Debbie Barcus, owner; Lancet, sire; Herlia, dam; M. Coomans, breeder...........................................................................61.743%
Third Level Vintage Cup
Third Level Musical Freestyle 1. ELZARMA TF; Kerrin Dunn, owner; Isabel Frederickson & Angela Jackson, riders; UB 40, sire; Allure S, dam; Kerrin Dunn, breeder .........................................................................76.333% 2. DE LORD; Anna Urquhart, owner/rider; Lord Leatherdale, sire; Nirien, dam; W.J. Santes, breeder.................................................................................................74.100% 3. CHAPEAU; Shelby Rocereto, owner/rider; Santano, sire; Gera, dam; J. Vloet, breeder ...............74.000% 4. CHECKMATE; Helen Claire McNulty, owner/rider; Obelisk, sire; Miranda, dam; E. Jeuken, breeder ...............................................................................................71.500% 5. IZEFFIA; Dawn Weniger, owner; Anna Weniger, rider; Zwart, sire; Saffier, dam; Zekveld van Beinum, breeder.................................................................................71.167%
1. NANCY AREND (WA), riding ZIPPITY DO DAH; Nancy Arend, owner; Florencio, sire; Orinette Queen, dam; G. Marsman-Bonenkamp, breeder ..................................67.692% 2. ANNA URQUHART (FL), riding DE LORD; Anna Urquhart, owner; Fourth Level Musical Freestyle Lord Leatherdale, sire; Nirien, dam; W.J. Santes, breeder............................................................67.424% 1. TALISMAN; Nicole Tuggle, owner/rider; Manhattan, sire; Iamatica, dam; 3. GERI ZICKERT (OR), riding SLIMMERIK; Geri Zickert, owner; G. Ten Pas & H.J. Nijhof, breeders..................................................................................................67.667% Flemmingh, sire; Nudel, dam; Mark Lyman & Mary Giddens, breeders .....................................65.866% 2. SAMORANO; Elizabeth Harris, owner/rider; Voltaire, sire; Ilottie, dam; G. Grobbink, breeder....66.750% 4. LINDA SCHUTTE (ON), riding BRANCO A; Linda Schutte, owner; Flemmingh, sire; Ushi Udine A, dam; G. Aufderhaar, breeder.....................................................60.513% Intermediate I Musical Freestyle
1. ZAIDA; Sally Booth, owner; Jennifer Conour, rider; Sir Sinclair, sire; Beameda, dam; G.B.M. Berendsen, breeder................................................................................67.625% 1. CRAIG STANLEY (CA), riding CALIENTE DG; Brenda Linman, owner; 2. BOLEI; Susan Thome, owner/rider; Sir Sinclair, sire; Sidra, dam; OO Seven, sire; Satina, dam; DG Bar Ranch Inc., breeder ............................................................70.724% Jim & Peg Mills, breeder ...............................................................................................................64.375% 2. JULIE BENNETT (WA), riding VAINQUEUR E; Julie Bennett, owner; Welt Hit II, sire; Rena, dam; Empelaer Stoeterij, breeder.............................................................62.369% Grand Prix Musical Freestyle 3. ELISE ELMAN (OH), riding MONCASIN; Joann Smith, owner; 1. ZAR; Heather Mason, owner/rider; Iroko, sire; Inga, dam; Carol Collyer, breeder .......................76.063% Havidoff, sire; Sonda, dam; A.A. van der Koppel, breeder ...........................................................60.526% 2. STEFANO 8; Beatrice Marienau, owner/rider; Gribaldi, sire; Gracia, dam; G. Schievink, breeder .....74.000% 3. UDO; Tracey Lert, owner/rider; Kennedy, sire; Esther, dam; J.H. Dobelsteen, breeder................71.625% Intermediate I Vintage Cup 4. VICTOR; Heather Oleson, owner/rider; Welt Hit II, sire; Orpari, dam; P. Pool, breeder.................70.119% 1. SUSAN MCCOSKEY (GA), riding KASPER; Susan McCoskey, owner; Wolfgang, sire; Gelinda, dam; A.G. Winkel, breeder ....................................................................60.658% 5. DUTCH TREAT; Carolyn Schroeder, owner; Michael Osinski, rider; Metall, sire; Nana-Linda, dam; V.O.F. de Kennedy Stoeterij, breeder ..............................................................69.000%
Prix St. Georges Vintage Cup
Intermediate II Vintage Cup
Yearling Colts/Geldings 1. JACKIE AHL-ECKHAUS (CA), riding WISDOM MVS; Jackie Ahl-Eckhaus, owner; Farrington, sire; Lumara, dam; Jackie Ahl-Eckhaus & Mark Eckhaus, breeders ..........................66.415% 1. JAC VZ; Danielle Veasy, owner; Goodtimes, sire; French Martini, dam; Danielle Veasy, breeder ......76.850% 2. JUMANI; Kathy Childs, owner; Johnson, sire; Nirvana, dam; Kathy & Larry Childs, breeders .....73.000% 2. SHARON CRISWELL (CA), riding ZANZIBAR; Sharon Criswell, owner; Freestyle, sire; Gisela, dam; Deborah Harrison, breeder ..............................................................62.763% Yearling Fillies
Grand Prix Vintage Cup
LEFT: CAROLYNN BUNCH PHOTOGRAPHY; RIGHT: STACYLYNNEPHOTO.COM
1. JIVE TALK; Sandi Lieb, owner; UB 40, sire; Bellatango, dam; Sandi Lieb, breeder.......................77.175% 1. TRACEY LERT (CA), riding UDO; Tracey Lert, owner; Kennedy, sire; 2. JOULE EFFECT HMF; Elizabeth Preston & Susan Barrett, owners; Esther, dam; J.H. Dobelsteen, breeder .........................................................................................66.990% Ampere, sire; Face the Music, dam; High Meadows Farm, breeder ............................................76.588% 2. BARBARA BREEN-GURLEY (CA), riding VINDICATOR; Barbara Breen-Gurley, owner; 3. JADE VZ; Danielle Veasy, owner; Idocus, sire; Versailles, dam; Danielle Veasy, breeder ..............75.875% OO Seven, sire; Rendezvous, dam; Natalie Bryant, breeder ........................................................65.850% 4. JELATI; Cindy Smith, owner; Totilas, sire; Wraine Dancer, dam; Cindy Smith, breeder ...............75.800%
I-CANDY, owner Krista Melby (WA)—DSHB Two-Year-Old Fillies (KWPN of NA Inc.)
HARRISON VZ, owner Danielle Veasy (NC)—DSHB & Materiale Three-Year-Old Colts/Geldings (KWPN of NA)
USDF CONNECTION
•
February 2016
187
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
4. CHRISTINA TANN (WA), riding FINESSE; Christina Tann, owner; Sir Sinclair, sire; First Level Musical Freestyle Lana, dam; Christine Snyder, breeder ..........................................................................................66.538% 1. COUTURE; Stephanie Phelan, owner; Erin Scelba-Johnson, rider; Sir Sinclair, sire; Jazzie, dam; Amy Beard, breeder .......................................................................68.883%
USEF Four-Year-Old
1. IRONMAN MG; Carbery Fields Farm & John Caron, owners; 1. GENEROSA S; Gina Ruediger & Sonnenberg Farm, LLC, owners; Brooke Voldbaek, rider; Schroeder, sire; Valanta, dam; Kathy Hickerson, breeder ............................................................77.150% Uphill, sire; Zen Rosa, dam; Dan & Gina Ruediger, breeders................................................................. 7.9 2. ION SWF; Mary Nuttall, owner; Lingh, sire; Dorothee, dam; Mary Nuttall, breeder ...................76.500% 2. GUARDIAN; Lisa Royal, owner/rider; Sir Sinclair, sire; Melisande, dam; Linda Smith, breeder............ 7.7 3. IMPRESSIONIST; Cara Kettenbach, owner; Soprano, sire; Vera, dam; Debra MacMillan, breeder .........................................................................................76.300% FEI Five-Year-Old 4. ICEMAN MG; Kathy Hickerson, owner; Crespo VDL, sire; 1. F.J. RAMZES; Wendy Sasser, owner; Lehua Custer, rider; Tercordia, dam; Kathy Hickerson, breeder....................................................................................74.625% Juventus, sire; J. Rambiance, dam; Cornell University, breeder............................................................ 7.5
Two-Year-Old Fillies
FEI Six-Year-Old
1. I-CANDY; Krista Melby, owner; Ampere, sire; Priscilla, dam; Gwen Blake, breeder.....................80.950% 1. TOWN AND COUNTRY ELANCOURT; Kiki Courtelis, Reese Koffler-Stanfield & Town and Country Farms, 2. IMPERIUS ROYALINA; Judith West, owner; Royal Prince, sire; owners; Reese Koffler-Stanfield, rider; Ampere, sire; Belita V, dam; D. Damen, breeder .................... 7.7 Mabrina, dam; Dooder Luce, breeder ..........................................................................................76.075% 2. ELZARMA TF; Kerrin Dunn, owner; Angela Jackson, rider; UB 40, sire; 3. IONETTE MG; Kathy Hickerson, owner; Navarone, sire; Allure S, dam; Kerrin Dunn, breeder ..................................................................................................... 7.5 Eeyanette RGS, dam; Kathy Hickerson, breeder...........................................................................74.950% 3. ESCOBAR DG; Gundi Younger, owner/rider; Vivaldi, sire; Festival, dam; DG Bar Ranch Inc., N.W.J. Krol & Willy Arts, breeders .................................................... 7.4 Three-Year-Old Colts/Geldings 1. HARRISON VZ; Danielle Veasy, owner; Idocus, sire; Versailles, dam; Danielle Veasy, breeder .....78.000% 2. HEMMINGWAY SSM; Donna Falcon Lynch, owner; Uphill, sire; Onilia, dam; Maile de Goeij, breeder .........................................................................74.350%
New Forest Pony Society of North America
Three-Year-Old Fillies
Training Level Open
1. HARMONIA; Sandi Lieb, owner; Idocus, sire; Zodica, dam; Sandi Lieb, breeder..........................82.475% 1. A DIAMOND IS FOREVER; Claudia & Daniella Tomaselli, owners; Claudia Tomaselli, rider; 2. HABANA; Cindy Smith, owner; Ampere, sire; Waukena, dam; Cindy Smith, breeder.................76.075% Oleander, sire; Young Winsome’s Felista, dam; J.W. Barsema, breeder .......................................70.000% 2. FEARLESS; Alice Morse, owner; Nicole Newlin, rider; Jacodi’s Anja Amoz, sire; Four-Year-Old and Older Broodmares Watermark, dam; Phyllis Hamilton, breeder ...............................................................................60.909% 1. DARLING ISF; Cara Kettenbach, owner; Sir Sinclair, sire; Saigon, dam; Iron Spring Farm, Inc., breeder ..............................................................................78.288% Fourth Level Open 2. FLORETTE MG; Kathy Hickerson, owner; Schroeder, sire; 1. FAR ABOVE PAR; Edie Dwan, owner/rider; Jacodi’s Anja’s Amoz, sire; Torette, dam; Kathy Hickerson, breeder .......................................................................................76.975% Hoppenhof’s Merel, dam; Jennifer Johnson, breeder..................................................................62.667% 3. VALANTA; Kathy Hickerson, owner; Goodtimes, sire; Nalanta, dam; FA. Luimstra, breeder ......75.500% 4. PRISCILLA; Gwen Blake, owner; Gribaldi, sire; Heliki, dam; H. Kloosterman, breeder................74.338%
Four-Year-Old and Older Maiden/Yeld Mares
North American Danish Warmblood Association
1. FALANTA MG; Kathy Hickerson, owner; Westpoint, sire; Valanta, dam; Kathy Hickerson, breeder......................................................................................78.775% Training Level Open 1. HAMPTON; Ashlee Watts, owner/rider; Blue Hors Hotline, sire; 2. ZOE; Evelyn Angelle, owner; Taxateur, sire; Symphony, dam; Madigan L, dam; Erik & Jane Jensen, breeders............................................................................72.483% Evelyn Angelle, breeder................................................................................................................76.238% 2. GEDEVASEGAARDS DIESEL; Dantia Benson, owner/rider; Tailormade Temptation, sire; Gedevasegaards Desire, dam; Lise Steffensen & Stutteri Gedevasegaard, breeders ..................70.551% Three-Year-Old Colts/Geldings Materiale 3. WILL TRIUMPH; Carmen Hall, owner; Vicky Busch, rider; Willemoes, sire; 1. HARRISON VZ; Danielle Veasy, owner/rider; Touche, dam; Hill Cat Farm, breeder ............................................................................................69.130% Idocus, sire; Versailles, dam; Danielle Veasy, breeder...................................................................76.400%
Four- and Five-Year-Old Stallions/Geldings Materiale
First Level Open
1. GEARHART SSH; Diane Stack, owner; Sarah Cohen, rider; 1. HAMPTON; Ashlee Watts, owner/rider; Blue Hors Hotline, sire; Florencio, sire; Phoenix, dam; Diane Stack, breeder ....................................................................72.700% Madigan L, dam; Erik & Jane Jensen, breeders............................................................................69.853% 2. LEOPOLD LUCK; Theresa Horne, owner/rider; Blue Hors Soprano, sire; Licata, dam; Oak Hill Ranch LLC, breeder .....................................................................................69.265% Four- and Five-Year-Old Mares Materiale 3. SKIKKILD’S ROSITA; Jill Dumont, owner/rider; *Skovens Rafael, sire; 1. FINESSE; Christina Tann, owner; Siena Massey, rider; Sir Sinclair, sire; Ladylike, dam; Peter Jensen, breeder ..........................................................................................64.072% Lana, dam; Christine Snyder, breeder ..........................................................................................76.400%
HARMONIA, owner Sandi Lieb (FL)—DSHB Three-Year-Old Fillies (KWPN of NA)
188 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
TOWN AND COUNTRY ELANCOURT, owners Kiki Courtelis (KY), Reese Koffler-Stanfield (KY) and Town and Country Farms; rider Reese Koffler-Stanfield (KY)—FEI Six-Year-Old (KWPN of NA)
LEFT: VICTORIA DEMORE PHOTOGRAPHY LLC; RIGHT: CASSANDRA HUMMERT-JOHNSON
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
Two-Year-Old Colts/Geldings
Third Level Open
FAR ABOVE PAR, owner/rider Edie Dwan (CA)—Fourth Level Open (New Forest Pony Soc. NA)
Grand Prix Open
TOP RIGHT: ©TERRI MILLER; BOTTOM LEFT: SUSANJSTICKLE.COM; BOTTOM RIGHT: JOHN BESSEY
1. BOEGELY’S MAURICIO; Tillie Jones & Tish Gade-Jones, owners; 1. MARIETT; Lars Petersen & Marcia Pepper, owners; Lars Petersen, rider; Tillie Jones, rider; Michellino, sire; Sondervangs Mazurka, dam .................................................68.041% Come Back II, sire; Zendi, dam; Gunnar Mousten, breeder..........................................................73.090% 2. ROMEO DSG; Meredith Talley, owner/rider; Blue Hors Don Romantic, sire; 2. LEONARDO; Kim Gentry, owner/rider; Solos Landtinus, sire; Aida, dam; Anita Thorsen & Flemming Skou, breeders ..............................................................67.500% Rambala, dam; Oak Hill Ranch LLC, breeder ................................................................................66.950% 3. RAFA; Sabrina Wood, owner; Sabrina Wood, rider; Rambo, sire; Dannah, dam; Anne Hornbeak, breeder ......................................................................................65.985% Training Level Adult Amateur 1. ASHLEE WATTS (TX), riding HAMPTON; Ashlee Watts, owner; Blue Hors Hotline, sire; Madigan L, dam; Erik & Jane Jensen, breeders............................................................................72.483% Fourth Level Open 2. DANTIA BENSON (CA), riding GEDEVASEGAARDS DIESEL; Dantia Benson, owner; 1. MONTANA; Brenda Duet, owner; Claudia Novick, rider; Rambo, sire; Tailormade Temptation, sire; Gedevasegaards Desire, dam; Lomani, dam; Oak Hill Ranch LLC, breeder ..................................................................................71.438% Lise Steffensen & Stutteri Gedevasegaard, breeders ...................................................................70.551% 3. LISA HOLDERLE (MO), riding STOKBROENS ZANTUS; Lisa Holderle, owner; Prix St. Georges Open Blue Hors Zack, sire; Stokbroens Libelle, dam; Johannes Veldbaek, breeder ..............................68.864% 1. MONTANA; Brenda Duet, owner; Claudia Novick & Stacey Hastings, riders; Rambo, sire; Lomani, dam; Oak Hill Ranch LLC, breeder .............................................................71.481% 2. DIDO; Adrienne Bessey, owner/rider; Royal Hit, sire; Doreen, dam; Atterupgaard, breeder ......71.316% First Level Adult Amateur 1. ASHLEE WATTS (TX), riding HAMPTON; Ashlee Watts, owner; Blue Hors Hotline, sire; 3. RIPLINE; Oak Hill Ranch LLC, owner; Heather Blitz, rider; Blue Hors Hotline, sire; Madigan L, dam; Erik & Jane Jensen, breeders............................................................................69.853% Riviera, dam; Oak Hill Ranch LLC, breeder ...................................................................................70.441% 2. THERESA HORNE (NC), riding LEOPOLD LUCK; Theresa Horne, owner; Blue Hors Soprano, sire; Licata, dam; Oak Hill Ranch LLC, breeder..............................................69.265% Intermediate I Open 1. RONALDO; Cecelia Stewart, owner; Christopher Hickey, rider; Blue Hors Romanov, sire; Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur Trostruplund’s Scarlet, dam; Soren Clausen & Stutteri Trostruplund, breeders...........................72.395% 1. ADRIENNE BESSEY (CA), riding DIDO; Adrienne Bessey, owner; 2. ASTERIOS; Stacy Williams, owner; Charlotte Jorst, rider; Akinos, sire; Royal Hit, sire; Doreen, dam; Atterupgaard, breeder...................................................................71.316% Urwetta, dam; Niels Nielsen, breeder ..........................................................................................72.368% 2. STACY WILLIAMS (CA), riding ASTERIOS; Stacy Williams, owner; 3. DIDO; Adrienne Bessey, owner/rider; Royal Hit, sire; Doreen, dam; Atterupgaard, breeder ......70.000% Akinos, sire; Urwetta, dam; Niels Nielsen, breeder......................................................................67.237% 3. JENNIFER HUBER (FL), riding MADAME NOIR; Jennifer Huber, owner; Intermediate II Open Nobleman, sire; Silke, dam; Ellen Jochumsen, breeder ...............................................................65.921% 1. LANCASTER; Sheryl Ross, owner/rider; Lobster, sire; Aleksis, dam; Gunnar Mousten, breeder......................................................................................65.789% Intermediate I Adult Amateur 2. SCHANDO; Krista Nordgren, owner/rider; Schwadroneur, sire; 1. CHARLOTTE JORST (NV), riding ASTERIOS; Stacy Williams, owner; Akinos, sire; Laila, dam; Jorgen & Kirsten Jensen, breeders ............................................................................61.974% Urwetta, dam; Niels Nielsen, breeder ..........................................................................................72.368%
BOEGELY’S MAURICIO, owners Tillie Jones (NE) & Tish GadeJones (NE); rider Tillie Jones (NE)—Third Level Open, Jr/ YR, & Mus. Freestyle (NA Danish Warmblood Assn.)
DIDO, owner/rider Adrienne Bessey (CA)—PSG AA & I-I Mus. Freestyle (NA Danish Warmblood Assn.)
USDF CONNECTION
•
February 2016
189
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
A DIAMOND IS FOREVER, owners Claudia & Daniella Tomaselli (GA); rider Claudia Tomaselli (GA)—Training Level Open (New Forest Pony Soc. NA)
Yearling Colts/Geldings
Intermediate II Adult Amateur
1. LIONEL; Cara Kettenbach, owner; Solos Landtinus, sire; 1. SHERYL ROSS (CA), riding LANCASTER; Sheryl Ross, owner; Lobster, sire; Licata, dam; Oak Hill Ranch LLC, breeder .....................................................................................76.913% Aleksis, dam; Gunnar Mousten, breeder......................................................................................65.789% 2. KRISTA NORDGREN (ME), riding SCHANDO; Krista Nordgren, owner; Two-Year-Old Fillies Schwadroneur, sire; Laila, dam; Jorgen & Kirsten Jensen, breeders ...........................................61.974% 1. LAREINA ; Cara Kettenbach, owner; Blue Hors Romanov, sire; Licata, dam; Oak Hill Ranch LLC, breeder .....................................................................................77.175%
Third Level Junior/Young Rider
1. TILLIE JONES (NE), riding BOEGELY’S MAURICIO; Tillie Jones & Tish Gade-Jones, owners; Michellino, sire; Sondervangs Mazurka, dam ..............................................................................68.041% Four-Year-Old and Older Maiden/Yeld Mares 1. SAMBUCA; Bonnie Padwa & Caroline Forsberg, owners; Soreldo, sire; 2. MEREDITH TALLEY (KY), riding ROMEO DSG; Meredith Talley, owner; Valenta, dam; Erik Kristensen, breeder ........................................................................................80.625% Blue Hors Don Romantic, sire; Aida, dam; Anita Thorsen & Flemming Skou, breeders ..............67.500% 3. MEGAN MCCRACKEN (CO), riding AMAZING; Kylee Lourie, owner; Andiamo, sire; Stengardens Chikita-Light, dam; Mette Hansen, breeder...........................................................65.608% Three-Year-Old Colts/Geldings Materiale 1. HOTEL CALIFORNIA; Tricia Gregory, owner/rider; Idocus, sire; Daphne, dam; Rebecca McNabb, breeder....................................................................................73.800% Training Level Vintage Cup 1. DANTIA BENSON (CA), riding GEDEVASEGAARDS DIESEL; Dantia Benson, owner; Four- and Five-Year-Old Stallions/Geldings Materiale Tailormade Temptation, sire; Gedevasegaards Desire, dam; Lise Steffensen & Stutteri Gedevasegaard, breeders ...................................................................70.551% 1. AQUINO; Ashley Burnett, owner/rider; Blue Hors Hertug, sire; Aquila, dam; Oak Hill Ranch LLC, breeder ....................................................................................74.600% 2. HANNE NOURI (CA), riding KLOSTERHEDENS SUNITA; Hanne Nouri, owner; Sunny Boy, sire; IBEN Light Dane, dam; Margit Orum, breeder...................................................67.824% 2. HARANO; Megan McClay, owner/rider; Blue Hors Hotline, sire; Avellina, dam; Honey Breeze Farm LLC, breeder..........................................................................73.700%
First Level Vintage Cup 1. THERESA HORNE (NC), riding LEOPOLD LUCK; Theresa Horne, owner; Four- and Five-Year-Old Mares Materiale Blue Hors Soprano, sire; Licata, dam; Oak Hill Ranch LLC, breeder..............................................69.265% 1. SAMBUCA; Bonnie Padwa & Caroline Forsberg, owners; Caroline Forsberg, rider; Soreldo, sire; Valenta, dam; Erik Kristensen, breeder .........................................80.600%
Intermediate II Vintage Cup
1. SHERYL ROSS (CA), riding LANCASTER; Sheryl Ross, owner; Lobster, sire; Aleksis, dam; Gunnar Mousten, breeder......................................................................................65.789%
First Level Musical Freestyle 1. LEOPOLD LUCK; Theresa Horne, owner/rider; Blue Hors Soprano, sire; Licata, dam; Oak Hill Ranch LLC, breeder .....................................................................................73.000%
FEI Five-Year-Old 1. HARANO; Megan McClay, owner/rider; Blue Hors Hotline, sire; Avellina, dam; Honey Breeze Farm LLC, breeder................................................................................... 6.8
North American Shagya-Arabian Society
Third Level Musical Freestyle
Training Level Open 1. BOEGELY’S MAURICIO; Tillie Jones & Tish Gade-Jones, owners; Tillie Jones, rider; Michellino, sire; Sondervangs Mazurka, dam ..............................................................................74.900% 1. OZIWON; Leesa Lane, owner/rider; Amara’s O’Biwon, sire; Danika, dam; Judy Elkins, breeder .......66.987% 2. DAKOTA; Brenda Duet, owner; Claudia Novick & Stacey Hastings, riders; Rambo, sire; Lomani, dam; Brenda Duet, breeder.......................................................................70.500% First Level Open 1. SHAGYA EMIR AF; Theresa Hey, owner/rider; Shagya Scherzo AF, sire; Echo Daal, dam; Adele Furby, breeder..........................................................................................62.133% Intermediate I Musical Freestyle 1. DIDO; Adrienne Bessey, owner/rider; Royal Hit, sire; Doreen, dam; Atterupgaard, breeder ......71.282% 2. OZIWON; Leesa Lane, owner/rider; Amara’s O’Biwon, sire; Danika, dam; Judy Elkins, breeder .......61.324% 2. RONALDO; Cecelia Stewart, owner; Christopher Hickey, rider; Blue Hors Romanov, sire; Trostruplund’s Scarlet, dam; Soren Clausen & Stutteri Trostruplund, breeders...........................70.975% Training Level Adult Amateur 3. FESTINA; Holly Spencer, owner/rider; Blue Hors Hertug, sire; 1. LEESA LANE (AZ), riding OZIWON; Leesa Lane, owner; Amara’s O’Biwon, sire; Fie, dam; Andreas Seemann, breeder ..........................................................................................69.000% Danika, dam; Judy Elkins, breeder ...............................................................................................66.987%
HARANO, owner/rider Megan McClay(TX)—FEI FiveYear-Old (NA Danish Warmblood Assn.)
HOTEL CALIFORNIA, owner/rider Tricia Gregory (NC)—Three-Year-Old Colts/Geldings Materiale (NA Danish Warmblood Assn.)
190 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
SAMBUCA, owners Bonnie Padwa (MA) & Caroline Forsberg (MA); rider Caroline Forsberg (MA)—Four- and Five-YearOld Mares Materiale (NA Danish Warmblood Assn.)
RIGHT: ©CAROLE MACDONALD
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
2. ADRIENNE BESSEY (CA), riding DIDO; Adrienne Bessey, owner; Royal Hit, sire; Grand Prix Musical Freestyle Doreen, dam; Atterupgaard, breeder...........................................................................................70.000% 1. MARIETT; Lars Petersen & Marcia Pepper, owners; Lars Petersen, rider; 3. JENNIFER HUBER (FL), riding MADAME NOIR; Jennifer Huber, owner; Come Back II, sire; Zendi, dam; Gunnar Mousten, breeder..........................................................76.825% Nobleman, sire; Silke, dam; Ellen Jochumsen, breeder ...............................................................68.158%
Training Level Junior/Young Rider
1. THERESA HEY (IA), riding SHAGYA EMIR AF; Theresa Hey, owner; 1. EMILY RAYNOR (IL), riding DESERT FOX; Cheryl Raynor, Emily Raynor, owner; Shagya Scherzo Af, sire; Echo Daal, dam; Adele Furby, breeder ..................................................62.133% West Buoyant, sire; Hail Goldn Destiny, dam; Kimball Mower, breeder......................................65.593% 2. LEESA LANE (AZ), riding OZIWON; Leesa Lane, owner; Amara’s O’Biwon, sire; Danika, dam; Judy Elkins, breeder ...............................................................................................61.324% First Level Junior/Young Rider 1. BRYCE QUINTO (CA), riding BEEN VERIFIED; David James, owner; Seattle Buddy, sire; S wiss Alert, dam; Priamos Vennaris, breeder ................................................................................66.029% 2. SIERRA PARSHALL (WA), riding POLYNESIAN DANCER; Laura Rising, owner; Polynesian Flyer, sire; Pretty Salley, dam; Peter Axmaker, breeder .............................................64.844% 3. EMILY RAYNOR (IL), riding DESERT FOX; Cheryl Raynor, Emily Raynor, owner; Training Level Open West Buoyant, sire; Hail Goldn Destiny, dam; Kimball Mower, breeder......................................63.262% 1. DESERT FOX; Cheryl Raynor, Emily Raynor, owner; Emily Raynor, rider; West Buoyant, sire; Hail Goldn Destiny, dam; Kimball Mower, breeder......................................65.593% Fourth Level Musical Freestyle 2. TRIPLE X; Kari Felton, owner; Kari Felton, rider;...........................................................................65.222% 1. RAPHAEL; Rebecca Sturdy, owner; Rebecca Sturdy, rider; Montreal Red, sire; 3. TREY BEAR; Kaymarie Kreidel, Shira Rosenthal, owner; Shira Rosenthal, rider ..........................64.437% Joyful Pat, dam; Annabel & William Murphy, breeders ...............................................................69.167%
North American Thoroughbred Society
Four-Year-Old and Older Maiden/Yeld Mares
First Level Open
1. CASTLEFIRE; Katie Jackson, owner; Castledale, sire; Ceasefire, dam; 1. YES VIRGINIA; Sarah Blanchard, owner; Keena Mullen, rider; Chimineas, sire; Karie Okerstrom, Ryan Okerstrom, breeder .................................................................................72.800% Never Knock Gin, dam; Shirey, Rubio and Garcia, breeder ..........................................................68.360% 2. WHINSTON; Holly Zecchin, owner; Holly Zecchin, rider; ..............................................................66.176% Four- and Five-Year-Old Stallions/Geldings Materiale 3. BEEN VERIFIED; David James, owner; Bryce Quinto, rider; Seattle Buddy, sire; 1. TRIPLE X; Kari Felton, owner/rider ...............................................................................................70.900% Swiss Alert, dam; Priamos Vennaris, breeder...............................................................................66.029% 4. POLYNESIAN DANCER; Laura Rising, owner; Sierra Parshall, rider; Polynesian Flyer, sire; Pretty Salley, dam; Peter Axmaker, breeder.................................................................................64.844% 5. EAGLE BLUFF TRAIL; Elizabeth Neustadt, owner; Elizabeth Neustadt, rider;...............................64.403%
NorthAmerican Sportpony Registry
Training Level Open
Third Level Open 1. FUTURE FAVORITE; Diane MacDonald, owner; Diane MacDonald, rider; Fiscal, sire; Batiste, dam; Wanda Garst, breeder ..........................................................................63.462%
1. MAGNUM; Klaus Biesenthal, owner; Kathryn Barry, rider; Makuba, sire; Applegate Brittania, dam; Klaus Biesenthal, breeder...........................................72.116%
First Level Open 1. PS BEN’S BLACKBIRD; Livia Henderson, owner/rider; NF Black Earl, sire; Lucky Slap Shot, dam; Nancy Kiester, breeder .............................................................................65.074% 1. REAL GENTLEMAN; Ann Seamonds, owner; Bethany Larsen, rider; Gone for Real, sire; Sunshine Star, dam; Dutchess Views Farm, breeder.....................................64.742% 2. MOBY DIXON; Katherine Martin, owner; Katherine Martin & Nicole Chapman, riders ..............61.682%
Fourth Level Open
First Level Junior/Young Rider Prix St. Georges Open 1. RAPHAEL; Rebecca Sturdy, owner; Rebecca Sturdy, rider; Montreal Red, sire; Joyful Pat, dam; Annabel Murphy & William Murphy, breeders.................................................63.158%
1. LIVIA HENDERSON (WA), riding PS BEN’S BLACKBIRD; Livia Henderson, owner; NF Black Earl, sire; Lucky Slap Shot, dam; Nancy Kiester, breeder ...............................................65.074%
First Level Musical Freestyle 1. MOBY DIXON; Katherine Martin, owner; Katherine Martin & Nicole Chapman, riders ..............64.667%
Training Level Adult Amateur 1. SHIRA ROSENTHAL (MD), riding TREY BEAR; Kaymarie Kreidel, Shira Rosenthal, owner ...........64.437%
Second Level Musical Freestyle 1. MOBY DIXON; Katherine Martin, owner; Katherine Martin & Annabel Winters-McCabe, riders .....68.333%
LEFT: JOHN BORYS; MIDDLE: COURTESY LEAH SANKOFF; RIGHT: KIRSTEN BARRY
First Level Adult Amateur 1. ELIZABETH NEUSTADT (IL), riding EAGLE BLUFF TRAIL; Elizabeth Neustadt, owner ...................64.403%
Third Level Musical Freestyle
Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur
Yearling Fillies
1. RED FISH BLUE FISH; Kerry Johnson-Miljan, owner/rider............................................................66.167%
1. REBECCA STURDY (IL), riding RAPHAEL; Rebecca Sturdy, owner; Montreal Red, sire; 1. TLF SUMMERSOLSTICE; Mary Barrett, owner; Schroeder, sire; Joyful Pat, dam; Annabel Murphy & William Murphy, breeders .................................................63.158% TLF Crown Jewel, dam; Mary Barrett, breeder.............................................................................73.688%
RAPHAEL, owner/rider Rebecca Sturdy (IL)—PSG Open & AA; Fourth Level Mus. Freestyle (NA Thoroughbred Soc.)
REAL GENTLEMAN, owner Ann Seamonds (MA); rider Bethany Larsen (NH)—Fourth Level Open (NA Thoroughbred Soc.)
MAGNUM, owner Klaus Biesenthal (IL); rider Kathryn Barry –Training Level Open (NA Sportpony Reg.)
USDF CONNECTION
•
February 2016
191
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
First Level Adult Amateur
1. TLF ROSALINDA; Mary Barrett, owner; Bodyguard, sire; TLF Roseanne, dam; Mary Barrett, breeder .................................................................................72.000%
Oldenburg Horse Breeders Society NA Division of GOV Training Level Open
1. DEHAVILLAND; Sarah Lockman, owner/rider; Diamond Hit, sire; Haverford’s Redhawk, dam; Lynn & Robert De Gour, breeders ...................................................75.988% 2. ROCK STAR; Lisa Mills, owner; Sarah Travis, rider; Rhythm and Blues, sire; 1. TLF MACARENA; Mary Barrett, owner; Ridley, sire; Rose Lily, dam; Lisa Mills, breeder................................................................................................73.138% TLF Marzipan, dam; Mary Barrett, breeder..................................................................................72.600% 3. LORETTA LYNN; Carol Di Maggio & Jens Richter, owners; Heli Johanna Constance, Alina Schmidtmann, Elena Flaharty & Sarah Mason, riders; Florencio, sire; Leandra, dam; Carol Di Maggio & Jens Richter, breeders ............................................................73.043% 4. SHEQUIN; Robin Brueckmann, owner/rider; Sir Gregory, sire; Whest Indies, dam; Maurine Swanson, breeder..........................................................................72.826% Training Level Open 5. WOHLKINA 121; Cara Kettenbach, owner; Brittany Murphy, rider; 1. MAI; Jody Morse, owner/rider; BDF Kanada King, sire; Wolkenlos, sire; Simply Red, dam; Cara Kettenbach, breeder .....................................................72.273% Ljaela, dam; Elizabeth Schaffner, breeder....................................................................................68.864% 2. SVEN; Laurie Moore, owner; Whitney Petersen-McIntosh, rider; First Level Open Glacier View’s Samson, sire; Ranka, dam; Kathy Johnson, breeder.............................................67.500% 1. SELESTIAL R; Alyssa Pitts, owner/rider; San Amour, sire; Ate, dam; Judy Yancey, breeder .........77.059%
Four-Year-Old and Older Broodmares
Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry Inc.
2. FURST AURUM; Ronald Woodcock & Stacey Hastings, owners; Stacey Hastings, rider; Furst Romancier, sire; Kapella, dam; Andreas Wempe, breeder..................................................75.420% 1. SKOGEN; Darby Hewes, owner; Tracey Bienemann, rider; Flotren, sire; 3. NATALIA’S NIGHTLIGHT; Liz Kramer, owner; Karen Ball, rider; Windfall CB, sire; Oh Sadie, dam; Solveig Watanabe, breeder.................................................................................66.839% Natalia’s Fogata, dam; Liz Kramer, breeder..................................................................................72.871% 2. BJORNE; June Wheeler, owner/rider; Fair Acres Gunnar, sire; 4. IRIS; Hilda Gurney & Rick Roeder, owners; Hilda Gurney, rider; Idocus, sire; Tongja, dam; Robert Orr, breeder.................................................................................................65.294% Winter’s Eve, dam; Hilda Gurney, breeder ....................................................................................72.059% 3. SVEN; Laurie Moore, owner; Whitney Petersen-McIntosh, rider; 5. SLIPSTREAM; Sherrill Tripp, owner; Paula Paglia, rider; Sir Donnerhall I, sire; Glacier View’s Samson, sire; Ranka, dam; Kathy Johnson, breeder.............................................63.704% Red Hawk’s Picoletta, dam; Lynn & Robert De Gour, breeders ....................................................70.603%
First Level Open
Second Level Open
Second Level Open
1. ROSALUT NHF; Nikki Taylor-Smith, owner; Carly Taylor-Smith, rider; 1. SKOGEN; Darby Hewes, owner; Tracey Bienemann, rider; Rosenthal, sire; Legacy, dam; Margaret Neider, breeder .............................................................73.526% Flotren, sire; Oh Sadie, dam; Solveig Watanabe, breeder............................................................64.451% 2. IRIS; Hilda Gurney & Rick Roeder, owners; Hilda Gurney, rider; Idocus, sire; Winter’s Eve, dam; Hilda Gurney, breeder ....................................................................................70.897% Training Level Adult Amateur 3. SMILE; Barbara Wolfe, owner/rider; Sandro Hit, sire; Wolkenzeuber, dam; 1. JODY MORSE (NC), riding MAI; Jody Morse, owner; BDF Kanada King, sire; Lepenies Lueder, breeder .............................................................................................................68.574% Ljaela, dam; Elizabeth Schaffner, breeder....................................................................................68.864% 4. SLIPSTREAM; Sherrill Tripp, owner; Paula Paglia, rider; Sir Donnerhall I, sire; Red Hawk’s Picoletta, dam; Lynn & Robert De Gour, breeders ....................................................68.354% 5. DARING VICTORY; Lynda McCann, owner; Emma Staley, rider; Dauphin, sire; First Level Adult Amateur Renowned Victory, dam; Sarah Needham, breeder ....................................................................66.591% 1. JUNE WHEELER (MN), riding BJORNE; June Wheeler, owner; Fair Acres Gunnar, sire; Tongja, dam; Robert Orr, breeder............................................................65.294%
Third Level Open
1. QUINTESSENTIAL HIT; Alyssa Pitts, owner/rider; Quaterback, sire; Stellar Hit, dam; Sherry Smith, breeder .......................................................................................77.308% 1. JUNE WHEELER (MN), riding BJORNE; June Wheeler, owner; 2. DIGBY; Anja Pflanz & Susan McConnell, owners; Anja Pflanz, rider; Fair Acres Gunnar, sire; Tongja, dam; Robert Orr, breeder............................................................65.294% Dimaggio, sire; Mon Dieu, dam; Georg Sieverding, breeder........................................................70.834% 3. SADIRA TWF; Amy Hedden, owner/rider; Starlight, sire; First Level Musical Freestyle Revlon, dam; Laureen Megan, breeder .......................................................................................70.303% 1. SVEN; Laurie Moore, owner; Whitney Petersen-McIntosh, rider; 4. FILA; Molly Schiltgen, owner/rider; Fidertanz, sire; Glacier View’s Samson, sire; Ranka, dam; Kathy Johnson, breeder.............................................69.333% Trottie True, dam; Janine Koepken, breeder.................................................................................69.091% 2. BJORNE; June Wheeler, owner/rider; Fair Acres Gunnar, sire; 5. HIGHLIFE’S DON SILVIO; Michelle Fritchek, owner; Matthew McLaughlin, rider; Tongja, dam; Robert Orr, breeder.................................................................................................67.658% Diamond Stud, sire; Farouche, dam .............................................................................................68.077%
First Level Vintage Cup
SKOGEN, owner Darby Hewes (DI), rider Tracey Bienemann (MD)—First & Second Level Open (Norwegian Fjord Horse Reg.)
192 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
WINTERSNOW, owner/rider Adrienne Bessey (CA)—I-II Open (Oldenburg Horse Breeders Soc. NA Div. GOV).)
LEFT: ANNIEDUNCAN.COM; RIGHT: ©TERRI MILLER
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
Two-Year-Old Fillies
Katullika, dam; Rosemarie Boelts, breeder..................................................................................70.263% First Level Adult Amateur 3. ROCAZINO; Fie Studnitz Andersen, owner/rider; Rosentanz, sire; 1. TIFFANY MAHONEY (CA), riding SANS SOUCI; Jim & Tiffany Mahoney, owners; Escarda, dam; Heino Lueschen, breeder ......................................................................................69.671% San Amour, sire; Romina, dam; Ulf Immer, breeder ....................................................................69.426% 4. QREDIT HILLTOP; Hilltop Farm Inc., owner; Michael Bragdell, rider; 2. ADRIENNE BESSEY (CA), riding DRAGONFLY; Adrienne Bessey, owner; Quaterback, sire; Dream Rubina, dam; Judy Yancey & Yancey Farms, breeders..........................68.947% Don Romantic, sire; Ilona, dam; Josef Gravenhorst, breeder.......................................................68.557% 5. JAZZ DANCE; Brittany Burson, owner/rider; Johnson, sire; 3. MICHELLE FRITCHEK (FL), riding HIGHLIFE’S PEGASUS; Michelle Fritchek, owner; Feine Rose, dam; Josef Wernke, breeder......................................................................................68.664% Prezioso S, sire; Gran Donnaria, dam; Highlife Farms & Joan Sims, breeders .............................66.839%
Intermediate I Open 1. FOLKESTONE; Christina Vinios, owner/rider; Fidertanz, sire; Katullika, dam; Rosemarie Boelts, breeder..................................................................................69.882% 2. SUNSHINE TOUR; Jane Karol, owner/rider; Sir Donnerhall I, sire; History, dam; Brigitte Zilling, breeder .........................................................................................69.000% 3. WALK THE LINE; Amy Bock, owner/rider; World of Dreams, sire; Heinira, dam; Gerhard Thomes, breeder ......................................................................................68.014% 4. WROXANNE; Suzanne Galsterer, owner/rider; Wonderful, sire; Lofty View, dam; Dantia Benson, breeder....................................................................................67.632% 5. LEANA; Barbara Filkins, owner/rider; Leonidas, sire; Impeccable, dam; Barbara Parkening, breeder ...........................................................................67.171%
Intermediate II Open
Second Level Adult Amateur 1. BARBARA WOLFE (NJ), riding SMILE; Barbara Wolfe, owner; Sandro Hit, sire; Wolkenzeuber, dam; Lepenies Lueder, breeder...........................................................................68.574% 2. JERRY LYONS (TX), riding DIVORNO; Jerry Lyons, owner; Dimaggio, sire; Donna Laurien, dam; Alfons Brueggehagen, breeder.................................................................63.720%
Third Level Adult Amateur 1. AMY HEDDEN (VA), riding SADIRA TWF; Amy Hedden, owner; Starlight, sire; Revlon, dam; Laureen Megan, breeder ................................................................70.303% 2. MOLLY SCHILTGEN (MN), riding FILA; Molly Schiltgen, owner; Fidertanz, sire; Trottie True, dam; Janine Koepken, breeder.................................................................................69.091% 3. ANNE BUCHANAN (AZ), riding SKYHIT; Anne Buchanan, owner; Sarkozy, sire; Ricoletta, dam; Gestuet Lewitz, breeder......................................................................................65.909%
LEFT: HOLLY JOHNSON; RIGHT: ©TERRI MILLER
1. WINTERSNOW; Adrienne Bessey & Hilda Gurney, owners; Adrienne Bessey, rider; Winterprinz, sire; Lavinia, dam; Hilda Gurney & Mary Contakos, breeders.................................67.632% Fourth Level Adult Amateur 2. DREAM OF LOVE; Birgitt Dagge, owner; Katrin Dagge, rider; 1. JOAN MCFARREN (NV), riding ROULETTE; Joan McFarren, owner; Dream of Glory, sire; Dolomita, dam; Ulrike Schwarz-Nissen, breeder .......................................65.494% Resonanz, sire; Willa, dam; Pamela Pentz, breeder .....................................................................62.315% 3. DESIDERATA 2; Jan Williams, owner/rider; Michelangelo, sire; 2. ELIZABETH MUELLER (IL), riding ROBIN HOOD; Elizabeth Mueller, owner; Donna Colina, dam; Silvia Johannsen, breeder ...........................................................................63.553% Routinier, sire; Gretel Girl, dam; Eowyn Badtke-Brewer, breeder................................................61.367% 4. ROYAL COEUR; Marne Martin-Tucker, owner/rider; Royal Hit, sire; Riva, dam; Ludger de Baey, breeder ............................................................................................60.921% Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur 1. AMY SWERDLIN (FL), riding SCHOLASTICA; Amy Swerdlin, owner; Sir Donnerhall I, sire; Loni, dam; Brigitte & Manfred Langelueddecke, breeders .......................70.321% Grand Prix Open 2. PATRICIA HART (CA), riding ALDENTE; Patricia Hart, owner; Welt Hit II, sire; 1. DON DAIQUIRI; Jayne Essig & Karen Pavicic, owners; Karen Pavicic, rider; Aldonna, dam; Carsten Kollmer, breeder .....................................................................................66.185% Don Cardinale, sire; Neastate III, dam; Hans Georg Kaiser, breeder.............................................68.740% 3. TRACEY THOMPSON (FL), riding CAPPOQUIN; Tracey Thompson, owner; 2. RAPPORT; Joseph Calao, owner; Christine Calao, rider; Routinier, sire; Coromino, sire; Twigga, dam; Leon Sniadecky, breeder...............................................................63.355% Nostalgia’s Place, dam; Kathleen Powell, breeder .......................................................................68.200%
DON DAIQUIRI, owners Jayne Essig (BC) & Karen Pavicic (BC), rider Karen Pavicic (BC)—GP Open (Oldenburg Horse Breeders Soc. NA Div. GOV).)
DHOUBLE SCOOP, owner/rider Ellen Kettler (CA)— Training Level AA (Oldenburg Horse Breeders Soc. NA Div. GOV).)
USDF CONNECTION
•
February 2016
193
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
3. ELFENFEUER; Alice Tarjan, owner/rider; Florencio, sire; Elfensonne, dam; Ewald Grotelueschen, breeder ........................................................................67.375% 1. BELVEDERE; Judith Wheatley, owner; Ignacio Moran, rider; Biotop, sire; White Drogida, dam; Irene Bayer, breeder...................................................................................67.983% 4. WINTERSNOW; Adrienne Bessey & Hilda Gurney, owners; Adrienne Bessey & Hilda Gurney, riders; Winterprinz, sire; Lavinia, dam; Hilda Gurney & Mary Contakos, breeders.................................66.200% 2. DELIZA; Victoria Carson, owner; Domenique Carson, rider; De Laurentis, sire; Dutch Treatt, dam; Victoria Carson, breeder.................................................................................64.139% 5. WALKABOUT; Louise Smith, owner; Michael Pineo, rider; Wolkenstein II, sire; A Better Bomber, dam; Jill Pettigrew, breeder ............................................................................64.300% 3. ROULETTE; Joan McFarren, owner; Joan McFarren & Dawna Kuhlmey, riders; Resonanz, sire; Willa, dam; Pamela Pentz, breeder .....................................................................62.315% Training Level Adult Amateur 4. ROBIN HOOD; Elizabeth Mueller, owner/rider; Routinier, sire; Gretel Girl, dam; Eowyn Badtke-Brewer, breeder........................................................................61.367% 1. ELLEN KETTLER (CA), riding DHOUBLE SCOOP; Ellen Kettler, owner; Don Principe, sire; Senorita, dam; Maurine Swanson, breeder ...................................................70.682% 2. SHARNETTE ATKINSON (VA), riding FLORIADA M; Sharnette Atkinson, owner; Prix St. Georges Open Quaterback, sire; Florida, dam; Marne Martin-Tucker, breeder ...................................................70.560% 1. SCHOLASTICA; Amy Swerdlin, owner/rider; Sir Donnerhall I, sire; Loni, dam; Brigitte & Manfred Langelueddecke, breeders..........................................................70.321% 3. ALEXANDRA KROSSEN (NJ), riding DON PERIGNON; Heather Mason, owner; Don Alfredo, sire; Natchez Trail, dam; Colleen Levert, breeder ....................................................70.192% 2. FOLKESTONE; Christina Vinios, owner/rider; Fidertanz, sire;
Fourth Level Open
First Level Vintage Cup
1. MEGAN ZURECK (NY), riding SEYDLITZ H; Megan Zureck, owner; 1. DIANE ABRAHAM (CA), riding DASHA; Diane Abraham, owner; Sandro Hit, sire; Fire Lady, dam; Gestuet Horstfelde GmbH, breeder..........................................61.711% Devon Heir, sire; Danika, dam; Kim Heinbuch, breeder ...............................................................65.405% 2. KERRY BRUCE (TX), riding SHERIFF; Kerry Bruce, owner; Shakespeare RSF, sire; Gharbo, dam; Maurine Swanson, breeder...............................................65.147% Intermediate II Adult Amateur 1. ADRIENNE BESSEY (CA), riding WINTERSNOW; Adrienne Bessey & Hilda Gurney, owners; Winterprinz, sire; Lavinia, dam; Hilda Gurney & Mary Contakos, breeders.................................67.632% Second Level Vintage Cup 1. BARBARA WOLFE (NJ), riding SMILE; Barbara Wolfe, owner; 2. MARNE MARTIN-TUCKER (MD), riding ROYAL COEUR; Marne Martin-Tucker, owners; Sandro Hit, sire; Wolkenzeuber, dam; Lepenies Lueder, breeder.................................................68.574% Royal Hit, sire; Riva, dam; Ludger de Baey, breeder.....................................................................60.921%
Third Level Vintage Cup
Grand Prix Adult Amateur
1. CATHY LISTON (ME), riding LA HABANARA; Cathy Liston, owner; 1. ALICE TARJAN (NJ), riding ELFENFEUER; Alice Tarjan, owner; Lord Sinclair I, sire; Carmelita, dam; Arnold Wegbuender, breeder.............................................62.436% Florencio, sire; Elfensonne, dam; Ewald Grotelueschen, breeder ................................................67.375% 2. ADRIENNE BESSEY (CA), riding WINTERSNOW; Adrienne Bessey & Hilda Gurney, owners; Prix St. Georges Vintage Cup Winterprinz, sire; Lavinia, dam; Hilda Gurney & Mary Contakos, breeders.................................66.550% 1. PATRICIA HART (CA), riding ALDENTE; Patricia Hart, owner; Welt Hit II, sire; Aldonna, dam; Carsten Kollmer, breeder .....................................................................................66.185% Training Level Junior/Young Rider 2. BARBARA FILKINS (CA), riding LEANA; Barbara Filkins, owner; 1. PAIGE WOLFE (PA), riding DELANEY; Paige Wolfe, owner; Don Principe, sire; Leonidas, sire; Impeccable, dam; Barbara Parkening, breeder....................................................66.020% Temptress, dam; Pamela Noll, breeder ........................................................................................69.546% 2. GRACE HENDERSON (CA), riding ATLANTIS; Marian Wright, owner; Intermediate I Vintage Cup Routinier, sire; Fiona, dam; Marian Wright, breeder....................................................................67.418% 1. SUZANNE GALSTERER (CA), riding WROXANNE; Suzanne Galsterer, owner; Wonderful, sire; Lofty View, dam; Dantia Benson, breeder .........................................................67.632% 2. BARBARA FILKINS (CA), riding LEANA; Barbara Filkins, owner; First Level Junior/Young Rider Leonidas, sire; Impeccable, dam; Barbara Parkening, breeder....................................................67.171% 1. BRYCE QUINTO (CA), riding DJEDEFRE; Bryce Quinto, owner; De Kooning, sire; Avance, dam; Heinrich Ramsbrock, breeder....................................................68.562% First Level Musical Freestyle 2. SARAH CONSALO (NJ), riding SIR ROYAL 6; Sarah Consalo, owner; Sir Donnerhall I, sire; Royal Lady, dam; Lewitz Gestuet, breeder ................................................68.438% 1. LIBERTY; Elizabeth Landers, owner; Emily Goldman & Elizabeth Landers, riders; Ludwigs As, sire; Funni Belinda, dam; Gerd Sosath, breeder ......................................................74.267% 3. CHLOE MEYERHOFF (MD), riding SAGO SONG; Chloe Meyerhoff, owner; Sinatra Song, sire; Rustique, dam; Lisa Swalinski, breeder..........................................................65.469% 2. LAXWELL; Birgitt Dagge, owner/rider; Lingh, sire; Dessous, dam; Ute Vaske, breeder ..............74.167% 3. SEVEN-N-SEVEN; Carman Wakefield, owner; Nicole Harrington, rider; Sinatra Song, sire; Dutch Treatt, dam; Flying Chesterfield Farm & Victoria Carson, breeders .....74.000%
Third Level Junior/Young Rider
1. MADISON LACY (TX), riding FLINTSTONE; Noell Lacy, owner; Second Level Musical Freestyle Feramo, sire; Charita, dam; Alfons Brueggenhagen, breeder .....................................................66.118% 1. LAXWELL; Birgitt Dagge, owner/rider; Lingh, sire; Dessous, dam; Ute Vaske, breeder ..............69.250% 2. BRONWYN CORDIAK (TX), riding DSCHINGIS BLUE; Bronwyn Cordiak, owner; Florencio, sire; Disney, dam; Elisabeth Slaghekke, breeder .........................................................64.658% Third Level Musical Freestyle 3. LEXY DONALDSON (CO), riding POWER PLAY; Lexy Donaldson, owner; 1. SADIRA TWF; Amy Hedden, owner/rider; Starlight, sire; Pik Noir, sire; Feldessa, dam; Walter Boerries, breeder ................................................................64.108% Revlon, dam; Laureen Megan, breeder .......................................................................................73.700% 2. POWER PLAY; Lexy Donaldson, owner/rider; Pik Noir, sire; Prix St. Georges Junior/Young Rider Feldessa, dam; Walter Boerries, breeder......................................................................................71.594% 1. LAUREN ASHER (CO), riding LYSIAS; Lauren Asher, owner; Licotus, sire; 3. FLINTSTONE; Noell Lacy, owner; Madison Lacy, rider; Feramo, sire; Rabea, dam; Steffi Becker, breeder ..............................................................................................62.573% Charita, dam; Alfons Brueggenhagen, breeder ...........................................................................70.250%
Fourth Level Musical Freestyle
Training Level Vintage Cup
1. ROCAZINO; Fie Studnitz Andersen, owner/rider; Rosentanz, sire; 1. ROBIN BRUECKMANN (NC), riding SHEQUIN; Robin Brueckmann, owner; Escarda, dam; Heino Lueschen, breeder ......................................................................................68.700% Sir Gregory, sire; Whest Indies, dam; Maurine Swanson, breeder...............................................72.826% 2. RELIANCE; Susan Jones, owner/rider; Rohdiamant, sire; Gesstine, dam; 2. HEIDI CHOTE (CA), riding SHYDNEY; Heidi Chote, owner; Shakespeare RSF, sire; Oliver Kotschofsky, breeder ..........................................................................................................68.333% EM Chee Chee, dam; Maurine Swanson, breeder........................................................................70.769%
SEYDLITZ H, owner/rider Megan Zureck (NY)—I-I AA (Oldenburg Horse Breeders Soc. NA Div. GOV).)
ALDENTE, owner/rider Patricia Hart (CA)—PSG Vintage Cup (Oldenburg Horse Breeders Soc. NA Div. GOV).)
194 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
LIBERTY, owner/rider Elizabeth Landers (IL)—First Level Mus. Freestyle (Oldenburg Horse Breeders Soc. NA Div. GOV).)
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ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
Intermediate I Adult Amateur
Three-Year-Old Colts/Geldings Materiale
1. WROXANNE; Suzanne Galsterer, owner/rider; Wonderful, sire; 1. BY DESIGN; Jennifer Mclandrich, owner/rider; Benetton Dream, sire; Lofty View, dam; Dantia Benson, breeder....................................................................................68.250% Issandra, dam; Margaret Sherman & Regina Willoughby, breeders ...........................................76.200% 2. LIBERTY; Beth Sproule-Hansen, owner/rider; L’Andiamo, sire; 2. RANGO; Celeste Brown, owner; Micah Andrews & Shane Diel, riders; Wildrose Hill II, dam; Equine Park Cornell, breeder......................................................................67.500% Rodioso, sire; Donnerstrahl, dam; Adria & Harry Diel, breeders ..................................................74.900% 3. LEANA; Barbara Filkins, owner/rider; Leonidas, sire; Impeccable, dam; Barbara Parkening, breeder ...........................................................................66.563% Three-Year-Old Fillies Materiale 1. DALLAS MW; Jennifer Vanover, owner; Meagan Davis & Jennifer Vanover, riders; Grand Prix Musical Freestyle Sir Gregory, sire; De Lovely, dam; Nancy Holowesko, breeder .....................................................79.000% 1. ELFENFEUER; Alice Tarjan, owner/rider; Florencio, sire; 2. LILLIANNA; Jodie Cressman, owner/rider; Leonidas, sire; Elfensonne, dam; Ewald Grotelueschen, breeder ........................................................................76.750% Rajani, dam; Jodie Cressman, breeder .........................................................................................73.400% 2. DON DAIQUIRI; Jayne Essig & Karen Pavicic, owners; Karen Pavicic, rider; Don Cardinale, sire; Neastate III, dam; Hans Georg Kaiser, breeder.............................................72.475% Four- and Five-Year-Old Stallions/Geldings Materiale 3. WINTERSNOW; Adrienne Bessey & Hilda Gurney, owners; Adrienne Bessey & Hilda Gurney, riders; 1. DANTE COEUR; Marne Martin-Tucker, owner/rider; Dante Weltino, sire; Winterprinz, sire; Lavinia, dam; Hilda Gurney & Mary Contakos, breeders.................................70.313% Royal Coeur, dam; Marne Martin-Tucker, breeder .......................................................................81.800%
Colts/Geldings of Current Calendar Year 1. WOHLSTADT 121; Cara Kettenbach, owner; Wolkenlos, sire; Wisconsin, dam; Cara Kettenbach, breeder .................................................................................80.050%
2. SHAVANE; Maurine Swanson, owner; Cara Klothe, rider; Shakespeare RSF, sire; EM Rheporter, dam; Maurine Swanson, breeder ........................................................................79.400%
Four- and Five-Year-Old Mares Materiale
Fillies of Current Calendar Year
1. DAPHNE; Lesley Pollington, owner; Sharon Jerdeman, rider; Diamond Stud, sire; D’amore, dam; Lesley Pollington, breeder ...................................................................................84.500% 1. RIGALETTA 121; Cara Kettenbach, owner; Rousseau, sire; Darling ISF, dam; Cara Kettenbach, breeder.................................................................................77.250% 2. SHEQUIN; Robin Brueckmann, owner/rider; Sir Gregory, sire; Whest Indies, dam; Maurine Swanson, breeder..........................................................................83.500%
Yearling Colts/Geldings
1. FLORISTDANZO 121; Cara Kettenbach, owner; Floriscount, sire; USEF Four-Year-Old Wisconsin, dam; Cara Kettenbach, breeder .................................................................................76.925% 1. ANGELA’S ANGEL; Stacia Dyess-Hammond, owner; Angela Jackson, rider; 2. FIGAWI 121; Cara Kettenbach, owner; Foundation, sire; Rosenthal, sire; Alsonara, dam; Theresa Schnell, breeder .................................................................... 7.7 Simply Red, dam; Cara Kettenbach, breeder ...............................................................................76.500% 2. DANTE COEUR; Marne Martin-Tucker, owner/rider; Dante Weltino, sire; Royal Coeur, dam; Marne Martin-Tucker, breeder ................................................................................ 7.6
Yearling Fillies
1. RIONA TWF; Laureen Megan, owner; Furst Nymphenburg, sire; FEI Five-Year-Old Roanne TWF, dam; Laureen Megan, breeder...............................................................................77.100% 1. ROSALUT NHF; Nikki Taylor-Smith, owner; Carly Taylor-Smith, rider; 2. ILLUSION; Kari McClain, owner; Sempatico M, sire; Rosenthal, sire; Legacy, dam; Margaret Neider, breeder ..................................................................... 8.4 Hungarian Independence, dam; Kari McClain, breeder ..............................................................75.675% 2. FURST AURUM; Ronald Woodcock & Stacey Hastings, owners; Stacey Hastings, rider; Furst Romancier, sire; Kapella, dam; Andreas Wempe, breeder........................................................... 7.8 Two-Year-Old Fillies 1. DULCE; Karen Fitzgerald, owner; De Niro, sire; Heide Von Brandenburg, dam; Judy Yancey, breeder ..................................................................78.910% 2. AMBROSIA; Stefanie Moses, owner; Ampere, sire; Rosa Canina, dam; Stefanie Moses, breeder ................................................................................78.750%
Performance Horse Registry
Training Level Open
Three-Year-Old Colts/Geldings
1. SIR DUKE OF THE LAIR; Jennifer Damyanovich, owner/rider .......................................................69.414% 2. CALYPSO; Jessica Foschi, owner; Kellie Hunter & Jessica Foschi, riders; Kellie Hunter, breeder ........68.278% 1. SHORTSTOP; Maurine Swanson, owner; Shakespeare RSF, sire; EM Wyneth L, dam; Maurine Swanson, breeder .........................................................................79.900% 2. FENWICK RF; Alicia Rosenblatt, owner; Falsterbo, sire; First Level Open Serendipity, dam; Alicia Rosenblatt, breeder...............................................................................77.600% 1. EXTRA INNINGS; Barbara Hopps, owner; Marett Peets & Linda Light, riders; Bonnie Brook Joe Ilo, sire; Watch My Socks, dam; Unicorn Valley Farm, breeder........................66.526% Three-Year-Old Fillies 2. DUNVEGAN; McKenna Shook, owner/rider .................................................................................63.309% 1. DALLAS MW; Jennifer Vanover, owner; Sir Gregory, sire; De Lovely, dam; Nancy Holowesko, breeder ................................................................................81.575% Second Level Open 2. WALDINA; Angela Prenosil, owner; Sir Gregory, sire; 1. GYRFALCON; Sari Wildman, owner; Cassidy Fortunski & Sari Wildman, riders; Waldrose, dam; Ann Kitchel & Huntington Farm, breeders ........................................................79.625% Norfleet’s Silver, sire; Blinzen, dam; Folly Hill Farm, breeder .......................................................65.854%
Four-Year-Old and Older Stallions
Third Level Open
1. ROCAZINO; Fie Studnitz Andersen, owner; Rosentanz, sire; 1. INSPEKTEUR GADGET; Lindsey Saad, owner/rider; Germonicus, sire; Escarda, dam; Heino Lueschen, breeder ......................................................................................83.550% Onward O’Crimson, dam; Diana Miller, breeder ..........................................................................65.979% 2. SHAVANE; Maurine Swanson, owner; Shakespeare RSF, sire; 2. RINGMOYLAN; Emma Szegvari, owner/rider...............................................................................65.395% EM Rheporter, dam; Maurine Swanson, breeder ........................................................................81.900%
Four-Year-Old and Older Broodmares
Fourth Level Open
1. WINNIE TOO; Cecilia Cox, owner/rider; Gaucho III, sire; 1. WISCONSIN; Cara Kettenbach, owner; Sir Donnerhall I, sire; Kristiana, dam; Janne Rumbough, breeder .................................................................................65.137% Weissendra, dam; Ann Kitchel, breeder .......................................................................................77.175% 2. RI MAVERICK; Jeanne Montelius-Gaudreau, owner; Stevie Gaudreau, rider; Black Ice, sire; Favorite Chance, dam; Jeanne Montelius-Gaudreau, breeder .............................65.000%
Four-Year-Old and Older Maiden/Yeld Mares 1. DAPHNE; Lesley Pollington, owner; Diamond Stud, sire; Prix St. Georges Open D’amore, dam; Lesley Pollington, breeder ...................................................................................86.050% 1. LISTEK; Heather Jans, owner; Lisa Froehlig & Heather Jans, riders; 2. D’AMORE; Lesley Pollington, owner; De Niro, sire; Carismo, sire; Lacrima, dam.........................................................................................................69.079% World Lady, dam; Helmut Pluemer, breeder ...............................................................................82.200% 2. INDRO; Olivia Chapeski, owner/rider; Malibu K, sire; Najara, dam; Nia Ridley, breeder .............68.191%
USDF CONNECTION
•
February 2016
195
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
Intermediate I Musical Freestyle
WINNIE TOO, owner/rider Cecilia Cox (TX)—Fourth Level Open, AA, & Vintage Cup (Perf. Horse Reg.)
Intermediate I Open
INDRO, owner/rider Olivia Chapeski (MT)—I-I Open (Perf. Horse Reg.)
Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur
1. INDRO; Olivia Chapeski, owner/rider; Malibu K, sire; Najara, dam; Nia Ridley, breeder .............68.125% 1. ALEXANDRA KROSSEN (NJ), riding DAMANI; Heather Mason, owner; 2. DAMANI; Heather Mason, owner; Alexandra Krossen, rider; Duvall, sire; Duvall, sire; Gqdiva, dam; Virginia Godfrey, breeder....................................................................68.257% Gqdiva, dam; Virginia Godfrey, breeder .......................................................................................67.763% 2. LAURA HAGEN (MI), riding ABSOLUT TEYN; Nancy Ray, owner; Absolut, sire; Edith Ann, dam; Nancy Ray, breeder............................................................................................60.395%
Intermediate II Open 1. AKVAVIT; Blue Marlin Farms Inc., owner; Kristy Truebenbach Lund, rider; Intermediate I Adult Amateur Silvester, sire; Omni, dam .............................................................................................................65.395% 1. ALEXANDRA KROSSEN (NJ), riding DAMANI; Heather Mason, owner; Duvall, sire; Gqdiva, dam; Virginia Godfrey, breeder....................................................................67.763% 2. BILLY JACKSON (GA), riding ILJA; Janie Pride, owner; Idzard, sire; Grand Prix Open Oldert’s Karola, dam; A.L.J. van Esch, breeder .............................................................................63.487% 1. AKVAVIT; Blue Marlin Farms Inc., owner; Kristy Truebenbach Lund, rider; Silvester, sire; Omni, dam .............................................................................................................62.700%
Intermediate II Adult Amateur 1. KRISTY TRUEBENBACH LUND (FL), riding AKVAVIT; Blue Marlin Farms Inc., owner; Silvester, sire; Omni, dam .............................................................................................................65.395% 1. JENNIFER DAMYANOVICH (MN), riding SIR DUKE OF THE LAIR; Jennifer Damyanovich, owner .....................................................................................................69.414% 2. KIMBERLY BARSKAITIKI (WI), riding IZHE; Kimberly Barskaitiki, owner; Grand Prix Adult Amateur Iskusnik, sire; Little Aliijah Jane, dam; Barbara Weber, breeder ..................................................66.013% 1. KRISTY TRUEBENBACH LUND (FL), riding AKVAVIT; Blue Marlin Farms Inc., owner; Silvester, sire; Omni, dam .............................................................................................................62.700%
Training Level Adult Amateur
Third Level Adult Amateur 1. LINDSEY SAAD (WV), riding INSPEKTEUR GADGET; Lindsey Saad, owner; Germonicus, sire; Training Level Junior/Young Rider Onward O’Crimson, dam; Diana Miller, breeder ..........................................................................65.979% 1. ELLANOR BOEHNING (IN), riding KABAM; Ann & Ellanor Boehning, owners; 2. CAROL LIPPA (PA), riding JUST LIVINGSTON; Carol Lippa, owner; Loerke, sire; Heidbergs Nancho Nova, sire; Cahira, dam ..................................................................................67.955% Just Wonda, dam; Caroline Stearns, breeder ...............................................................................63.333%
First Level Junior/Young Rider Fourth Level Adult Amateur
1. MCKENNA SHOOK (NC), riding DUNVEGAN; McKenna Shook, owner.........................................63.309% 1. CECILIA COX (TX), riding WINNIE TOO; Cecilia Cox, owner; Gaucho III, sire; Kristiana, dam; Janne Rumbough, breeder .................................................................................65.137% Second Level Junior/Young Rider 2. CRYSTAL HEATH (CA), riding LUCY IN THE SKY WITH DIAMONDS; Heidi Riddle, owner; 1. CASSIDY FORTUNSKI (IL), riding GYRFALCON; Sari Wildman, owner; Prince Don B, sire; Fluted Champagne, dam; Joseph Marion, breeder .......................................62.111% Norfleet’s Silver, sire; Blinzen, dam; Folly Hill Farm, breeder .......................................................66.336%
DAMANI, owner Heather Mason (NJ), rider Alexandra Krossen (NJ)—PSG & I-I AA; I-I Mus. Freestyle (Perf. Horse Reg.)
ILJA, owner Janie Pride (GA), rider Billy Jackson (GA)—I-IVintage Cup (Perf. Horse Reg.)
196 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
PLATO EN ROUGE, owner/rider Lynn McKinney (AZ)—Fourth Level Mus. Freestyle (Perf. Horse Reg.)
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ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
INSPEKTEUR GADGET, owner/rider Lindsey Saad (WV)—Third Level Open & AA (Perf. Horse Reg.)
1. EMMA SZEGVARI (MA), riding RINGMOYLAN; Emma Szegvari, owner .......................................65.395%
Fourth Level Junior/Young Rider 1. STEVIE GAUDREAU (MT), riding RI MAVERICK; Jeanne Montelius-Gaudreau, owner; Black Ice, sire; Favorite Chance, dam; Jeanne Montelius-Gaudreau, breeder .............................65.000%
Prix St. Georges Junior/Young Rider
2. KRISTA MELBY (WA), riding THE UNDENIABLE FAVORITE; Krista Melby, owner; Favory II Bonasera III, sire; Don’t Deny Me, dam; Michael Lacy, breeder.....................................62.632%
Fourth Level Musical Freestyle 1. PLATO EN ROUGE; Lynn Mckinney, owner/rider; E’Sops Fable, sire; Nakuru, dam; Les Chevaux de Carlier, breeder.............................................................................65.000%
Intermediate I Musical Freestyle
1. DAMANI; Heather Mason, owner; Alexandra Krossen, rider; Duvall, sire; 1. KEEGAN O’BRIEN (WI), riding DONATELLO; Keegan O’Brien & Lakeview Farm, owners; Gqdiva, dam; Virginia Godfrey, breeder .......................................................................................69.438% Don Bedo, sire; Wischnu, dam; Eberhard Schulte-Boecker, breeder ...........................................63.289% 2. ILJA; Janie Pride, owner; Billy Jackson, rider; Idzard, sire; 2. STEVIE GAUDREAU (MT), riding RI MAVERICK; Jeanne Montelius-Gaudreau, owner; Oldert’s Karola, dam; A.L.J. van Esch, breeder .............................................................................66.250% Black Ice, sire; Favorite Chance, dam; Jeanne Montelius-Gaudreau, breeder .............................62.270%
Grand Prix Musical Freestyle Third Level Vintage Cup 1. CAROL LIPPA (PA), riding JUST LIVINGSTON; Carol Lippa, owner; Loerke, sire; Just Wonda, dam; Caroline Stearns, breeder ...........................................................63.333%
Fourth Level Vintage Cup
1. MARQUÉS DE ESPAÑA; Tina Lovazzano, owner/rider; Jose Antonio Corrales, breeder ...............63.250%
Pinto Horse Association of America First Level Open
1. CECILIA COX (TX), riding WINNIE TOO; Cecilia Cox, owner; Gaucho III, sire; 1. HUMMER THYME; Carrie Gregory, owner/rider............................................................................66.985% Kristiana, dam; Janne Rumbough, breeder .................................................................................65.137%
Second Level Open Intermediate I Vintage Cup
1. PANAMA JOE; Lori Johnstone, owner/rider..................................................................................61.220% 2. HANKS SUPER GENT; Doris Gillespie, owner/rider; Reinin Machine, sire; 1. BILLY JACKSON (GA), riding ILJA; Janie Pride, owner; Idzard, sire; Squirt, dam; Anita Strohschein, breeder......................................................................................60.638% Oldert’s Karola, dam; A.L.J. van Esch, breeder .............................................................................63.487%
USDF CONNECTION
•
February 2016
197
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
Third Level Junior/Young Rider
PENTERRA, owner/rider Vanessa Hemovich (WA)—Second Level Open & AA (Rheinland Pfalz-Saar Intl.)
Rheinland Pfalz-Saar International Training Level Open
LE MODE, owner/rider Heidi Basler (FL)— PSG Open (Rheinland Pfalz-Saar Intl.)
2. WENDY KLAPPENBACH (ID), riding HIGH NOON; Wendy Klappenbach, owner; Heraklion, sire; Calamity, dam; Cocolalla Creek Sporthorses & Marion Dresel-O`Connor, breeders....................64.178%
First Level Adult Amateur
1. ACHILLES; Caryn Bloom, owner; Luke McLaughlin, rider; Albarez, sire; 1. RAENA SCHRAER (AK), riding REALITY CHECK; Raena Schraer, owner; Navia Blanc, dam; Mary Goldberg, breeder .................................................................................76.723% Radikal, sire; Leagro, dam; Genevieve Ghilotti, breeder ..............................................................66.673% 2. CF DOUBLE DARE; Zoe Roy, owner/rider; Don De Marco, sire; 2. MATTHEW BEASLEY (CT), riding SCARLETT O’HARA GSF; Jordan Clauson, owner; Double Freeze, dam; Gina Benson-Cook, breeder .......................................................................72.614% Sinclair B, sire; With Cinnamon GSF, dam; Carolyn Miller, breeder ..............................................65.352%
Second Level Adult Amateur
First Level Open
1. VANESSA HEMOVICH (WA), riding PENTËRRA; Vanessa Hemovich, owner; 1. RUMOR HAS IT; Lynn Klus, owner; Betsy Van Dyke, rider; Palladio, sire; Rainfall, dam; Andrea Clibborn-Anderson, breeder ..............................................66.212% Dunkelbraun, sire; Douviller, dam; Jane & Tristan Lineberry, breeders .......................................67.308% 2. REALITY CHECK; Raena Schraer, owner/rider; Radikal, sire; Leagro, dam; Genevieve Ghilotti, breeder ...................................................................................66.673% Training Level Junior/Young Rider 1. IZABELLE TAGAVI (NH), riding NATIVE SHOOTING STAR; Izabelle Tagavi, owner; Carl, sire; Enchanted Love Affair, dam; Phillip Dee, breeder ........................................................65.455% Second Level Open 1. PENTËRRA; Vanessa Hemovich, owner/rider; Palladio, sire; Rainfall, dam; Andrea Clibborn-Anderson, breeder ....................................................................66.212% Training Level Vintage Cup 1. CINDY VERBARENDSE-FORD (WA), riding REMBRANDT; Cindy Verbarendse-Ford, owner; Radikal, sire; Forever Eskimo, dam; Rodney Heaton, breeder .....................................................65.796%
Prix St. Georges Open
1. LE MODE; Heidi Basler, owner/rider; Limited Edition, sire; Annex, dam; Alfred Kohn, breeder .......64.737%
First Level Vintage Cup
1. ALEXANDRA ARTHURS (MA), riding PIKTURE PERFECT; Alexandra Arthurs, owner; Pik’s Pride, sire; Split Decision, dam; Alexandra Arthurs, breeder ...............................................64.074% 1. FARSIRIS; Marie Domke-DeWitt, owner/rider; Fabuleux, sire; 2. CINDY VERBARENDSE-FORD (WA), riding REMBRANDT; Cindy Verbarendse-Ford, owner; Adear, dam; Marie Domke-DeWitt, breeder ................................................................................60.395% Radikal, sire; Forever Eskimo, dam; Rodney Heaton, breeder .....................................................63.125%
Intermediate I Open
Training Level Adult Amateur
Two-Year-Old Fillies
1. CINDY VERBARENDSE-FORD (WA), riding REMBRANDT; Cindy Verbarendse-Ford, owner; 1. RHYTHM O ROUGE; Kristy Ernst, owner; Ruben O, sire; Radikal, sire; Forever Eskimo, dam; Rodney Heaton, breeder .....................................................65.796% Alezan Rouge, dam; Maggie & Matt McClanahan, breeders.......................................................70.375%
FARSIRIS, owner/rider Marie Domke-DeWitt (MI)—I-I Open (Rheinland Pfalz-Saar Intl.)
REALITY CHECK, owner/rider Raena Schraer (AK)—First Level AA (Rheinland Pfalz-Saar Intl.)
198 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
PIKTURE PERFECT, owner/rider Alexandra Arthurs (MA)—First Level Vintage Cup (Rheinland PfalzSaar Intl.)
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ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
ACHILLES, owner Caryn Bloom (UT), rider Luke McLaughlin (TX)—Training Level Open (Rheinland Pfalz-Saar Intl.)
Four- and Five-Year-Old Stallions/Geldings Materiale
Second Level Open 1. FIGARO H; Angela Jackson, owner/rider; Fantasmic, sire; Romina H, dam; Angela Jackson, breeder ...................................................................................78.600% 1. U ROCK; Amanda Johnson, owner/rider; UB 40, sire; Piedra, dam; Carol Reid, breeder.............72.439% 2. ISOS’ LEVI; Roberta Testor, owner; Jaime Wickander, rider; Isos, sire; 2. SAGA SPLENDOR GES; Peter & Sharon Soos, owners; Laura Speer, rider; Sunny Myrt, dam; Shirley Svendsen, breeder..............................................................................68.845% Sagar, sire; Nakomis, dam; Roan Oake Farm & Stephanie Wendorf, breeders............................70.800% 3. TERRA COTTA; Kate Emmett-Wilder, owner/rider; Legacy, sire; Tres Jolie, dam; Helen Dilworth, breeder .....................................................................................67.436% Four- and Five-Year-Old Mares Materiale 4. SECRET AGENT; Dianne Pulles, owner/rider; OO Seven, sire; 1. RUBY H; Angela Jackson, owner; Rebekah Mingari, rider; Rubignon, sire; Master’s Gift, dam; Kenneth Borden, breeder..............................................................................66.667% Liberty H, dam; Angela Jackson, breeder ....................................................................................71.050% 5. GEVALIA; Jo McCracken, owner/rider; Juan Valdez Carolina, sire; Bella, dam; Jo McCracken, breeder ..............................................................................................63.969% FEI Five-Year-Old 1. FIGARO H; Angela Jackson, owner/rider; Fantasmic, sire; Third Level Open Romina H, dam; Angela Jackson, breeder ............................................................................................ 7.7 1. LADY VICTORIA; Susan Ketchel, owner; Debbie Mccaughtry, rider; L.A. Baltic Sundance, sire; In the Know, dam; Courtney Buffum, breeder ..................................69.091% 2. KARIBBEAN; Carolynn Bunch, owner; Catherine Reid, rider; Kronprinz, sire; Salabomistybouqet, dam; Carolynn Bunch, breeder...................................................................66.346% 3. ZLATAN M.GE; Ida Noll, owner/rider; Riccione, sire; Katitzi, dam; Maria Gerdin, breeder...........65.513% 4. LOUIS; Kate Emmett-Wilder, owner/rider; Puritano, sire; Training Level Open Leilani, dam; Helen Dilworth & Trilogy Farm LLC, breeders.........................................................63.590% 1. MOMBASSA RIDGE DRAGONFLY; Jessica Edwards, owner/rider; Jeran Stephens, breeder.........63.637% 5. QUILLA; Shareen Purcell, owner/rider; Freestyle, sire; Sambuca, dam; Shareen Purcell, breeder ....................................................................................63.238%
Spanish-Norman Horse Registry Inc.
Training Level Adult Amateur Fourth Level Open 1. JESSICA EDWARDS (WA), riding MOMBASSA RIDGE DRAGONFLY; Jessica Edwards, owner; Jeran Stephens, breeder ...............................................................................................................63.637% 1. GRECCO; Kathy Nardi, owner/rider; Galapard, sire; Zephyr, dam; Kate Phillips, breeder ............62.667% 2. ADAGIO; Danielle Tihon, owner/rider; Amiral, sire; Deja Vu, dam; Carol & Norman Reid, breeders.............................................................................62.000% 3. PASSHAWN; Mary Kraft, owner/rider; Pehrsson, sire; West Bond, dam; Jeff Hebert, breeder.........................................................................................60.500%
Swedish Warmblood Association of North America
Training Level Open
Prix St. Georges Open
MIDDLE: ©TERRI MILLER; RIGHT: BOBTARR.COM
1. ODESSA; Michele Deluna, owner/rider; Tip Top’s Sterling, sire; 1. DOLCE; Vincent Flores, owner/rider; Don Primero, sire; King’s Ruby, dam; Leslie Morse, breeder ......................................................................................72.174% Day-Dream, dam; Stall AGO AB, breeder .....................................................................................62.434% 2. QUINTESSENTIAL; Shareen Purcell, owner/rider; Freestyle, sire; 2. CASAC; Linda Speer, owner; Zoe Witte, rider; Sack 907, sire; Sambuca, dam; Shareen Purcell, breeder ....................................................................................66.762% Carassa, dam; Ronny Lassing, breeder .........................................................................................61.842% 3. ISOS SALI DEO GLORIA; Jenny Schmitt, owner/rider; Isos, sire; 3. ADAGIO; Danielle Tihon, owner/rider; Amiral, sire; Miss USA Freedom, dam; Lynne Dalbec & Shirley Svendsen, breeders.......................................66.364% Deja Vu, dam; Carol & Norman Reid, breeders.............................................................................61.579% 4. LENOX; Jodi Lees, owner/rider; Legacy, sire; Sonata, dam; Jodi Lees, breeder ...........................61.119% 5. GRECCO; Kathy Nardi, owner/rider; Galapard, sire; Zephyr, dam; Kate Phillips, breeder ............60.921% First Level Open 1. U ROCK; Amanda Johnson, owner/rider; UB 40, sire; Piedra, dam; Carol Reid, breeder.............72.903% 2. AMADEUS; Malena Brisbois, owner; Laura Celia & Malena Brisbois, riders; Intermediate I Open Amiral, sire; Rock Starlet, dam; Malena Brisbois, breeder ...........................................................66.669% 1. TENEDOS; Christine Stevens, owner; Amy Miller, rider; San Quintero, sire; 3. ISOS’ LEVI; Roberta Testor, owner; Roberta Testor & Jaime Wickander, riders; Dione, dam; Hans-Yngve Goransson, breeder .............................................................................68.553% Isos, sire; Sunny Myrt, dam; Shirley Svendsen, breeder ..............................................................65.741% 2. FALA; Lea Thornhill, owner/rider; Master, sire; Fem Fatale, dam; Jean Brinkman, breeder .......62.763%
RHYTHM O ROUGE, owner Kristy Ernst (OH)—Two-YearOld Fillies (Rheinland Pfalz-Saar Intl.)
ODESSA, owner/rider Michele Deluna (CA)—Training Level Open & AA (Swedish Warmblood Assn. NA)
LADY VICTORIA, owner Susan Ketchel (PA), rider Debbie McCaughtry (PA)—Third Level Open (Swedish Warmblood Assn. NA)
USDF CONNECTION
•
February 2016
199
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
4. QUINTESSENTIAL; Shareen Purcell, owner/rider; Freestyle, sire; Sambuca, dam; Shareen Purcell, breeder ....................................................................................64.630% 1. SF LYCANTHORPE; Katie Miskovic, owner; Le Mode, sire; Die Finesse, dam; Ann Daum Kustar, breeder ..............................................................................69.200% 5. SOLARO; Melinda Bauerlien, owner/rider; L.A. Baltic Sundance, sire; Get Tender, dam; Laurie Platt, breeder.........................................................................................64.532%
Three-Year-Old Colts/Geldings
Intermediate I Adult Amateur
1. LEA THORNHILL (GA), riding FALA; Lea Thornhill, owner; Master, sire; Fem Fatale, dam; Jean Brinkman, breeder ..................................................................................62.763% 1. MALENA BRISBOIS (VA), riding AMADEUS; Malena Brisbois, owner; Amiral, sire; Rock Starlet, dam; Malena Brisbois, breeder ...........................................................66.471% Prix St. Georges Junior/Young Rider 2. ROBERTA TESTOR (MN), riding ISOS’ LEVI; Roberta Testor, owner; Isos, sire; Sunny Myrt, dam; Shirley Svendsen, breeder..............................................................................65.926% 1. ZOE WITTE (MD), riding CASAC; Linda Speer, owner; Sack 907, sire; Carassa, dam; Ronny Lassing, breeder .........................................................................................61.842% 3. SHAREEN PURCELL (CA), riding QUINTESSENTIAL; Shareen Purcell, owner; Freestyle, sire; Sambuca, dam; Shareen Purcell, breeder ............................................................64.630% Second Level Vintage Cup 4. MELINDA BAUERLIEN (MD), riding SOLARO; Melinda Bauerlien, owner; L.A. Baltic Sundance, sire; Get Tender, dam; Laurie Platt, breeder ..............................................64.532% 1. DIANNE PULLES (MI), riding SECRET AGENT; Dianne Pulles, owner; OO Seven, sire; Master’s Gift, dam; Kenneth Borden, breeder.....................................................66.667% 5. NATALYA BRANDT (CA), riding SAMBUCA; Shareen Purcell, owner; Sack 907, sire; Indora, dam; Birgitta Hansson, breeder ...............................................................63.415% 2. ANNE-LISE BROOKS (WA), riding WI-FI; Anne-Lise Brooks, owner; Warsteiner, sire; Apogee, dam; Carol Reid, breeder.....................................................................63.720%
First Level Adult Amateur
Second Level Adult Amateur
Third Level Vintage Cup 1. KATE EMMETT-WILDER (CA), riding TERRA COTTA; Kate Emmett-Wilder, owner; Legacy, sire; Tres Jolie, dam; Helen Dilworth, breeder .................................................................67.436% 1. IDA NOLL (IL), riding ZLATAN M.GE; Ida Noll, owner; Riccione, sire; Katitzi, dam; Maria Gerdin, breeder .............................................................................................65.513% 2. DIANNE PULLES (MI), riding SECRET AGENT; Dianne Pulles, owner; OO Seven, sire; Master’s Gift, dam; Kenneth Borden, breeder.....................................................66.667% Fourth Level Vintage Cup 3. JO MCCRACKEN (SC), riding GEVALIA; Jo McCracken, owner; Juan Valdez Carolina, sire; Bella, dam; Jo McCracken, breeder....................................................63.969% 1. KATHY NARDI (MN), riding GRECCO; Kathy Nardi, owner; Galapard, sire; Zephyr, dam; Kate Phillips, breeder..............................................................................................62.667% 4. ANNE-LISE BROOKS (WA), riding WI-FI; Anne-Lise Brooks, owner; Warsteiner, sire; Apogee, dam; Carol Reid, breeder.....................................................................63.720% Prix St. Georges Vintage Cup 5. SHAREEN PURCELL (CA), riding QUILLA; Shareen Purcell, owner; Freestyle, sire; Sambuca, dam; Shareen Purcell, breeder ............................................................63.333% 1. KATHY NARDI (MN), riding GRECCO; Kathy Nardi, owner; Galapard, sire; Zephyr, dam; Kate Phillips, breeder..............................................................................................60.921% Third Level Adult Amateur
First Level Musical Freestyle 1. IDA NOLL (IL), riding ZLATAN M.GE; Ida Noll, owner; Riccione, sire; Katitzi, dam; Maria Gerdin, breeder .............................................................................................65.513% 1. AMADEUS; Malena Brisbois, owner; Laura Celia & Malena Brisbois, riders; Amiral, sire; Rock Starlet, dam; Malena Brisbois, breeder ...........................................................69.084% 2. KATE EMMETT-WILDER (CA), riding LOUIS; Kate Emmett-Wilder, owner; Puritano, sire; Leilani, dam; Helen Dilworth & Trilogy Farm LLC, breeders..................................63.590% 2. BEOWULF; Kari McClain, owner; Rick Edwards, rider; Bugatti Hilltop, sire; Whitney, dam; Elisabeth Angeby & Sune Jerre, breeders ...........................................................63.209% 3. SHAREEN PURCELL (CA), riding QUILLA; Shareen Purcell, owner; Freestyle, sire; Sambuca, dam; Shareen Purcell, breeder ............................................................63.238% Fourth Level Musical Freestyle
Fourth Level Adult Amateur
1. VIN DIESEL; Sarah Alder-Schaller, owner/rider; Vermouth, sire; Regata, dam; Molly Gengenbach, breeder ..................................................................................66.900% 1. KATHY NARDI (MN), riding GRECCO; Kathy Nardi, owner; Galapard, sire; Zephyr, dam; Kate Phillips, breeder .....................................................................62.667% 2. CASAC; Linda Speer, owner; Zoe Witte, rider; Sack 907, sire; Carassa, dam; Ronny Lassing, breeder .........................................................................................64.875% 2. DANIELLE TIHON (WA), riding ADAGIO; Danielle Tihon, owner; Amiral, sire; Deja Vu, dam; Carol & Norman Reid, breeders.........................................................62.000% Grand Prix Musical Freestyle 3. MARY KRAFT (CO), riding PASSHAWN; Mary Kraft, owner; Pehrsson, sire; West Bond, dam; Jeff Hebert, breeder.........................................................................................60.500% 1. NAROK; Sara Justice, owner/rider; Nocturne , sire; Mathida, dam; Lennart Linell, breeder.......62.125%
Yearling Fillies
Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur
1. BEALL SPRING BRETTONY; Thora Pollak, owner; Bretton Woods, sire; 1. VINCENT FLORES (TX), riding DOLCE; Vincent Flores, owner; Don Primero, sire; Ma Cherie, dam; Thora Pollak, breeder ........................................................................................76.625% Day-Dream, dam; Stall AGO AB, breeder .....................................................................................62.434%
TENEDOS, owner Christine Stevens (CA), rider Amy Miller (CA)—I-I Open (Swedish Warmblood Assn. NA)
AMADEUS, owner Malena Brisbois (VA), riders Malena Brisbois (VA) & Laura Celia (VA)—First Level AA & Mus. Freestyle (Swedish Warmblood Assn. NA)
200 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
SECRET AGENT, owner/rider Dianne Pulles (MI)—Second Level Vintage Cup (Swedish Warmblood Assn. NA)
LEFT: STEVE MILLER; MIDDLE: PICSOFYOU.COM; RIGHT: BOBTARR.COM
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
2. DANIELLE TIHON (WA), riding ADAGIO; Danielle Tihon, owner; Amiral, sire; Deja Vu, dam; Carol & Norman Reid, breeders.............................................................................61.579% 1. MICHELE DELUNA (CA), riding ODESSA; Michele Deluna, owner; Tip Top’s Sterling, sire; King’s Ruby, dam; Leslie Morse, breeder ......................................................................................72.174% 3. KATHY NARDI (MN), riding GRECCO; Kathy Nardi, owner; Galapard, sire; Zephyr, dam; Kate Phillips, breeder.................................................................................................60.921 2. SHAREEN PURCELL (CA), riding QUINTESSENTIAL; Shareen Purcell, owner; Freestyle, sire; Sambuca, dam; Shareen Purcell, breeder ...........................................................66.762%
Training Level Adult Amateur
Third Level Musical Freestyle
1. BEALL SPRING DANICA; Thora Pollak, owner; Desperados, sire; 1. DANTE NIC; Linda Nickerson, owner; Cassie Benson, rider; Dominante XXIX, sire; Kallisto, dam; Thora Pollak, breeder.............................................................................................76.700% Valera MHF, dam; Linda & Richard Nickerson, breeders ..............................................................70.000%
Three-Year-Old Fillies
Intermediate I Musical Freestyle
1. PULL UP MY SOCK; Lisa Rago, owner; Puccini, sire; Lamira, dam; Lisa Rago, breeder................77.178% 1. ENEBRO XIV; Lee Burton, owner/rider; Saltador-Jem, sire; Comadreja, dam; Manuel Moyano Gonzalez De Canales, breeder..............................................64.788%
Four-Year-Old and Older Maiden/Yeld Mares 1. AMIRAL’S DIVA; Lisa Rago, owner; Amiral, sire; Rossana Diva, dam; Lisa Rago, breeder............75.800%
United States Lipizzan Federation
Four- and Five-Year-Old Mares Materiale 1. BAYLYN SW; Jordan Wilton, owner; Kathryn Fleming-Kuhn, rider; Training Level Open Bayron, sire; Opal*/-/-, dam; Kathryn Fleming-Kuhn, breeder ..................................................76.300% 1. KULPA; Kate Phillips, owner; Laura Myllykangas, rider; Maestoso Bellamira, sire; Duba, dam .......70.621% 2. TIOSI; Katie Joyce & Laura Dable, owners; Jaci Wenz, rider; Maestoso III Sabrina, sire; Sarina N., dam; Rosebury Farm, breeder .....................................................................................68.409% 3. ARCOLA; Allen Kalchik, owner/rider; Favory VI Brenna, sire; Amarika, dam; Tempel Lipizzans, breeder ...................................................................................64.000% First Level Open 4. FAVORY ASTORRIA; Joann Wheat & Victoria Lakey-Wheat, owners; Victoria Lakey-Wheat, rider; 1. PEPA DE; Ellen Birrell, owner; Kim Elsner, rider; Dominante XXIX, sire; Favory III Sabadilla, sire; Astorria, dam; Carousel Farm, breeder.................................................63.383% Cortesana RS, dam; Ellen Birrell, breeder.....................................................................................70.597%
The Foundation for the Pure Spanish Horse
Second Level Open 1. NEXUS GF; Teri Young, owner; Kim Elsner, rider; Gaucho III, sire; Nina GF, dam; Lanys Kaye-Eddie, breeder....................................................................................70.860%
Third Level Open 1. DANTE NIC; Linda Nickerson, owner; Cassie Benson, rider; Dominante XXIX, sire; Valera MHF, dam; Linda & Richard Nickerson, breeders ..........................65.256%
Intermediate I Open 1. ENEBRO XIV; Lee Burton, owner/rider; Saltador-Jem, sire; Comadreja, dam; Manuel Moyano Gonzalez De Canales, breeder..............................................62.895%
Intermediate II Open 1. DOMINANTE XXIX; Linda Nickerson, owner; Cassie Benson, rider; Dominante XVI, sire; Gamera, dam; Calogero Mazzara, breeder ................................................62.105%
Grand Prix Open 1. DOMINANTE XXIX; Linda Nickerson, owner; Cassie Benson, rider; Dominante XVI, sire; Gamera, dam; Calogero Mazzara, breeder ................................................61.076%
Intermediate I Adult Amateur 1. LEE BURTON (GA), riding ENEBRO XIV; Lee Burton, owner; Saltador-Jem, sire; Comadreja, dam; Manuel Moyano Gonzalez De Canales, breeder..............................................62.895%
Intermediate I Vintage Cup
LEFT: RYAN CAMERON; RIGHT: ©TERRI MILLER
1. LEE BURTON (GA), riding ENEBRO XIV; Lee Burton, owner; Saltador-Jem, sire; Comadreja, dam; Manuel Moyano Gonzalez De Canales, breeder..............................................62.895%
NAROK, owner/rider Sara Justice (OH)—GP Mus. Freestyle (Swedish Warmblood Assn. NA)
Second Level Open 1. LEOPOLD; Deena McClain, owner; Rachel Cody, rider; Maestoso II Ambrosia, sire; Gabriola, dam; White Horse Vale-Lipizzans, breeder...................................................................62.369%
Third Level Open 1. VIGNETTE; Jill Dearing, owner/rider; Maestoso III Sabrina, sire; Celestial Song, dam; Rosebury Farm, breeder .............................................................................68.077%
Fourth Level Open 1. PLUTO VIRTUOSA 47; Kirsten & Michael Wilson, owners; Esther Mortimer, rider; Pluto Dubovina, sire; Virtuosa, dam .............................................................................................65.347% 2. MAESTOSO II DANIELA; Margaret Hoog, owner/rider; Maestoso II Sabrina, sire; Daniela, dam; Margaret Hoog, breeder .......................................................................................63.679%
Grand Prix Open 1. PLUTO VI ANDORELLA; Linda Leffingwell, owner; Amanda Johnson, rider; Pluto III Almerina IV, sire; Andorella, dam; Tempel Lipizzans, breeder .......................................63.900%
Training Level Adult Amateur 1. LAURA MYLLYKANGAS (MN), riding KULPA; Kate Phillips, owner; Maestoso Bellamira, sire; Duba, dam ....................................................................................................................................70.621% 2. ALLEN KALCHIK (AZ), riding ARCOLA; Allen Kalchik, owner; Favory VI Brenna, sire; Amarika, dam; Tempel Lipizzans, breeder ...................................................................................64.000%
Third Level Adult Amateur 1. JILL DEARING (WI), riding VIGNETTE; Jill Dearing, owner; Maestoso III Sabrina, sire; Celestial Song, dam; Rosebury Farm, breeder .............................................................................68.077%
PULL UP MY SOCK, owner Lisa Rago (CA)— Three-Year-Old Fillies (Swedish Warmblood Assn. NA)
USDF CONNECTION
•
February 2016
201
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
Two-Year-Old Fillies
Second Level Open
1. MARGARET HOOG (CA), riding MAESTOSO II DANIELA; Margaret Hoog, owner; 1. CARINA HGF; Eric Smith, owner; Cindy Ramirez-Smith, rider; Camaron, sire; Maestoso II Sabrina, sire; Daniela, dam; Margaret Hoog, breeder ..............................................63.679% Sevillana LXXX, dam; Hampton Green Farm, breeder .................................................................68.938% 2. MORENITO VI; Ashley Burd Whicker, owner/rider; Halcon SR, sire; Hortelana SR, dam; Juan Lopez-Rosado, breeder........................................................................67.866% Training Level Junior/Young Rider 3. BRIOSO HGF; Andrea Landis, owner/rider; Bolero CXLVIII, sire; 1. VICTORIA LAKEY-WHEAT (WI), riding FAVORY ASTORRIA; Joann Wheat & Victoria Lakey-Wheat, Quintera XII, dam; Hampton Green Farm, breeder ......................................................................66.616% owners; Favory III Sabadilla, sire; Astorria, dam; Carousel Farm, breeder...................................63.383%
Training Level Vintage Cup
Third Level Open
1. 1. ALLEN KALCHIK (AZ), riding ARCOLA; Allen Kalchik, owner; Favory VI Brenna, sire; Amarika, dam; Tempel Lipizzans, breeder ...................................................................................64.000% 2. 3.
Fourth Level Vintage Cup 1. MARGARET HOOG (CA), riding MAESTOSO II DANIELA; Margaret Hoog, owner; Maestoso II Sabrina, sire; Daniela, dam; Margaret Hoog, breeder ..............................................63.679%
LUCERO BELLO II; Jill Gale, owner; Maya Markowski, rider; Gitano MOR, sire; Aureola De Luna, dam; Killala Farm, breeder...............................................................................67.576% CAPITOL II; Malinda Brown, owner/rider; Capitol, sire; Mica, dam; Ansa Yeguada, breeder ......64.936% CENTENO XII; Barbara Bonk, owner; Barbara Bonk, rider; Martelillo IV, sire; Gramatica, dam ...............................................................................................64.773%
Prix St. Georges Open
1. VAQUERO HGF; Hampton Green Farm, Kimberly Boyer, owner; Kerrigan Gluch, rider; Cuatrero, sire; Encina HGF, dam; Hampton Green Farm, breeder ................................................67.675% 2. POLICE; Coves Darden LLC, owner; Stacey Hastings, rider; Delegado Mac, sire; 1. NEAPOLITANO GLORIA ; Kate Phillips, owner/rider; Neapolitano Slatana II, sire; Negrera IV, dam; Coves Darden LLC, breeder ...............................................................................67.279% Gloria II, dam; Zipalong Lipizzans, breeder ..................................................................................70.667% 3. FESTIVO RS; Emily Copeland, owner/rider; Gaucho III, sire; Llamadora 1, dam; Juan Rodriguez, breeder...............................................................................65.711%
First Level Musical Freestyle
Third Level Musical Freestyle
1. VIGNETTE; Jill Dearing, owner/rider; Maestoso III Sabrina, sire; Celestial Song, dam; Rosebury Farm, breeder ...............................................................................................................70.917%
Intermediate I Open
1. POLICE; Coves Darden LLC, owner; Stacey Hastings, rider; Delegado Mac, sire; Negrera IV, dam; Coves Darden LLC, breeder ...............................................................................69.013% Grand Prix Musical Freestyle 2. FESTIVO RS; Emily Copeland, owner/rider; Gaucho III, sire; 1. PLUTO VI ANDORELLA; Linda Leffingwell, owner; Amanda Johnson, rider; Llamadora 1, dam; Juan Rodriguez, breeder...............................................................................65.079% Pluto III Almerina IV, sire; Andorella, dam; Tempel Lipizzans, breeder .......................................67.375% 3. NEBRIJO V; Kathleen Dunagan, owner; Ruth Hogan Poulsen, rider; Deseado XLIX, sire; Cartujana LXXXIII, dam; Jose M’Zarcos Bueno, breeder ...............................63.882%
United States P.R.E. Association
Grand Prix Open
1. CARTUJO VIII; Judith Streisand, owner; Holger Bechtloff, rider; Tejano III, sire; Cartuja II, dam; Isabel Parra Monterrey, breeder .........................................................................65.350% 1. CAMOMILA MCD; Lisa McDowell, owner; Nicole Harrington, rider; Hielo MOR, sire; 2. JUNIOR; Janne Rumbough, owner/rider; Gaucho III, sire; Jazmin MOR, dam; McDowell Equestrain Inc., breeder ...............................................................71.537% La Nina 1985, dam; Gremlan Farms, breeder ..............................................................................65.000% 2. AL-ANDALUS VI; Coves Darden LLC, owner; Stacey Hastings, rider; A-Belindo-AS, sire; 3. BALADO; Emerald Oaks Farm & Jacqueline MacDonald Cuddy, owners; Jacqueline MacDonald Moranca, dam; Coves Darden LLC, breeder..................................................................................69.348% Cuddy, rider; Librado, sire; Gacela XXI, dam; Manuel Jimenez Arenas, breeder..........................62.129% 3. OLEAJE XXXIV; Coves Darden LLC, owner; Hailey Guard, rider; Golosa XLVI, sire; Nardo XX, dam; Coves Darden LLC, breeder .................................................................................68.462% Training Level Adult Amateur 1. ERIKA CHEN-WALSH (IL), riding INSPECTOR MAR; Erika Chen-Walsh, owner; Solitario VIII, sire; Entendida XVI, dam; Yeguada Martin, breeder ..............................................65.769% First Level Open 1. GUATEQUE IV; Coves Darden LLC, owner; Stacey Hastings & Laura Abner, riders; Layco, sire; Yazmin, dam; Coves Darden LLC, breeder ..................................................................72.050% First Level Adult Amateur 1. ERIKA CHEN-WALSH (IL), riding INSPECTOR MAR; Erika Chen-Walsh, owner; 2. INSPECTOR MAR; Erika Chen-Walsh, owner/rider; Solitario VIII, sire; Solitario VIII, sire; Entendida XVI, dam; Yeguada Martin, breeder ..............................................67.647% Entendida XVI, dam; Yeguada Martin, breeder ...........................................................................67.647% 2. BETSY BOUGIE (MI), riding BOTERO HGF; Betsy Bougie, owner; Bolero CXLVIII, sire; 3. BOTERO HGF; Betsy Bougie, owner/rider; Bolero CXLVIII, sire; Atocha HGF, dam; Hampton Green Farm, breeder.......................................................................66.662% Atocha HGF, dam; Hampton Green Farm, breeder.......................................................................66.662%
Training Level Open
FAVORY ASTORRIA, owners Joann Wheat (WI) & Victoria Lakey-Wheat (WI), rider Victoria Lakey-Wheat (WI)—Training Level Jr/YR (US Lipizzan Fed.)
202 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
GUATEQUE IV, owner Coves Darden LLC (SC), rider Stacey Hastings (NC)—First Level Open; FEI Five-Year-Old (US P.R.E. Assn.)
LEFT: JOHN BORYS; RIGHT: PICSOFYOU.COM
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
Fourth Level Adult Amateur
Second Level Adult Amateur
LUCERO BELLO II, owner Jill Gale (ON), rider Maya Markowski (ON)—Third Level Open (US P.R.E. Assn.)
POLICE, owner Coves Darden LL (SC), rider Stacey Hastings (NC)—I-I Open Mus. Freestyle (US P.R.E. Assn.)
Third Level Vintage Cup
1. MEAGHAN SPANN (OH), riding GAUCHADA; Meaghan Spann, owner; 1. BARBARA BONK (DE), riding CENTENO XII; Barbara Bonk, owner; Gaucho III, sire; Tortosa, dam; Aquilino Espejo, breeder ..............................................................64.878% Martelillo IV, sire; Gramatica, dam ...............................................................................................64.773%
Third Level Adult Amateur
Grand Prix Vintage Cup
1. BARBARA BONK (DE), riding CENTENO XII; Barbara Bonk, owner; 1. JANNE RUMBOUGH (FL), riding JUNIOR; Janne Rumbough, owner; Gaucho III, sire; Martelillo IV, sire; Gramatica, dam ...............................................................................................64.773% La Nina 1985, dam; Gremlan Farms, breeder ..............................................................................65.000%
Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur
First Level Musical Freestyle
1. DEIRDRE TEASLEY (FL), riding BELLEZA SMDR; Deirdre Teasley, owner; Amoroso IX, sire; 1. INSPECTOR MAR; Erika Chen-Walsh, owner/rider; Solitario VIII, sire; Skelton Mountain Dream Ranch LLC, breeder .............................................................................62.303% Entendida XVI, dam; Yeguada Martin, breeder ...........................................................................72.833% 2. BROOKE ALEXANDER (CT), riding TRIANERO JAMA; Brooke Alexander, owner; Trianero XVII, sire; Pandereta, dam; Yeguada Jama, breeder ......................................................61.842% Second Level Musical Freestyle 1. BRIOSO HGF; Andrea Landis, owner/rider; Bolero CXLVIII, sire; Quintera XII, dam; Hampton Green Farm, breeder ......................................................................72.000% 1. JANNE RUMBOUGH (FL), riding JUNIOR; Janne Rumbough, owner; 2. INSPECTOR MAR; Erika Chen-Walsh, owner/rider; Solitario VIII, sire; Gaucho III, sire; La Nina 1985, dam; Gremlan Farms, breeder.....................................................65.000% Entendida XVI, dam; Yeguada Martin, breeder ...........................................................................66.000%
Grand Prix Adult Amateur
TOP RIGHT: JOHN BORYS; BOTTOM LEFT: FRIEZEFRAMEFOTOS@GMAIL.COM; BOTTOM MIDDLE: PICSOFYOU.COM
Second Level Junior/Young Rider
Third Level Musical Freestyle
1. ISABEL ULLMAN (NY), riding OFICIAL-RMC 1; Shelley Ullman, owner; 1. DECENTE HGF; Sandra Williams, owner; Christina Arrington, rider; Plato, sire; Jair, dam; Roberto Ramon Mestre Collin, breeder......................................................66.220% Decoroso VIII, sire; Serillana LXXX, dam; Hampton Green Farm, breeder ...................................60.667%
Prix St. Georges Junior/Young Rider
Intermediate I Musical Freestyle
1. KERRIGAN GLUCH (MI), riding VAQUERO HGF; Hampton Green Farm, Kimberly Boyer, owner; 1. POLICE; Coves Darden LLC, owner; Stacey Hastings, rider; Delegado Mac, sire; Cuatrero, sire; Encina HGF, dam; Hampton Green Farm, breeder ................................................67.675% Negrera IV, dam; Coves Darden LLC, breeder ...............................................................................73.000%
Intermediate I Junior/Young Rider
Grand Prix Musical Freestyle
1. SHAE-BELLA LOVAZZANO (CA), riding TRACIO; Dancing Kings Farm, Tina Lovazzano, owner; 1. JUNIOR; Janne Rumbough, owner/rider; Gaucho III, sire; Martelillo IV, sire; Hipica II, dam; Enrique Rodriguez, breeder ....................................................62.500% La Nina 1985, dam; Gremlan Farms, breeder ..............................................................................70.417%
CARTUJO VIII, owner Judith Streisand (FL), rider Holger Bechtloff (FL)—GP Open (US P.R.E. Assn).
CENTENO XII, owner/rider Barbara Bonk (DE)—Third Level AA & Vintage Cup (US P.R.E. Assn.)
OFICIAL-RMC 1, owner Shelley Ullman (NY), rider Isabel Ullman (NY)—Second Level Jr/YR (US P.R.E. Assn.)
USDF CONNECTION
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February 2016
203
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
CARINA HGF, owner Eric Smith (CA), rider Cindy RamirezSmith (CA)—Second Level Open (US P.R.E. Assn.)
First Level Open
1. GUATEQUE IV; Coves Darden LLC, owner; Stacey Hastings, rider; 1. NORTH STAR TIMOTHY; Patty Montana, owner/rider; Deoniaeth Fly Boy, sire; Layco, sire; Yazmin, dam; Coves Darden LLC, breeder ........................................................................... 7.7 Jireh Luscious, dam; Eli Schlabach, breeder .................................................................................69.766% 2. TALYWERN FAIR ROSE; Doreen Rose, owner/rider; Menai Magic’s Boy, sire; Ayr Hawk’s Mackenzie Rose, dam; Anne Wallace & Marvin Ellis, breeders .................................61.213% FEI Six-Year-Old 1. ARAGON GAF; Cynthia Roberts, owner; Felicitas von Neumann Cosel, rider; Invasor III, sire; Habana XXV, dam; Glen Aryn Farm, breeder ............................................................... 7.2 Second Level Open 1. TARACO MOURINHO; Jeanette Knight, owner/rider; Danaway Flash Jack, sire; 2. PIRATA XXXIII; Julie Keany, owner; Katherine Breiner, rider; Clavijo, sire; Paith Magical Rockset, dam; T.J. Coppins, breeder ......................................................................63.476% Festejada VIII, dam; Las Cadenas, breeder ............................................................................................ 6.6 2. LARKEN EXPRESS; Marianne Kruidenier, owner/rider; Nebo Calonog, sire; Parc Martha, dam; Desaree & Richard Gearhart, breeders ..........................................................60.610%
Welsh Pony & Cob Society of America
Third Level Open 1. FRAMPTON FF; Patty Russell, owner/rider; North Forks Cardi, sire; Bro a Bryn Anwylyd, dam; Ginger Mack, breeder........................................................................64.359% 2. GALLOD WELSH THYME; Nicolas Beck, owner; Lindsay Fuchs, rider; Gallod Bang on Time, sire; Gallod Welsh Maid, dam; Susan Stepney, breeder ......................................................................64.318% 3. ME IMAGINE; Kelsea Nataren, owner/rider; Crossroads Dafydd, sire; Crossroads Chocolate Chip, dam; Shirley Motz-Helbers, breeder ................................................62.692%
SECTION B Training Level Open
1. ROLLINGWOODS DOUBLE STUFF; Ashley Waller & Waller Farms, owners; Madison Waller, rider; Rollingwoods Easy as L, sire; Rollingwoods Lorna Doone, dam; Joanna & Ruth Wilburn, breeders ................................................................................................64.886% Fourth Level Open 2. SUMMIT VIEW AFFAIR TO REMEMBER; Lesya Ukrainchuk, owner/rider; 1. MADOC GARETH; Kristin Cyprus, owner; Allison Cyprus,rider; Sydenham Henry, sire; Cardiff Private Affair, sire; Cardiff Creole, dam; Mary Massey, breeder........................................61.576% Okeden Mai, dam; Patricia Holmes, breeder...............................................................................69.681%
Prix St. Georges Open
Third Level Open
1. MADOC GARETH; Kristin Cyprus, owner; Allison Cyprus, rider; Sydenham Henry, sire; 1. LAFFRAN SPONTI; Carolyn Adams, owner; Eva Larsen, rider; Mollegards Spartacus, sire; Okeden Mai, dam; Patricia Holmes, breeder................................................................................69.079% Hesselteich Eliane, dam; Norbert Hahn, breeder.........................................................................66.061% 2. GALLOD FFANTASTIC; Joann Williams, owner/rider; Quillane Pryderi, sire; 2. SMOKE TREE GOLD FEVER; Carolyn Guinotte, owner; Patty Russell, rider; Gayfields the Thief, sire; Gallod Ffansi, dam; Susan Stepney, breeder................................................................................64.013% Smoke Tree Lure of the Gold, dam; Kathy Reese, breeder ...........................................................64.295% 3. CRESCENT MOON’S LANCELOT; Kellie Hunter, owner; Kellie Hunter & Jessica Foschi, riders; Brynarian Briton, sire; Wyvere First Lady, dam; Patricia Cunningham, breeder .........................60.658% 4. DESERT MOON CHAMPIGNON; Sherry Wolpert, owner/rider; Nescliffe Sunrise, sire; SECTION C Nocturn’s Supreme Honour, dam; Wendy Borst, breeder ............................................................60.132%
Training Level Open
1. TALYWERN LEGALLY BLONDE; Kylee Mckereghan, owner/rider; Menai Magic’s Boy, sire; Two-Year-Old Colts/Geldings Menai Angylaidd, dam; Peter Dagenais, breeder ........................................................................68.807% 1. BLACK SWAN SYR DEWI; Kellie Hunter, owner; Parcmorfa Ffraed, sire; 2. MADOC ALL DUN; Gage & Michele Miles, owners; Gage Miles & Katelyn Omas, riders; Dyffryngwy Heledd, dam; Jacqueline Hamilton, breeder...........................................................66.994% Kentchurch Chime, sire; Madoc Bronwyn, dam; Miriam Gerdes, breeder ..................................65.455%
HALF-WELSH
Training Level Open
SECTION D
1. CASTLEBERRYS ROCKET MAN; Susan Kolstad, owner/rider; Castleberrys Ffame, sire; Regal, dam; Castleberry Welsh Cobs, breeder..............................................................................72.826% 1. TOP HAT LADY’S CHOICE; Lois Ferson, owner; Emeraude Dandurand, rider; Brynarian Briton, sire; 2. CS DANTE OF EARL; Wendy Ying, owner; Karen Abbattista, rider; North Fork’s Black Earl, sire; Thornlea Amazing Grace, dam; Michael Hart, breeder ...............................................................70.909% CS Zamron, dam; David & Julie Mahoney, breeders ....................................................................68.696% 2. MADOC SWEETBRIAR ROSE; Melinda Ehrle, owner/rider; Kentchurch Chime, sire; 3. TYEE MERLIN; Carolyn Guinotte, owner; Patty Russell, rider; Smoke Tree Gold Fever, sire; Princess Rosina, dam; Mary Alice Williams, breeder....................................................................65.227% Meridian Brookie, dam; Carolyn Guinotte, breeder .....................................................................68.409% 3. KEEPSAKE; Christine Thompson, owner/rider; Nebo Calonog, sire; 4. KILLIAN’S RED; Ginger Gilmore, owner/rider; Carolinas Red Fox, sire; Gallod Lady go Bang, dam; Susan Stenney, breeder ...................................................................64.168% Foxwood’s Springtime, dam; Nancy Reed, breeder.....................................................................68.269%
Training Level Open
ARAGON GAF, owner Cynthia Roberts (VA), rider Felicitas von Neumann Cosel (MD)—FEI Six-Year-Old (US P.R.E. Assn.)
ROLLINGWOODS DOUBLE STUFF, owner Ashley Waller (TX) & Waller Farms (TX); rider Madison Waller (TX)—Training Level Open (Welsh Pony & Cob Society of America: Section B)
204 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
TOP HAT LADY’S CHOICE, owner Lois Ferson (NC), rider Emeraude Dandurand (NC)—Training Level Open (Welsh Pony & Cob Society of America: Section D)
LEFT: HIGH TIME PHOTOGRAPHY; RIGHT: HIGH TIME PHOTOGRAPHY
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
FEI Five-Year-Old
Second Level Open
1. ROLLINGWOODS EASY CHOICE; Ruth Wilburn, owner; Judy Fendley, rider; 1. ROYAL DANCER; Julia Handt, owner/rider; Rubicell, sire; Rollingwoods Easy As L, sire; Practically Perfect, dam; Genie Akin, breeder ..............................67.656% Do swidanya, dam; Franz Temmen, breeder ...............................................................................68.476% 2. CS DANTE OF EARL; Wendy Ying, owner; Karen Abbattista, rider; North Fork’s Black Earl, sire; 2. FURST TANZER; Anna Hopla, owner; JT Burnley, rider; Furst Piccolo, sire; CS Zamron, dam; David & Julie Mahoney, breeders ....................................................................65.556% Raindance, dam; Saint Louis Equestrian Center LLC, breeder......................................................67.195% 3. KILLIAN’S RED; Ginger Gilmore, owner/rider; Carolinas Red Fox, sire; 3. FRISCO BAY; Stacy Williams, owner/rider; Fidertanz, sire; Foxwood’s Springtime, dam; Nancy Reed, breeder.....................................................................65.513% Charisma, dam; Dow & Stacy Williams, breeders ........................................................................66.281% 4. DARIUS; Mckenzie Milburn, owner/rider; Dressman I, sire; Third Level Open Nadja, dam; Georg Schulze-Efting, breeder.................................................................................65.244% 1. FINNEGAN; Suzan Strahan, owner/rider; Faremore Spellbound, sire; 5. MOSAIC’S MENDIETA; Karissa Wrasse, owner; Linda Morales, rider; Kiri Kin Tha, dam; Creek Hollow Ranch Inc., breeder ...................................................................63.141% Donavan!, sire; Panthera, dam; Rebecca Meana, breeder...........................................................65.122% 2. GOOSE LANDINGS MEDALLIONS THOR; Sophia Calve, owner/rider; Cloe Olympic Medallion, sire; Goose Landings Brandy, dam; Ira Shapiro & Jacqueline Dedell, breeders ..................................62.051%
Third Level Open
Weser Em Ponies & Small Horses First Level Open 1. DA KIEKSTE; Robin Gossett, owner; Carolyn Laurent & Robin Gossett, riders; Do it Again, sire; Maisha, dam; Familie K.H. Bruns, breeder........................................................65.316%
1. ROYAL DANCER; Julia Handt, owner/rider; Rubicell, sire; Do swidanya, dam; Franz Temmen, breeder ...............................................................................68.590% 2. CLOONEY AT; Valerie Gabriel, owner; Sean Cunningham & Valerie Gabriel, riders; Charm of Nibelungen, sire; Nancy, dam; Bernhard Deitert, breeder...........................................64.103%
Fourth Level Open
1. LE SAVANT; Shelley Ullman, owner; Meagan Davis, rider; Fantastico, sire; Rimini-Girl, dam; Margret & Matthias Koster, breeders ..............................................................69.583% 1. DA KIEKSTE; Robin Gossett, owner; Carolyn Laurent & Amanda McAuliffe, riders; 2. RUDI REGALI; Nancy Szakacs, owner/rider; Riccione, sire; Do it Again, sire; Maisha, dam; Familie K.H. Bruns, breeder........................................................67.050% Rubina, dam; Antonius Buning, breeder .....................................................................................68.717%
Second Level Open
Second Level Junior/Young Rider
Prix St. Georges Open 1. AMANDA MCAULIFFE (NJ), riding DA KIEKSTE; Robin Gossett, owner; Do it Again, sire; Maisha, dam; Familie K.H. Bruns, breeder........................................................67.692% 1. FINE AND SMART; Juliet Le Dorze, owner; Leslie Reid, rider; Furst Piccolo, sire; Whoopy, dam; Friedrich-Wilhelm Kahlert, breeder ....................................................................70.921% 2. REY DEL MUNDO; Jim & Tiffany Mahoney, owners; Guenter Seidel, rider; Rock Forever, sire; Fiona, dam; Norbert Trentmann, breeder ......................................................70.579% 3. FARALLON; Yvonne Gehring, owner; Gina Duran, rider; Van the Man, sire; Training Level Open Shakira, dam; Maria u.Heinz Konemann, breeder.......................................................................69.934% 1. SAVVY; Jessica Baumler, owner/rider; Serano Gold, sire; Florianne, dam; Valerie Ahl, breeder .......73.409% 4. ROCKY LANE; Rebecca Knollman, owner/rider; Rock Forever, sire; 2. IDEAL DAGUERRE; Karissa Wrasse, owner; Linda Morales, rider; Indian Art, sire; Rica, dam; Rebecca Knollman, breeder .......................................................................................69.079% Mosaic’s Mendieta, dam; Karen Cederholm & Karissa Wrasse, breeders ....................................70.000% 5. EDELRUBIN; Shooting Stars Dressage Horses LLC, owner; Cindi Wylie, rider; 3. PRIME ASSET; Serina Tart, owner/rider; Pik Labionics, sire; Ehrentusch, sire; Rubina, dam; Norbert Borgmann, breeder ......................................................67.007% Auenkrone, dam; Autmaring Reinhold, breeder .........................................................................63.113%
LEFT: MOONFYRE PHOTOGRAPHY; MIDDLE: SUZANNE FISCHER.COM
Westfalen Horse Association
First Level Open
Intermediate I Open
1. RAMBA ZAMBA; Kathryn Etchebarne & Michel A. Etchebarne, Ph.D.Inc., owners; Janelle Dunn, rider; Roman Nature, sire; Euro Design, dam; Josef Weier, breeder .....................69.219% 2. SPLENDID IN BLACK; Diane Nauman, owner; Cassandra Soule, rider; San Amour, sire; De Nira S, dam; Silke Kihlenkamp, breeder ......................................................67.941% 3. FINESTEP HW; Lisa Rush, owner/rider; Florenciano, sire; Merana, dam; Frauke u. Rainer Spieiß GbR, breeder...................................................................67.933% 4. DUX; Rosemary Olson, owner; Jennifer Bryant, rider; Diamond Hit, sire; Finja, dam; Heinz Schmidt, breeder .............................................................................................66.581% 5. EMERIL; Helen Vandervoort, owner; Helen Vandervoort & Roberta Carleton, riders; Ehrenpreis, sire; Forella, dam; Heinrich-Bernhard Wulf, breeder ................................................63.357%
1. REY DEL MUNDO; Jim & Tiffany Mahoney, owners; Guenter Seidel, rider; Rock Forever, sire; Fiona, dam; Norbert Trentmann, breeder ......................................................69.829% 2. FINE AND SMART; Juliet Le Dorze, owner; Leslie Reid, rider; Furst Piccolo, sire; Whoopy, dam; Friedrich-Wilhelm Kahlert, breeder ....................................................................69.079% 3. ROCKY LANE; Rebecca Knollman, owner/rider; Rock Forever, sire; Rica, dam; Rebecca Knollman, breeder .......................................................................................68.553% 4. SEQUOIA; Christine DeMont, owner/rider; Sir Bedo, sire; Donna Marie, dam; Christine DeMont, breeder...........................................................................65.329% 5. DON CAMILLO; Sarah Diggin, owner/rider; Don Lauredo, sire; Pikolina, dam; Wilhelm Ruscher-Konermann, breeder...............................................................63.487%
MADOC GARETH, owner Kristin Cyprus (TX), rider Allison Cyprus (TX)—Fourth Level & PSG Open (Welsh Pony & Cob Soc. of America: Section D)
CASTLEBERRYS ROCKET MAN, owner/rider Susan Kolstad (KY)—Training Level Open (Welsh Pony & Cob Soc. of America: Half-Welsh)
RAMBA ZAMBA, owners Kathryn (pictured) & Michel Etchebarne (both CA), rider Janelle Dunn (CA)—First Level Open & Vintage Cup (Westfalen Horse Assn.)
USDF CONNECTION
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February 2016
205
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
First Level Open
Intermediate II Open
PIKO, owner Cynthia Archer (IL), rider Amy Grahn (IL)—PSG AA (Westfalen Horse Assn.)
Third Level Adult Amateur
1. MAGIC MOMENTS; Elizabeth Cronin, owner; Ryan Yap, rider; Salamander, sire; 1. JULIA HANDT (TX), riding ROYAL DANCER; Julia Handt, owner; Rubicell, sire; Fortuna, dam; Margaret Voss, breeder.........................................................................................64.211% Do swidanya, dam; Franz Temmen, breeder ...............................................................................68.590% 2. VALERIE GABRIEL (CA), riding CLOONEY AT; Valerie Gabriel, owner; Charm of Nibelungen, sire; Nancy, dam; Bernhard Deitert, breeder...........................................62.756%
Grand Prix Open
1. LEGOLAS; Four Winds Farm LLC, owner; Steffen Peters, rider; Laomedon, sire; Fourth Level Adult Amateur Furstin, dam; Johannes Kissing, breeder......................................................................................77.330% 1. NANCY SZAKACS (CA), riding RUDI REGALI; Nancy Szakacs, owner; Riccione, sire; 2. CIPRIANI; Anna Whit Watkins, owner/rider; Casparino, sire; Rubina, dam; Antonius Buning, breeder .....................................................................................68.717% Roxana, dam; Gerland Hermann, breeder ...................................................................................67.900% 3. WELTINO’S MAGIC; Jen Hlavacek, owner; Shannon Peters, rider; Weltino, sire; Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur Diva, dam; Willi Holter, breeder....................................................................................................64.620% 1. AMY GRAHN (IL), riding PIKO; Cynthia Archer, owner; Pik Labionics, sire; Hauptstutbuch Dejavu, dam; Bernard Bergemann, breeder ......................................................62.895%
Training Level Adult Amateur Intermediate I Adult Amateur 1. SERINA TART (NC), riding PRIME ASSET; Serina Tart, owner; Pik Labionics, sire; Auenkrone, dam; Autmaring Reinhold, breeder .........................................................................63.113% 1. CHRISTINE DEMONT (CA), riding SEQUOIA; Christine DeMont, owner; Sir Bedo, sire; Donna Marie, dam; Christine DeMont, breeder ....................................................65.329% First Level Adult Amateur
Second Level Junior/Young Rider 1. LISA RUSH (SD), riding FINESTEP HW; Lisa Rush, owner; Florenciano, sire; Merana, dam; Frauke u. Rainer Spieiß GbR, breeder...................................................................67.933% 1. MCKENZIE MILBURN (WA), riding DARIUS; Mckenzie Milburn, owner; Dressman I, sire; Nadja, dam; Georg Schulze-Efting, breeder .....................................................65.153% 2. JENNIFER BRYANT (PA), riding DUX; Rosemary Olson, owner; Diamond Hit, sire; Finja, dam; Heinz Schmidt, breeder .............................................................................................66.581% Prix St. Georges Junior/Young Rider
1. MOLLY PARIS (NC), riding DIAMANT SKY; Molly Paris, owner; Dancing Dynamite, sire; Tax Westphalica, dam; Petra Michling, breeder ...................................66.250%
Second Level Adult Amateur
1. JULIA HANDT (TX), riding ROYAL DANCER; Julia Handt, owner; Rubicell, sire; Do swidanya, dam; Franz Temmen, breeder ...............................................................................68.476% First Level Vintage Cup 2. ANDREA JACKSON (NJ), riding FS DJAMBO; Andrea Jackson, owner; FS Don’t Worry, sire; 1. JANELLE DUNN (CA), riding RAMBA ZAMBA; Kathryn Etchebarne & Michel A. Etchebarne, Ph.D. Inc., Dancing Flower, dam; Hubert Fockenberg, breeder ....................................................................64.634% owners; Roman Nature, sire; Euro Design, dam; Josef Weier, breeder ........................................69.219% 3. TRACY RAMEY (TX), riding PATRIOT; Tracy Ramey, owner; Parabol, sire; 2. LISA RUSH (SD), riding FINESTEP HW; Lisa Rush, owner; Florenciano, sire; Vignette, dam; Elizabeth Norton, breeder ...................................................................................60.549% Merana, dam; Frauke u. Rainer Spieiß GbR, breeder...................................................................67.933%
FRISCO BAY, owner/rider Stacy Williams (UT)—Second Level Mus. Freestyle (Westfalen Horse Assn.)
HANSEL, owner Angela Mirarchi(NC)—DSHB Colts/Geldings of Current Calendar Year (Westfalen Horse Assn.)
206 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
SPLENDID IN BLACK, owner Diane Nauman (OR), rider Cassandra Soule (OR)—Four- and Five-yearold Mares Materiale (Westfalen Horse Assn.)
TOP LEFT: STEFAN NEARY; TOP RIGHT: BOBTARR.COM; BOTTOM LEFT: PRO PHOTO; BOTTOM MIDDLE: CASIE JO WALKER; BOTTOM RIGHT: CAROLYNN BUNCH PHOTOGRAPHY
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
LE SAVANT, owner Shelley Ullman (NY), rider Meagan Davis (FL)— Fourth Level Open (Westfalen Horse Assn.)
Second Level Musical Freestyle
1. ANDREA JACKSON (NJ), riding FS DJAMBO; Andrea Jackson, owner; 1. FRISCO BAY; Stacy Williams, owner/rider; Fidertanz, sire; FS Don’t Worry, sire; Dancing Flower, dam; Hubert Fockenberg, breeder ...................................64.634% Charisma, dam; Dow & Stacy Williams, breeders ........................................................................71.167% 2. TRACY RAMEY (TX), riding PATRIOT; Tracy Ramey, owner; Parabol, sire; Vignette, dam; Elizabeth Norton, breeder ...................................................................................60.549% Fourth Level Musical Freestyle 1. RUDI REGALI; Nancy Szakacs, owner/rider; Riccione, sire; Rubina, dam; Antonius Buning, breeder .....................................................................................70.500% Third Level Vintage Cup 2. PIKO; Cynthia Archer, owner; Amy Grahn, rider; Pik Labionics, sire; 1. VALERIE GABRIEL (CA), riding CLOONEY AT; Valerie Gabriel, owner; Dejavu, dam; Bernard Bergemann, breeder................................................................................65.833% Charm of Nibelungen, sire; Nancy, dam; Bernhard Deitert, breeder...........................................62.756%
Intermediate I Musical Freestyle Fourth Level Vintage Cup 1. NANCY SZAKACS (CA), riding RUDI REGALI; Nancy Szakacs, owner; Riccione, sire; Rubina, dam; Antonius Buning, breeder...............................................................68.717%
Prix St. Georges Vintage Cup
1. DON CAMILLO; Sarah Diggin, owner/rider; Don Lauredo, sire; Pikolina, dam; Wilhelm Ruscher-Konermann, breeder...............................................................71.125%
Grand Prix Musical Freestyle 1. LEGOLAS; Four Winds Farm LLC, owner; Steffen Peters, rider; Laomedon, sire; Furstin, dam; Johannes Kissing, breeder......................................................................................80.925%
1. CINDI WYLIE (MA), riding EDELRUBIN; Shooting Stars Dressage Horses LLC, owner; Ehrentusch, sire; Rubina, dam; Norbert Borgmann, breeder ......................................................67.007% Colts/Geldings of Current Calendar Year 2. SUZANNE BEAUDOIN (WA), riding AVALANCHE; Suzanne Beaudoin, owner; 1. HANSEL; Angela Mirarchi, owner; Hilkens Black Delight, sire; A Jungle Prince, sire; Manou, dam; Annemiek Raaijmakers, breeder.........................................61.974% Clanfair Mary Kay, dam; Angela Mirarchi, breeder ......................................................................72.675%
Grand Prix Vintage Cup
Four- and Five-Year-Old Mares Materiale
1. SPLENDID IN BLACK; Diane Nauman, owner; Cassandra Soule, rider; 1. ANNA WHIT WATKINS (TX), riding CIPRIANI; Anna Whit Watkins, owner; San Amour, sire; De Nira S, dam; Silke Kihlenkamp, breeder ......................................................78.600% Casparino, sire; Roxana, dam; Gerland Hermann, breeder..........................................................67.900%
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E-mail to: connection@usdf.org USDF CONNECTION
•
February 2016
207
ADEQUAN/USDF ALL-BREEDS
Second Level Vintage Cup
Adriane Alvord, VA Fie Studnitz Andersen, MA J. Peter Anderson, NY Maggie Andrews, CA Pamela Andrews, CA Nicole Avila, IL Kassandra Barteau, FL Cassie Benson, UT Michael Bragdell, MD
PATRICIA BREWER (OR), riding Monaco—Gold Medal
Hannah Bressler Jaques, MA Patricia Brewer, OR Avery Brown, CA Anna Buffini, CA Lisa Bukowski, MN Mimi Burch, TX Stacey Burdick-Taul, KY Frank Burns, PA Margaret Carrera, CA
Melanie Cerny, MA Catherine Chamberlain, CA Erinn Chelstrom, WI Cynthia Collins, NH Stephanie Collomb, VA Valerie Colsant, CA Joy Congdon, VT Tina Cook, NC Nicole DelGiorno, DE
Jennifer Drescher, MD Margaret Duprey, PA Lisa Eagley, WA Eline Eckroth, FL Christine Ekstrand, CA Judy Ethell, MO Chris Federer, NV Mary Forck, MO Louise Fox, LA
STACEY BURDICK-TAUL (KY), riding Comandr-N-Chief—Gold Medal
ERINN CHELSTROM (WI), riding Inke FCF—Gold Medal
VALERIE COLSANT (CA), riding Virtuoso—Gold Medal
LISA EAGLEY (WA), riding Calderon 25—Gold and Silver Medals
AMY GLENN (NM), riding Luther—Gold Medal
208 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Michelle Freels, CA Amy Glenn, NM Grace Goodby, MA Jessica Gould, IL Susan Griffin, FL Holly Griswold, OR Elaine Hayes, NC Megan Hays, WA Carol Heckman, NY
MARGARET CARRERA (CA), riding Rociero XV—Gold Medal
TINA COOK (NC), riding Razzmatazz—Gold Medal
SUSAN GRIFFIN (FL), riding Rifallino—Gold Medal
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GOLD MEDALISTS
USDF GOLD MEDALISTS
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Keni Kerin, NC Trisha Kerwin, UT Laura Killian, PA Faye Kirkendall, WA Mary Lauritsen, MA Amy Leach, IL Virginia Leary, CT Megan Leonard, CA Jeffrey Lindberg, NY Sarah Lockman, CA Julie Madriguera, TX Jennifer Marchand, NY Katy Martin, HI Stacey McCarthy, CA Amy McElroy, SC
Renee McKinley, IL Gwyneth McPherson, ME Heather Mehal, OH Hannah Michaels, FL Kate Mikulay, MN Virginia Moon, AL Neve Myburgh, FL Leah Nelson, MN Marcus Orlob, NJ Amy Paterson, MO Katharine Peper, FL Kristine Phelps, PA Leona Pollack, WA Lawrence Poulin, MA Kelly Pullen, NH
HOLLY GRISWOLD (OR), riding Conversono Mima—Gold Medal
AMY LEACH (IL), riding Radcliffe—Gold Medal
Chelsea Reher, WA Agata Rekucka, IL Victoria Retamoza, KY Korin Rinaldo, IN Nicole Ringler, AK Johnny Robb, FL Katie Robicheaux, MA Alejandro Salazar, CA Julie Schermbeck, OH Andrea Schten, WI Jessica Souther, GA James St. Clair, MI Lindsay Staiano Williams, NC Jessica Starck, IL Teresa Stewart, WA
HEATHER IRBINSKAS (AZ), riding Polar Star—Gold Medal
KRISTINE PHELPS (PA), riding Nite Wings—Gold Medal
GOLD MEDALISTS
Christiane Henrichs, CA Anke Herbert, CA Rachael Hicks, KY Rachel Hill-Jordan, IL Evan Hills, UT Caroline Hoffman, CA Kristine Howe, CA Jamie Hughes, OR Heather Irbinskas, AZ Angela Jackson, KY Dallas Jackson, Canada Allison Kavey, NY Jodi Keating, MA Mallory Kent, AL Leigh Kent-Scherzer, AL
Evi Strasser, Canada Alix Szepesi, CT Ariel Thomas, CA Lauren Thornlow, WA Patrick Tigchelaar, FL Laura Tillman, AZ Josephine Trott, CA Jennifer Truett, OH Tyra Vernon, FL Amy Walker-Basak, IL Arlene White, FL Susan Wren, CA Emily Wyman, NY Lily Zilo, FL
FAYE KIRKENDALL (WA), riding Rivaal—Gold Medal
LAWRENCE POULIN (MA), riding Wiley—Gold Medal
Editor’s note: Photographs in the Yearbook award section not credited are courtesy of the award winners. Any corrections to the award listings must be received in writing by March 31, 2016. LAURA TILLMAN (AZ), with Fashion— Gold Medal
E-mail to: connection@usdf.org USDF CONNECTION
•
February 2016
209
Sarah Alder-Schaller, TX Susan Anderson, MA Rebecca Armstrong, CA Kelly Arnold, AL Sarah Jane Arthur, NH Lauren Asher, CO Doreen Atkinson, TX Kerstin Baier, FL Margaret Bailey-Miller, ME
Jeannette Bair, MD Annette Baird, CA Wiebke Bank, MA Flannery Banks, CA Kassandra Barteau, FL Jan Bauman, CA Vanessa Becker, OR Lori Beggs, FL Julie Bennett, WA
SUSAN ANDERSON (MA), with Nova Zembla—Silver Medal
JULIE BENNETT (WA), riding Vainqueur E— Silver Medal
KATHRYN CHRISTENSEN (WA), riding Westfeuer’s Doublette—Silver Medal
Kristine Bernard, CA Carrie Biederstadt, IL Cynthia Binder, CA Melissa Bingham, CA Laurens Bissell, SC Courtney Bolender, NY Sarah Bonansinga, IL Elizabeth Bortuzzo, NJ Amalia Boyles, CA
Beverly Bradham, CA Heather Brady, NM Michele Brase, TN Meg Brinton, WA Barry Brobst, PA Catherine Brown, AZ Katherine Brown, SC Lynn Bryla, TX Anne Buchanan, AZ
SARAH JANE ARTHUR (NH), riding Omen—Silver Medal
LYNN BRYLA (TX), riding Vincenzo—Silver Medal
ELISE ELMAN (OH), riding Moncasin—Silver Medal
210 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Anna Buffini, CA Heather Bunn, WA Frank Burns, PA Brittany Burson, IL Russell Carlson, CA Carlos Carneiro, CA Renee Caron, NC Shelia Carroll, GA Cheryl Carter, TX
JEANNETTE BAIR (MD), with Woodstock FDF—Silver Medal
RENEE CARON (NC), with Shane—Silver Medal
SHERI EVERS-ROCK (FL), riding Fascinating Rhythm SDF— Silver Medal
TOP ROW RIGHT: SHARI GLICKMAN: SECOND ROW LEFT: CAROLYNN BUNCH PHOTOGRAPHY
SILVER MEDALISTS
USDF SILVER MEDALISTS
TOP ROW MIDDLE: BJC PHOTOGRAPHY; SECOND ROW MIDDLE: PHOTOS BY FIELD; THIRD ROW LEFT: RANCE ROGERS/WWW.3RDSHUTTER.COM; THIRD ROW RIGHT: ZHON JOHANSEN
Emily Craig, TX Ciara Cummiskey, RI Julie Davies Pagels, WI Jeanne Degrazia-Bulfa, IN Lisa DeLaat, MI Micah Deligdish, MD Mary Devian, CA Kristine DiTano, CA Alexandra Dominguez, FL Jessica Eagles, NY Lisa Eagley, WA Amanda Edwards, OK Kim Elliott, CA Elise Elman, OH Christie Erickson, UT
AINSLEY FARADAY (CA), riding Coeur Das—Silver Medal
BARB GEISSLER (IL), with Lilikoi—Silver Medal
MARY HOUSE (OH), riding Lassitter—Silver Medal
Nicholas Hansen, PA Rebecca Harmon, UT Sarah Harrington, CA Elizabeth Harris, ID Grace Harris, TX Marsha Hartford-Sapp, FL Tiffany Hawkins, LA Lori Healey, IL Sarah Pape Hester, TX Alyssa Hines, PA Amy Hoffield, SC Caroline Hoffman, CA Julissa Hoogeveen, CA Allison Hopkins, TX Mary House, OH
Susan Gallagher, NJ Stevie Gaudreau, MT Barb Geissler, IL Dilara Gersdorf, RI Kimberly Gilmore, FL Heidi Gloudemans, WA Gabriela Glumac, CA Patricia Goldblatt, CT Audrey Goldsmith, OR Diego Gonzalez, NY Joan Gottier, PA Jannike Gray, CT Susan Griffiths, OH Robyn Hahn, NC Jacqueline Hall, FL
Tiago Ernesto, TX Sheri Evers-Rock, FL Ainsley Faraday, CA Teresa Fickling, GA Jacquelyn Finlayson, FL Cassy Fitch, AZ Dana Fitch, FL Nancy Flanders, TX Rose Flanery, FL Abigail Fleischli, TX Vincent Flores, TX Catherine Fox, KY Michelle Freeman, IL Lucy Fuelle, MO Nicholas Fyffe, FL
DANA FITCH (FL), riding Bakara—Silver and Bronze Medals
AUDREY GOLDSMITH (OR), riding Heart B Porter Creek— Silver Medal
VICKIE HUNT (FL), riding Motivator—Silver Medal
SILVER MEDALISTS
Katharine Cassidy, CA Mallory Chambers, NJ Anartz Chanca, TX Karen Chekenian, WA Erinn Chelstrom, WI Deborah Chinana, WI Kathryn Christensen, WA Elizabeth Clark, CA Shelley Clark, CA Melissa Clegg, VA Elizabeth Clifton, MS Tobi Coate, CA Simon Combasteix, FL Callan Cooper, WI Christie Cooper, CA
VINCENT FLORES (TX), riding Dolce—Silver Medal
GRACE HARRIS (TX), riding Ravishing—Silver Medal
KAY JOHANSEN (UT), riding Harmonys Quartermark— Silver Medal
USDF CONNECTION
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February 2016
211
Therese Lotman, CA Erika Machtinger, FL Kate Mancosh, RI Wendy Marquardt, CA Ida Mattisson, NY Carol Mavros, MT Kristin McCarty, CO Karen McCulley, FL Amanda McDonell, CA Patricia McEwen, FL Leslie Ann McGowan, NH Emma Mckeighen, WA Carolyn McMullen, CA Lynda McNeely, KY Jennifer Melcher, GA Mary Anne Milleman, FL
Jamie Knight, TX Katie Knoechel, OH Jessica Kozel, FL Paula Kubicki, OH Rebecca Kuc, PA Shawn Kuester, FL Sarah Lane, RI Jamie Lawrence, MS Ellen Lazarus, NY Rebecca Leatherdale, MN Hailey Leishear, MD Alexandra Lemoine, IL Julie Levandoski, CA Katherine Lewis, SC Sarah Lipkowitz, WI Kay Lorenzen, AZ
ANTOINETTE KANNE (MO), riding Acajou—Silver Medal
JOANN KELLER (WA), riding Olievia—Silver Medal
REBECCA KUC (PA), riding Mudzima—Silver Medal
WENDY MARQUARDT (CA), riding Liberty—Silver Medal
Elsie Nord, MN Judith Nordstrom, IL Claudia Novick, NC Nicole Nowak, RI Debbie Nutt, OK Keegan O’Brien, WI Kristen Ortt, MD Jessica Paine, OH Susan Parrish, AZ Kamden Perno, NY Erika Petersen, MI Jessica Pierce, CA Molly Pinheiro, FL Karen Piper, OR Andria Pooley-Ebert, IA Tammy Porter, MO
Darcy Miller, PA Gina Miller, CA Jessica Miller, FL Jessica Miltimore, OH Martina Minor, OH Kristen Monaco Tona, NY Meredith Monsour, PA Kelli Montgomery, MO Lori Mosites, TX Kimberly Murray, GA Neve Myburgh, FL Carol Nagi, MA Kathy Nardi, MN Audrey Narducci, KS Jessica Naten, CA Sherry Nelson, MI
PAULA KUBICKI (OH), riding Mojito—Silver Medal
KATHERINE LEWIS (SC), with Weissage and Donneur—Silver Medal
CAROL MAVROS (MT), riding First Dance—Silver Medal
212 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
PATRICIA McEWEN (KS), riding Over the Rainbow—Silver Medal
KAY LORENZEN (AZ), riding Wendo—Silver Medal
LYNDA McNEELY (KY), riding Spar Trek—Silver Medal
TOP ROW LEFT: GEOFFREY LEDBETTER; TOP ROW MIDDLE: CAROLYNN BUNCH PHOTOGRAPHY; SECOND ROW RIGHT: MARILYN SHELDON/BLUE MOON STUDIOS; THIRD ROW LEFT: HEIDE STOVER PHOTOGRAPHY; THIRD ROW MIDDLE: OLIVIA CHAPESKI/CHAPESKI STABLES
SILVER MEDALISTS
Vickie Hunt, FL Helen Ingersoll, NC Dana Ishii, HI Traci Jackson, KS Kay Johansen, UT Annie Johnson, IA Marilyn Johnson, IL Susan Jones, KY Antoinette Kanne, MO Kimberly Keeton, GA JoAnn Keller, WA Kristy Keller, NV Samantha Kenik, NE Cynthia Kenny, MI Mary Keyes, MD Linda Kimbell, IN
TOP ROW MIDDLE: SHARON MCCUSKER; SECOND ROW LEFT: RANCE ROGERS/WWW.3RDSHUTTER.COM; SECOND ROW MIDDLE: JLM EQUINE PHOTOGRAPHY; THIRE ROW MIDDLE: SUZANNEFISCHER.COM; THIRD ROW RIGHT: BOBTARR.COM
Rebecca Ruthberg, FL Jamie Sawyer, FL Kerryann Schade, FL Jill Schriber, CA Verena Schubert, CA Peggy Schueneman, IL Katherine Scott-Henney, UT Bryana Smith, FL Laura Smith, IL Philip Smith, OH Jenny Spain, VA Charlene Springman, GA Craig Stanley, CA Kristin Stein, OH Elisabeth Straus, NY
JENNIFER MELCHER (GA), riding Bulgari 5—Silver Medal
Rebecca Sturdy, IL Mike Suchanek, MN Megan Suffling, TX Ruth Sundet, SD Jody Swimmer, KY Stacy Taylor, WA Deirdre Teasley, FL Rochelle Temple, SC Tracey Thompson, FL Lauren Thornlow, WA Patrick Tigchelaar, FL Danielle Tihon, WA Patricia Toeniskoetter, MO Alexandra Tomson, NY Nicole Trapp, WI
Regina Trup, CA Tracey Uihlein, WI Jenna Upchurch, MO Susan Van Lennep, MA Jennifer Vanover, NY Jennifer Verharen, WA Marthe Verleisdonk-Winner, NV Danielle Vitosh, IL Caroline Von Asten, SC Kristin Wagner, MA Louise Waring, FL Robin Wellington, CO Michele Wellman, MD Anna Westfelt, CA Lisa Whalen, MA
CAROL NAGI (MA), with Sir Vivor—Silver Medal
SILVER MEDALISTS
Crimson Pulver, WI Bryce Quinto, CA Cindy Ramirez-Smith, CA Linda Raschke, IL Rebecca Reed, ME Paris Richman, CA George Rickabaugh, NJ Jennifer Ries, NJ Kimberly Robbins, MI Herbert Robie, CT Pearlie Rohrbacher, NV Rebecca Roman, AL Amy Rothe-Hietter, OH Taylor Rowsey, TX Barbara Rudquist, MN
Shelly Williams, OK Stacy Williams, UT Connie Wise, FL Zoe Witte, MD Linds Wondrack, MA Paula Wong, CA Tigger Wright, CA Karrah Wyckoff, WI Heather Youngblood, FL Dana Zdolshek, KY Isabella Zdolshek, KY Caitlin Zech, OH Mattie Zepernick, LA
AMY ROTHE-HIETTER (OH), riding Spar Trek—Silver Medal
PEGGY SCHUENEMAN (IL), riding Primetime—Silver and Bronze Medals
CHARLENE SPRINGMAN (GA), riding Mandolin RH—Silver Medal
LISA WHALEN (MA), riding Rani—Silver Medal
DANA ZDOLSHEK (KY), riding Talisman One—Silver and Bronze Medals
ISABELLA ZDOLSHEK (KY), riding Spar Trek—Silver and Bronze Medals
CAITLIN ZECH (OH), riding Double XL++++//—Silver Medal
USDF CONNECTION
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February 2016
213
Ashley Achauer, HI Cynthia Acker, PA Denise Alban-Kern, IL Gail Alterwitz, NV Andrew Amsden, MO Karen Anderson, MD Micah Andrews, VT Ronda Andrews, WA
Amanda Apesos, CA Kimberly Apicella, OH Alexandra Arthurs, MA Lauren Asher, CO Jennifer Ault, CT Madison Austin, CA Amy Ayres, AZ Calissa Bailey, MN
Priscilla Baldwin, FL Olivia Banyon, NJ Rebecca Barber, VA Rachelle Barstow, NJ Kassandra Barteau, FL Leslie Bean Bates, NC Jennifer Becar, WA Kimberley Beldam, PA
Darsie Bell, WA Kimberly Bench, MI Heather Benedict, WI Ciara Bennett, IL Lily Bennett, CA Sheryl Bennett, WI Cassie Benson, UT Olga Bikakis, CA
Emily Black, SC Mary Megan Black, FL Vanessa Blake, WI Catherine Blankenau, TX Bridget Boland, FL Courtney Bolender, NY Allison Bonanno, NV Sarah Bonham, HI
Jessie Borgmeyer, MO Melissa Borror, OH Isabelle Boughadou, GA Ruth Bouldin, TN Kari Bradshaw, CT Katherine Breiner, VA Kathy Bridges, FL Samantha Brinkman-Berkhofer, OH
RONDA ANDREWS (WA), riding SC Merlot—Bronze Medal
ALEXANDRA ARTHURS (MA), riding Pallermo—Bronze Medal
CALISSA BAILEY (MN), riding Renior—Bronze Medal
OLIVIA BANYON (NJ), riding Chaman—Bronze Medal
HEATHER BENEDICT (WI), riding Desiderius—Bronze Medal
SHERYL BENNETT (WI), riding Jersey Girl—Bronze Medal
OLGA BIKAKIS (CA)—Bronze Medal
KATHY BRIDGES (FL), riding Fabiano MC—Bronze Medal
214 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
STEPHANIE BURGESS (NJ), riding Obelix—Bronze Medal
SECOND ROW LEFT: FLATLANDS FOTO; SECOND ROW MIDDLE: FRANKE PHOTO DESIGN LLC
BRONZE MEDALISTS
USDF BRONZE MEDALISTS
Cristiana Camardella, MD Lauren Campbell, WA Dianne Cantara, NH Samantha Capoferri-Fellin, GA Samantha Capps, AK Alison Carr, ME Stacey Carr, CA Carolyn Carroll, CA Briana Cavett, OH Mallory Chambers, NJ Erinn Chelstrom, WI Deborah Chinana, WI Robin Chinburg, OR Catherine Christenson, VT Raissa Chunko, CO
SECOND ROW LEFT: ERIKA OLIJSLAGER PHOTOGRAPHY; SECOND ROW MIDDLE: OBE LISAI
LAUREN CAMPBELL (WA), riding Gabe— Bronze Medal
GILLIAN COWLEY (NY), riding Gabriella Rossellini—Bronze Medal
NATALIE DEFEE MENDIK (CO), with Sabastians Magique—Bronze Medal
Joanne Ciazinski, CA Keeley Clark, FL Melissa Clegg, VA Kara Clissold, NC Wendy Clough, CO Maren Cochran, AZ Chris Cochrane, AL Sandra Cohen, NY Gretchen Colby, NC Stephanie Collomb, VA Simon Combasteix, FL Megan Compton, AL Susanne Conley, MA Linda Cooley, OH Callan Cooper, WI
DIANNE CANTARA (NH), riding Medea—Bronze Medal
Gillian Cowley, NY Cecilia Cox, TX Gillian Cox, WA Teresa Crater, VA Thomas Crossen, CT Mary Cuevas, OR Karen Cunefare, AL Erianna Curran, VA Emily Cutshall, MI Jennifer Czubak, KY Rebecca Darragh, VT Claire Davies, NV Lena Davis, FL Ashlyn De Groot, CA Jill Dearing, WI
Madison Deaton, KY Madeleine Debure, NY Margit Deerman, CA Natalie DeFee Mendik, CO Lisa DeLaat, MI Melanie Delduco, PA Andrea DeLeo, IL Micah Deligdish, MD Valerie Denno, AZ Jessica Dern, WI Martha Detering, PA Mary Devian, CA Nadine DeYoung, TX Eric Di Benedetto, CA Kristine DiTano, CA
MEGAN COMPTON (AL), with Regenbogen— Bronze Medal
CATHERINE CHRISTENSON (VT), with Tipaqo—Bronze Medal
MELANIE DELDUCO (PA), with Flacon—Bronze Medal
BRONZE MEDALISTS
Haley Bristol, WI Elizabeth Bross, PA Karry Brothers, NY Katherine Brown, SC Margo Brown, CA Andrea Bruce, MI Cathy Bruinsma, MI Victoria Bryant, VA Rebecca Buehler, WA Anna Buffini, CA Linda Buhl, SC Gaylia Bullock, WA Stephanie Burgess, NJ Amina Bursese, NY Ali Calkins, MD
Kylie Dickinson, NJ Tamara Didjurgis, GA Ashley Dimmette, NC Evelyn Dinkins, GA Dana Dion, NY Megan Dischler, WI Trauty Dobbs, CA Elizabeth Doering, CT Abbey Dondanville, GA Jamie Doolittle, FL Kirsten Drew, OH Denise Driscoll, IN Janice Dulak, IL Gina Durfee, FL Barbara Duzan, AZ
LINDA COOLEY (OH), riding Knighthawke—Bronze Medal
MARY CUEVAS (OR), riding Neapolitano Slatana IV— Bronze Medal
EVELYN DINKINS (GA), riding Fleetwood B—Bronze Medal
USDF CONNECTION
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February 2016
215
Kari Felton, MO Katie Ferencik, AZ Linda Fernald, ME Mary Fischer, MN Natalie Fisher, NC Dana Fitch, FL Shannon Fitzgibbon, CA Abigail Fleischli, TX Kara Florek, FL Vincent Flores, TX Kendall Forbes, NV Amberly Foster, FL Christine Found-Jackson, CA Ruby Fowler, NY
Kathleen Fox, ME Laura Fox, MA Michele Fragner, NJ Patrice Fredericks, MN Jennifer Freeberg, NY Jessica Friedrich, IL Alexa Frye, MI Valerie Gabriel, CA Rachel Gannaway, VA Cody Gavitt, RI Marguerite George, WA Samantha Giberson, WA Joyce Giles, NC Jackson Gillespie, CO
JANICE DULAK (IL), with Rubaiyat— Bronze Medal
KIRSTEN DREW (OH), riding Marked By Fame—Bronze Medal
LAURA FOX (MA), with Espresso—Bronze Medal
JESSICA FRIEDRICH (IL), riding Puissance Galore—Bronze Medal
Paige Gilliard, CA Jackie Golden, CA Diego Gonzalez, NY Kelly Gormley, OK Lisa Graf, NC Tracy Graham, OR Deborah Gray, AL Lydia Gray, IL Melissa Gray, WI Miriam Graybeal, FL Kaia Greely, MN Jan Grenier, CA Eric Grimm, CA Mindy Groth-Hussey, ID
PATRICE FREDERICKS (MN), with Zarathustra— Bronze Medal
DEBORAH GRAY (AL), riding Mistica—Bronze Medal
216 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Elizabeth Guillebeau, MO Stephanie Gustafson, CA Madelyn Guthrie, IL Leigh Haase, NC Leslie Hagberg, CA Crystal Hagen, MI Lisa Hagstrom, CA Cynthia Hall, TX Meghan Hamilton, MA Andrea Hammer, NC Debra Hanisch, CA Sibley Hannigan, MA Sonia Hansen, MT Peggy Harder, CA
Karen Harper, CA Kimberly Harris, TX Marsha Hartford-Sapp, FL Stephanie Hartigan, GA Alison Hartley, TX Whitney Haugen, CO Lisa Hellmer, VA Abbey Henderson, MA Sharon Hess, PA Amanda Hester, TX Emily Hewitt, GA Robin Heyde-Mccoy, CA Patricia Hildreth, NC Colleen Hill, MN
LORI ELVERUD (MT), riding Driftin Red Frostin—Bronze Medal
JENNIFER FREEBERG (NY), with Tempting Fate—Bronze Medal
SONIA HANSEN (MT), riding Alerik—Bronze Medal
BOTTOM ROW LEFT: CAROLYNN BUNCH PHOTOGRAPHY
BRONZE MEDALISTS
Kara Dyer, CA Lauren Eaton, AK Amanda Ehnat, CA Lori Elverud, MT Kate Emmett-Wilder, CA Rachel Endresen, CA Kathryn Engler, IL Wanda Escobar, VA Kristin Evanson, MN Laurie Everson, CA Jennifer Fair, MD Samantha Farrow, NJ Eugene Fassett, NY Denise Ann Jessica Feit, NJ
Alix James, PA Brittany Jamison, NH Annie Johnson, IA Janaira Johnson, WA Virginia Johnson, TX Kerry Johnson-Miljan, WI Madeline Kanda, MN Sandy Kantor, PA Kimberly Keeton, GA Ashley Keller, GA Betsy Keller, NY Eileen Keller, NJ Laurel Kerner, CA Mary Keyes, MD
TOP ROW LEFT: PICSOFYOU.COM; TOP ROW MIDDLE: HIGH TIME PHOTOGRAPHY; SECOND ROW LEFT: WNCPHOTO.COM; THIRD ROW MIDDLE: ANNIEDUNCAN.COM; THIRD ROW RIGHT: WHOTOOKTHAT.NET
SHARON HESS (PA), riding Kalander Boy—Bronze Medal
LURA HILL (TN), riding Liberty Please—Bronze Medal
EILEEN KELLER (NJ), riding Amber Flame—Bronze Medal
Rene Kilburn, SC Jennifer Kimmell, AZ Marisa King, IA Colleen Kinninger, CA Dianne Kirk, OH Claudia Kleinsmith, MD Linda Klingerman, TN Pamela Klonaris, PA Katie Knoechel, OH Maia Knowles, CO Stephanie Koch, CA Gail Kopp, NJ Carol Kounanis, UT Brenda Kowal, SC
Ellisa Kroll, MI Katherine Kudelko, FL Marcia Kuenast, TX Madison Lacy, TX Ela Ladwig, KY Taylor Langley, AZ Eva Larsen, CA Natasha Larson, FL Barbara Lassa, CA Tay Laster, OH Courtney Lau, KY Jamie Lawrence, MS Kathleen Lawrence, UT Emily Layeski, IL
PATRICIA HILDRETH (NC), riding Whinstone Ferro—Bronze Medal
Kayla Lemoine, IL Eamon Leonard, CA Katie Letourneau, ME Jamie Leuenberger, NJ Jaimie Lewellyn, OR Marsha Lewis, TX Carol Lippa, PA Cathy Liston, ME Jessica Litt, OH Christiana Logan, OR Meredith Long, MA Irene Lord, OR Loretta Lucas, FL Diane Lundquist, IL
BRONZE MEDALISTS
Lura Hill, TN Sharyl Hilliard, OH Kathryn Hitzig, NH Allyson Hlasney, MD Josefine Hoetzel, MI Caroline Hoffman, CA Sandra Holden, NY Marlee Holmes, CA Lisa Holtz, MD Allison Hopkins, TX Lauren Hopper, NC Sydney Horgan, MA Amanda Howell, OR Cynthia Ingram, VA
Jerry Lyons, TX Katherine Macdonald, NM Erika Machtinger, FL Bailey Magee Nolte, TX Matthew Mahoney, WI Tiffany Mahoney, CA Guilene Mallard, NJ Kate Mancosh, RI Megan Manning, AZ Paula Manthei, TX Lyne Marcotte, GA Johanna Maroot, VT Christine Martin, CA Bradd Martone, MA
COLLEEN HILL (MN), riding Danato—Bronze Medal
SANDY KANTOR (PA), riding Rosetta—Bronze Medal
LISA HOLTZ (MD), riding Tin Man— Bronze Medal
PAMELA KLONARIS (PA), riding Budari—Bronze Medal
GAIL KOPP (NJ), riding Valentao—Bronze Medal
USDF CONNECTION
•
February 2016
217
Heather Miller, FL Eleanor Millerschin, MI Kendra Mitchell, CA Nadia Moheisen, FL Manette Monroe, FL Meredith Monsour, PA Kelli Montgomery, MO Tempe Moore, NC Katie Moran, NC Emma Morgan, CA Cynthia Moriarty, TX Anna Morrison, TX Katelyn Mosle, OH Adam Motyczka, FL
NATASHA LARSON (FL), riding Xapado Do Top— Bronze Medal
IRENE LORD (OR), riding Mackenzie—Bronze Medal
SARAH MURRELL (FL), riding Donnerwind— Bronze Medal
Rebecca Mouras, MI Trisha Muller, AZ Stacy Munoz, TX Sarah Murphy, GA Laura Murray, TX Sarah Murrell, FL Stephanie Mussmann, NY Anne Nanej, CA Kathy Nardi, MN Kelsea Nataren, CA Heather Neely, CA Jenna Neher, HI Hannah Neimy, SC Randi Nelson-Shipley, AZ
Allison Nemeth, NJ Piper Newman, WA Lisa Nicol, OR Marissa Nielsen, CA Valarie Noblet, MI Pam Nootbaar, CA Carolyn Nordberg, MD Karrigan Norris, NC Robyn Nunnally, VA Lori Nuzzo, NJ Shannon O’Hara, OH Tess Olnick, CA Cynthia Olson, FL Katelyn Omas, TX
TAY LASTER (OH), riding Kit’Astrophe—Bronze Medal
LORETTA LUCAS (FL), riding Bravo Do Retiro— Bronze Medal
HEATHER NEELY (CA), with Enchante— Bronze Medal
218 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Abby Onsgard, WI Kelly Orgettas, MA Olivia Owyeung, CA Anne Pagel, GA Melissa Paich, CA Susan Pankow, IL Jamie Pantel, VA Mary Papantonis, NJ Tammy Paparella, MA Gayle Paquin, NH Ulla Parker, MD Alayna Pastuck, PA Emma Patterson, TX Madison Paulson, CA
Sandy Pearce, CO Anne Peck, VT Katharine Peper, FL Kimberly Perron, ME Sarah Perry, FL Whitney Petersen-McIntosh, MI Teegan Petit, IL Kathleen Petnuch, PA Kristine Petrella, OH Jayne Petruska, WI Candace Phipps, NJ Sierra Phipps, OK Jessica Pierce, FL Serene Pifer, HI
JESSICA LITT (OH), riding Dance Fevor—Bronze Medal
BRADD MARTONE (MA), riding World Series— Bronze Medal
PIPER NEWMAN (WA), riding What’s Up—Bronze Medal
TOP ROW RIGHT: BOBTARR.COM; THIRD ROW MIDDLE: STEVE NEELY
BRONZE MEDALISTS
Meghan Matson, MI Ida Mattisson, NY Lilli Matusow, NJ Patty Mayer, CA Amanda McAuliffe, NJ Alberta McEuen, FL Leslie Ann McGowan, NH Elaine McIngvale, MS Amy McKeighan, MI Kimberlee McKenzie, OK Melissa McKenzie, TN Cynthia McKim, ID Amanda McNeil, MA Mckenzie Milburn, WA
Jordan Ramirez, TX Madeleine Ramon, TX Ashley Rand, KY Karen Rawson, UT Kathryn Redmond, NC Ulrike Rehberg-Sparks, AZ Marta Renilla, TX Ruth Rensink, MN Cynthia Reynolds, TN Kirsten Richard, WA Marina Richey, CT Katherine Rickert, OR Korin Rinaldo, IN Herbert Robie, CT
SECOND ROW RIGHT: PHOTOGRAPHY BY WWW.ONETULSA.COM; THIRD ROW LEFT: BOBTARR.COM
LORI NUZZO (NJ), riding Bandira—Bronze Medal
Emily Robinson, SC Anna Rockwell, CA Kerry Rose, NY Nicole Rothell, TX Kaytlyn Rowen, WI Taylor Rowsey, TX Danee Rudy, PA Patricia Ruppert, NV Mary Russell, MD Laurie Ryan, MO Erika Sawyer, ME Una Schade, CO Kathryn Schaefer, MI Michaela Schenk, CO
Bianca Schmidt, MN Nancy Schmidt, NJ Nikole Schram, MI Helga Schroeder, GA Verena Schubert, CA Carol Schuehler, PA Peggy Schueneman, IL Heather Schultz, NC Sue Schultz, IL Katherine Scotford, AZ Katherine Scott-Henney, UT Erin Segale, WA Emma Sevriens, GA Sarah Sharpe, SC
Ellen Shaw, NC Jordyn Shaw, WA Susan Shelton, NC Alya Siddique, WI Jenny Silber Butah, CA Michelle Simpson, FL Cassidy Sitton, NC May Slaughter, ID Michelle Sloan, WA Janice Smith, MI Nancy Smith, AL Patti Smith, GA Sara Smith, NH Susan Smith, PA
Chelsea Spiegel, VA Natasha Sprengers-Levine, VA James St. Clair, MI Helen Stacy, CA Mary Stadelmann, NH Kira Steines, NY Emma Stephens, TX Gaby Stephens, TX Sarah Stewart, NJ Jennifer Stoudemire, SC Mike Suchanek, MN Megan Suffling, TX Kimberly Sullivan, MI Susan Sullivan, CA
KAREN PIKOVSKY (PA), riding Wispen—Bronze Medal
GAYLE PAQIUN (NH), riding Valor—Bronze Medal
CYNTHIA REYNOLDS (TN), riding Rheingold—Bronze Medal
EMILY ROBINSON (SC), riding Regina—Bronze Medal
LAURIE RYAN (MO), riding Manchet Montana—Bronze Medal
KATHRYN SCHAEFER (MI), riding Charlemagne—Bronze Medal
SARAH SHARPE (SC), riding Nyzielster Boy—Bronze Medal
JORDYN SHAW (WA), riding Sabrina—Bronze Medal
USDF CONNECTION
•
February 2016
219
BRONZE MEDALISTS
Karen Pikovsky, PA Jeanette Pinard, NY Alexandra Pingree, NC Caroline Pingree, NC Marianne Pingree, DC Mary Piro, VT Amy Plavin, VT Natalie Pond, OR Tina Pondy, GA Andria Pooley-Ebert, IA Cindy Poulson, PA Ashley Preston, MT Therese Pringle, NV Christy Puller, FL
Patricia Thompson, PA Linda Tomlinson, NC Lori Tormoehlen, MI Helen Trask, SC Patricia Troost, IL Mara Trudgen, MI Emilee Tubbs, OR Jessica Twiggs, SC Tracey Uihlein, WI Isabel Ullman, NY Penny Underwood, MI Kendall Utter, AZ Alice Van Buren, NM Stephanie van de Ven, MI
MARY STADELMANN (NH), riding Garmt B—Bronze Medal
Nila Venkat, CA Marthe Verleisdonk-Winner, NV Deven Vespi, FL Jamie Volaski, CA Caroline von Asten, SC Sandy Wagner, FL Kerry Walker, TX Sian Walker, NY Janis Wasson, CO Nicole Watches, MA Marielle Watson, NH Nancy Weaver, ID Lisa Weinwurm, GA Heidi West, NY
EMMA STEPHENS (TX), riding Persona Grata—Bronze Medal
JOSEPH SWARTZ (VA), riding Rainbows Radiant Apollo— Bronze Medal
MARIELLE WATSON (NH), riding August Melody—Bronze Medal
220 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Anna Westfelt, CA Savannah Whisler, OR Angela White, PA James Wiggins, OH Tara Wigmosta, WA Sari Wildman, IL Olivia Williams, CO Clarissa Wilmerding, NJ Holly Wilmoth, VA Tracey Wilson, NJ Adrienne Wisenberg, MD Liz Woodall, TX Dedra Woodley, IL Katharine Wooten, FL
JENNIFER STOUDEMIRE (SC), riding Wiegers Royal Prince—Bronze Medal
MARY SWARTZ (TX), with Prime Time and Welt Diamont— Bronze Medal
SARI WILDMAN (IL), riding Gyrfalcon—Bronze Medal
Cassidy Wozniak, PA Janet Wyllie, CA Jordan Yankton, CA Charlotte Yarkoni, WA Polly Yeago, NC Karen Young, NC Heather Youngblood, FL Dana Zdolshek, KY Isabella Zdolshek, KY Jennifer Zimmerman, MN Mary Zimmerman, AZ
PATRICIA TROOST (IL), riding Royal HW—Bronze Medal
TRACEY WILSON (NJ), riding Denali—Bronze Medal
THIRD ROW RIGHT: AK DRAGOO PHOTOGRAPHY
BRONZE MEDALISTS
Joseph Swartz, VA Mary Swartz, TX Marline Syribeys, GA Emma Szegvari, MA Christina Tann, WA Steven Tarshis, NJ Barbara Taylor, GA Christy Taylor, ID Holly Taylor, OH Deirdre Teasley, FL Angela Thayer, RI Jeanne Thomas, FL Kimberly Thomas, TX Melissa Thomas, CO
United States
Dressage Federation
YOUR CONNECTION TO THE
AMERICAN DRESSAGE COMMUNITY www.usdf.org
Cody Armstrong, VA Adrienne Bessey, CA Christine Betz, MD Alexa Briscoe, MD Tasha Coleman, UT Danielle Gallagher-Legriffon, NY Suzanne Galsterer, CA Mary Houghton, WA Jamie Hughes, OR Chemaine Hurtado, CA Ari Lopez, CA
Andrea Lucianna, WA Francesca Nicoletti, OH Heather Oleson, ID Michael Osinski, WA
Silver Freestyle Bar Recipients Sarah Alder-Schaller, TX Cody Armstrong, VA Margaret Bailey-Miller, ME Katharine Cassidy, CA Karen Chekenian, WA Shelley Clark, CA Evan Coldiron, VA Claire Darnell, CA Carolyn Del Grosso, MD Marion Dresel-O`Connor, ID Barbara Filkins, CA
Jennifer Foulon, MD Amy Ganci, TX Suzanne Graham, FL Elizabeth Harris, ID Stacey Hastings, NC Cassandra Hummert-Johnson, OH Kellie Hunter, MN Chemaine Hurtado, CA Susan Jones, KY Kristine Kuchinski-Broome, FL Laurie McCullough-Leibfried, PA Carolyn McMullen, CA Charity Messer, FL
ADRIENNE BESSEY (CA), riding Wintersnow—Gold Bar
MARY HOUGHTON (WA), riding W. King’s Ransom—Gold Bar
JAMIE HUGHES (OR), riding Harbor Mist—Gold Bar and Gold Medal
SARAH ALDER-SCHALLER (TX), riding Vin Diesel—Silver Bar and Silver Medal
KAREN CHEKENIAN (WA), riding Heartbreaker—Silver Bar and Silver Medal
JENNIFER FOULON (MD), riding Whispering Diamond— Silver Bar
ELIZABETH HARRIS (ID), riding Samorano— Silver Bar and Silver Medal
KELLIE HUNTER (MN), with Crescent Moon’s Lancelot—Silver Bar
222 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
DARCY MILLER (PA), riding Wylie Q—Silver Bar and Silver Medal
JULIE ROCHE (WI), riding Remington— Silver Bar
TOPR ROW LEFT: ©TERRI MILLER; TOP ROW MIDDLE: BELYNDA MOORE; SECOND ROW LEFT: MOONFYRE PHOTOGRAPHY; SECOND ROW MIDDLE: CAROLYNN BUNCH PHOTOGRAPHY; THIRD ROW MIDDLE RIGHT: ANNIEDUNCAN.COM; THIRD ROW RIGHT; NICOLE TRAP
MUSICAL FREESTYLE RIDER AWARDS
Gold Freestyle Bar Recipients
TORREY WILKINSON (VA), riding Talisman BHF—Silver Bar
Chemaine Hurtado, CA Catherine Jacob, OH Lori Johnstone, CA Andrea Manos, GA Elizabeth Mueller, IL Laura Murray, TX Francesca Nicoletti, OH Renee’ Peters, OH Jennifer Roth, OH Andrea Ruting, NC Michelle Sloan, WA Susan Stevenson, CA Lauren Wade, OH
Bronze Freestyle Bar Recipients Sandra Adair, TX Fie Studnitz Andersen, MA Cody Armstrong, VA Michele Brase, TN Nancy Burba, OK Nichole Charbonneau, WA Jayne Fingerhut, NJ Jackie Golden, CA Suzanne Graham, FL Andrea Hart, TX Stacey Hastings, NC
SANDRA ADAIR (TX), riding Zandra ISF—Bronze Bar
Editor’s note:
MUSICAL FREESTYLE RIDER AWARDS
Darcy Miller, PA Hilary Moore, MD Renee’ Peters, OH Julie Roche, WI Blandina Rojek, VT Becky Shealy, SC Rebecca Sturdy, IL Nancy Szakacs, CA Jennifer Truett, OH Torrey Wilkinson, VA
ANDREA MANOS (GA), riding Alexis Acres’ Wrightly So— Bronze Bar
For the Love of the Horse... For the Love of Dressage...
Photographs in the Yearbook award section not credited are courtesy of the award winners.
RIGHT: LAURA KING
Any corrections to the award listings must be received in writing by March 31, 2016. E-mail to: connection@usdf.org
Your gift will make a difference. Your tax deductible gift to the Circle of Friends will have a significant impact in helping USDF provide quality dressage education and programs.
www.usdf.org USDF CONNECTION
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February 2016
223
First Level
Sandra Zarzycki, MI
Hilary Clayton, MI Linda Gaber, CO Linda Kennelly, NY Jennie Lemire, MN Jana Miller, NY Betsy Morath, MI Susie Pratt, OH Debra Ringold, OR Cecilia Ross, CO Nan Troutman, GA Sandra Zarzycki, MI
Patricia Bures, IL Meg Clark, ID Hilary Clayton, MI Linda Currier, MI Cathleen Hanck, IL Nan Holland, TN Kevin McNeilly, NC Betsy Morath, MI Barbara Nicks, SC Susie Pratt, OH Nan Troutman, GA
Second Level
LINDA GABER (CO), riding Gallod Enki— Master’s Challenge Award: Training Level
SANDRA ZARZYCKI (MI), riding Kelley Little Step—Master’s Challenge Award: Training & First Levels
SANDY DRATLER (CA), riding Shenanigans—Master’s Challenge Award: Second Level
JANA MILLER (NY), riding Charmant—Master’s Challenge Award: Training Level
PATRICIA BURES (IL), riding Hesa Dandy Jule—Master’s Challenge Award: First Level
CAROL MESCHTER (CA), riding Ala Cowboy—Master’s Challenge Award: Second Level
224 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Jill Berryman, MI Evelyn Cudd, FL Sandy Dratler, CA Catherine Jacob, OH Martha Lott, FL Carol Meschter, CA Victoria Patterson-Pirko, OH Beckie Samuels, CA Luann Urban, OR
CECILIA ROSS (CO), with Ferdinand—Master’s Challenge Award: Training Level
JILL BERRYMAN (MI), riding Celestina HP—Master’s Challenge Award: Second Level
VICTORIA PATTERSON-PIRKO (OH), with Fantasia— Master’s Challenge Award: Second Level
TOP ROW RIGHT: BOBTARR.COM; SECOND ROW MIDDLE: STEPHEN BURES; SECOND ROW RIGHT: RANCE ROGERS/WWW.3RDSHUTTER.COM; THIRD ROW LEFT: © TERRI MILLER
MASTER’S CHALLENGE AWARDS
Training Level
Melanie Amhowitz, AZ Susanne Conley, MA Catherine Fox, KY Allyson Hlasney, MD Virginia Johnson, TX Martha Lott, FL Guilene Mallard, NJ Alberta McEuen, FL Gail Richards, WA Jenny Silber Butah, CA Susan Stegmeyer, NY
TOP ROW LEFT: © TERRI MILLER; TOP ROW RIGHT: SUSAN CORREA PHOTOGRAPHY; SECOND ROW RIGHT: WNCPHOTO.COM; THIRD ROW ELFT: ©MEG MCGUIRE PHOTOGRAPHY; THIRD ROW MIDDLE: © TERRI MILLER
BECKIE SAMUELS (CA), riding Thor Do Retiro—Master’s Challenge Award: Second Level
VIRGINIA JOHNSON (TX), with Exclusive Sport—Master’s Challenge Award: Third Level; Bronze Medal
JANN RAPPE (WA), riding Joss—Master’s Challenge Award: Fourth Level & FEI Levels
Susan Sullivan, CA Pamela Walters-Whalon, MI
MASTER’S CHALLENGE AWARDS
Third Level
FEI Levels Mary Brann, NV Michele Brase, TN Elizabeth Campbell, FL Janet Fisk, MN Catherine Fox, KY Kimberly Gilmore, FL Jackie Nixon-Fulton, TX Michael Poulin, ME Jann Rappe, WA Barbara Rudquist, MN
Fourth Level Janet Engle, IN Janet Fisk, MN Kimberly Gilmore, FL Jann Rappe, WA Barbara Rudquist, MN
MELANIE AMHOWITZ (AZ), with Ritonel M—Master’s Challenge Award: Third Level
PAMELA WALTERS-WHALON (MI), riding Exeter’s Painted Black—Master’s Challenge Award: Third Level
MARY BRANN (NV), riding Petit Syrah— Master’s Challenge Award: FEI Levels
SUSANNE CONLEY (MA), riding Ghimlet—Master’s Challenge Award: Third Level
KIMBERLY GILMORE (FL), riding Amador—Master’s Challenge Award: Fourth Level; Silver Medal
MICHELE BRASE (TN), riding Cavella—Master’s Challenge Award: FEI Levels; Silver Medal; Bronze Bar
USDF CONNECTION
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225
RIDER PERFORMANCE AWARDS
2015 USDF RIDER PERFORMANCE AWARDS Training Level Taryn Anderson, CO Sharnette Atkinson, VA Tessie Baldwin, MT Alyssa Barngrover, AZ Julia Barton, KS Alexandria Belton, NY Jana Bennett, OH Shannon Bilder, NJ Cara Blanchard, FL Diane Brandow, NY Vicki Brooks, IL Rebecca Brown, TN Tiffany Busch, CO Tammy Bush, AL Michelle Calongne, TX Samantha Capps, AK Kristin Carey, WI Catherine Carlson, AZ Sarah Consalo, NJ Cecelia Conway, WI Madeleine Coronado, CA Mona Corrente, NY Caitlin Couch, VA Evelyn Cudd, FL Colleen Curtin, NJ Keri Damsgaard, MD Jennifer Damyanovich, MN Talia Debrigida, AZ Christina Des Roches, LA Brenna Donovan, MA Maureen Dooley, MA Jenna Driscoll, CA Jackie Duncan, CA Savannah Emerson, AL Laura Fay, NY Lydia Fenoglio, CA Caitlyn Fiolka, MD Patty Gardner, TX Felicia Gentile, CA Susan Gilbert, WA Carol Glover, GA Anna Godwin, NC Martha Goodney, CA Charlotte Greatwood, CA Isabel Gregory, TX Hilary Griggs, KS Lorinda Hanes, CA Lorinda Hays, OK Susan Hebert, WA Alyssa Heidenreich, WI Robin Henderson, CA Morgan Heritage, NJ Annmarie Hernick Brockhouse, MN Linda Higger, NJ Kari Hill, MN Maylyn Hinson, GA Michele Hirth, MA Erin Holden, CA Sandra Holden, NY Susan Holec-Iwasko, IN Debby Hollinger, TX Paige Huff, GA Morgan Hurtado, CA Lisa Jackson, UT
Ann Jensis-Dale, AL Beth Johnson, MN Kathryn Johnson, WI Paula Jones, TX Stevie Kehm, NH Eileen Keller, NJ Ellen Kettler, CA Debora King, FL Robin Kristiansen, VT Elizabeth Kulyassa, FL Alexandra LaFleur, MN Amy Lamberth, TX Meghan Leagjeld, MN Hayden Lytton, NC Avery Mandel, CA Dianna Marchand, WA Shannon Martin, TX Jennifer Maull, MI Maureen McCracken, AL Katherine McFarland, GA Danielle McKenney, NH Susan McLeod, MN Emily McManus, UT Deborah McNamee, CA Linda Mendenhall, MA Jana Miller, NY Jennifer Miller, NY Meghan Miller, TN Jo Ann Moore, FL Alice Morse, PA Virginia Moser, OH Jessica Mount, AZ Katherine Nayak, AZ Nicole Newlin, PA Jackie Nicholas, MA Theresa Nielsen, WA Deborah Noonan, FL Jennifer Nunes, CA Catherine O’Rourke, KY Caitlin Oikemus, NC Mary Oliver, CA Sydni Ottesen, UT Hannah Pace, AL Maddison Parker, SC Daniel Patterson, MS Anne Pearman, UT Carol Pexa, SC Zoe Poyen, CA Tania Radda, AZ Jessica Radtke, WI Diane Redling, NJ Kimberley Reynolds, PA Laura Rhine, PA Samantha Richards, MD Kathryn Richie, PA Morgan Rivers, TX Mandy Robertson, VA Terry Rodriguez-McKee, FL Shira Rosenthal, MD Nicole Rothell, TX Beckie Samuels, CA Michelle Sawyer, NV Bianca Schmidt, MN Sandra Schugren, WA Erica Schwan, MO Christy Scotch, AL
Colleen Shelly, PA Christina Sieber, MA Stephanie Sinson, PA Amy Sletten, MN Julie Slevin, OR Erica Smalley, TN Emily Smith, MA Paige Smith, CO Sarah Smith, CA Shera Solomon, MD Ellen Spector, IA Anja Stadelmann, NH Allison Stai, TX Lee Steinberg, FL Leah Stephen, TX Amanda Stewart, AL Linda Swank, PA Izabelle Tagavi, NH Eden Thomas, UT Jade Thomas, UT Linden Thompson, MI Patricia Thompson, PA Janet Tornelli-Mitchell, TX Hannah Tremel, PA Tracey True, FL Uliana Ukrainchuk, CO Kendall Utter, AZ Helen Vandervoort, NY Nila Venkat, CA Laurie Virkstis, MO Phyllis Walsh, MI Melissa Ward, NE Stacy Waterous, MI Ginny Weber, NC Angela White, PA Joann Wieber, NY Cindy Williams, AL Laurel Williams, IA Ashton Yarosh, OH Lauren Zaleski, IL
First Level Susan Adams-Conley, MA Taryn Anderson, CO Julia Barton, KS Artea Beirn, CT Darsie Bell, WA Alexandria Belton, NY Cara Blanchard, FL Mimi Bliss, TN Sherry Booye, VA Diane Brandow, NY Malena Brisbois, VA Alexa Brown, CA Nicholas Bryan, FL Patricia Bures, IL Kristin Carey, WI Catherine Carlson, AZ Jennifer Carr, OH Julia Christopher, OH Sandra Cohen, NY Annie Connelly, VA Sarah Consalo, NJ Ashley Cormier, MA Madeleine Coronado, CA
226 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Carrera Cox, TX Maureen Crowley, VT Evelyn Cudd, FL Linda Currier, MI Colleen Curtin, NJ Sharon Daily, CA Jennifer Damyanovich, MN Patti Davenport, WI Emma Davern, NY Tori Desmond, MA Christine Dietrich, CA Jennifer Dillon, ME Malinda Edwards De Mata, TX Lindsay Ferris, PA Hannah Finder, CA Johanna Fowler, NC Ella Fruchterman, MN Amanda Getto, OH Reggie Goldman, MI Betty Hatfield, SC Nia Haynes, FL Alyssa Heidenreich, WI Audrey Hicks, NY Linda Higger, NJ Brenda Hilfrank, VT Kari Hill, MN Sandra Holden, NY Susan Holec-Iwasko, IN Nan Holland, TN Evelyn James, CA Ann Jensis-Dale, AL Yvonne Kalow, MA Cristina Kayvon-Pierce, CA Shelby Kearns, CA Shana Kelly, IA Elizabeth King, NY Heather Kline, OR Teresa Kolar, MN Jean Krason, VA Sara Krebs, MI Elizabeth Landers, IL Meghan Leagjeld, MN Kiersten Main, FL Dianna Marchand, WA Kelly Martinez, TX Jennifer Maull, MI Savannah May, GA Jessa McCartney, VA Kathleen McCarty, TX Maureen McCracken, AL Lorraine McInerny, NY Kevin McNeilly, NC Linda Mendenhall, MA Viki Meyers, AR Maria Michaelson, CA Carol Mitchell, NY Virginia Moser, OH Jackie Moss, IL Gillian Muir, FL Kaitlin Myers, CA Katherine Nayak, AZ Megan Nicholson, WI Catherine O’Rourke, KY Lisa Ohara, CA Caitlin Oikemus, NC Sydni Ottesen, UT
Hannah Pace, AL Anne Pearman, UT Raymond Penland II, VA Amanda Perkowski, NJ Lynn Phillips, MD Zoe Poyen, CA Susie Pratt, OH Bryce Quinto, CA Debra Raben, NJ Tania Radda, AZ Wendy Rader, CA Jessica Radtke, WI Gail Rentmeester, WI Isabella Rice, OH Lisa Rice, VA Mandy Robertson, VA Pearlie Rohrbacher, NV Doreen Rose, NY Nicole Rothell, TX Zoe Roy, MI Liz Russell, MA Joelle Rybakowski, NJ Beckie Samuels, CA Isabella Schmidt, MN Erica Schwan, MO Colleen Shelly, PA McKenna Shook, NC Karen Siebert, MD Stephanie Sinson, PA Nicholas Skillen, GA Jes Skudlarek, IL Chandilyn Smith, GA Rebecca Smith, OH Jaimie Snyder, WA Shera Solomon, MD Allison Stai, TX Amanda Stewart, AL Danielle Stout, TX Galvin Swift, TX Linden Thompson, MI Patricia Thompson, PA Janet Tornelli-Mitchell, TX Jean Tuttle, NC Evelyn Tyner, OH Jenesena Ursone, TX Kendall Utter, AZ Nila Venkat, CA Therese Wacker, PA Phyllis Walsh, MI Angela White, PA Joann Wieber, NY Anne Zahradnik, NY
Second Level Taryn Anderson, CO Artea Beirn, CT Darsie Bell, WA Cara Blanchard, FL Diane Brandow, NY Celeste Brown, TX Margo Brown, CA Rebecca Brown, TN Samantha Capps, AK Belinda Chu, IL Sandra Cohen, NY
Madeleine Coronado, CA Evelyn Cudd, FL Madison Deaton, KY Jennifer Delmer, TX Katharine DeLorean, OH Sandy Dratler, CA Kirsten Drew, OH Kristin Evanson, MN Samantha Farrow, NJ Mindy Groth-Hussey, ID Patricia Hildreth, NC Sandra Holden, NY Morgan-Bailey Horan, AL Amanda Howell, OR Catherine Jacob, OH Ines Kausche, GA Laurel Kerner, CA Elizabeth King, NY Dianne Kirk, OH Teresa Kolar, MN Sara Krebs, MI Katherine Kudelko, FL Elizabeth Landers, IL Tay Laster, OH Kathryn Lewis, WA Cathy Liston, ME Vicki Luther, TX Johanne Marcoux, FL Wendy Marquardt, CA Christine Martin, CA Kelly Martinez, TX Kathleen McCarty, TX Patricia McVary, IL Carol Meschter, CA Heather Miller, FL Jo Ann Moore, FL Jessica Naten, CA Leah Nelson, MN Claire Nickelson, MO Sydni Ottesen, UT Grace Owsley, UT Jennifer Pass, PA Dianne Pulles, MI Bryce Quinto, CA Jodi Reynolds, AZ Jennifer Riggs, TX Nicole Rothell, TX Beckie Samuels, CA Sharon Sexton, MD Michael Sjerven, MN Deborah Smith, ME Emily Smith, MA Paige Smith, CO Amanda Stewart, AL Galvin Swift, TX Kimberly Taylor, FL Brenda Thoma, MN Patricia Thompson, PA Luann Urban, OR Kendall Utter, AZ Helen Vandervoort, NY Nila Venkat, CA Angela White, PA Laura Wilson, OR
Young Horse Aragon GAF, Cynthia Roberts, VA
Training Level A Diamond is Forever, Daniella & Claudia Tomaselli, GA Agent JLK, Lisa Schoonmaker & Rancho Costa Mucho, MO AK Haley Lujah, Amy Kellen, MN Arithmetic TF, Barbara Kuyper, MI Avril, Patty Gardner, TX Baccalaureate BLN, Barbara Nicks, SC Been Verified, David James, CA Belisarus, Lisa Jackson, UT Bella Luna, Kimberley Reynolds, PA Bennet, Marie Fodor, NJ Big Bang Baby, Allison Howle, MI Bjorne, June Wheeler, MN BP Caleesa, April & Claire Nickelson, MO Calypso, Jessica Foschi, MN Cantor, Sandra Lindenberg, TX Cassandra OOS, Jan Chambers, OH CF Double Dare, Zoe Roy, MI Corbella, Lake Meadows LLC, MN Dacapriella, Alyssa Barngrover, AZ Dakota, Emma Teff, PA Della, Hilary Griggs, KS Denali’s Paradox, Andrea Doelling, CO Dezdemona, Eileen Keller, NJ Dhouble Scoop, Ellen Kettler, CA Djedefre, Bryce Quinto, CA Ducari, Deanna Mann, MD Emeril, Helen Vandervoort, NY Escapade SHF, Angela White, PA Eternal Flame, Betty Hatfield, SC Fearless, Alice Morse, PA Fernhill CU Chulainn, Heidi Beaumont, SC FHF Cahlua, Susan Holec-Iwasko, IN Fhortune Cookie, Keri Damsgaard, MD Finestep HW, Lisa Rush, SD First Edition, Tracey True, FL Floriada M, Sharnette Atkinson, VA Grey Ghost Phantom, Deborah Noonan, FL Handsome Delilah, Cindy Williams, AL Harlequin Follow the Sun, Janice James, FL Herbstliebe, Jenna Driscoll, CA Heza Foxy HP Bubba, Bonnie Graberec, IL Heza High Expectation, Amanda Stewart, AL Home Run King, Barbara Archer, MA Jovee Mercedez, Kelli Agnew, AL Julliet, Linda Higger, NJ Kahlidah Kamar Rou++, Brittany Bartlett, TX KCEE’s Noble Whisper, Andrea Hathaway-Miglorie, VT Khingstons Grand Prix, Cynthia Hall, TX Lacey, Alice Symington, NJ Lindy’s Gold Standard, Beth Sorensen, TX LR Amie Angel Fire, Julie Siefert, WI MA Dream Catcher++++//, Chari Madrigal, WI
Mad Mardigan, Lorinda Hanes, CA May Just, Nicholas Skillen, GA Nile Roze, Angela White, PA November’s Oyster Moon, Mona Corrente, NY Obriza H, Karra Markley, MT Palisandro H, Karra Markley, MT Profits Sweet Steps, Melissa Mount, VT Pugsley, Lisa Dean, KY Reflection, Loretta Giancroce, SC Regalo Del Corazon, Maddison Parker, SC Reminisce HM, Jeffrey & Linda Mendenhall, MA Renatus, Tracy McPherson, WV River Runner, Caitlin Couch, VA Rosenstolz, Jacqueline Weisbein, CA Royal Tourmalet SPF, Joanna Gray-Randle, NY S.W. Abednego, Gail Rentmeester, WI Sacred Showdown, Daniel Patterson, MS Saki Brahim , Angie Grove, CA Samson, Laurie Virkstis, MO Silvano, Michele Miles, TX Sir Duke of the Lair, Jennifer Damyanovich, MN Spring Hollow Destrier, Linda Swank, PA Stone of Fire, Phyllis Walsh, MI Stormin’ Eddie, Cynthia Morgan & Thoroughbred Retirement Network of Louisiana, LA Sundancer’s Illusion, Angie Grove, CA Teodoro III, Tania Radda, AZ The Major Minor, Betty Briggs, UT Ulla Amazing Grace, Jean Tuttle, NC Valsar, Melody Light, VA WHF Rhodesian Sky, Jessica Howard, WV Willow, Pamela Farthing, AZ
First Level Amerdros, Douglas Christensen, TX Another Chapter, Debra Raben, NJ Aris, Lynn Hanson, OR Aroze to Nobility, Angela White, PA August Rush, Morgan-Bailey Horan, AL Been Verified, David James, CA Bjorne, June Wheeler, MN Bria OSF, Kari Hill, MN Carina HGF, Eric Smith, CA Charming Lady, Debi Lowis-Geiger, CA Chessman 12, Anne-Elizabeth Beeman, CA Chips Ahoy WH, Joelle Rybakowski, NJ Commanders Eisenhower, Alison Thompson, VA Commodore, Susie Pratt, OH Dear Henry, Patricia Weston, NJ & Lindsay Ferris, PA Diesel VT, Lynn Jendrowski, VA Donnzi, Kerry Province, NJ Ducari, Deanna Mann, MD Durango, Jamie Pantel, VA FHF Cahlua, Susan Holec-Iwasko, IN Finestep HW, Lisa Rush, SD Freelance, Maureen Crowley, VT Freiheit, Kathleen Downie, AZ Fresca, Carolyn Desnoyer, WI Galileo, Sara Smith, NH
Generally Speckled, Ann Corrigan, VA Gold Flash, Viki Meyers, AR Grey Ghost Phantom, Deborah Noonan, FL Helena, Linda McCormick, AL Heza High Expectation, Amanda Stewart, AL Hollyhock Bella Luna, Brenda Thoma, MN Horatio SF, Katie Ferencik, AZ Istadevate, Katja Gwin, TX Julliet, Linda Higger, NJ Khan H, Karra Markley, MT Lacey, Alice Symington, NJ Let The Cat Out, Patricia Weston, NJ Liberty, Elizabeth Landers, IL Marciano, Margaret Moore, IL Miramar, Melanie Cain-Stage, FL Miss Pakuna, Pamela Farthing, AZ Moby Dixon, Katherine Martin, MD Mycazso, Stephanie Pfaff, MO Nifty Dashing Tonka, Zoe Roy, MI Obligato, Laura Fay, NY Pabatsa, Laura Mollrich, CA Paddington, Annie Connelly, VA Pikture Perfect, Alexandra Arthurs, MA Regazzo Ace, Crystal LeBlanc & Atkinson Riding Academy, NH Reminisce HM, Jeffrey & Linda Mendenhall, MA Rope of Honor, Hannah Finder, CA Rousseau, Kelly Martinez, TX Shatar, Jennifer Madden, WA Silvano, Michele Miles, TX Siraj de Bonchere, Nancy Sholtz, PA Skikkild’s Rosita, Jill Dumont, NH Solomon, Johanna Fowler, NC Stone of Fire, Phyllis Walsh, MI Sweet Blue Skys, Kaitlin Myers, CA Talywern Fair Rose, Doreen Rose, NY Teodoro III, Tania Radda, AZ The Grey Bandit, Tracy Hendricks, OH Token of my Affection, Catherine Varettoni, NJ Ulla Amazing Grace, Jean Tuttle, NC Valentino, Celia Schneider, CO Valsar, Melody Light, VA Waldemar, Evelyn James, CA Wasabi, Maria Michaelson, CA Winnagan, Darcy Miller, PA & Philip Marone, MD Wisperle, Cathy Balance, IL Yes Virginia, Sarah Blanchard, NC
Second Level Addison, Tammy Anderson, CO August Rush, Morgan-Bailey Horan, AL Brianna OSF, Alyssa Tarrants, MI Carina HGF, Eric Smith, CA CJA Debbonheir, Jodi Reynolds, AZ DJJJ Star’s Ace, Celeste Brown, TX Ebriz Rakkas, Sharon Sexton, MD Frisco Bay, Stacy Williams, UT Galileo, Sara Smith, NH Hank P., Laurie Motte, MA His Highness Crusador, Elizabeth Landers, IL
Irresistable Isaac, Sharyl Hilliard, OH K-Love, Shelby Suelzle, CA Letrado 15, Christine Martin, CA Mackenzie, Claire Davies, NV Roberto, Alicia Boutan, TX Secret Agent, Dianne Pulles, MI Shatar, Jennifer Madden, WA Soren, Laurel Kerner, CA The Major, Betty Briggs, UT Trade Secret CC, Darsie Bell, WA Whinstone Ferro, Patricia Hildreth, NC
Third Level Augustus, Emily Smith, MA Ayrus, Catherine Jacob, OH Devotion, Amy Schaaf, NC El Da Vinci, Cynthia Course, AZ Elfe, Kathy Mathers, VA Faith Hill, Barbara Archer, MA Finnegan, Suzan Strahan, NV His Highness Crusador, Elizabeth Landers, IL La Habanara, Cathy Liston, ME ME Imagine, Kelsea Nataren, CA Obligato, Laura Fay, NY Zoltaire, Jennette Scanlon, CA
Fourth Level Decoroso HGF, Cindy Ramirez-Smith, CA Loanshark, Kristine Howe, CA Olievia, JoAnn Keller, WA Racoon, Stephany Fish, FL Wranger, Erin Boltik, MN Wylie Q, Darcy Miller, PA Zoe, Evelyn Angelle, TX
Prix St. Georges Estrella, Jolene Novak, IL Fahrenheit by Furioso, Amy Kellen, MN GBR Midnight Serenade, Wendy Bizzaro, CA Tango Royale, Lucy Helstowski, PA Watson, Amber Seltzer, OH Zoe, Evelyn Angelle, TX
Intermediate I Beaumont, Andrea Lewis, UT Harbor Mist, Jamie Hughes, OR KB Jull Fahim, Dawn & Samantha Hodgson, NJ Miss Handy, Wendy Bizzaro, CA Psymbad VF, Kara Somerville, NJ Sincerrey Valorio, Lorna Nagel, PA Tristan, Margaret Christ, NJ
Grand Prix Catus, Christine Betz, MD Oceane D., Stephanie Collomb, VA Royal Diamant, Elizabeth Campbell, FL
USDF CONNECTION
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227
HORSE PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES
2015 USDF HORSE PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES
ANNUAL RECOGNITION USDF University Program
U
USDF Diamond Diploma
Missy Myrick, Lakebay, WA Lothar Pinkers, Clyde Hill, WA Debra Reinhardt, Southbury, CT Jennifer Roth, Carmel, CA Kathy Rowse, Suffolk, VA Suzan Saylor, Bellville, TX Louise Tiernan, Scarborough, ME
Nancy Di Bona, Barberton, OH Janet Hannon, Arvada, CO
USDF Diploma
SDF wishes to congratulate the following members, who earned University recognition certfication between October 1, 2014 and September 30, 2015.
USDF Platinum Diploma Bess Bruton, Lovelady, TX Heidi Chote, Wilton, CA Johanna Gwinn, West Chester, PA Charlotte Trentelman, Anthony, FL
USDF Gold Diploma Carol Bulmer, Clermont, FL Fern Feldman, Cheshire, CT Kristi Fly, North Middletown, KY
USDF Silver Diploma Beth Baumert, Columbia, CT Suzy Floyd, Brookeville, MD Ann Forer, Milford, NJ Nicol Hinde, Ferndale, WA Deri Jeffers, Onancock, VA Amanda Johnson, Franklin, WI Susan Lang, Wichita, KS Bettina Longaker, Gordonsville, VA Susan Mandas, Dayton, OH Megan McIsaac, Oregon, WI Barbara Noble, Sequim, WA Marlene Schneider, Long Lake, MN
USDF Bronze Diploma Melissa Ash, Chesapeake, VA Nancy Baker, Union, KY Janet Black, Kingston, NY Robin Brueckmann, Summerfield, NC Cindy Canace, Blairstown, NJ Margaret Freeman, Tryon, NC Susan Garmier, Woodland, CA Joyce Hardesty, Overland Park, KS Marilyn Heath, Naples, FL Anne Howard, Aptos, CA Reese Koffler-Stanfield, Georgetown, KY Susan Kolstad, Florence, KY Janine Malone, Zebulon, NC Sarah Jane Martin, Montgomery, TX
Beth Barritt, Lake City, FL Catherine Bass, Ruckersville, VA Susan Blinks, Wellington, FL Kalli Bowles, Sacramento, CA Katherine Bruce, Springfield, VT Stacie Campuzano, Folsom, CA Kathy Casey, Hillsboro, OR Janice Conlon, Grasonville, MD Kathy Daly, Siler City, NC Megan Dischler, Oconomowoc, WI Helen George, Crozier, VA Ana Gilmour, Granite Bay, CA Joanna Gray-Randle, Sound Beach, NY Kristine Hamilton, Raeford, NC Julie Haugen, Loveland, CO Kate Hutchings, Ridge Spring, SC Patricia Jacobson, Kerhonkson, NY Melonie Kessler, Thousand Oaks, CA Brian MacMahon, Wellborn, FL Heather Mason, Lebanon, NJ Patty Mayer, Santa Rosa Valley, CA Gail Mccormack, Dover-Foxcroft, ME Marsha Montgomery, Whitehouse Station, NJ Mari Naten, Wilton, CA Marcia Niemczyk, Stroudsburg, PA Kate Phillips, Sauk Rapids, MN Colleen Reid, Sacramento, CA Gary Rockwell, Wellington, FL Suzanne Ronning, Newberg, OR Allyn Schiavone, Wellington, FL Patti Schofler, Petaluma, CA Jennifer Scott, Cincinnati, OH Jane Sheehan, Mansfield, MA Lori Snider, Austin, TX Lisa Toaldo, Montague, NJ Danielle Toscano, Kennett Square, PA Karen Vinsant, Gladstone, VA Angela Voss, Baltimore, MD Joan Williams, Watsonville, CA Cleon Wingard, Lebanon, OH Cathy Zappe, Harvest, AL
228 February 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ USDF CONNECTION
USDF Certificate Allison Allbaugh-Cino, Benton City, WA Karen Allred, Chapel Hill, NC Michelle Anderson, Elizabeth, CO Rebecca Armstrong, Castro Valley, CA Sherry Arndt, Friendswood, TX Sandy Arnold, Nokesville, VA Jane Ashley, Windsor, VT Kem Barbosa, Princeton, NJ Sarah Barnes, Louisville, CO Gerlinde Beckers, Independence, LA Kalie Beckers, Independence, LA Beth Beukema, Rehoboth, MA Davida Bierbrauer, Clarksburg, MD Lynn Binkley, Murrieta, CA Tammy Biondi, Williamsburg, VA Joy Black, Delanson, NY Mary Blackwell, Hampton, NJ Rebecca Blikslager, Apex, NC Robin Borg, Central Point, OR Ulla Boysen, Bainbridge Island, WA Janet Briggs, Northwood, NH Eleanor Brimmer, Wellington, FL Willette Brown, Loxahatchee, FL Sheila Buschette, Molt, MT Anna Campbell, Wylie, TX Kathleen Card, Bay City, MI Patricia Chandler, Marydel, MD Sandi Chohany, Hampshire, IL Krista Christian, Rio Linda, CA Raissa Chunko, Fort Collins, CO Michell Combs, Peoria, AZ Meryl Compton, Boulder, CO Cecelia Conway, Janesville, WI Ellen Corob, San Luis Obispo, CA Cecilia Cox, San Antonio, TX Kristin Currie, Burleson, TX Kathy Curtis, Alexandria, VA Sherree Cushner, Woodbridge, NJ Allison Cyprus, Magnolia, TX Marjorie Davis, Sykesville, MD Susan Davis, Potomac, MD Madeleine Debure, Bronx, NY Phoebe Devoe-Moore, Glen Arm, MD Tina Drake, Mount Dora, FL Barbara Ebner, Howell, NJ Zena Ervin, Reno, NV Laura Fay, Castleton, NY Nancy Feehan, Lapeer, MI Patricia Festino, Saco, ME Beverley Fields, Charlotte Hall, MD
Kathryn Figueroa, Plympton, MA Jennifer Flowers, Statesville, NC Inga Fuengerlings, Calhan, CO Amy Ganci, Heath, TX Stevie Gaudreau, Clinton, MT Robin Ginn, Royston, GA Jessica Gould, Caseyville, IL Jessica Greer, Loveland, CO Meris Greges, Athens, AL Grace Gregory, Brentwood, TN Brenda Haley, Canon City, CO Joyce Hamblin, Lexington, KY Heather Hamilton, Raeford, NC Susanne Hamilton, Montville, ME Tricia Hammer, Springboro, OH Susanne Handler, Darien, CT Julia Handt, Wylie, TX Mary Hanneman, Brooklyn, WI Susan Harris, Prospect, KY Andrea Hart, Katy, TX Whitney Haugen, Loveland, CO Heidi Hauri-Gill, Enfield, NH Lucy Helstowski, Kennett Square, PA Rachel Herrick, Eugene, OR Katrina Hiller, Saint Germain, WI Mary Hoepner, Colorado Springs, CO Cheryl Holekamp, Ocala, FL Donna Holmes, Wilton, CA Shari Humble-Lamb, Las Vegas, NV Karen Hunchberger, Plymouth, MI Melissa Jackson, Parrish, FL Susan Jacobson, Raleigh, NC Kathy Johnson, Boulder, CO Emme Johnston, Snow Camp, NC Paula Jones, Georgetown, TX Susan Jones-Sinelnik, Berlin, NJ Lorraine Klepacz, Mechanicsville, VA Kathy Knappitsch, Fairview, TX
Valerie Knight, Walworth, NY Lydia Knurek, Old Mill Creek, IL Jean Kraus, Fulton, MO Kim Krieckhaus, Sturgeon, MO Jill Kuc, Kunkletown, PA Sadie Lahey, Boulder, CO Julie Laity, Camarillo, CA Janeen Langowski-Grava, Hiram, OH Kerstin Laudemann, Camarillo, CA Michael Lieberg, Somis, CA Margaret Little, Suffolk , VA Kimberly Litwinczak, Acton, MA Laurie Mactavish, Vail, CO Elizabeth Madlener, Lothian, MD Deirdre Malburg, Harker Heights, TX Marjorie Malkin, Makanda, IL Alexis Martin-Vegue, Mount Aukum, CA Anne McChesney, Cypress, TX Anne McClintock, Burton, OH Julie McDermott, Lafayette, CO Julie McElhaney, Chardon, OH Amy McElroy, Wagener, SC Jessica McTaggart, Geneva, FL Lynda Miller, Duson, LA Lori Minteer, Jupiter, FL Jeanne Montelius-Gaudreau, Clinton, MT Catherine Morelli, Wellington, FL Diana Mukpo, Providence, RI Joseph Munnelly, Plympton, MA Sophie Nasrullah, Louisville, CO Nancy Nicholson, Oxford, OH Peter Onoszko, Charles Town, WV Sydni Ottesen, Woodland Hills, UT Maureen Pach, Moodus, CT Andrea Pappano, Owens Cross Roads, AL Louise Pedrizetti, Sammamish, WA Kathleen Petersen, Seffner, FL
Patricia Piccillo, Westtown, NY Charles Pinneo, Moorpark, CA Stefanie Poole, Shingle Springs, CA Cody Pritchard, Milford, NY Christy Raisbeck, Fulshear, TX Deeda Randle, Cheyenne, WY Rebecca Reed, Hampden, ME Donna Richardson, San Marcos, CA Koby Robson, Aberdeen, NC Kimberly Roe, Deming, WA Christina Rudman, Parker, CO Alejandro Salazar, Placerville, CA Thomas Sampson, Carefree, AZ Michaela Schenk, Littleton, CO Jennifer Scott, Cincinnati, OH Ruth Shirkey, Livermore, CA Catherine Slaterbeck, Reisterstown, MD Sue Smithson, Southern Pines, NC Tamara Solange, Moorpark, CA Stephanie Soule, Grand Junction, CO Patricia Thurman, Herriman, UT Allison Trill, Garner, NC Sharon Vander Ziel, Paris, KY Rebecca Vick, Raleigh, NC Brooke Voldbaek, Sherwood, OR Karen Walling, Tacoma, WA William Warren, Stoughton, MA Mark Weissbecker, Richmond, MA Rebekah Wesatzke, Houston, TX Susan White, St. Leonard, MD Kay Whitlock, Southern Pines, NC Elisabeth Williams, Horsham, PA Karen Winn, Lexington, KY Pamela Wooding, Hope, NJ Karin Worm, Jackson, NJ Elizabeth Wuori, Islesboro, ME Nancy Young, Rehoboth, MA Gundi Younger, Walnut Creek, CA
Benefit Classes
U
SDF Benefit Classes, held at USDF-recognized competitions throughout the country, contribute to the strength of USDF by funding educational programs. Whether riding in a class, division or an entire competition designated as a USDF Benefit, you can take pride in knowing that you are supporting USDFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission of dressage education. These programs include the L Education Program, USDF Instructor/ Trainer Program, Great American Insurance Group/ USDF Regional Championships, Junior/Young Rider clinics, adult education, and much more.
Region 2 Centerline Dressage Classic I, June 27, 2015, Springfield, IL Centerline Dressage Classic II, June 28, 2015, Springfield, IL
Region 7 Central Coast Dressage Show, May 2-3, 2015, Paso Robles, CA SLO-CDS Fall Fling, August 22-23, 2015, Paso Robles, CA
USDF CONNECTION
â&#x20AC;˘
February 2016
229
ANNUAL RECOGNITION Youth Volunteer of the Year Rebekah Mingari, Crestwood, KY Rebekah Mingari, the 2015 USDF Youth Volunteer of the Year, already has many years of service as a volunteer under her belt. She has dedicated numerous hours fundraising for the Region 2 Junior/Young Rider (Jr/YR) Dressage Team, making “goody bags” for all of the Jr/YR competitors during regional championships, organizing pizza parties for the Jr/YR competitors, and working diligently to keep them informed through social media. Rebekah also served on the Kentucky Dressage Association (KDA) board as their Jr/YR Representative. The USDF Youth Programs Committee selected Rebekah based on her passion for both horses and dressage. The committee wholeheartedly commends Rebekah for her dedication, hard work and determination, and the ability to be a positive role model for other youth, through exceptional volunteerism.
Youth Convention Scholarship Winners Madison Deaton, Louisville, KY Madison Deaton, 18, is an active member of Long Run Pony Club and recently received her C3 Dressage Specialty. She is also a member of Kentucky Dressage Association, youth representative for Louisville Dressage Society and an EDAP member. Madison is an active competitor in USDF shows and received her Bronze Medal in 2015, her 2nd Level Rider Award in 2015, and 1st Level Rider Award in 2014. Madison was 3rd Level Reserve Champion at Region 4 this year.
Madison also enjoys ballet in her spare time. One of her favorite activities is flying and she hopes to earn her pilot’s license and become a pilot. Madison has attended several USDF Conventions and taken part in the Youth Education and JR/FEI and Youth Committee sessions. She enjoys connecting with other dressage youth and learning about the programs USDF offers. Hillary Griggs, Lawrence, KS Hilary Griggs, 15, is an active member of the Kansas City Dressage Society and USDF. Hilary has shown through Second Level and has received both her Training and First Level USDF Rider Performance Awards. Most recently, Hilary competed at the USDF Region 4 championships in St. Louis. She is also a member of Mission Valley Pony Club, and placed third in the nation in 2014 in the quiz division. Hilary is the Vice President of Kanwaka 4-H club and a Douglas County 4-H ambassador and participates in the dog, horse, leadership, and poultry projects. She also plays basketball, is on the debate team, acts in school plays, and is active in student government at her school. This was her first USDF convention, and said it was an incredibly educational and eye-opening experience for her. Eva Larsen, Pleasanton, CA Eva Larsen, 17, trains with Carolyn Adams at Yarra Yarra Ranch, where she rides Carolyn’s Welsh Pony stallion, Laffran Sponti. In 2014, Eva and Laffran Sponti became the first pony/rider combination from the west coast to compete at the USEF Dressage Pony Rider (FEI Pony Level)
230 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Nila Venkat, Hayward, CA Nila Venkat, 15, is an active member of California Dressage Society. She is a longtime member of United States Pony Club and is very active at the local and national level. She holds a national certification in USPC and has attended many USPC Championships. She has been a participant and workshop presenter in many USPC Annual Conventions. Though she is new to the sport of Dressage, she has received her USDF Rider Performance Award for Training, First and Second Level. She received her USDF Bronze Medal in 2015. She believes in volunteerism and giving back to the community and advocates for Land Conservation and protection of public space for riding. Nila strives to promote Dressage among younger members of USPC and hopes to build more collaboration between USDF and USPC. Nila is an avid writer and has blogged for USPC’s events and has written many articles for magazines. When Nila is not riding, she is active in her school’s debate team and diversity club. She also interns at Youth Radio and has produced commentaries and news stories for National Public Radio.
HILARY GRIGGS PHOTO BY JESSE FRANKS OTHER PHOTOS COURTESY OF AWARD WINNERS
2015 Youth Recognition
Championships. Eva has also earned her USDF Bronze Medal, as well as two all-breed awards. Eva is an active member of the East Bay Chapter (EBC) of the California Dressage Society, where she serves as a JR/YR representative on the EBC Board of Representatives. Outside of dressage, Eva is an active volunteer for her local animal shelter, and manages to balance numerous AP courses with her commitments to her friends, family, and horses. Eva is now a member of the YPAS Committee, and is very grateful to have the opportunity to connect with other passionate youth from around the country. She sees this as a key experience in her dressage education.
Thanks to the 2015 Youth Silent-Auction Donors
T
he Youth Silent Auction at the Adequan/USDF Annual Convention is a popular attraction for convention attendees. Proceeds from the donated items fund the USDF Youth Convention Scholarships, which each year enable deserving youth members to attend convention.
Barrington Saddlery Beth Baumert Dandelion Digital (Pat and Tom Bulat) Dara James Designs Debbie Sams Dever, Inc. Dover Saddlery DressageClinic.com Elite Equestrian Magazine The USDF extends grateful thanks to Equus Couture those generous donors who helped make the 2015 silent auction a success. Frederique’s Studio Gift Horse Baskets Ann Jamieson GlobalDressageForumNA.com Annie’s Equestrienne Apparel Grove Hill Arabians Ayer Council on Aging Haas Bürstenfabrik
Horsing Around Soap, LLC Jane Heart Jewelry Kalvalkade Kentucky Reit-Und Sportmoden Lisa Toaldo Masterson Equine Services Oregon Dressage Society Patricia’s Equine Fine Art Platinum Performance Sarah Lynn Richards Schleese Saddlery Service Ltd. SmartPak Sömmer Sporthorse Cruise W.F. Young, Inc./ Absorbine®
USDF/Dover Saddlery National Merit Winners he USDF/Dover Saddlery Adult Amateur Medal Program is designed to recognize adult amateurs competing at Second Level. Recipients of at least three USDF/Dover Saddlery Medals during the USDF competition year will receive a USDF/Dover Saddlery National Merit Award. Top scoring merit award winners compete for the national and
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reserve championship awards. The national champion receives a $1,000 Dover Saddlery gift certificate, and the reserve champion receives a $500 Dover Saddlery gift certificate. Champion and reserve champion are presented their awards at the Adequan®/USDF Salute Gala & Annual Awards Banquet.
1 Elizabeth Behrenfeld ..................................................72.564% 2 Kristen Ortt ................................................................71.992% 3 Amy Gimbel...............................................................71.954% 4 Julia Handt .................................................................71.016% 5 Stephanie McNutt ......................................................70.732% 6 Gretta Williams ..........................................................70.447% 7 Dantia Benson ............................................................70.366% 8 Laura Viola .................................................................69.837% 9 Susan Sulentic ............................................................69.390% 10 Amanda Conlin ..........................................................68.740% 11 Deanna Hertrich .........................................................68.659% 12 Jennifer Strauss ..........................................................68.557% 13 Taryn Anderson ..........................................................68.496% 14 Margaret Kurbat .........................................................68.366% 15 Barbara Wolfe ............................................................68.089% 16 Pernilla Burke ............................................................67.683% 17 Kathryn Lewis ............................................................67.622% 18 Sherry Littlejohn ........................................................67.601% 19 Meredith Reiff ............................................................67.520% 20 Michele Ting ..............................................................67.480% 21 Kate Emmett-Wilder ..................................................67.439% 22 Anne Ward .................................................................67.399% 23 Sandra Piazza .............................................................67.073% 24 Laureen Van Norman .................................................66.911% 25 Meaghan Spann..........................................................66.748% 26 Kerry Walker ..............................................................66.707% 27 Morgan Matuszko ......................................................66.667%
28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 35 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 48 50 51 52 53 54
Jennifer Wright-Warren .............................................66.626% Sara McConnell .........................................................66.585% Theresa Hunt ..............................................................66.545% Susan Hallenberg .......................................................66.443% Jana Henry .................................................................66.263% Sharon Sexton ............................................................66.219% Teegan Petit ................................................................66.057% Jacalyn Bunkers .........................................................65.732% Birgitt Dagge ..............................................................65.732% Anne Furstenwerth .....................................................65.610% Jeanette Knight...........................................................65.407% Britta Fleischhack-Norquoy .......................................65.366% Keli Ward-Harrelson ..................................................65.325% Sarah Nather...............................................................64.965% Celine Caillat .............................................................64.838% Susanne Lanini ...........................................................64.837% Tami Davis .................................................................64.553% Susan Faulkner ...........................................................64.533% Shareen Purcell ..........................................................64.282% Louise Foster ..............................................................63.902% Heather Miller ............................................................63.496% Michael Urry ..............................................................63.496% Janice Brooks-Gary ....................................................63.486% Ashley Keller .............................................................62.276% Cynthia Olson ............................................................62.155% Kimberly Taylor .........................................................61.789% Sharon Sadlon ............................................................60.772%
USDF CONNECTION
•
February 2016
231
ANNUAL RECOGNITION Thank You for Supporting USDF
Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Dressage Championships and Great American Insurance Group/USDF Breeders’ Championship Series
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2015 High School Dressage Club Pin Recipients Jessica Bauscher – Salem, OR Brittney Castell – Mt. Angel, OR Madison Dillerud – Elk River, MN Addison Duncan – Melbourne, FL Hannah Duncan – Melbourne, FL Cara Hammon – Newberg, OR Wynne Hetherington – Eagan, MN Keaton Hov – Beaverton, OR Emily Huson – Cornelius, OR Megan Lee – Melbourne, FL Angela Loczi-Storm – Portland, OR Meghan McClay – Elk River, MN Bianca Schmidt – Edina, MN Isabella Schmidt – Edina, MN Emma Smith – Mound, MN Ellie Terpstra – Maple Grove, MN Emilee Tubbs – Corvallis, OR
2015 Shining Star Recipients Amy Burnham – Maple Grove, MN Madeline Chandler – Boerne, TX Jessie Crosby – Charleston, SC Colleen Gaitan – Lakehills, TX Marlee James – Gaston, OR Katie Lind – St. Cloud, MN Katherine McFarland – Roswell, GA Jessica Miltimore – Newark, OH Stephanie Nardi – St. Cloud, MN McKenna Shook – Apex, NC Emma Grace Stokes – Chamblee, GA Emily Strickland – Bulverde, TX
Ravel Grant Winner Emily Strickland – Bulverde, TX
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USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award USDF National Nominee Mary Baker – Wooster, OH
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232 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
800-398-0819 standleeforage.com
Region 6 Kailey Jones – Lake Tapps, WA Region 3 Katherine McFarland – Roswell, GA Region 8 Leah Tenney – Yarmouth, ME
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March 26-27, 2016 Donida Farm, Auburn, WA April 9-10, 2016 Pine Hill Farm, Kansas City, MO November 19-20, 2016 Hilltop Farm, Colora, MD Featuring
George Williams USEF Dressage Youth Coach Internationally Respected Instructor and Trainer USDF Rider Award Gold Medalist High Performance Rider
September 3-4, 2016 Ashby Stock Farm, Ashby, MA Featuring
Charlotte Bredahl-Baker USEF Assistant Dressage Youth Coach Olympian FEI 4* Judge
For more information on these and other clinics, visit www.usdf.org Auditors are welcome!
funding support provided by
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USDF CALENDAR To make sure we provide our members with the most up-todate deadlines and events, the USDF Calendar has moved online.
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USEF licensed/USDF recognized competitions Breedersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Championships Regional Championships USDF sponsored events USDF University accredited programs All the important deadlines and dates you might need
238 February 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ USDF CONNECTION
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ADVERTISING INDEX Absorbine/ WF Young......................................absorbine.com ............................................... 7 Albion Saddle Makers Co. 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.................................... 29 FarmTek ...........................................................farmtek.com................................................. 15 GGT Footing.....................................................ggt-footing.com........................................... 27 Great American Insurance Company .............greatamericaninsurancegroup.com ......... 119 Hilltop Farm Inc...............................................hilltopfarminc.com ...................................... 11 Iron Spring Farm .............................................ironspringfarm.com....................................... 5 Jane Heart Jewelry ..........................................janeheart.com .............................................. 23 Lillabondgard Farm ........................................lillabondgard.com ....................................... 60 Luitpold ...........................................................adequan.com ............................................... 23 Nebraska Dressage Association .....................nebraskadressage.org ................................. 38 Omega Alpha Equine ......................................omegaalphaequine.com.............................. 31 Platinum Performance....................................platinumperformance.com ........... back cover Ramm Fence ....................................................rammfence.com ........................................... 37 Rein Aid ...........................................................rein-aid.com ................................................. 45 Schleese ...........................................................schleese.com ................................................ 63 SmartPak Equine ............................................. smartpakequine.com .... 21, inside back cover Stafford Barton Stud Ltd. ..............................staffordbartonstud.co.uk............................ 19 Standlee Premium Western Forage ...............standleehay.com ................ inside front cover Uckele ..............................................................equine.uckele.com ....................................... 46 United States Lipizzan Federation .................uslipizzan.org ............................................... 29 United Vet Equine ..........................................unitedvetequine.com .................................. 17 USDF Adult Clinics .................................................................................................................... 107 App..................................................................................................................................... 30 Arts Contest ...................................................................................................................... 38 Circle of Friends .............................................................................................................. 223 Convention ........................................................................................................................ 57 GMO Membership ........................................................................................................... 197 Junior/Young Rider Clinics .............................................................................................. 233 Lifetime Horse Registration ........................................................................................... 105 Member Perks Partners .................................................................................................... 39 Store Merchandise .......................................................................................................... 237 Time to Nominate Candidates ........................................................................................... 8 US Dressage Finals ............................................................................................................ 47 USDFScores.com.............................................................................................................. 207
USDF CONNECTION
â&#x20AC;˘
February 2016
239
the tail end
editorial@usdf.org
A tribute to a beloved—and life-changing—broodmare By Jill Giese
D
reaming DMV was born on my birthday in May 2003 at a stud farm in England. Her twin full brothers, Dreammaster DMV and Dreammaker DMV, were born just days before. As the products of the first commercial embryo transfer done at Newmarket Equine Hospital, the three foals garnered much attention. Britain’s Horse &
THE NEXT GENERATION: Dreaming DMV and her second foal, Ballerina DMV
Hound magazine dubbed the trio the Dreamcatcher triplets, named for their Hanoverian dam. I had bought Dreamcatcher— originally named EM Daisy Dee—at the prestigious Verden auction in Germany in 1999 and imported her to my post-law-career venture, a Cotswold breeding and training farm in England, with a view to building a foundation herd. I bred Dreamcatcher to the world-champion dressage sire Dimaggio, and three offspring were conceived via embryo transfer.
I was thrilled when the stud-farm manager called to announce that the third and final foal was a filly. However, all was not happy news. The foal was extremely large, and as the veterinarian assisted the recipient Thoroughbred mare with the delivery, he accidentally collapsed the foal’s left eye. The filly was also very “down” on her fetlocks, and the vet suggested euthanasia. After driving several hours straight, I arrived at the stud farm at first light. My introduction to the filly was not a graceful one: She wobbled right into me, dropping us both to the floor, fortunately with me on the underside and her head in my lap. She looked at me with her one good eye, and I promptly fell in love and promised to look after her for the rest of her life. In 2004, when “Bonnie” and her brothers were rising two-year-olds, my partner, John Dingle, and I flew them and their dam from England to become the foundation stock for our Hanoverian breeding facility, Dreamcatcher Meadows, in Canada. Comments were made of the insanity of the considerable expense I incurred to fly a “Cyclops” internationally. I questioned the sense of it only when I learned the transporter had not properly secured a door and Bonnie had fallen out onto the motorway, fortunately when the vehicle was at a standstill. She seemed unscathed but for abrasions to her front fetlock region, and she was sound on arrival. All four horses did us proud, and our gentle giantess—Bonnie grew to be 18.1 hands—quietly produced star after star. Offspring Ballerina DMV (by Ballettmeister), Lordsley DMV and Leopold DMV (full brothers by Lokomotion), and D-Trix DMV (by Dancier) all have earned national championships. Our beloved Bonnie prolapsed in
240 February 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Jill Giese is a native of Canada who, after years of working as a lawyer in New York and London, changed careers and purchased a farm in Pemberton, BC, in 2003 with her partner, John Dingle. Dreamcatcher Meadows (dreamcatchermeadows. com) has since become a premier Hanoverian breeding farm and training center, garnering numerous Adequan/USDF year-end awards.
COURTESY OF JILL GIESE
Forever Dreaming
2013 with an early delivery of her last born, Believe DMV. We never risked breeding her again, as the odds were not in her favor, and we retired her. As it turned out, the accident Bonnie suffered during transport to Canada had indeed damaged her foot. She developed trauma-induced laminitic symptoms, which were managed for years with a careful diet and shoeing regimen. After the prolapse, the condition began to worsen, and over the winter the foot deteriorated dramatically. After lengthy deliberation with experts, we had a deep-flexortendon tenectomy performed. Bonnie rallied again—but last summer, complications arose in the good front foot. Bonnie soon had to be confined to the stall, and even there she struggled to move about. John and I made the hard choice to release her from the pain and struggles that would lie ahead with more procedures and surgeries. This may be hard to understand, but I went into Bonnie’s stall and asked her if she wanted to go, and she wrapped her neck around me in a hug, resting her head on my shoulder and letting out a huge sigh. I looked into that single big, dewy eye and knew it was the right choice. My beloved girl is buried in the middle of the field we fondly call Timewasters’ Paddock, where our mares and foals frolic. Bonnie rests eternally in the mountain valley where she gave so much. As we celebrate the generations of equine gifts she has given us, I take comfort that when my turn comes, we can both watch the dreams created at our Dreamcatcher Meadows. ▲
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W W W. U S D F. O R G
MARCH 2016
USDF CONNECTION Official Publication of the United States Dressage Federation
SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN An Adult Amateur’s ‘Bucket List’ Journey to Devon (p. 38)
The Extravagant Trot:
When Flashy Becomes Flawed (p. 28)
Gerhard Politz: How to Straighten the Horse (p. 12)
Jeni Gaffney and Fabio
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IN THIS ISSUE
38
JENI GAFFNEY SEIZES THE DAY When the amateur rider went down center line at Dressage at Devon 2015, she fulfilled a lifelong dream By Sally Silverman
42
4 INSIDE USDF Education Is the Key By Sherry Guess
6 RINGSIDE Carpe Diem By Jennifer O. Bryant
12 CLINIC Straightening the Horse
INSIDER’S GUIDE TO USDF AWARDS Your dressage achievements deserve to be recognized! Third in an occasional series. This month: year-end awards for riders. By Debbie Rodriguez, Peggy Klump, and Cristen Brown
By Gerhard Politz
20 ALL-BREEDS CONNECTION Breed of the Month: Paint Horse 22 YOUTH CONNECTION Meet the YPAS By Catherine Rose Chamberlain
28 THE JUDGE’S BOX Evaluating the Extravagant Trot By Jayne Ayers
38 IN EVERY ISSUE 8 27 46 50 50 51
HEADS UP SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT SHOP @ X USDF CONNECTION SUBMISSION GUIDELINES USDF OFFICE CONTACT DIRECTORY ADVERTISING INDEX
32 HISTORICAL CONNECTION American Dressage Legends: Capt. Andrew Bela de Szinay 34 HORSE HEALTH CONNECTION The Science of Arena Footing By Jennifer O. Bryant
52 THE TAIL END The Search for Lou By Jean Kaplan Thornton
ON OUR COVER Relentless downpours at Dressage at Devon (PA) 2015 couldn’t squelch adult amateur Jeni Gaffney’s smile. Story, p. 38. Photo by StacyLynnePhoto.com.
Volume 17, Number 9
USDF CONNECTION
•
March 2016
3
inside usdf
region9dir@usdf.org
USDF OFFICERS & EXECUTIVE BOARD PRESIDENT
GEORGE WILLIAMS
Education Is the Key Want to improve your dressage? Opportunities abound. By Sherry Guess, Region 9 Director
421 Park Forest Way, Wellington, FL 33414 (937) 603-9134 • Fax: (740) 362-5539 president@usdf.org VICE PRESIDENT
LISA GORRETTA 18120 Snyder Road, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 (216) 406-5475 • vicepresident@usdf.org SECRETARY
MARGARET FREEMAN
W
e’ve all heard the adage that the definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over while expecting a different outcome. So why would we go into the arena day after day and practice our circles and leg-yields the same ineffective way? Do we think the movements will magically improve, even though we’re riding them with the same old mistakes? Of course not. To improve our horses and ourselves, we need to learn new concepts and different approaches. We need education. Most dressage riders are able to take instruction, which is certainly helpful. But how do you move your dressage education forward the rest of the time? The USDF offers many opportunities. The USDF Adult Clinic Series brings nationally known clinicians to each region. The 2015-2016 co-presenters, Kathy Connelly and Betsy Steiner, have represented the US internationally, written dressage articles and books, and coached students to the Olympic levels of our sport. This series of clinics is your chance to see them bring that expertise to your region, with demonstration riders and horses ranging from Training Level to Grand Prix. When Kathy and Betsy came to my region, Region 9, a friend and I drove eight hours each way to see them. We were amazed at their ability to make dramatic improvements in each horse and rider. Their easy camaraderie and depth of knowledge made significant changes in both riders and horses while putting everyone at ease. Do not miss this unique opportunity! Find the schedule and more information on the USDF website (usdf.org) . Have you looked at e-TRAK on the USDF website yet? Practically every equestrian topic imaginable is available there. Lungeing techniques, horse health, footing, how to use the training scale, basics of the movements and
how to improve them— all are available free to USDF members on this exclusive online educational resource. You can indulge in indepth study or brief expositions of only a few minutes. Like to read? The book The USDF Guide to Dressage is the perfect overview of dressage, especially for a neophyte. It covers everything from the history of dressage, to the show ring, to rider fitness. Your USDF group-member organization (GMO) offers educational events at a local level and also the perfect opportunity to expand your social sphere. Sharing with other riders brings in a wealth of information on training issues, local trainers available, veterinarians, and other dressage resources in your area. There is no better way to plan for a big project, such as installing an arena, than to discuss with others their successes and failures. Even if you are a bit hesitant to join in socially, volunteering is a wonderful way to get to know other dressage enthusiasts in your area while providing a useful service as you build relationships. Working at shows give you a chance to see how things are run and become familiar with the levels and what is expected. As a member of the USDF family, you have a wealth of opportunities to improve your dressage and equestrian knowledge. Why not make 2016 your year to try something new and kick your education up a notch? Don’t make the mistake of letting valuable opportunities slip away while you bemoan your lack of progress. ▲
4 March 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
200 Aurora Lane, Tryon, NC 28782 (828) 859-6723 • secretary@usdf.org TREASURER
STEVEN SCHUBERT P.O. Box 2044, Methuen, MA 01844 (978) 360-6441 • treasurer@usdf.org
REGIONAL DIRECTORS REGION 1 DC, DE, MD, NC, NJ, PA, VA
LISA SCHMIDT 5 Thads Hill Road, Hampton, NJ 08827 (201) 981-1823 • region1dir@usdf.org REGION 2 IL, IN, KY, MI, OH, WV, WI
KEN LEVY 330 North Mill Creek Road, Noblesville, IN 46062 (317) 773-4532 • region2dir@usdf.org REGION 3 AL, FL, GA, SC, TN
SUSAN BENDER 1024 Grand Prix Drive, Beech Island, SC 29842 (803) 295-2525 • region3dir@usdf.org REGION 4 IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD
ANNE SUSHKO 1942 Clifford Street, Dubuque, IA 52002 (563) 580-0510 • region4dir@usdf.org REGION 5 AZ, CO, E. MT, NM, UT, W. TX, WY
HEATHER PETERSEN 12395 Gull Lane, Peyton, CO 80831 (719) 683-8435 • region5dir@usdf.org REGION 6 AK, ID, W. MT, OR, WA
CAROLYNN BUNCH 18430 111th Place SE, Snohomish, WA 98290 (360) 577-6201 • region6dir@usdf.org REGION 7 CA, HI, NV
TERRY WILSON 2535 Fordyce Rd., Ojai, CA 93023-9630 (805) 890-7399 • region7dir@usdf.org REGION 8 CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT
DEBRA REINHARDT 160 Woods Way Drive, Southbury, CT 06488 (203) 264-2148 • region8dir@usdf.org REGION 9 AR, LA, MS, OK, TX
SHERRY GUESS 18216 S. 397th East Avenue, Porter, OK 74454 (918) 640-1204 • region9dir@usdf.org
AT-LARGE DIRECTORS ACTIVITIES COUNCIL
SUE MANDAS 9508 Bridlewood Trail, Dayton, OH 45458 (937) 272-9068 •ald-activities@usdf.org ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL
KEVIN BRADBURY PO Box 248, Dexter, MI 48130 (734) 426-2111 • ald-administrative@usdf.org TECHNICAL COUNCIL
CAROLYN VANDENBERG 112 Eden Ranch Dr., Canyon Lake, TX 78133 (830) 226-5006 • ald-technical@usdf.org
ringside
jbryant@usdf.org
USDF CONNECTION The Official Publication of the United States Dressage Federation
Carpe Diem
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Is that opportunity knocking? Better answer it.
Stephan Hienzsch 859/271-7887 • stephh1enz@usdf.org
——— Editorial———
6 March 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Hilary M. Clayton, BVMS, PhD, MRCVS EDITORIAL ADVISORS
Melissa Creswick (CA) Margaret Freeman (NC) Lisa Gorretta (OH) Anne Gribbons (FL) Terry Wilson (CA) TECHNICAL ADVISORS
Janine Malone Lisa Gorretta • Elisabeth Williams
——— Production ——— SENIOR PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR
Emily Koenig 859/271-7883 • ekoenig@usdf.org SENIOR CREATIVE COORDINATOR
Karl Lawrence 859/271-7881 • klawrence@usdf.org
——— Advertising ——— ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVE
Danielle Titland 720/300-2266 • dtitland@usdf.org
ER
USDF Connection is published ten times a year by the United States Dressage Federation, 4051 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511. Phone: 859/971-2277. Fax: 859/971-7722. E-mail: usdressage@ usdf.org, Web site: www.usdf.org. 2014 AW USDF members receive USDF ConARD W IN nection as a membership benefit, paid by membership dues. Copyright © 2016 USDF. All rights reserved. Reproduction of articles requires permission from USDF. Other text may be reproduced with credit given to USDF Connection. USDF reserves the right to refuse any advertising or copy that is deemed unsuitable for USDF and its policies. Excluding advertisements, all photos with mounted riders must have safety head gear or USEF-approved competition hat. USDF assumes no responsibility for the claims made in advertisements. Statements of fact and opinion are those of the experts consulted and authors, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or the policy of USDF. The publishers reserve the right to reject any advertising deemed unsuitable for USDF, as well as the right to reject or edit any manuscripts received for publication. USDF assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. All materials must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Questions about your subscription or change in address? Contact USDF Membership Department, 859/971-2277, or usdressage@usdf.org. POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: USDF, 4051 IRON WORKS PARKWAY, LEXINGTON, KY 40511. Canadian Agreement No. 1741527. Canada return address: Station A, P.O. Box 54, Windsor, Ontario N9A 6J5.
SUSANJSTICKLE.COM
P
Jennifer O. Bryant, Editor @JenniferOBryant
EDITOR
Jennifer O. Bryant 610/344-0116 • jbryant@usdf.org
AH
they’d better take it, for it may not come around again. It’s not just the elite riders who have to carpe diem. Trainer Roberta Williams counseled her adult-amateur student Jeni Gaffney to seize the day when the opportunity to ride a wonderful schoolmaster presented itself. The timing wasn’t ideal, but as Roberta told Jeni, we have only so many good riding years, and horses have only so many good competitive years. Jeni took the advice, and freelance writer Sally Silverman tells her story on page 38 of this, our annual adult-amateur issue. I do occasionally wish I’d fallen in love with a less inconstant pursuit. There are far more dependable activities to be had, like stamp collecting or perhaps tennis. Gardening has its ups and downs—plants expire in my yard every year—but their loss doesn’t wrench my heart out (or bankrupt me, for that matter). I consign the brown leaves and brittle roots to the compost bin, make a trip to the nursery, and try again. But flowers don’t nourish my soul like a great ride, and the fun of growing vegetables can’t compare with the thrill of seeing my horse develop and improve. So I’ll continue to cast my emotional lot with dressage, and I’ll continue to hope for a little bit of luck to smooth my path. And every day that I have a sound and healthy horse who makes me dream about what’s possible, I’ll seize the day and hold on as tightly as I can.
N
T
here’s a reason riders call certain very special mounts the “horse of a lifetime.” With few exceptions, even our greatest riders get—if they’re lucky—one taste of the big time. There may be other good horses in that person’s career, but only one goes down in the history books. Will Charlotte Dujardin ever have another Valegro? Will Laura Graves ever find another Verdades? They don’t know. They can only hold on to the rocket ship for all it’s worth and enjoy the ride, for however long and far it takes them. Horses are notoriously unable to guarantee long career trajectories. A rider with an international-quality horse can cast aside all else in life in order to pursue that Olympic dream, and those efforts may either be rewarded handsomely or come to naught. And in equestrian sport, the line between “success” and “failure” is fine indeed. Pinning your hopes and dreams on a horse makes for a great success story—if it works out. And if it doesn’t? It’s the story of a rider who scrimped and saved to send a horse to Florida for the winter season, only to have the horse go lame shortly after arrival. It’s the talented rider/trainer who never got the opportunity to compete a “big” horse. It’s the dedicated amateur whose husband fell ill, or who lost her job, and the horse had to go. We Americans seem to like to think that successful people are more talented, smarter, or harder-working than everybody else. But sometimes it’s mostly that they’re a little luckier—and I’ve learned not to underestimate the role that luck plays in dressage success. The only certainty is, if that rider doesn’t catch the wave when it comes along, the opportunity will pass by forever. That’s why Laura Graves and others like her have uprooted their lives in the hopes of riding that wave all the way to glory this summer in Rio. They know they have a shot, and they know
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HEADS UP
YOUR DRESSAGE WORLD THIS MONTH
FINANCIAL AID
Grant News from The Dressage Foundation
T
hree dressage instructors received funding to help further their professional development in 2016, The Dressage Foundation (dressagefoundation.org), Lincoln, NE, announced in December.
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT: USDF Instructor Trainer Program faculty member Rachel Saavedra
Rachel Saavedra, San Ramon, CA, received $6,000 through the Major Anders Lindgren Scholarship program,
funded through the Carol Lavell Gifted Memorial Fund. A USDF-certified instructor through FEI B level, Saavedra is a faculty member of the USDF Instructor Trainer Program. She plans to use the funds to train with Olympian Jan Ebeling. Two instructors each received a $2,000 Lindgren scholarship: Annie Morris, Columbia, CT, a USDF gold medalist and USDF Instructor Trainer faculty member who plans to study with international coach Kathy Connelly; and Mary Jo Zanolli, Windsor, CT, a veteran instructor who will train with Annie Morris. The scholarship program is named for the late Maj. Lindgren of Sweden, a strong proponent of instructor education who was instrumental in developing the USDF Instructor Trainer Program. Applications are due by September 30 of each year. High-performance rider Laura Graves, Orlando, FL, in January was awarded the 2016 Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize in the amount of $25,000. Graves, who hopes to qualify for the 2016 Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final and the 2016 Olympic Games, will train with Olympian Debbie McDonald with her Dutch Warmblood gelding, Verdades.
ELITE BENEFICIARY: Olympic hopeful Laura Graves on Verdades
Olympian Carol Lavell established the fund in remembrance of her mother, May Cadwgan; and in honor of her father, Gordon Cadwgan. The application deadline is December 13 of each year. In December, The Dressage Foundation announced the establishment of the Lloyd Landkamer Show Management Development Fund. Named in memory of the well-known show manager and Region 4 director, who died last year, the fund will provide grants to individuals who wish to advance their show-management levels. Initial donations are needed to seed the fund, and gifts of any amount are welcomed.
RULE CHANGES
T
he US Equestrian Federation (USEF) periodically alters rules to keep in sync with those of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). The latest change, effective February 1, concerns the penalties for riding off course (“errors of the course”) in dressage (DR 122.5b-e, Execution and Judging of Tests). Except as noted under DR122.5a, errors of the course in national-level tests (USDF Introductory Level through USEF Fourth Level) will be penalized as follows, regardless of
whether the judge rings the bell: first error, -2 points; second error, -4; third error, elimination. At the discretion of the judge, the rider may finish the test. The judge must excuse the rider if her presence in the ring will interfere with the start of the next scheduled ride. Errors in USEF and FEI Young Horse tests and in FEI Children’s, Pony Rider, and Junior tests will be penalized as follows: first error, -0.5 percent (½ percentage point) from the total score received; second error, -1.0 percent; third error, elimination.
8 March 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
In FEI Young Rider through Grand Prix tests, a first error of the course is penalized by a deduction of 2 percentage points from the total score received. A second error of the course results in elimination. As described above, the rider may continue to finish the test at the judge’s discretion but must be excused if her presence will interfere with the next test. In rider tests, the total score will be reduced by 0.5 point for a first error and by 1.0 point for a second error. A third error will result in elimination.
CAROLYNN BUNCH; KEN BRADDICK/DRESSAGE-NEWS.COM
USEF Changes ‘Error of Course’ Rule
OBITUARY
BEHIND THE SCENES
Douglas Leatherdale
T
he renowned Hanoverian breeder, equestrian supporter, and philanthropist Douglas Leatherdale died on his 79th birthday, December 6, 2015. With his wife, Louise, Leatherdale owned Leatherdale Farms in Long Lake, MN. The Leatherdales began breeding Hanoverian jumpers in the late 1980s, and in the 1990s they shifted their focus to dressage. Their first stallion, His Highness, was the top-selling stallion and champion of the 2002 Hanoverian licensing. Leatherdale Farms also owns several elite Hanoverian, Trakehner, and Oldenburg stallions standing in Germany. From 2001 to 2010, Douglas Leatherdale was the president of the
Jim Corbin, Equestrian Realtor
American Hanoverian Society. A native of Canada, Leatherdale was Dressage Canada’s 2006 Owner of the Year. The Leatherdales put horses under Canadian international competitor Diane Creech and also sponsored US Olympian Susan Blinks. Leatherdale was a former chairman and CEO of The St. Paul Companies Inc., one of the largest US insurance companies. The Leatherdales were noted philanthropists in both the US and Canada, in areas ranging from the arts and conservation to academia. Their major gift funded the Leatherdale Equine Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in Saint Paul.
OBITUARY
Betty Thorpe
U
COURTESY OF JIM CORBIN; BETH COLLIER
SEF “r” dressage judge and longtime Potomac Valley Dressage Association member and past PVDA president and secretary Betty Thorpe, of Silver Spring, MD, died December 13, 2015. She was 65. According to The Equiery, a Maryland-based equine magazine that published a tribute to Thorpe, the native of Minnesota became active in
the New England dressage community before settling in Maryland in 1993. The co-owner of a local air-conditioning business, Thorpe dedicated her free time to her sport, volunteering for PVDA, writing articles for various dressage newsletters and magazines, and earning her judge’s license. She was a USDF bronze medalist.
IN HER ELEMENT: Thorpe at Dressage at Devon (PA) in 2012
J
ob title: Realtor, Illustrated Properties, Wellington, FL (JimCorbin. com) What I do: I’m the original equestrian Realtor in Wellington. When I moved here in 1978, there were about 400 people. Now we have about 65,000 on a full-time basis. In the season, we swell to probably 80,000 or 90,000 people. How I got ON THE SCENE: started: I had done Corbin real estate in Kansas City. My dad had been an investor, and it was in my blood, I guess. Doing the horses on a semi-professional basis, I decided that standing on the cold ground for twelve hours a day was not the way I wanted to spend the rest of my life. When I came down here to show, Kansas City was sixteen below zero. In Florida, people were riding in t-shirts, with palm trees waving in the breeze. I said, You know what, I’m moving. Best thing about my job: Being able to find the right place for people. Worst thing about my job: Probably more disheartening than anything is the people who just don’t realize what the cost is here. My horses: I don’t ride. I bought a couple of horses about six or seven years ago. I don’t know what possessed me to think I was going to have the time. I miss it terribly. Tip: Do your homework. There are pitfalls that can come back to bite you. —Katherine Walcott
USDF CONNECTION
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March 2016
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HEADS UP
YOUR DRESSAGE WORLD THIS MONTH
USDF BULLETINS
What you need to know this month New Recognition Opportunities for Adult Amateurs NEW FOR THE 2016 competition year, the Adequan/USDF Vintage Cup awards have been split into two divisions: adult amateur and professional. In addition, adult amateurs are eligible to apply for the Dressage Seat Equitation Rider Award. Check the 2016 USDF Member Guide for more information.
Scores Do Not Expire for USDF Rider Awards THERE ARE NO ANNUAL DEADLINES or expiration dates for earning USDF rider awards. So keep up the good work, and once all of the required scores have been earned, log into the USDF website and submit the online Rider Performance Awards application. Find it under the Awards tab.
New for 2016: Materiale Championships EACH GREAT AMERICAN INSURANCE GROUP/USDF BREEDERS CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES Final competition will now be holding a Materiale championship, as well. One championship class will be offered for three-year-olds, and one will be offered for four- and five-year-olds. Please review the USDFBC program rules on the USDF website for eligibility and qualification requirements.
Register Your Horse with USDF! The $95 USDF Lifetime Horse Registration: t Fulfills horse registration requirements for ALL USDF award and championship programs.* t Never needs to be renewed. * For information about rider/owner membership ip requirements for award d and championship programs, ms, visit the USDF website.
www.usdf.org 10 March 2016 â&#x20AC;¢ USDF CONNECTION
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Straightening the Horse Your horse’s correct body alignment is key to dressage success. A USDF certification examiner shows you how. By Gerhard Politz It is an accepted fact that horses’ bodies are crooked. This is a natural phenomenon—sometimes called handedness—that also occurs in humans and dogs. Science has yet to prove the reasons for equine crookedness. Several decades ago, it was believed that the position of the foal in the mare’s uterus had something to do with it. Other theories mention the dominant eye, or discomfort in the hind gut (acidosis). More recently, crookedness is thought to originate in the horse’s central nervous system. Whatever the cause, it is important that dressage riders and trainers are able to identify and address a horse’s crookedness. We want the horse to become as athletic, supple, and strong as possible so that he can perform to the best of his ability. We also want him to stay sound for many years. Balance is one of the keys in achieving these goals. Regrettably, it happens all too often that a horse lacking straightness and proper balance, but ridden by a strong and overpowering rider, can perform certain tasks. This is not only unethical but also to the detriment of the horse’s soundness and longevity.
The Crooked Horse
SHOULDER-IN: This classic gymnastic exercise is of great use in straightening the horse. Dressage trainer Julie Van Loo rides a 10-yearold Oldenburg preliminary-level event horse in shoulder-in right. Note the use of the outside (left) rein to prevent the horse from falling through his left shoulder.
A horse that is crooked cannot be balanced. He is stiff on one side and hollow (crooked) on the other (see illustration above). Crookedness originates from asymmetrical locomotion of the hindquarters and manifests itself in a diagonal aspect. For example, when a horse is hollow (crooked) on his right side, his quarters will travel to the right of his shoulders. His right hind foot will step to the right of the imprint of his right fore. He is stron-
12 March 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
THE CROOKED HORSE: Illustration depicts a horse that is stiff on his left side and crooked (hollow) on the right
ger on the left rein and leans on his left shoulder while avoiding contact on the right rein. The muscles on his hollow right side are shorter and inelastic, thereby preventing him from stretching into the right rein in the same way as he does on his stiffer and stronger left side. To make the horse more symmetrical, the rider has to encourage him to stretch the tight musculature on his hollow right side so that he accepts the connection into the right rein. When this is successful, the stiffness and stronger contact on the left rein will be alleviated and the horse will become straight. Of course, the exact opposite holds true for the horse that is crooked on his left side. A crooked rider is a major contributing factor to a horse’s crookedness. The more balanced, symmetrical, and supple you are and able to apply your aids independently and with synchronicity, the more you will be able to positively influence your horse. As the old saying goes: A horse can only go as well as he is ridden!
Identifying Crookedness Crookedness can be a puzzling phenomenon. A skilled rider may sometimes be able to straighten a horse and it will remain straight its
ANITA NARDINE; USDF ILLUSTRATION
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n dressage, straightness has a sophisticated meaning. According to the USDF pyramid of training, a horse is said to be straight when the footfalls of the forehand and the hindquarters are appropriately aligned on straight and curved lines and when his longitudinal axis is in line with the straight or curved track on which he is ridden.
whole life, but most horses need to be straightened in every training session. If straightening has been neglected during a horse’s training, he will display some or all of the following shortcomings. The examples I’m about to give are for a horse that is hollow (crooked) to the right. The crooked horse shows discrepancies in his way of going from side to side. On the right rein he will easily bend his neck, but he will try “falling out” through his left shoulder while tracking sideways to some degree with his right hind leg. In severe cases, he may bend his neck but refuse to turn right. He will turn left with adequate use of the left rein, but he will resist bending his neck and body. He will try falling out with his right hind. When leg-yielding off the rider’s right leg, it is harder for the hollowright horse to cross with his right hind. He wants to bend his neck too much to the right and to bulge (fall out) through his left shoulder. You will have difficulty keeping him straight. However, when leg-yielding off your left leg, he will cross with his left hind more willingly, possibly even giving you too much angle. You will be able to keep him straighter with your left rein, but you may not have enough contact on your right rein. Similarly, in shoulder-in right, he will also want to bend his neck too much and bulge through his left shoulder. It may be difficult to maintain a sufficient and consistent angle. In travers (haunches-in) right, he will easily bring his haunches off the track, and bulge his left shoulder as well. When half-passing to the right, the haunches will tend to lead. You may also have some difficulty keeping his shoulders on the designated line of travel. When tracking left with the same horse in shoulder-in, you should have no problem maintaining the desired angle, but he will lack flexion and bend. In haunches-in, you will experience his reluctance to bend and to cross with his right hind. It will be difficult to maintain a consistent angle.
The half-pass left will also show a lack of bend, and the haunches will tend to lag because he wants to avoid crossing with his right hind. The problems in half-passes may become more obvious in the trot and canter zigzags, and especially in the canter with the added difficulty of flying changes. A hollow-right horse will want to make turns on the haunches and walk and canter pirouettes to the right larger than to the left. Because of his tendency to fall through his left
shoulder, it will be harder to bring the shoulders around the haunches. He tries to avoid taking weight on his right hind by stepping sideways rather than underneath his body. In the left canter pirouette, you may experience some “crow hopping” as he tries to avoid loading his right hind. In piaffe and passage, such a horse will show a tendency to use his hind legs irregularly, unevenly, or both. In some cases, the irregularity may even transfer to the diagonal front leg.
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USDF CONNECTION • March 2016
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clinic Schooling for Straightness Lateral movements are an excellent means of addressing crookedness. Continuing with our example of the horse that’s hollow to the right, you’ll want to use shoulder-in right, haunches-in left, and renvers. (This does not mean you can neglect schooling lateral movements in other directions. You must gymnasticize the horse on both sides equally.) When schooling shoulder-in right, align your horse’s shoulders with his haunches. It is helpful to increase the angle a bit while focusing on diagonal aids. To encourage him to stretch the inelastic muscles on his right side, drive him with determination to the right rein. Maintain an elastic contact, and be careful not to pull back. It is important that the horse stretches to the hand. Prevent him from falling out through his left shoulder, if necessary, with a neck-reining aid. Your left leg must create forward energy and “guard” his left hind leg. In shoulder-in left, keep the conventional three-track angle. Use your inside leg at the girth to push the horse’s rib cage to the right in order to stretch the muscles on his right side. Your right leg behind the girth prevents the right hind from falling out. Place your inside hand close to the
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neck and hold it a little higher than your outside hand. Although you are asking for flexion, frequently yield the inside rein to encourage your horse to take contact on the outside rein. When schooling haunches-in left, apply a firm outside leg behind the girth so that your horse crosses well with his right hind. Your inside leg at the girth maintains the impulsion and controls the angle. Be sure to create four tracks. Ask for flexion with your inside rein, but yield frequently so that he can stretch to the receiving outside rein. As your horse’s right hind becomes stronger and he stretches his right side into the right rein—in other words, as straightness improves—the aids for lateral movements can be given in more of a textbook fashion. When your horse can adequately perform haunches-in left, you can combine shoulder-in right with renvers. For example: As you approach B in shoulder-in right, allow your horse to come slightly off the rail and then change his bend as if you were going to ride haunches-in left. You are now in renvers, because haunches-in and renvers are essentially the same movement. We tend to ride lateral movements along straight lines. However, the collecting effect is intensified
The pyramid of training
when schooling them on circles. For example, on a hollow-right horse, ride shoulder-in on a 20-meter circle right. At X, make a volte left and then ride haunches-in on a 20-meter circle left. Or start in haunches-in on a 20-meter circle left; then change the rein at X out of the circle into renvers. Many more combinations are possible, and all will enhance collection and prepare your horse for more advanced work.
Encourage Straightness Right from the Start The elements of the pyramid of training (see illustration above) are inter-
Crookedness Test
14 March 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
USDF ILLUSTRATION; COURTESY OF MARTIN KUHN
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o help you identify crookedness on a trained horse, try this simple exercise: At a halt, hold both reins with light tension, making sure that your horse is on the bit with his neck absolutely straight. Use your wrist to flex his poll to the right while maintaining an elastic contact on your left rein. POLL FLEXIONS: Multiple image shows USDF-certified instructor Martin Kuhn flexing Your horse’s crest should flop over in the direction of the flexion. When Romulus’s poll right, center (no flexion), and left you feel him chewing on the bit, release enough so that he can straighten his neck. Repeat the exercise to the left. Alternate sides a few times. You will notice that flexing and flopping of the crest happens more easily in one direction. That is the hollow side. The other is the stiff side. This test is accurate with very few exceptions.
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LUNGEING CAVESSON: Rings allow for correct attachment of lunge line and side reins when necessary
dependent. Although straightness is listed as the fifth “level,” it is wise to address it early in the training of the young horse. The longer you delay, the more asymmetrically the muscles develop; consequently, any corrections will be more time-consuming. If you start the young horse with foresight, a lot of the problems associated with crookedness may perhaps be avoided. When starting a green horse on the lunge and later under saddle, bear in mind that the essence of straightening entails getting him to stretch evenly into both reins. That is why you should never clip the lunge line to the bit rings; use a lungeing cavesson with the line on the center ring instead. The weight of the lunge line causes it to pull on the bit ring. As the horse moves, and especially if he becomes playful, the lunge line pulls harder on his mouth. In response, he backs off the pressure on his hollow side while clenching his jaw and grabbing the bit on his stiffer, stronger side. And right away you have created a lifelong problem, because this will become a habit under saddle, as well.
16 March 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
In the beginning, do not clip the side reins to the bit rings, either. Instead, attach them to the rings on the side of the lungeing cavesson (see photo at left). They must be long enough so that your horse can bring his nose in front of the vertical when he stretches into the contact. Encouraging the horse to go forward with energy in trot and canter is vital to induce stretching. When this is confirmed—be patient, it may take some time—you can attach the side reins to the bit, making sure they are of equal length and still long enough that the horse can carry his nose in front of the vertical. Never use side reins to force a young horse into a “frame.” If you observe these principles and hone your lungeing skills overall (refer to the USDF Lungeing Manual), you are taking the initial steps toward straightening your horse. He has learned to seek his horizontal balance while using his hind legs energetically and stretching forward to the bit. Under saddle, riding forward at a lively pace with light and even contact
ANITA NARDINE / MARTIN KUHN
DEHNUNGSHALTUNG: German term indicating the horse’s willingness to adopt a forward/downward outline. At left, Julie demonstrates Dehnungshaltung in working trot. At right, Jordan Meadows rides her horse, Baylyn, in Dehnungshaltung in a stretching circle.
CROSSING OVER: Using the butt end of the whip where her leg would be, Julie teaches a fouryear-old horse to cross over with his hind legs
into both reins is a must. Your horse has to learn to work in Dehnungshaltung, a German concept meaning that he is willing to adopt a forward/ downward outline. Do not allow him to lean on the bit, however. He must find balance within himself instead of using the reins as a “fifth leg.” The next step is to allow the horse to actually take the contact, at which point your hands receive the energy from his hind legs. When this happens, he will come onto the bit naturally, and we can school him in Dehnungshaltung and then gradually modify his tempo. I cannot stress enough the importance of confirming the young horse in Dehnungshaltung. It is the best method of producing relaxation and suppleness in the horse’s musculature. Use it every day in your warm-up and as a reprise after schooling movements.
ANITA NARDINE; MARTIN KUHN
Introducing Leg-Yield At some point during early training, it is helpful to teach your horse to cross over with his hind legs. Initially, teach him from the ground using a whip (see photo above). Touch him with the whip on the hind leg, finding the spot where he responds readily. When this works well on both sides, ask him to move away from pressure of the whip’s handle in the same place as your leg. He is now ready to learn the
turn on the forehand and to leg-yield under saddle. To straighten your horse under saddle, he must accept and move away from the sideways pushing leg. Later, we can use lateral movements such as shoulder-in, haunches-in, and renvers not only to polish straightness, but also with the goal of achieving collection. Always school leg-yield in walk before attempting it in trot. To begin with, it is neither necessary nor advisable that the young horse leg-yields in trot at the same angle as in walk. Make it easier for him by allowing him to slow down a little bit, but do not condone actual laziness or stalling out into walk. Much later, when he is sufficiently strong, you can increase the angle—never more than 45 degrees—and encourage him to cross with longer, sweeping steps. In our continuing example of the hollow-right horse, push his right hind leg forward and a little to the left with a leg-yielding aid, while at the same time “guarding” with your outside leg to keep him straight. Prevent him from bulging through his left shoulder by moving your left fist close to his withers, almost thinking of a tiny bit of counterflexion. The aids are similar to those for shoulderfore—but we are not asking for bend, which comes much later. Do not hold on tight with your left hand; doing so would encourage the horse to lock even more onto the left rein, which he’d like to do anyway. Round your left wrist until he gives; then immediately lighten the contact. Repeat this in a steady rhythm—not in a nagging way, but just so that he feels contact but cannot grab the bit. On the right rein, try to maintain an even and elastic connection in the leg-yield without pulling back so you encourage your horse to stretch toward the right rein (see photo above right). Tracking left on the hollow-right horse, be mindful of the aids for haunches-in, but do not ask for bend at this stage. Push his right hind a little to the left while also driving for-
INTRODUCING LEG-YIELD: Jordan and Baylyn’s first attempt at rudimentary straightening aids with the right leg
ward to the right rein, where you must receive the energy with a steady and passively elastic contact. Your forward driving left leg keeps him straight. Because he favors a stronger contact on the left rein, frequently take and release the left rein. Try obtaining flexion at the poll with a wrist action while holding your left hand a bit higher than your right. As the young horse gradually understands and accepts these rudimentary straightening aids, you can improve his vertical balance further by schooling leg-yield in trot. Helpful patterns are: from the center line back to the rail, from the corner to the quarter line or center line, or the more difficult counter-change of hand. Practice all of these patterns in both directions, bearing in mind symmetry, straightness, shoulder control, and crossing of the legs. Circling a hollow-right horse to the right, apply the diagonal aids
USDF CONNECTION • March 2016
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clinic described above. Leg-yield with your inside leg so that his right hind steps exactly toward his right fore. With your outside leg at the girth, drive him toward the left rein. Do not apply your outside leg behind the girth because that will bring his haunches to the right—exactly what we don’t want to do! Avoid the temptation of using the right rein to bend the horse; strive for a passively elastic contact instead. You may have to carry your right hand a little to the side, like an opening rein, to guide your horse on the circle line. Prevent him from falling through his left shoulder by counterflexing him as needed. Do not allow him to lock on the left rein; take and give the rein with your left wrist until you feel that he wants to take a contact on the passively held right rein. When circling to the left, the hollow-right horse wants to lean on his inside shoulder. He will spiral into the circle if you try to bend him. To prevent this, carry your left hand a bit higher. Flex your left wrist and
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then yield the rein frequently, like Überstreichen, to encourage him to seek more contact on the outside (right) rein. Your inside left leg at the girth must push him out onto the circle line. Your outside leg behind the girth prevents the right hind from falling out and also creates energy toward the right rein. When your horse stretches into the right rein, ease your hand forward to help create left bend. During the early stages, do not be too concerned with bend. Be patient, and allow enough time for the horse to respond to correct straightening aids. When he has learned to take an even connection into both reins, bending becomes much easier. When he bends correctly on 20-meter circles in both directions with appropriate connection, you should begin schooling him in all recognized school figures requiring bending lines. Some talented young horses may reach this stage relatively early, but I cannot stress enough that it is important to take your time consolidating
all the techniques and methods I’ve described. Think in terms of a year and a half to two years. The more the horse is solidly confirmed in the basics and has acquired a correctly straightened way of going, the easier will be all subsequent schooling.
Lateral Work and Beginning Collection When you have successfully navigated your young horse through the stages of horizontal and vertical balance, you can introduce him to lateral work and the beginnings of collection. Make it easy for him. The bend required on a 15-meter circle is the same as in shoulder-fore. So start on a 15-meter circle and then take the bend down the rail to develop shoulder-fore and “baby” haunches-in. During this work, verify that your horse stays well connected on the outside rein and does not attempt to push through his outside shoulder. You should be able to practice Überstreichen with your inside rein
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18 March 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
ANITA NARDINE; MARTIN KUHN
photo by FastWinn Photography
photo by John Borys
The Legend in Your Future
DRESSAGE WEEK April 28– May 1, 2016 CDI-W, 1*, JR, YR, YH, U25
Evening of Musical Freestyles Saturday, April 30, 7:00 p.m. 2016 Official Qualifying Competition 2016 Olympic and 2017 World Cup Selection Trials
ANITA NARDINE
without losing bend. These are indicators that he is correctly aligned, and you can straighten him as needed. As he becomes stronger and you feel the “baby” lateral movements are confirmed, begin developing shoulder-in and haunches-in from a 10-meter volte. Training seldom follows a linear progression. There will inevitably be problems along the way. Do not make the mistake of grinding away at the problem itself. Return to the basics! When the basics are reestablished, the problem will often disappear, too. ▲ Gerhard Politz is a British Horse Society instructor who also obtained his Master Trainer/Instructor license in his native Germany before immigrating to the US in 1987. Since that time he has been based at Flintridge Riding Club, near Pasadena, CA. He has trained and taught numerous horses and students to awards at the FEI levels, and he is an examiner in the USDF Instructor Trainer Program.
The Dutta Corp./USEF National Grand Prix & Intermediaire Championships Adequan FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North
AGCO/USEF Junior & Young Rider National Dressage Championships USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ National Dressage Championships Markel/USEF Young & Developing Horse Dressage Championship Entries open February 25 Entries close April 5 Enter online at
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HAUNCHES-IN: Julie rides travers (haunches-in) left, an excellent exercise for the horse that is crooked (hollow) to the right
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ENTRY DEADLINE JULY 1 www.usdf.org (awards/other awards) for complete contest rules and entry form
USDF CONNECTION • March 2016
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all-breeds connection
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Breed of the Month: Paint Horse We spotlight a USDF All-Breeds awards participating registry Association of America World Show in recent years. The American Paint Horse Association: The APHA is the world’s second-largest equine association, with more than 1 million horses registered since its inception in 1962. Horses that meet APHA’s bloodline requirements are designated as either Regular Registry or Solid Paint-Bred, based on their phenotypic expression of the breed’s characteristic white markings on the horses’ coats. APHA rewards its members wherever they want to play with their Paints, from awarding APHA points, credits, and year-end awards for dressage accomplishments as well as providing other valuable programs and services. All-Breeds awards offered: Two placings at the open division, Training Level through Grand Prix. Two placings in the optional categories of Junior/Young Rider; Vintage
COLORFUL STYLE: Marie-Frances Davis rides the 2001 bay tobiano Paint gelding Larks Painted Dinero (Rugged Lark – Prissy Companion), bred by Robin Bass (FL) and owned by Sherry Deitrich (PA)
Cup, and Adult Amateur, Training Level through Grand Prix. How to participate: Owner must be a current APHA member. Learn more: apha.com or (817) 222-6444.
For the Breeds, by the Breeds
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ach month, “All-Breeds Connection” spotlights a USDF All-Breeds awards program participating organization and the breed it represents. Information and photos that appear in this column are furnished by the breed registries. USDF does not endorse or promote any breed or registry over another. The All-Breeds program is designed to recognize the accomplishments of specific breeds in dressage. All participating organizations offer “open” year-end awards from Training Level through Grand Prix, and some offer awards in additional categories, such as adult amateur, junior/ young rider, and dressage sport-horse breeding. Registry representatives are usually on hand to help bestow awards at the banquet held during each year’s USDF convention. All-Breeds award eligibility requirements include memberships and horse registrations with both USDF and the participating organization. For details and a list of current participating organizations, visit usdf.org. For more information about All-Breeds awards program participation, send e-mail to allbreeds@usdf.org.
20 March 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
COURTESY OF THE AMERICAN PAINT HORSE ASSOCIATION
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he American Paint Horse is a stock-horse breed whose lineage traces to Paints, Quarter Horses, and Thoroughbreds. Most Paints, but not all, have eye-catching white markings. Besides its “chrome,” the Paint’s characteristics include balanced conformation, heavier muscling, athleticism and versatility, and a kind and forgiving personality. Paints vary in height and build: Thoroughbred influence tends to create horses with greater height, lighter muscling, and a more traditional “English” build, while Quarter Horse and Paint bloodlines tend to generate horses with a more traditional “Western” look. The Paint’s temperament makes it a particularly good mount for youth or amateur riders. And not many breeds can perform a dressage test one day, then turn around and call up their “Western” roots to chase cows, work on the ranch, or hit the trails without batting an eye. Paint horses you might know: Miss Handy (Mihi – Just Handy), a solid chestnut mare bred by Robyn Pearson and owned by Wendy Bizzaro, is currently competing at the FEI levels in dressage, and she’s the American Paint Horse Association’s (APHA) lifetime earner for dressage in its Paint Alternative Competition program. The black overo gelding True Texas Colors (Gobit Colors – Macs Windchester), bred by Eddie Stifflemire and owned by Lesley Grove (NV), is another top-level dressage Paint; others include Flashback Too Robin, Delta Olenas Gunner, and Prince Yiyi QT. A number of Paints are also excelling in the sport of Western dressage, clinching world-championship titles at the Western Dressage
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youth connection
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Meet the YPAS This committed group seeks to improve USDF programs for all youth members By Catherine Rose Chamberlain priorities in 2016. We are looking for better ways to inform youth members, parents, trainers, coaches, and others about USDF’s youth programs and opportunities, both national and regional. We are also seeking greater input from youth members as to what types of programs would most benefit them as they pursue their goals in the sport of dressage. We hope to connect with USDF youth members not only at dressage shows, but also via e-mail, the USDF website, and social media. The 2016 YPAS is an impressive and dynamic group of dedicated dressage enthusiasts. We asked each member to tell you a bit about herself and her goals. Let’s meet them now. Chair: Catherine Rose Chamberlain, 21 Murrieta, CA I began competing in dressage at age nine and immediately fell in love with the sport. I have competed at the FEI North American Junior and Young
Get Involved!
S
erving on the USDF Youth Program Advisory Subcommittee (YPAS) is a great way to begin giving back to the sport of dressage, and it’s also a wonderful way of learning more about the diverse aspects of the sport and what role—competitor, instructor/trainer, judge, breeder, and so on—you might want to pursue in the future. YPAS members must demonstrate commitment and passion toward the sport, with a strong desire to make positive changes for the future. To be eligible to serve on the YPAS, a USDF member must meet the following criteria: • Be a current USDF participating or group member • Be between the ages of 14 and 28 • Current or past involvement with USDF youth programs or other dressage-related programs. Valid non-USDF participation might include involvement with the US Pony Clubs or 4-H. For more information about the YPAS and to obtain the YPAS Letter of Interest form, visit the USDF website or send e-mail to youth@usdf. org. Letters of interest are due September 1.
22 March 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Catherine Rose Chamberlain
Rider Championships (NAJYRC) five times, winning Junior Individual and Freestyle silver medals in 2010; Young Rider Team gold in 2011; YR Team, Individual, and Freestyle gold in 2014; and YR Team gold and Individual silver in 2015. I have competed at the USEF Dressage Festival of Champions twice, winning the Junior Reserve National Championship in 2010 and the Young Rider National Championship in 2015. I also finished sixth in the 2015 Young Rider Grand Prix “Brentina Cup” Championship. In 2015 I was selected for the USEF Young Rider European Tour, where I placed sixth in the team test at the CDIO Hagen (Germany). I have also earned my USDF gold, silver, and bronze medals. I was awarded the 2015 Anita Owen Perpetual Junior/ Young Rider Trophy for Outstanding Sportsmanship and the 2014 Fiona Baan “Pursuit of Excellence” Memorial Trophy. I currently work for David Wightman and Kathleen Raine at their Adventure Farms in Murrieta. My goal is to train horses and riders up the levels of dressage and to represent the US in international competition in the future. I served on the board of the Arizona Dressage Association for a few years and organized fundraisers and activities for its youth members. I also served on the board of the Temecula Valley Society, a chapter of the California Dressage Society, and am currently a member of their Show Committee. I have been on the board of The Dressage Foundation since last year and have done various fundraisers for them as well, raising nearly
ANNIE CHAMBERLAIN
T
he USDF Youth Program Advisory Subcommittee (YPAS), formerly known as the Youth Executive Board, was formed to provide a means for USDF’s youth members to give input and help make decisions about USDF’s youth programs. The YPAS operates as a subcommittee of the USDF Youth Programs Committee, whose members are adults. The YPAS is a diverse group of individuals who represent the views and opinions of the regions around the country. We communicate about ways to raise money for USDF youth programs, what sorts of educational events and opportunities would be most beneficial, what USDF’s youth members need most from the organization, and who will receive the annual Youth Convention Scholarships. We pass along our feedback to the USDF Youth Programs Committee. “Fostering communication” is one of the YPAS’s goals, and communication is one of the committee’s highest
$9,500. I was honored to receive the USDF Youth Volunteer of the Year Award in 2012 and a USDF Youth Convention Scholarship in 2011. I am thoroughly enjoying my time on the YPAS and am thrilled to have the opportunity to try to increase involvement and excitement for youth in dressage. It is very interesting being involved in the political side of the sport and being able to see what goes on behind the scenes. It makes me appreciate all of the hard work that goes into every program and competition. I am learning so much through my involvement and hope to be able to make a difference and give back to the community that has given so much to me. Jessica Foschi, 24 Virginia, MN I grew up in northern Minnesota and began riding at the age of nine. I immediately fell in love with both horses and dressage. A job as a working student as a teenager provided me insight into horse care and barn man-
SC
agement and also gave me experience in working with various horses. I am a USDF bronze and silver medalist. I currently train with my longtime instructor, Kellie Hunter, and regularly clinic with Jodie Cressman. I am fortunate to work with two talented horses. I have successfully competed through Intermediate I on my trainer’s horse, Crescent Moon’s Lancelot, and “Lance” and I have our sights set on Grand Prix. My young horse, Calypso, is a fiery five-year-old Dutch mare that I purchased as a yearling and have since been developing. USDF youth programs have offered me so much as a rider and competitor. In 2010, I was the bronze medalist at the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals (14-18); and in 2011, I was one of four recipients of the USDF Youth Convention Scholarship. I became involved in YPAS because I wanted to give back to the community that had given me so much, in hopes of doing the same for other young riders. My involvement has
Jessica Foschi
inspired me in many ways, including a strong commitment to developing volunteerism, education, and youth programs. I am also a member of the Central States Dressage and Eventing Association’s board of directors. I chair the CSDEA’s advertising committee and work on the omnibus, website, and education committees. I recently
H L EESE
ERIN JOHNSON/TIGER STRIPED HORSE EQUINE PHOTOGRAPHY
R i d e P a i n F re e
USDF CONNECTION • March 2016
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youth connection
Eliza Gardner, 18 Watch Hill, RI I asked—no, begged—for riding lessons for my tenth birthday. I began riding at the age of 11 as a hunter/jumper. I started practicing dressage in 2012 while still competing with my local Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) team. I committed fully to dressage in 2013, riding Look at Me V, a 1988 Rhinelander schoolmaster. I then purchased my first horse, Largo 224, a 1999 Oldenburg gelding, in 2014. He has taken me from Training Level all the way to Prix St. Georges. That same year, I was accepted into the Emerging Dressage Athlete Program (EDAP) and was invited to audit the Robert Dover Horsemastership Clinic.
Eliza Gardner
I currently train with Ann Guptill at Fox Ledge Farm in East Haddam, CT. This winter, I am a working student for Pamela Goodrich at Double Bridle Farm in Loxahatchee, FL. Last season, Largo and I competed
in the FEI Junior division and qualified for the NAJYRC. We also qualified for the Great American/USDF Region 8 Championships. We ended up winning the class and finishing our Junior career at a record high. We are currently working toward the Young Rider tests and hope to have another successful season in 2016. I am happy to be a part of YPAS this year. Although I am still relatively new to dressage, I am fully committed to this great sport. I look forward to connecting with new dressage riders in my region and offering them any help that they may need. I also look forward to meeting other dressage youth through YPAS. I have experience as a teammate and as a leader from my participation in the IEA and in the Rhode Island and National Honors Societies. I have learned to try at all times to be a strong but gracious competitor. I am a big supporter of good sportsmanship, modesty, and style—all while having some fun, of course! Annan Hepner, 22 Wellington, FL I am a native Virginian who began riding when I was six and discovered dressage soon after with my first horse, a 22-year-old Arabian mare who was not a fan of going on the bit! Throughout high school, I was a youth board member of my local GMO, the Shenandoah Valley Dressage Association. When I moved to Charlottesville for college, I became the secretary of the Charlottesville chapter of the Virginia Dressage Association, where I enjoyed publishing meeting minutes, managing shows, and organizing competitors’ parties and clinics. I graduated from the University of Virginia in 2015 with a double major in foreign affairs/political science and media studies. Throughout college I worked at Grayson Farm as an FEI groom, sang in an a cappella group, and also trained my horse to Prix St. Georges. I was president of the Virginia Eventing and Dressage Team and co-founded UVA’s Intercollegiate Dressage Association team.
24 March 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Annan Hepner
After graduation, I accepted a full-time position as a junior account executive for Phelps Media Group, an international public-relations, marketing, and media company that focuses primarily on equestrian sports. I am also a reporter and photographer for the company’s news sector, PSdressage. com. After attending the 2012 USDF convention in New Orleans with the help of the USDF Youth Convention Scholarship, I was inspired to get more involved with national programs and joined YPAS. I love giving back to the sport of dressage, especially by helping youth riders. My goal for YPAS is to create USDF programs and support not only for the top juniors and young riders, but also for the “grass roots” youth riders who have other goals in the sport. Avery-Anna Hogan, 23 Wellington, FL Originally from Texas, I began riding horses as a young child, and by the age of six had become very involved in the US Pony Clubs, which sparked my passion for the sport of dressage.
COURTESY OF ELIZA GARDNER; TAYLOR RENNER
graduated from the University of St. Thomas School of Law and am a newly licensed attorney working as a judicial clerk in my hometown.
editorial@usdf.org
Avery-Anna Hogan
Rosie Julian-Simoes, 20 Barrington Hills, IL I have been riding since a very young age under the watchful eye of my
Rosie Julian-Simoes
mother and trainer, Julie Julian, and now work alongside her as an assistant trainer at Flying Dutchman Farm in Barrington, IL. I am an active member of the dressage community through volunteering and competing, along with raising money and support for the Region 2 Jr/YRs and attending educational programs. ď &#x203A;
COURTESY OF AVERY-ANNA HOGAN; COURTESY OF ROSIE JULIAN-SIMOES
During high school, I spent many summers as a working student for the Poulin family in DeLeon Springs, FL. After graduation I moved to Florida, eventually finding my way to Wellington, where I currently live and work as a Realtor specializing in equestrian real estate. In 2012, with the guidance of Michael and Vera
Barisone, my competition mount, Inky, and I competed for Region 3 at the NAJRYC. In 2015 I turned my focus to competing at the Grand Prix level and, with the continued help of the Barisones, earned my USDF gold medal in August. Throughout my riding career, I have had the privilege to learn from some extraordinary mentors, who have provided me with invaluable opportunities as an aspiring athlete. I joined YPAS to help implement programs and scholarships for individuals who have not yet encountered the experiences and people who can make a tremendous impact on their lives. In an effort to honor those who have helped me get to where I am today, I hope to assist in the extension of educational opportunities for young riders who wish to reach the top levels of the sport.
USDF CONNECTION â&#x20AC;˘ March 2016
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youth connection
Eva Larsen, 17 Pleasanton, CA I have been riding since I was nine but began competing only about three years ago. I love to compete and relish every chance I have to go down the center line! I train with Carolyn Adams at Yarra Yarra Ranch, where I ride her Welsh Pony stallion Laffran Sponti. In 2014, “Ari” and I became the first West Coast combination to attend the USEF National Dressage Pony Rider Championships. Later that year we were reserve champions at Second Level at the California Dressage Society Junior Championships. Last year, Ari helped me earn my USDF bronze medal as well as a first-place finish in the Third Level division at the CDS Junior Championships. My experiences in the FEI Pony division have made me passionate about promoting ponies in dressage; so one of my wishes for the future is to help expand
Eva Larsen
the FEI Pony program in the US. In addition to serving on YPAS, I am also a Jr/YR representative for the CDS East Bay Chapter. I was one of the four lucky USDF Youth Convention Scholarship winners in 2015, and I am grateful to have been able to go and learn from top equine professionals as well as to see the inner workings of our sport. My hope for this upcoming show season is to compete at the FEI Junior level, with NAJYRC as our ultimate goal. The help I have received throughout my riding career has inspired me to join the YPAS, and I look forward to working with the other YPAS members this coming year!
Katherine McFarland, 17 Roswell, GA I am a junior in high school, and I have been competing in dressage for almost three years. I became serious about riding close to four years ago, though my love of horses has been with me my whole life. I show at Training and First Level, primarily focusing on perfecting my own ride and taking “underdog” horses to retrain them as dressage horses. I have had great opportunities to work with fabulous horses, including my off-thetrack Thoroughbred, Quartermaster, and a Mecklenburg gelding named Look at Me. Currently I am working with a Quarter Horse mare named Port’s Cover Girl. I train with Manfred Lewis out of Wilson Farms. I am an ambassador for Riders for Well-Being, an organization focused on bringing a positive mental and physical image to the equestrian world. I love being a part of this fantastic group of dedicated, positive ladies, both by writing for the R4WB blog and by actively demonstrating the characteristics of a Rider for WellBeing in and out of the show ring. I am a member of the youth committee for my GMO, the Georgia Dressage and Combined Training Association. So far, we have integrated special awards, shows/clinics, and a lettering program for our youth. I love being a part of this team, as we really work hard to get youth to connect and get involved. I run the social-media accounts as well as contributing to
Connect with USDF Youth Programs
K
eep up with the latest from USDF’s youth programs by liking the USDF Youth Facebook page.
26 March 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
COURTESY OF EVA LARSEN
I joined YPAS in hopes of becoming more involved in the sport, and I have found that being a member is allowing me to have more insight and voice in youth programs, something I feel passionate about. From participating in many Dressage4Kids and Emerging Dressage Athlete Programs with Lendon Gray, I have been inspired to aid in the education of the future young riders. I am a USDF bronze and silver medalist and have won multiple regional championships, along with other placings and year-end awards through USDF and our local organization, IDCTA. I have competed at the NAJYRC three times total, as a junior and a young rider. At my last NAJYRC, in 2014, I finished seventh individually and was fifth in the freestyle. Last summer I was one of four riders chosen to participate in The Dressage Foundation’s International Dream Program. I am a two-time participant in both the Robert Dover Horsemastership Clinic and the Courtney King-Dye Horsemanship Clinic run by Dressage4Kids and Lendon Gray.
editorial@usdf.org
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our monthly magazine, Collected Remarks. In my free time I enjoy volunteering at BEATS Hippotherapy and working with my fellow young riders. I am a recipient of the USDF Shining Star award and am working toward my USDF bronze medal. I am honored and excited to represent Region 3 on the YPAS. I love reaching and encouraging youth through GDCTA, R4WB, my writing, and riding. I am thrilled at this incredible opportunity to reach youth in dressage! ▲
COURTESY OF KATHERINE MCFARLAND
COMING NEXT MONTH • Desensitizing the dressage horse • Training advice from German master Johann Hinnemann • USDF/USEF Young Rider Graduate Program coverage
USDF CONNECTION • March 2016
27
the judge’s box
Evaluating the Extravagant Trot Have dressage horses’ gaits become so big they’re no longer correct? An FEI judge explains. By Jayne Ayers
F
or decades, dressage judges have been trained to look for the parallel positions of the horse’s hind cannon with the radius (forearm) of the front leg during a trot extension, and to deduct points when the
In this article, I’ll explain how gaits and training affect a horse’s ability to extend, and how judges evaluate extravagant movers. I’ll also look at how video analysis has profoundly altered our understanding of the gaits—and
editorial@usdf.org
and the stretch to the hand—attributes that we expect to be consistent in a well-trained dressage horse. The reach, freedom, cadence, and uphill balance we so value in a good dressage extension are produced when the hind legs not only propel the horse forward to cover more ground, but also take an increased amount of weight to “unload” the forehand so that there is upward thrust, as well. This upward thrust produces the suspension seen in a good extension. For upward thrust to happen, the horse must bring his hind legs under himself, closer to a point beneath his
horse reaches “more in front than behind.” This methodology has not changed, but the leg positions of the modern dressage horse have become more difficult to assess. That’s because selective breeding for dressage has vastly improved the gaits of our equine athletes. Today, extravagant movement is often the norm. A horse that reaches “well” behind but “extraordinarily well” in front may not be totally correct as a result, but still is able to impress.
when a trot that’s not strictly two-beat can actually be a good thing.
How to Evaluate the Extended Trot Judges want to see the parallel position of the horse’s legs in a trot extension (see photo of Damon Hill above) because its absence may indicate a momentary or fundamental lack of thoroughness—incorrect connection between the activity of the hind legs
28 March 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
center of gravity. A horse that has the ability to take more of its weight onto the hind legs, both from nature and as the result of training, is able to propel himself both forward and upward with those hind legs. This produces increased ground cover accompanied by reach from the shoulder. Uphill balance while in motion and lightness of the forehand are achieved by the use of muscles near the tops of the forelegs that allow the horse to push against the ground in a way that
EURODRESSAGE.COM; FEI/BOB LANGRISH
TROT DEVELOPMENT: The German Olympic team gold medalist Damon Hill as a young horse (left) and as a mature Grand Prix competitor (right). As the stallion matured and developed strength, his ability to use his hind legs increased. Both photos show hind-first dissociation and uphill balance, but the mature horse is truly correct.
SUSPENSION: Upward thrust in the trot extension produces suspension, as exemplified by the British world champion Valegro (shown at the 2014 Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final)
elevates the forehand. Horses with long front legs, sloping shoulders, and “open” elbows have a greater range of motion in a forward direction as they swing their legs while in the air during the trot. The result is what is often called an “expensive trot.” When a horse reaches “more in front than behind,” he is often operating with a hollow back and sagging belly—a form of incorrect throughness. Those belly muscles are what help the horse bring the hind legs under. Contraction of the belly muscles also produces what the rider feels as the lift of the back, which can then swing rhythmically. When the horse’s back is hollow, it becomes stiff and blocks the flow of energy from the hind legs to the rider’s hand. The suspension, length of stride, and ability to stretch to the hand and find self-carriage are diminished as a result. The hind legs are more likely to “step” than “leap.” In the worst cases, the horse appears to walk behind. If the difference between front and rear is slight
due to incomplete throughness, the horse is likely to simply achieve less ground cover and air time, or might show a lack of self-carriage. There are horses whose conformation predisposes them to an extravagant front leg with minimal reach behind. They are often much smoother to ride because their hind legs do not produce as much propulsion. As a result, we will probably always see this type of horse in the show ring.
What Technology Has Taught Us About the Gaits A gap in understanding exists between traditional dressage theory and the new insights available by way of modern technology. The selective breeding of horses for dressage has in some cases caused this gap to be exaggerated in the highly developed gaits of top equine athletes. Video and slow-motion gait analysis have forced us to change the way we describe a horse’s rhythm. It is tra-
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29
the judge’s box
editorial@usdf.org
TIME TO NOMINATE CANDIDATES April 15, 2016 is the deadline for nominations for Participating Member (PM) Delegates in All Regions To accept the nomination, and if elected, a PM delegate nominee must: t Be a current Participating Member of USDF.
t Agree to serve a one year term, from the time of election in 2016 until the election in 2017. t Attend the 2016 USDF convention.
June 1, 2016 is the deadline for nominations for USDF Vice President, USDF Secretary, Regional Director in Regions 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 Nominations for USDF Vice President, USDF Secretary, and Regional Director in Regions 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 will also be accepted from the floor of the Board of Governors meeting at the 2016 annual convention in St. Louis, Missouri.
e-mail all nominations to
nominations@usdf.org
“MORE IN FRONT THAN BEHIND”: An incorrect connection can lead to a trot with an extravagant foreleg whose reach is not matched by the corresponding diagonal hind leg. Even top international horses (pictured: Totilas with Matthias-Alexander Rath of Germany in 2015) may occasionally show this problem.
ditional to think of a correct trot as a gait with exactly two beats, but we’ve learned that this is often not precisely true. We now know that what the eye perceives as a trot “on the forehand” is often not a true two-beat gait: Instead, each front foot hits the ground just before the hind foot of the diagonal pair. Conversely, for a good trot that we describe as “uphill,” the reverse is true: The hind feet hit just before the front feet. The well-known equine-biomechanics researcher Dr. Hilary Clayton discusses these findings at length in her book The Dynamic Horse. She notes that the “downhill” broken effect (known as negative or front-first dissociation) occurs in horses that increase ground cover by traveling with a short stride length and a long time in the air, pushing their bodies forward with the hind legs and carrying on the front legs. This is the way that a Standardbred trotter increases speed in a harness race. It is also the case for most dressage horses that travel “out behind” as they lengthen the stride in an extension but appear to be going “downhill.”
30 March 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
In a good dressage trot extension, the horse covers more ground than in collection, but in the same or perhaps even a slower tempo. The time on the ground is short compared to the time in the air. The resulting cadence is highly desirable but must be shown in an uphill balance. As the horse’s hind limbs operate under his body rather than out behind him, they take more weight and tend to have what’s known as positive or hind-first dissociation, meaning that the hind foot lands a split second before the corresponding diagonal forefoot. The front legs also play an important role, pushing against the ground in a way that elevates the forehand. This balance correlates with hind-first dissociation. As horses are bred to be more naturally uphill in their way of going, they tend to show more hind-first dissociation. The trait increases with training, both in the collected and the extended trot. If we think of the horse’s body as a parallelogram, with the front forearm and hind cannon parallel to each other, swinging back and forth, it is the horse
LYNN VAN WOUDENBERGH/ARND.NL
t Have a permanent residence and reside in the region for which they are running to represent.
whose legs operate more of the time in front of the vertical that carries more weight on the hind legs, and the horse whose legs operate more of the time behind the vertical that is more on the forehand. Judges have used this concept for a long time to assess balance, and recent research by Dr. Clayton has borne out its validity. When considering the gap between classical theory (as expressed in the USEF and FEI rule books) and actuality, it may be helpful to think about a good canter pirouette. Although the rule books state that the canter rhythm must be maintained, it is clear even without slow-motion video that the rhythm is four-beat during the pirouette, with the hind feet landing first before either front foot hits the ground. If the rhythm is close to three beats, the horse usually is said not to be “sitting” enough to warrant a high score. Some descriptions in the USEF and FEI rule books have changed a bit to incorporate what we’ve learned about
the gaits. For the canter pirouette, the FEI now states that “the Judges should be able to recognize a real canter stride although the feet of the diagonal—inside hind leg, outside front leg—are not touching the ground simultaneously.” Nothing in the rule books has changed yet for the trot because dissociation is not often visible to the naked eye. However, as the biomechanics of the horse become better understood, judges are using this information to improve their efforts. ▲ Jayne Ayers is an FEI 4* dressage judge, an FEI and USEF Young Horse judge, and a USEF dressage sporthorse breeding and dressage-seat equitation judge. She co-chairs the USEF Dressage Committee and is a faculty member of the USDF L Education Program. Retired from breeding and training at her Hearthstone Farm in Dousman, WI, she teaches dressage riders at all levels and coaches for competition.
®
REIN-AID
Helping You To Help Your Horse
The 2016 USDF Online Stallion Guide is now LIVE! This annual online stallion guide is released by the United States Dressage Federation for the dressage community. This year, the guide is not only available through our desktop version, but also through the new USDF app. New for this year: Three feature articles, “Forecast: 2016 Sport-Horse Breeding” takes the pulse of the dressage sport-horse breeding world. “Are You Breeding for Success?” gives statistics from the 2015 Great American/USDF Breeders Championship Series Finals and “Finals by the Numbers” takes a look at the 2015 US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan. Once again we have the “Index of Progeny for Advertised Stallions,” which includes progeny that have ranked 1-100 in Adequan®/ USDF Year-End Awards. It also includes horses that have placed in US Dressage Finals, Great American/USDF Regional Championships, and Great American/USDF Breeders Championships from 2009-2015. This guide contains interactive links to give you all the information you need to make a favorable breeding decision. Whether interested in breeding, or looking for a breeder with offspring already on the ground, this is a great way to learn more about dressage breeders throughout North America. USDF CONNECTION • March 2016
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historical connection
A champion of judges and especially young riders
E
ducational and competitive programs for youth in dressage are so well established today that it’s easy to forget they didn’t exist as recently as 40 years ago. Many of the juniors and young riders who benefit from these programs have never heard of the man who’s considered the father of these programs—so let’s meet him now.
DASHING YOUNG OFFICER: De Szinay in the Hungarian cavalry in an undated photo
A native of Hungary, Capt. Andrew Bela de Szinay (1913-1988), like many riders of his era, received his equestrian education in conjunction with military service. And like many people working to rebuild their lives and careers after World War II, he emigrated to the United States, settling in Maryland in the 1950s. There de Szinay embarked on his second career, working for the Westinghouse Corporation as a mechanical engineer for 20 years after receiving his US degree from the Johns Hopkins University (MD) at night school. After he retired in 1978, he transformed himself yet again, this time into a dressage judge, technical delegate, equestrian
journalist, and equestrian administrator. If you were an American dressage enthusiast in the 1970s and 1980s, chances are you were well acquainted with “Captain Andy,” as he was known, through his monthly “Thinking Aloud” column in Dressage & CT magazine. De Szinay penned 148 articles from 1973 to 1988, on subjects ranging from dressage judging and training theory to his opinions about competition rules and the goings-on at national and international equestrian organizations. He was the first equestrian journalist to interview HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, then president of the FEI. His June 1981 column outlined a proposal to establish a dressage World Cup competition parallel to the jumping World Cup, which is very similar to what we have today. (At right read one of de Szinay’s “Thinking Aloud” columns about dressage judging.) De Szinay was the inaugural chairman of the USDF Judges Council (now Judges Committee) and the creator of a judges’ forum. But his most lasting legacy is his stewardship of the dressage young-rider program. He established the USDF Advanced Young Riders Committee and served as its chair from 1982 to 1988. De Szinay believed strongly that there ought to be a North American Young Riders Championship for dressage, and the existence of the competition (now the NAJYRC) and its qualifiers and selection procedures is a direct result of his efforts. De Szinay was known as a true gentleman who was kind to horses, encouraging to dressage competitors, and a stalwart colleague. Lowell Boomer, the late USDF founder, was quoted as saying that “Andy was one of my most dependable and reli-
32 March 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
able sources of guidance. He was so enthusiastic about everything for the betterment of dressage.” In 1988, The Chronicle of the Horse honored de Szinay as its Overall Horseman of the Year. He died unexpectedly later that year at the age of 75. He was inducted into the Roemer Foundation/ USDF Hall of Fame in 2004. Thinking Aloud
The Judges’ Influence on Dressage By Capt. Andrew B. de Szinay
O
ne of the topics connected with dressage judging is the question of its influence on the development of the sport. Can the judges have an influence at all? If so, how is it exerted? The subject is intriguing and from time to time it comes up in contemporary literature. Within a year I came across two quite thorough articles, one in the September ’73 issue of Dressage Letters [California Dressage Society’s magazine], where Melanie Lofholm spent considerable part of her column discussing the subject; the other in the information’s bulletin (Mitteilungsblatt) of the German Judges’ Association. The latter gave a review of a lecture on the subject, delivered at an official dressage judges’ forum in May ’73. That article also offered some reflections and comments by the author. Both of the studies are in agreement that the judges’ task is two-fold: first to judge and score the individual’s performance, determining thereby the outcome of the contest, and secondly, to exercise critique and, by the comments, establish a trend for the development of dressage. Both articles answer the first of my questions—I am convinced, correctly—in the affirmative and differ just slightly in the opinion voiced over the second one. Mrs. Lofholm states that “judges influence the standard of dressage to the extent that competitors sheets seriously. And that degree is From Dressage & CT, May 1974. Reprinted by permission.
COURTESY OF BETTINA LONGAKER
American Dressage Legends: Capt. Andrew Bela de Szinay
editorial@usdf.org
In dressage, you fought well when, leaving the arena, you feel that your horse gave you the best he is capable [of ]. This is of much greater importance than ribbons or percentages. —Capt. Andrew Bela de Szinay
organ of the FN [German National Equestrian Federation]. I think it was a near perfect solution and I feel that the riders lost heavily when the system was abolished. With no more formal protocol judging, the only room left to exercise the “directing” influence is the “General Impression” section of the score sheet. This, of course, has to be filled in with remarks after the rider completes the test and the judge has scored and criticized all individual exercises. The completion of these four (we can safely say) most important paragraphs will take a certain amount of time. And I think here is where we experience some trouble. To make clear, short, concise, right-tothe point statements is not a simple task. Very few individuals have the ability to produce such opinions in a short time. I feel it is the lack of time that influences mostly the usefulness of those important remarks and restricts their values. I do not want to
imply that several minutes are needed to complete the general impressions alone, but on some occasions the available time seemed to be woefully inadequate. Here are a few examples of the time squeeze which judges found themselves in sometimes: 1st level, tests 1 & 2: test time in large arenas 7½ and 7 min; time for 1 rider 8 min. 2nd level, test 1: test time in large arena 9½ min; time for 1 rider 10 min. 3rd level, tests 1 & 2: test time 9 min; time for 1 rider, 10 min. 4th level, tests 1 & 2: test time 10 min; time for 1 rider, 11 min. These are extreme cases, I admit, but they clearly reflect the point in discussion. ½-1 minute is just too short time for selected, summarized expressions and since judges do want to help the smooth progress of the show and do not like to fall behind time, their remarks might become hurried, less concise and in the final analysis the rider, and dressage itself, will be on the losing side. I think all of us agree that on the one side it is very heartwarming to have many rides on a show but on the other, it is disheartening for a judge not to have enough time to express the general impressions in clear, precise terms, or not to write a few additional suggestions for young riders who may follow those if they work alone or could discuss them with their instructors. So this time my call goes to our show organizers to allot just a little more time than that quoted in the examples. These few minutes will pay great dividends. They will further the cause of the show, help the riders in their progress, the judges in their influencing task and most importantly, through all these, advance the development of the art. ▲ Podcast Alert
PODCAST
USDF ARCHIVE PHOTO
CAPTAIN ANDY: De Szinay in an undated photo
based on the competitor’s respect for the judge.” Later she writes: “Riders look to the judges for evaluation, not only of geometry, but also of the quality of the ride in terms of the gaits, the obedience, lightness and suppleness, and the impulsion, all to be considered throughout the test.” The German author Count von Thun-Hohenstein states regarding this second task of the judges: “The other, considerably harder task is the constructive, direction-setting and guiding critique. For it, there is only one true possibility, the protocol.... The dressage judge can exert his guiding influence only through concise, understandable, exhaustive protocol which then will always be available to the rider for study. The protocol watches the upkeep of classical dressage, the equestrian education of the individual competitor and through all these, exerts corrective, directive, definable influence on the art of riding as a whole.” The difference between the two views might be caused by the differing national circumstances. The American author expresses herself within the framework of the “General Impression” section of the dressage tests, which has been the only known approach to us here in the US. The German uses a word, not too familiar to many of us, “protocol.” In the past, European dressage competitions had both scoring and protocol judges. The latter did not judge
the individual exercises of the test but observed the whole picture and dictated observations during the performance, commenting about the gaits, general impression, lightness, precision, impulsion, shortcomings of the ride, etc., and by such overall statement he made clear to the rider the problem areas where improvements were needed. Because the remarks were always given within the requirements of the accepted “state of the art,” the proper influence on the development of the rider and that of dressage, was assured. To give increased publicity to the remarks and to establish wider receptive grounds, the protocol notes had been published, together with results of the competition, in the official
Check out podcast 113 discussing Capt. Andrew Bela de Szinay at usdf. podbean.com.
USDF CONNECTION • March 2016
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horse health connection
editorial@usdf.org
The Science of Arena Footing Research and technology updates from Dr. Hilary Clayton By Jennifer O. Bryant
Footing’s Role in Equine Soundness “You need to know how the hoof interacts with the footing in the impact, loading, and propulsion stages of the stride,” Clayton said. (A fourth phase, swing, happens when the hoof is airborne and therefore is not affected by the footing.)
FINE-TUNED FOOTING: The demands of dressage require specific footing properties for optimum soundness and performance
with the footing. Using that information, manufacturers have produced footing products designed to provide the desired mix of traction, “bounce,” durability, and drainage. At the 2015 Adequan/USDF Annual Convention in Las Vegas, Clayton summarized the latest science in her session, “What Every Dressage Rider Should Know About Footing.” Here are key points from her lecture.
During impact—the moment the hoof contacts the ground—the hoof and limb decelerate, both vertically and horizontally. Loading is the weightbearing phase of the stride. Then the hoof pushes against the ground to provide the horse with propulsion. The limb then leaves the ground and swings forward through the air. Although sufficient traction is obviously essential to prevent the horse
34 March 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
FOOTING TESTER: The Orono mechanical tester, which simulates a horse’s interaction with the surface, is used widely to evaluate footing on racetracks and at FEI competition venues throughout Europe
from slipping, the footing should allow the hoof to slide just a bit as it meets the ground. The hoof’s downward motion decelerates first, resulting in concussion on the limb. Harder surfaces stop the downward motion more quickly, which increases the amount of concussion. “‘Grip’—shear resistance—then resists forward sliding of the hoof,” Clayton explained. “Deceleration of the forward motion of the hoof at landing causes further concussion.” In the loading phase of the stride, the fetlock sinks as it absorbs the horse’s weight. The superficial digital flexor tendon and the suspensory ligament, both of which support the fetlock, stretch during the loading phase: The higher the limb loading, the greater the amount of stretching, Clayton said. Heavier horses and faster gaits create higher limb loading. Overloading can lead to repetitivestrain injuries, most notably pulled suspensories and bowed tendons. Good footing helps to reduce the amount of limb loading by providing cushioning, also known as shock absorption or damping, Clayton said. Cushioning reduces maximal forces—in the case of an arena surface, through the displacement or deformation of the footing particles. Cushioning properties are described as either elastic or plastic, Clayton said. An elastic material
JENNIFER BRYANT; COURTESY OF DR. MICHAEL PETERSON
T
he composition and installation of dressage-arena footing have been elevated from “use whatever’s available” to a science. Research—including by the equinebiomechanics expert and USDF Connection contributing editor Hilary Clayton, BVMS, PhD, Diplomate ACVSMR, MRCVS—has established how the horse’s feet and limbs interact
rebounds to its original shape the way a rubber ball springs back to its original shape after being squeezed. In footing terms, if a surface were entirely elastic, the horse would leave no hoofprints. A plastic material retains its new shape after being deformed. According to Clayton, most footing materials are visco-elastic, or a combination of the two: There is some plasticity, but some deformation (visible hoofprints in the surface) remains after the hoof has left the ground. Like Goldilocks and her search for the bed that’s just right, good footing is neither too hard nor too soft, Clayton said. Hardness, also called firmness, is a measure of the surface’s resistance to penetration. Hard surfaces are associated with bone and joint injuries, such as degenerative joint disease (DJD, or osteoarthritis). (This is why, contrary to some conventional equestrian wisdom, there is no benefit to “legging up” a horse by trotting on asphalt or other similarly hard surfaces, Clayton said. “Bone density responds best to short sprints, ideally on good footing.”) Overly soft arena surfaces have their own set of problems. “They are associated with soft-tissue injuries (to ligaments and tendons) as a consequence of muscle fatigue,” Clayton said. The optimum surface is firm enough to offer support, yet soft enough to dampen concussion. “Ideally, the hoof digs into the surface as it pushes off, thereby lowering the forces on the check ligament, the deep digital flexor tendon, and the navicular bone and bursa,” Clayton said.
Many equestrian arenas are required to be multi-discipline. In Olympic Games and World Equestrian Games, for instance, dressage and jumping are generally held in the same stadium. Unfortunately, “dressage and jumping have different footing requirements,” Clayton said. “Jumpers want security. Dressage wants a bit more rebound, or ‘bounce.’ No current surface exists that is perfect for both disciplines.”
6” deep, very fine angular or subangular silica sand with up to 15% clay or silt content Addition of fibers increases stability and improves drainage
Addition of ¼”crumb rubber, reduces compaction and hardness and increases shock absorption SURFACE OPTIONS: Many dressage arena surfaces consist of some combination of sand, fibers, and/or crumb rubber
Dressage doesn’t produce the amount of limb loading as some other disciplines (think of the forces placed on the front limbs of a horse landing after a jump). But our sport does place some unique stresses on horses’ limbs, and these stresses need to be considered in choosing footing, Clayton said. “High shear resistance can be a problem because it stops the hoof too quickly, especially in extensions,” she said. In addition, some dressage movements actually produce a degree of torque (twisting) on the limbs, and “limb torsion on a fixed hoof stresses the soft tissues.” Examples: Slow-motion video has revealed that, in the canter pirouette, the horse’s inside hind leg is grounded for about 50 percent of the stride, Clayton said—meaning that it’s rotating in place part of the time. The half-pass can also produce some torque as the horse “rolls over the leg from side to side.” The higher the footing’s shear resistance (grip), the higher the torque, said Clayton. “That can be the problem with some of the synthetic surfaces. The ideal for dressage is moderate shear resistance.”
Overview: Footing Options “Artificial or synthetic surfaces have largely replaced the use of turf ” as the
choice of footing material, Clayton said. Unlike turf, engineered surfaces are more suitable to year-round use, and they require less maintenance. Sand, said Clayton, remains the foundation material of most arena footing mixtures. But all sand is definitely not created equal. Sand is minerals crushed into small grains, and grains vary in their size, shape, and hardness. Sand grains are classified as very coarse (1-2 mm), coarse (.05-1 mm), medium (.25-.50 mm), fine (.10-.25 mm), and very fine (.05-.10 mm). “The size of the grains affects compaction, water retention, and dustiness,” said Clayton. Ideally, an arena will contain a mixture of grain sizes, as “grains of similar size have low cohesion, leave deep hoofprints, and tend to give way in push-off.” The shape of the sand grains matters, too. “Angular grains increase the stability of the footing. Rounded grains allow more sliding and require more frequent maintenance.” Podcast Alert
PODCAST
COURTESY OF DR. HILARY CLAYTON
Dressage-Specific Footing
Different Surface Options
Check out podcasts 99 and 100 discussing footing at usdf. podbean.com.
USDF CONNECTION • March 2016
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The mineral content of the sand determines its hardness. Calcite is soft, while quartz is hard. According to Clayton, sand sold as arena footing typically is greater than 90 percent silica (quartz) for enhanced durability. To achieve ideal surface properties, footing must have an appropriate amount of moisture content. As you know if you’ve walked on a beach, “wet sand is harder and has more grip than dry sand,” Clayton said. “Deep, dry sand is very tiring for the horse. Dry sand gives way, so you have to push harder against it to move through it.” Because sand alone isn’t the ideal arena surface, many arena builders add other materials: natural or synthetic fibers, pieces of rubber, or cloth or felt strips. Fibers, explained Clayton, “act like roots in the soil; they stabilize the sand under the horse’s hooves.” Adding fibers also improves drainage, she said. Another common additive is crumb rubber. “Quarter-inch crumb rubber reduces compaction and hardness, increases shock absorption, and also may improve drainage,” Clayton said. But research before you buy: “Some kinds of rubber break down and become a toxic dust.” A third common option is a polymer or wax coating that some footing manufacturers apply to sand particles. The coating acts as a binder, repels
editorial@usdf.org
water, and helps to reduce dust. But because wax melts at high temperatures, the character of the footing may change in certain locales, Clayton said.
Maintenance and Variety There is no perfect footing. Improvements in certain areas may mean trade-offs in others. For instance, Clayton said, studies of racetrack footing have shown that there are fewer catastrophic injuries on synthetic surfaces but higher rates of shear injuries, such as to hind fetlocks, as compared to traditional dirt or turf tracks. However, there is one sure-fire way to improve any type of footing: maintain it regularly, such as through proper dragging and watering. “Horses move best on a consistent surface,” said Clayton. “On racetracks, accidents and injuries are more likely the longer it’s been since maintenance.” From a training and a soundness perspective, it’s wise to expose a horse to different types of footing. Horses move differently on various surfaces; to avoid unpleasant surprises, “It’s best to train sometimes on the surface you will show on,” Clayton said. And exposure to different types of terrain, as well as to varied arena surfaces, is beneficial in developing a sounder and more surefooted horse. ▲
Footing Resources
T
he USDF’s own guide to dressagearena construction, maintenance, and repair, Underfoot, has become the bible of footing information. Available from the USDF online store or as a digital download through the new USDF app, Underfoot is being updated, with the revised edition scheduled for release this spring. Dr. Hilary Clayton was among the eight international experts, plus numerous universities and institutions from around the world, whose research was compiled in the 2014 Equine Surfaces White Paper. The white paper constitutes the most extensive study to date of the effects of surfaces on the soundness and health of sport horses and racehorses. It is published by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) and downloadable from the FEI website at fei.org.
36 March 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Congratulations to the 2015 Two-Tempi Challenge Winners! EĂƟŽŶĂů ŚĂŵƉŝŽŶ͗ Julie Julian (IL) 130 Two-Tempi Changes EĂƟŽŶĂů ZĞƐĞƌǀĞ ŚĂŵƉŝŽŶ͗ Emily Miles (KS) 124 Two-Tempi Changes
USDF Region 1 Leader: Lauren Sprieser (VA) 58 Two-Tempi Changes Reserve: Adriane Alvord (VA) 42 Two-Tempi Changes
USDF Region 3 Leader: Jennifer Baumert (SC) 25 Two-Tempi Changes Reserve: Emily Smith (FL) 12 Two-Tempi Changes
USDF Region 8 Leader: Annie Morris (CT) 32 Two-Tempi Changes Reserve: Matthew Baillargeon (ME) 6 Two-Tempi Changes
USDF Region 2 Leader: Julie Julian (IL) 130 Two-Tempi Changes Reserve: Clara Etzel (MI) 21 Two-Tempi Changes
USDF Region 4 Leader: Emily Miles (KS) 124 Two-Tempi Changes Reserve: Heather Salden-Kurtz (MN) 38 Two-Tempi Changes
USDF Region 9 Leader: Donna Meyer (TX) 28 Two-Tempi Changes
Thank you to all donors who made pledges for the riders. A total of $11,705 was raised to support TDF’s grants and programs! Top Donor Groups ŽŶŶĂ DĞLJĞƌ͗ Ψϰ͕Ϯϳϲ ;/Ŷ DĞŵŽƌLJ ŽĨ ǀŝĞ dƵŵůŝŶͿ ŵĂŶĚĂ ĚŬŝƐƐŽŶ͕ ^ŚĂƌŽŶ ŶĚƌĞǁƐ͕ ŶŽŶLJŵŽƵƐ͕ ůůŝƐŽŶ ĂŝůĞLJ͕ DĂƌLJĂů ĂƌŶĞƩ͕ ŚĂĚ ŽŚŶĞ͕ ĂŶĚLJ ƌĂŬĞ͕ ŵŝůLJ ƌĞǁĞƌͲ Johnson, Kylie Brkusich, Bess Bruton, Cyrille Bullock, Capstone Saddlery, Lauren Chandler, Sue Chapman, Glenn and Sallie ŽĐŚƌĂŶ͕ LJŶĚŝ ƌĂŝŐ͕ DĂƌĐĞƩĂ ĂŶĚ ŽŶ ĂƌĞŶƐďŽƵƌŐ͕ ŝŶĚLJ ĞĂƚŽŶ͕ ŽƟ ŽŶŽǀĂŶ͕ ĂƌďĂƌĂ ŽƵŐŚƚLJ͕ ĞƩLJ ŽƵŐůĂƐ͕ >ĂĐLJ 'ĞŶŽǀĞƐĞ͕ DĂƌLJ 'ƌŝŐĂƌͲ&ŝƚnjƐŝŵŽŶ͕ ^ŚĞƌƌLJ 'ƵĞƐƐ͕ ƐŚůĞLJ ,Ăŵŵŝůů͕ EĂŶĐLJ ,ĂŶĐŽĐŬ͕ Žď ,ĞŶƌLJ͕ :ĞƌƌLJ ,ĞƐƐͬdĞdžĂƐ ƋƵŝŶĞ Massage, Cheryl Hightower, Anne Johnson, Nathan Jones, Lauren Kalns, Linda Kapusniak, Mark and Kim Koenig, Anne Kuhns, DĞŐ &ůĞŵŵŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ 'Ăŝů >ĞǁŝƐ͕ <ĂƌŝŶ >ŽŌŝŶ͕ ^ƚĞƉŚĂŶŝĞ DĞƌĞĚŝƚŚ͕ 'ĞŽƌŐŝĂŶŶĞ EĞŝŶĂďĞƌ͕ :ĂLJ EĞŝƐĞŵŝĞƌ͕ ŶĚƌĞĂ EĞǀĞƐ͕ EĞƫĞ KůƐĞŶ͕ <ĂƐƐŝĚLJ WĞĂĐŽĐŬ͕ ZƵƚŚ ^ĂǁŝŶ͕ ^ĐŚƌŽĞĚĞƌ 'ƌŽƵƉ͕ /ŶĐ͕͘ :Ž ŶŶ ĂŶĚ ĂǀŝĚ dĂLJůŽƌ͕ DŝĐŚĂĞů dĂLJůŽƌ͕ :ĞĂŶŶĞƩĞ dĞŵƉůĞƚŽŶ͕ dĞdžĂƐ ƋƵŝŶĞ ,ŽƐƉŝƚĂů͕ ZƵƐƐĞůů dƵŵůŝŶ͕ ĂƌŽůLJŶ sĂŶĚĞŶ ĞƌŐ͕ ZƵƚŚĂŶŶ tĂƩƐ͕ ůŝnjĂďĞƚŚ tŚŝƚĞ͕ ŽƌŝŶŶĞ tŝůůŝĂŵƐ͕ <ĂƌĞŶ tŝůůŝĂŵƐ :ĞŶŶŝĨĞƌ ĂƵŵĞƌƚ͗ ΨϮ͕ϰϬϬ >ŝƐĂ ůĞdžĂŶĚĞƌ͕ ĞƚŚ ĂƵŵĞƌƚ͕ <Ăƌů ĂƵŵĞƌƚ͕ >ĞƐůŝĞ ĂŶĚ ĂǀŝĚ ůŝŶĞ͕ ŵLJ ŝƐĞŶƐƚĂĚƚ͕ >ŝƐĂ 'ŽƌƐƵĐŚ͕ :ĂĐŬŝĞ ĂŶĚ ŚƵĐŬ ,ĂƌƌŝƐ͕ DĂƌLJ :ĞĂŶ ,ŽƌŶĞLJ͕ ^ƵƐĂŶ :ĂĐŽďƐ͕ >ŝƐĂ DƵůůĞŶƐ͕ ŵĂŶĚĂ WĂƌŝƐ͕ DŝĐŚĞůůĞ WĂƌŝƐ͕ DŽŶŝŬĂ ^ĐŚŶĂĐŬĞ tŚŽ ǁŝůů ďĞ ƚŚĞ ǁŝŶŶĞƌƐ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ϮϬϭϲ dǁŽͲdĞŵƉŝ ŚĂůůĞŶŐĞ͍ sŝƐŝƚ ǁǁǁ͘ĚƌĞƐƐĂŐĞĨŽƵŶĚĂƟŽŶ͘ŽƌŐ ĨŽƌ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ ŽŶ ŚŽǁ ƚŽ ƉĂƌƟĐŝƉĂƚĞ͘ dŚĞ ƌĞƐƐĂŐĞ &ŽƵŶĚĂƟŽŶ 1314 ‘O’ Street Suite 305 Lincoln, NE 68508
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JENI GAFFNEY Seizes the Day When the amateur rider went down center line at Dressage at Devon 2015, she fulfilled a lifelong dream BY SALLY SILVERMAN
STACYLYNNEPHOTO.COM
WHAT RAIN? It’s all sunshine as Gaffney checks one off her bucket list
38 March 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
A
t her first Dressage at Devon (PA) last fall, Jenifer “Jeni” Gaffney quickly became known as “the smiling adult-amateur competitor.” The moniker stuck with her through five unrelentingly wet, cold days at the prestigious show, and later through the US Dressage Finals in Kentucky in November. “I started smiling the moment I got there,” says Gaffney of her Devon experience. “I smiled in the rain. I smiled through my tests.” She confesses that she didn’t take off her Dressage at Devon competitor’s wristband for at least a month after she got home. Qualifying for Devon is a big deal for any dressage rider. It’s perhaps even more so for amateur riders like Gaffney, who juggle time-consuming careers—she’s a small-animal and equine veterinarian—with the demands of riding. And it’s a particularly special “bucket list” achievement for Gaffney, who focused on her dressage goals to help see her through the dark days of a breast-cancer diagnosis.
COURTESY OF JENI GAFFNEY
Filling the Bucket Gaffney began riding as a kid in Pony Club, eventually concentrating on eventing. When the Bath, OH, resident started veterinary school, there wasn’t enough time to train and practice in three disciplines, so she narrowed her focus to dressage. She managed to find saddle time even as she built her business, and she’s now the owner of her practice, The Visiting Vet, with a small-animal clinic in Bath and two mobile equine units serving the surrounding counties. She works from nine to six five days a week, and twice a week she works the overnight shift at the Animal Clinic Northview, an emergency small-animal clinic in North Ridgeville, OH. “I don’t sleep much,” she jokes. Each days starts by tending to the Gaffney family’s five horses at home. Besides Gaffney’s own Hanoverian gelding, Sandro (San Brasil – Graf Grannus), there are two horses belonging to her husband, Sean; and their 16-year-old son, Colin, who competes in eventing and pentathlon, has two of his own. Five days a week, Gaffney then heads to Freedom Farm in Ravenna, OH, for a 7:30 a.m. lesson, where “I get tagteamed by Williams Dressage,” as she puts it. Head trainer George Williams focuses on helping Gaffney find connection and improve the timing of her aids. Trainer Roberta Williams emphasizes Gaffney’s seat—which Gaffney calls a work in progress. She takes an occasional lesson with Grand Prix-level rider Noel Williams, George and Roberta’s daughter, who fills in when her parents are out of town. “George fixes the horse, and Roberta fixes me. They have different ways of saying things. Noel also enjoys putting together freestyles,” Gaffney says.
SUPPORT TEAM: Gaffney (center) at Devon with trainers Roberta and George Williams
Riding, Gaffney explains, helps to clear her mind, allowing her to escape a bit and get everything in perspective to start the day. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer eight years ago, she recalls, her doctor frowned on riding and told her to take a month off. Gaffney pushed back. “I told him that I had to ride or I get really grumpy. The cancer gave me more of a goal: to earn my USDF silver and gold medals.” The motivation worked: Gaffney earned her silver medal in 2013. She started by achieving the Prix St. Georges scores with Marlie, a Thoroughbred (Out the Window – Chulla Rulla) she leased from owner Theresa Hayes. Gaffney finished the medal when she earned the necessary Fourth Level scores on her own Sandro. Gaffney’s journey to Devon began when the Floridabased FEI-level amateur dressage competitor Kristy Truebenbach Lund—a small-animal veterinarian herself—was looking for someone to ride her 19-year-old Oldenburg schoolmaster, Fabio (West Coast – Doormaat), who didn’t do well in the hot, humid Florida summers. The Williamses had wintered with Lund for a couple of years, and Roberta Williams knew that Gaffney was looking to up her game. According to Williams, Gaffney had been thinking about “waiting until her son finished college to get a ‘really good horse’ and maybe, just maybe, try to earn her gold medal. I told her we have only so long to be able to ride well, and if something came along, she should carpe diem.” USDF CONNECTION
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March 2016
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READY FOR THE JOG: “Crowdsourcing” chose Gaffney’s stylish outfit for the horse inspection. She poses with an immaculately turned-out Fabio.
40 March 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
St. Georges, good enough to serve as a qualifying score toward Regionals. In August Gaffney began working on a freestyle, and by the end of that month she and Fabio had earned the scores they needed to qualify for Devon.
A Dream Comes True It was Roberta Williams who convinced Gaffney that she should compete at Devon. “Things were clicking with Fabio and Jeni in the Prix St. Georges and Intermediate I, and she wanted to think about the next step,” says Williams. Dressage at Devon had just added a new CDI (FEI-recognized dressage competition) division that Williams thought would be perfect for the pair: the CDI-Am (“Am” stands for amateur), a category of competition open to riders aged 26 and up who are not on the FEI dressage world ranking list. Devon’s CDI-Am was to be at Prix St. Georges and Intermediate I, which Gaffney felt was within their reach. But she still wasn’t convinced. So Williams called her student “and told her that Devon is the Dressage Debutante Ball, and that I had dreamed of going down that center line for over 25 years—but every time I tried, my horse would go lame, or something prevented it. I told her it is a fun show and that there is nothing like it.” It undoubtedly helped that competing at Devon had been on Gaffney’s bucket list at least since 1980, when she groomed for Pennsylvania-based trainer Jeremy Beale at the show. Turns out, Gaffney and Williams had the same dream.
ROBERTA WILLIAMS
A few days later, Williams says, she was struck with the idea of matchmaking Fabio with Gaffney. “I told Kristy about this woman who always did things for other people and never for herself—a cancer survivor with a dream to earn her gold medal. It was an ideal match because Fabio would be in the north, cared for by a veterinarian and under professional training supervision. I showed Kristy photos of Freedom Farm, where we train in the summer, and she agreed that Jeni should come and try Fabio.” “Fabio is very chill,” says Gaffney. “In his mind he is Fabio, an older man who knows he is all that.” And Fabio is indeed all that, having won numerous Adequan/USDF Horse of the Year awards and Great American/USDF Regional Championship titles. Gaffney describes Fabio as a horse with “a heart of gold,” and very comfortable to sit and light in the bridle to boot. When he is relaxed and not working, she admits, the small bay gelding with the four white socks can appear rather plain, and is known for his habit of lolling his tongue out of his mouth. But the tongue disappears when Fabio goes to work, Gaffney says, and then he transforms. “I ride him deeper to get his back up,” she says. “He has super walk pirouettes, and his medium and extended gaits are good. He is also good at coming back and collecting.” Every day, she says, is like Christmas. “I have truly learned the value of a schoolmaster.” Fabio arrived in Ohio in May, and in July the duo entered their first show, earning a score of 65 percent at Prix
â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have always dreamed of going down center line, toward the sign [in the famed Dixon Oval] that reads Devon Horse Show: Where Champions Meet,â&#x20AC;? Gaffney says. Gaffneyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;never one to ask for help, according to Williamsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;allowed her trainers and friends to throw a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dress Jeni for the Jogâ&#x20AC;? party before she left for Devon. Over wine and lots of laughter, the fashionistas helped Gaffney to choose a special outfit to wear at the horse inspection. The winning ensemble: a pair of black slim-leg jeans topped with a leopard Calvin Klein jean jacket, a sparkly black scarf, and a leopard belt. Dressage at Devon 2015 was one for the record booksâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; as Gaffneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s debut, of course, but also for some of the worst weather the show has ever seen. Had it been held in its usual September time slot, competitors and spectators would have enjoyed mostly pleasant fall weather. But Pope Francis was scheduled to come to Philadelphia that weekend, and heeding warnings of scarce hotel rooms and traffic jams, show organizers changed the dates to a week later, September 29-October 4. Unfortunately Mother Nature was in a foul mood by then, bringing nearly nonstop rain and winter-like temperatures that persisted throughout the course of the show. But nothing could dampen Gaffneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spirits, although she admits to feeling outclassed at first. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was in the [warm-up] ring with [Olympian] Lisa Wilcox and people like that. The first day I was very intimidated. There were huge horses and people I only knew from magazines riding them. Everyone was on a line and knew where they were going. The next day, I relaxed, got going, and held my line. I realized, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I am OK here. I belong.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Then it was easier to ride.â&#x20AC;? It helped that Williams Dressage was there in force to support Gaffney, as was son Colin, who groomed for his mother and who also attended the USDF Youth Dressage Sport Horse Breeder/Handler Seminar held in conjunction with the show. Asked to describe her competitive experience itself, Gaffney is analytical and starry-eyed by turns.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had never done a CDI at that level, and I finished midpack [58.289 percent in the Prix St. Georges for fourth place and 60.211 in the I-I for third]. I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t quite have the connection, and we had a few mistakes.â&#x20AC;? A highlight, she says, was Fabioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s extended trots: â&#x20AC;&#x153;They were amazingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;one of the best parts of my test. He just powers up.â&#x20AC;? Gaffney rode her I-I test in the fabled Dixon Oval, and she admits her excitement got the best of her for a moment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was doing two-tempis and looked up and saw my name in lights at the end of the arena, and it was a kind of historic moment. It is such an iconic place to show!â&#x20AC;? Befitting her â&#x20AC;&#x153;smiling amateurâ&#x20AC;? reputation, Gaffney wore a huge smile throughout both of her tests, but she says she was overcome with emotion after her final halt and salute in the I-I. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was not the rain making my face wet and the makeup smear,â&#x20AC;? she says.
New Goals and Lessons Learned According to Gaffney, earning the remaining scores needed for her USDF gold medal is the next to-do item on her bucket list. After competing successfully in the PSG and the I-I Freestyle at Novemberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s US Dressage Finals, Fabio returned to Florida in December, and Gaffney planned to spend a few days there each month during the winter to continue her training. Her goal: to compete at Intermediate II in Florida, then tackle the Grand Prix this summer. Gaffney encourages other adult amateurs to reach for their goals. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It can really happen if you fit it in and budget your time,â&#x20AC;? she says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So if someone gives you a wonderful opportunity, work hard and take advantage of it. And your dreams may really come true.â&#x20AC;? â&#x2013;˛ Sally Silverman is a lifelong equestrian with a passion for dressage. Her writing appears regularly in horse- and dogrelated publications.
2016 te! a Adequan/USDF Annual Convention eD h t e v a S Dressage at the Arch /PWFNCFS %FDFNCFS r 4U -PVJT .0 USDF CONNECTION
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DECORATED RIDER: Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Famer Michael Poulin (right) has earned plenty of year-end awards for riders. He received the Adequan/USDF Grand Prix Vintage Cup award and the Master’s Challenge award at FEI levels from USDF president George Williams at the 2015 awards banquet.
Insider’s Guide to USDF Awards Your dressage achievements deserve to be recognized! Third in an occasional series. This month: year-end awards for riders. BY DEBBIE RODRIGUEZ, PEGGY KLUMP, AND CRISTEN BROWN
42 March 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Now it’s time to move on to the fine print—the various awards rules, policies, and details. Although this may not make for fascinating reading, the purpose of the rules is to create a fair and level playing field for the vast and diversified USDF membership. And we assure you that the day you learn you’re receiving an award, you’ll be very glad you took the time to read the rules and verify your eligibility!
Award Categories and Eligibility For junior/young rider, adult amateur, and Vintage Cup awards, the rider’s date of birth must be on file with USDF by September 30 of the award year. A rider’s status is determined as of that date, as well. In other words, if you are eligible for Jr/YR, AA, or Vintage Cup awards on September 30, all scores earned during that competition year will count toward the respective awards. Some USDF rules and policies can affect year-end
JENNIFER BRYANT
W
ith support from title sponsor Adequan, the USDF offers awards that recognize the annual accomplishments of adult amateurs, junior/young riders, “riders of a certain age,” and para-equestrian dressage competitors. The highest-achieving competitors in these categories garner year-end recognition, prizes, and rankings in the year-end awards standings. We discussed USDF’s horse awards in the December 2015/January 2016 issue of USDF Connection. Did you know that scores earned in USEF-licensed/USDF-recognized competitions may count toward year-end awards for riders as well as toward horse awards? Example: A professional and an adult amateur show the same horse in a competition year. Scores earned under both riders will be used to rank the horse in the Adequan/USDF year-end awards standings—and the scores earned by the adult amateur may count toward AA awards, as well.
standings. Review the USDF Member Guide and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Rule Book for further clarification. Junior/Young Rider awards. This award category is for competitors age 21 and younger. Vintage Cup awards. These awards recognize competitors age 50 and older. New for 2016, the Vintage Cup awards will be split into two divisions: adult amateur and professional. To be eligible for the AA division, the rider must be designated as an AA in the USDF database. To declare for the Vintage Cup awards, visit the USDF website. All riders who have declared eligibility for the Vintage Cup awards from 2002 to the present will remain eligible unless USDF is otherwise notified. Verify your Vintage Cup status by visiting USDFScores.com. Adult Amateur awards. These awards recognize competitors designated in the USDF database as riders who meet the USEF definitions of adult and amateur for dressage. Riders must confirm their AA designation with USDF by September 30 of the award year. This must be done an-
nually, even if you are a USDF life member. Para-Dressage Rider of the Year. New for 2016! Awards are offered at Ia, Ib, II, III, and IV grade levels. Scores must be earned at the rider’s classified grade level or above, and scores must be earned at the same grade level. Scores must be from FEI para-equestrian dressage score sheets that are current at the time of the competition.
Award Requirements Requirements for Adequan/USDF year-end awards for riders parallel those of the Adequan/USDF Dressage Horse of the Year awards, with some additional provisions. The rider must have a USDF participating membership when scores are earned, and the horse owner must have a USDF participating or business membership. The horse must have a USDF lifetime horse registration when scores are earned. The horse and rider are considered a pair at each level for each award or division. Here are the score requirements for being ranked in the standings for USDF year-end awards for riders:
Year-End Rider Awards FAQ Do scores earned at breed-restricted competitions count? Not toward Adequan/USDF year-end awards for riders. Scores earned at breed-restricted competitions apply only toward Adequan/USDF All-Breeds awards. Will my Vintage Cup declaration of eligibility stay on file with USDF? Yes. Go to USDFScores.com to verify that you are declared for Vintage Cup awards. I ride two horses. Can I earn year-end awards for riders with both? Yes, but keep in mind that each horse-and-rider combination is considered a pair for each level. To be ranked in the awards standings, you must earn a sufficient number of eligible scores at each level with each horse. How do I designate my adult-amateur status with USDF? Once you are designated as an adult amateur with the US Equestrian Federation (USEF), that information is provided electronically to USDF. It can take several weeks for USDF to receive the notification. Verify your status with USDF by checking the adult-amateur list on the USDF website. If I declare for Vintage Cup awards, am I still eligible for adult-amateur awards? Yes. If you meet all of the award requirements, you may be eligible for both award categories. My trainer rode my horse in some classes. May I combine both our scores to meet the minimum number of scores required for eligibility? For Adequan/USDF year-end awards purposes, scores from multiple riders may be combined for horse awards only. For rider awards, the horse and rider are considered a pair at each level or grade, and scores may not be combined. How can I track my scores and rankings during the year to see where I stand? Adequan/USDF year-end awards standings are updated weekly throughout the competition year and are posted on the USDF website. In addition, you may review your individual scores on USDFScores.com. How are scores submitted to USDF? Scores from USEF-licensed/USDF-recognized competitions are submitted by competition management, so you don’t need to send them in yourself. However, we recommend that you check your scores via USDFScores.com throughout the competition year. Contact USDF immediately if you believe there’s been a score-reporting error. The deadline to notify USDF of any errors to year-end results or award standings is October 15 of the award year at 5:00 p.m. ET.
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What’s a Median Score?
A
dequan/USDF year-end awards are calculated using median scores, not average scores. Here’s the difference. To calculate an average score, the scores are added together and then divided by the number of scores. But in calculating a median score, only the top two scores from each judge or judge panel are used. If the remaining total number of eligible scores left exceeds the number of scores required by at least one, then the lowest overall score is automatically dropped. The remaining scores are then ranked from highest to lowest. In an odd number of scores, the median is the actual middle score. In an even number of scores, the median is the average of the two middle scores. Need more info? Read “Calculating a Median Score for Year-End Award Purposes” in the USDF Member Guide.
National levels (Training through Fourth): a minimum of eight scores from four different competitions, from four different judges. At least two scores must be 60 percent or higher and earned at the highest test of the level. FEI levels (Prix St. Georges, Intermediate I, Intermediate II, Grand Prix): a minimum of four scores from four different competitions and four different judges. Para-Dressage Rider of the Year: a minimum of four FEI PE scores from four different competitions and four different judges. At least two scores must be 60 percent or
higher and from the team or individual tests. A median score of 60 percent or higher is required to qualify for each year-end award. See “What’s a Median Score?” at left for an explanation. Freestyle scores do not count toward year-end awards for riders, but scores from restricted classes (with the exception of breed-restricted) are eligible. Check the USDF Member Guide for test equivalencies.
The Swag! All certificates and prizes given as year-end awards for riders go to the rider. Champions and reserve champions at each level or grade level in each category or division receive a personalized award. Depending on the award, third- through fifth-place award recipients may receive a commemorative stall plaque. Certificates are available online. ▲ Debbie Rodriguez, of Williamsburg, VA, is a member of the USDF Awards Committee. Peggy Klump, of Rancho Cucamonga, CA, is the Awards Committee chair. Cristen Brown is a USDF senior competitions coordinator and the committee’s staff liaison.
Fun Facts: Year-End Awards for Riders • The first USDF Jr/YR award was offered in 1983. A total of 27 riders were ranked in the standings across the levels. In 2015, 477 riders were ranked in the Jr/YR standings.
• The Vintage Cup awards debuted in 1986 with 17 ranked riders. There were 332 ranked VC riders in 2015.
TOP AMATEUR: Janne Rumbough (third from left) leads USDF’s lists of most AA and Vintage Cup awards won. She’s shown accepting 2015 Training Level Vintage Cup and Training Level Adult Amateur championships from USDF president George Williams, Jill Waterman of Dressage Extensions, and Allyn Mann of Adequan.
• The winningest Jr/YR to date is Kassandra Barteau, with 55 awards. Read Barteau’s story in the September 2015 issue of USDF Connection. • Janne Rumbough leads in both the AA awards totals (55) and the Vintage Cup totals (51). Learn more about her in the April 2015 issue of USDF Connection.
44 March 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
JENNIFER BRYANT
• In 1993, 17 riders were ranked in the inaugural adult-amateur standings. In 2015, 1,160 AAs were ranked in the standings.
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The Search for Lou A former owner’s search for a Lipizzan stallion reaches a tragic conclusion By Jean Kaplan Thornton
I
purchased my Lipizzan stallion, Conversano II Aloha II, as a threeyear-old in 1991. I trained “Lou” to Grand Prix, earned my USDF gold medal with him, jumped him, and taught him to drive when he was 20. Together we earned many awards in dressage. In the last three years that I owned Lou, I tried to find suitable riders to learn from him. I felt that I was too big and strong a rider, and I don’t
where he received excellent care and was loved by all. When the Virginia trainer relocated out of state, Lou’s owner moved him to another farm. In photos taken during this time, Lou looks well cared for. But in June 2015, everything changed. That month, Lou’s owner, Anne Goland, moved him to her own farm, Peaceable Farm, in Somerset, VA. Over the summer and into the fall, Anne sent me regular messages about the great care Lou was receiving and how well he was doing. On October 20, I received a message that Anne Goland had been found to have more than 100 starving horses on her property. The following morning, I boarded a plane to go find Lou. Over the course of that terrible day, I received dozens of updates, none of them good. It turned out that Anne Goland had been arrested and HEYDAY: The writer and her Lipizzan stallion, Conversano II charged with 27 misAloha II, in happier times demeanor counts of really enjoy trail riding every day. animal cruelty. Six horses were disTry as I might, I was only able to find covered dead when law-enforcement someone to ride him about once every officers arrived at Peaceable Farm, two weeks, but what he needed was to and 81 horses were surrendered or be ridden gently every day. seized. According to Orange County In 2012, I made the difficult deci(VA) Sheriff Mark Amos, Goland still sion to sell Lou, and I finally found had 18 horses, one bull, and “several” someone who seemed perfect. A cats and dogs in her possession. petite woman, she said she wanted When I arrived at Peaceable Farm to learn dressage from a schoolmasthat afternoon, Anne was not on the ter. She bought Lou, and for the next premises, but a law-enforcement offitwo and a half years all was well. Lou cer allowed me to look at the remainwas stabled at the Virginia facility of ing horses to make sure that Lou a respected dressage professional, wasn’t one of them (he wasn’t); then
52 March 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
editorial@usdf.org
she asked me to leave the property. The following morning I finally met with Anne, who reassured me that Lou was alive and well but would not divulge his location. However, the sheriff ’s department later confirmed a report that Lou was dead. I have since learned that there is no national database of people who have been convicted of crimes against animals. I am now on a mission to create a publicly accessible national database listing the names and offenses of those who have been convicted of animal cruelty or neglect. My other goal is to get a federal law passed mandating that anyone who is banned from owning animals in one state is automatically banned from owning animals in all states. Some wonderful people are giving me advice in these endeavors, but I am open to all suggestions. Once I have the bill written, I will need many signatures in order to get the bill to move forward. If you are interested in signing, helping, or simply want more information, please contact me. My goal is to make sure that Lou and all the other animals did not die in vain. ▲ Jean Kaplan Thornton is a USDF bronze, silver, and gold medalist. She owns and operates Equivale, a warmblood breeding facility in DeLeon Springs, FL. Her e-mail address is equivalejean@gmail.com. Updates and editor’s note: Goland was released from jail in mid-November after posting a $75,000 bond. At press time, a trial date had not yet been set. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in 2014 reclassified animal abuse as a “Group A” felony, which will require US law-enforcement agencies to report incidents of simple or gross neglect, intentional abuse and torture, and other related offenses. The plan was to begin collecting data in 2016. Opinions expressed by the writer are not necessarily those of the USDF or USDF Connection.
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USDF Team Competitions: Fun for All Ages (p. 48) W W W. U S D F. O R G
APRIL 2016
USDF CONNECTION Official Publication of the United States Dressage Federation
Master Class with Johann Hinnemann (p. 28)
Young Rider Graduate Program Gives New Pros a Leg Up (p. 36) Desensitizing the Dressage Horse
Johann Hinnemann teaches JJ Tate on Kynynmont Gunsmokeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gideon
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14
36
48
IN THIS ISSUE
28
PRECISION MOVEMENTS
4 INSIDE USDF Giving Back
For German master Johann Hinnemann, dressage excellence requires accuracy and strict adherence to the classical training principles
6 RINGSIDE The Trickle-Down Effect
By Jennifer O. Bryant
36 42 48
DREAMS INTO ACTION At the USDF/USEF Young Rider Graduate Program, practical advice for tomorrow’s dressage pros By Jennifer O. Bryant
By Stephan Hienzsch
By Jennifer O. Bryant
12 SPORT HORSE CONNECTION Introducing the Materiale Championships By Kristi Wysocki
14 AMATEUR HOUR An Unexpected Partner By Megan Brincks
DESENSITIZING THE DRESSAGE HORSE Behavior-modification techniques may help your horse learn to cope By Sarah Evers Conrad
TEAMWORK AND FUN Check out USDF’s youth and adult team competitions By Jan Scarbrough
18 HISTORICAL CONNECTION American Dressage Legends: Margarita ‘Migi’ Serrell 24 ALL-BREEDS CONNECTION Breed of the Month: Norwegian Fjord
28
56 THE TAIL END Thank You, Misty By Jamie Hughes
IN EVERY ISSUE 8 22 52 54 54 55
HEADS UP SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT SHOP @ X USDF CONNECTION SUBMISSION GUIDELINES USDF OFFICE CONTACT DIRECTORY ADVERTISING INDEX
ON OUR COVER Clinician Johann Hinnemann works with JJ Tate on Kynynmont Gunsmoke’s Gideon at the Adequan/USDF FEI-Level Trainers Conference East. Story, p. 28. Photo by Jennifer Bryant.
Volume 17, Number 10
USDF CONNECTION
•
April 2016
3
inside usdf
stephh1enz@usdf.org
USDF OFFICERS & EXECUTIVE BOARD PRESIDENT
GEORGE WILLIAMS 421 Park Forest Way, Wellington, FL 33414 (937) 603-9134 • Fax: (740) 362-5539 president@usdf.org
Giving Back
VICE PRESIDENT
For a pro, volunteering can have unexpected career benefits By Stephan Hienzsch, USDF Executive Director
LISA GORRETTA 18120 Snyder Road, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 (216) 406-5475 • vicepresident@usdf.org SECRETARY
MARGARET FREEMAN
initiatives that the USDF undertakes, such as the acclaimed L Education Program and the US Dressage Finals, come not from the paid staff but from volunteers. If you are one of the USDF’s younger members, you may not realize that many of the programs you grew up with, such as the junior/ young rider programs and the Great American/USDF Regional Championships, didn’t exist until not all that many years ago. They were created by pioneers in the sport who were volunteers. People who were committed to the sport of dressage gave of their time and expertise to help create the opportunities that you have today. Volunteering is a wonderful way for all dressage enthusiasts to give back to the sport, and it may have particular benefits for younger dressage professionals. When you are starting out, you’d be wise to accumulate as many diverse experiences as you can because you never know how you might be able to apply them later in your career. Staying involved does a lot for you professionally, and it broadens your horizons. My own career is evidence that sometimes you can leverage the experiences in unexpected ways. A great way to get your feet wet is by volunteering with your USDF group-member organization, or GMO. Get involved in your GMO. Offer to give a clinic. Serve on the board. Volunteer to serve as a GMO delegate to the USDF convention. Who knows what contributions you might make that will create new opportunities for tomorrow’s dressage enthusiasts? ▲
4 April 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
200 Aurora Lane, Tryon, NC 28782 (828) 859-6723 • secretary@usdf.org TREASURER
STEVEN SCHUBERT P.O. Box 2044, Methuen, MA 01844 (978) 360-6441 • treasurer@usdf.org
REGIONAL DIRECTORS REGION 1 DC, DE, MD, NC, NJ, PA, VA
LISA SCHMIDT 5 Thads Hill Road, Hampton, NJ 08827 (201) 981-1823 • region1dir@usdf.org REGION 2 IL, IN, KY, MI, OH, WV, WI
KEN LEVY 330 North Mill Creek Road, Noblesville, IN 46062 (317) 773-4532 • region2dir@usdf.org REGION 3 AL, FL, GA, SC, TN
SUSAN BENDER 1024 Grand Prix Drive, Beech Island, SC 29842 (803) 295-2525 • region3dir@usdf.org REGION 4 IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD
ANNE SUSHKO 1942 Clifford Street, Dubuque, IA 52002 (563) 580-0510 • region4dir@usdf.org REGION 5 AZ, CO, E. MT, NM, UT, W. TX, WY
HEATHER PETERSEN 12395 Gull Lane, Peyton, CO 80831 (719) 683-8435 • region5dir@usdf.org REGION 6 AK, ID, W. MT, OR, WA
CAROLYNN BUNCH 18430 111th Place SE, Snohomish, WA 98290 (360) 577-6201 • region6dir@usdf.org REGION 7 CA, HI, NV
TERRY WILSON 2535 Fordyce Rd., Ojai, CA 93023-9630 (805) 890-7399 • region7dir@usdf.org REGION 8 CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT
DEBRA REINHARDT 160 Woods Way Drive, Southbury, CT 06488 (203) 264-2148 • region8dir@usdf.org REGION 9 AR, LA, MS, OK, TX
SHERRY GUESS 18216 S. 397th East Avenue, Porter, OK 74454 (918) 640-1204 • region9dir@usdf.org
AT-LARGE DIRECTORS ACTIVITIES COUNCIL
SUE MANDAS 9508 Bridlewood Trail, Dayton, OH 45458 (937) 272-9068 •ald-activities@usdf.org ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL
KEVIN BRADBURY PO Box 248, Dexter, MI 48130 (734) 426-2111 • ald-administrative@usdf.org TECHNICAL COUNCIL
CAROLYN VANDENBERG 112 Eden Ranch Dr., Canyon Lake, TX 78133 (830) 226-5006 • ald-technical@usdf.org
JENNIFER BRYANT
E
arly in your dressage career, it may seem premature to think about giving back to your sport. But it’s never too soon to make a difference—and it just might help your career along the way. In January, the USDF and the United States Equestrian Federation held the 2016 edition of the Young Rider Graduate Program, which aims to arm young dressage professionals with career advice from veterans from all walks of the equine industry. (See page 36 for a report on the program.) I wrapped up the program with a discussion of why giving back to the sport is important. I don’t come from an equestrian background myself, so before my talk, I had to do some thinking about my own career trajectory and how it might be relevant. But I do come from a background in sport—alpine skiing—and there are similarities between the ski industry and the equestrian industry. In my case, volunteering in my sport set me on the path to where I am today. I was working as a skiing coach when the US Ski Association decided to launch a certification program for coaches—not unlike USDF instructor/ trainer certification. The USSA got me involved to help promote the program and to organize the first workshop, and I went through the program myself. Next, I volunteered to coach the USSA’s para ski athletes. That volunteer position led first to a job as the head coach for the US para ski team, then to the position of program director. The director’s position introduced me to the world of sports organizations. That experience led to my being recruited for the job I hold today, as executive director of the USDF. Although I am a paid staffer, the USDF is volunteer-driven. I report to a president and a board of directors who are themselves volunteers. Most of the
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ringside
jbryant@usdf.org
The Trickle-Down Effect “Training the trainers” benefits dressage students, too
USDF CONNECTION The Official Publication of the United States Dressage Federation EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Stephan Hienzsch 859/271-7887 • stephh1enz@usdf.org
——— Editorial———
6 April 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Hilary M. Clayton, BVMS, PhD, MRCVS EDITORIAL ADVISORS
Melissa Creswick (CA) Margaret Freeman (NC) Lisa Gorretta (OH) Anne Gribbons (FL) Terry Wilson (CA) TECHNICAL ADVISORS
Janine Malone Lisa Gorretta • Elisabeth Williams
——— Production ——— SENIOR PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR
Emily Koenig 859/271-7883 • ekoenig@usdf.org SENIOR CREATIVE COORDINATOR
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ER
USDF Connection is published ten times a year by the United States Dressage Federation, 4051 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511. Phone: 859/971-2277. Fax: 859/971-7722. E-mail: usdressage@ usdf.org, Web site: www.usdf.org. 2014 AW USDF members receive USDF ConARD W IN nection as a membership benefit, paid by membership dues. Copyright © 2016 USDF. All rights reserved. Reproduction of articles requires permission from USDF. Other text may be reproduced with credit given to USDF Connection. USDF reserves the right to refuse any advertising or copy that is deemed unsuitable for USDF and its policies. Excluding advertisements, all photos with mounted riders must have safety head gear or USEF-approved competition hat. USDF assumes no responsibility for the claims made in advertisements. Statements of fact and opinion are those of the experts consulted and authors, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or the policy of USDF. The publishers reserve the right to reject any advertising deemed unsuitable for USDF, as well as the right to reject or edit any manuscripts received for publication. USDF assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. All materials must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Questions about your subscription or change in address? Contact USDF Membership Department, 859/971-2277, or usdressage@usdf.org. POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: USDF, 4051 IRON WORKS PARKWAY, LEXINGTON, KY 40511. Canadian Agreement No. 1741527. Canada return address: Station A, P.O. Box 54, Windsor, Ontario N9A 6J5.
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Jennifer O. Bryant, Editor @JenniferOBryant
EDITOR
Jennifer O. Bryant 610/344-0116 • jbryant@usdf.org
AH
with German master Johann Hinnemann, my instructor and I both returned home eager to apply what we’d learned. But I am not a professional dressage instructor, and so if it weren’t for the fact that I get the opportunity to share the conference with you in this magazine (turn to page 28 for my report), my horse and I alone would benefit from my attendance. My instructor, however, can spread the wealth. In her lessons, woven into the fabric of her existing knowledge and “toolbox” of gymnastic exercises are now key points and new exercises that came directly from Mr. Hinnemann at the Trainers Conference. For these reasons, I’m OK with the Trainers Conference format. I know some USDF members wish it were open to all. That doesn’t seem possible given the intentionally intimate format; plus, unfortunately, some adult amateurs have a habit of clamoring for educational opportunities and then failing to take advantage of them when they are offered. Conference attendees pay a fairly hefty registration fee, and sponsorships and partnerships cover the remainder of the costs; USDF membership dues do not fund the Trainers Conference. But most of all, I’ve seen the trickle-down effect in action. Because so many dressage pros attend, so many more dressage riders and horses benefit.
N
E
very year, the USDF produces an FEI-Level Trainers Conference (two this year, in fact). As the name suggests, the conference is aimed at professional dressage instructor/ trainers. (This event is not just for pros, however; see the USDF website for complete attendance criteria.) Although a dressage enthusiast can probably glean some knowledge in any setting—after all, that’s why a lot of people watch the warm-up ring at shows—I think there is a place amidst the USDF’s many educational offerings for a “train the trainer” event. For starters, the audience—300 or so at January’s Adequan/USDF Trainers Conference East in Florida—is small enough to literally sit ringside, see every nuance of the training, and ask questions. The conference has a peer-to-peer feel, and it is perhaps this “safe” atmosphere that has helped attract increasing numbers of highprofile demonstration riders and horses in recent years. Most important, because the Trainers Conference is essentially a dressage professional-development short course, the clinician ends up reaching thousands of riders and horses. Let’s do some quick math. My own instructor, who attended the Florida conference, teaches around 20 students in a given week. If one instructor is passing along knowledge to 20 students, then the 300 instructor/ trainers at the Florida conference together are presumably reaching some 6,000 riders. That’s not including the students of the pros who attended the Trainers Conference West in California last month, and it’s not including the horses in training with the conference participants that will also benefit. No single dressage clinic or symposium in this country that I know of draws an audience of that size. I have seen this trickle-down effect firsthand. After the Florida conference
HEADS UP
YOUR DRESSAGE WORLD THIS MONTH BEHIND THE SCENES
American Hanoverian Society to Manage US Rhineland Studbook
F
ollowing the merger of the Rhineland Studbook in Germany with the German Hanoverian Verband, the American Hanoverian Society, Lexington, KY, is taking over administration duties of the Rhineland Studbook in the US, the AHS announced February 8. The AHS will maintain the American Rhineland Studbook separate from the Hanoverian Studbook. Beginning with the 2016 inspection tours, the AHS will inspect breeding stock for both the Hanoverian and the Rhineland studbooks. This will provide breeders the opportunity to attend a single inspection in order to have their
breeding stock considered for inclusion in either studbook. According to the AHS press release, the Rhineland Studbook’s inspection, approval, and licensing criteria for breeding stock are “more liberal” than those of the Hanoverian Studbook. “In addition, the Rhineland Studbook accepts breeding stock from a wider breeding population than that of the Hanoverian Studbook, recognizing most WBFSH studbook/ registry members, provided certain pedigree and performance requirements are met.” For more information, send e-mail to rhineland@hanoverian.org or call (859) 629-8517.
WORLD CUP FINALS
2017 FEI World Cup Finals Test Event Officials Announced
T
he Omaha (NE) Equestrian Foundation (OEF) in February announced the organizing committee, judges, and other officials for the test event for the 2017 FEI World Cup Dressage and Jumping Finals in Omaha. The test event will be held as the 2016 International Omaha. The May 5-7 competition will include Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle dressage competition. Learn more at internationalomaha.com. Lisa Roskens, a member of the OEF’s operating board, will serve as chair of the International Omaha organizing committee. Thomas Baur has been named director of dressage, with Monica Fitzgerald serving as manager of dressage. The dressage ground jury for the International Omaha will consist of Gary Rockwell (USA), Janet Foy
(USA), Cara Whitham (CAN), Lee Tubman (CAN), and Cesar Torrente (COL). Elisabeth Williams will be the chief steward for dressage, assisted by dressage stewards Walter Bagley, Lisa Gorretta, and Anne Sushko. At press time, the FEI had not yet announced the roster of officials for the 2017 World Cup Finals. The March 27-April 2, 2017 event will be the FEI World Cup Finals’ first trip to Omaha. The Finals were last held in the US in 2015, in Las Vegas. The 2016 World Cup Finals were set to be held March 23-26 in Gothenburg, Sweden, with US representatives Guenter Seidel on Zero Gravity and Charlotte Jorst on Kastel’s Nintendo set to challenge defending Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final champion Charlotte Dujardin of Great Britain on Valegro.
8 April 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Sabine Schleese, Schleese Saddlery
J
ob title: Director of corporate affairs, Schleese Saddlery Service Inc., Holland Landing, ON (saddlesforwomen.com)
SADDLERY POWER COUPLE: Jochen and Sabine Schleese on their 25th wedding anniversary
What I do: I work with my husband, master saddler Jochen Schleese, to write saddle-fitting articles for approximately 28 publications on a rotating basis. My other role is networking and promotion. It’s all part of marketing, basically. I travel to about three or four big events during the course of the year, but generally, I’m not the one on the road. How I got started: I didn’t really start riding until I met my husband. He was on the Young Riders team in Germany at the time. In order to have any time with him at all, I had to learn to ride very, very quickly. Best thing about my job: One of my favorite sayings is that if you do what you love, you will never work another day in your life. I think that’s probably true about everybody who works with us. My horses: Unfortunately, we don’t have horses any more. We don’t have time. Tip: Surround yourself with people who know more than you do and listen to them, whether in business or in riding. —Katherine Walcott
COURTESY OF SABINE SCHLEESE
SPORT-HORSE BREEDING
USDF Headquarters Celebrates 10th Anniversary
The USDF staff gathered to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the opening of the USDF National Education Center at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. The staff members moved into their new home April 1, 2006.
Register Your Horse with USDF! The $95 USDF Lifetime Horse Registration: t Fulfills horse registration requirements for ALL USDF award and championship programs.* t Never needs to be renewed.
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* For information about rider/owner membership ip requirements for award d and championship programs, ms, visit the USDF website.
www.usdf.org USDF CONNECTION
â&#x20AC;˘
April 2016
9
HEADS UP
YOUR DRESSAGE WORLD THIS MONTH
USDF BULLETINS
What you need to know this month GMO Members: Are You Eligible for a Refund? IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF A USDF GROUP-MEMBER ORGANIZATION (GMO), you may request a refund of the USDF portion of the membership fee for any additional GMOs you join (limit three), less a small processing fee. Requests must be submitted in writing between April 1 and August 1 of the current membership year using the Multiple GMO Dues Refund Request form, which is available on the USDF website. For voting purposes, a primary GMO must be declared. Send e-mail to gmo@usdf.org with any questions.
New USDFBC Materiale Championships EACH GREAT AMERICAN INSURANCE GROUP/USDF BREEDERS CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES FINAL competition will now be holding a Materiale championship, as well. One championship class will be offered for three-year-olds, and one championship class will be offered for four- and five-year-olds. Please review the USDFBC program rules on the USDF website for eligibility and qualification requirements. For more about the new championships, see “SportHorse Connection” on page 12.
Participate in the Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals RIDERS THROUGH THE AGE OF 18 may qualify to participate in the Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals by earning a score of 70 percent or above in any open dressage-seat equitation class held at a USEF-licensed/ USDF-recognized dressage competition during the qualifying period, or by qualifying for a Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Championships. Learn more at usdf.org.
Scores Do Not Expire for Horse Performance Certificates EVEN IF YOUR HORSE EARNED the scores last year, you still can submit an application for a USDF Horse Performance Certificate. Apply online via the USDF website under Awards. See the USDF Member Guide for complete award requirements.
Are You an Adult Amateur Competing at Second Level? ADULT AMATEURS COMPETING at Second Level are encouraged to participate in the USDF/Dover Saddlery Adult Amateur Medal Program. Visit the USDF website for more information and to locate a competition hosting the program near you. Meet the 2015 USDF/Dover Saddlery Adult Amateur Medal national champion on page 14 of this issue.
2016 GAIG/USDF Regional Championships START SETTING YOUR GOALS FOR THE YEAR! Here’s the list of the 2016 championships dates and locations. An asterisk (*) indicates a date change since the original date and location announcement in May 2015. Region 1: September 15-18, NC * Region 2: September 22-25, IL Region 3: October 13-16, GA * Region 4: September 8-11, IA Region 5: September 15-18, CO Region 6: September 22-25, WA * Region 7: September 29-October 2, CA Region 8: September 22-25, NY Region 9: October 6-9, TX.
10 April 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Get Your Lapel Pins THE USDF OFFERS LAPEL-PIN versions of the prestigious USDF rider medals and freestyle bars. Order your lapel pins now from the USDF online store and proudly wear them at your next dressage competition.
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Introducing the Materiale Championships Coming to a Great American/USDF Breeders Series Final near you! By Kristi Wysocki
T
he USDF Sport Horse Committee is excited to announce that 2016 is the inaugural year for the Materiale championship division, which will be held at all Great American Insurance Group/USDF Breeders Championship Series (USDFBC) Finals. The Sport Horse Committee looks forward to the long-overdue addition of this division. Each Great American/USDFBC Final will now include two Materiale championship classes:
• Materiale championship for three-year-olds (to include fillies, colts, and geldings) • Materiale championship for fourand five-year-olds (to include mares, stallions, and geldings). The new championship divisions are designed to encourage more participation in Materiale classes at USEF-licensed/USDF-recognized dressage competitions, and to recognize the many talented young horses just getting started in dressage.
Materiale Explained Materiale classes are a great opportunity for three-, four-, and five-year-old horses to get experience in the dressage arena without the pressure of having to perform a dressage test. Horses that may not be ready to attempt more difficult classes, such as the FEI Young Horse tests or even standard USEF dressage tests, may shine in USDF Materiale classes, which give youngsters more positive opportunities to build confidence in the show ring. In a Materiale class, all horses in a division compete in the arena at the same time. The judge evaluates the contestants’ walk, trot, and canter and potential as a dressage horse relative to one another. Being in the company of other horses without being asked to perform specific movements provides a wonderful, low-pressure environment to build a young horse’s confidence. Podcast Alert
12 April 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
PODCAST
MATERIALE STANDOUT: The five-year-old KWPN mare Fran Schufro (Don Schufro x Wanroij), bred by Ben and Ona Eby (CA) and owned by Anke Ott Young (CT), was the 2015 Dressage at Devon (PA) Materiale champion. She was ridden by Jannike Gray (CT).
Check out podcast 117 with Kristi Wysocki discussing the Materiale Championships at usdf.podbean.com.
editorial@usdf.org
How to Qualify for the Championships Horses qualify through participation in any USEF/USDF dressage sporthorse breeding (DSHB) competition or USEF/USDF dressage competition during the competition year. The horse must obtain a minimum score of 72 percent in a Materiale class at one recognized competition in order to qualify for the USDFBC Finals. Once qualified, the horse may compete in any USDFBC Final held in the same competition year. A horse may compete in the Final with a different rider than the one with whom it qualified. For horse, rider, and owner membership and recording requirements and more details about the program, visit the USDF website (usdf.org) and select the “Breeders Series” link from the pop-up menu under the Competition tab. The new Materiale championships are a great new avenue for American breeders to showcase their talented young horses to the dressage community. We look forward to providing this new opportunity for these fledglings to shine in the sport of dressage. ▲ The chair of the USDF Sport Horse Committee, Kristi Wysocki is an FEI 3* dressage judge, an FEI and USEF Young Horse judge, and a USEF “R” DSHB judge, among others. She lives in Elbert, CO.
COMING NEXT MONTH • Single or double? How to decide which bridle is best for your horse • New training series: Develop sophistication of the aids with George Williams • Take a dressage cruise with Jeremy Steinberg
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amateur hour
editorial@usdf.org
The winner of the 2015 USDF/Dover Adult Amateur Medal had envisioned a very different year, but a chance encounter prompted a new adventure By Megan Brincks
A
lthough Elizabeth “Liz” Behrenfeld, DVM, wasn’t striving to win the 2015 USDF/Dover Saddlery Adult Amateur Medal National Championship title, last year’s work and competition represents her culminated efforts aboard her mare Gwynnevere, a horse she never intended to purchase.
mount of the same caliber; so she took a step back until she found another young horse, a gelding named Wrigley, with motivated sellers. “I got him at a pretty good price,” Behrenfeld says. “Then a week later, [dressage trainer] Kathy Casey called me and told me I needed to come look at this mare, and I’m like, ‘I don’t need
HOT MAMA: The Hackney/Dutch Warmblood mare Gwynnevere carried owner/rider Elizabeth Behrenfeld to the 2015 USDF/Dover Saddlery Adult Amateur Medal National Championship
“Two years ago, I purchased a nice young horse, and he ended up getting cancer—lymphoma—and dying,” says Behrenfeld, of Alsea, OR. With her savings spent on that horse, she didn’t have the money to invest in another
another horse; I have one. I can’t afford two horses!’” Nevertheless, Behrenfeld, who had been friends with Casey for years through the Oregon Dressage Society, went to look at the now-15-year-old
14 April 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Never a Dull Moment The decision to buy Gwynnevere came easily, but getting to know the mare proved more of a challenge. She had been started and shown by dressage pro Alyssa Pitts, of Snohomish, WA, and together they competed up to Third Level in 2008. After the mare was sold, she did not compete at recognized shows until Behrenfeld debuted her at First Level last April. “She has the Hackney flashy movement, so judges like that—she’s flashy with four white socks and a big mover,” Behrenfeld says. “It took me a long time to figure out how to ride her. It took me about three months to figure out how to canter. She’s super sensitive and super hot.” Behrenfeld’s patience paid off, and the pair topped the Dover Medal national standings with an average score of 72.564 percent at Second Level. They also finished fifth in the 2015 Adequan/USDF Adult Amateur Second Level standings, and they claimed both the First and Second Level AA championship titles at the 2015 ODS Championship Show. Before 2015, Behrenfeld didn’t know anything about the Dover Medal program, which awards Dover Saddlery gift certificates (and medals, of course) to top-placing adult amateurs in designated Dover Medal classes at Second Level (see “About the USDF/Dover Saddlery Adult Amateur Medal Program” on page 16). If she was surprised to receive her first Dover Medal, Behrenfeld was un-
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An Unexpected Partner
Hackney/Dutch Warmblood cross (Koopman’s Frans Have – Gretchen). Gwynnevere immediately caught Behrenfeld’s eye. “She has an extremely strong back end,” Behrenfeld says. “She’s put together conformationally really well. She’s got a funny little Roman nose and funny little face that took me a while to love, but the rest of her is built pretty well.” With that, Behrenfeld found herself the proud owner of two talented dressage prospects.
doubtedly staggered to learn that she had captured the 2015 championship title—and the accompanying $1,000 Dover Saddlery gift card, which she plans to use toward a new dressage saddle for her mare. Although some people might hesitate at taking on a spirited mare, having a hot horse was a bit of a relief for Behrenfeld. “I got my USDF silver medal a few years ago on an old schoolmaster who was really lazy,” she says, “so getting a horse that was really hot and you don’t have to beg to make them go was actually pretty nice. The spooking comes with the territory. You get one or the other; I’ll take the spooking.” In addition to the challenges under saddle, Gwynnevere demonstrated a disturbing propensity toward colic last spring. “When we first got her, she colicked ten or twelve times. I took her to Oregon State University about four times,” Behrenfeld says. “She didn’t have surgery, but we had pretty much everything else done.” Despite Behrenfeld’s equestrian and veterinary expertise, and the team of OSU veterinarians working on the mare, it was hard to pinpoint the cause of Gwynnevere’s discomfort. But the scenario was always the same: About 15 minutes after finishing a ride, Gwynnevere would start displaying classic colic symptoms. “It would get to the point where it was pretty bad—her heart rate was up, she’d be lying down, sweating, all of that,” Behrenfeld says. Banamine didn’t seem to help, but the mare would improve on her own each time. “After a little bit, she would get better.” Gastroscopy, ultrasounds, and radiographs showed nothing amiss, but the colic episodes continued. Then, in late spring, Behrenfeld changed a couple of supplements and added a prebiotic to her mare’s diet. “I did all those things at the same time, so I don’t know [what fixed it], but we’re not changing any of them. If she [colicked] again, she was going to go to surgery,” she says. “I’m not sure if
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USDF CONNECTION • April 2016
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amateur hour
editorial@usdf.org
About the USDF/Dover Saddlery Adult Amateur Medal Program
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he USDF/Dover Saddlery Adult Amateur Medal is awarded to the highestscoring adult amateur who meets the eligibility requirements and has obtained a score of at least 60 percent in a designated class, which is the required Second Level Test 3 or applicable Dover Medal test-ofchoice class. Riders who win three Dover Medals in a competition year receive a USDF/Dover National Merit Award. National Merit Award winners qualify for consideration for the annual USDF/Dover Saddlery Adult Amateur Medal National Championship title. The rider with the highest average from his or her top three scores in designated Dover Medal classes wins the championship and a $1,000 Dover Saddlery gift certificate. The reserve national champion wins a $500 Dover Saddlery gift certificate. The national awards are presented during the Salute Gala & Annual Awards Banquet held at the Adequan/USDF Annual Convention. For more information, visit usdf.org and select Awards/Performance/ Dover Medal Program.
she’s going to do it again in the spring. But, knock on wood, she hasn’t done it in about six months. It was terrifying and horrible.”
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Behrenfeld grew up in Oregon, where she rode hunters and jumpers. Her mother, Sally Temple, rides dressage, and when Behrenfeld moved with her husband to Virginia, she found herself in a community saturated with dressage riders. After five years on the East Coast, the couple returned to Oregon. A former large-animal veterinarian, Behrenfeld has since transitioned to small animals. She rides in the mornings before doing a later shift at the veterinary clinic where she works. “It is really hard. My mom helps a lot,” she says. “But they’re long days.” However, a background as a veterinarian can prove to be an asset to a dressage rider.
16 April 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Megan Brincks worked for magazines in Virginia and Texas before moving to Midland, TX, where she continues work as a freelance journalist. She has ridden horses for most of her life and recently started exploring eventing with an off-the-track Thoroughbred named Proper D or “Dutch.” Podcast Alert
PODCAST
Tel: (402) 342--7788 * Fax: (402) 342--5444
Balance in and out of the Saddle
“I think it makes you pay more attention. I don’t know—I haven’t done it the other way—but I think you probably pay more attention to their whole body rather than just the movements.” Behrenfeld also relies on good eyes on the ground. She works with Oregon-based dressage trainers Kim Barker and Tina Steward, and she attends as many clinics as she can to help herself and her horses realize their dressage potential. She’s had the opportunity to work with Olympian Debbie McDonald, FEI-level competitor David Blake, and many others. At a clinic with international Grand Prix competitor Laura Graves, Behrenfeld started to see Gwynnevere’s potential. “She helped me realize how nice of a horse she really is,” Behrenfeld says of Graves. “I was like, ‘Oh, OK, maybe I can do well with her.’ I’ve never had a horse this nice,” she says. This year, Behrenfeld says, she plans to show Gwynnevere at Third Level while her younger gelding, Wrigley, excels in local shows at Training Level. Although the 2015 show season wasn’t what Behrenfeld had planned, it ultimately worked out better than she could have hoped. “I feel really lucky to have Gwynnevere. She’s a pretty good horse,” she says. ▲
Check out podcast 120 with an interview with Dover Medal winner Elizabeth Behrenfeld at usdf.podbean.com.
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American Dressage Legends: Margarita ‘Migi’ Serrell Meet the American Dressage Institute founder and dressage pioneer
I
n the early 1960s, dressage was little known or respected in the US. Margarita “Migi” Noble Serrell (1917-2008) was one of a few dedicated enthusiasts who sought to promote and develop the sport in this country. The dressage organization she founded would become the first in the country to launch a national educational program, and it was a forerunner to the USDF.
DOER: Serrell at the 1978 USDF convention
Serrell, a nearly lifelong resident of Greenwich, CT, rode from an early age and served as joint master of the Fairfield/Westchester Fox Hounds before developing a love of dressage. She eventually progressed to the Grand Prix level, becoming something
of a rarity among American dressage riders of her time. Like many New York City metropolitan-area residents, Serrell liked to beat the summer heat by escaping to the upstate New York resort and horse-racing city of Saratoga Springs. It was there that she would help make American dressage history. In Saratoga, Serrell befriended other dressage enthusiasts, including future Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Famer Dr. Max Gahwyler, who lived not far from Serrell in Darien, CT. The friends began riding in Saratoga and enjoying the city’s cultural offerings, including as the summer home of the New York City Ballet. In 1967, eager to further their dressage educations, Serrell and her friends made what she called a trial effort at hosting a dressage seminar in Saratoga. As she told USDF Connection in 2002: “One summer, we got together a couple of guinea pigs who wanted to become acquainted with another level of riding. Things went so well during those first two and half weeks that we said, Let’s not let this go, and let’s put it together the next summer. Guess who everyone looked at?” Serrell thus was put in charge of the effort, and she would serve for six years as president of the organization she created, which she called the American Dressage Institute. Serrell herself provided most of the funding for the ADI’s inaugural seminar, a three-week program held in Saratoga in 1968. Then-Spanish Riding School of Vienna director Col. Hans Handler, a friend of Gahwyler’s, was the clinician. The ADI Dressage Seminar initially attracted riders from New England and the Mid-Atlantic, but word spread and soon riders were
18 April 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
editorial@usdf.org
coming from as far away as California and New Mexico to learn. The organization even developed a symbiotic relationship with the New York City Ballet. The late George Balanchine, the legendary NYCB director, loved the Spanish Riding School’s Lipizzan stallions. Although Balanchine’s dream of having his dancers perform with the Lipizzans never materialized, he did arrange for a 1967 publicity photo of himself and then-NYCB prima ballerina Suzanne Farrell en pointe next to a stallion and his rider. Then-NYCB general director Lincoln Kirstein became board chairman of the ADI, as well; ADI letterhead from that time even bears the address of Lincoln Center, the New York City home of the NYCB.
Education and Beyond Serrell and her fellow ADI supporters dreamed that the organization would become a true US national dressage academy. In her 1969 letter to the ADI membership, she wrote hopefully: “Our goal of a school whose sole purpose is to teach the correct basic elements of classical dressage seems to be almost within our grasp and points the way toward putting the USA in the running again on an International level.” For a time, it seemed as if the dream might come true. The 1969 ADI seminar drew 17 riders and 10 auditors from 15 states, according to Serrell’s letter. Many well-known riders and trainers were ADI “graduates,” among them FEI 5* dressage judge and Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame inductee Linda Zang, Olympian and fellow Hall of Famer Michael Poulin, the late FEI-level competitor and judge Alexsandra Howard, and judge Thomas Poulin. Even more tantalizing was the thought of a permanent ADI riding school. As Serrell reported in her 1969 letter: “Skidmore College [in Saratoga Springs] is planning a new riding center to be, hopefully, ready in the spring of 1971. A.D.I. has agreed to raise $50,000 toward the building
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HISTORIC MOMENT: American Dressage Institute president Migi Serrell addresses the audience at the 1971 opening of the Skidmore College Riding Center and ADI facility in Saratoga Springs, NY
fund which would insure [sic] us permanent riding facilities where we can teach twelve months of the year. In return for this money, A.D.I. would have ten box stalls, an office, indoor school and our own teaching staff, available to all at any pre-arranged time, plus additional outdoor arenas and housing for non-resident students, maintaining, the while, our own identity.” The Skidmore College Riding Center, with ADI facilities, did indeed open in July 1971, with Serrell and other ADI and dressage dignitaries attending the opening ceremony and dressage performances. The ADI went on to conduct several week-long sessions from the riding center’s opening until its eventual dissolution in 1978. Gahwyler took over from Serrell as president in 1973 and served until the ADI’s closing. Under his watch, the ADI’s most significant achievement was the hiring of the late Swedish Col. Bengt Ljungquist as its head instructor, and the subsequent ADI sponsorship of dressage training sessions at Hamilton Farm in Gladstone, NJ, headquarters of the United States Equestrian Team (now USET Foundation). The ADI had a vision that went beyond dressage education, and with Serrell’s help it too became a reality. In
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USDF CONNECTION • April 2016
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historical connection
editorial@usdf.org
PAS DE DEUX: Sidley Payne and ADI president Migi Serrell perform at the ADI/Skidmore College Riding Center opening in 1971
that same 1969 letter to ADI members, she wrote: “There is no reason to doubt that, with proper facilities and first rate staff, ADI could produce a rider and a horse of Olympic quality for 1972, and perhaps even two for 1976.” Surpassing Serrell’s hopes, the US was able to field an entire dressage team for the 1976 Olympics; and Hilda Gurney/Keen, Dorothy Morkis/ Monaco, and Edith Master/Dahlwitz brought home the bronze medal—the first US Olympic dressage medal since 1948. The ADI footed the $20,000 bill to send the team to Montreal.
2016 USDF Arts Contest The grand prize winning entry will be used as the cover art for the USDF Member Guide.
20 April 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
ENTRY DEADLINE JULY 1 www.usdf.org (awards/other awards) for complete contest rules and entry form
Podcast Alert
PODCAST
2 Divisions Art and Photography 3 Age Groups 15 and under, 16 to 21 and Adult
Serrell proved instrumental in the establishment of the USDF, as well. Representing both the ADI and the Westchester-Fairfield Dressage Society, she attended the USDF founding
Check out podcast 117 about Migi Serrell at usdf. podbean.com.
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meeting in 1973 and continued to attend USDF annual meetings as a delegate for some years to come. As the USDF took hold and grew, it became evident that the American dressage community at the time was not able to sustain two national dressage organizations. According to Gahwyler, with a membership of about 500, the ADI was unable to keep pace with the USDF’s numbers, and the ADI’s run ended in 1978. But through her creation of the ADI, Serrell sowed the seeds of a wider-ranging effort to educate American dressage riders, trainers, and instructors. Today, the USDF Instructor/Trainer Program helps to carry on the ADI legacy of developing classically-trained teachers and trainers. In recognition of her seminal efforts in developing dressage in the US, the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame inducted Serrell in 2003. ▲
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Breed of the Month: Norwegian Fjord We spotlight a USDF All-Breeds awards participating registry
The Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry: The NFHR has been responsible for registering Norwegian Fjord Horses in the United States since 1983. Its mission is to register and preserve the genetic purity of the breed. The NFHR aspires to serve its membership by maintaining a sustainable organization to support and promote the Fjord Horse breed. All-Breeds awards offered: Through fourth place in the open, adult amateur, junior/young rider, musical freestyle, para-dressage rider
of the year, and Vintage Cup performance categories. How to participate: The horse must be registered with the NFHR, and the owner must be a NFHR member in good standing. Learn more: nfhr.com or (303) 684-6466. ▲
FUN, VERSATILE PARTNER: The Fjord Horse stallion Mogly (Mosby x Illiano), ridden by Lori Albrough (ON)
For the Breeds, by the Breeds
24 April 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
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ach month, “All-Breeds Connection” spotlights a USDF All-Breeds awards program participating organization and the breed it represents. Information and photos that appear in this column are furnished by the breed registries. USDF does not endorse or promote any breed or registry over another. The All-Breeds program is designed to recognize the accomplishments of specific breeds in dressage. All participating organizations offer “open” year-end awards from Training Level through Grand Prix, and some offer awards in additional categories, such as adult amateur, junior/ young rider, and dressage sport-horse breeding. Registry representatives are usually on hand to help bestow awards at the banquet held during each year’s USDF convention. All-Breeds award eligibility requirements include memberships and horse registrations with both USDF and the participating organization. For details and a list of current participating organizations, visit usdf.org. For more information about All-Breeds awards program participation, send e-mail to allbreeds@usdf.org.
COURTESY OF LORI ALBROUGH
T
he Fjord Horse is one of the world’s oldest and purest breeds, domesticated more than 4,000 years ago. Today’s Fjord retains the wild dun color of the original horse as well as primitive markings, including zebra stripes on the legs and a dorsal stripe that runs from the forelock down the back and into the tail. A Fjord’s mane is traditionally trimmed short to stand erect, which shows off the outer white hair and a dark color, usually black, in the middle. The Fjord horse comes from a “Jack of all trades” background in its native Norway, and the breed standard calls for a versatile horse: with the balance and three good gaits necessary to be a good riding horse, the temperament and willingness to be driven, and the strength and reliability for light draft work. Many dressage riders come to the Fjord breed looking for a partner that is smaller and more manageable while still offering a “big horse” feel in its gaits. With a generally calm and accepting temperament, and bred to be trainable and to retain what he has learned, the Fjord puts the fun back into riding and showing. Fjord Horses you might know: The most famous dressage Fjord is the gelding Wez (Kinnikinnick x Stolmann). Wez was shown at Grand Prix by his owner and trainer, Anne Appleby, who earned her USDF gold medal on Wez when he was 21 years old! Wez stayed sound and healthy until he retired from competition at age 26. Other notables are Misha (Gromar x Stolmann), who showed at Prix St. Georges, also owned and shown by Anne Appleby; and Prisco (Halstor x Myrstein), a gelding ridden by Lori Albrough, who earned a Dressage Canada silver medal with him.
editorial@usdf.org
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PRECISION MOVEMENTS
For German master Johann Hinnemann, dressage excellence requires accuracy and strict adherence to the classical training principles
ACCURACY IS KEY: Clinician Johann Hinnemann schools Ayden Uhlir and Sjapoer on the precision of riding tempi changes
28 April 2016 â&#x20AC;¢ USDF CONNECTION
STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY JENNIFER O. BRYANT
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ven the most gifted riders and trainers learned their craft from someone. When a trainer counts the legendary Dr. Reiner Klimke and Harry Boldt among his primary mentors, and can point to Olympian Steffen Peters as one of his students, dressage professionals will line up to learn from such a master. An audience of 300-plus came to the 2016 Adequan/ USDF FEI-Level Trainers Conference East in January to watch clinician Johann Hinnemann work with seven horserider demonstration pairs. Hinnemann, 67, a German Reitmeister, has coached the German and Dutch national dressage teams and the Canadian Olympic dressage team. He comes from the old-school European equestrian tradition that has produced so many stars. “I grew up on a farm,” he recounted—the family horsetraining business in Voerde. “The normal development when you grow up on a farm, there is a local riding club. You do a little bit of dressage, a little bit of jumping, a little bit of three-day eventing. This is how I grew up. I had the possibility with a very good local riding instructor to learn the basics quite well.” At 16, with a “quite nice horse” given to him by his grandfather, Hinnemann “started to do serious riding” and began studying with the legendary Dr. Reiner Klimke. At the Klimkes’ farm in Münster Hinnemann also rode under the instructor Günter Gurminski, who “taught us every day.” Later he also rode with Albert Stecken, one of Klimke’s own teachers; “I think his influence was really big.” And “through my sport career I had a lot of teaching with Harry Boldt.” At the relatively young age of 24, “I got this little farm from my grandfather, and I started there,” Hinnemann said. Under his guidance the family farm, Krüsterhof, has become a world-renowned dressage training center and stallion station. Around 30 horses are in residence, these days with the training mainly in the hands of Bereiter Stefanie Wolf and the breeding business run by Hinnemann’s daughter, Tina Hinnemann, a veterinarian and equine-reproduction specialist. For years, top riders and horses have been making trips to Krüsterhof to train with Hinnemann. One who didn’t have to travel far was Steffen Peters, who was from Wesel, 10 kilometers (about six miles) from Voerde. After Peters “changed from ponies to big horses, he got Udon,” the Dutch Warmblood gelding who would become Peters’ first Olympic horse, in Atlanta 1996. “He started at our place with Udon. From our place he went over to the United States,” Hinnemann said. Another native of Germany who trained with Hinnemann is Olympian Christine Traurig, who like Peters later became a US citizen and who is now the USEF national dressage young-horse coach. “She lived at my place about
FRIENDS: Hinnemann and two of his best-known US students, Christine Traurig (left) and Kathleen Raine, having fun at the Dover Saddlery evening Trainers Conference reception
seven years. Etienne [Traurig’s bronze-medal partner for the 2000 Sydney Games] was the whole time at my place,” Hinnemann said. A third longtime student, Californian Kathleen Raine, trained at Krüsterhof with her first Grand Prix horse, Avontuur, Hinnemann said. Traurig and Raine were on hand for the Trainers Conference East, held January 18-19 at High Meadow Farm in Loxahatchee, FL. Hinnemann conducted the conference solo, although Traurig and Raine joined him for lunchtime panel discussions, and Traurig occasionally got pressed into service as translator when some piece of German dressage phrasing went beyond Hinnemann’s grasp of American idioms. (His English is excellent, but as a longtime US resident Traurig has the bilingual advantage.)
Hinnemann’s Philosophy The term submission, although it remains as one of the collective marks in the US national-level dressage tests, has fallen somewhat out of favor. The descriptor “willing cooperation” has been added to emphasize that submission is not cowed subservience. Neither the collective marks nor the USDF Glossary of Judging Terms contains the word obedience in defining submission. But Hinnemann stressed that it is impossible to train a horse without instilling basic obedience. USDF CONNECTION
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“Suppleness, trust, and obedience,” he said, “bring us to submission. Even a young horse, a three-year-old, can be obedient. This is the first stage of submission.” Suppleness—range of motion of the joints, aka flexibility—is an element of relaxation, the second “rung” of the pyramid of training. According to Hinnemann, suppleness has a mental component, as well—and so training the horse’s mind is inextricably linked to the gymnastic development of his body. “Only a submissive horse is one hundred percent supple. A supple horse is not necessarily submissive. We must work on these things together. Only for horses mentally and physically supple can we get into a balance. Then we can teach the horses. Without this basic thinking, there is no training and teaching possible with our horses,” he said.
It Starts in the Warm-Up Perhaps you have been guilty of allowing your horse to cruise around, underpowered and not really on the aids, because “he’s just warming up” and you “haven’t really gone to work yet.” That is a mistake, said Hinnemann, who wanted the demonstration riders to set the bar high right from the beginning. Watching Endel Ots warm up the six-year-old Hanoverian gelding Lucky Strike (who finished eleventh at
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last year’s FEI World Breeding Championships for Young Dressage Horses), Hinnemann observed: “Endel must have the desire to always have the nose line stretching out like this, reaching into the contact. You have from the beginning a driving seat, a driving feeling. Try to get the contact from the beginning and the nose line out. This is sometimes difficult, but if you try to do it from the beginning, you have the driving seat. The horse gets a little bit obedient, and this is where submission starts. It is not slow. Never slow. Always active.”
Exacting Standards Hinnemann’s benchmark is a high one, and he expects the same degree of accuracy, submission, and activity from all horses and riders. Although training approaches must of course be varied according to the individual horse’s needs, he said that he does not change his basic methodology—or lower his standards—to “accommodate” a less-talented mount. “The training scale stays the same,” he said. “The training standards are the same.” The master is a stickler for accuracy. Inaccurate geometry may be a sign that the horse is avoiding the difficulty of the intended figure or line of travel, Hinnemann said. He had demonstration rider Mica Mabragaña on Tyara repeat
the turn onto the center line several times, explaining that only with an accurate turn can the rider properly prepare for the canter half-passes and flying changes (the “zigzags”). “Practice the entry and salute,” Hinnemann told demo rider Ayden Uhlir on Sjapoer. “It must be absolutely on the center line for a good first impression.” “Work on the accuracy of the exercises,” he advised Uhlir, who is competing at the Under 25 Grand Prix level and who was practicing the tempi changes. “Flying changes properly placed, and movements ridden letter to letter. For top marks, the middle change must be at X. Really think about where to start and how to finish.” “Don’t just learn the lines of the exercises,” Hinnemann said. “For every one, learn what to do to prepare and what is expected.” He told the story of prepping the then-rising German dressage star Sven Rothenberger for Grand Prix competition. “I made him get dressed in his show attire and walk [on foot] through the test in an arena mockup. He had to verbalize riding every bit of the test, not just the movements, all as preparation—mental training. “He has three very successful kids,” Hinnemann said of Rothenberger, who went on to win gold medals at World Equestrian Games and Olympic Games, “and he does it to his kids too.”
The Master’s Training Toolbox Do you ride regularly without stirrups? Hinnemann’s students do—ten to 20 minutes a day, he said. On day two of the conference, Hinnemann wanted Endel Ots to work on achieving better contact with Samhitas. “He’s still too tense for me,” Hinnemann remarked. “He gives the impression there is something cooking.” The trainer asked the rider if he was game to take his stirrups away. Ots showed excellent balance and body control—not to mention strength and fitness—in the ensuing 30-plus minutes without stirrups. Hinnemann noted distinct changes in Ots’s position: “When you had your stirrups, you were sitting with your upper body a little forward, your legs higher, and your stomach back. Now you have a more stretched seat; you’re sitting into the horse.” He instructed Ots to bring his legs back a bit and his toes up to create more stability in his calves. “‘Heels down’ puts tension in the entire leg,” he explained. “‘Toes up’ puts positive tension in the calf.” Hinnemann had most of the riders warm up with basic transitions, figures, and exercises: trot-canter transitions, 20-meter circles, leg-yield, shoulder-in. “The trot-canter transition is one of the most difficult exercises we have,” he said. “Make the downward transition with your driving aids,”
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IMPRESSIVE: Endel Ots worked without stirrups to deepen his seat and achieve better contact with Samhitas
he instructed Ots on Lucky Strike. “Think a little leg-yield. In the canter-trot transition, keep the neck up and push him through to the trot.” Melissa Jackson on Domani was asked to ride trot transitions within the gait across the diagonal. “Push at the end as if you were going to go into a passage trot; then push him through the corner to activate his hind legs,” Hinnemann said. He related a story about a time he approached the late German master Georg Theodorescu about training. “Theodorescu said, ‘Push more at the end of the extended trot than in the beginning. When you can do that, you can ride with me.’” Hinnemann explained the various uses of the whip. He had several riders touch their horses on the shoulder, which
can produce the desired forward reaction without the stiffening behind that sometimes occurs when the rider uses the whip behind her leg. And as Christine Traurig explained, “If you touch the shoulder in trot, the diagonal hind leg reacts at the same time.” Touching the horse with the whip behind the rider’s inside leg helps him to understand “that the inside leg is a pushing aid,” Hinnemann said. And “a longer whip on top of the croup, not on the horse’s hip, gets the horse to tuck his pelvis and ‘sit’ a bit more.” Several of the younger demonstration horses were in the process of learning or improving their flying changes. Hinnemann has an approach to schooling the changes that he said he has found successful with most horses. For starters, he does not like the often-used method of riding counter-canter toward the wall, then asking for a change as the horse reaches the letter; he thinks doing so encourages the horse to change in front first. Instead, after the horse is properly warmed up and has been taken through some basic leg-yield and shoulder-in work, Hinnemann starts by riding walk-canter transitions. Then he rides down the center line in canter and leg-yields away from his inside leg. As demonstrated by Ots on Lucky Strike, he progresses to moving the horse back and forth
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between both legs while maintaining the lead: half-pass in, leg-yield out, to teach the horse to wait for the rider’s aids. Then Ots rode counter-canter across the short side of the arena and did a simple change on the next quarter line. Finally, on the quarter line, he pushed the horse over slightly with the new inside leg, “hollowing” the horse in the direction of the change while maintaining the canter lead, then asked for the change. The “hollowing” to the new inside leg puts the horse slightly out of balance, and the aids “release” the change, he explained. “Before the flying change, bend to the new inside and make the inside hollow,” Hinnemann told Uhlir. “The horse must keep the canter and get into the wrong bend” prior to the change. The same principle applied when Uhlir rode the canter zigzag: “Ride half-pass; then keep going in incorrect bend before changing. Overdo the bend a little bit. When they get soft in the hand [toward the new inside rein], I straighten the neck a little bit and then ask for the change.” The rider must weight the new inside seat bone (think of lowering it) in asking for the flying change, Hinnemann said, essentially giving the same aid as for the canter depart. This is why it is important to use the inside leg and seat bone, rather than the outside leg, as the primary aid for the canter depart, he said.
Developing Activity and Expression Hinnemann worked with several riders on lateral movements, especially half-pass. The highest marks go to the horse that demonstrates great expression in addition to correct balance, cadence, and bend. Of these, expression is the last to be developed. “It’s more important to have a balanced and cadenced horse and then work step by step into the bend,” he said. Later, “when you have good flexion and bend, you can ask for more expression.” To encourage Kynynmont Gunsmoke’s Gideon to step more actively with his hind legs in the half-pass, Hinnemann instructed rider Jessica Jo “JJ” Tate to “go straight on the diagonal line toward the letter, then bend the horse behind you. Only focus on moving the hind legs.” In the half-pass, “the horse must look in the direction of travel, with his forehead on the line. It must look to the point where it will end up,” he said. Alternate between shoulder-in and travers (haunchesin) positioning in the canter on a circle to help develop flexibility in the horse’s body, Hinnemann recommended. Travers in canter on a circle supples the horse behind the saddle and teaches him to step separately with his hind legs,
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HALF-PASS WORK: Kynynmont Gunsmoke’s Gideon, ridden by JJ Tate, showed improved activity and suppleness behind
PIAFFE-PASSAGE: Hinnemann had rider Mica Mabragaña lighten her upper body a bit to help Tyara make a smoother transition from piaffe to passage
a useful exercise for developing the balance and suppleness needed for canter pirouettes. He had Tate ride five to seven strides of canter in either travers or shoulder-in before straightening and riding forward to renew the energy. Working with Mabragaña and her 2015 Pan American Games mount, Tyara, Hinnemann gave the rider pointers on producing better piaffe-passage transitions. “Too many riders lean back in the piaffe-passage transition,” he said. “This makes it hard for the horse to lift its hind leg. If you lighten your upper body slightly, it makes it easier for the horse to push out [from piaffe into passage].”
The horse must always stretch forward into the connection, he explained, because “the withers can only come up if the nuchal ligament is stretched and pulled on both sides— from the neck to the withers, and from the withers through the back.” The training must develop the muscles at the base of the withers so that they can help pull the back up and allow the stretch; without this, the connection is “not totally honest.” “Self-carriage is not [determined by] the neck or the poll; it is the withers,” he said. An extravagant-moving horse may fool his rider into thinking that he is correct when he is not, or that his mus-
The Classical Way Throughout the conference, Hinnemann emphasized the importance of developing the horse’s muscles and balance carefully and correctly.
Acknowledgments
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he USDF is grateful to the riders, owners, sponsors, and volunteers who helped to make the 2016 Adequan/USDF FEI-Level Trainers Conference East a success. Title sponsor: Adequan Reception sponsor: Dover Saddlery Host: Mary Anne McPhail, owner, High Meadow Farm Volunteer support: Lendon Gray and Dressage4Kids Winter Intensive Training Program Demonstration riders and horses: Heather Blitz, Loxahatchee, FL, and Ripline, an eightyear-old Danish Warmblood stallion by Hotline, owned by the rider and Oak Hill Ranch Heather Blitz and her own Quatero, a six-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding by Quaterback Melissa Jackson, Parrish, FL, and Domani, a six-year-old Hanoverian gelding by DiMaggio, owned by Marcie Biondolillo Mica Mabragaña, Mt. Kisco, NY, and Tyara, a
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SPONSOR THANKS: Flowers to conference host Mary Anne McPhail (second from right) and thanks to Allyn Mann of title sponsor Adequan (left) and clinician Johann Hinnemann (right) from USDF’s Stephan Hienzch and Kathie Robertson
15-year-old KWPN mare by Farrington, owned by Cesar Lopardo-Grana Endel Ots, Wellington, FL, and Lucky Strike, a six-yearold Hanoverian gelding by Lord Laurie, owned by the rider and Max Ots Endel Ots and Samhitas, a seven-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Sir Donnerhall, owned by Gary and Jamie Vander Ploeg, Mike Rucchi, and Max Ots Jessica Jo “JJ” Tate, Wellington, FL, and Kynynmont Gunsmoke’s Gideon, a seven-year-old Connemara gelding by Gunsmoke, owned by Pam Liddell Ayden Uhlir, Arlington, FL, and her own Sjapoer, a 16-year-old KWPN gelding by Contango.
culature is stronger than it actually is, Hinnemann said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You cannot ask for a high, spectacular trot without [first] developing the muscles,â&#x20AC;? he cautioned. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It makes work for our veterinarians.â&#x20AC;? Hinnemannâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s training finesse became evident when the stallion Ripline turned balky. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fight with him. You cannot fight with a stallion,â&#x20AC;? Hinnemann told rider Heather Blitz. Instead, he had Blitz stand for a moment before quietly turning and asking Ripline to go forward. She rode multi-loop serpentines in trot to encourage Ripline to drop his tightened neck and to go forward in a swinging trot. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Stallions often hold their breath when you use the spur,â&#x20AC;? Hinnemann said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They tend to be more against the leg than mares. You cannot win; you must convince them. I have twelve stallions in my barn. If you get into a fight you have to win, and whether you will win is questionable. We have to find it in another way. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Brutality starts when intelligence is at its end. We are trying to be intelligent people.â&#x20AC;? With his many years at the top of the sportâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;he is also a licensed judge, although he is not actively judgingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; Hinnemann understands the rationale behind the design of the dressage tests. He regards the current push by some to
condense the Grand Prix tests as not only nontraditional but a disservice to the horses. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They even think about taking the salute in the beginning away. When we think about preparing a horse for Grand Prix, it means we have to come down the center line, salute at X, and then trot. The first diagonal is the extended trot. That means we have to get the most quietness from the horseâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;that at X he stands there, not moving, and you can salute. Then the next exercise is the highest possible impulsion on the diagonal. To put this together is the art of training in my eyes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think we are at the point where we ask too much of the horses and we forget all the classical things. The walk [in the tests] is not only for [the judges to assess] the length of the stride but also to give the horses a chance to breathe. Then [come] more exercises like piaffe-passage, then walk again, the walk pirouettes, and two times the walk to give the horses a chance to breathe. I think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not fair that we take these kinds of things away. We have already problems with horse abuse, and then [if ] we take these things away, the development goes in the wrong direction.â&#x20AC;? Hinnemann is doing his part to make sure that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t happen. â&#x2013;˛ Jennifer Bryant is the editor of USDF Connection.
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GRAD PROGRAM GRADS: Participants in the 2016 USDF/USEF Young Rider Graduate Program pose for a group photo
Dreams into Action At the USDF/USEF Young Rider Graduate Program, practical advice for tomorrow’s dressage pros STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY JENNIFER O. BRYANT
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ressage, that most solitary of athletic pursuits, international para-equestrian dressage competitor Rebecca tends to attract people who aren’t all rah-rah Hart. “I was once on a train when I noticed another passenteamwork by nature. Our sport is more likely to ger looking at me, obviously hoping to strike up a conversadraw the high-achieving introvert who’s happi- tion. I would have rather just kept to myself, but I made myest when it’s just her and a horse. self look up from my phone and smile.” But in order to make it as a dresPushing herself out of her comfort Th e horses are easy. sage professional, you’d better hone your zone paid off : The fellow passenger, inThe people are hard. people skills and learn to overcome any spired by Hart’s story and equestrian innate shyness, according to the speak—Grand Prix-level competitor talent, “ended up funding a trip to Euers at the 2016 USDF/USEF Young Rider rope for me and my horse.” Endel Ots Graduate Program. (See “Bridge to the “This is a people business,” said 2010 Open Waters” on page 37 for more on the World Equestrian Games competitor program.) Being a wallflower won’t bring you sponsors and cli- Katherine Bateson-Chandler. “You have to learn to deal ents, and running a dressage business is—surprise!—as much with people. You have to make yourself become a people about dealing with people as it is about training horses. person. I had to force myself; I’m very introverted. You’ve “Put your phone down, and be approachable,” advised got to be friendly, outgoing, and honest.”
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Build Brand You You have to be a good rider to build a dressage clientele— and, you hope, to attract sponsors and backers. But riding well isn’t enough. In this era of social media, everybody’s a “brand.” Who is Brand You? “Cultivate a public persona,” advised Hart, who maintains two Facebook pages: one public, one private. The private page allows more personal sharing with friends and family, while the public page features more competitionrelated posts and sponsor acknowledgments, she said. “You can brand, package, and sell yourself with so many available social-media tools,” said equestrian and sports marketer and journalist Chris Stafford, host of the USDF official podcasts and president of the Global Women’s Sports Network. “Have a presence on as many social media as possible. It’s the ‘drip effect.’ Build up a presence every day.” Post regularly enough, and across enough platforms, that you stay on the radar, she advised. Stafford recommended creating a short professional biography, highlighting your significant dressage accomplishments and names of trainers you’ve worked with or for. Use that material in creating an “elevator speech”—a quick introduction and self-pitch that could conceivably be delivered in the time it takes to ride a few floors with someone in an elevator. Create a website for your dressage business. “Your website is your shop window,” Stafford said. As you develop Brand You, “come up with something that’s unique,” said Stafford. “What is different about you? What do you have to offer a sponsor that someone else can’t?”
Attracting an Owner It’s the dream of many dressage pros: get paid to ride and compete a talented horse, with someone else footing the bill. But as one well-known owner/sponsor pointed out, attracting an owner is not easy, and maintaining a mutually satisfactory business relationship can be a challenge, as well. For starters, explained US Dressage Owners Task Force chair Kimberly Boyer, riders need to understand what motivates owners to get into the sport in the first place. Some individual sponsors (like Boyer herself ) are active riders, competitors, or both; others no longer ride or never rode at all. “The equestrian lifestyle is a huge attraction for noncompetitive owners—the ambiance of owning a farm, being at the show, enjoying the competition,” Boyer said. “They spend a lot of money to enjoy that lifestyle, and you’re an important part of it.”
APPROACHABLE: Paralympic dressage competitor Rebecca Hart, like several speakers, admitted she’s introverted by nature and had to master an outgoing public persona to help garner career support
Access to the VIP hospitality tent at the show is nice, but most owners aren’t satisfied just to take part, said Boyer. “Owners are goal-oriented people. Most have had a certain amount of success in their life. When they purchase a horse, they have a dream for that horse; they have an idea where they would like to see you go with the horse.” Although it does happen that a loyal sponsor buys a
Bridge to the Open Waters
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he USDF and the US Equestrian Federation together produce the biennial Young Rider Graduate Program, for young adults who have “aged out” of the FEI Young Rider ranks and who are making the transition to becoming professional dressage riders and instructor/trainers. Of the 50 applicants, 35 were selected to attend the 2016 program, held January 16-17 in West Palm Beach, FL. The Dressage Foundation, Lincoln, NE, provides funding support for the program to help defray participants’ expenses. In addition, through the Captain Jack Fritz Young Professionals Fund, TDF awarded a total of $2,500 to 2016 YR Graduate Program attendees Cody Armstrong (VA), Rebecca Kuc (PA), Bailey McCallum (IA), Jaclyn Meinen (CA), Kassidy Peacock (TX), Emily Staadecker (NC), and Katelyn Young (NC). The next YR Graduate Program will be held in 2018. Learn more at usdf.org / Education.
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horse specifically for a chosen rider to train and compete— owner Akiko Yamazaki, who has put several mounts under Olympian Steffen Peters, is a current notable example— Boyer said it’s more likely that the sponsor already has the horse and then seeks the rider whom he or she believes will best help that horse fulfill his potential. Boyer, the owner of Hampton Green Farm in Florida and Michigan, has done the latter: She sent her PRE stallion Grandioso III to Europe, where he has represented Spain at the Olympic Games with rider Jose Daniel Martin Dockx; and she gave young rider Kerrigan Gluch the ride on the Hampton Green-bred and -owned PRE stallion Vaquero HGF. When an owner goes looking for the right match, “It’s based on who you are as a professional and as a person. It’s like a marriage in many ways,” Boyer said. Talent is a given: “You have to be a good rider,” said Boyer. Tangible proof of that talent is most important: “Scores matter. Scores are almost everything.” “Present yourself honestly while showcasing your talents,” Boyer advised. “Don’t say you’re a Grand Prix rider if you’ve piaffed at home. Today’s sponsors are different from when I got started in the sport almost 20 years ago. Back then, they were isolated—‘sequestered.’ Today, sponsors are much better educated about the sport in general. The Internet enables owners to look up riders’ scores; no longer can riders tell stories about what they’ve accomplished.” The Internet also enables potential sponsors to dig
deeper into riders’ backgrounds. “Be careful what you post online and on Facebook. Sponsors use Facebook to learn about you,” Boyer said. Where to find these elusive benefactors? Boyer named several possible sources. One is the amateur rider/owner “who is willing to get off their horse and let you ride it.” Consider anyone who has professional dealings with you— say, someone you sell a horse to, or teach in a clinic—a potential sponsor. Other possibilities: “your trainer, or your trainer’s sponsor. Someone you met at a USDF convention.” Even your own parents: “Consider parents the same way you would consider an outside [nonrelated] sponsor.” Finally, whether you’re a rider seeking sponsorship or an owner looking for the right rider, check out ExperienceDressage.com, the matchmaking and community-building website from the USEF-powered Dressage Owners Task Force. “Add yourself to ExperienceDressage.com as a rider looking for sponsorship. Do it well. I highly recommend adding a video,” Boyer advised. There are several potential pitfalls in the rider-owner relationship, Boyer said. The owner may turn out to be “demanding or unrealistic. They may not understand the time it takes [to bring a horse up the levels], or prepared for the total expense.” Or the biggie: “The owner may take the horse back. That’s a really difficult thing.” The owner may own the horse, but in some cases the rider feels “owned,” as well.
6 Tips for a Better Rider/Sponsor Relationship
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ost individual sponsors are successful people with good business skills, and “they want to see you conduct your business with the same good business skills,” said high-performance owner Kim Boyer, owner of Hampton Green Farm and chair of the US Dressage Owners Task Force. Here’s what Boyer looks for in a rider. 1. Be organized. “An organized person is calmer and more prepared. Your owner is not your secretary or your personal assistant.” 2. Be realistic. Don’t make promises you can’t keep, including ones pertaining to financial expenditures. “Be prepared to defend requests that the sponsor buy a new horse, tack, or trailer, and back it up with results.” VIP OWNER: Hampton Green Farm 3. Be trustworthy and ethical. “You have one name; don’t tarnish it.” owner Kim Boyer, chair of the US Dressage 4. Be connected. “Go to charity events. Give clinics. Help others. It keeps Owners Task Force you relevant and puts you out in the community.” 5. Be loyal. “Mention your sponsor. Wear their logo. The sponsor tends to fade into the background as a horse and rider become successful. I have seen riders go into the [schooling] ring in a t-shirt from the local feed store instead of a shirt from their sponsor.” 6. Be informed. Know the USEF and FEI rules, and the USDF requirements for participation in awards and championship programs. “Don’t be caught having a horse disqualified due to a new rule.” And “read the daily news; make sure you know what’s going on in Europe and in your sport.”
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ENJOYING THE JOURNEY: Allyn Mann of Adequan/Luitpold Pharmaceuticals addresses the graduate young riders
“Some owners envelop their riders. They don’t let them have personal time or time with their families,” Boyer said. Even the tightest-knit owner/rider relationships can lead to difficulties. “A good owner is often willing to make you part of the family, and that can be a complicated issue. They see you as part of the dream, so when the relationship ends it can be very painful, like a breakup,” Boyer said. But if your goal is the elite levels of the sport, sponsorship is essential unless you are independently wealthy. “Sponsorship is the difference between living lesson to lesson, or commission to commission, and being able to campaign a horse at the highest level,” said Boyer. “To campaign a horse, to travel, you need a sponsor or group of sponsors. You need funding to be able to cut down on your lesson schedule in order to train and campaign.”
Attracting a Group of Owners There is a limited number of people who can drop six-plus figures on a high-performance horse, but many more might be able to contribute a more modest amount toward supporting your dream. Pool these resources and you’ve got what’s known as a syndicate. One who’s had success with syndicated horse ownership is Paralympian Rebecca Hart, who described the process of attracting investors to purchase her current competition mount, Schroeter’s Romani. In syndication, Hart explained, “you find people with a common passion, and they share in ownership.” A rider can form a syndicate—gather the investors—and then go horse-shopping, or find the horse and then “crowdfund” its purchase by forming the syndicate. In Hart’s case, she found “Romani” with an agent’s help, then looked for backers. “I found it helpful [to have located the horse she wanted to purchase] because I could create excitement,” Hart said.
The agent also was helpful in identifying potential investors, she said. A syndicate is a legal entity, explained the lawyer Yvonne Ocrant, who specializes in equine-industry legal matters. Ocrant has created more than 70 syndicates for the purchase and maintenance of horses, she said. Ocrant advised presenting a syndication opportunity “as a win-win situation: ‘We’re going to be part of Team Yvonne.’ There’s a lot to be said for ‘your name in lights’; that’s why people get into syndication. They want to be part of Team Debbie McDonald and be able to talk to Debbie about the horse. A lot of them may be star-struck and enjoy the VIP access. They don’t get into it to make a profit.” When Ocrant draws up a syndication contract, “all of the partners sign on to a single operating agreement, which spells out the fractional cost of getting involved,” including contributing toward the horse’s purchase price and an annual amount toward veterinary and other upkeep expenses, she said. “The horse is owned by an LLC [limited-liability company, a type of corporation], which limits the liability to individuals,” she explained. The operating agreement attempts to cover all potential scenarios, Ocrant said. “The contract spells out how an owner gets out, if permitted. What happens if the horse dies or gets sick? Will the horse be insured? Who makes the decision to retire the horse, or that he will not go past a certain level? Who makes the decision regarding whether to sell the horse? That way, the horse can’t get sold out from under you.” The LLC is created in the desired state. It has a separate bank account and its own tax ID number, Ocrant said. Finally, “My syndication contracts stipulate that investors may lose all or part of their investment—that horse sports are risky,” Ocrant said. Too many partners can make a syndicate unwieldy, Ocrant said. “I have never advised anyone to have over twenty owners. Typically it’s ten, but better more like five.” USDF CONNECTION
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In Hart’s case, Schroeter’s Romani is owned by a syndicate of three, one of whom is Hart herself. Hart recommended choosing investors “with similar philosophies of riding, training, and so on.” Syndication has its drawbacks—“It’s challenging because you’re accountable to a group. You lose the ability to have sole control, and you must consider their opinions”— but for an ambitious rider, the combined purchasing power “broadens your options,” Hart said. “It’s also nice to be able to share your competitive journey, and to be able to enjoy the process with others.”
Corporate Sponsorship
the company culture, and dress accordingly; don’t outdress whomever you’re meeting. And even though you’re there to sell yourself, take an interest in them.” Even if the meeting doesn’t result in a deal, keep the person’s contact information on file. “You never know when you might meet them again along the way on the journey.” Equine-related businesses are the logical place to begin a sponsorship search, but “don’t let yourself be confined solely to equestrian people,” advised Hart, who counts Starbucks among her sponsors. Hart, who started working as a parttime barista eight years ago, learned that the company has an Elite Athlete Program. She applied and was successful “because I introduce them to the equestrian world,” she said.
If a business believes that you would make a good ambassador for its products or services, it may offer you a sponsorship deal. Agreements vary but tend to be product (e.g., “Ten years from now,” said Mann to the roomful of twentya riding-wear company provides you with apparel) rather somethings, “some of you will be doing something other than than cash—although there are exceptions, which we’ll get trying to make your way in the dressage world, riding horses to in a minute. all day. I guarantee it. Life happens. Change happens.” Start your sponsorship quest by looking around your Proving Mann’s point, equine marketer/journalist Chris own barn. Ask yourself: “What prodStafford shared her own story. “I had ucts and services am I currently using? my own yard in England,” said the naNever burn a bridge. Which ones do I really like? Why?” said tive of Great Britain, “and was producYou never know when somebody’s Allyn Mann, director of the animaling event horses when I started to have health division for Luitpold Pharmaceugoing to come back around. trouble with my back. One day, my life ticals, maker of the equine joint-health —Katherine Bateson-Chandler changed.” product Adequan. Doctors told Stafford, then in her Next, bone up on the details about late twenties, that she had to stop ridyour favorites, Mann advised. Can you explain the prod- ing. “I was told I might not walk again, much less ride. I had uct’s benefits and method of use? Can you articulate what to sell everything. [I asked myself ] ‘Now what are you going sets it apart from competitors? Familiarize yourself with the to do?’ It made me think I should have gone to college and company. How long has it been in business? How has it, or finished my education.” its product or service offerings, changed over time? What Luckily for Stafford, an author friend encouraged her to customer demographic is it trying to reach? write and helped her network with publishers. Stafford got a Hart recommended waiting “until you have more to of- contract to write a book about conditioning horses, and its fer” before you approach companies for sponsorship, espe- publication kick-started her career as an equestrian journalist. cially the bigger fish. “Have something to fall back on just in case,” Stafford As Mann put it: “If it were your own money, would you advised. “Hopefully [the cause is] not your health, but cirspend it [on you]?” cumstances change.” If you’re fortunate enough to score a meeting with a The YR Grad Program speakers agreed that a life outpotential sponsor, “be prompt,” Mann advised. “Find out side the dressage arena is important, and not just as a career
The Road Ahead
Digital Edition Bonus Content
Read para-equestrian dressage competitor Rebecca Hart’s account of her sponsorship in the Starbucks Elite Athlete Program.
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safety net. “You need to create a lifestyle that is balanced,” said dressage pro (and wife and new mom) Hilary Moore Hebert. “You need friends out of the industry, and partners who are supportive of this crazy dressage thing.” Speaking to the all-female audience, Hebert said, “You have to think about your life goals—do you want to get married? Do you want kids?—early enough to make them hap-
Germany. “In this country, it often happens that young people graduate from their young-rider career and think, Now what? All too often, these young people hang out their shingle and start teaching and training.” In fact, your dressage education may just be beginning, Traurig said. “Find a good mentor and stick with it. Be loyal and hard-working, and stick with good instruction. Find one where horsemanship is applied to the highest standard in the way the whole business is run—horsemanship toward horses, service toward clients. Find a great teacher and role model.” ▲
Acknowledgments ON A DIFFERENT PATH: Chris Stafford, formerly an event-horse trainer, turned to journalism and marketing after an injury forced her to stop riding
pen. You have to put as much work into your personal life as you do into your professional life.” Asked whether they are concerned about how they’ll find a life partner and make time for children, about half the participants said yes. A career as a dressage professional is not for everyone, said Katherine Bateson-Chandler. “This is a hard road. It’s not an easy life. You can see that some people don’t want it badly enough.” A lifetime in the industry has taught even sponsored riders like Bateson-Chandler—who took over the rides on owner Jane Forbes Clark’s horses when Bateson-Chandler’s mentor and former boss, Olympian Robert Dover, hung up his spurs—to keep their options open. “I also have my own business,” said Bateson-Chandler. “Nothing’s forever, and you never know. You shouldn’t have all your eggs in one basket. I see people who become very complacent.” For many pros, even a successful dressage career is a juggling act between their own dreams and reality. “I have international goals,” said FEI-level competitor and USDFcertified instructor Jennifer Baumert. “I’m not [pursuing them] right now, but I have to pay the bills.” In a way, Baumert said, a trainer can be the victim of her own success: “You can have so many clients that there isn’t time for yourself—your own riding goals.”
“Never Stop Being a Student” You may have “graduated” from Young Riders, but there’s no end to one’s equestrian education, said Olympian and USEF national young-horse coach Christine Traurig. “Never stop being a student,” said Traurig, a native of
T
he USDF and the USEF are grateful to The Dressage Foundation for funding support for the 2016 Young Rider Graduate Program; to sponsor Platinum Performance; and to USDF Youth Programs Committee chair Rosalind Kinstler. Many thanks to the 2016 speakers, who gave of their time to STORIES WITH A SMILE: Top rider/trainers Katherine Bateson-Chandler and Jennifer share their Baumert were among those who shared career experiences advice at the YR Grad Program and wisdom. Watch future issues of USDF Connection for more from the presenters. Katherine Bateson-Chandler Beth Baumert Jennifer Baumert Kim Boyer Jennifer Bryant Janet Foy Lendon Gray Hallye Griffin Rebecca Hart Hilary Moore Hebert Stephan Hienzsch Rosalind Kinstler Kraig Kulikowski, DVM Allyn Mann Yvonne Ocrant Endel Ots Arlene “Tuny” Page Kathie Robertson Chris Stafford Christine Traurig.
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NIGHTMARE ON SHOW DAY: As if the dressage test weren’t enough, your horse also has to deal with any number of horrors at the competition venue
Is your horse fearful of flags? Undone by umbrellas? Behavior-modification techniques may help him learn to cope. BY SARAH EVERS CONRAD
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ED TURNER/ARTBYED.COM
Desensitizing the Dressage Horse
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as your well-trained dressage horse ever had a meltdown at a show over an unfamiliar sight or sound? Does he have problems dealing with loud noises or going past certain types of objects, like judges’ booths or banners? Have you ever felt as if, no matter how much you train, you can’t feel confident at a show or clinic because his behavior is so unpredictable? If you answered yes, perhaps it’s time to consider giving behavior-modification techniques a try. These techniques include methods known as desensitization training, habituation, acclimation, and others. Each one is different, but the goals are similar: a calm, quiet, confident horse that can handle any type of environment, including the chaos of a busy show grounds.
JENNIFER BRYANT
In Good Company You aren’t alone if you wish you could reduce your horse’s fears of certain stimuli. Top international competitors have used these types of training techniques to help their horses become steadier and more reliable in the show arena. A well-known recent case in point: San Diego-based Olympian Steffen Peters, who used desensitization training to help prepare his mount Legolas for the 2015 Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final in Las Vegas. In Florida for the 2015 winter competition season prior to the World Cup Final, the Westfalen gelding had occasionally been too reactive to crowd noise, which affected his performance, explains the horse’s owner, Akiko Yamazaki. “Knowing how challenging the Thomas and Mack Center [the 2015 World Cup Final venue] would be for Legolas, Steffen came up with a desensitization program, which really worked,” Yamazaki says. Back in Yamazaki and Peters’ home state of California before heading to Las Vegas, a crowd of 100-plus gathered at Epona Farms in Thousand Oaks to watch Peters and Legolas ride their Grand Prix Freestyle at night under the lights. The audience was asked to cheer loudly so that Team Peters could make a recording for future use. “Steffen played this noise for Legolas at home,” Yamazaki says. “He told me that there was a fine balance between desensitization and not overwhelming. Clearly this program worked, because Legolas was able to perform very well in the World Cup without getting too affected by the crowds.” Not only did Legolas maintain his composure in Las Vegas; he also went on to perform well under the lights in Wellington, FL, at last November’s Dutta Corp./USEF Grand Prix National Championship, where he earned the reserve title. Legolas and Peters are currently among the top contenders for a slot on the US dressage team for the 2016 Olympic Games.
DESENSITIZING PAYS OFF: Steffen Peters beams after the noiseaverse Legolas remained focused at the 2015 Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final in Las Vegas
“While this desensitizing program was done specifically for Legolas, I think what is true of Steffen’s program with every horse is that his warm-up routine doesn’t change from home to the show,” Yamazaki adds. “This gives the horses much confidence. He also knows what is best for every horse when they enter the arena. With Legolas, he always walks in and gives him a chance to look at his environment in a relaxed manner before his test.”
Techniques Defined Let’s go over the terminology used in discussing behaviormodification techniques. For starters, desensitization is often used in the wrong context, and it’s called different things by different trainers and clinicians. Animal-behavior experts favor using behavioral-science-based definitions. We asked Sue McDonnell, PhD, a certified applied animal behaviorist and founding head of the Equine Behavior Program at the University of PennsylUSDF CONNECTION
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vania’s New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, to walk us through the terminology. Acclimation refers to systematically introducing a horse or other animal to novel, potentially threatening, or otherwise worrisome stimuli or situations. “Everything that people do with horses from the time they are born is basically acclimating them to all things domestic,” McDonnell says. “Once they start acclimating to a number of different things, most horses go through a phase called the ‘learning to learn phase,’ which some people describe as starting to trust that new things in general aren’t that bad. It’s not just the particular things that they’ve been acclimated to, but also they start to turn the corner [and realize] that new things, new places, noisy situations, whatever, are not all that bad.” If you acclimate your horse to what he may experience at a show—golf carts, umbrellas, loud noises, lights, peDigital Edition Bonus Content
Have a look at the types of stimuli police horses are exposed to in their desensitization training, with mountedpolice officer and Bombproof Your Horse author Sgt. Rick Pelicano.
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destrians, and the like—he should eventually become accustomed to those sights and sounds and stop spooking or tensing up at those stimuli, the theory goes. The goal of any training, says McDonnell, is to get the horse into a state of mind wherein new stimuli no longer cause him to panic. But if the horse reacts negatively to a stimulus during acclimation training, he may actually become more sensitive or reactive. He then needs desensitization training to reverse this trend, she says. Desensitization involves gradually exposing a horse to a previously experienced stimulus or situation that is known to cause fear or any other form of unwanted reaction. The key to desensitization training is always to keep the exposure below the horse’s panic threshold. He is taught to tolerate the stimulus in a series of small steps, which should be planned out in advance, McDonnell says. In successful desensitization training, the horse gradually transfers his acceptance of the frightening stimulus to other, new stimuli. However, a horse that becomes sensitized (more reactive, rather than less reactive) may do the opposite and then conclude that a multitude of stimuli are negative, which results in a more fearful horse. “An organized, systematic desensitization usually incorporates positive reinforcement whenever the horse relaxes or as a momentary distractor at a point where they
ARND.NL
LIGHTS, CAMERA, SCARY: The dressage-show environment gives horses plenty of unusual sights and sounds to cope with
BOMBPROOFING IN ACTION: Mounted-police officer Rick Pelicano demonstrates ground work to accustom a horse to (clockwise from top left) a large umbrella, a tarp on the ground, and a “car wash” of dangling plastic streamers
COURTESY OF TRAFALGAR SQUARE BOOKS
look like they are just about to panic,” says McDonnell. “You can distract them and reward them simultaneously. A wellthought-out plan usually includes all of those things, not just the presentation of the potentially aversive experience. “Desensitization is the main tool in our toolbox for rehabbing behavior problems,” McDonnell continues. “We do it all the time. Here at the vet school we work a lot with specific treatment aversions, such as horses having difficulties with eye treatments, or injections, or lifting their limbs for the farrier.” (At the New Bolton Center, McDonnell also teaches short courses on equine behavior modification.) Sergeant Rick Pelicano, of Frederick, MD, author of the books Bombproof Your Horse and Better Than Bombproof,
More Desensitization Training from Catherine Haddad Staller
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more in-depth video showing international competitor Catherine Haddad Staller’s work with Mane Stream Hotmail is available at the subscription website DressageTrainingOnline. com, which is a USDF Member Perks partner. Log on to the USDF website (usdf.org) and navigate to Membership / Member Perks Partners for your 25-percent subscription discount.
has been a mounted-police officer for most of his career and has trained many police horses, starting with a foundation in dressage. His methods involve desensitization. “I think of desensitization as a way to minimize the horse’s flight response to improve performance and rider communication,” Pelicano explains. “If the horse is focused and reacting about the imaginary prey, it is difficult for the rider to have his attention. I also believe there are two aspects to this. First, we want to make the horse braver, bolder, and less fearful. Second, we must improve the rider/horse communication so that the horse becomes more manageable when under stress or in the event the flight response kicks in. Once the flight response starts, the horse may behave in any number of ways. Some of those ways present danger to the horse, rider, and innocent bystanders as well. So managing the horse in those circumstances is extremely important and is up to the rider.” New Jersey-based international dressage competitor Catherine Haddad Staller is another top rider who has used behavior-modification techniques that are similar to desensitization. Her teachers in this area are the dressage trainers Morten Thomsen of Denmark and Tristan Tucker of the Netherlands. “I learned this basic technique from Morten Thomsen: to teach a horse to look at and go to something he is afraid of in order to make it go away,” says Staller. “He gains control of the situation and relaxes when you teach him this. It’s the first step in teaching a calm response.” Tucker developed his own technique, which he calls response training, after working with Thomsen and others. Staller describes the purpose of response training as being “to alter a horse’s natural fright-and-flight response to environmental stimuli. We teach him to respond to various stimuli by relaxing the body rather than tensing it.” Although both response training and desensitization involve a step-by-step training progression, there are important USDF CONNECTION
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9 Safety Tips from Rick Pelicano
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afety is always paramount when working with horses, and never more so than when you’re trying to help a horse to overcome his fears. Most equine behavior-modification training starts with ground work. Here, adapted from his book Bombproof Your Horse, is mounted-police officer Sgt. Rick Pelicano’s advice for keeping you and your horse safe as he meets those scary monsters. 1. Keep a safe distance. This means keeping as far away from your horse as possible. When RESOURCES: Sgt. Rick Pelicano is the author of two books on desensitizausing your reins to lead him, you’ll only be able to tion training: Bombproof Your Horse and Better Than Bombproof stay an arm’s length away. Keep one hand on him if you are at this distance. This way you can feel his intentions and react accordingly. If he creeps closer, simply cock your arm so your elbow pokes into him. This alone will often keep him at a safe distance. A long lead line or lunge line will allow you to create more distance between you and your horse. 2. Don’t get tangled in the lead line. The longer the line, the more skill you need in keeping it organized. If it dangles on the ground, it can become knotted. Your horse can step on it or through it, causing considerable panic on his part. It can also get wrapped around your feet, which is potentially deadly. 3. Don’t wrap any line around any body part. A loop of rope—even if it’s loose—can quickly be pulled tight around your hand. You risk losing fingers or being dragged. 4. Don’t get trampled. Leading a horse over or past something scary often initiates his flight response. He may suddenly rush forward, backward, or even sideways. If you are too close—or just standing in the wrong spot—he may bump into you, trip you, run over you, or step on you. 5. Watch your horse’s body language. You are habituating your horse to something scary. Look at him! Now is not the time to sightsee or daydream. Watch his eyes, body, and feet. His eyes and ears tell you what he is concerned with and the amount of fear or obstinacy you are facing. If you are in front of him, look at his chest. Watching his “center” is a more reliable way to guess which way he’ll go than watching his legs. These indicators will all help you to predict what his next move will be. 6. Expect him to shy away from the obstacle. As you lead your horse past a scary object, stay on the same side as the scary thing because otherwise, he will shy into you. It helps to become ambidextrous. Most of us are conditioned to do everything from the horse’s near (left) side. Because of this, we often feel uncomfortable leading our horses from the off side. However, if you spend a few minutes thinking about it and then doing it, this new skill will become easy. Work smart, anticipate the problem, and place yourself on the same side as the object. Then, when he shies, he’ll move safely away from and not into you. 7. Learn to walk backward. As you encourage your horse to follow you over an obstacle, stay facing him at all times. It’s impossible to prepare for your horse’s reaction if your back is to him. This will often mean you need to walk backward. I have seen more than one person get bowled over when her horse suddenly lurches forward over an obstacle. Inevitably, she is facing forward and not watching her horse. 8. Anticipate him jumping or running toward you. When your horse follows you over something scary—a tarp, a creek, a funny-looking log—he may suddenly leap forward and jump the obstacle. This is when maintaining your distance becomes so vital. Nevertheless, he can quickly close this distance when he jumps or runs toward you. Often, your mount will want to come right to you for security. In fact, he may want to be standing in the exact spot that you occupy—an uncomfortable proposition. In this instance, you can increase your safety and exert control over his response by doing what I call “throwing up a wall.” Lifting your hands up toward his face will usually slow or even stop him. This motion establishes a barrier between you. 9. Step to the side. This is easier and quicker than trying to run backward. Adapted from Bombproof Your Horse by Sgt. Rick Pelicano. Reprinted by permission of Trafalgar Square Books (horseandriderbooks.com).
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differences, according to Staller, who blogged about her work for The Chronicle of the Horse’s website, ChronofHorse.com. “We don’t want to create a horse that is dead or insensitive to the aids,” she wrote. “In fact, we want him to respond instantly to what we ask of him. We want him focused on his rider with high attention, not distracted by his environment. So we have to teach him to respond with quiet relaxation to the environment while keenly listening to his rider.” Staller posted a video on her YouTube channel that showcases her training with Tucker. She describes how she introduced stimuli, such as a plastic bag or a brightly colored umbrella, which she would take away as soon as her mount, the Grand Prix-level gelding Mane Stream Hotmail, relaxed and lowered his head. “Thus he learned that he could control an uncomfortable situation by looking at and approaching the object of his fear,” she wrote. After training with Tucker in 2014, Hotmail’s performance at top European shows improved. In 2014 and 2015, he was the eighth-highest-ranked US horse on the FEI dressage world ranking list. Hotmail performed successfully amidst the chaos of New York City at the Rolex Central Park Horse Show for the past two years, finishing third in the 2015 $75,000 US Dressage Open Championship. Two additional behavior-modification techniques are habituation and flooding. Many confuse desensitization and habituation. The Merck Manual for Pets explains: “Habituation is an elementary form of learning that involves no rewards. It is merely the ending of or decrease in response to a stimulus that results from repeated or prolonged exposure to that stimulus. A horse that habituates to one type of sound does not, as a consequence of this habituation, become habituated to other sounds.” One example of habituation is when a horse becomes accustomed to the noises of traffic passing near his turnout paddock. Flooding, by contrast, involves prolonged exposure to a stimulus that induces a fear response beyond the horse’s panic threshold until he ceases to react. The horse is restrained or put in a confined space so that he cannot escape. As you might imagine, flooding is very stressful to the horse, and he has the potential to injure himself, his handler, and others nearby if he escapes restraint during the flooding process. Flooding, says McDonnell, is not a recommended method of training horses because it can induce such a high level of panic that the horse becomes super-sensitized and loses trust in the handler. The eventual cessation of reaction is not true acceptance of the stimulus, either, she points out, but rather is a demonstration of learned helplessness, which occurs when the animal realizes that he is unable to control
the situation. The frightening stimulus is still frightening, and a fear reaction could happen at any point in the future.
Try This at Home? A scared horse can be a dangerous horse. Approach any behavior-modification training with a strong safety-first mentality, and get a knowledgeable trainer to help you, particularly if you yourself have fear issues related to your horse’s behavior. Most behavior-modification training begins with ground work. For Pelicano’s list of safety do’s and don’ts, see “9 Safety Tips from Rick Pelicano” on the facing page. Learn as much as you can about behavior-modification training before you get out the flags, tarps, and pool noodles, Pelicano recommends. “There are lots of videos and books,” he says. “Look into all of them. Figure out what your goals are. See which ones you feel comfortable understanding and comprehending. If you engage a trainer, ask him or her to show you what they are doing and why.” If you’re dealing with a fearful horse, enlisting the services of a knowledgeable professional may be the best bet, Pelicano advises. “As Clint Eastwood once said, ‘A man’s got to know his limitations.’ I think sometimes well-intentioned owners buy a book or a video and get over their head and into trouble. They end up telling me stories of their massive injuries, and can I help them with fixing the problem. Remember, the goal is to ride your horse and have a pleasant experience, no matter your discipline.” ▲
Sarah Evers Conrad, of Lexington, KY, is a journalist, editor, and digital marketer. She spent 10 years at The Horse magazine and at the US Equestrian Federation’s Equestrian magazine. When she became USEF’s director of e-communications, she discovered a love of digital marketing, and now she helps to market equine businesses in addition to writing for a variety of publications.
Digital Edition Bonus Content
Watch a video of Catherine Haddad Staller working with Dutch trainer Tristan Tucker to accustom Mane Stream Hotmail to strange sights and loud noises.
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Teamwork and
FUN
If you don’t associate these terms with dressage, then you need to check out USDF’s youth and adult team competitions BY JAN SCARBROUGH
48 April 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
D
ressage is generally considered an individual sport, and a serious one at that. But if you’re looking to have some laugh-out-loud fun in a friendly, teambased environment, then look no further than the USDF’s Regional Youth and Adult Team Competitions. These competitions may be hosted in any of the nine USDF regions. Youth team competitions are open to riders aged 21 and under, at levels from Introductory to Grand Prix. Adult team competitions provide a similar opportunity for adults at any level. USDF membership may or may not be required. Team competitions may be, but do not have to be, USEF-licensed/USDF-recognized. In 2015, there were six adult team competitions held in five regions, and 12 youth team competitions held in eight regions. A typical team competition has a total of 10 to 30 riders, but the 2015 VADA/NOVA event in Region 1 had 129 entries, and Dressage4Kids in Region 8 had a whopping 246.
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: A princess and her fiery steed at the NCDCTA’s costume lead-line class
HIGH TIME PHOTOGRAPHY
The Organizer’s Perspective The Colorado-based Rocky Mountain Dressage Society, in Region 5, hosts both youth and adult team competitions. According to competition secretary Beth Grier, the RMDS reliably attracts seven or eight adult teams and five or six youth teams, and the feedback is always positive. The RMDS team competitions are aimed at those who might not show otherwise, says Grier. “Fun is encouraged! Noise is encouraged. Rooting for your team member is encouraged.” Gaye McCabe is a former USDF Region 6 director and the organizer of the Oregon Dressage Society’s annual youth team competition. She explains: “We want this to be a fun, low-key show in which to introduce new riders to dressage with a supportive team atmosphere. The show is very popular with our youth, and they look forward to it each year.” Some USDF group-member organizations (GMOs) strive to combine the “fun show” atmosphere with a bona fide dressage-show experience. “We have very clear rules for the competition,” says Alison Head, a former Region 1 director who organizes the VADA/ NOVA youth show. “In some places we relax USEF rules a bit—ours isn’t a licensed show—and in others we follow the rules exactly, including equipment checks and so on, so the kids get a licensed-show experience in a fun atmosphere.” USDF’s youth team competition guidelines recommend that each team appoint a chef d’équipe. As North Carolina Dressage and Combined Training Association team-competition organizer Martie Healy explains, “This adult is not a trainer or a coach for the team, but rather someone to help the teams develop team camaraderie and team spirit.” USDF CONNECTION
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The Educational Component All of the youth team competitions, and several of the adult competitions as well, feature fun adjunct educational activities. In some regions, team members compete in games such as dressage trivia, dressage Jeopardy, and crossword puzzles. Others bring guest speakers to evening social gatherings. At an adult team competition in Las Vegas, the judge gave a talk “From the Judge’s Point of View.” Several competitions hold US Pony Clubs-style inspections of teams’ stabling areas, or give awards to the bestturned-out horses and riders. In Region 6, teams take a written stable-management test and undergo graded checks of the stabling areas and of horses’ tack, grooming, and soundness. The scores are combined with the riding scores to calculate the final team placings. In Texas, the Alamo Dressage Association’s youth competition, held over Father’s Day weekend, featured a Father’s Day essay contest. The rider of the lowest-scoring horse received the ADA Naughty Pony award—a Thelwell neighing alarm clock.
Just for Fun Stall-decorating contests, poster contests, and team names are standard elements of team competitions. In Las Vegas in 2015, the winning adult-team name—appropriate for the
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Encouraging Participation Some USDF regions have struggled with low participation when team competitions are held as part of USEF-licensed/ USDF-recognized shows. One reported successful strategy: having show secretaries encourage riders to sign up when they visit the show office to check in. At its show in Region 3, the Georgia Dressage and Combined Training Association held an evening meeting, put together scramble teams, and further lured participants with educational presentations, refreshments, and time for team bonding and poster-making. Combined with ample promotion that participation was free of charge to riders, the 2015 GDCTA show drew record team participation, according to organizer Sandy Donovan. “The process improves each time a competition is able to pull in repeat customers,” says Donovan, who also organizes the youth team competition hosted by the Central Tennessee Dressage Association. “It’s tough to be a kid in an unfamiliar competition and suddenly be approached
HIGH TIME PHOTOGRAPHY
STICK-PONY EQUITATION: Who says you need a real horse to ride a dressage test? A young participant shows his winning ways at the NCDCTA’s 2015 youth team competition.
Sin City locale—was 50 Shades of Bays, says competition organizer Chris Federer. Costume contests are another huge hit. The NCDCTA’s team competition kicks off with a parade of teams, and each team is encouraged to choose a theme and to dress up, says Healy. The 2015 NCDCTA event featured a Pink Panther team and the entire Frozen family, among others; a popular addition last year was a costume lead-line class with sponsored prizes and ribbons. Other fun extras included “dressage on foot,” with one child playing the horse’s front half and another child bringing up the rear; and “stick-pony equitation,” with the mounts going home with the happy young riders as prizes. VADA/NOVA offers a number of whimsical awards, all with sponsors and fun prizes. Categories range from Cleanest Gray and Oldest Horse to Most Exciting Moment and Longest-Suffering Parent/Coach. According to Head, many area horse enthusiasts have grown up attending the VADA/NOVA youth team competition during its 25-year run. Many still ride, and some are now professional trainers themselves. To help keep these riders involved, in 2015 VADA/NOVA added an alumni class, which was open to anyone who has ridden in any youth team competition. “We have been privileged over many years to watch team members grow as riders and develop from cute kids on ponies and school horses to young adults with sophisticated riding skills,” says Head. “To have them back with us after ‘graduation’ is inspiring to the next group of younger riders and gives us great satisfaction.”
about making up part of a team. Despite reassurances that you just have to do what you were going to do at the show anyway, the pressure is suddenly on. Each individual, each team, handles the situation differently, but I love to see that partnership grow.”
Mark Your Calendars...
Get Your Team On Those who have been involved with a team competition understand why riders and organizers alike keep coming back. Among the comments the USDF office has received: “It’s a positive atmosphere where everyone is very supportive of the other riders, whether they are on their team or not.” “It is just as educational as it is fun!” “A competition that brings all of the [participants] together that share one thing in common, love of dressage.” We hope you will consider organizing a team competition—maybe even this year! Veteran organizers would be happy to share their experiences and to offer suggestions. For more information, visit the Competitions section of the USDF website or contact the USDF youth-programs liaison at youth@usdf.org or at (859) 971-2277. ▲
and
USDF Dressage in the Bluegrass
Nov. 10-13, 2016 Kentucky Horse Park Compete in a national championship that showcases competitors in adult amateur and open divisions, at Training Level through Grand Prix.
For more information visit
usdressagefinals.com Jan Scarbrough is the USDF youth-programs staff liaison.
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Thank You, Misty A USDF gold medalist’s tribute to the horse that made it all possible By Jamie Hughes
A
t the 2015 USDF Salute Gala and Annual Awards Banquet in Las Vegas, I brought a photo of my mare, Harbor Mist, on stage with me to accept my USDF gold medal and gold freestyle bar.
used mainly for trail riding. She’s the product of a Selle Français/Dutch Warmblood sire and an AngloArabian dam—not an intended match, according to her breeder, whose chosen broodmare died while in foal and who had to use her rebreed with the only other mare she owned at the time. When I got Misty, I was an event rider, and I also joined the local 4-H group and my school’s Oregon High School Equestrian Team (OHSET). Misty proved adept at a wide range of disciplines, including team penning, gaming, drill team, and reining. To my surprise, we were quite successful! We qualified for OHSET State in several events, won the Willamette District OHSET Overall High Point SHARING THE CREDIT: Horse photo in hand, the writer accepts award and qualified her USDF gold medal from USDF president George Williams for the US Eventing Association Nationals These awards may be called at the novice level in 2006; and later rider awards, but I could not have won the Region 6 Great American/ earned them without my horse’s big USDF First Level Open Freestyle heart and exceptional work ethic. Championship and the USDF/Dover “Misty” has been with me every step Medal at Second Level. of our 12-year journey up the levels. In 2008, Misty injured a hind leg Together we made it to Grand Prix, and I suffered a pulmonary embolism even though the odds were stacked and had to go on blood thinners for against us. six months. The incidents shifted my I started riding when I was 13, focus away from jumping and eventand I bought Misty—my first and ing and toward dressage. only horse—a year later. When I got It was not easy juggling college her, Misty was eight and had been with riding. To save money, I kept
56 April 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
editorial@usdf.org
Misty at home with my parents. Five days a week, I would make the 45-minute drive home from Oregon State University, load Misty in the trailer, and haul her to an arena 20 minutes away to ride. I did this for six years while I was completing my undergraduate and master’s degrees in environmental engineering. After graduation, I landed an internship in a city that doubled my commute home to ride. Although my financial situation during those years prevented me from taking frequent dressage lessons, I read books, watched videos, and had my mom act as my “eyes on the ground.” Misty and I improved little by little, working our way up the levels. In 2009, Misty was named the Oregon Dressage Society’s Horse Ambassador of the Year. We won several Great American/USDF Region 6 championship titles over the next several years, culminating with reserve championships at Intermediate II and Grand Prix Adult Amateur in 2015. I owe everything to Misty, who is now 20 and still training and showing Grand Prix. She is truly one of a kind, with a patience and willingness that are as rare as catching lightning in a bottle. I could never have done as many things, learned as much as I have, or become the horsewoman I am today without her. I hope that Misty and I can inspire other riders to work hard and pursue their dreams. You may not have the fanciest horse or the money for lessons and training; but with hard work, commitment, and determination, you too can achieve your goals. There may be days where you feel like giving up. But keep in mind that if dressage were easy, it wouldn’t be worth doing. ▲ Jamie Hughes, 27, is an environmental engineer for a water-resources utility in Hillsboro, OR. She began riding after watching the drill teams compete at the Oregon State Fair. She plans to buy a small horse farm and eventually to start her own business teaching equestrian basics to riders of all ages and disciplines.
JENNIFER BRYANT
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USDF CONNECTION Official Publication of the United States Dressage Federation
SNAFFLE OR DOUBLE? How to Decide Which Bridle Is Best for Your Horse Guide to Dressage Clinics
Ride, Audit, or Stay Home? (p. 12)
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28
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IN THIS ISSUE
34 42
SNAFFLE OR DOUBLE? In most dressage competition, the double bridle is now optional. So should you introduce it? By Patti Schofler
SET SAIL FOR SPORTHORSE KNOWLEDGE The annual Sporthorse Cruise is part vacation, part education, and all fun By Jeremy Steinberg
50
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF THE WORLD’S BEST GROOM Go behind the scenes with Eddie Garcia, groom for Steffen and Shannon Peters By Cheryl Erpelding
4 INSIDE USDF Meet the USDF Executive Board By Debra Reinhardt
6 RINGSIDE Welcome to the Family! By Jennifer O. Bryant
12 CLINIC Clinic on Clinics By Natalie DeFee Mendik
20 SPORT-HORSE CONNECTION Training Tomorrow’s Sport-Horse Pros By Penny Hawes
24 ALL-BREEDS CONNECTION Spotlight: Friesian Horse Association of North America 26 THE JUDGE’S BOX Teamwork: The Judge/Scribe Relationship By Marilyn Heath
28 HORSE-HEALTH CONNECTION What Is Causing My Horse’s Back Pain? By Jennifer O. Bryant
IN EVERY ISSUE 8 29 58 62 62 63
HEADS UP SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT SHOP @ X USDF CONNECTION SUBMISSION GUIDELINES USDF OFFICE CONTACT DIRECTORY ADVERTISING INDEX
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56 RIDER’S MARKET Strap One On 64 THE TAIL END Extreme Mustang Dressage Makeover By Marsha Hartford-Sapp
ON OUR COVER Photo of Laura Graves and Verdades by SusanJStickle.com.
Volume 18, Number 1
USDF CONNECTION
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May 2016
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inside usdf
region8dir@usdf.org
USDF OFFICERS & EXECUTIVE BOARD PRESIDENT
GEORGE WILLIAMS
Meet the USDF Executive Board A diverse group with wide-ranging dressage ties By Debra Reinhardt, Region 8 Director
421 Park Forest Way, Wellington, FL 33414 (937) 603-9134 • Fax: (740) 362-5539 president@usdf.org VICE PRESIDENT
LISA GORRETTA 18120 Snyder Road, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 (216) 406-5475 • vicepresident@usdf.org SECRETARY
MARGARET FREEMAN
4 May 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
in part to the varying viewpoints and experience represented on the Executive Board, we sent the motion back to the committee with recommendations a few times before it finally passed. On the other hand, some of you may feel it takes way too long to get anything approved by the Executive Board. I used to think this too, but after three years as a regional director, I can attest that we really try to move things along. We hold periodic conference calls to decide issues. But there are cases, such as the decision regarding the location of the US Dressage Finals, in which the board believes that the Board of Governors should have a say. With the board members wearing so many hats, conflicts of interest do occur. Sometimes a member will leave the room during a discussion and vote. Most of us have had to leave at one time or another, and the USDF takes such conflicts seriously. We have all had to sign forms stating any conflicts of interest arising from outside businesses, jobs, and positions. The Executive Board is a strong group of people who have the USDF members’ best interests in mind. The positions are volunteer jobs, and they are time-consuming, especially for the president. Why do we do it? Easy! We all love our sport and want to make it the best we can. However, I might just bring bonbons to the next board meeting! See you on the center line. ▲
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STEVEN SCHUBERT P.O. Box 2044, Methuen, MA 01844 (978) 360-6441 • treasurer@usdf.org
REGIONAL DIRECTORS REGION 1 DC, DE, MD, NC, NJ, PA, VA
LISA SCHMIDT 5 Thads Hill Road, Hampton, NJ 08827 (201) 981-1823 • region1dir@usdf.org REGION 2 IL, IN, KY, MI, OH, WV, WI
KEN LEVY 330 North Mill Creek Road, Noblesville, IN 46062 (317) 773-4532 • region2dir@usdf.org REGION 3 AL, FL, GA, SC, TN
SUSAN BENDER 1024 Grand Prix Drive, Beech Island, SC 29842 (803) 295-2525 • region3dir@usdf.org REGION 4 IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD
ANNE SUSHKO 1942 Clifford Street, Dubuque, IA 52002 (563) 580-0510 • region4dir@usdf.org REGION 5 AZ, CO, E. MT, NM, UT, W. TX, WY
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CAROLYNN BUNCH 18430 111th Place SE, Snohomish, WA 98290 (360) 577-6201 • region6dir@usdf.org REGION 7 CA, HI, NV
TERRY WILSON 2535 Fordyce Rd., Ojai, CA 93023-9630 (805) 890-7399 • region7dir@usdf.org REGION 8 CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT
DEBRA REINHARDT 160 Woods Way Drive, Southbury, CT 06488 (203) 264-2148 • region8dir@usdf.org REGION 9 AR, LA, MS, OK, TX
SHERRY GUESS 18216 S. 397th East Avenue, Porter, OK 74454 (918) 640-1204 • region9dir@usdf.org
AT-LARGE DIRECTORS ACTIVITIES COUNCIL
SUE MANDAS 9508 Bridlewood Trail, Dayton, OH 45458 (937) 272-9068 •ald-activities@usdf.org ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL
KEVIN BRADBURY PO Box 248, Dexter, MI 48130 (734) 426-2111 • ald-administrative@usdf.org TECHNICAL COUNCIL
CAROLYN VANDENBERG 112 Eden Ranch Dr., Canyon Lake, TX 78133 (830) 226-5006 • ald-technical@usdf.org
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M
embers of the USDF Executive Board are asked to take turns writing this column. When my turn came around, I was a bit lost for a topic. I started thinking: Does the USDF membership wonder who these people are? Do they sit around a table eating bonbons and making random decisions? Well, not exactly. And there I had my topic! The USDF membership elects the members of the Executive Board through their delegates at the Board of Governors meeting at the Adequan/ USDF Annual Convention. I will not go into the detail of how this is done, as it is well explained in the USDF bylaws. What you may not know is that a broad range of equestrian backgrounds is represented on the board, with several of us wearing multiple hats. Some of the top dressage show managers and show secretaries in the country are members of the Executive Board. Some of those same members are competitors (adult amateurs!) who have earned their USDF bronze medals and are working on their silvers. The board also includes dressage judges, technical delegates, and FEI stewards, several of whom are also accomplished competitors. We even have a professional equestrian photographer among our ranks. And our president, George Williams, is an international competitor, trainer, coach, and member or chair of several USEF committees. Finally, we have one member who is not any of the above, and who therefore brings a valuable and necessary “outside” viewpoint to the table. Here’s an example of how this diversity is beneficial. Recently, the USDF Competition Management Committee presented a motion that would affect show organizers. Thanks
ringside
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Welcome to the Family! The dressage community: strong people with a couple of soft spots
USDF CONNECTION The Official Publication of the United States Dressage Federation EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Stephan Hienzsch 859/271-7887 • stephh1enz@usdf.org
——— Editorial———
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Hilary M. Clayton, BVMS, PhD, MRCVS EDITORIAL ADVISORS
Melissa Creswick (CA) Margaret Freeman (NC) Lisa Gorretta (OH) Anne Gribbons (FL) Terry Wilson (CA) TECHNICAL ADVISORS
Janine Malone Lisa Gorretta • Elisabeth Williams
——— Production ——— SENIOR PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR
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Karl Lawrence 859/271-7881 • klawrence@usdf.org
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USDF Connection is published ten times a year by the United States Dressage Federation, 4051 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511. Phone: 859/971-2277. Fax: 859/971-7722. E-mail: usdressage@ usdf.org, Web site: www.usdf.org. 2014 AW USDF members receive USDF ConARD W IN nection as a membership benefit, paid by membership dues. Copyright © 2016 USDF. All rights reserved. Reproduction of articles requires permission from USDF. Other text may be reproduced with credit given to USDF Connection. USDF reserves the right to refuse any advertising or copy that is deemed unsuitable for USDF and its policies. Excluding advertisements, all photos with mounted riders must have safety head gear or USEF-approved competition hat. USDF assumes no responsibility for the claims made in advertisements. Statements of fact and opinion are those of the experts consulted and authors, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or the policy of USDF. The publishers reserve the right to reject any advertising deemed unsuitable for USDF, as well as the right to reject or edit any manuscripts received for publication. USDF assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. All materials must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Questions about your subscription or change in address? Contact USDF Membership Department, 859/971-2277, or usdressage@usdf.org. POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: USDF, 4051 IRON WORKS PARKWAY, LEXINGTON, KY 40511. Canadian Agreement No. 1741527. Canada return address: Station A, P.O. Box 54, Windsor, Ontario N9A 6J5.
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Jennifer O. Bryant 610/344-0116 • jbryant@usdf.org
AH
6 May 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
generous with our time and resources when one of our community, human or equine, needs help. We volunteer with our dressage clubs and with the USDF. We send money. We step up. We love to share our equestrian knowledge, and we love to learn. In this issue, you’ll find a representation of just about every aspect of our diverse community. Find out what a leading sport-horse veterinarian has to say about equine back lameness (page 28). Get leading trainers’ guidance on when—if ever—to introduce your horse to the double bridle (page 34). Learn how to decide whether a dressage clinic is right for you and your horse, and how to get the most out of the experience if you decide to ride or audit (page 12). Read a top judge’s thoughts on the judge/scribe relationship (page 26). And for something completely different, take a sport-horse-themed cruise led by two industry experts (page 42). One of dressage’s greatest truths is that the learning never stops. If what the medical researchers say is true about an active brain and body helping to ward off Alzheimer’s disease and the like, then dressage enthusiasts collectively are making a strong stand. I love to learn new things about our sport, which is why putting together this magazine is so rewarding. I hope you enjoy the finished product—and, passionate enthusiast that you are, I hope you’ll share your opinions with me at jbryant@usdf.org.
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hen you’ve been around the block (or shall I say, the dressage arena) a few times, it’s easy to forget that, at some point in your life, everything about our sport was new and strange. There was a time when you weren’t sure what the difference was between a half-halt and a half-pass, and sitting the trot was damn near an impossibility. When the world of dressage seemed like so much alphabet soup, what with those arena letters that have no rhyme or reason. Remember those days? For some USDF members, that time is a faint speck in the rearview mirror. For others, it’s last year, or maybe even last month. For if the people who love dressage are doing their jobs, we’re welcoming newly minted dressage enthusiasts all the time. Perhaps you’re among the USDF’s newer members. If so, welcome! The dressage community is nothing if not passionate about our horses and our sport, and we love to share our passions. In fact, we’re so convinced that dressage training can improve any horse that we can get a little evangelical about it at times. As a whole, we’re fairly self-disciplined people; nobody needs to coax us to practice. We have pretty high standards for our horses, and we have impossibly high standards for ourselves, which means we can be hard on ourselves and need the camaraderie of fellow masochists, er, dressage riders to commiserate with our equestrian struggles. Horse people are notoriously opinionated, and never more so than in dressage. We dressage enthusiasts tend to be a strong-willed bunch (in the dictionary, the antonym for shrinking violet ought to be dressage judge), and as a rule we don’t shrink from a lively debate when it comes to something pertaining to our sport or our beloved horses. But here’s the other thing about dressage people: We love our sport and our horses so much that we are
YOUR DRESSAGE WORLD THIS MONTH
PARA-EQUESTRIAN DRESSAGE
Riders Saddle up for Paralympic Selection Trials
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ext month, top US para-equestrian dressage riders will make their way to Grass Lake, MI, in hopes of making the team for the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
an open para-dressage national show. Para-dressage athletes are classified as Grade Ia, Ib, II, III, or IV depending on the severity of their physical disabilities, with Ia being the most impaired and IV being the least impaired. At the selection trials, each horserider combination will ride the respective grade’s team test, individual test, and freestyle test. For the 2016 Paralympics, dressage teams will consist of either three or four horse-rider combinations. One rider must be Grade Ia, Ib, or II. No more than two riders from any one grade may be on a team. PARALYMPIC HOPEFUL: 2014 World Equestrian Games veteran Angela The 2016 Peavy (pictured with mount Ozzy Cooper in Normandy) will be among Paralympic those vying for a slot on the 2016 US Paralympic dressage team Games paradressage compeWaterloo Hunt Club will host tition will be held September 11-16. the selection trials June 3-5 as part Paralympic Games are held following, of the 2016 United States Equestrian and in the same host city as, the Federation Para-Equestrian Dressage Olympic Games. Learn more at National Championships, along with rio2016.com/en.
Digital Edition Bonus Content
Want to learn more about para-equestrian dressage? The United States Para-Equestrian Association is conducting a talent search for para-dressage competitors. Watch this video by US para-dressage team sponsor Deloitte US, featuring current star riders Rebecca Hart and Angela Peavy; then throw your riding helmet in the talent-search ring by e-mailing USPEA president Hope Hand at hope@uspea.org.
8 May 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
YOUTH
USDF Youth Members Earn USPC Dressage Ratings
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ongratulations to the following USDF members, who have earned dressage specialty ratings from the United States Pony Clubs: “A” Dressage Katherine Abrams, VA. “B” Dressage Katherine Abrams, VA Lauren Campbell, WA Anne Dietterich, MA. “C-3” Dressage Noel Brown, FL Aisling Carroll, KY Madison Deaton, KY Katelyn Duda, MD Ainsley Faraday, CA Emily Jarvis, CA Kayla Kadlubek, VA Molly Ryan, VA Natasha Sprengers-Levine, NY Emma Szegvari, MA. The following USDF youth members have been recognized by the USPC for participation in both USDF competitions and USPC rallies: Medallion Club (one USPC dressage rally, Training Level or above; and one USDF or USEF dressage show at Training Level) Charlotte Greatwood, CA Bridget Hicks, PA. Bronze Medal Club (one USPC dressage rally and one USDF or USEF dressage show at First Level) Victoria Beshirs, TX Kaila McCormack, MI. Silver Medal Club (one USPC dressage rally and one USDF or USEF dressage show at Second Level) Kayla Kadlubek, VA. Gold Medal Club (compete or volunteer at one USPC dressage rally, plus one USDF or USEF dressage show at Third Level or above) Kayla Kadlubek, VA. For more information about this recognition program, visit the USPC website at ponyclub.org.
JONNA J. KOELLHOFFER/SUSANJSTICKLE.COM
HEADS UP
BEHIND THE SCENES
TRANSITIONS
Richard D. Mitchell, DVM, MRCVS, Diplomate ACVSMR
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ob title: Co-owner, Fairfield Equine Associates, Newtown, CT (fairfieldequine.com) What I do: Our practice is about the modern-day sport horse, both English and Western. I spend my day going from one lameness case to the next, and employing various diagnostic modalities to determine the origin of said lameness, whether it’s physical examination or diagnostic ultrasound and radiography. I am fortunate; I like going to work. How I got started: I grew up on a horse farm, did pony hunters and hunters as a kid. I had an interest in medicine academically and decided to go to vet school instead of medical school. I wanted to combine what I’d ON THE SCENE: already learned as a career, and I think As a US equestrianteam veterinarian, it has served me well. I think a lot of Mitchell attends my clients appreciate the fact that I was many major champi- a rider. The sport horse industry was onships. He’s pictured nothing in the ’70s of what it is today, watching morning but it was growing rapidly. I just was in dressage training at the right place at the right time, growing the 2008 Olympics in with an industry that was growing. Hong Kong. Best thing about my job: The horses. Worst thing about my job: It never stops. My horses: I had a severe back injury, and so I had to stop riding. Tip: Very slow and careful athletic conditioning is so important to the long-term soundness of your horse. The training of the dressage horse should be a long-term project, not something that’s an overnight wonder. —Katherine Walcott
Olympian Ashley Holzer Becomes US Citizen
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ressage star Ashley Holzer, who has represented Canada at four Olympic Games and who was the 2009 Canadian Dressage Rider of the Year, was sworn in as a US citizen in February. Born in Toronto, Holzer, 52, is married to American Rusty Holzer. They have two children. Longtime New York City residents, the Holzers operated Riverdale Equestrian Centre in the Bronx for more than 20 years. Ashley Holzer coaches many high-profile riders and is currently competing at Grand Prix with P.J. AMERICAN: New US citizen Rizvi’s mare Tiva Nana. Ashley Holzer and Tiva Nana at Holzer now holds dual Dressage at Devon in 2014 citizenship but at press time had not revealed whether she will eventually declare her intent to ride for the USA. —Amber Heintzberger
GMO
JENNIFER BRYANT; AMBER HEINTZBERGER
Dover Saddlery Enhances Sponsorship Program
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ost USDF group-member organizations (GMOs) are always looking for new sponsorship opportunities and member perks. Perhaps Dover Saddlery’s enhanced gift-certificate sponsorship program could fill the bill. Dover Saddlery, Littleton, MA, a leading equestrian retailer, in March announced that it has increased the quantity of gift certificates offered as part of its sponsorship program. Gift certificates can be awarded as prizes at shows and other events and are redeemable online, by telephone, or in any Dover Saddlery retail store. Learn more at doversaddlery.com/sponsorships. USDF CONNECTION
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May 2016
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HEADS UP
YOUR DRESSAGE WORLD THIS MONTH
USDF BULLETINS
What you need to know this month New Materiale Championships BEGINNING THIS YEAR, each Great American Insurance Group/USDF Breeders Championship Series Final competition will include Materiale championships. One championship class will be offered for three-year-olds, and another will be offered for four- and-five-year-olds. Review the USDFBC program rules on the USDF website for eligibility and qualification requirements, and see “Sport Horse Connection” (April) for more information.
Submit Change of Region Requests Online PLANNING TO QUALIFY for the 2016 Great American/USDF Regional Championships? Riders are presumed to be competing in their home regions, as determined by the address on file with USDF as of July 1. If you wish to compete in a different region, you must submit a Change of Region form. You are not required to reside in a region to compete in that region’s championship. The Change of Region Form may now be submitted online; find the link on the Great American/USDF Regional Championship Competitors page.
Is Your Horse Declared for All-Breeds Awards? FOR A HORSE TO BE ELIGIBLE for the 2016 and future USDF All-Breeds awards, he must be “declared” with a participating registry. Submit a copy of his breed or performance registry papers along with a completed All-Breeds Awards Declaration form to USDF no later than August 1. You’ll find the declaration form on the USDF website under Awards / Forms and Documents.
L Program Changes WHETHER YOU ARE CURRENTLY ENROLLED in the USDF L Education Program or looking to start or complete the program, be aware of the changes to the requirements. Along with the new score requirement for Part 2, there are other changes, including a time limit to complete the program and new protocol for retesting. For complete details, see the 2016 Participant Guide, available on the USDF website. E-mail lprogram@usdf.org with any questions.
Interested in Showing Your Horse in Hand? THE GREAT AMERICAN INSURANCE GROUP/USDF Breeders Championship Series consists of in-hand competitions for sport-horse prospects and breeding stock. See the USDF website for program rules and guidelines, and contact the USDF office with any questions.
10 May 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Veronica Holt TD Fund Application Now Available IF YOU ARE A USEF “r” dressage technical delegate seeking promotion to “R” status, the Veronica Holt Dressage Technical Delegate Fund will be awarding its first grant in 2016. The deadline to apply is July 1. Visit The Dressage Foundation’s website at dressagefoundation. org for an application.
Duplicate and Replacement Awards Available THE USDF OFFERS DUPLICATE and replacement All-Breeds medals, rider medals, and rider and horse performance certificates for a nominal fee. If you’ve lost a medal or patch, or if you would like to give your trainer a duplicate All-Breeds awards medal, contact USDF for assistance.
It’s L Program Website Renewal Time USEF DRESSAGE JUDGES, USDF L Education Program graduates, and those enrolled in the L program: It’s time to renew your access to the L website. The 2015 year ended April 9. Website material has been updated to reflect the changes in the USEF tests. The site has been enhanced with a page on judging freestyles and practice tests for those in Part 2. Visit the USDF website for further information. Send e-mail to lprogram@usdf.org with any questions.
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clinic
Clinic on Clinics Should you sign up for that dressage clinic? Expert guidance— plus how to get the most out of the experience, whether you ride or audit. By Natalie DeFee Mendik
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he big-name trainer everyone’s been raving about is coming to town next month to give a clinic. Whether the prospect of riding fills you with excitement or with dread, deciding when to clinic and when to pass is something most riders
know if a clinician is right for you and your horse? “There are a couple of different factors that go into how I decide about clinics,” says Reese Koffler-Stanfield, of Georgetown, KY, a USDF gold medalist and USDF-certified instructor
LEARNING ANNEX: Clinics and symposia can be valuable adjuncts to your regular training. Melissa Jackson rides Marcie Biondolillo’s Domani with clinician Johann Hinnemann at the 2016 Adequan/USDF FEI-Level Trainers Conference East.
face from time to time. From auditing to etiquette, here’s what you need to know to navigate the clinic world.
The Right Fit Clinic experiences can run the gamut from enlightening “aha moments,” to so-so sessions, to train-wreck rides that set both your horse’s training and your self-esteem back. So how do you
through Fourth Level. “First, you have to consider your budget; clinics can be expensive. Next, look for trainers with a similar philosophy and system to your own. You want someone with a training approach and teaching style that works for you—someone who will enhance your everyday training. Research the clinician. It’s easy to do with the Internet. For me personally,
12 May 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
I have to like the way they ride and the way their horses go. Ask friends, and consult with your own instructor. Last, a clinician that comes to your area once a month is likely a better bet than one who comes just once. Continuity is important.” Gwen Ka’awaloa, of Elizabeth, CO, a USDF gold medalist and Fourth Level certified instructor, USEF ‘r’ judge, and the Rocky Mountain Dressage Society president, agrees. “My question to my students who want to ride in a clinic is, ‘Why have you chosen this clinician, and what do you hope to learn?’ If they’re unsure, the easy answer is to audit. The best clinicians to go to are ones that have a similar philosophy to your trainer so you know you’re on the same thought process through a different set of eyes. For myself, I choose someone whom I admire and have heard good things about. I do ask my trainers and friends about a clinician before I sign up to ride with them.” Signing up for a clinic is great, but not if it financially undermines your regular training. “Some clinics are really expensive; you could have three lessons or more with your instructor for the same cost,” says Ka’awaloa. “You don’t want to cut your regular lessons for a clinic.” Don’t assume that bigger is always better. “I recommend looking closely into the clinician’s reputation and considering your needs as a rider. Some ‘big time’ trainers may be too ambitious for many riders,” says USDF gold medalist, Fourth Level certified instructor, and L program graduate Beth Sproule-Hansen, of Warwick, NY. “You don’t want to find yourself pushing your horse so hard that you end up feeling bad at the end of the ride, or can’t come anywhere close to recreating the results after the clinic. Yes, you should be taken past your comfort zone, but not so far out that your head is left spinning. Training should make sense for both horse and rider.” The clinician needs to be the right fit for horse and rider, says Christopher Hickey, of Edgemoor, SC, and
JENNIFER BRYANT
editorial@usdf.org
Wellington, FL, who co-chairs the USDF Instructor/Trainer Committee and who is himself a popular clinician, with double gold medals from the 2007 Pan American Games among his accomplishments. “You should feel like the clinician can give the rider the information that person needs at that time,” Hickey says. “I encourage my students to clinic, but I’m not shy about saying ‘this trainer’ over ‘that trainer.’ I always look at a clinician’s success rate in the horses and students they have developed; know what’s really on the trainer’s resume. I don’t recommend riding in a clinic with someone you have never seen teach.”
Auditing: A Great First Step Even if you decide not to ride in a clinic, consider auditing (spectating) if the clinician seems worthwhile. “I love auditing,” says Koffler-Stanfield. “I try learn as much as I can, and I encourage everyone to do the same.” Like Hickey, she recommends auditing a clinic with the trainer you’re interested in before signing up to ride. You’ll get an idea of the person’s training and teaching styles, and whether they will work for you and your horse. Be aware that there is a difference between a clinic and a symposium. A clinic is basically a series of private lessons that may (or may not) welcome an audience, either paying or at no charge; a symposium is an educational event, often larger in scope, put on for the benefit of a paying audience and utilizing demonstration horses and riders. “Auditors need to realize that although they are paying an auditing fee, they are not the one having the lesson [in a clinic]. A good auditor listens and learns,” says Hickey. In a clinic setting, he explains, the instructor does not take audience questions during a ride, although at some events the clinician will mingle with auditors between rides or during the lunch break. “A regular clinic with auditors is not a symposium; the purpose of a symposium is for the auditors. Clinics are for the rider paying for the training session.”
“Essentially, attending a clinic is watching lessons, most often with a very competent instructor and usually without a theme, but the attention is on teaching the rider. You may learn quite a bit just by watching, but benefit most by riding,” explains FEI steward and USEF “R” dressage technical delegate Sally Davenport, of Scituate, MA. Davenport, who regularly organizes the New England Dressage Association’s (NEDA) educational events, was named the 2013
USDF Volunteer of the Year. In contrast, says Davenport, “Symposium education is directed to the audience, often with a theme, employing demonstration riders to illustrate the instructor’s theme and training techniques. Questions are encouraged from the audience. Both riders and auditors benefit from this type of instruction. Within NEDA, we try to differentiate between the two, offering one or two yearly symposia, as we believe that there are many high-level clinics
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USDF CONNECTION • May 2016
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clinic Look the Part
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already offered within our region.” Make the effort to put pen to paper while you watch. “Taking notes when auditing is a tool that everyone should use. You can go over them afterward and reconnect with valuable information,” Sproule-Hansen says. “There is often so much that happens; without writing things down, you could end up with just an impression of the clinic and lose out on usable tips.” Realize that auditing is a learning, not socializing, environment. “To get the most out of auditing, you need to pay attention. Spend less time discussing with your neighbors what’s happening, and listen to the clinician,” advises Ka’awaloa. If you are attending an event that encourages audience participation, Davenport recommends keeping questions on topic. “Ask questions that will be beneficial to the entire audience. Try not to go on and on about your own individual horse or problem if the Q&A won’t be beneficial to the larger group.”
JENNIFER BRYANT
e very professional about the way you dress and present your horse,” says dressage judge and USDF-certified instructor Gwen Ka’awaloa. Clinic turnout is “like going to a show without wearing show clothes.” Start with clean tack, polished boots, and a wellgroomed horse. Braiding is never incorrect, but it’s generally required only for larger ALMOST LIKE A SHOW: Clinic turnout is affairs, such as symposia. Ask like show turnout, minus the show clothes and the clinic organizer. (sometimes) the braiding. Demonstration rider You’ll look tidy and workEndel Ots attends to Samhitas after the 2016 manlike in nice breeches (they Adequan/USDF FEI-Level Trainers Conference don’t have to be white), a East. Because of the high-profile nature of this event, Samhitas is braided. tucked-in collared shirt, and gloves. Contain long hair neatly, and of course don your helmet. You’ll see the ubiquitous white polo wraps at many dressage clinics, but whatever leg protection your horse needs is appropriate.
editorial@usdf.org
14 May 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
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clinic
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Realize, too, that not every clinic is open to auditors. “When we have clinics at our place, I try not to have a lot of auditors. It’s easy for things to be taken out of context. With social media, everyone has to be very careful about how they teach and what they say,” says Hickey, who gives the example of working with a horse that’s behind the leg and needs the whip to back up getting the horse on the aids. “This could be put in the wrong light.” Above all, try to have empathy for
the riders, especially the ones who are having problems. “As an auditor, stay open-minded about what is being taught and uncritical of the riders you are watching,” says Davenport. “It is not always easy to ride in front of an audience. Most riders are doing their best.”
The Big Day In the run-up to a clinic, Ka’awaloa recommends getting solid in your basic work, being up to speed on
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terminology, and making sure you and your horse are physically fit enough to handle the demands of the typical 45-minute session. Advance prep with your regular instructor is key to being clinic-ready. “Your ride will be much better if you watch a few lessons at a similar level beforehand. You’ll get an idea of how the clinician is looking at the training scale and prioritizing things,” Hickey advises. “People make the mistake of trailering in, tacking up, and having a lesson without having done any homework. They’re setting themselves up for fifty-percent productivity. Either participate first as an auditor, or arrive early and watch lessons. You’ll get so much more out of your lesson.” At the beginning of your ride, introduce yourself and your horse to the clinician, offering such details as your horse’s age, the level you’re currently schooling or showing, and how long the two of you have been together. Koffler-Stanfield recommends also explaining what you feel your horse is good at and what needs work, as well as stating your clinic expectations. Don’t expect a single clinic to transform your riding. “I hope to get one or two good gems from each lesson. This is what you can realistically expect, particularly with a clinician who doesn’t know you and your horse,” says Koffler-Stanfield. “There’s only so much information you can take in in forty-five minutes.”
COMING NEXT MONTH • Annual horse-health issue
YOUR CONNECTION TO THE
• EPM update
DRESSAGE COMMUNITY
• Amateur in a pro world: Charlotte Jorst’s journey to the top
AMERICAN
USDF Adult Clinic Series 16 May 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
• Report: USDF Trainers Conference West with Stephen Clarke
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If your ride is in a symposium, “Understand that you and your horse are there to help the presenter make or reinforce a point related to the overall theme of the symposium,” says Davenport. “You may discover surprising things about yourself and your horse, but you may also experience frustration about missing the opportunity to tackle some things with an expert that you and your horse need to work on.” Ka’awaloa advises keeping an open mind. “You should not expect to make a big leap forward, but do expect to learn something new, so pay attention and try. Be a willing student. You’re paying the clinician to tell you what to do.” “There is nothing less productive then a resistant student,” adds Sproule-Hansen. That said, “There are times when you end up in the uncomfortable situation of feeling like the instructor is unfair to your horse or to you,” says Koffler-Stanfield. If this happens, “It’s OK to say something, especially if you feel like it’s too much work for your
horse. Never be disrespectful, but you are your horse’s advocate.”
Lipizzan
In the best-case clinic scenario, your own instructor is on board. “I think clinics can also be very useful with new ideas for the at-home trainer; it can be especially helpful if the instructor can attend the clinic as well,” Hickey says. Doing so, of course, requires a certain amount of confidence on the instructor’s part. “The regular instructor has to be secure enough to allow the student to go ride,” says Hickey. Know that the clinic experience may vary depending on whether you’re a “regular” with the clinician. “When I clinic, I gauge what I teach and how much I’m pushing based on if and when I’ll see them again,” Hickey explains. “At a one-time clinic, you have to be very careful explaining why, when, and how. You could give someone information they can’t follow through with if you won’t see them again.” If you do your homework, choose wisely, and remain open-minded, “you may come away with astonishing ‘lightbulb moments’ when a concept
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It’s Not About Bragging Rights You may have heard riders—even dressage professionals—rattling off long lists of big-name trainers they’ve “clinicked” with. Some may find the name-dropping impressive, but our experts advise against riding with every trainer who comes to town. “There certainly are times when you need a new set of eyes on a training issue or the horse’s development,” says Hickey, “but avoid bouncing around from clinician to clinician. In fairness to the student and to the horse, training should be within the same basic system or it makes too much confusion. If the clinicians go together well, that can be useful; but if the clinicians aren’t sending the same message, sometimes it slows down the rider’s progress and the horse’s development.”
The Bigger Picture
18 May 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Running Smoothly
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igning up for a clinic, like entering a show, entails paperwork—application forms, payments, liability releases. Some organizers require videos of applicants and their horses. “Both demo riders and auditors should pay attention to application deadlines and make every effort to submit paperwork, and if required of riders, videos, in a timely manner,” says New England Dressage Association event organizer Sally Davenport. “Last-minute or late submissions are frustrating. “Fill out paperwork completely,” Davenport continues. “Don’t leave the organizer needing to contact you for further information. If you have special requests as a demo rider, such as ‘my stallion needs a corner stall,’ please specify that up front, not when you arrive at the clinic.” Last, remember your good manners. Davenport reminds all participants: “Be courteous to riders, fellow auditors, facility, staff, and volunteers. Remember, you are a guest at someone else’s barn.”
or technique really ‘feels’ understood, or you may come away perhaps thinking, ‘That just doesn’t work for me, but I’m glad I tried,’” says Davenport. Make the most of your session. “Have a good time,” says Koffler-Stanfield. “Clinics are meant to be fun. It’s a learning environment. You’ve paid a lot of money to be there; if you don’t understand something, ask. You want to listen and absorb information.” ▲
Natalie DeFee Mendik is an awardwinning journalist specializing in equine media. Visit her online at MendikMedia.com.
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sport-horse connection
Training Tomorrow’s Sport-Horse Pros USDF holds inaugural Youth Sport Horse Breeder/Handler Seminar By Penny Hawes
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port-horse breeding is a complex business. Showing a sport horse in hand takes considerable skill to exhibit the horse to his best advantage, and sport-horse judges receive specialized education, as well. To help educate and train future
judge (and FEI dressage judge) Jeanne McDonald; professional sport-horse handlers Michael Bragdell, Bruce Griffin, and Christine Smith; Rolling Stone Farm (PA) co-owner and Hanoverian and Oldenburg breeder Maurine “Mo” Swanson; and former USEF national
editorial@usdf.org
ments and types of movement. Then it was time for a mock sporthorse competition, with McDonald judging. Rapport developed quickly among the young participants as they encouraged one another throughout the day, and that evening at the pizza party sponsored by Hilltop Farm (MD). The second day began with classroom instruction on judging sport-horse movement and conformation. Swanson then shared some background on what’s involved with running a breeding operation. Later, Hassler outlined the steps required to take a horse from birth to a successful career as an FEI dressage horse. As the second day of the seminar coincided with the first day of the breed show at Dressage at Devon, participants were able to watch some of the nation’s top judges, handlers, and horses compete in a wide variety of dressage sport-horse breeding classes.
STEPPING IT OUT: Young handlers practice walking with their horses
breeders, handlers, and judges, the USDF held its first-ever Youth Sport Horse Breeder/Handler Seminar last September during Dressage at Devon in Pennsylvania. Hosted by Dressage at Devon and sponsored by Elysium Farms, the event drew nine youths from as far away as Texas. Developed by the USDF Sport Horse Committee, the two-day program featured a stellar faculty: breeder, trainer, and USEF sport-horse
dressage young-horse coach and former USDF Sport Horse Committee chair Scott Hassler.
The Program Day one of the seminar included a few hours of handling practice. Participants worked with the professional handlers, with each student getting a chance to handle a few of the six demonstration horses so they could get experience with different tempera-
20 May 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
For Megan Carpenter, a 20-year-old student from Virginia, the seminar was a chance to prepare for a new chapter with her mare, Anky. The pair had competed successfully through Fourth Level and had an eye on Young Riders and Prix St. Georges for 2015 when an accident left Anky with a fractured hind fetlock. After successful surgery, she was sound enough to breed and was in foal at the time of the seminar. “This clinic came at an amazing time for me,” said Carpenter, “because I really want to learn more about breed shows and handling so that I can be prepared for the foal next year.” Paige Wolfe, of Hershey, PA, has a mare that she’d like to breed in the future. The mare, Delaney, had colic surgery on New Year’s Day 2014, but came back strong to compete successfully last year, including winning championships in both divisions they entered at Lendon Gray’s Youth Dressage Festival in Saugerties, NY. For Alexander Dawson, the seminar offered a chance “to learn about what to look for in conformation
PENNY HAWES
Meet the Participants
A Participant’s Perspective
ROBERTA WILLIAMS
I
attended the first Youth Handlers seminar at Dressage at Devon. I am planning to test for the US Pony Clubs H-A rating this summer, and one of the requirements is to show a horse on the triangle and then discuss conforLIKE A PRO: Colin Gaffney practices his mation as it pertains to function. handling skills with Cha Ching, owned by Michael Bragdell from Hilltop Farm gave a lecture on how to handle Hilltop Farm the sport horse. Handler attire was discussed: polo shirt, light-colored pants (no jeans), gloves, a helmet for juniors, and shoes that you can run in. The handler should not distract from the horse. Horses over two years of age are shown in a bridle with reins or a lead shank. Nosebands are optional. Younger horses are shown in a halter. Braiding is optional. No leg boots or bandages. Noisemaking devices are not permitted. A standard whip can be used, and a handler may have one assistant. The horse must stand in an “open stance” to be judged for conformation. When the judge is on the left side of the horse, the horse’s left front leg should be forward and the left rear leg back so that the judge can see all four legs. When the judge is in front of or behind the horse, the legs should be squared up to allow the judge to assess straightness of the limbs. This sounds easy but is actually difficult. That night, we had a pizza party. I met many officials and breeders as well as youth participants from all over the country. When I rolled into bed, I realized how much I learned and how many new friends I had made in one short day. The next day, Mo Swanson of Rolling Stone Farm spoke about the breeding farm. She discussed how to select stock and evaluate the product of your program. She explained the advantages of various forms of semen (live, cooled, and frozen) to the breeding farm and the mare owner, and she explained her experiences with embryo transfer. My Pony Club background really helped me out in the discussion of sport-horse conformation. You want to see an uphill balance, breed characteristics, masculinity (stallions), femininity (mares), development relative to age, harmony (relationship of movement to conformation), athleticism (strength and mobility), and overall condition. The horse should demonstrate good character, presence, and temperament. Jeanne McDonald talked about sport-horse judging. We went over the judge’s card and the rules for showing a sport horse as well as major and minor conformation faults. The horses are judged 50 percent on movement, 40 percent on conformation, and 10 percent on general impression. The rest of the afternoon was spent observing the show. It was very interesting to see the different methods of handling the horses, as well as the many breeds and types of conformation. There were so many gorgeous horses! This was a wonderful seminar for any young person planning to test for a USPC certification, become a dressage professional, or who wants to learn about sport-horse breeding. It was an educational and fun two days! —Colin Gaffney
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USDF CONNECTION • May 2016
21
sport-horse connection
editorial@usdf.org
LEARNING FROM THE BEST: The youth handlers (black shirts) pose for a group photo with (top row, from left) USDF senior competitions coordinator Stacy Durham, dressage judge Anne Moss, USDF Sport Horse Committee chair and sport-horse judge Kristi Wysocki, and (top row, right) sport-horse judge Jeanne McDonald
Laura Rhine, of Lebanon, PA, brought her own horse, Phila, to the seminar. Rhine also had success at Lendon’s Youth Dressage Festival, winning her division. She said she appreciated the chance to “increase my understanding of how to safely and effectively handle young horses, the judging process, and the breeding program as a whole.” Lara Erdogus-Brady, 14, of Harvard, MA, summed up the spirit of the event, saying: “Young horses are the future of our sport, and I think it is very important for us juniors to become more actively involved with them.” The USDF and Dressage at Devon look forward to the second annual seminar this fall. For more information, visit usdf.org and navigate to Education / Sport Horse Education. ▲
and movement of young horses, and how it will affect them under saddle.” Dawson, of Kenosha, WI, is a USDF bronze medalist and a dressage-seat
Penny Hawes is a Virginia-based freelance writer and the volunteer coordinator for Dressage at Devon. Her website is TheHorseWriter.com.
PENNY HAWES
equitation champion: He won the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals 13 and under age group in 2013 and the 14-18 age group in 2015.
22 May 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
all-breeds connection
Spotlight: Friesian Horse Association of North America We spotlight a USDF All-Breeds awards participating registry
T
he magnificent Friesian is easy to recognize, with its jet-black coat; long, heavy mane; and generous feathers on the legs. Small amounts of white are allowed on the face. Both bays and grays occurred earlier in the breed, but today black is the only recognized color. The Friesian, which originated in the Netherlands, is known for a march-like walk, high-action trot, and
floating canter. Its conformation allows it to be very diverse and successful in multiple disciplines, both under saddle and in harness. The breed has a strong aptitude for dressage, and many Friesians have competed successfully at the FEI levels. The breed’s intelligence and love of performing makes the Friesian a fantastic show horse. At the same time, the Friesian’s gentle demeanor and pleasant character makes it suitable for riders of all ages and levels. Friesians you might know: Although not registered with the Friesian Horse Association of North America, the most famous Friesian in dressage is Anders 451 Sport. In 2014, this stallion became the first Friesian to compete in dressage in an FEI World Equestrian Games, representing South Africa with rider Chere Burger at the WEG in Normandy.
editorial@usdf.org
The Friesian Horse Association of North America: Established in 1983 as a daughter organization of the Het Friesch Paarden-Stamboek (KFPS) in the Netherlands, FHANA today registers more than 500 foals each year, with a total of approximately 14,000 Friesians in North America. The mission statement of FHANA is to preserve and protect the KFPS Friesian horse. FHANA registers only full-bred Friesian horses that are by and out of KFPS Friesians. Many FHANA-approved stallions have achieved their sport predicate, which requires earning a score of 60 percent or higher in five different tests at Third Level or above. All-Breeds awards offered: Top five placings in all levels and categories. See usdf.org for a complete list. How to participate: The owner must be a member of FHANA in good standing, and the horse must be registered with FHANA. The owner of record with FHANA and USDF must match, and the horse must be registered with USDF under its exact KFPS/FHANA-registered name. Learn more: fhana.com or (859) 455-7430. ▲
For the Breeds, by the Breeds
MAJESTIC: The 14-year-old Friesian gelding Gilad van Rosita (Pyt 325 – Rosita fan Stallotte), owned and ridden by Meredith Talley of Nicholasville, KY
24 May 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
JJ SILLMAN PHOTOGRAPHY
E
ach month, “All-Breeds Connection” spotlights a USDF All-Breeds awards program participating organization and the breed it represents. Information and photos that appear in this column are furnished by the breed registries. USDF does not endorse or promote any breed or registry over another. The All-Breeds program is designed to recognize the accomplishments of specific breeds in dressage. All participating organizations offer “open” year-end awards from Training Level through Grand Prix, and some offer awards in additional categories, such as adult amateur, junior/ young rider, and dressage sport-horse breeding. Registry representatives are usually on hand to help bestow awards at the banquet held during each year’s USDF convention. All-Breeds award eligibility requirements include memberships and horse registrations with both USDF and the participating organization. For details and a list of current participating organizations, visit usdf.org. For more information about All-Breeds awards program participation, send e-mail to allbreeds@usdf.org.
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Teamwork: The Judge/ Scribe Relationship Best practices for judges, scribes, and competitors By Marilyn Heath
A
conscientious scribe is a valuable asset to every dressage judge. A good scribe makes the judge’s job go smoothly. The scribe should be familiar with the tests being judged and should record the scores
According to the scribe, the judge to whom she was assigned rang the bell for the next rider while still completing the collective marks and comments, rummaged through the snack basket during a ride, and
TEAM EFFORT: Dressage judges and scribes need to work together to ensure the best experience for the competitor. Dutch FEI judge Francis Verbeek (center) and her scribes scrutinize the USA’s Tina Konyot on Calecto V at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
and comments accurately. The USDF Guide for Scribes (download it for free at usdf.org) explains the role of the scribe, how to become a responsible scribe, and how to best help the judge. Likewise, judges are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner. Recently a scribe contacted USDF Connection about the conduct of a judge, and the complaint was forwarded to the USDF Judges Committee for review.
checked her cell phone during a test. The scribe perceived these actions as inconsiderate and inattentive to the rider, and mentioned in her complaint that this was not the first time she had observed judges acting in this manner. The Judges Committee appreciates this scribe’s volunteer efforts and thanks her for taking the extra time to report this issue. On behalf of the committee, I’d like to address the scribe’s complaint.
26 May 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
editorial@usdf.org
The complaint points out to judges that their behavior is being observed the entire time they are judging. Admittedly, this adds to the pressure of judging each horse fairly and accurately, and of keeping up with an often tight schedule. Although it would be best to confine snacks to breaks, in the judge’s defense, in order to keep up with a tight schedule of rides, it is sometimes necessary to ring the bell while completing the further remarks. The USDF Judge’s Checklist states: “Stay on time! It is the responsibility of the judge to stay on time throughout the show. You must make your final remarks quickly and go on to the next competitor.” The rider is allowed 45 seconds to enter the arena after the bell rings. If the judge has a few remaining words to write after ringing the bell, it is time well used. In such cases, it is helpful to the judge if the scribe says “Horse on center line” as the next pair enters the arena. It is good if judge and scribe can work together in this way. I understand that some judges even ask the scribe to ring the bell as soon as the previous horse steps out of the arena! In keeping with United States Equestrian Federation general rule (GR) 1033.3, “Except in the discharge of their official duty, the use of cellular phones or other similar communication devices by judges while in the judges’ box during a competition is strictly prohibited.” For a judge to telephone the show office is an example of official business. Some judges use their cell phones’ clock feature to check on the time, as well. At one time, shows provided clocks in judges’ boxes, but since the advent of cell phones this practice has mostly disappeared. Cell phones’ clocks are more reliable than wristwatches and are easier to access, so many judges get in the habit of using their phones for this purpose. Better yet, the scribe could keep the judge informed of the time as the rides progress, and let the judge know if he or she is ahead of or behind schedule.
JENNIFER BRYANT
the judge’s box
That said, a judge’s personal use of mobile devices during tests, such as reading e-mail or checking text or voice messages, would most definitely not be official business and is clearly against the rules. A scribe who witnesses such an offense may report it using the USEF Member’s Confidential Evaluation form, which is used to evaluate USEF judges, stewards, technical delegates, and course designers. This form is available from the show’s technical delegate or competition office and is also downloadable from the USEF website (usef.org), and it is confidential. Prospective judges are taught to give their full attention to each rider and to stay focused for the entire day, offering the last rider the same attention as the first. Being a judge is different from an observer, and it requires a different set of skills. Judging dressage requires the ability to do several things simultaneously. The judge must perform multiple tasks at once: observe the test pattern (know where each movement begins and ends); monitor the basics and the criteria of each movement and evaluate the result; formulate a comment that addresses the essence of each movement and word it concisely for the scribe; assign a score to the movement, knowing the meaning of each numeric score; score appropriately using a standard methodology; and monitor the extras, such as whether the scribe is keeping up, a competitor’s use of illegal equipment, and any unusual circumstances in and around the arena. The judge must also be able to keep a mental running tab of gaits, impulsion, submission, and the rider’s position and effectiveness as well as the horse’s suppleness, lightness, rhythm, straightness, and related features in order to correctly and quickly complete the collective marks at the end of the test. Of course, the job of a scribe is not an easy one, either. Most judges have had to put in plenty of scribing time in the process of becoming a judge, so
judges should be sympathetic to the plight of a scribe. Scribes endure the same often unpleasant weather conditions as judges, don’t get to watch the rides, and suffer from writer’s cramp, all for the love of the sport and what education they can glean from the experience. If a competitor or a scribe believes that a judge has been rude or inattentive to the rider in the arena, the USDF Judges Committee encourages him or her to complete a USEF Member’s
Confidential Evaluation. File the evaluation with USEF by sending to loinquiry@usef.org within ten days of the violation. Only when the membership speaks up to the appropriate organization can corrections be made. ▲ Marilyn Heath, of Naples, FL, is a USEF “S” dressage judge, a faculty member of the USDF L Education Program, and a member of the USDF L Program and Judges Committees.
USDF CONNECTION • May 2016
27
What Is Causing My Horse’s Back Pain? A sport-horse veterinarian outlines common causes, diagnostic methods, and treatment options By Jennifer O. Bryant
I
n dressage, we may be more concerned with our horses’ backs than riders in any other equestrian discipline. A horse whose back is stiff, tight, or sore can’t perform at his best, and trying to sit the trot on such a back is murder on the rider.
Myhre Equine Clinic in Rochester, NH, a multi-veterinarian practice offering services ranging from diagnostics and imaging to surgery and rehabilitation. Examples of spine-related problems include scoliosis (abnormal curvature of the spine) and arthritis.
HANDS ON: Sport-horse veterinarian Dr. Grant D. Myhre checks the “response area” on a horse’s back for sacroiliac discomfort
We employ all sorts of things to help our horses’ backs be comfortable—from massage to fancy cushioned saddle pads—but what’s actually causing the pain? Back lameness can have numerous causes, according to Grant D. Myhre, DVM, who gave a talk on the subject at the 2015 Adequan/USDF Annual Convention in Las Vegas. Here are key points from his presentation. What we call “back lameness” may stem from problems related to the horse’s spine, or it can have to do with the soft tissues, said Myhre, the owner of
A poorly fitting saddle can cause soft-tissue pain. The SI joint can have a subluxation—a spinal misalignment visible as a “hunter’s bump.” A horse with a subluxated SI joint “can become sound, or it can become a chronic problem,” Myhre said. Sometimes back lameness is a symptom of some other issue, such as in a case of internal-organ pain manifesting as a sore or tight back, Myhre said. And some back issues aren’t pain-related at all, such as in “shivers” and other neurologic problems.
28 May 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
editorial@usdf.org
Diagnosis Can Be the Greatest Challenge “If we can diagnose it and we can change the course, then we can make the horse better,” Myhre said. Diagnosis may require a bit of detective work on the veterinarian’s part. Myhre frequently begins by testing to see whether there is an inflammatory component to the lameness. “I’ll try an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug)—say, one gram of bute morning and evening—for a week” unless ulcers are an issue, he said. “If it gets better on an anti-inflammatory, it’s an inflammatory problem. Then it’s reversible.” And if the NSAID doesn’t work? “We in the US like to block things out—to know that’s the area with pain,” said Myhre, referring to the way many leg and foot lamenesses are pinpointed. But “in the back, that’s very difficult to do.” Some veterinarians will block the sacroiliac joint—SI disease is a common cause of back lameness, Myhre said—“but I’ve had horses almost go down from that. I think there are better diagnostic methods without the danger of that.” Myhre’s own diagnostic toolbox includes a complete physical exam, including rectal palpation. He’s found that a low-tech assessment—fingernails into a “response area”—is “a subjective test but a very good test” of problems in the SI region. “I can generate more response to the SI area than any other place. If I can’t get them to move, it tells me they’re reluctant to move because they’re in pain someplace.” As an aside, Myhre mentioned that Lyme disease, which frequently gets the blame for all sorts of oddball symptoms in horses, “rarely causes lameness.” Living as he does in New Hampshire, which he said has the highest incidence of Lyme in the country, Myhre conducted a study using the Lyme-diagnostic SNAP test, which he said has a 96-percent accuracy rate. Of the 100 horses studied, one-third tested positive for Lyme disease but “none had lameness
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STEADY HAND: Dr. Myhre injects a horse’s sacroiliac (SI) joint
associated with Lyme.” The affected horses “responded to treatment, but it was more of an attitude change—they mellowed and felt better. I think Lyme is more of a lower-grade problem; it does not cause lameness very often.” After Myhre’s clinical exam has identified a suspected problem area, he’ll move on to structural imaging to learn what’s going on beneath the horse’s skin. Examples of structural imaging include ultrasound, radio-
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I would do a bone scan on every horse, every lameness if I could. —Grant D. Myhre, DVM
graphs, and MRI; but “the best method of imaging I’ve found is nuclear scintigraphy,” he said, displaying a photo of a nuclear-scan image revealing a fractured rib cage. Radiographs may be sufficient to diagnose such problems as “kissing spines,” in which the upwardprojecting spinous processes rub or touch. Besides causing pain, kissing spines can also lead to arthritis or desmitis (inflammation of the ligaments).
DUSTYPERIN.COM
Treatment Modalities Methods of treating back lameness are as varied as the causes. Myhre will inject problem SI joints—doing so requires a rather wicked-looking 10-inch curved needle—with anti-inflammatory agents such as steroids or the joint-health product Adequan.
USDF CONNECTION • May 2016
29
horse-health connection Another option for fighting bonerelated back lameness is the drugs known as bisphosphonates, which help to retard bone loss. In the equine world, the two best-known bisphosphonates are Osphos and Tildren; Myhre prefers Osphos, calling Tildren “less researched.” Both products were approved for horses only for the treatment of navicular syndrome; their use to treat back lameness is currently off-label, but “we’re starting to use it on some backs. The bone process is simi-
lar, so I would expect that [the results] would be similar.” “I don’t believe in injecting joints prophylactically,” Myhre added. “Steroids can cause damage, especially when overused.” Some therapies, especially those available without a prescription, are counterirritants: “They stimulate nerves that take away the sensation of deeper pain.” Some injectable products, as well as many topicals and products that use heat or cold, also fall into the counterir-
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editorial@usdf.org
SHOCK-WAVE THERAPY: Dr. Myhre treats a horse at his New Hampshire clinic
ritant category. (The prescription topical Surpass is an NSAID.) Such products may provide some relief, but they “rarely heal anything,” Myhre said. Kissing spines may require a different treatment approach. Myhre has removed interfering dorsal spinous processes surgically. Another option is shock-wave therapy; Myhre said he has had success with monthly shockwave treatments. Shock-wave therapy is a so-called mechanical form of treatment; other treatments that have been used in combating equine back pain are chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, laser therapy, and electrical stimulation, he said. A wide range of other lamenesses can cause secondary back discomfort, Myhre said. Suspensory-ligament strains, arthritic hocks, OCD—all have to be addressed in order for the back problem to improve. If the problem is deeper, surgery may be required. Myhre has operated to remove bladder stones, kidney stones, enteroliths, and granulosa cell tumors on mares’ ovaries, any of which can cause back pain.
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30 May 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
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Snaffle or Double? In most dressage competition, the double bridle is now optional. So should you introduce it? Two USDF Instructor/Trainer Program faculty members help you decide. BY PATTI SCHOFLER
PRECISION INSTRUMENT: Although it’s no longer required at any level in most divisions, the double bridle is still the usual choice at dressage’s upper levels
34 May 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
T
o some riders, the move up from the snaffle to the double bridle is a coming-of-age moment— a sign that they have joined the ranks of “real” dressage. And the change from one bit/two reins to two bits/four reins can indeed be a milestone on the road to the upper reaches of the sport. In years past, the double bridle—consisting of a snaffle bit, called a bridoon, and a curb bit—was required in dressage competition at Fourth Level and above, meaning that there was a clear moment in the horse’s training by which the double bridle had to be introduced. Today, however, when to introduce the double bridle—or whether you ever need to introduce it at all—is largely left to the rider’s and trainer’s discretion. Over the years, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has loosened the rules governing the use of the snaffle and double bridles in USEF-licensed/USDF-recognized dressage competition. In US national-level competition, the double bridle (also known as a full bridle or a Weymouth) first becomes an option at Third Level. But except for certain FEI-level qualifying and championship classes, and in certain divisions at FEI-governed competitions (CDIs), the double bridle is no longer required in USEF/USDF competition at any level, even at Grand Prix. (Refer to usef.org and fei.org for the respective saddlery rules.) With this leeway, the question for most riders and trainers then becomes: Should I introduce my horse to the double bridle at all? Will the double bridle improve his performance, or is he better off staying in the snaffle for the duration of his dressage career? For guidance on answering these questions, and for advice on fitting and introducing the double bridle, we asked two experts to weigh in.
JENNIFER BRYANT
Why the Double in Dressage? To understand why the double bridle is used in upper-level dressage, you first need to learn how the two bits influence the horse. The plain snaffle bit acts mainly on the horse’s lips and tongue, and on the corners of his mouth. Pressure on the reins primarily encourages the horse to flex laterally through his jaw and poll. In a double bridle, the bridoon has the same function. A bridoon differs from a snaffle mostly in that a bridoon’s rings are smaller and the mouthpiece is thinner, to produce less bulk in and around the horse’s mouth to accommodate the second bit. Like snaffles, bridoons may have single- or double-jointed mouthpieces; unlike snaffles, a bridoon’s mouthpiece must contain at least one joint. That second bit in a double bridle is called a curb. A curb is a shanked bit with an unjointed mouthpiece, and USDF CONNECTION
•
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its action is primarily on the bars of the horse’s mouth (the toothless spaces on the lower jaw). The curb chain (so called although it may also be made of leather), which rests in the groove behind the horse’s chin, helps to keep the bit in place and acts as a fulcrum when pressure is applied to the curb reins. The combination of the bit’s action and the lack of a mouthpiece joint means that the curb mainly influences the horse’s longitudinal flexion. “Used correctly, the double is a phenomenal tool,” says Sarah Martin, of Blanca, CO, a USDF bronze, silver, and gold medalist, a USDF-certified instructor/trainer through Fourth Level, a member of the Instructor/Trainer Program Faculty, and a USDF L program graduate with distinction. “It’s amazing how much the double helps finesse the horse’s ability to carry itself. It especially helps long horses to orient their balance toward their hind ends.” Martin likens the double bridle to a seat belt: It prevents the horse from going too far in the wrong direction. If the horse starts to fall onto his forehand, the rider uses the curb to remind him to shift his balance back toward his hindquarters, she says. “And then the horse goes, ‘Thanks, I was slipping.’ That’s good riding and training. You have to ask what the horse’s longitudinal balance is. Often, you use the curb just as a reminder.” The curb also allows the rider to refine the horse’s straightness in a more precise manner, Martin says. “At the FEI levels with the higher end of collection, the horse must be very straight. The curb really helps them find that straightness in a much more precise way than the snaffle does,” she explains. “If you think of the two shanks on the curb as the alignment of the horse’s spine, it really lets you finesse the degree of straightness to the balance point of no pressure, whereas the snaffle allows a lot more lateral fluctuation and is harder to get them to find that precise point. It allows too much lateral wobbling. “Think of FEI like tightrope work, Fourth Level like balance-beam work, and Second Level like bicycle work,” Martin says. “As the line of balance becomes smaller, the horse becomes progressively straighter and ‘sitting’ more.”
What Can’t the Double Do? Sorry, riders: Using a double bridle is no substitute for a good seat and correct “back to front” riding. “Unfortunately, many horses have been moved up to Third Level because the riders can’t put their horses on the bit at Second Level. What does that accomplish?” says fellow Instructor/Trainer Program faculty member and USDFcertified instructor Christopher Hickey. Hickey, who divides his time between Edgemoor, SC, and Wellington, FL, is also
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the 2007 Pan American Games team and individual dressage gold medalist, co-chair of the USDF Instructor/Trainer Committee, and a member of the USEF Dressage Committee. “If you are showing Third Level, you should be schooling proficiently some of the Fourth Level movements with the expected collection, not just the ‘tricks,’” Hickey says. “You can put a double bridle on a First Level horse and do the movements of the Fourth Level test, but it doesn’t mean it’s Fourth Level.” Martin cautions that “Often, horses are put into the double before they have developed the strength in the back and the correct balance through the withers and the base of the neck to come up correctly over the topline. Used incorrectly, the double blocks and shuts down the horse, and it can create mouth and tongue problems if the horse hasn’t learned to use its body correctly.”
Which Bridle Is Best for Your Horse? Assuming your horse has been brought along carefully and correctly, at some point in his training you’ll need to decide whether to introduce the double bridle. Although a bit of trial and error may be involved, the astute rider/trainer will be able to discern which is the best choice for each individual horse. And in some cases, one bridle may work best at home while the other works best in the show environment. According to Martin, some horses simply don’t do well with the added bulk of two bits. Such horses typically have tender, thin skin or lips that are prone to cracking, she says. “These horses are generally so sensitive that riding them at the upper levels in a snaffle bit is totally possible,” Martin says. An upper-level mare Martin rides does fine in the snaffle at home but gets nervous at shows, she says. “She asks to be held up,” as Martin puts it, and the double bridle helps the mare to find her balance in the flying changes and allows the rider to give her the support she seeks without hanging or having to get heavy-handed. “On the other hand,” Martin says, “I have a young horse that is so sensitive in the mouth—and so active mentally and physically, and very compact—that he’s not going to need a double to rock him back because he was ‘born on his hind end.’” Hickey himself does not show at the upper levels in a snaffle bridle because he frequently competes in CDIs in which the double is required. But he says that if an upper-level horse in a snaffle shows good self-carriage and appropriate balance, and if it demonstrates collection, lightness, and acceptance of the contact in the snaffle, “the judges would appreciate that.”
Martin encourages riders not to assign value judgments to bridle choices. “You’re not bad if you use a double, and you’re not saintly if you use a snaffle. What matters is what helps your horse develop his balance point.”
Timing the Introduction Hickey likes the horse to be solid at Third Level before introducing the double bridle. He explains: “The horse competing at Third Level in theory should be working at home a level ahead, and an educated rider would be thinking about the collection needed for canter pirouettes and starting half-steps. In my opinion, riders should show one level below what they are schooling at home to be competitive and be fair to the horses. You should be willing and happy with 80 percent of what you are getting at home. If you are barely skating by, you will have a disaster.” “I’ve never had a problem taking a horse to the double if they’ve accepted the snaffle,” says Martin. “But if you have lots of chomping and salivating and anxiety, or if the horse has trouble finding its balance, you haven’t done enough homework with the snaffle and he doesn’t know how to balance his body.”
Bitting and Fitting It can be mystifying to sort through the many available bridoon and curb designs. “There are so many options, and the mouthpieces are so much better than they used to be; but it’s hard because there is such an emphasis [in judging] on the quiet mouth,” Hickey says. “The horses today have to really move more than they used to. That can create more mouth issues than when they didn’t have to go with so much pressure to go forward. Now throughness issues show up in the mouth, [such as when] the horse is not really pushing with the hind legs to the bit, or doesn’t follow the contact or yield to the rein or flex.” When Hickey selects a bridoon, he tries to use the same type of mouthpiece as the horse’s regular snaffle. One difference: mouthpiece size. “You need a slightly larger bridoon than the snaffle, by a quarter or a half inch, to get around the curb bit and for it not to pinch. Be sure [the thickness] is not too big, as the curb takes up space.” Curb bits come in varied sizes and shapes, as well. A longer shank produces greater leverage. Mouthpieces vary in thickness. Ports—the arch in the middle of the mouthpiece that helps make room for the horse’s tongue—come in differing heights, shapes, and angles. The half-moon curb has no port at all; its entire mouthpiece is a rainbow-shaped curve.
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Bitting Choices: USEF-Legal Bridoons and Curbs
F
rom the United States Equestrian Federation rule book, here are illustrations of bridoon and curb bits currently approved for use in USEF-licensed/ USDF-recognized dressage competition at Third Level and above. Permitted curb chain, lip strap, and curb-chain covers are also depicted. Refer to the USEF rule book (online at usef.org.) for more information.
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the lower jaw,” Martin says. “You don’t want it super tight. Put your finger between the chain and the jaw, and gently pull on the curb rein to feel how that creates pressure on your finger. People shudder when they see the rein so tight that the shank of the curb bit is being pulled backward; then you know the jaw is in a vise grip. The ideal is that the shank hangs vertical. When there is a connection [with the rider’s hand], it comes a little behind the vertical, but you don’t want to see the shank continuously horizontal the entire test. There should be that moment of pressure, and then a return to vertical.” It’s equally important to fit the double bridle well. The fit of a double bridle’s crownpiece is even more important than that of a snaffle bridle because the increased weight of the two bits can put pressure on the base of the horse’s ears. A cutback crownpiece, which narrows around the base of the ears, is less likely to cause discomfort. Likewise, the browband must be sized correctly because a tight-fitting browband can pull the bridle forward onto the base of the ears and put unwanted extra pressure on the poll. “Today the bridles with extra padding, cutback ear space, and bigger, looser browbands are more fashionable for good reason,” says Martin. The bridle’s design also affects the placement and fit of the cheekpieces and the cavesson (noseband), and their relationship to the horse’s facial nerves. “You want the cheekpiece to sit behind the cheekbones
Bridoons: 1. Loose ring bridoon bit 2. a. b. c.) Bridoon bit with jointed mouthpiece where the middle piece should be rounded. (Note: A Dr. Bristol bit is not permitted.) Eggbutt sides are also allowed. d) Bridoon bit with rotating middle piece. e) Bridoon Rotary bit with rotating middle piece f) Bridoon Rotary bit with rotating middle piece and looped rings 3. Egg-butt bridoon bit. 4. Bridoon bit with hanging cheeks. Curbs: 5. Half-moon curb bit. 6 & 7. Curb bit with straight cheeks and port. 8. Curb bit with port & sliding mouthpiece (Weymouth) A curb bit with rotating lever arm is also allowed. 9. Variation of bits Nos. 6, 7 & 8 10. Curb bit with S-curved cheeks. 11. Curb chain (metal or leather or a combination). 12 Lip strap. 13. Leather cover for curb chain. 14. Rubber, leather or sheep skin cover for curb chain. *Curb chain hooks can be fixed or not fixed.
USEF ILLUSTRATIONS
For illustrations of permitted styles of bridoon and curb bits, see the sidebar below. The curb’s mouthpiece and port must be the right shape and thickness for your horse’s tongue and mouth to be comfortable. “You need to be aware of what kind of palate, jawbone, and tongue your horse has,” Martin explains. A high port may cause discomfort to a horse with a low palate, for example. A horse with a large or thick tongue may need a curb with a thinner mouthpiece, a higher port, or both to be comfortable. Hickey prefers a thinner curb mouthpiece with most horses. “Some people think it’s sharper (more severe), but when you put a big bit in, a lot of horses have trouble with all the metal in their mouth. I prefer to start with a simple small port or one that is barely a port with a small arch.” But “with some horses, the port gives a needed place for the tongue, which is especially important for the horse with a big or fat tongue.” Consider, too, the way your horse likes to carry the bit. Does he chew the bit readily, or does he have a mouth like a block of wood? For instance, a horse with a busy mouth may not need a curb with sliding cheeks, which encourages more movement. But if he tends to brace his jaw, then a mouthpiece that he can lift and drop may encourage him to play with the curb enough to keep his tongue and jaw pleasantly mobile. Another element to consider is the adjustment of the curb chain. “Be aware that the chain is creating pressure on
so the weight of the bits doesn’t create pressure on the cheekbones,” Martin says. “It’s fashionable for the crownpiece to be one unit, but the problem with that is you can’t adjust the noseband and the cheekpieces forward or back. You have to be sure that the cheekbone ends of the cavesson are behind the cheekbones, not on them.” Complete your double bridle with the right reins. Bridoon reins are typically wider than curb reins. Hickey likes bridoon reins with leather stops, saying that plain reins are more difficult to keep the desired length. If rain, sweat, or insufficient grip causes two sets of plain reins to slip, the rider will have a harder time distinguishing which rein is in play and by how much, he points out. “When the reins slip, the hands end up in the lap,” Hickey says. “If the riders struggle to keep the reins, they can’t assess what they have in their hand. Riders with small hands need a narrower snaffle rein. I like a broader rein so I can hold on to it better. I’ve had horses that like a stronger contact, and that narrow rein is uncomfortable. People should experiment with different rein widths.” A common mistake is to hold the reins such that the curb is in constant tension. As Hickey points out, the curb rein should have a bit of slack most of the time; then the rider can use the curb momentarily as desired.
WELL FITTED: Correctly adjusted and with the reins held correctly, the shank of the curb is close to vertical and there is a bit of drape in the curb rein
®
REIN-AID
JENNIFER BRYANT
Helping You To Help Your Horse
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First Rides in the Double When he is introducing the double bridle, Hickey rides in it lightly for a couple of days. If the horse is relaxed on the trail, a ride down the road or in the woods might be a good choice. Even in the beginning, says Hickey, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important for the rider to take an appropriate contact with the curb rein. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you ride around on the trail without contact, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not teaching the horse to go to the contact. When you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pick up the contact and simply work, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re prolonging the acceptance of the double bridle.â&#x20AC;? With horses that back off from the extra weight of the two bits or have super-sensitive mouths, Martin may put them in the full bridle once or twice a week and take them for a hack, then go back to the snaffle for the schooling work. But she says most horses accept the double bridle pretty well if they have been brought along correctly. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve never had an issue with a horse that accepts the snaffle and understands how to use his body,â&#x20AC;? she says.
After your horse has become accustomed to the double bridle, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need to figure out how often to use it. Some horses do best when theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re ridden in the snaffle bridle most of the time, with a brief tune-up in the double before a show. Others need a regular refresher session in the double or they get fussy. Still others work best in the double bridle every day. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to compete your horse in it, let it become a way of life,â&#x20AC;? Martin advises. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you lose an edge when you compete, alternate it. Different horses, different approaches.â&#x20AC;? Above all, says Martin, choose the bridle that helps your horse to perform at his best. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some people think using a double bridle is cheating, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crazy. It helps horses to balance. I love when Steffen Peters said that the snaffle is not God. Some people think riding in a snaffle is more virtuous. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not. Whatever helps the horse orient his body is whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best.â&#x20AC;? â&#x2013;˛
Patti Schofler, of Petaluma, CA, is a freelance journalist and publicist as well as a USDF â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lâ&#x20AC;? program graduate with distinction. She has earned her USDF bronze medal and is half way to her silver.
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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Is the horse 80 percent on the snaffle and 20 percent on the curb? The ratio of tension on the curb or snaffle rein makes a huge difference,â&#x20AC;? he says.
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Exclusive Travel Feature
Set Sail for Sport-Horse The annual Sporthorse Cruise is part vacation, part education, and all fun BY JEREMY STEINBERG
COME SAIL AWAY: Holland America’s Westerdam, home of the 2016 Sporthorse Cruise
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H
ow would you like to combine a relaxing and memorable vacation with dressage education? For the past six years, the Sporthorse Cruise has offered just that. This winter, for the third year in a row, the German veterinarian and sport-horse expert Dr. Christian Schacht (Sport Horse Conformation) and I teamed up to present the sport-horse-focused “seminar at sea.” For those of you who couldn’t join us, here’s a sampling of what you missed!
Knowledge
COURTESY OF HOLLAND AMERICA LINE
Bon Voyage! “Relax. Learn. Explore” is the motto of the Sporthorse Cruise. Our 2016 sailing was exactly that: a time to relax and kick back, learn about horses and new cultures, and explore the eastern Caribbean. Christian, the 25 equestrian cruisers, and I were among the 1,500 or so passengers aboard Holland America’s Westerdam who departed Ft. Lauderdale, FL, for the January 2330 cruise, with ports of call in Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Thomas, and Half Moon Cay. From the Turks and Caicos to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands to the Bahamas, the tropical itinerary, great discussions, and amazing friends made the week fly by—and, just like last year’s cruise, had me asking how soon we get to go again. Sporthorse Cruise founder and cruise-industry expert Alice Knox, herself an equestrian enthusiast, helped to welcome guests from both the US and Canada. Our cruisers were from all walks of life and riding styles: beginners to experienced riders, amateurs and professionals, breeders and farriers. As for my co-lecturer, for those of you who don’t know Christian Schacht, the man is a walking encyclopedia and one of the most well-read and -educated horse people I have had the pleasure of getting to know. His family goes back many generations into the history of European riding and breeding—and, as we found out our first year on the cruise, we have common family bonds rooted in East Prussia prior to World War II. The first night of the cruise begins with a welcome cocktail party hosted by Alice and this year sponsored by Equestrio magazine. We plan our shore excursions and discuss the topics of the upcoming seminars. It’s an opportunity for new guests and first-time cruisers to ask questions, and for returning guests to reconnect with friends and hear about the year’s adventures.
The Education The seminar sessions themselves don’t start until the second or third day of the cruise, and take place in one of the ship’s comfortable meeting rooms, with refreshments sponsored USDF CONNECTION
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this year by Warmbloods Today magazine. Sessions are held on the “sea” days of the trip, while the ship is between ports of call. Both Christian and I are talkers, so we frequently find ourselves running over on time from enthusiasm. We present on different topics but add ideas and thoughts during each other’s talks as well, so there are always dialogue and questions going on throughout the day. Christian and I are known to disagree on as many things as we agree on, and the different perspective is always interesting and thoughtprovoking for all. We often find ourselves playfully sparring and teasing each other, which I think helps to keep the mood light and fun. We encourage our guests to do the same and jump in at any time with their own experiences, ideas, and questions. One of Christian’s talks this year was on a topic that I encouraged him to do: the Trakehner flight from East Prussia during the Russian invasion in WWII. If you don’t know the story of the evacuation in order to save the Trakehner breed, and the risk the Germans took against their own Nazi party in doing so, it will give you a new understanding of that nation’s love of the horse. Christian’s own family was involved with the flight, as was the family of my mentor, the late Dietrich von Hopffgarten. In his discussion of successful warmblood bloodlines, Christian explained how to choose the right stallion for your mare and offered an in-depth study of the development of top stallions and their successful offspring in jumping and dressage.
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I gave a talk on the history of dressage in the Olympic Games, based on a column I wrote last year for The Chronicle of the Horse. It covered how and why horse sports came to be part of the Olympic program, and how the dressage tests and the riding have changed over the years. For example: The piaffe and passage were removed from the test in the 1948 London Olympics, not only because WWII had taken so many horses, but also because all Olympic equestrians at the time had to be military officers, and outside the military there was limited knowledge of how to train horses to that level. In “Rule Book vs. Reality,” we compared videos of dressage tests to the vernacular and terminology of the rule books. This session always generates questions and guest participation. “Favorite Rides” was a fun, interactive session, with guests encouraged to bring videos of their own memorable rides. Christian, Alice, and I also shared some of our personal favorites. This session always creates a lot of discussion and audience participation. In an open-ended session we called “What’s on Your Mind?”, we let our guests tell us what they wanted to hear about, ask questions, and pose topics to the group. With Christian’s encyclopedic equestrian knowledge and my never being short of an opinion or at a loss for words, this discussion always takes on a life of its own and always seems to broaden perspectives and minds. Over the last few years, during the cruise we’ve also begun making time for personal consultations and one-
CHRISTIAN SCHACHT
PARADISE: Turquoise waters as viewed from an idyllic Caribbean port of call
CHRISTIAN SCHACHT
LEARNING TIME: Jeremy Steinberg gives a lecture in one of Westerdam’s meeting rooms
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on-one time with our guests, which has proven to be a hit. Guests sign up for time slots with Christian or me, and we meet in the conference room or by the swimming pool, grab a coffee or a margarita, and discuss anything from contact to jump courses, shoeing to saddles, or whatever our guests want to learn more about. This year, returning guest Julia Bruns brought a purse strap to her consult with me and asked if we could use the strap like a rein so she could get a better understanding of what connection feels like to the rider. I found the concept really interesting and learned what a great training tool a plain leather strap can be. This off-the-horse method can really help the rider to get the feeling of elasticity in her elbows and to understand the way her shoulders work (or don’t), especially related to her body posture. After the cruise, Julia e-mailed me to say that the session helped her instantly when she got back on her horse again. That was fantastic! The consults also always produce a bevy of new questions and ideas for seminar topics, and continued conversation points for later in the cruise or future cruises.
Vacation Time On the days that the ship is in port, most cruisers disembark and go exploring, either solo or in groups. Our Caribbean destinations offered scuba diving, hiking, zip-lining, nature walks, horseback riding on the beach, museums, beaches, tours, and more. Within our own group, we always seem to
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find others who are interested in similar adventures. On board ship, there is never a shortage of good meals or company. We’ve been pleasantly surprised to discover that cruising offers healthful dining options in addition to the more decadent fare. If you have never cruised before, there is a sort of beauty and romance to being at sea. The days are filled with activities and adventures, shore excursions and parties. In the evenings, the ship comes to life with music and dancing— everything from string ensembles to old-time rock and roll, mellow guitar sounds to a sing-along piano bar, and a thumping dance club. We always find ourselves meeting up to listen to some music before or after dinner; then we dance the night away or feel like James Bond in our tuxedos and gowns at a blackjack table in the casino. Evenings are fun time, quiet time, time away from talking horses to just be friends, savor a glass of wine, and enjoy the open ocean. Christian and I are looking forward to the 2017 Sporthorse Cruise! I hope you’ll join us January 28-February 4 as we set sail for the eastern Caribbean once again. Learn more at sporthorsecruise.com. ▲ The 1996 FEI North American Young Riders Championships dressage individual gold medalist and team silver medalist, Jeremy Steinberg is now a Grand Prix-level trainer and competitor. From 2010 to 2014, he was the USEF national dressage youth coach. Today he runs a small training business in Del Mar, CA, and gives clinics worldwide.
COURTESY OF CHRISTIAN SCHACHT
CARIBBEAN ADVENTURE: Dr. Christian Schacht, cruise coordinator Alice Knox, and Jeremy Steinberg at the 16th-century citadel Castillo San Felipe del Morro in San Juan, Puerto Rico
AWAY FROM IT ALL: On board ship, there’s plenty of time and space to think, talk, or just relax
Cent ury Club
THE DRESSAGE FOUNDATION’S
CHRISTIAN SCHACHT
The Century Club, a program that recognizes dressage riders and horses whose combined ages total 100 years or more, has become a meaningful and popular endeavor for seniors across the ĐŽƵŶƚƌLJ͘ tĞ ŝŶǀŝƚĞ ŶĞǁ ŵĞŵďĞƌƐ Ăƚ ĂŶLJ ƟŵĞ͊
Team #219 Jane Sage and Toby, credit Noel Johnson
&Žƌ ŵŽƌĞ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ ǀŝƐŝƚ ǁǁǁ͘ĚƌĞƐƐĂŐĞĨŽƵŶĚĂƟŽŶ͘ŽƌŐ or call TDF at (402) 434-8585.
dŚĂŶŬ LJŽƵ ƚŽ WůĂƟŶƵŵ WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ͕ ĚƌĞƐƐĂŐĞ ŐƌŽƵƉƐ ĂŶĚ individuals who support TDF’s Century Club. zŽƵƌ ĐŽŶƚƌŝďƵƟŽŶƐ ĂůůŽǁ ƵƐ ƚŽ ĐŽŶƟŶƵĞ ƚŚŝƐ ŝŶƐƉŝƌŝŶŐ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵ͘ ,ŽŶŽƌŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ƐĞŶŝŽƌƐ ŽĨ ĚƌĞƐƐĂŐĞ͕ ŝŶƐƉŝƌŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ŶĞdžƚ ŐĞŶĞƌĂƟŽŶ ŽĨ ƌŝĚĞƌƐ͘
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The nine Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Dressage Championships provide a showcase for achievement and feature qualified riders competing in open, adult amateur, and junior/young rider divisions for regional honors. These championships also serve as the qualifiers for the 2016 US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan.
www.usdf.org
Great American Insurance Group/USDF
Regional Dressage Championships
Š USD USSDFF Sttaff aff
2016 Dates and Locations Region 1
Region 4
Region 7
September 15-18, 2016 Williamston, NC
September 8-11, 2016 Mason City, IA
September 29-October 2, 2016 Burbank, CA
Region 2
Region 5
Region 8
September 22-25, 2016 Wayne, IL
September 15-18, 2016 Estes Park, CO
September 22-25, 2016 Saugerties, NY
Region 3
Region 6
Region 9
October 13-16, 2016 Conyers, GA
September 22-25, 2016 Auburn, WA
October 6-9, 2016 Katy, TX
Regional Championships are qualifying competitions for the US Dressage Finals See the calendar at www.usdf.org for the most current dates, locations, and competition contact information. Title Sponsor of the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Championships Great American is one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading providers of equine mortality insurance and related coverages in addition to offering a full line of property and casualty products for the equestrian community through its equine farm center. To learn more about Great American Insurance, visit www.greatamericaninsurancegroup.com. Presenting Sponsor of the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Championships The patented SmartPak supplement feeding system gives horse owners peace of mind with its premeasured dosages for each horse. To learn more about SmartPak or to shop their products, visit www.smartpak.com. Supporting Sponsor of the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Championships Since 1996 the team at Platinum Performance has been focused on researching the role of nutrition in equine health and developing formulas to help improve the health and performance of the horse. To learn more about Platinum Performance visit www.platinumperformance.com. Contributing Sponsor of the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Championships Merial is a world-leading, innovation-driven animal health company, providing a comprehensive range of products to enhance the health, well-being and performance of a wide range of animals. To learn more about Merial, visit us.merial.com.
A Day in the Life of the World’s Best Groom Go behind the scenes with Eddie Garcia, groom for Steffen and Shannon Peters TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY CHERYL ERPELDING
KEY TEAM MEMBER: Groom Eddie Garcia (center) is an integral part of Steffen and Shannon Peters’ dressage business
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W
hat does it take to be named World’s Best Groom? Because if you receive the Best Groom award from the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), that’s basically what you are. In 2015, that honor went to Jose Eduardo “Eddie” Garcia Luna, who for the past decade has worked for US dressage Olympian Steffen Peters and his wife, the Grand Prix-level trainer and competitor Shannon Peters, at their Arroyo del Mar in San Diego. Garcia, along with the other annual FEI honorees, was feted November 15 at the FEI Awards gala in San Juan, Puerto Rico. As a groom, Garcia is not usually the one dressed up and in the spotlight—but it’s clear from talking to his employers that Garcia deserves every bit of the recognition. Every successful competitor knows that it takes a village, as the saying goes, to produce and maintain a top dressage horse. Garcia is a major player at Team Peters, helping to keep the likes of Legolas, Rosamunde, Ravel, Weltino’s Magic, and others happy, healthy, and looking their best. According to Steffen Peters, Garcia is also admired by all who know him and always ready to lend a hand to anyone at the horse shows. Garcia grew up near Mexico City in an equestrian family. He traveled to California to visit his brother, a professional groom, in 1995 and never left. His brother helped to teach him the tricks of the grooming trade, and Garcia soon found employment in the busy southern California horse industry. He was working for the legendary hunter/jumper trainer Hap Hansen when a friend told him about the job
CENTER STAGE: Eddie Garcia receives the 2015 FEI Best Groom award from actress Bo Derek, chair of the awards jury. FEI/Richard Juilliart photo.
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A Day in the Life of the World’s Best Groom at Arroyo del Mar. He’s been with Team Peters ever since. His favorite part of the job, says Garcia, is going to the shows. As a groom, he flies with the horses and is in charge of packing all of their equipment. Keeping the horses looking and feeling good, and then watching the team’s hard work come together in winning performances is very fulfilling, he says.
Garcia is married and the proud dad of Stephanie, 9, and Leonardo, 5. Stephanie has inherited her father’s love of horses and takes lessons at Arroyo del Mar on the weekends. I was lucky to get to shadow Garcia for a “typical” day at Arroyo del Mar. Here’s a look at how the world’s best groom cares for some of the world’s best dressage horses. ▲
Yep, it’s dark and chilly at 5:45 a.m. when Garcia starts his day. It’s Monday, laundry day at Arroyo del Mar. Garcia readies leg wraps for the wash.
Wraps and blankets come off as Legolas, Steffen Peters’ first ride of the day, is prepared for his 6:30 a.m. schooling session.
Legolas enjoys a thorough grooming.
52 May 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Open wide, Legolas!
Next it’s Rosamunde’s turn. She and Legolas are Steffen Peters’ current Grand Prix stars, with both poised to make a bid for this summer’s Olympic Games.
After Legolas’s workout, it’s on with the cooler and back to the barn.
Turning out and bringing in horses takes up a good part of Garcia’s day.
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A Day in the Life of the World’s Best Groom
Aah, that’s the spot! Weltino’s Magic enjoys a session with the horse vacuum.
You can’t be too careful with a top dressage horse’s legs. Garcia applies wraps or boots before each horse works or is turned out.
54 May 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Careful grooming and adjusting of tack helps Garcia to make sure that all is well and enables him to spot any problems early.
Garcia keeps Team Peters’ tack in top condition.
The goal: happy, healthy horses that can perform at their best. Garcia takes a moment to visit the attention-loving Legolas.
Cheryl Erpelding is a freelance photographer and amateur rider based in southern California. The former owner and publisher of California Riding Magazine, she sold the business in 2015 and remains involved as the sales manager. USDF CONNECTION
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rider’s market
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Strap One On
A Different Kind of Grazing Muzzle
Be safe and look great with these new products
Horses love spring and summer’s lush pasture, but too much of a good thing can lead to unwanted weight gain or more serious health problems. Many horse owners turn to grazing muzzles to help limit grass intake, but traditional muzzles can be heavy and hot for the horse to wear. The veterinarian Dr. Joyce Harman has created a grazing muzzle that’s designed to be lighter, more ventilated, and more customizable. Her Harmany Muzzle is made from medical-grade thermal plastic with Kevlar fibers, to be lighter in weight without sacrificing durability. Steam the plastic to render it pliable, and bend the sides up before setting in cold water. Remove more or
Italian Design Comes to Equestrian Helmets Based in Italy, Kask Helmets has gained a reputation for producing safe, comfortable, attractive protective headgear for activities ranging from cycling and downhill skiing to rescue operations and work safety. Now Kask equestrian helmets are available in North America.
The Kask equestrian helmet collection includes standard models as well as special editions and personalization options. The Dogma Star Lady (pictured: the tone-on-tone Shadow model) is a standard design with a wider brim for added sun protection without compromising visibility. All Kask helmets feature a patented self-adjusting fit system; removable and washable inner padding; a softly padded chin strap that’s washable, water-repellent, and abrasion-resistant; and a venting system for maximum air flow and cooling. More info: kask.it.
Sleek Like a Cheata Cheata Equestrian calls its collection the “ultimate compression sports bras” for female riders who want maximum stability in garments that the manufacturer promises will make those formfitting show clothes look better, too. Cheata’s Stretx compression-fabric technology provides full coverage and will not break down or stretch out
from repeated wear. The moisturewicking fabric will not stretch out when damp from sweat or water. The low position of the chest band gives optimal breast control. Cheata claims that its bras will improve posture and will not shift, rub, dig, or pull. The two highest-impact and minimizing models are the Trotter Bra (pictured) and the Trotter Tank. Named for the gait that’s a sports bra’s ultimate test, the Trotter models feature a unique rear downward directional zipper with an easy pull tab, and they can be worn as an inner foundation piece or as a complete garment. The Trotter Tank helps to produce a full-length sleek profile that will help your show coat to close more easily and lie smoothly. The Step In model features wideset, tank-style straps and a closed-end zipper track, and can be stepped into or put on over the head. Wear the zipper in the front for stronger compression, or reverse it to the rear for lesser compression. The Step In is ideal for any vigorous activity that isn’t quite as demanding as sitting trot. And the racer-back Lock Down closes in the front with Cheata’s patented downward directional zipper. More info: CheataEquestrian.com.
56 May 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
fewer holes from the muzzle bottom to allow the desired amount of access to forage. Use with a breakaway halter. According to Dr. Harman, the Harmany Muzzle offers 50 percent more breathing room than traditional grazing muzzles. The Harmany Muzzle comes in four sizes: mini, pony, horse, and draft. More info: HarmanyMuzzle.com.
Easy Test-Reading Dressage competitors have used Whinny Widgets’ laminated Dressage Test Books for years to learn their tests, and then to lend to their test callers. If you or your caller have trouble reading standard print sizes, then Whinny Widgets’ Big Print Dressage Test Books are for you.
combines magnetic and ceramic therapy to increase circulation, relieve muscle discomfort, and alleviate joint stress. The Rejuvenate SmartScrim and accompanying Rejuvenate SmartHood are made of ceramic fiber dotted with individually pocketed magnets at acupuncture points. Other products include ceramic saddle pads (dressage style pictured), standing wraps, polo wraps, a hock boot, and a poll pad. There are ceramic blankets and garments for humans, as well. More info: arenus.com or (866) 791-3344.
Better Performance, Right Down to Your Toes Compression socks aren’t just for long-haul flights or people with circulation problems. Athletes know that
At 8½" x 11", the Big Print books are larger in size and feature extralarge type. The books are spiralbound and laminated for durability. Each book contains the current Introductory through Fourth Level tests as well as arena diagrams. More info: WhinnyWidgets.com or (800) 814-0141.
New Wearables Offer Magnetic, Ceramic Therapy Arenus, maker of the Sore-No-More line of liniments and other products, has introduced a new line of wearable therapies for horses and humans called BeneFab by Sore No-More. BeneFab by Sore No-More
compression socks can help them sustain energy and prevent unwanted swelling of the legs and feet. CEP, a leading manufacturer of performance compression technology and socks, introduces the CEP Progression+ Equestrian Compression Socks. The socks offer optimum heat and moisture management, and a perfect anatomical fit that simplifies getting in and out of riding boots. Special padded zones ensure extra comfort in areas where boots tend to produce pressure points. Available in women’s and men’s models. More info: CEPCompression.com. ▲ “Rider’s Market” contains notices of new products judged to be of potential interest to USDF members. Information and images are supplied by manufacturers. Inclusion of an item does not constitute an endorsement or a product review.
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62 May 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ USDF CONNECTION
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Extreme Mustang Dressage Makeover From unwanted BLM roundup horse to FEI-level dressage champion By Marsha Hartford-Sapp with Sandy Grambort
A
s a professional horse trainer, my mission is to improve the lives of equines. I work with all breeds and disciplines, and in 2009 I took on a new challenge to test my skills: training wild mustangs. The following year, I was thrilled to be chosen as one of nearly 200 trainers to participate in one of the Mustang Heritage Foundation’s Extreme Mustang Makeover competitions. Little did I imagine at the
brand, he bore an additional brand on his hip signifying that he was a “three strikes” horse after having been passed over for adoption three times, and therefore deemed unadoptable by the BLM. But his conformation, movement, and intelligent eye mesmerized me, and he came home with me that day. It immediately became obvious when I got him home that Cobra did not trust humans. As soon as I stepped into the round pen with him, Cobra pinned his ears and charged. Over the 100 days of the Mustang Makeover, he proved to be one of the most difficult horses I’d ever encountered. He challenged me to remain calm, patient, and consistent as I worked to instill trust and to teach him the basics of being groomed, handled, and eventually ridden. As he progressed he proved to be keenly intelligent and quick to learn. SUCCESSFUL BRANDING: The mustang Cobra, always That August, Cobra distinctive with his freeze-branded neck and croup, now and I finished 24th in the competes successfully at the FEI levels with owner/rider Texas Extreme Mustang Marsha Hartford-Sapp Makeover. Designed to promote mustang adoption, these time that my project mustang, Cobra, would not only place in the top 25 but competitions include such events as trail classes and reining. Wondering would also go on become the firstever Mustang Makeover “graduate” to what else I could do with the handsome gelding, later in 2010 I decided achieve success at FEI-level dressage. to enter Cobra in a local dressage My journey with Cobra began in show. A few months later, he had May of 2010, when I traveled from captured a high-point award from my home in Florida to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wild Horse the South Wind Dressage & Eventing Association. In 2011, he won the & Burro Program adoption pens in Training Level year-end reserve Piney Woods, MS. There a six-yearchampionship at the Northeast old dark-bay gelding caught my eye. Florida Dressage Association’s In addition to the usual neck freeze
64 May 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
editorial@usdf.org
championship show. In 2013, Cobra and I embarked on USEF-licensed/USDF-recognized dressage competition. Within a few months, I had earned the scores for my USDF bronze medal. At year’s end, my once-wild mount was named the American Mustang & Burro Association’s Adequan/USDF All-Breeds First Level open reserve national champion. We began the 2014 show season at Third Level, and Cobra won the open All-Breeds title at that level. Cobra continued to show his versatility by earning a reserve championship at the Western Dressage Association of America’s 2014 Western Dressage World Championship Show. Last year, Cobra made the step up to the FEI ring. With his achievements at Prix St. Georges, he earned another All-Breeds title and I earned my USDF silver medal. He capped the year with a championship and a reserve championship at the 2015 WDAA Western Dressage World Championship Show. For his accomplishments, Cobra was named the United States Equestrian Federation’s 2015 Level 1 Western Dressage Horse of the Year—the first mustang to be recognized for such an achievement. With his distinctive double freeze brands, Cobra continues to attract attention wherever he goes. I hope that, through his accomplishments, he will draw attention to the plight of the more than 40,000 unwanted American mustangs currently in long-term holding pens awaiting adoption. My journey with Cobra has not always been an easy road, but it has been an unforgettable and rewarding experience. ▲ Marsha Hartford-Sapp is the owner of Southern Oaks Equestrian in Tallahassee, FL. She is a former president of the South Wind Dressage & Eventing Association, and she coaches the Florida State University Equestrian Team in Tallahassee. Sandy Grambort is a freelance writer from Fort Worth, TX.
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JUNE 2016
USDF CONNECTION Official Publication of the United States Dressage Federation
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New Training Series: Refine Your Riding with George Williams
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IN THIS ISSUE
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THE LATEST IN SPORT-HORSE MAINTENANCE CARE Advice from US Equestrian Team veterinarian Rick Mitchell By Jennifer O. Bryant
32
CHARLOTTE JORST TAKES ON THE WORLD Dressage novice just a decade ago, the Danish-born rider is gunning for big-time success By Kelly Sanchez
38 44
EPM: NOT JUST PLAYING POSSUM This dreaded neurological disease has robbed many horses of their careers
6 RINGSIDE Timing Is Everything By Jennifer O. Bryant
16 CLINIC Refine Your Riding By George Williams with Sue Weakley
22 HISTORICAL CONNECTION American Dressage Legends: Seldom Seen By Jennifer O. Bryant
26 ALL-BREEDS CONNECTION Breed of the Month: American Quarter Horse
SOWING SEEDS FOR THE FUTURE
50 USDF PARTICIPATING MEMBER DELEGATE NOMINEES
From gear changes within the paces to rewarding honest reactions, Stephen Clarke shares his expertise
IN EVERY ISSUE
58 59
By Margaret Freeman
By Katie Navarra
By Kelly Sanchez
8 12 18 54 58
4 INSIDE USDF Picture This
MEMBER CONNECTION HEADS UP SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT SHOP @ X USDF CONNECTION SUBMISSION GUIDELINES USDF OFFICE CONTACT DIRECTORY ADVERTISING INDEX
60 THE TAIL END The Barbara Coughlan School of Riding By Elizabeth Oness
32
ON OUR COVER An amateur rider until recently, Charlotte Jorst has made the extraordinary leap from dressage novice to representing the US at the 2016 Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final. Story, page 32. Photo by Arnd Bronkhorst/arnd.nl.
Volume 18, Number 2
USDF CONNECTION
â&#x20AC;¢
June 2016
3
inside usdf
secretary@usdf.org
USDF OFFICERS & EXECUTIVE BOARD PRESIDENT
GEORGE WILLIAMS 421 Park Forest Way, Wellington, FL 33414 (937) 603-9134 • Fax: (740) 362-5539 president@usdf.org
Picture This
VICE PRESIDENT
Brain injury: a bigger issue than helmets, top hats, and the USDF logo By Margaret Freeman, USDF Secretary
LISA GORRETTA 18120 Snyder Road, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 (216) 406-5475 • vicepresident@usdf.org SECRETARY
MARGARET FREEMAN
4 June 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
publish photos of people without protective headgear whenever possible. The FEI still allows top hats in international competition, so non-helmet photos will continue to accompany international news, not to mention the wealth of historical photos we publish that, of course, include top hats or no hats at all. I am not sure that we need a logo image to hammer home the importance of wearing protective headgear. Our old bowlers, hunt caps, and top hats are now gathering dust. I can’t think of any place I might ride in my area, except possibly for a private farm, where a bareheaded person would not be immediately told to dismount. I still want people to understand, however, that we don’t just need to prevent the single serious head injury that might be caused by falling from eight feet up in the air. We also need to be aware of the ways our brains can take numerous smaller hits in our daily horsey lives, because those can have an accumulative effect that can lead to progressive degenerative brain disease as we get older. Landing on your bum can also reverberate into your skull. You can get slammed against a wall in the barn or slip on ice doing chores in the winter. Strapping on a safety helmet is our first-line defense against brain injury. But if you get knocked around and “get your bell rung” or feel a little woozy, it’s vitally important to find some way to take a break and get some rest, because rest is the best therapy for concussion. Dressage is a life-long sport, and we want to keep it that way. ▲
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AT-LARGE DIRECTORS ACTIVITIES COUNCIL
SUE MANDAS 9508 Bridlewood Trail, Dayton, OH 45458 (937) 272-9068 •ald-activities@usdf.org ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL
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COURTESY OF MARGARET FREEMAN
T
hree years ago, I wrote an article for USDF Connection on the effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI) on riders. The term you may be more familiar with is “concussion,” although concussion is just one form of TBI. The fact that approved safety helmets are now mandated at United States Equestrian Federation-licensed/ USDF-recognized dressage competitions has filtered its way down to schooling at home, and many facilities now require riders to wear helmets when mounted. Last year, the USDF Executive Board and staff discussed at length whether the USDF logo should be updated, in part to replace the rider’s top hat with a helmet. The discussion was continued at December’s Adequan/ USDF Annual Convention in Las Vegas, with feedback sought at the regional meetings. The information we received was that the membership isn’t all that concerned about redesigning the logo. Maybe if we had come up with a new design that we all liked as well as the old one, a new logo would now be reality. I applaud the idea STATUS QUO: that we’re keeping our So far, USDF members say attractive logo. The they’re OK with USDF may decide to the current logo change its logo someday—not only is the top hat gone from national shows, but so is the handto-head salute unless in military uniform—but, if we do so, we should be convinced that the new logo is equally elegant and not just to modernize our look like Betty Crocker’s hair style. At the same time, there is a strong argument that our federation’s image should be in line with the fact that the USDF’s publications and website don’t
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jbryant@usdf.org
Timing Is Everything Whether due to luck or learning, good timing brings better results
USDF CONNECTION The Official Publication of the United States Dressage Federation EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Stephan Hienzsch 859/271-7887 • stephh1enz@usdf.org
——— Editorial———
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Hilary M. Clayton, BVMS, PhD, MRCVS EDITORIAL ADVISORS
Melissa Creswick (CA) Margaret Freeman (NC) Lisa Gorretta (OH) Anne Gribbons (FL) Terry Wilson (CA) TECHNICAL ADVISORS
Janine Malone Lisa Gorretta • Elisabeth Williams
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USDF Connection is published ten times a year by the United States Dressage Federation, 4051 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511. Phone: 859/971-2277. Fax: 859/971-7722. E-mail: usdressage@ usdf.org, Web site: www.usdf.org. 2014 AW USDF members receive USDF ConARD W IN nection as a membership benefit, paid by membership dues. Copyright © 2016 USDF. All rights reserved. Reproduction of articles requires permission from USDF. Other text may be reproduced with credit given to USDF Connection. USDF reserves the right to refuse any advertising or copy that is deemed unsuitable for USDF and its policies. Excluding advertisements, all photos with mounted riders must have safety head gear or USEF-approved competition hat. USDF assumes no responsibility for the claims made in advertisements. Statements of fact and opinion are those of the experts consulted and authors, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or the policy of USDF. The publishers reserve the right to reject any advertising deemed unsuitable for USDF, as well as the right to reject or edit any manuscripts received for publication. USDF assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. All materials must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Questions about your subscription or change in address? Contact USDF Membership Department, 859/971-2277, or usdressage@usdf.org. POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: USDF, 4051 IRON WORKS PARKWAY, LEXINGTON, KY 40511. Canadian Agreement No. 1741527. Canada return address: Station A, P.O. Box 54, Windsor, Ontario N9A 6J5.
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Jennifer O. Bryant, Editor @JenniferOBryant
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Jennifer O. Bryant 610/344-0116 • jbryant@usdf.org
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6 June 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
an unsuspecting George when I saw him at the 2016 Adequan/USDF FEI-Level Trainers Conference East in January. Ever the gentleman, George—who likely shall forevermore cringe at my approach—gamely agreed, despite his many other obligations, and on page 16 you’ll find the introduction to what’s shaping up to be a “through the levels” journey unlike one you’ve ever taken before. It was also time to kick the popular equine cartoonist Jody Lynne Werner’s monthly strip up a notch. On page 13 you’ll find the first of her original cartoons created exclusively for USDF Connection. Enjoy! Finally, at last year’s Adequan/USDF Annual Convention, I learned that the best equine practices don’t do much good if their administration isn’t timed correctly. At his session, US Equestrian Team veterinarian Dr. Rick Mitchell said that the way many horse owners give the joint-health product Adequan is ineffective. The stuff isn’t inexpensive, so it’s a waste not to get the maximum bang for your buck. Are you timing your horse’s Adequan doses correctly? Read my report on page 28 and find out, along with other tips from Dr. Mitchell for keeping your sport horse in top shape. I hope the timing of this, our annual horse-health issue, proves useful in your own horse life. And now I’m signing off because it’s time to ride!
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ometimes it’s serendipity. Sometimes it’s good planning. Sometimes it’s being in the right place at the right time. Whatever the cause, timing has a big impact on how things turn out, from half-halts to romantic relationships. And timing seems to have been the recurrent theme as this issue came together. Begin with our cover subject, the (until recently) amateur rider Charlotte Jorst. When we were planning this issue last year, we knew Charlotte’s star was rising. Then, as writer Kelly Sanchez was working on her insightful profile (page 32), Charlotte was selected to compete at the 2016 Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final. I’d love to say that I predicted Charlotte’s success and orchestrated our feature to coincide, but I’d be lying. The fact is, Kelly and I got lucky— and the sequence of events gave us the opportunity to put the always-smiling Charlotte and her World Cup partner, Kastel’s Nintendo, on our cover. Timing is key in many practical applications, as well. You can’t ride an effective half-halt or transition if you don’t give the aids at the right moment. Dead-on accurate timing is one of the hallmarks of a skilled rider. Developing that timing usually also entails fine-tuning one’s body control, the net effect being the ability to give increasingly sophisticated aids. Developing the sophistication of the aids is a fascinating subject, and I geeked out when FEI-level dressage rider and current USDF vice president Lisa Gorretta suggested it as a topic for USDF Connection’s next training series. Lisa learned about said sophistication from none other than USDF’s president, the international competitor and USEF youth dressage coach George Williams. In a case of timing the timing, I damned the torpedoes and buttonholed
member connection Equine Welfare My heart goes out to poor Jean Thornton. She did everything right, and it still went wrong (“The Tail End: The Search for Lou,” March). Unfortunately her story is the rule, not the exception. Way too many people consider horses disposable. As a barn owner, I have been appalled at how many parents sell their children’s horses without a second thought as to their future well-being or destiny
as soon as the children improve, lose interest, or go to college. If you aren’t visiting a facility on a regular and unannounced basis, you have no idea what the care is like. If you must sell a horse after 17 years, make sure you visit or obtain the right to repurchase or repossess in case things go wrong. There are many well-run, reputable retirement facilities for horses, but you must do your homework and continue to visit. I believe we owe our faithful,
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Laura Graves and Verdades won the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle as part of the Stillpoint Farm FEI Nations Cup CDIO3* at the 2015 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival.
editorial@usdf.org
patient horses a lifetime commitment. They have given us so much and deserve the respect. Anita G. Von Schoenborn New York, NY
The Extravagant Trot Thank you for the informative article “Evaluating the Extravagant Trot” (“The Judge’s Box,” March). Perhaps the “extravagant trot” seen in winning dressage horses such as Totilas, Valegro, and Verdades is not the best thing for the sport of dressage or its horses. When one aspect of a gait is rewarded with show wins, expensive breeding fees, and so on, that aspect is selected in breedings, and over time other aspects of soundness may be compromised. This is undesirable. The United States Equestrian Federation dressage rules state that the trot is a two-beat gait. If we continue to reward the “spectacular trot,” then the rules should reflect this new gait. As a spectator who does not know the exact sequence of movements in a test or in a freestyle, I am sometimes puzzled as to what gait is actually being performed. Is it poor passage, “new trot,” medium trot, collected trot, maybe Spanish trot? Most dressage people are familiar with the Spanish trot, as seen primarily in Iberian horses. Is this where we are going with the trot? How do national and international judges view these horses and the correctness of their gaits? And could someone like Dr. Hilary Clayton comment on the long-term soundness of horses that move in this manner? Pam Henline Santa Fe, NM
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8 June 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
We invited FEI 4* dressage judge Jayne Ayers, who wrote the article; and biomechanics expert and USEF Dressage Committee member Dr. Hilary Clayton to weigh in on Pam’s questions. Jayne Ayers: Auditing the USDF L Education Program might give you the best insight into your questions about judging. The theory and practice
USEF/USDF DRESSAGE SEAT MEDAL PROGRAM USDF DRESSAGE SEAT MEDAL SEMI-FINALS
USEF DRESSAGE SEAT MEDAL FINALS
Excellence in equitation begins at the USDF Dressage Seat Medal SemiFinals, held in the fall at each of the the nine Great American/USDF Regional Dressage Championships. Qualify now for the 2017 USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals. To learn how and for dates and locations, visit USDF.org.
LAMPLIGHT EQUESTRIAN CENTER WAYNE, IL
JULIE LEE BARTON (ABOVE) 2015 USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals 13 & Under Champion
ALEXANDER DAWSON (LEFT) 2015 USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals 14-18 Champion
Visit USEF.org for a list of qualified riders for the 2016 Finals.
PHOTOS: SUSANJSTICKLE PHOTOGRAPHY
AUGUST 24-28, 2016
member connection are more complicated than I can go into here. About the gaits, it is not just the trot that is evolving. We also see extravagantly long, elastic walks and amazing uphill balance and cadence in the canter in many horses, too. Horses today are much different than they were 30 years ago. A brief analogy would be to compare footage of 1950s-era Olympic figure skating to todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s skaters. The level of athleticism has increased manyfold. There may be more chance for skater injuries, but training and athlete care have also developed tremendously. Dr. Hilary Clayton: I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe that extravagant movement is a soundness issue per se. But the sport of dressage is evolving before our very eyes, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s likely time for serious discussions about what is or is not desirable in the movement patterns and how the rules need to change to reflect the fantastic quality of the horses and riders that we see today.
A Couple of Kudos Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your article in the March issue (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ringside: Carpe Diemâ&#x20AC;?). The last paragraph brought tears to my eyes. You stated so eloquently why we all ride dressage. Claudia Schoendorf Superior, WI I enjoyed the article about Capt. Andrew de Szinay in the March issue (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Historical Connection: American Dressage Legendsâ&#x20AC;?). He was a judge at our dressage shows in Hebron, on Marylandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eastern shore, for many years and was always very popular. I especially liked the paragraph where he stated that it was disheartening for a judge not to have the time to express the â&#x20AC;&#x153;general impressionsâ&#x20AC;? in clear, precise terms. As a judge myself for over 40 years, I agree 100 percent and have always wanted riders to be able to receive more beneficial
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10 June 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ USDF CONNECTION
editorial@usdf.org
comments to improve the basic training of the horse. We judges are always told not to be â&#x20AC;&#x153;instructorsâ&#x20AC;? when judging, and I understand the importance of not extending the time of the test. However, sometimes just one or two additional points of advice can make all the difference to the rider and the future correct training of the horse. Deri Jeffers Onancock, VA
Corrections
T
he following are corrections to awards listings in the 2015 yearbook issue of USDF Connection (February 2016). Page 34: The second-place winner in the Art, Adult category was mislabeled. The piece is â&#x20AC;&#x153;Forward Momentumâ&#x20AC;? by Anna Noelle Rockwell. Page 104: The photo of Janis Beale should have been credited to Ruth Harpster. Page 204: The Welsh Pony & Cob Society of America Section B Training Level Open reserve champion should be Summit View Affair to Remember, Lesya Ukrainchuk, owner; Uliana Ukrainchuk, rider. The photo caption accompanying Aprilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sport-Horse Connection: Introducing the Materiale Championshipsâ&#x20AC;? contained an error. The horse pictured, Fran Schufro, was the winner of the Materiale class for five-year-old mares at Dressage at Devon 2015. She was not the 2015 DAD Materiale champion. That honor went to MW Feinermark, ridden by Meagan Davis.
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HEADS UP
YOUR DRESSAGE WORLD THIS MONTH
WORLD CUP DRESSAGE FINAL
Dream Comes True for Minderhoud
F
estivities at the 2016 Gothenburg Horse Show marked the Swedish competition’s 40 years of hosting FEI World Cup Final qualifiers and 22 World Cup Dressage or Jumping Finals, including at the March 24-28 event. In the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final, there were no sure bets as to who would be on the podium on Easter Sunday. Ten riders finished the Grand Prix within a 4-percent range, led by the Netherlands’ Hans-Peter Minderhoud and Glock’s Flirt. In second and third place by just 0.4 and 0.5 percent, respectively, were the Swedes Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén on Don Auriello and Patrik Kittel on Watermill Scandic.
SWEET REWARD: 2016 World Cup Dressage Final champion HansPeter Minderhoud gives mount Glock’s Flirt a thank-you kiss
World Cup Final rookie Charlotte Jorst of the USA had a really good ride aboard Kastel Denmark’s Kastel’s Nintendo and finished eleventh after a ride she said she thoroughly enjoyed. (For more on Jorst’s World Cup Final experience, see “Charlotte Jorst Takes on the World” on page 32.) Olympic veteran Guenter Seidel, the other American representative, managed Zero Gravity well, though the atmosphere in the arena proved to be a bit too much for the beautiful chestnut KWPN gelding, owned by James and Charlotte Mashburn. Minderhoud was not complacent after his narrow
12 June 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
victory. “I really want to try and win; this is my chance in time, but I feel that there are many here that actually can do very well,” he said after the Grand Prix. “My horse is such a good boy: He gives his very best, ambitious all the time, happy every day, the best.” The Grand Prix Freestyle final was a good show for all 18 riders, making for thrilling competition for the sold-out crowd of 11,000. Tension marred the performances of both Watermill Scandic and Zero Gravity, although the Swedish audience loved Seidel’s piano music. Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Unee BB had some mistakes, finishing third on a score of 80.464 percent. Despite problems with the halt, Vilhelmson Silfvén’s score of 81.429 percent was good enough for second place—her first time on a championship podium in her long career. But the day belonged to Minderhoud, whose error-free and technically difficult program with Glock’s Flirt was highlighted by the fifteenyear-old gelding’s (Florestan I x Gauguin de Lully) good piaffe and beautiful tempis for a winning score of 82.357 percent. “I have dreamt about this since I was a groom for Anky [van Grunsven] in her World Cups,” a visibly moved Minderhoud said afterward. —Kim Lundin
FEI/ARND BRONKHORST; ARND.NL
PROMISING: Veteran competitor Guenter Seidel skillfully piloted Zero Gravity through the electric atmosphere of the World Cup Dressage Final
BEHIND THE SCENES
DRESSAGE AT LARGE
We’ve Got Dressage Friends in High Places
Krystina Firth, USDF
INSPIRE GRACE PHOTOGRAPHY; MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ/AP IMAGES
J
ob title: Competitions Department manager, USDF, Lexington, KY (usdf.org) What I do: The Competitions Department goes from making sure that the competition is recognized, to recording the results, all the way to the rankings and the standings for the various national awards and national championship programs. My TEAM LEADER: Firth and her horse, Patrick role is to manage all those facets. I have the advantage that I’ve been here since 2002. Through the years, I’ve pretty much done all these positions. However, I can’t do what I do without the strong team underneath me. How I got started: I worked with mares and foals in the Thoroughbred industry before I came to USDF, but I had dressage knowledge and experience. My life was changing at that point, and I wanted to take an office job. Best thing about my job: It’s constantly changing. Depending on the time of year, there are different things to focus on. Worst thing about my job: Delivering bad news to competitors. My horse: I have a six-year-old, 16.2-hand, bay off-the-track Thoroughbred gelding, registered name Pitter Pat, barn name Patrick. We are doing First Level, schooling Second. I’ve had him for three years. Tip: If you’re trying to go for an awards program or a championship program that means so much to you, do your homework ahead of time. Make sure that all your ducks are in a row. —Katherine Walcott
I
magine our surprise (tinged with envy) when, leafing through the April 7 issue of Rolling Stone, we spotted a photo of music legend Prince (who sadly passed away April 21) sitting courtside at an Oakland Warriors basketball game. The Purple One’s companions weren’t identified, but two are household names in the dressage world: Akiko Yamazaki, Grand Prixlevel dressage rider and sponsor of Olympian Steffen Peters; and Yamazaki’s husband, Yahoo co-founder Jerry Yang.
THE NEAR SIDE
USDF CONNECTION
•
June 2016
13
HEADS UP
YOUR DRESSAGE WORLD THIS MONTH
USDF BULLETINS
What you need to know this month
Applying for USDF Rider Awards Is Simple ONCE ALL AWARD REQUIREMENTS ARE MET, log into the USDF website, click on the Rider Performance Awards application, enter your USDF number, select your award, enter payment information, and you are done. Applications must be received by September 30 to receive the award in the 2016 competition year.
Are You Ready for Regional Championships? IF YOU ARE HOPING TO PARTICIPATE In the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Championships, be sure to check out the Regional Championships Competitors page on the USDF website. You’ll find links and information about dates, qualifying periods, program rules, score checks, Change of Region forms, and the US Dressage Finals.
New Materiale Championships BEGINNING THIS YEAR, each Great American Insurance Group/USDF Breeders Championship Series Final competition will include Materiale championships. One championship class will be offered for three-year-olds, and another will be offered for fourand-five-year-olds. Review the USDFBC program rules on the USDF website for eligibility and qualification requirements, and see “Sport Horse Connection” (April) for more information.
Interested in Showing Your Horse in Hand? Submit Change of Region Requests Online PLANNING TO QUALIFY for the 2016 Great American/USDF Regional Championships? Riders are presumed to be competing in their home regions, as determined by the address on file with USDF as of July 1. If you wish to compete in a different region, you must submit a Change of Region form. You are not required to reside in a region to compete in that region’s championship. The Change of Region Form may now be submitted online; find the link on the Great American/USDF Regional Championship Competitors page.
Veronica Holt TD Fund Application Now Available IF YOU ARE A USEF “R” DRESSAGE TECHNICAL DELEGATE seeking promotion to “R” status, the Veronica Holt Dressage Technical Delegate Fund will be awarding its first grant in 2016. The deadline to apply is July 1. Visit The Dressage Foundation’s website at dressagefoundation. org for an application.
14 June 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
THE GREAT AMERICAN INSURANCE GROUP/USDF Breeders Championship Series consists of in-hand competitions for sport-horse prospects and breeding stock. See the USDF website for program rules and guidelines, and contact the USDF office with any questions.
Get more from USDF Connection magazine. Go online and login to access bonus features. WWW.USDF.ORG
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editorial@usdf.org
Refine Your Riding Learn how the aids become more sophisticated as you progress through the levels, with international competitor and USDF president George Williams By George Williams with Sue Weakley
H
aving spent a lifetime training horses, I have come to believe that, as our horses give so much to us, it’s our ethical responsibility as riders to develop a good seat and the correct aids. It’s only fair to the horse. We have high expectations of our horses; therefore, we must set even higher expectations for our own skill set.
ing on some basic explanation and theory, and as the series progresses I’ll talk about the ever-increasing sophistication of the aids. Throughout this series, I’ll give you exercises and tips to help you understand the concepts and refine your aids. Think of this initial article as your “First Aid.”
A Common Language
REFINED: The aids become increasingly sophisticated as horse and rider advance through the levels. George Williams rides Uniqa, a KWPN (Gribaldi x Cocktail) mare owned by Sara Anderson, at Intermediate II at the 2016 Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Florida.
In this new series, I will examine the progression of the use of the aids by the rider, and in the process how we teach the horse to be more responsive to those aids. I’ll begin by touch-
Aids are the language we have developed to communicate with the horse. Used correctly, they are the language we share with the horse. We can’t explain to our horses in words what we want them to do, so instead the aids articulate our thoughts in a way the horse can understand. Aids are more than “cues.” A cue can be any signal taught to an animal to get it to perform a desired action or a trick. But aids are more like a language that enables us to build on thoughts that at times can seem contradictory, as in the aids for the half-pass, in which the horse must be willing to go forward with bend around the rider’s inside leg, all the while yielding sideways from the rider’s outside leg. Learning the aids, as with learning any other language, starts with vocabulary. In our dressage training, we have to begin by teaching the horse a basic “vocabulary” of aids. This vocabulary becomes more sophisticated, and the subtleties developed, as the training progresses. If your horse is not responsive to your aids, you need to look at yourself and how you are sitting and how you might inadvertently be influencing your horse. There is a reason we call certain aids correct. As students of
16 June 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
dressage, we frequently look at riders we admire so that we can try to mirror their way of riding. My advice is always to look at someone with the correct or orthodox manner of riding, for that’s what you want to imitate. In order to bring a horse from just started to Grand Prix, it’s very important that you use correct aids and expect the correct response to correctly given aids.
Aids are the language the rider shares with the horse.
Years ago, I was teaching the flying changes to a mare. She had them to the left, but they were difficult to the right. I finally got them, and even mastered the tempis up to twos, but only by using a little more inside rein than would be considered correct. I rode the mare in competition, and I was happy because I got my changes. But when I looked at my score sheet, the judge had written, “Aids for changes all wrong.” I was irritated at first, but then I started thinking about it. The next time I rode that mare, I used the correct aids and, sure enough, she responded correctly. From that point, I trained her to do the one-tempis pretty quickly, so that judge’s comment turned out to be a blessing. It was a wake-up call and a real lesson for me.
Three Key Concepts There are three concepts that I think are important for a rider at any level to learn about applying the aids. They are: 1. Developing relaxation. If you touch the rein with your hand or your horse’s side with your leg, he needs to accept that pressure and relax. 2. Creating a correct response. The horse accepts the aids and yields to the aids according to how they are used. 3. The ultimate question: Did the aid have the desired effect? If it did, then that’s proof that the aid worked. You and your horse are “speaking the same language.”
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The Basic First Aids Now let’s look at how these three key concepts apply to the basic aids: the rider’s hands, legs, and seat. (Later in this series, we will discuss the artificial aids, including the whip and spurs.) Hands. If you touch the rein with your hand, your horse should acknowledge and accept that pressure or contact, and be relaxed and trusting. The horse should learn to respond to your hands and yield to them, whether they are used as a bending rein, a leading rein, or directly back, as they will be later in his training for a true half-halt. Depending on how the hand is used, the desired effect should be a greater degree of “throughness” and a change in balance, suppleness, or straightness. Ultimately, you should feel that you can soften or give with your hand momentarily and your horse will stay in self-carriage. Legs. A leg aid should also be able to produce relaxation. If you put your leg on your horse, he should relax and accept the aid on his side, and not twitch as if it’s a fly or in a nervous or resistant manner. Your horse should learn to respond to your legs and to yield from them. If you apply your legs to ask him to go forward, then he must immediately go forward. Establish this first. Then he must learn to yield to the leg, as in leg-yielding, in which the horse steps away from the leg pressure and yields to the side. The desired effects of the leg aids are many. Simply, though, you should feel your horse’s hind legs step under more, with greater articulation of the joints, greater carrying power, and greater thrust. Seat. The rider’s seat is a primary aid and can have a very positive effect if developed correctly. Your horse needs to learn to accept your weight with a relaxed attitude and without tension through his back. Then he should learn to respond to your seat, and be willing to go forward or to slow down depending on how USDF CONNECTION • June 2016
17
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your seat is used. The desired effect is obtained when you are able through your seat to influence your horse’s balance: encouraging him to step solidly behind and to push with more power as he goes forward, or to step solidly behind and to lower his hindquarters when you apply a half-halt.
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After you and your horse learn the basic language of the aids, you then begin “layering” the aids, and the language becomes increasingly sophisticated. By layering, I mean that in addition to giving primary aids, you simultaneously give secondary aids that function as supporting aids. Here’s an example. Let’s say you want to ask your horse to yield to the inside rein. The inside rein would serve as the primary aid, but your outside rein also plays a role, your legs may play a role, your seat may play a role— all in support of the primary aid. The layering of the aids becomes increasingly sophisticated as you and your horse move up the levels. In the half-pass, for instance, the horse yields to the outside leg while also moving forward from the inside leg. Naturally, these “multiple meanings” of the aids don’t make sense to the horse at first. If you took a green horse and said, “I want you to bend around my left leg while I push you to the left with my right leg,” he wouldn’t understand. Instead, you have to say, “First we go forward. Then we establish the bend around my inside leg. Now that we have that bend established, please move sideways away from my outside leg—not too much—and remember to stay ‘in front of’ my inside leg the entire time.” This combination becomes a half-pass. The half-halt is a good example of combining the aids. There is an old saying: In the beginning the half-halt is 80 percent hand and 20 percent seat, and later it’s 80 percent seat and 20 percent hand. The USDF Glossary of Judging Terms defines the half-halt as “a momentary effect of the aids which
clinic leg, you don’t just flail away, kicking with both legs and using both spurs and a whip. Instead, you determine which aids aren’t working, and you concentrate on addressing why those aids are failing in a manner that your horse can understand. To accomplish this, you need to be able to isolate your aids so that if you need to, you can do one thing with one hand while you do something different with your legs, or whatever the situation might call for. Our application of the aids has to become more skilled, and with that comes tactfulness and feel. The skilled dressage rider uses the aids just enough—never more than necessary—to maintain the desired status quo. You are your horse’s “cruise control” mechanism: From the outside, it looks as if nothing ever changes. The rider should never betray how hard it is to achieve this! You don’t want to be squeezing or holding all the time, so through training you want to be certain that your horse remains sensitive to your aids; but on the other hand, you can’t be too passive. A top rider like Olympic and World Equestrian Games gold medalist Charlotte Dujardin looks
as if she’s doing nothing, but I can guarantee she’s not just sitting there. She’s making adjustments all the time, but she’s doing it correctly so it doesn’t look like anything is happening. Some of those aids can be strong—you might be surprised at how strong—but they are given tactfully. The key is for the rider to develop fine motor control while in the middle of a large motor activity. The horse may be bouncing and moving you around, but you have to develop the ability to give very refined aids. ▲ Next month: Learn correct timing of the aids with my “kindergarten exercises.” Sue Weakley is a freelance writer, marketing professional, and self-avowed dressage geek. After teaching journalism and integrated marketing communications at the university level, she decided to meld dressage and writing into her dream job. She and her Lusitano, Universo do Bosque, are doing their best not to annoy each other as they strive toward half-halt perfection.
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Skill and Refinement Another old saying is that a strong aid should be followed by a light aid or a soft aid. This saying can be interpreted in two ways. One is to maintain the horse’s confidence so that he is never afraid after a strong aid. The other is so that we can continually try to increase our horses’ sensitivity—and when we do, try to refine it even more. That is the only way you’ll keep progressing. It’s very important not to take a shotgun approach to the aids. If your horse slows down or gets behind your
20 June 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
G
eorge Williams needs little introduction to the USDF membership, having served as the Federation’s president since 2009. He is a veteran international competitor with many wins and championships, including representing the US at the CHIO Aachen (winning team bronze) and the FEI World Cup Dressage Final in 2003 with the famous mare Rocher. At 18, the native of New Hampshire traveled to Germany to study at the Reitinstitut von Neindorff, where he earned his German Bronze Rider Medal. On his return to the States, he began working with legendary Spanish Riding School alumnus Karl Mikolka. Later he apprenticed under Mikolka at the Tempel Lipizzans and eventually became director of Tempel’s equine program. Since the 2000s, Williams, his wife, Roberta, and their daughter, Noel, have operated Williams Dressage LLC and have been based at several prestigious dressage facilities in the Midwest and Florida. They currently divide their time between Ravenna, OH, and Wellington, FL. Besides serving as USDF president, George Williams is the United States Equestrian Federation’s national dressage youth coach. He is also a member of the USEF Dressage and High Performance Dressage Committees, and chair of the USEF High Performance Eligible Athletes Committee.
SUE WEAKLEY
increases the attention and improves the balance of the horse.” When the half-halt has the desired effect, the rider feels as if the horse’s weight has shifted rearward and that he is carrying more weight over his hind legs. Through the half-halt, the horse should feel lighter in the hand and more elevated in front. I was taught that with three halfhalts (using one half-halt per stride), a horse should change the gait (e.g., canter to trot, trot to walk). Two half-halts should change the miles per hour of the gait or the tempo. A single half-halt should maintain the status quo. Finally, a half-halt for a single step is a fairly sophisticated aid used at the upper levels to keep the horse going in a lovely balanced and cadenced manner. The ability to produce these halfhalts ultimately goes back to the horse’s correct response to the aids. If I’m cantering along, I want to be able to slow down in two strides. If I have to halfhalt for three or four strides before my horse slows down, he is not sufficiently quick to respond to my aids. And if you tolerate three strides with no response this time, it will take four next time and five the next. If you don’t get the desired response, rather than pulling on the reins trying to slow down, wait for a moment and then half-halt more firmly for two strides. Those standards by which you judge the quality of the response have to keep increasing. You have to set standards for all of the aids. If your horse doesn’t meet that standard, then you have to figure out why and make corrections.
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USDF Jr/YR CLINIC
SERIES
George Williams USEF Dressage Youth Coach Internationally Respected Instructor and Trainer USDF Rider Award Gold Medalist USDF Honorary Instructor
June 25-26, 2016 Starr Vaughn Equestrian Center, Elk Grove, CA November 19-20, 2016 Hilltop Farm, Colora, MD
Anne Gribbons FEI 5* Judge USDF Hall of Fame Inductee Pan Am Games Silver Medalist USDF Honorary Instructor
October 22-23, 2016 Concord Ridge Equestrian Center, St. Joseph, MO
Charlotte Bredahl-Baker USEF Assistant Dressage Youth Coach Olympian FEI 4* Judge USDF Honorary Instructor
September 3-4, 2016 Ashby Stock Farm, Ashby, MA October 15-16, 2016 Bandalero Ranch, Tucson, AZ
For more information on these and other clinics, visit www.usdf.org Auditors are welcome!
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American Dressage Legends: Seldom Seen The pony who proved that bigger isn’t always better By Jennifer O. Bryant
pionship team. Although he won an impressive share of ribbons and titles, his achievements are eclipsed by many others. Yet the American-bred Seldom Seen became a powerful ambassador for the sport of dressage. In an era that saw American riders importing huge warmbloods from Europe as fast as they could load the planes, the 14.2-hand pony proved that the smaller, nonwarmblood equines could hold their own—and win—against the big guys. He was adorable and fun to watch, and he was a mount audiences could imagine actually being able to own and ride, unlike the imported warmbloods with the intimidatingly huge movement and the price tags to match.
S SMALL BUT MIGHTY: With rider/trainer Lendon Gray in an undated photo
To be considered Hall of Fame material, an individual—human or equine—must have achieved something extra-special: helping to shape or expand our sport in America. And the ones that make the most indelible marks aren’t always the ones that win the top medals and prizes. A perfect case in point is this month’s American Dressage Legend: Seldom Seen. The pony-sized Thoroughbred/Connemara cross would easily capture any award for cuteness, but the gelding (1970-1996) was never on a US Olympic or World Cham-
eldom Seen—so named because as a newborn he was so tiny he wasn’t visible over the tall grass—and his lifelong rider and trainer got their start in Alabama, where an event rider from Maine named Lendon Gray was working at the farm of Peg Whitehurst. Whitehurst’s daughter, Kim Whitehurst, was a Pony Clubber and had been riding “Brillo,” as the family nicknamed their pony for his resemblance to an oversized steel-wool pad as a fuzzy foal. In 1975, Gray took a five-year-old Seldom Seen to a novicelevel horse trial. They won. Eventually the jumps got too big for the pony, and a year later he and Gray began focusing on dressage.
22 June 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Digital Edition Bonus Content
Watch the humorous and heartwarming video of Seldom Seen’s retirement ceremony at Dressage at Devon 1987— complete with jumps!
USDF ARCHIVE
M
any horses make successful contributions in the show ring or in the breeding shed, but precious few of those are ever selected for induction into the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame. Why?
(Hilda Gurney, who would win an Olympic team bronze medal that year, reportedly told Peg Whitehurst: “If you don’t let Lendon take that horse to Grand Prix, I want him.”) The Gray-Seldom Seen partnership proved to be a perfect match, despite the fact that both horse and rider were new to dressage, particularly to the upper levels. “Since he was the first horse I trained to Grand Prix, we had to do things along the way, and I made a lot of mistakes,” Gray recalled. “He was very, very forgiving. You could not have had a more patient, understanding horse.” The pair was soon established as a competitive force, progressing at the rate of two levels per year. From 1977 to 1987, Seldom Seen was highly ranked in the USDF Horse of the Year standings from every level from First through Grand Prix, capturing Horse of the Year titles in 1981 at Prix St. Georges and in 1982 at Intermediate II. He ranked in the top six in the annual USDF Grand Prix Horse of the Year standings three times. And in 1981, he won the individual gold medal at the US Olympic Festival in Syracuse, NY. “People would buy big, fancy horses, and I would come trucking in on a pony and beat them,” Gray said. Gray is famous as a champion of “nontraditional” breeds in dressage, and her success with Seldom Seen was a launching pad for her platform. “When he became a Grand Prix horse,” Gray said of the pony, “it was great to compete him since he attracted a lot of attention because he was an average horse. He was not a special mover, and he was small. He was just a horse that was trained and competed well. He developed a huge fan club because of this. Seldom Seen brought dressage to everyone and showed it was for anyone.
USDF Sport Horse Prospect Development Forum October 22-23, 2016 Pineland Farm, New Gloucester, ME
With Scott Hassler and Willy Arts Internationally Respected Experts and Educators from Breeding to FEI Dressage
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Photo courtesy of Rebecca Blake, Auburn, WA.
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LEGEND® Multi Dose (hyaluronate sodium) For Intravenous Use in Horses Only Not for Intra-Articular Use and
LEGEND® (hyaluronate sodium)
Injectable Solution 4 mL For Intravenous Use In Horses Only 2 mL For Intravenous or Intra-Articular Use In Horses Only BRIEF SUMMARY Prior to use please consult the product insert, a summary of which follows: CAUTION Federal Law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.
CONTRAINDICATIONS There are no known contraindications for the use of LEGEND® Injectable Solution and LEGEND® Multi Dose Injectable Solution in horses. RESIDUE WARNINGS Do not use in horses intended for human consumption. HUMAN WARNINGS Not for use in humans. Keep out of reach of children. ANIMAL SAFETY WARNING For LEGEND Injectable Solution 4 mL and LEGEND Multi Dose Injectable Solution – Not for Intra-articular use. The Intra-articular safety of hyaluronate sodium with benzyl alcohol has not been evaluated.
GETTING HIS DUE: Seldom Seen’s 2005 USDF Hall of Fame induction ceremony. From left: thenUSDF president Sam Barish; rider/trainer Lendon Gray; Kim Whitehurst, daughter of owner Peg Whitehurst; and then-USDF Historical Recognition Committee chair Anne Moss
“He had such a huge fan club wherever he went,” Gray continued. In 2005, the year that Seldom Seen was inducted into the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame, she said: “I
PRECAUTIONS Complete lameness evaluation should be conducted by a veterinarian. Sterile procedure during the injection process must be followed. Intra-articular injections should not be made through skin that is inflamed, infected or has had a topical product applied. The safety of LEGEND Injectable Solution and LEGEND Multi Dose has not been evaluated in breeding stallions or in breeding, pregnant or lactating mares. ADVERSE REACTIONS No side effects were observed in LEGEND Injectable Solution clinical field trials. Side effects reported post-approval: Following intravenous use: Occasional depression, lethargy, and fever. Following intraarticular (LEGEND Injectable Solution – 2 mL only) use: joint or injection site swelling and joint pain. For medical emergencies or to report adverse reactions, call 1-800-422-9874.
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ANIMAL SAFETY SUMMARY Animal safety studies utilizing LEGEND Multi Dose Injectable Solution were not performed. LEGEND Multi Dose Injectable Solution was approved based on the conclusion that the safety of LEGEND Multi Dose Injectable Solution will not differ from that demonstrated for the original formulation of LEGEND Injectable Solution. LEGEND Injectable Solution was administered to normal horses at one, three and five times the recommended intra-articular dosage of 20 mg and the intravenous dose of 40 mg. Treatments were given weekly for nine consecutive weeks. No adverse clinical or clinical pathologic signs were observed. Injection site swelling of the joint capsule was similar to that seen in the saline treated control horses. No gross or histological lesions were observed in areas of the treated joint.
®LEGEND is a registered trademark, and ™ the Horse Logo is a trademark, of Merial. ©2016 Merial, Inc., Duluth, GA. All rights reserved.
24 June 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Jennifer Bryant is the editor of USDF Connection and a member of the USDF Historical Recognition Committee.
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still receive letters from people telling me how Seldom Seen gave them encouragement to try harder with their own horses.” So popular was Seldom Seen that, in 1987, thousands of fans were on hand for the 17-year-old pony’s retirement ceremony at Dressage at Devon in Pennsylvania. (He went out on top, having just swept the Grand Prix, the Grand Prix Special, and the Grand Prix Freestyle at the competition.) His competitive career may have ended, but Gray continued to ride him in dressage exhibitions, including a memorable pas de deux with a reining horse. “The everyman of American dressage,” as former USDF president Sam Barish called Seldom Seen, died in Florida in 1996 at the age of 26. ▲
Check out podcast 121 where Lendon Gray talks about Seldom Seen at usdf. podbean.com.
JENNIFER BRYANT
INDICATIONS LEGEND® Injectable Solution and LEGEND® Multi Dose Injectable Solution are indicated in the treatment of equine joint dysfunction associated with equine osteoarthritis.
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LEGEND D product label and FOI summary. summary ®LEGEND is a registered trademark, and TMthe Horse Logo and TMMAX, Merial Awards Xpress are trademarks, of Merial. ©2016 Merial, Inc., Duluth, GA. All rights reserved. EQUIOLG1605-A (03/16)
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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: The safety of LEGEND has not been evaluated in breeding stallions or in breeding, pregnant or lactating mares. The following adverse reactions have been reported following use of LEGEND Injectable Solution: Following intravenous use: occasional depression, lethargy, and fever. Following intra-articular (LEGEND Injectable Solution — 2 mL only) use: lameness, joint effusion, joint or injection site swelling, and joint pain.
all-breeds connection
Breed of the Month: American Quarter Horse America’s most popular breed is a great choice for dressage—or any discipline
T
he American Quarter Horse is the most popular breed in the world. It is renowned for its versatility, athleticism, and good temperament, which makes it a great partner for many activities, including dressage.
tunity to go far in performance while still enjoying the ride. The American Quarter Horse is ideal for juniors, adult amateurs, and hobby enthusiasts. Its gentle temperament makes it safe and trustworthy. If a hobby enthusiast enjoys multiple sports, the American Quarter Horse’s willing temperament allows them to switch between disciplines and various levels of riders seamlessly. The American Quarter Horse also has enough athleticism and heart to bring serious amateurs or professionals to the upper levels of dressage. American Quarter Horses you might know: Honey Bright Dream (Buzzie Red Bars – De Hobo, David de Lavaga) was a petite mare who in six years took her owner, Patrick Marley, from Training Level to Grand Prix
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and earned him his USDF bronze, silver, and gold medals. Haidaseeker Playboy (Docs Haidas Playboy – Haidas Seeker, Haidas Little Pep) (pictured) exemplifies the American Quarter Horse’s temperament, athleticism, and talent. He has won several USDF AllBreeds awards up to Intermediate I with his amateur owner, while also competing successfully in events ranging from reining and reined cow horse to Western dressage and competitive trail riding. The American Quarter Horse Association: Based in Amarillo, TX, the AQHA has registered more than 5.6 million horses since its inception in 1940, and works to promote the breed and lifestyle. All-Breeds awards offered: Open, amateur, junior/young rider, and Vintage Cup divisions at all levels, Training through Grand Prix. No freestyle awards are given. How to participate: The horse needs to be AQHA-registered and show under its registered name. The owner must be a current AQHA member. Learn more: aqha.com or (806) 376-4888. ▲
For the Breeds, by the Breeds
VERSATILE: The FEI-level American Quarter Horse Haidaseeker Playboy, owned and ridden by Andrea Caudill (TX)
The breed is known for its gentle nature and tractability, and for having a “good mind.” This heart and willingness to please allow riders the oppor-
26 June 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
CHRISTINE HAMILTON
E
ach month, “All-Breeds Connection” spotlights a USDF All-Breeds awards program participating organization and the breed it represents. Information and photos that appear in this column are furnished by the breed registries. USDF does not endorse or promote any breed or registry over another. The All-Breeds program is designed to recognize the accomplishments of specific breeds in dressage. All participating organizations offer “open” year-end awards from Training Level through Grand Prix, and some offer awards in additional categories, such as adult amateur, junior/ young rider, and dressage sport-horse breeding. Registry representatives are usually on hand to help bestow awards at the banquet held during each year’s USDF convention. All-Breeds award eligibility requirements include memberships and horse registrations with both USDF and the participating organization. For details and a list of current participating organizations, visit usdf.org. For more information about All-Breeds awards program participation, send e-mail to allbreeds@usdf.org.
American Connemara Pony Pon onyy Society Soci So ciet iety American Hackney Horse Society American Haflinger Registry American Hanoverian Society American Holsteiner Horse Association American Morgan Horse Association American Mule Association American Mustang & Burro Association American Paint Horse Association American Quarter Horse Association *American Rhineland Studbook American Saddlebred Registry American Shire Horse Association American Trakehner Association American Warmblood Registry American Warmblood Society Appaloosa Horse Club Arabian Horse Association Belgian Warmblood Breeding Association Canadian Hanoverian Society Canadian Horse Breeders Association Canadian Sport Horse Association Canadian Warmblood Horse Breeders Association Cleveland Bay Horse Society of North America Curly Sporthorse International Draft Cross Breeders & Owners Association Fell Pony Society of North America The Foundation for the Pure Spanish Horse FPZV USA Friesian Heritage Horse & Sporthorse International Friesian Horse Association of North America Friesian Horse Society Friesian Sporthorse Association
Friesian Sport Sp Horse Registry Gypsy Cob and Drum Horse Association Gypsy Horse Association Gypsy Horse Registry of America Gypsy Vanner Horse Society Hungarian Horse Association of America International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association International Friesian Show Horse Association International Georgian Grande Horse Registry International Rescue Horse Registry International Sporthorse Registry/Oldenburg NA Irish Draught Horse Society of North America Knabstrupperforeningen for Danmark KWPN of North America New Forest Pony Society of North America North American Danish Warmblood Association North American Shagya Arabian Society NorthAmerican Sportpony Registry North American Thoroughbred Society Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry Oldenburg Horse Breeders Society NA Division of GOV Performance Horse Registry Performance Shagya-Arabian Registry Pinto Horse Association of America Rheinland Pfalz-Saar International Spanish-Norman Horse Registry Swedish Warmblood Association of North America United States Lipizzan Federation United States P.R.E. Association United States Trotting Association Welsh Pony & Cob Society of America Weser-Em Ponies & Small Horses Westfalen Horse Association *Denotes a new Participating Organization for 2016.
A complete listing of the AdequanÂŽ/USDF All-Breeds Awards Participating Organizations, program rules, and award standings are available on the USDF website at www.usdf.org. For questions e-mail allbreeds@usdf.org.
2016 All-Breeds Participating Organizations
These organizations, in partnership with USDF, promote and recognize a high standard of accomplishment within t their breed, through their participation in the AdequanÂŽ/USDF A All-Breeds Awards Program.
WHOLE-HORSE APPROACH: Advances in veterinary diagnostics and treatments are helping sport horses to live healthier and more comfortable lives. Veterinarian Mark Donaldson (center) uses endoscopy to check a horse for gastric ulcers.
The Latest in Sport-Horse Maintenance Care Advice from a US Equestrian Team veterinarian BY JENNIFER O. BRYANT
Nutrition “Horses evolved to eat for 20 out of 24 hours a day,” Mitchell said. Many modern horses don’t get that opportunity; and restricted access to forage, diets high in concentrates, and the stresses of travel and competition contribute to the proliferation of equine gastric-ulcer syndrome, or EGUS, he said. If possible, give multiple small meals throughout the day instead of feeding just twice a day, Mitchell advised. When a
28 June 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
horse eats he produces saliva, which contains bicarbonate, an acid reducer. Bicarbonate—the same active ingredient as in Alka-Seltzer—helps to counteract the acids that the horse’s stomach constantly produces, regardless of whether food is present. The ulcer-prone horse may also benefit from more alkaline feedstuffs, such as alfalfa or other legume hays, which help to control acid levels, he said. Any horse in heavy work needs a lot of fuel, but different breeds have different needs, Mitchell said. “Warmbloods and Quarter Horses have different requirements as compared to young Thoroughbreds. There is often the need for adequate calories without excessive carbohydrates” because the heavier breeds may be predisposed to muscular disorders such as polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM) and to metabolic disorders, he said. The modern sport horse tends to do well on a feed that’s moderate in protein (around 12 percent) and with higher amounts of fat (9-12 percent) and fiber (around 18 percent), combined with good-quality hay and pasture.
Vaccines and Maintenance Care If you compete in dressage, you probably are aware that the US Equestrian Federation (USEF) has instituted a new vaccination requirement for horses at USEF-licensed shows. Per USEF GR 845, horses must be vaccinated for equine influenza and equine herpes virus, aka rhinopneumonitis
JENNIFER BRYANT
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e dressage enthusiasts like to call our sport “classical,” as if it were a relic of an ancient time. In fact the sport, and its equine athletes, have evolved tremendously. Along with changes in sport-horse breeding have come advances in veterinary care and research breakthroughs, which have had profound effects on the way we care for our horses. US Equestrian Team veterinarian Richard D. Mitchell, DVM, MRCVS, Diplomate ACVSMR, has seen many changes in his 25 years of traveling with Olympic and World Equestrian Games teams. (Learn more about him in “Heads Up: Behind the Scenes,” May). At the 2015 Adequan/USDF Annual Convention in Las Vegas, Mitchell brought audiences up to speed on the latest thinking with his session on “Maintenance Care of the Competitive Sport Horse.” Here are highlights of his presentation.
(“flu/rhino”) within six months of the competition. Mitchell’s own recommendation for the competition horse is to administer flu/rhino booster vaccines every four months. And “all horses need a tetanus shot,” he said. Many dressage riders worry about the state of their horses’ joints. According to Mitchell, “Slow, progressive conditioning is the best way to prevent joint disease” and is especially important in the younger horse. Vary training sessions’ intensity and focus. Getting a horse out for exercise more than once a day—an additional session could consist of walking in hand or under saddle, or putting the horse on a treadmill or on an automatic walker—is beneficial to soundness, he has found. For those horses that require more help in keeping their joints feeling oiled, owners often turn to one of several wellknown injectable products. Many veterinarians, Mitchell included, like Adequan. Unfortunately for the horse owner, Adequan is not inexpensive. To try to “stretch” the product, many owners give one dose of Adequan per month. According to Mitchell, this method is ineffective. “Once a month is silly,” he said. He recommends starting a horse on Adequan using the manufacturer’s recommended loading dose of seven doses, giving one dose every four days; and giving a weekly dose thereafter for maintenance. If that’s out of your budget, then you’re better off giving the full seven-dose series periodically rather than resorting to the once-a-month schedule, he said. Mitchell will supplement a competition dressage horse’s joint-maintenance regimen with Legend (intravenous hyaluronic acid), he said. There is less evidence that oral joint-health nutraceuticals are effective, although one additive, avocado-soy unsaponifiables, has been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect, Mitchell said. Nutrition, as Mitchell pointed out, is the first line of defense against equine ulcers. But the stresses of training and competition may mean that the dressage horse needs more help. Prophylactic levels of omeprazole products such as GastroGard and UlcerGard, given daily during stressful times of training and travel, may be useful, he said. Don’t forget your horse’s teeth; have them checked twice a year, Mitchell recommended. “Some performance issues may be related to dental problems, which can mimic back issues.” Finally, good foot care is critical. “Foot lameness is probably the number-one problem we see.”
Advances in Diagnostics and Treatment As diagnostic methods become more sophisticated and accurate, veterinarians are better able to pinpoint the cause of
lameness. The down side to this, if you will, is that veterinarians are becoming able to identify lamenesses that in the past we were blissfully unaware of. Thankfully, treatment methods also have advanced. Today’s sport horses can benefit from shock-wave therapy, stem-cell therapy, administration of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein (IRAP), and other cutting-edge methods. Mitchell said he’s been using “more and more” of a newer PRP/IRAP product, ProStride, that’s unique in that it’s “horse-side” (the equipment is portable, so the horse does not have to travel to a clinic) and ready for use in 30 minutes, unlike traditional PRP and IRAP therapies, which either aren’t portable or require a more lengthy incubation time. PRP and other regenerative techniques, Mitchell said, “reduce convalescent time only slightly, but they can improve the quality of healing.” Another newer product Mitchell mentioned is BetaVet (betamethasone), a corticosteroid injected intra-articularly (into the joint) for the treatment of equine osteoarthritis. Other arthritis treatments called bisphosphonates (brand names: Osphos and Tildren) are used to help retard bone loss. Mitchell said he has had some success using bisphosphonates along with shock-wave therapy in cases of degenerative arthritis that no longer respond to injectable therapies. Lyme-disease testing remains part of Mitchell’s maintenance regimen for the horses under his care. He recommended twice-yearly testing. Treatments for equine ulcers also continue to develop. Veterinarians now know that “a horse can have hindgut ulcers and not stomach ulcers. Horses with hindgut ulcers typically—but not always—also have chronic diarrhea.” For treating ulcers, misoprostol, a synthetic prostaglandin, “in smaller doses stimulates the enzymes that make gut mucous,” which protects against acids. A product called Arthrotec is a combination of misoprostol and diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), and currently it’s used in human medicine to treat arthritis pain in patients prone to NSAID-induced ulcers. The digestive-health product Succeed “has some benefit.” Probiotics may play a role, as may “changing the horse’s diet to something really basic: hay and crimped oats.”
Beyond Competition Although Mitchell is a veterinarian who has spent much of his career treating top competition horses, he said his philosophy doesn’t revolve around the winning of ribbons and medals. “I don’t believe in just trying to get the horse to the ring,” he said. “I believe in trying to help the welfare of the horse.” ▲ Jennifer Bryant is the editor of USDF Connection. USDF CONNECTION
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Charlotte Jorst Takes on the World Dressage novice just a decade ago, the Danishborn rider is gunning for big-time success
ANOTHER STAR: With her Grand Prix mount Akeem Foldager at the 2016 Palm Beach (FL) Dressage Derby CDI-W
32 June 2016 â&#x20AC;¢ USDF CONNECTION
SUSANJSTICKLE.COM
BY KELLY SANCHEZ
T
he leap from later-in-life dressage rider to finishing twelfth at the FEI World Cup Dressage Final is a bit like jumping across the Grand Canyon— unless, that is, you’re Charlotte Jorst. On paper, there’s little that could have prophesied the Danish-born American’s lightning-fast rise from adult-amateur rider to high-performance dressage competitor. But look beyond her perpetually sunny disposition and you’ll see grit and determination, along with serious business savvy. Whether she’s competing alongside the world’s leading riders, pursuing her dream of riding in the Olympics, or developing new products for her Kastel Denmark apparel line, Jorst doesn’t hold back. Despite her high-flying goals, she’s also a realist. “People look at me and say, ‘Oh she’s so lucky.’ But I’ve had my ups and downs.” She cites the US Dressage Festival of Champions at Gladstone in 2014, when she rode the wrong test twice and spent the rest of the day hiding in a stall. And this season she was eliminated after going off course twice at a CDI in Florida. “Even when I’ve had good years, I can still go through my tests and see a bad one,” Jorst says with a laugh. “It’s all a learning experience. But I don’t hide in the stall any more.” That said, Jorst, 51, has hit her share of high notes: competing at the FEI World Breeding Championships for Young Dressage Horses in Verden, Germany; winning both the Markel/USEF Young Horse National Six-Year-Old Championship and the Developing Prix St. Georges Reserve National Championship; helping the US squad earn a bronze medal at the CDIO5* Rotterdam; competing at the Rolex Central Park Horse Show in New York City. Most recently, she impressed the largely European audience at March’s 2016 Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final (see “Backstage on the World Stage” on page 36). Not bad for someone who took up dressage seriously only a decade ago.
JENNIFER BRYANT
Building a Stable Thanks to the sale of the Skagen Designs watch company that she and her husband, Henrik, built from a small Danish brand, Jorst has been able to acquire an enviable string of topnotch dressage mounts, which include her current Grand Prix partners, Kastel’s Nintendo and Kastel’s Akeem Foldager. Then there’s the Dutch-bred Westfalen reserve licensing champion Vitalis, her partner in Verden. She sold the stallion in 2015 to Paul Schockemöhle and Lone Bøegh Henriksen. But buying the horse is only part of the equation; for Jorst, there’s no replacement for time in the saddle. In addition to working on her own, she’s sought out a veritable who’s who of top trainers: Volker Brommann, Guenter Seidel, Johann Hinnemann, and Mikala Münter Gundersen. But she feels that riding on her own is critical.
SPRINGBOARD: The stallion Vitalis (at the US Festival of Dressage Champions in 2014) helped put Jorst on the dressage map. She sold him last year.
“You have to be mindful when you train with someone,” she explains. “You dissect and take videos and then take what you can from it. I don’t believe in taking a lesson every day, because you can become so dependent on the lesson that you never truly develop a feel of your own. You take a little from everyone and keep your own identity and strengths intact.” Each of Jorst’s horses has represented something of a leap of faith. Nintendo, whom she purchased in 2013, posed a unique challenge. Formerly owned by the Danish Olympian Anna Kasprzak, the powerful Dutch stallion (Negro – Rodieni R, Monaco) had been sent to fellow Danish Olympian Andreas Helgstrand to be sold. “I wanted a horse that could be internationally recognized, whether or not I could ride it—and I could not ride Nintendo at all,” Jorst admits. “But I knew if I could just learn to ride him, he would be great. In the beginning, Guenter basically strapped me on.” With Seidel’s help, and also working with Hinnemann in Europe last summer, Jorst progressed. “Nintendo’s outrageously strong, and he’s very difficult to collect because he wants to run against you. But he’s like a war horse. You could take him out to war, and he would just keep on going. Because of him, I can almost ride anything at this point.” Akeem Foldager was another story. The 14-year-old Danish gelding (Akinos – Loran, Astaire) was Helgstrand’s ride at the 2013 European Dressage Championships. But the following year, Helgstrand drew global outrage when photographs showed him riding the horse with a blue tongue at an open house in Denmark. “Very few people have been able to ride Akeem,” says Jorst. “He’s a very large horse to get around, so it can be USDF CONNECTION
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very tempting to pull. There’s so much gait in there that it’s also tempting to overextend everything. But Akeem is a big scaredy cat. He’s very, very spooky, so for the last eight months I’ve done nothing but ride him out in the terrain. We’ve gone in water, we’ve gone everywhere, and now he really trusts me. I don’t think anyone took the time to do that. Now he’s used to everything.” When she’s not on the road competing, Jorst keeps her horses at home in Reno, NV, or in California. Other mounts include Kastel’s Adventure, a 10-year-old black Dutch gelding; the 2003 black Hanoverian mare Fraktura, whom she’s bred to Vitalis; the 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding Stanford; and a 7-year-old Westfalen gelding named Ray Dance. “I try so hard to make my horses happy,” Jorst says. “Akeem loves his days when we go on a long trail ride and then spend twenty minutes working. You can feel how content he is when he goes back to the stall.” The trick, she adds, is helping each one live up to its promise. “I can’t be sitting around waiting for the perfect horse. For one, I don’t think the perfect horse exists. I make a decision and try to make it work. Sometimes they don’t, but most of the time they do.”
Nurturing a Passion Jorst grew up in Copenhagen, where her parents were both successful professionals: her father a lawyer, and her mother an author. Neither they nor her older siblings, Christian and Marie Louise, rode, and they tolerated Jorst’s growing
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passion for horses. At first she rode ponies, but she soon got a taste for more challenging mounts. “I think I was twelve when I got my first completely inappropriate horse, a Thoroughbred from the racetrack,” she remembers with a laugh. “It was a hundred percent unridable and ended up running away from me directly into the only parked car in the street.” When Jorst’s father was diagnosed with cancer, horses became a refuge. “Between my dad trying to keep his job going and being so sick, it engulfed my mom, so I was left to my own devices a lot. Every day I would bike to the barn, groom, and ride whatever I could. I was gone all afternoon and would come home at seven or eight at night. The horses were a lifesaver.” But when her father passed away, riding— or at least buying horses—took a back seat. Jorst moved to the US in 1989, two years after Henrik arrived, and the couple made their home in New York City. Though she’d earned her MBA in Denmark, the only job she could get in the States was modeling and making appearances as “Miss Carlsberg,” a role that required her to don a green sash and promote the Danish beer brand in bars and at special events. True to form, Jorst made the best of it. During the day, she and Henrik were busy marketing corporate-branded watches for a small Danish company, but their goal was to develop their own affordable, modern timepieces. Their line of watches took off, and Skagen Denmark became an international brand. In 2012, with offices
JENNIFER BRYANT
MAJOR-LEAGUE PLAYER: Former amateur rider Charlotte Jorst (with Kastel’s Nintendo in 2014) has joined the high-performance ranks
around the world and an average of three million watches sold daily, the couple sold the company to the global giant Fossil for more than $200 million. After they moved to Reno in 1996, Jorst made sure their daughters, Christine, now 26, and Camilla, now 22, had opportunities to ride. Then Henrik gave his wife a horse as an anniversary present—Jorst’s first horse as an adult. “I did hunter-jumpers for seven or eight years with the girls,” she says. “It was great, but I was horrible—I couldn’t remember the courses, and I had no timing for it. My daughters became better and better, so they got all my good horses.” Unwilling to give up riding altogether, Jorst turned to dressage. “I was forty-one or forty-two,” she recalls, “and I got myself a dressage horse, Asterios.” She and the Danish gelding rose up through the levels to Grand Prix, winning the Great American/USDF Region 7 Grand Prix Freestyle championship in 2011. In 2013, Jorst hit the international stage when she and Vitalis competed at the FEI World Breeding Championships for Young Dressage Horses, finishing thirteenth. That year also marked the launch of her Kastel Denmark sportswear line, which includes lightweight sun-protective shirts that are popular with equestrians. “I’ve been expanding the line dramatically. We’re all over Europe now,” she says.
BUSINESS SAVVY: Charlotte and Henrik Jorst’s entrepreneurial skills built the fortune that funds her dressage career. She models a shirt from her current venture, the sportswear manufacturer Kastel Denmark.
Amateur at Heart Though she still sees herself as an amateur, Jorst recently changed her USEF membership status from adult amateur to professional. “I felt it wasn’t fair because I was winning so many year-end awards. I’m not sponsored by anybody— Kastel is my own company—and I don’t teach anybody. But I’m out there competing with the best, so my ranking should reflect that. But I miss my status terribly.” After nearly a decade competing with the best, Jorst says she’s no longer starstruck. “I’d read about [Dutch World Equestrian Games gold medalist] Edward Gal, and one day
CAUDAL HEEL Cause Uneven loading of foot. Improper heel and toe placement. Effect Narrowing of heels and frogs, improper toe landing and lameness.
Result Heel and toe ratio is in balance and the sole is supported. The heels are returned to their normal position and lameness is averted.
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COURTESY OF KASTEL DENMARK
Solution Trim to proper heel and toe ratio. Increase weight bearing surface of the foot by moving heels back and support the sole with a pour-in pad.
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Backstage on the World Stage
A
t the 2016 Reem Acra World Cup Dressage Final in Gothenburg, Sweden, Charlotte Jorst was bubbling with enthusiasm at the adventure with Kastelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nintendo. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I feel that I have learned so much during this weekend,â&#x20AC;? Jorst said during the March 24-28 event (see page 12 for more on the competition). â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has been a fantastic experience, and I really click with Robert Dover; he is amazing. Guenter [Seidel] has been a tremendous support to me. I learn so much from them,â&#x20AC;? she said, referring to the USEF dressage chef dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ĂŠquipe, who was ever-present during the competition, and to her fellow American competitor. Jorst and Kastelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nintendo thrived in the electric atmosphere of the indoor Scandinavium Arena. They pulled off an edgy freestyle that ended practically in the lap of head judge Gustaf Svalling. (â&#x20AC;&#x153;I really liked that American rider, although she came a bit too close to me. It was truly entertaining.â&#x20AC;?) The routine was good enough for twelfth place on a score of 73.232 percent. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a blastâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;amazing to be in this arena,â&#x20AC;? Jorst said afterward. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I will try my best to gain experience from competition with my two horses. I am living my dream, and Rio [the 2016 Olympics] is on the horizon.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Kim Lundin
there he was warming up with me. I was like, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Hi, Edward!â&#x20AC;&#x2122; No matter who you are, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always that competitor who scares you, the one who makes you say, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hereâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m going to lose!â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Steffen [Peters] was another one. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be terrorized with fear when I would warm up with him. Now itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just another horse and rider. No one can freak me out any more.â&#x20AC;? Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d love to see more adult amateurs follow in her footsteps. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I always tell people, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Ride your own horse. You bought the horse; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not for your trainer. You can do it. The hardest thing about the Grand Prix is riding your first one. Once youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re doing it, you just solve the problems. You think, I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t die from this; now I need to fix my ones and my this and that. The fear of not being able to do it holds people back. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s difficult, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doable. I mean, look at me!â&#x20AC;? Jorst believes in always riding to her strengths. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A judge once told me I should do more half-halts. When I hear that, I will do some exercises and think about it, but thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s who I am. I ride very forward. I have fun in the arena, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not going to take that away from myself. People think they need to train the weaknesses, but you have to listen to the horse and train the strengths so that he feels good about what heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doing.â&#x20AC;? Now that sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on one of the biggest stages in her career, Jorst approaches the future with characteristic optimism and a sense of fun. â&#x20AC;&#x153;No matter where you are or who you are, you just go in and do your best. You show them how good youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve become and what you can do.â&#x20AC;? â&#x2013;˛ Kelly Sanchez is a freelance writer who lives outside Los Angeles. She is a regular contributor to USDF Connection, The Chronicle of the Horse, and Dwell.
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Nov. 10-13, 2016 Kentucky Horse Park Compete in a national championship that showcases competitors in adult amateur and open divisions, at Training Level through Grand Prix.
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HE’S CUTE, BUT…The opossum is the primary transmitter of the disease EPM to horses
EPM: Not Just Playing Possum This dreaded neurological disease has robbed many horses of their careers. Here’s the latest on diagnosis and treatment.
L
ast summer, in less than a week’s time, Kelly Starliper’s beloved Thoroughbred gelding went from “not quite right” to dangerously uncoordinated and nearly unable to stand. The 18-year-old dressage rider from Pottstown, PA, then a rising high-school senior, had been riding and showing 17-year-old Jonah at Training Level when she sensed that something was wrong. “She would say to me, ‘He just doesn’t feel right,’” said Kelly’s mother, Jill. But Jonah showed no discernible lameness. At a July schooling show, Jonah had a few uncharacteristic stumbles during his test. He was tired, the Starlipers thought. Monday, the day after the show, Kelly took Jonah for a light hack, and he still wasn’t quite right. A day later,
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the horse was lame, with a swollen stifle. Over the next 24 hours, the Starlipers monitored Jonah closely. “Our trainer even said his incoordination looked neurologic, but it was so mild she couldn’t be sure,” Kelly said. By Thursday, it was obvious that something was very wrong. By the time the veterinarian arrived at the barn, Jonah was staggering and tilting his head to one side. The vet suggested EPM as a probable cause, but only blood work and a spinal tap of the horse’s cerebrospinal fluid can confirm a diagnosis. Given the severity of Jonah’s symptoms, the Starlipers decided to take him to the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center in Kennett Square for diagnostics and treatment. “It progressed so slowly at first, and then all of a sudden he was completely unsteady,” Kelly recalls.
ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
BY KATIE NAVARRA
“When I first met Jonah, he was bright but a little stressed by his condition,” says Michelle Abraham Linton, BSc, BVMS, DACVIM (LAIM), the veterinarian on call when Jonah arrived at New Bolton. Linton gave Jonah a grade of 3 on the Mayhew scale, which rates a horse’s degree of ataxia (impaired balance and voluntary muscle control) from 0 (normal—no ataxia) to 5 (unable to stand). Jonah’s neurologic deficits included obvious ataxia while walking and turning, when loin pressure was applied, and when his neck was extended. Some of the horse’s cranial nerves were also affected: His muzzle was pulled to one side, his tongue was weak, and he had fine tremors in his head and tongue. “He had significant abnormalities to his gait,” Linton says, “and due to his neurologic deficits involving a number of nerves in different locations, EPM was high on my list.” Jonah spent six days at New Bolton, where the suspicion of EPM was confirmed. Although he responded to treatment, it was months before he was deemed safe enough for Kelly to ride, and nearly a year after his diagnosis, his future in dressage remains unclear. His is a cautionary tale that EPM is still a clear and present danger to horses. In this article, we’ll look at this dreaded disease and report the latest on diagnosis and treatment.
COURTESY OF KELLY STARLIPER
Blame the Opossum EPM is a protozoal disease that causes inflammation of the brain, the spinal cord, or both. The inflammation leads to asymmetrical ataxia, aka muscular incoordination. The disease was discovered in the 1960s, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that researchers identified the organism that causes EPM. That parasite, Sarcocystis neurona, remains the primary cause of EPM; but today a second parasite, Neospora hughesi, is emerging as another. Both parasites rely on host animals to survive. The horse is not a host animal. So how do horses get infected? “The life cycle of EPM is complicated and involves multiple host species, including an intermediate host, a definitive host, and an aberrant host,” says Megan M. Green, DVM, manager of Equine and Large Animal Veterinary Services at Merial Inc., manufacturer of the EPM treatment Marquis. Raccoons, armadillos, cats, sea otters, harbor seals, and skunks all can serve as intermediate hosts. In a horse-farm setting, the most likely intermediate host is a cat, Green says. The intermediate host ingests parasite-containing structures called sporocysts. The sporocysts travel to the host’s muscle tissue, where they form cysts containing the parasites, called sarcocysts. But horses don’t contract EPM from exposure to infect-
BETTER DAYS: Jonah and owner/rider Kelly Starliper in 2013
ed cats or other intermediate hosts. For a horse to get EPM, there needs to be one more step, and that’s for the so-called definitive host to get infected. That’s where the opossum comes in. The infective form of S. neurona—the form that makes horses sick—develops in opossums that dine on dead cats, skunks, or other intermediate hosts that were carrying the parasites. The possum ingests the sarcocysts along with the intermediate host’s muscle tissue, and the sarcocysts reproduce in the possum’s gut, forming sporocysts. The sporocysts are passed in the opossum’s feces and are the infective form of the organism. When a horse ingests infected possum scat—say, while grazing in a field a possum has traversed—it risks contracting EPM. “When the parasite crosses the blood/brain barrier,” explains Green, “that’s when a horse has the potential for developing neurologic defects due to direct neuronal damage and inflammation that is caused by the protozoa.” Green emphasizes that “Just because a horse has been exposed to opossum scat does not mean it will develop EPM. It all depends on the status of the immune system and stress level of the individual horse.” A 2013 University of California, Davis study found that EPM is more widespread than originally thought. After obtaining more than 3,100 blood samples taken from horses in 49 states, researchers determined that horses from 42 states were affected by parasites that cause EPM. Horses from 24 states tested positive for the antibodies against both S. neurona and N. hughesi. Horses from 17 states tested positive for antibodies against S. neurona only, while horses from one state tested positive for antibodies against N. hughesi only. USDF CONNECTION
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Symptoms EPM remains one of the more feared equine diseases because it’s difficult to diagnose, treat, and prevent. No vaccine exists. According to Green, “EPM is a master of disguise, and often the symptoms mimic other diseases.” Mild depression and subtle gait abnormalities, both of which can be caused by EPM, are similar to symptoms of injury or lameness. Neuronal damage caused by EPM can cause upper-airway malfunction that makes it difficult for the horse to eat and swallow, causes the horse to “roar,” or changes the sound of his whinny. “The first horse I had diagnosed with EPM had the pitch of her whinny actually change,” says Adriane Alvord, an FEIlevel trainer and competitor and a USDF bronze, silver, and gold medalist in Boyce, VA. “I used to know her whinny to a T, but after the EPM started getting bad, I didn’t even recognize it. I learned later that can be one of the symptoms.” Depending on the progression and severity of the neuro-
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logic damage, the symptoms become more severe, and the horse can potentially collapse or become unable to stand. Alvord experienced this decline firsthand in 2014. During a schooling session with a client’s horse, Kazul, a then-11-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding working at Third and Fourth Levels, Alvord asked the horse to trot. He stumbled and was unable to catch himself, falling to the ground. “It happened so fast,” Alvord recalls. “The fall felt like it was in slow motion. When he went down, he went sideways, and I was able to pull myself out from under him before I had his full weight on me.” Kazul’s attitude remained good, and diagnosis proved difficult. At first the veterinarian thought he needed “maintenance,” so he was given Adequan and had his hocks injected, Alvord says. The horse seemed better for a short time, but then the neurologic symptoms returned and grew progressively worse. Soon Kazul was stumbling during every ride, and the ataxia seemed to move from limb to limb. He began “flinging himself ” into the flying changes and would
ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OF MERIAL INC.
VICIOUS CIRCLE: Illustration depicts the EPM transmission cycle, from intermediate hosts (cats, skunks, and others), to the definitive host (opossum), to the equine
often fall out of the change into the trot, she says. “The reason for the wide variety of clinical manifestations is that the protozoa have the ability to randomly infect many sites within the central nervous system,” says New Bolton Center’s Linton. EPM is unpredictable. A field of horses may all be exposed to the parasite, but some are able to develop antibodies against it and others are not. After Kazul fell ill, his owner had 20 other horses on her farm at home tested. Many tested positive for EPM but never showed signs of neurologic damage. “What was interesting to see was that the horses with similar bloodlines all had it [tested positive], whereas others didn’t,” Alvord said. In fact, research and diagnostic testing have shown that not all horses exposed will develop EPM, and the annual incidence of EPM is less than 1 percent, according to Stephen M. Reed, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, an EPM expert at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, KY.
Is My Horse at Risk? Opossums are found throughout the Western Hemisphere— so yes, your horse is at risk for contracting EPM. His age and
his stress level are secondary risk factors. “Stress-induced immune suppression may be associated with susceptibility to developing disease after exposure,” says Linton. According to Green, horses are more susceptible to neurologic damage from the ages of one to five, and then again after the age of 13. The stresses of weaning and the subsequent social regrouping may be contributing factors in young horses, Green says. Another may be that most horses begin their training—with its accompanying physical and mental stresses—during these years, she says. By the time a horse turns 13 it may be undergoing yet another set of life changes, which can range from retirement to entering the breeding shed. “Additionally, as horses age their immune systems may not be as robust,” says Green, “and when it is challenged it may not be able to protect the horse from developing the disease” after exposure.
Treatment and Prognosis Green and Linton agree that early detection and treatment of EPM are critical in determining a horse’s chances of recovery. The Thoroughbred, Jonah, “was fairly typical of what we see with EPM in terms of the onset and progression of his signs.
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SUCCESS STORY: After battling EPM twice, Kazul (pictured with rider Adriane Alvord at the 2014 Col. Bengt Ljungquist Memorial Championships) has since advanced to the FEI levels
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while it takes others a few days. In fact, “Sometimes we’ll see signs worsen as soon as treatment is initiated because the medications kill the protozoa, and that can set off a significant inflammatory response,” Linton says. Veterinarians often give anti-inflammatory drugs at the same time to counteract that response, she says.
Keeping EPM at Bay Without a vaccine, it’s impossible to prevent EPM entirely. The best practice is to minimize the chances of a host possum’s contaminating a horse’s environment. Our experts recommend taking the following steps: Don’t let your barn become a wildlife buffet. Avoid feeding horses off the ground, especially outside, where possums and other critters can easily get into feed tubs or buckets. Store feed in chew-proof containers. “Keep feed rooms closed, and minimize grain spillage by sweeping areas where horses drop grain out of feed tubs,” Green advises. Keep water troughs and tubs clean. Wildlife like these convenient sources of water and can easily contaminate the water. Dump, clean, and refill with fresh water frequently.
PICS OF YOU
His signs had a sudden and progressive onset,” says Linton. Even with prompt treatment, the numbers are sobering. Research shows that only 60 to 70 percent of diagnosed horses improve with treatment, and only 15 to 25 percent recover completely. And 10 to 20 percent of horses diagnosed with EPM relapse within two years. The challenge in treating EPM is that multiple sites in the central nervous system may be affected, and the protozoa cause physical damage as they migrate. Portions of the brain, multiple segments of the spinal cord, or both may be destroyed. “This damage and therefore the clinical signs can be permanent, even once we have eliminated the protozoa,” Linton says. Currently, EPM treatment consists of antiprotozoal medication. The FDA-approved drugs on the market are ponazuril (brand name Marquis), diclazuril (Protazil), and sulfadiazine/pyrimethamine (ReBalance). Marquis is an oral paste, Protazil is an alfalfa-based top-dress pellet, and ReBalance is an oral suspension. New Bolton Center’s Linton treated Jonah with a combination of Marquis and ReBalance. Horses’ responses to the medications vary. Some show gradual improvement after the first 24 hours of treatment,
Schedule regular wellness checks. Your veterinarian may be able to pick up on small clues early on. A slightly droopy ear, for instance, could be an early sign of paralysis, according to Green. Uneven muscle definition under the forelock may indicate muscle atrophy. And, of course, if you notice stumbling or any other “not quite right” symptoms, call your vet promptly.
Long-Term Outlook Time is the only true predictor of how a horse will respond to treatment for EPM. Nearly a year after he fell ill, Jonah isn’t quite 100 percent, but with lots of TLC and a slow rehabilitation program, he is back to light work. His rehab began with handwalking, and eventually he graduated to lungeing and then to short under-saddle sessions, building up from walking to trotting and finally cantering. Unable to negotiate the slope of his large pasture at first, Jonah was turned out in a small, level paddock until he regained sufficient strength and coordination to rejoin his buddies. “Even now, when he gets fatigued he drops his back,” says Kelly Starliper. “We are focused on what we can do to build up the other muscles in his back.”
As for Kazul, after a relapse and a second round of EPM treatment in 2015, he recovered and has been able to progress in his training, advancing to Prix St. Georges. “He scored a 63 percent at his first show at Prix St. Georges,” says Alvord. “A year prior to that, I never thought he would be able to show Fourth Level again.” Kazul wasn’t Alvord’s first encounter with EPM: She’s had four other horses diagnosed with the dreaded disease. The first never made it back to the show ring. The others eventually competed again, but never to the level she had hoped they’d achieve before they got sick, she says. Although it may seem to some that the incidence of EPM is on the rise, veterinarians can’t confirm that is necessarily the case. “What I can say for certain is that, in the last few years, we have developed better tests that can more effectively diagnose EPM. So perhaps we are just doing a better job of being able to diagnose the disease,” says Linton. ▲ Katie Navarra is a writer and photographer based in Clifton Park, NY. She regularly contributes to equine and general agriculture publications. When she’s not writing, she is riding her horse, Bella.
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Sowing Seeds for the Future From gear changes within the paces to rewarding honest reactions, Stephen Clarke shares his expertise at the Adequan/USDF FEI-Level Trainers Conference West STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY KELLY SANCHEZ
REPEAT ENGAGEMENT: Stephen Clarke’s 2015 Trainers Conference was such a smashing success that the USDF brought him to the West Coast for 2016
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W
hen Stephen Clarke asks if you like com- he quipped). “That’s the solution to a tight left side. He must promise, there’s only one correct answer. give to the left leg, and then you can release the left contact, Not that the question is anything but rhe- and there he is in your right hand.” torical, but the veteran judge and trainer The horse’s ability to stretch and relax over his back enhas made his point. sures that when the rider starts to develop engagement of “Number one is that the horse is honestly in front of the the hind legs, “we’re not going to be hitting any tightness or leg,” he’ll explain. “Without that, we really have nothing, or blocks in the horse’s frame,” Clarke explained. we have compromise, and we don’t like compromise, do we?” It’s little wonder the British-born Clarke is the FEI Dressage Judge General. A member of the ground jury at Cyndi Jackson’s mount, Sir Amour, showed natural impulsion, World Cup Finals, World Championships, World Equestri- activity, and energy. But Clarke wanted improved submission, an Games, and the Olympics, he is brilliant, exacting, and acceptance of a “forward-feeling” contact, and a more uphill misses nothing. He’s also utterly charming, with a sly wit, carriage from the five-year-old stallion. “Correct him when which made the two days he spent in California in March you have to; leave him alone when you can,” he advised. at the 2016 Adequan/USDF FEI-Level Trainers Conference Clarke suggested making a deal with the horse: “He West a pleasure for the audience of about 150. steps in with the [inside] hind and you say ‘thank you’ with Set at El Sueno Equestrian Center in Somis, an hour the inside rein.” In walk-to-trot transitions, the horse must north of Los Angeles, the symposium had Clarke work with react in the very first stride; in the downward transition to combinations from FEI Young Horse to Grand Prix, with walk, he must take more weight on the hind legs. FEI 5* judge and USDF certification examiner Lilo Fore ofIn the canter, “Make that first canter stride medium. Take fering her own expert commentary. him by surprise and go. Train him to No detail was too small. When he think like that; then next time he’ll say, However collected the horse asked demonstration rider Cyndi Jack‘Oh, yes, I must go.’” Beginning the canbecomes, they must still be son if Sir Amour was offering equal rein ter in an uphill balance paves the way for 100 percent in front of the leg. contact, she said the Hanoverian geldcorrect flying changes down the road, he —Stephen Clarke ing was leaning slightly on her inside explained, as does counter-canter work. rein. That seemed to please Clarke, who “What’s important is that the first replied, “That’s also how it looks from the ground. It’s so time he is asked for a flying change, it’s easy and he does it,” minor, but it still needs looking after.” Clarke said. Test-riding was the focus on day one; the second emphasized training. But before starting on any particular exercises, Clarke had riders go through a checklist: Is the horse offering Clarke and Fore agreed that six-year-old Floriana B showed honest reactions? Is he in front of the leg and reaching into a talent but had a tendency to be behind the leg. “He better go genuine contact? Is there unlimited suppleness over the back when you say ‘forward,’” Clarke told rider Sarah Lockman, and topline? Any resistance to the lateral bending on either advising her to strive to create a reaction without increasing side? And, of course: Is the horse in front of the leg? the horse’s speed. Then, once the horse was relaxed and in
Establishing a Foundation
Rewarding Genuine Reactions
A Horse with a Future Amelia Newcomb of Simi Valley, CA, and the four-year-old Gatsby started off the sessions on a high note, and Clarke liked what he saw. “The horse looks like already it’s going by itself,” he said. Praising Newcomb for sitting “disgustingly well,” Clarke noted that Gatsby was strong in the inside left rein. “Amelia’s job is to make sure this nice young horse learns to react from her left leg into a supple, accepting, elastic contact point with that right rein.” He suggested turns on the forehand to encourage Gatsby to step away from the leg (“Being one hundred years old, I use very old-fashioned exercises,”
front of her leg, Lockman should invite Floriana to stay up in the bridle and take more weight behind. Transitions within the gaits sharpened Floriana’s responses. “I want you to think, ‘I’m going to sit here and you’re going to go’ with a little bit of ‘or else’ up your sleeve,” Clarke said. “But don’t be conned into working and shoving and pushing.” When Lockman got a good reaction, Clarke urged her to sit quietly. “We’re not after perfect; we’re after honest.” On day two, the pair showed noticeable improvement, with Floriana working from behind into an elastic contact. “If we’re not careful, dressage can become very complicated,” Clarke said. “If you go to the root of the problem and deal with it, all those funny little complications go away.” USDF CONNECTION
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ON THEIR WAY: Of Sandy Savage’s mount, Relevé, Clarke said, “I smell Grand Prix!”
GUMBY: Hamilton, ridden by Charlotte Bredahl-Baker, is so supple that it’s a challenge to keep him straight at times
Quietly Effective
slightly with the reins. “It’s never acceptable for a horse to be behind your leg,” he said. “I know this mare would like to sit behind you. You never can accept that. But you have to make sure you don’t block her with your hand.” He told Stergios to “sit there and say, ‘This is what I want,’” allowing the mare to carry herself. “In your mind, energy without speed; energy and reaction without speed.” The pair was more relaxed and the contact improved on day two, and Clarke had them work in shoulder-in. “The messages are: ‘Step under your body with your inside hind leg toward my outside rein, and guess what, I will allow you to carry your own inside rein as a reward.’”
Watching Sandy Savage ride a Fourth Level test aboard Relevé, Clarke and Fore remarked on the mare’s willingness and ability to take weight behind. Clarke had Savage play with the horse’s gears: cantering forward and then quietly collecting without losing power. He asked the rider to envision a horse that’s “up in front of you, going with a bit more energy. And taking care that she doesn’t ever get short in the neck. The poll stays up; the nose line stays ahead of you.” Savage also demonstrated ways to teach the half-pass. To help less-experienced riders sit properly, Clarke often suggests riding shoulder-in to half-pass to shoulder-in. “In a funny way, there’s no difference between half-pass and shoulder-in. All that’s happening is a change of direction,” he said. As Savage and Relevé worked on trot-halt transitions, Clarke ran through a checklist: “Engagement; transition; relax yourself. Effective in the transition; relaxed when she’s standing still. So many riders forget that in competition. They come down center line, nice collection into the halt, and they stay tense, and the horrible judges take marks away.”
Relaxed and Forward D’Re Stergios had a reunion of sorts with Clarke, having ridden in his 2015 Succeed/USDF FEI-Level Trainers Conference in Florida. A student of Fore’s, Stergios displayed good humor as she rode an Intermediate I test with her mare, Sarumba. Clarke noted that tension caused Stergios to pull back
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Improving the Changes Working with her old friend and fellow judge Clarke, Olympian and USEF assistant youth dressage coach Charlotte Bredahl-Baker rode her 11-year-old gelding, Hamilton. After their Prix St. Georges test, Clarke noted that the flying changes, though correct, swung too much to the left. “He’s just too damn supple laterally. Often, stiffer horses make straighter flying changes.” To help straighten the horse, Clarke had Bredahl-Baker ride transitions within the canter to get Hamilton thinking forward, not sideways. “Just make sure there’s no hand brake when you accelerate,” he said. Then Clarke had her do the same exercise in “invisible shoulder-fore.” Returning to the flying changes, Clarke told BredahlBaker to “really concentrate that he continues to give to your left leg while he’s changing, so that that the left leg
STAR STALLION: Clarke praised Sabine Schut-Kery’s mount Sanceo, calling him “one of the most elegant horses I’ve seen”
NEW MOUNTS: After his famous partnership with Rafalca, it was exciting to see Olympian Jan Ebeling with two new budding stars. He’s pictured aboard Rassolini.
3 Questions with Stephen Clarke
U
SDF Connection: Several times during the symposium you urged riders not to make things too complicated. How do we do that?
Stephen Clarke: I think sometimes people can’t see the wood for the trees. The temptation, I think—especially for perhaps less-experienced people—is to get too much focused on the symptoms and not really go for the root problem within some of the exercises or the reactions. The joke is that if you go for the root problems and sort those out, the symptoms go away anyway. Did you see any differences or similarities between the combinations you worked with at the 2015 Succeed/USDF FEI-Level Trainers Conference in Florida and here in California? I found exactly the same situation. I was lucky to have super riders and nice WORLD CLASS: Clarke horses in both places. What for me was so rewarding about both situations was that the riders were really open and took on board everything we talked about the first day, and the differences they showed the second day were just obvious to everybody. That only works when you have riders who are prepared to be open to suggestion and to do the business. And they did. It’s an Olympic year. Can Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro repeat their sweep in Rio? Who knows? Unlike in the old days, when there were one or two real contenders, now we have six or eight. And that is the fun part of it now. It’s really who does the job on the day. They’re all capable of huge scores, but it really boils down to who can pull it off on the day, and that’s where the sport has gotten so exciting. Maybe it’s an unknown combination that does something fantastic and they must get the points, or maybe one of the famous ones makes a huge mistake, and down they go. I hope not. But our job as judges—which is difficult—is to react to what happens. I don’t have any preconceived ideas. The most important thing is to just be ready. —Kelly Sanchez
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stays in the hollow rib cage while he’s changing, even if he makes a mistake. He gives himself to your left leg and just happens to do a change while he’s doing it.”
Upping Her Game Pan American Games veteran Sabine Schut-Kery rode two stallions in the conference: the 10-year-old Hanoverian Sanceo, her 2015 Pan Am partner; and the 12-year-old PRE Marques XXXVI. As Schut-Kery warmed up Sanceo, Fore noted: “This horse is stretching down, is a little behind the vertical, but he is not held there.” She added that “His mouth is good; his ears are good. He is totally relaxing over the back. I call that deep and round, but there is no restraint or restriction.” After the pair did an Intermediate II test, Clarke asked for greater activity in the one-tempis. “You have to ride him
like he’s never done it before. When he’s more secure, you can be quieter. You’re riding them like he’s a finished Grand Prix horse; he’s not yet.” Of Sanceo’s pirouettes, Clarke said: “Start small; finish bigger. He can do it for a 10.” Beginning and ending the movement in “submissive shoulder-fore” keeps the horse on the rider’s terms, he said. Describing PREs as “horses that offer everything,” Clarke noted they can also be “sharp and sensitive,” and he commended Schut-Kery for putting Marques in shoulderin when he became tense. “One of the best ways to have a horse accept your leg when their walk is getting too tense [is to] get your leg on them.” “Your riding is as good as anybody out there—and I mean anybody, including our little medalist,” Clarke told SchutKery, referring to British superstar Charlotte Dujardin.
Acknowledgments
T
he USDF wishes to thank everyone who helped make the 2016 Adequan/USDF FEI-Level Trainers Conference West a success: Title sponsor: Adequan Host: Gina Atton-Thomas, El Sueno Equestrian Center, Somis, CA Demonstration riders and horses: Charlotte Bredahl-Baker, Solvang, CA, THANK YOU! From left: clinician Stephen Clarke, host Gina Atton-Thomas, Adequan and her own Hamilton, an 11-yearrepresentative Deven Vespi (along with Allyn Mann, far right), USDF education manager old Danish gelding by Blue Hors Kathie Robertson, and commentator Lilo Fore Romanov Jan Ebeling, Moorpark, CA, and Darling, a 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Danny de Vito, owned by Ann Romney Jan Ebeling and FRH Rassolini, a 13-year-old Hessen stallion by Rubioso N, owned by Vantage Equestrian Group Cyndi Jackson, Glendale, AZ, and Sir Amour, a five-year-old gelding by San Amour, owned by Schuttler Stables LLC Sarah Lockman, Foothill Ranch, CA, and Floriana B, a six-year-old KWPN gelding by Vivaldi, owned by Jae Chaney Amelia Newcomb, Simi Valley, CA, and her own Gatsby, a four-year-old Dutch gelding by Sir Donnerhall Sandy Savage, Sacramento, CA, and her own Relevé, a twelve-year-old Hanoverian mare by Rotspon Sabine Schut-Kery, Thousand Oaks, CA, and Sanceo, a 10-year-old Hanoverian stallion by San Remo, owned by Alice Womble-Heitmann Sabine Schut-Kery and Marques XXXVI, a 12-year-old PRE stallion by Selecto VI, owned by Rhea Scott D’Re Stergios, Petaluma, CA, and her own Sarumba, a nine-year-old Hanoverian mare by Sir Donnerhall Volunteers: Dressage Association of Southern California Videotaping: DressageClinic.com Reception sponsor: Dressage Extensions.
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Reactions Are Everything
Kelly Sanchez is a freelance writer who lives outside Los Angeles. She is a regular contributor to USDF Connection, The Chronicle of the Horse, and Dwell.
Podcast Alert
Listen to podcast episodes 119 and 121 for interviews from the Adequan/ USDF FEI-Level Trainers Conference West at usdf.podbean.com.
The
PODCAST
Olympian Jan Ebeling also rode two horses: the 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding Darling and the 13-year-old Hessen stallion FRH Rassolini. Brand new to Grand Prix, Darling is progressing, but his pirouettes need development. “Piaffe, pirouettes,” said Clarke. “It’s the same reaction we want.” He had Ebeling ride into and out of the pirouettes in the same “invisible shoulder-fore” he used with Bredahl-Baker. “He stays on the hind legs, and you bring the shoulder around the inside hind, and then go away in shoulder-fore,” he said. “He has to learn it’s not a big deal. Just turn, horse.” On day two, Ebeling rode Rassolini. Also relatively green at Grand Prix, the horse hasn’t totally embraced the idea of piaffing in competition. “Horses are very clever,” Clarke said. “[They’ll] win the gold medal in the warm-up and go in there and say, ‘No, I don’t really think so today.’” Ebeling’s commitment to get the reactions he wanted earned praise from the clinician. “If you ever accept that there isn’t enough reaction [to a transition or a half-halt],
you’ll pay for it in the next five or six.” But he urged Ebeling not to be careful in the first step of piaffe. “That’s the one that must be out of his skin,” he said. “In the test, you don’t get a second chance; it’s the first step.” The piaffe improved when the pair performed a Grand Prix test. “That’s a piaffe with a future,” Clarke observed. “Without reaction, there’s no future.” ▲
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2016 Participating Member Delegate Nominees’ Biographies Listed below are the nominees who are running to become participating member delegates from the time they are elected in 2016, until the election in 2017. All current participating members are eligible to vote. These brief biographies were provided by the nominees.
Region 1 Janine Malone A USEF “R” Dressage judge, “R” DSHB judge, “R” DTD and a FEI Level 3 Steward. She was Region 1 Director (1996-2001), USDF Secretary for eleven years, and a USEF Vice-President. Recipient of the first “ABIG/ USDF Volunteer of the Year” Award (1998) and a USDF Lifetime Achievement Award (2014). Currently serving on the USDF Sport Horse and Regional Championship Committees. Chair of US Dressage Finals Organizing Committee. Janine owns and operates Rosinburg Events LLC.
Lori Kaminski Lori has owned and operated Chesapeake Equestrian Events since 2004 offering show management and secretarial services. She is the current president/CEO of Dressage at Devon, the Region 1 representative to the USDF Nominating Committee, and the Region 1 recording secretary. Lori has been a PM delegate for several years.
Patricia Hildreth An active Adult Amateur competitor and volunteer for over 25 years. I compete my homebred horse at third level and obtained my USDF Bronze Medal with my horse in 2015. Current and past PM delegate and current Competition Chair for NCDCTA. Owns & operates Whinstone Farm and hold several schooling shows each year.
Debbie DelGiorno A PM delegate for the past seven years, she is primarily focused on promoting our sport to youth and supporting youth development programs. In addition to being the FEI Jr/YR Coordinator and NAJYRC Chef d’Equipe for three years, Debbie has been involved with Lendon’s Youth Dressage Festival for ten years.
Lorraine Musselman I’m an AA, have been a PM delegate for two years, NCDCTA
member for sixteen years, and currently the Treasurer. In addition to holding an Equestrian Studies degree, I am a CPA, share ownership of a horse farm where we regularly host schooling shows, and am the proud owner of three horses, aged 6 – 24.
Donna Kelly Competitor, trainer and instructor in the dressage community in Region 1 for over 20 years. 2005 L Graduate with Distinction. 2015 “r” Dressage Judging Training Program Candidate. 2006 – 2010 NCDCTA Vice President. 2013 – 2015 USDF Region 1 PM Delegate. 2015 Co-Organizer of NCDCTA/L Program Continuing Education in Musical Freestyle Judging. 2015 USDF Region 1 Adult Volunteer of the Year. I look forward to continuing to serve Region 1 and our dressage community.
Shannon Pedlar-Bossung I have been active in USDF both as a competitor, coach, and as competition management for over 20 years. I am a USDF Bronze and Silver medalist on horses I trained myself. I love working with all breeds of horses, but am partial to Thoroughbreds.
Bettina Longaker As a long time member of Region 1, I look forward to ensuring that the region and its activities stay at the high standard with member involvement that they currently are. I own Dressage horses, hold a USDF Bronze medal, am a USDF L Graduate with distinction and have been secretary of AHSA/USEF/ USDF Regional Finals since the 1990’s. I am currently the CBLM Championships President and Secretary for the 2016 US Dressage Finals.
Dianne Boyd I have been involved with dressage for over 25 years as a rider, volunteer, competitor, show manager and secretary. I am active in my GMO Chapter (VADA/Nova) and run Regional Championships, Dressage at
Devon and a number of other shows throughout Region 1. I am interested in promoting the sport of dressage at all levels, particularly to people new to the sport.
Jennifer Mitchell Dressage rider/competitor/ instructor and longtime member of the NCDCTA, having served as the President of my GMO for 4 years, as well as continued service as a volunteer in many capacities. I have served as a PM delegate for Region 1 multiple years. I am also employed by Duke University Health System.
Lauren Annett I am an enthusiastic supporter of dressage and our community. I will continue to be part of our sport at home as an L graduate and a competitor and I hope to continue to serve the region as a delegate. Thank you!
Anne Moss Anne Moss is a USEF ‘r’ Dressage Judge and has applied for a Western Dressage License. Member and past President of DVCTA. On the USDF Freestyle and Historical Recognition Committees. Is a USPC Graduate A and National Examiner, and earned her USDF Silver Medal riding side saddle.
Darcy Miller Darcy has earned her Bronze & Silver Medals. Darcy is an L program graduate. She is active on the Board of DVCTA. She has been the Co-Organizer of two L Programs and the CE for Judging Musical Freestyles for DVCTA. Darcy is the Secretary/Manager for Dressage at Blue Goose.
Sandra Williams I have served as a PM Delegate for Region 1 for the last three years and have enjoyed the experiences and people I have met along the way. I continue to expand my education through USDF and enjoy showing my very talented PRE through the levels.
Margaret Scarff I’ve been a USDF Participating Member and a member of several local GMOs for several
years. My husband and I run a small breeding farm in Harford County MD where we stand a TB stallion and have a few warm blood mares. I volunteer at local dressage shows and at several of the nearby recognized shows including DAD, Virginia Horse Center, PVDA Ride for Life and have volunteered at the GAIGS and BLMS. I would be very happy to represent Region 1 this year and I will do my best.
Region 2 Barbara L. Soukup Barbara has earned USDF bronze and silver medals, is an L judge program graduate with distinction, and earned the USDF University Platinum diploma for continuing education. She served as the coach of the Intercollegiate Dressage Association team at Lake Erie College in Concord, Ohio, and won 2011 Nationals. She has served three previous terms as a PM delegate.
Peggy Hauer I “found” Dressage about 15 years ago and have raised my own prospects. We are now on our 4th generation and they are all doing wonderful. I am currently showing 2nd level and will hopefully be at 3rd level by this fall with my mare. I belong to the MODA GMO but unfortunately as travel distance is pretty far, I haven’t been able to attend as much as I would like to.
Jennifer Truett Owner/head trainer of Dancing Horse Farm in Lebanon, Ohio (www.myDHF.com). Gold, Silver and Bronze Medalist, L Graduate with Distinction, USDF Certified Instructor through 2nd Level, winner of numerous Regional and National awards. Region 2 PM delegate since 2010 and host of many educational events/shows at Dancing Horse Farm.
Susan Posner Susan is a Bronze, Silver and Gold medalist, as well as a USEF “R” judge. She has been around horses
her entire life and started her riding career in Germany. She spent several years in California training and riding with Hilda Gurney. Susan is based in Lexington, KY out of Haylands Inc.
Sue Hughes I attended my first USDF annual meeting in Baltimore around 1985, and have only missed one meeting since. I served as the USDF Nominating Committee Chair for nine years, and then became the Region 2 Director for the next nine years until 2000. I am currently involved with Western Dressage as the Vice President of the Michigan affiliate, Western Dressage Association of Michigan. I’ve earned my USEF judges R license in WD.
Kristi Fly Kristi Fly, of Bella Farm, BS Animal Science, MBA, USDF University Gold Diploma, Training Level Rider Award. An active Board member of the KY Dressage Association and AHA Sport Horse/Dressage Committees, Kristi showed her Arabian to 2014 North Central USDBC Reserve Grand Champion Colt/Gelding. She raises racing and sporthorse Thoroughbreds.
Joann Smith It is such an honor to serve as a PM delegate. I have always enjoyed giving back to the dressage community. Besides achieving my Bronze and Silver medals, I have had the opportunity to help others achieve their goals. Being involved in the policies of USDF by being a delegate is another way to give back to the dressage community.
Debbie Garris Debbie has been active in the dressage community since 2002. She has over 38 years of accounting, financial, auditing, tax and management experience. Debbie is also president of Horse Show Solutions, Inc., a competition management company. She is a current PM delegate and member of the USDF Awards Committee.
Nancy Wentz Attended the third USDF convention in Cleveland, OH and have missed only one since. Attended as a GMO and/ or PM Delegate. One of the founders of Mid-Ohio Dressage Association and have held most of the positions. Seventeen years experience managing
schooling, recognized and breed competitions. For nine years was Region 2’s representative for the Competition Management Council. Bronze medalist.
Catherine B. Jacob Bronze medalist and Bronze musical freestyle bar, adult amateur, L graduate. Have held all the offices of my local GMO, volunteer at many USDF shows, show secretary for local schooling dressage shows. I have been a PM since 2001, am an active competitor at USDF shows presently competing at 4th Level. Region 2 Treasurer since 2002. Creator of the Region 2 Local Circuits Year End Awards Program.
Bonna McCuiston Professional teacher/trainer; IDS Competition Chair and Vice President; Past IDS President; Competed to Grand Prix; L Graduate; Regular convention attendee.
Jennifer Roth Jennifer R. Roth is a Bronze, Silver & Gold USDF Medalist and FEI trainer located in Columbus, OH and has been a Participating Member since 1994 and has represented Region 2 as a delegate for the last several years. Jennifer is the Dressage Coach for Otterbein University and a USEF ‘r’ candidate.
Paula Briney I am a Lifetime Member of USDF with my Bronze, Silver and Gold medals. I have been active in the governance of USDF and committees within USDF for the last 15 years. I also graduated the USDF L Program with Distinction and have been accepted into the USEF “r” Dressage Program.
Region 3 Ann Genovese Has been Director of The Good Horseman Foundation since its inception in 1995 and organizes five or six USDF/USEFrecognized shows a year. Through GHF she has hosted five L programs and has organized a number of USDF Instructor Certification programs and final exams. She is a retired newspaper journalist. She has held a USEF dressage judge’s license for nearly 30 years and still rides and trains on a limited basis.
Judy Downer USEF R Dressage Judge, USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medalist, attended USDF
Convention annually since 2000, PM delegate many of those years, GMO officer, active competitor approaching Centerline 5 Star rating, Professor of Equine Studies at College of Central Florida, passionate about dressage education and USDF governance.
Barbara Cadwell Many times BOG member. Prior GMO President and Board member. Member of USDF Nominating Committee. Bronze and Silver medalist. Breeder of premium foals. Breeder of Freedom, approved Oldenburg N/A stallion, 2012 USDF Five Year Old Horse of the Year, currently successful FEI competitor.
Julie Shannon I am the owner/trainer of Shannondale Farm in Milton, GA, named a USEF Elite Training Center in 2015. I serve as the Georgia Dressage and CT Association’s Vice President and the State Representative for The Dressage Foundation. I try to encourage education in my area by hosting various international level clinicians regularly. I seek to represent our members’ interests by being fully informed on current topics in our governing organizations and providing balanced input with their needs in mind.
Mary Fowler Retired R dressage judge, but am still riding and will do my best for you and your horse’s interest at USDF and USEF.
Charlotte Trentelman All aspects of the sport of Dressage interest me. I am serious about its education and growth. I am a Lifetime USDF member, have served on the Historical Committee, and previously was Region 3 Director. I’ve organized judges programs and am an “S” judge.
Robert Higgins Robert serves as a Dressage TD (R), FEI Steward (2) and is a member of both the USDF TD and Bylaws Committees. He previously chaired several USDF Fiscal Committees and was a Region 3 TD Coordinator. He is a multi-Regional USDF Awards Coordinator and has managed both Regional and International Dressage Championships.
Loretta Lucas I have been an active member and officer of my local GMO since
the late 1990’s. I have represented them at the convention for the last 5 years. I currently ride and compete a Lusitano, and earned my Bronze medal in 2015. I believe all members deserve the best representation, whether AA, Jr/YR, or Professional rider.
Jennifer Thompson Jen Thompson, President of the Central Tennessee Dressage Association, is also active as a trainer and competitor at local, national, and FEI levels. CTDA hosts six schooling and five recognized shows annually, and Part 2 of the L Programs. Jen is passionate about making dressage accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
Peggy Gaboury I have ridden, trained, competed and taught dressage since 1974, in New Jersey and now in Tennessee. I also work as a show secretary, enjoy scribing, and am currently President of my GMO. I particularly enjoy working with riders new to the sport.
Region 4 Jessica Foschi Current FEI Competitor and USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist. USDF Youth Programs Advisory Subcommittee member, Region 4 Communication Committee member, CSDEA Board member, Chair of CSDEA’s Advertising Committee, member of CSDEA’s Website and Omnibus Committees, and licensed attorney. Dedicated to promoting the interests of Region 4 members, dressage, and volunteerism.
Laureen Van Norman I’ve been a competing member of USDF for many years. In my 2nd term of service to the NDA Board, and have also served as Awards and Competitions Committee Chair. I was a 2015 PM delegate and very much enjoyed the experience and am interested in continuing to learn about and work with USDF. I am also on the Region 4 Scholarship Committee.
Megan E.A. Ward AA rider with limited funds making do – sound familiar? USDF Bronze Medal & Freestyle Bar recipient. EIDEA award winning newsletter/web editor since 1998. Region 4 Communications Committee member. Always ready to help problem solve, instigate, celebrate, commiserate, and laugh along the way.
Jennifer Heck As Vice President of the Kansas City Dressage Society, Head of the Horse Show Committee and member of the Education Committee, I am truly committed to developing and strengthening the regional GMO’s and local dressage community. I will diligently and enthusiastically represent the interests and membership of Region 4!
Barbara Zukowski GMO President, PM Delegate for Region 4, Education Chair for Region 4, USEF Technical Delegate, C1FEI Dressage Steward. Recognized & Schooling Show Manager & Secretary, and Adult Amateur rider (still learning). Experienced in many areas, I can represent all of the varied interests within the region.
Jennifer Cusick-Rawlinson My daughter Kate is the dressage rider, but I’ve expanded my volunteer roles as her interest in the sport has grown over the past decade. Currently, I manage the Cornhusker Classic Level 3 show in Lincoln, Nebraska, and continue to support our local schooling shows, plus 4-H and Morgan shows.
Joyce Hardesty I’ve attended 28 USDF conventions as a delegate for Regions 2, 4 and 5. As Chair of the Technical Delegate Council, I championed the Warning Card rule, served on the committee to develop the first TD training program, Budget/Finance and National Championships Committees. Currently Chair of the Regional Championships Committee and on the Activities Council. As a 30 year USEF Licensed Official, currently ‘R’ TD, I look forward to using my experience as a strong voice for Region 4. Thank you.
Region 5 Scarlett Fahrenson A native German master horse trainer & riding instructor FN/ FENA, FEI rider and competitor operates her own training facility, St. Georg Dressage in Sonoita, Arizona. A USDF convention attendee for the past ten years, Scarlett serves on the GMO and Nominating Committees. She has represented Region 5 many times as a PM delegate and GMO delegate for GMOs TDC and CD&EA (both in southern AZ).
Eva Maria Adolphi Founding member of the Utah Dressage Society. On the Board for 33 years as president or vice-president. Currently the Board’s Advisor. Experience as a competitor, show manager and show secretary. Students have competed at Regionals. Technical Delegate since 1989. Attended 16 USDF conventions, several times as GMO delegate and for the last five years as a PM delegate.
Rusty Cook Has raised and shown horses since 1973. She became a Dressage Technical Delegate in 2008 and received promotion to “R” in 2016. She has TD’d dozens of shows all over the country. She competes as an amateur, and is a member of the Arabian Horse Association Board of Directors.
Susan Leutwyler I would consider it a privilege to represent Region 5’s interests at our national convention. As an active dressage enthusiast and past convention delegate, my goal is to bring thoughtful balance to the needs of our Region and the needs of our nation for the advancement of Classical Dressage education.
Sarah Martin I am a professional Dressage Trainer and Lifetime member of USDF. I volunteer to attend the convention as a PM delegate because I attend the convention annually. I believe the convention is actually a real example of democracy in action – floor speeches have resulted in the adoption of many improvements to Dressage in the US, including the L program, the Certified Instructor program, and our highly successful National Championships.
Region 6 Gaye McCabe Actively involved in USDF since 1996, I am a past USDF Region 6 Director, have served as the Adult Education Chair and serve on the Bylaws Committee and the Youth Programs Committee. Locally I have been an ODS member since 1986 and am currently serving my second term as the ODS President and have served in the capacity as Secretary, Treasurer, as well as the President elect. I am currently on the Dressage NW Board, which is responsible for the running of the GAIG/USDF Region 6 Championship show.
Peter Rothschild I am an Adult Amateur who has been involved with the USDF as a PM member for more than 20 years. I’ve been a delegate for many years and have been on various USDF committees. In addition, I am actively involved with my local GMO, Equestrians’ Institute.
Emma Dye I have been in the dressage community for over 25 years and a PM delegate for six years. I have been involved in competitions as a participant, volunteer and photographer. I have also been involved in the youth program. I look forward to participating at the convention this year.
Corinne Stonier I am an adult amateur participating member interested in bringing top notch educational opportunities to the PNW at a reasonable cost. I have been to convention since 2004, sit on the GMO Committee and was formally a member on the Membership and Ad-Hoc Technology Committees.
Kathryn Lewis An adult amateur dressage rider active in Region 6 as a horse owner and rider, volunteer, and competitor. She is an EI member and on its dressage committee, volunteers regularly at shows, and is also in the working group focused on the USDF Region 6 Championship Travel Fund.
Jessica Rattner Team gold at 2001 AHSA/ Cosequin JDTC & Ind. Bronze at 2001 NAJDC. Member 2003 TDF Olympic Dream Program and former president of the USDF Youth Executive Board. Sixteen time attendee of the USDF convention, 20092016 PM Delegate, 2010-2016 ODS board member and resident trainer at DevonWood Equestrian Centre.
Patty Russell I am a USDF Gold medalist and USDF L judge in Region 6. I have been a member in Region 6 for over 30 years. I would like to become more involved in the decision making process in Region 6 and hope to be an asset to our equestrian community.
Rick Edwards Involved with the equine world and dressage since 2008. I assist my wife, Kari McClain, with a training, boarding and breeding farm in Olympia.
My engineering background has helped me in the care and maintenance of the barn and horses. Since 2009 I have been showing at the lower levels.
Amanda Wilgenburg I’ve volunteered and competed in our region for twenty years and am now in pursuit of my judging license. I believe passionately in our sport and want to be involved in affecting positive changes on both the competitor’s, management’s and official’s roles in our region. Thank you for this opportunity.
Tammie Jensen-Tabor Region 6 Adult Amateurs need a voice. I have been riding and showing for 42 years. Eight years ago my passion for dressage re-ignited. I was embraced by the Region 6 community and have learned more and have become a better horse woman because of the members in this region. It’s time to give back. I would be honored to represent this region.
Region 7 Laurie Daniel Laurie has been involved in the dressage community for over 30 years. She’s served on the CDS Board and subcommittees, and served her local Chapter. As a show manager and secretary she is concerned about topics that impact the sport, the competitors, and those that support dressage at the broadest level.
Doris North Region 7 competitor, volunteer and Hanoverian breeder. USEF “r” Technical Delegate, FEI Steward: Dressage/Reining. Participating member of the Dressage Technical Delegate Committee. Prior Board member: CDS San Diego.
Ilena Chong 20+ years equestrian facility manager on ag/conservation land. Past 4-H volunteer, OQHA officer, current GMO board member, USPC liaison. Since our sport is naturally driven by young riders and amateur adults, let’s facilitate their passion for dressage by encouraging inclusive dialog and experimentation. Dressage can positively influence every equestrian discipline.
Ellie Hardesty Former NAJYRC competitor and USDF Youth Council member, I will represent your interests as PM Delegate. I’ve competed more than 15 years,
earning Bronze and Silver medals. Currently San Diego chapter coordinator; attended 5 USDF conventions; currently training with Sarah Christy at Albert Court and sales extraordinaire for Mary’s Tack & Feed.
Region 8 Karin Swanfeldt I am a fifteen year member of New England Dressage and mom to a Dressage rider. I have been very involved in all areas of volunteering since the very beginning of finding Dressage! I am excited to continue working with the USDF as a 2016 delegate representing my Region 8.
Cindi Wylie I have been a PM delegate for Region 8 for over ten years. I’m currently Chairperson for the Group Member Organizations Committee at USDF. I’m a USDF Certified Instructor and USEF r Judge. I formerly served as Education Coordinator for New England Dressage Association. I’m a professional FEI Trainer, and work at my Rosebrook Farm in Georgetown, MA.
Sue McKeown I have been active in Dressage for over 30 years. I trained and rode my Swedish Warmbloods, Genghis Gustaf and Marshal, from Training Level to Grand Prix, earning my Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medals. I am secretary for eighteen Region 8 recognized shows and Chairperson of the USDF Competition Management Committee.
Fie Andersen Owns Equito Dressage LLC, and stands Rocazino and Tomillo VII at stud. Fie moved from Denmark in 2003, competed as an Adult Amateur, went Open in 2006 and has shown successfully through GP. Fie currently serves on the USDF Adult Programs Committee. After completing the L Program with Distinction she is now working towards her ‘r’ judge status.
Linda Mendenhall Co-owner of the Hanoverian breeding farm, Hof Mendenhall. She is a competitor in Dressage and Sport Horse In-hand. Linda is a member of the USDF Sport Horse Committee and the USDF Nominating Committee. She is an active volunteer for NEDA and throughout Region 8.
Diane Holston I am an Adult Amateur currently showing my Dutch Warmblood at Second Level. I think it is important to have representation at the convention of an Adult Amateur that is involved in showing. I have gone to the convention for several years and look forward to going this year as well.
Kathy Hickerson A long time NEDA Board member volunteering in all types of NEDA membership, dressage and sporthorse activities. She has been breeding top horses for over 30 years and actively promotes the NEDA Sporthorse activities for all breeds. She leads NEDA Sporthorse, NEDA Stallion Auction and KWPN-NA Stallion Committees and is also a member of the NEDA Fall Show Committee, KWPN Members Committee, USEF Breeders Committee and USDF Breeders Committee. She attends the USDF convention every year.
Nancy Lavoie An active instructor, trainer, and competitor in Region 8. Her interest is in bringing the members’ interests to the USDF and creating more interest and enthusiasm in the sport of dressage.
Katherine Bruce A bronze and silver medalist and current FEI competitor. Owner of Kaleidoscope Farm in Springfield, VT, a full service training facility. She is a USDF L graduate and has served on NEDA and CVDA Boards. She is currently President of CVDA.
Stephanie Brown-Beamer I am a USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medalist, as well as an L Graduate. Two years ago I relocated my dressage training business to the eastern end of Long Island from Region 5, where for two years I held the position of VP for the Utah Dressage Society. Since moving to the east coast I’ve become involved in Dressage4kids. I believe in giving back to my community, supporting the future of our sport and education is the key to success.
Rachel Ehrlich USDF member since 1984, USDF Sport Horse Committee for 7 years, Awards Committee, Chairwoman All Breeds SubCommittee 5 years, Member of NEDA Sporthorse Committee 10 years, Past President of NAHB Hanoverian Club. Board Member of American Hanoverian Society.
Clark University, Degree Health Administration. Longtime PM Delegate for Region 8. Thank You.
Regina Cristo I have enjoyed being a Region 8 delegate. I will continue to stay informed and make decisions on behalf of Region 8 to the best of my ability. I would appreciate your support in the election and hope to continue representing Region 8 members. Thank you. Regina Cristo, President of ENYDCTA NY, USDF L graduate with distinction, Organizer of ENYDCTA NY Dressage Days
Region 9 Kat Kyle Former USDF Region 9 Director. Have regularly attended the annual meeting the past 20+ years and have often served as a PM and/or GM delegate. Current USDF Nominating Committee Chair and current PM delegate. I would be honored to continue to represent Region 9.
Elizabeth G. Clifton An active rider and competitor, founded the non-profit MidSouth Dressage Academy in 2005, whose mission is to grow the sport of Dressage. MDA hosts four USDF shows annually and hosts Part I of the L Program every other year, as well as offering many other educational opportunities.
Sarah Jane Martin USDF Region 9 Director (two terms). Breeder of Welsh and Oldenburg horses. USEF Steward C1 and C2 “R”, Dressage TD “R”. Welsh, Connemara and Friesian Judge. FEI Level One Dressage Steward. Prior USDF Executive Director.
Cecilia Cox I’m a mom, volunteer, and amateur competitor that’s lived in Regions 5, 1 and 9. I was SVDA schooling show chair (9 shows/ year), and SVDA’s VADA board representative for 2 years in Region 1. In Region 9 I’ve been on the ADA Board and am stabling chair. As your PM delegate in 2014 and 2015, I’d be honored to represent Region 9 again.
Jan Colley I am an amateur rider, breeder, dressage show secretary/manager, past GMO president, and a current member of the USDF Competition Management Committee. It has been an honor to represent Region 9 at the Board of Governors meetings
and I would like to continue to do so for 2016-17.
Amy Allen 2002-2016 active volunteer and USDF PM; 2011 to present – successful clinic organizer; 2014-2016 – Education Chair for Alamo Dressage Association; 2014 GMO delegate; 2015 – Earned my Silver medal on a horse I trained. I believe I would be an asset as a PM delegate, due to my ability to draw and communicate with other dressage enthusiast!
Melinda Lee USDF member since 1976 with several different GMOs. I was sent as a General Membership representative to the RMDS GMO meetings for three consecutive years in Colorado. Attended 2 conventions for my own benefit, one for TD classes. In my moves around the country, I have been active with my GMOs and feel the need to support them however I could. I am a small time breeder of Welsh Sport ponies, and am presently showing my stallion Danswer Gwynt second level.
Jen Jarvis I am a Participating Member of USDF for over 30 years, and active participant on USDF’s GMO Committee and the Region 9 Board. I have also served many years on various GMO Boards and as a volunteer. Knowledge of the ins and outs of USDF business down to the local level gives me the experience to represent as a PM delegate. I look forward to your support.
Susan Howard Co-owner/manager of Reiterhof, a training/breeding facility near Austin. I am a Technical Delegate, show manager, freestyle designer, and host/organizer of clinics with European masters as well as USDF-approved seminars. I am committed to breeding quality sporthorses. A founding member of Central Texas Dressage Society and Austin Dressage Unlimited, served on the USDF Freestyle Committee and Region 9 Board.
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Lebanon Junction, KY Permit # 559
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Advice, Guidance, & Insight
TAILORED TO THE DRESSAGE COMMUNITY
USDF CONNECTION
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June 2016
59
The Barbara Coughlan School of Riding Sometimes we all need a little encouragement By Elizabeth Oness
L
ast spring I was working with a mare that took a lot of effort to ride. She wasn’t a problem horse, just green, but here in Minnesota we’d endured a hellish winter, with weeks of cold that hovered between 20 and 40 below; my job was demanding; and my husband had been away for a month helping
timing needs to be really good. You need to reward her the second she drops her head.” She added, “You need to be really tactful with her.” Something in me wilted. These were fundamental instructions—ask and reward—but they required an energy I didn’t seem to have. In my daily life, I try to be kind and reassuring, but when I’m asked to summon enthusiasm for something that seems basic, sometimes it feels like an effort. This is where Barbara Coughlan comes in. Barbara is my godmother, and she and her husband, Gerry, were part of my growing up. Whenever they came to visit, they acted as if my sisters and I were the most intelligent, talented children they had ever met. They praised every stuttering guitar piece, the most mundane pictures and paintings; Barbara, who had studied music seriously, raved about my piano rendition of “Für Elise” as if I GOOD GIRL! The writer (pictured with mare Perpetua) found that praise unlocked a new facet of her training were the first child ever to play it. Gerry, his sister. When it finally got warmer, meanwhile, marveled at ordinary I fit in my rides around work and farm things, like our fireplace, for which chores, and even though I was glad to my father had laid the brick: “Look be back in the saddle, I was spent. at those bricks all lined up in a row; In a lesson, my trainer said: “Your that’s magnificent!”
60 June 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
editorial@usdf.org
Even after my sisters and I were grown, Barbara and Gerry remained as effusive as ever. When my husband met them, he remarked, “Any child growing up with them would have so much confidence because anything he or she tried would get so much praise.” Riding that mare, I recalled my husband’s comment. Barbara and Gerry’s praise was so memorable. I thought about the role of praise in working with a horse. Instead of wondering if my timing was good enough, or worrying about the mare throwing her shoulders this way and that, I took on the mantle of Barbara and Gerry’s enthusiasm. Suddenly, rather than feeling that it was an effort to have the right timing or work to reward something basic, I felt much quicker, more ready to praise, as if a pool of enthusiasm had bubbled up within me. The mare started to progress more rapidly. It may have just been the previous work paying off, but as soon as I employed the mindset of ready praise, she’d drop her head and round her back, as if to say, “Look, I get it—this is what you want, right?” Horses and people: We all respond to encouragement. I now try to think of praise as my default mode. Instead of thinking, “She’s leaning on my right hand; should I use my thigh or counterflex?”, I imagine the softness I want and I’m ready to praise as soon as I feel the horse try. The solution is not my “fix;” the solution is just something I do on my way to rewarding a more correct result. I try to bring this generosity of spirit to all the horses and ponies I ride, and it doesn’t surprise me that they all respond to it. I think of my godparents’ enthusiasm, and I try to be ready to praise the horse out of willingness and generosity, rather than merely precision. ▲ Elizabeth Oness is a poet and fiction writer who lives in southeastern Minnesota. Her most recent novel is Leaving Milan. She also raises Welsh and Welsh-cross ponies.
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J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 6
USDF CONNECTION Official Publication of the United States Dressage Federation
Meet USDFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Youth Volunteer of the Year (p. 48) Fitness for Para-Equestrians Get Your Horse Fit for Dressage with Dr. Hilary Clayton (p. 36)
New Software Transforms Freestyle Competition (p. 20)
Rebekah Mingari and Elzarma TF
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4.78 acres on bridle path - short hack to WEF - 3 BD/2.5BA home with efficiency. 19 stall barn, 12 paddocks, 180' X 220' arena, grass field, 2 apartments (1BR & 2BR), 1 vet stall, 4 wash racks, 2 grooming stalls, feed rooms, tack rooms, hay lofts, grooms'/office rooms and laundry room. $6,250,000. Contact: Suzie Reed 561-798-6477
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4.45-acre equestrian property located in Saddle Trail, hacking distance to PBIEC. 5-bedroom home and 9-stall barn. $6,749,000. Contact: Francis Hoet 561-729-8518. For more information on homes or barns in Wellington, visit www.wellingtonproperties.com or email us at info@wellingtonproperties.com
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IN THIS ISSUE
40 48
FITNESS AND THE PARA-EQUESTRIAN Four elite para-dressage riders share their challenges—and their workouts By Amber Heintzberger
By George Williams
6 RINGSIDE Out from the Sidelines By Jennifer O. Bryant
REBEKAH MINGARI DOES HER PART For the 2015 USDF Youth Volunteer of the Year, it’s all about ensuring the future of her sport
20 THE JUDGE’S BOX Dressage Freestyles Move into the Future By Janet Foy
24 HISTORICAL CONNECTION American Dressage Legends: Maj. Robert Borg
By Lesley Ward
52 56
4 INSIDE USDF Spring Forward
INSIDER’S GUIDE TO USDF AWARDS This issue: All-Breeds awards By Peggy Klump
DRESSAGE EDUCATION: SURVEY SAYS… What’s keeping you from pursuing more opportunities? By Victoria Trout
By Kim Sodt
26 ALL-BREEDS CONNECTION Breed of the Month: Shagya-Arabian 28 CLINIC Refine Your Riding By George Williams with Sue Weakley
36 HORSE-HEALTH CONNECTION Physical Fitness for Dressage Horses By Hilary Clayton, BVMS, PhD, Diplomate ACVSMR, MRCVS
IN EVERY ISSUE 10 33 62 66 66 67
HEADS UP SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT SHOP @ X USDF CONNECTION SUBMISSION GUIDELINES USDF OFFICE CONTACT DIRECTORY ADVERTISING INDEX
48
60
REVIEWS Bumper Crop of Books By Jennifer O. Bryant
68
THE TAIL END Dream Pony By Leslie Lytton
ON OUR COVER Rebekah Mingari (KY) is USDF’s 2015 Youth Volunteer of the Year. Story, p. 48. Photo by Lesley Ward.
Volume 18, Number 3
USDF CONNECTION
•
July/August 2016
3
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president@usdf.org
USDF OFFICERS & EXECUTIVE BOARD PRESIDENT
GEORGE WILLIAMS 421 Park Forest Way, Wellington, FL 33414 (937) 603-9134 • Fax: (740) 362-5539 president@usdf.org
Spring Forward
VICE PRESIDENT
LISA GORRETTA
Lots of energy and new ideas in the pipeline at USDF’s spring Executive Board meeting
18120 Snyder Road, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 (216) 406-5475 • vicepresident@usdf.org SECRETARY
MARGARET FREEMAN
By George Williams, USDF President
200 Aurora Lane, Tryon, NC 28782 (828) 859-6723 • secretary@usdf.org TREASURER
the official USEF dressage affiliate organization, will I’m sure be big topics as the USDF moves forward in the development of a new strategic plan. It has been a number of years since we went through this process. The board feels strongly that the time is right to once again take a long, hard look at who we are, who we should be, and what adjustments we need to make to remain a valuable organization for our members and an asset to the dressage community at large. USDF education and competition programs. The EB continues to look at adult education, with an eye toward developing more programs to address your needs. During our meeting, the EB approved individuals to serve on the US Dressage Finals Travel Grant Task Force. We are in the process of seating those individuals and should have our first conference call soon. You may remember that this task force is a result of a motion made at last December’s Board of Governors assembly. The EB also approved the lineup of educational sessions to be offered at this year’s Adequan/USDF Annual Convention, to be published soon. Again this year at convention, a competition educational session will be offered for show managers. Finally, dates and locations of the 2017 Great American/ USDF Regional Championships were approved (see usdf.org).
4 July/August 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
STEVEN SCHUBERT P.O. Box 2044, Methuen, MA 01844 (978) 360-6441 • treasurer@usdf.org
REGIONAL DIRECTORS REGION 1 DC, DE, MD, NC, NJ, PA, VA
LISA SCHMIDT 5 Thads Hill Road, Hampton, NJ 08827 (201) 981-1823 • region1dir@usdf.org REGION 2 IL, IN, KY, MI, OH, WV, WI
KEN LEVY 330 North Mill Creek Road, Noblesville, IN 46062 (317) 773-4532 • region2dir@usdf.org REGION 3 AL, FL, GA, SC, TN
SUSAN BENDER 1024 Grand Prix Drive, Beech Island, SC 29842 (803) 295-2525 • region3dir@usdf.org REGION 4 IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD
ANNE SUSHKO 1942 Clifford Street, Dubuque, IA 52002 (563) 580-0510 • region4dir@usdf.org REGION 5 AZ, CO, E. MT, NM, UT, W. TX, WY
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CAROLYNN BUNCH 18430 111th Place SE, Snohomish, WA 98290 (360) 577-6201 • region6dir@usdf.org REGION 7 CA, HI, NV
TERRY WILSON 2535 Fordyce Rd., Ojai, CA 93023-9630 (805) 890-7399 • region7dir@usdf.org REGION 8 CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT
DEBRA REINHARDT 160 Woods Way Drive, Southbury, CT 06488 (203) 264-2148 • region8dir@usdf.org REGION 9 AR, LA, MS, OK, TX
SHERRY GUESS 18216 S. 397th East Avenue, Porter, OK 74454 (918) 640-1204 • region9dir@usdf.org
AT-LARGE DIRECTORS ACTIVITIES COUNCIL
SUE MANDAS 9508 Bridlewood Trail, Dayton, OH 45458 (937) 272-9068 •ald-activities@usdf.org ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL
KEVIN BRADBURY PO Box 248, Dexter, MI 48130 (734) 426-2111 • ald-administrative@usdf.org TECHNICAL COUNCIL
CAROLYN VANDENBERG 112 Eden Ranch Dr., Canyon Lake, TX 78133 (830) 226-5006 • ald-technical@usdf.org
USDF FILE PHOTO
K
entucky is always beautiful when we gather for the annual spring USDF Executive Board (EB) meeting, which was held in April at the USDF National Education Center at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. For the USDF, the fiscal year ends March 31. Somehow it’s fitting that as the ground thaws and the plants start to come to life, we too feel energized as we go into our new year. Instructor certification. The USDF Instructor/Trainer Program continues to grow. For the first time, workshops and a testing were held in the Wellington area this winter, during the height of the Florida season. Many of the participants were young people who aspire to become dressage professionals. To me, this is an ideal group to target. USDF FEI-level instructor certification also continues to flourish, with workshops and an eventual testing planned for Lexington, KY. We are getting closer to my goal of workshops and testings being held in Lexington on a regular basis, anchored by the USDF National Education Center. Safe sport. As part of an effort to ensure the availability of quality dressage education in a safe, nonthreatening environment, the EB approved a plan to work with the US Equestrian Federation to incorporate its Safe Sport policies into many of our programs. Learn more about the USEF’s stand against bullying, harassment, and other forms of abuse at usef.org. GMOs and strategic planning. USDF’s group-member organizations (GMOs) are a vital part of the fabric of our organization. At our spring meeting, the EB discussed ways to help GMOs grow and will continue to explore how best to assist our affiliated dressage clubs. This, and our role as
ringside
jbryant@usdf.org
Out from the Sidelines Formerly “fringe” groups are getting their moment in the sun
USDF CONNECTION The Official Publication of the United States Dressage Federation EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Stephan Hienzsch 859/271-7887 • stephh1enz@usdf.org
——— Editorial———
6 July/August 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Hilary M. Clayton, BVMS, PhD, MRCVS EDITORIAL ADVISORS
Melissa Creswick (CA) Margaret Freeman (NC) Lisa Gorretta (OH) Anne Gribbons (FL) Terry Wilson (CA) TECHNICAL ADVISORS
Janine Malone Lisa Gorretta • Elisabeth Williams
——— Production ——— SENIOR PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR
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USDF Connection is published ten times a year by the United States Dressage Federation, 4051 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511. Phone: 859/971-2277. Fax: 859/971-7722. E-mail: usdressage@ usdf.org, Web site: www.usdf.org. 2014 AW USDF members receive USDF ConARD W IN nection as a membership benefit, paid by membership dues. Copyright © 2016 USDF. All rights reserved. Reproduction of articles requires permission from USDF. Other text may be reproduced with credit given to USDF Connection. USDF reserves the right to refuse any advertising or copy that is deemed unsuitable for USDF and its policies. Excluding advertisements, all photos with mounted riders must have safety head gear or USEF-approved competition hat. USDF assumes no responsibility for the claims made in advertisements. Statements of fact and opinion are those of the experts consulted and authors, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or the policy of USDF. The publishers reserve the right to reject any advertising deemed unsuitable for USDF, as well as the right to reject or edit any manuscripts received for publication. USDF assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. All materials must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Questions about your subscription or change in address? Contact USDF Membership Department, 859/971-2277, or usdressage@usdf.org. POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: USDF, 4051 IRON WORKS PARKWAY, LEXINGTON, KY 40511. Canadian Agreement No. 1741527. Canada return address: Station A, P.O. Box 54, Windsor, Ontario N9A 6J5.
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Jennifer O. Bryant, Editor @JenniferOBryant
EDITOR
Jennifer O. Bryant 610/344-0116 • jbryant@usdf.org
AH
2016 USDF Youth Volunteer of the Year or Volunteer of the Year award? Nominate him or her today! The deadline is August 31, so don’t delay. Find all the details at usdf.org.) Another group that’s stepping out from the sidelines and getting the recognition it deserves is our paraequestrians. Before I saw para-dressage competition for the first time, I thought of para-equestrians as disabled riders, and yes, with a dollop of pity. After I watched them ride at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, I thought of them as damn fine equestrians, many of whom were capable of kicking my sorry able-bodied you-know-what. These elite competitors are tough, top athletes, some of whom can probably out-bench-press and out-plank your able-bodied youknow-what. Check out our feature on para-equestrian fitness on page 40 and be prepared to be impressed. With dressage enthusiasts like Rebekah and our para-equestrians getting their due, I’m feeling bullish about our sport’s moving in an inclusive direction. There are great people, great horses, and great stories out there—and great stories make for great press and more interest in dressage, which benefit all of us. I can’t wait to see what stories come out of the 2016 Rio Olympics and Paralympics, just weeks away by the time you read this. Good luck to all on Team USA!
N
T
here’s a certain whiff of havevs.-have-not in the traditions of horse sport. Some of it is rooted in economic reality, at least historically. That’s why I think the equestrian community does itself no favors when it perpetuates the Town & Country image. Horses are undeniably expensive, but plenty of people are doing OK as riders and horse owners without the benefit of landed-gentry backgrounds. But the perception that every successful equestrian is a wealthy so-and-so must surely deter some people from getting into horses. That said, some successful equestrians are wealthy so-and-so’s. In the havevs.-have-not department, occasionally resentment by hard-working adult amateurs bubbles up against some elite juniors and young riders whose success has come in part through their own talent and efforts, of course, but also on the backs of the best horses money can buy or lease—money they are obviously too young to have earned themselves. I get that—and so it gives me great pleasure to feature in this, our annual youth issue, a USDF youth member who’s been celebrated for accomplishments traditionally relegated to the sidelines: her work as a volunteer. Rebekah Mingari was honored at the 2015 Adequan/USDF Annual Convention as the 2015 USDF Youth Volunteer of the Year. She’s been an unfailingly cheerful, tireless worker on behalf of her USDF group-member organization, the Kentucky Dressage Association; and her North American Junior and Young Rider Championships teams. She is a talented rider, to be sure, but she’s also juggling college and work as a rider and trainer of young horses. If we have enough Rebekahs out there, I feel certain that the sport of dressage is in good hands and has a bright future. (Do you know a deserving USDF youth member—or adult member— who deserves consideration for the
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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4
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8 July/August 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Sport-horse programs. One thing is certain: We cannot do our sport without the horse. Fundamental to that are the sport-horse breeders and programs. In an effort to develop more dressage sport-horse breeding (DSHB) judges, the EB voted to make the sporthorse seminars USDF-hosted events. In so doing, we will no longer have to depend on GMOs or other approved entities to host them. In the past three years, only one seminar was hosted— and no programs are scheduled for 2016—which has made it difficult for judge candidates to enter the program and has resulted in a shortage of DSHB judges. These seminars, which are open to all, are mandatory for judges entering the USEF ‘r’ DSHB Judge Training Program. This new policy will take effect April 1, 2017. It doesn’t prevent a GMO or other approved entity from offering a seminar, but it will guarantee that at least one is held every year. Dressage returns to Nebraska! The USDF was founded in Nebraska by the late Lowell Boomer, and its offices were in Lincoln for many years. I’m sure Lowell would be thrilled to know that the world’s top dressage and jumping riders and horses will be coming to his home state next year for the FEI World Cup Finals in Omaha. This is an incredible opportunity to expand interest in dressage in the US. As the famous saying goes, “If you build it, they will come.” I cannot help but think that our future is bright. ▲
IN THE NEXT ISSUE • Destination Florida : Why “Welly World” has become a global dressage hub • Marketing your dressage business • Get your horse in front of the aids with George Williams
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HEADS UP
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EVENTING
Jung Reigns Supreme at Rolex Kentucky
N
ot that it was ever in much doubt, but Germany’s Michael Jung riding Fischerrocana FST swept the 2016 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Land Rover. Jung led after dressage and never looked back as he became only the second rider after Kim Severson on Winsome Adante to record consecutive Rolex Kentucky victories since the competition became a CCI4* in 1998.
Fugitive—one of his three mounts this year—to 43.1. No one on day two was able to better Jung’s impressive dressage score. Coming the closest was the USA’s Allison Springer on her veteran partner, Arthur, with a score of 39.7. Marilyn Little (USA) on RF Demeter finished third on 42.5. What turned into a very rainy day made for some slow going on cross-
OUT OF THE PARK: Germany’s Michael Jung and Fischerrocana FST dominated Rolex Kentucky from start to finish
Seventy-three horses were accepted by the three-member ground jury for the 2016 edition at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. As a qualifier for this year’s Olympic Games, the competition drew an international field, with riders from the US, Canada, England, Ireland, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, and Mexico. On day one of dressage, Jung put in a near-flawless test that earned a score of 34.4 penalties. US rider Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp rode Fernhill By Night to a distant second on 43.0. The 2008 Rolex Kentucky champion, Phillip Dutton, rode Fernhill
country, with none of the 63 starters finishing within the allotted time of 11 minutes and 14 seconds. Jung had the fastest time, finishing just 2 seconds over the time and raising his score to 35.2. Dutton lay in second after crosscountry with Fernhill Fugitive (47.5) and third with Mighty Nice (49.8). An unfortunate refusal dropped Springer to 44th place and out of contention. Show-jumping day saw 54 horses start. It was a great day for US newcomer Maya Black on Doesn’t Play Fair, who moved up from twelfth after dressage, to fourth after crosscountry, to third in the final standings
10 July/August 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
in only her second Rolex Kentucky. Fellow American Lauren Kieffer on Veronica delighted the 25,000 spectators to climb from sixth place after cross-country to second overall by adding just one time fault to her score. It was the pair’s second Rolex USEF Four-Star Championship. But no one could touch Jung, who took the Rolex Kentucky title with only one rail down. Jung’s victory in Kentucky left eventing fans eager to see whether the star could capture the fabled Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing (Burghley, Rolex Kentucky, and Badminton) at the following week’s 2016 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials in England. The seemingly invincible Jung did just that, riding gold-medal partner La Biosthetique-Sam FBW to take the Grand Slam bonus of $350,000 and becoming the first German rider ever to win at Badminton—leading from start to finish in his usual fashion. —Emily Koenig
JENNIFERMUNSON.COM
BEST US EFFORT: Eighth after dressage, Lauren Kieffer and Veronica climbed to finish second overall at Rolex Kentucky
OBITUARY
Dr. Max Gahwyler
R
etired USEF “S” dressage judge, historian, author, and Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame member Dr. Max Gahwyler died May 13 at his home in Darien, CT. He was 92.
KEEPER OF THE FLAME: Dr. Max Gahwyler in an undated photo
Dr. Gahwyler studied internal medicine in his native Switzerland, where he met his wife, the former Doris Muller. The Gahwylers immigrated to the US in 1954, and “Dr. Max,” as he was known to all, continued to work as a physician and also had careers at Pfizer and at American Home. Dr. Gahwyler was a pioneer of dressage in the US, helping to found the American Dressage Institute—forerunner to the USDF— in the 1960s and serving as the ADI’s second and final president. A popular judge and clinician, he helped educate many riders through his three-book series, The Competitive Edge. He was an avid dressage historian who lectured and displayed some of his extensive equestrian-book collection at many
USDF conventions, and who for years was a member of the USDF Historical Recognition Committee. Later in life he became a two-time member of The Dressage Foundation’s Century Club: in 1996 on Prinz Eugen and in 2002 on Dresden. In 2004 he was inducted into the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame. Learn more about him in USDF Connection’s November 2015 “American Dressage Legends” article. Dr. Gahwyler is survived by Doris, his wife of 67 years; and by Susanne Handler and her family, the Gahwylers’ “adopted family.” Memorial donations may be made to The Dressage Foundation’s Century Club (dressagefoundation.org) or to H.O.R.S.E. of Connecticut (horseofct. org).
INTERCOLLEGIATE DRESSAGE
Cazenovia Student Wins USDF/IDA Quiz Challenge
USDF ARCHIVE; SOPHIA AGNIFILO; COURTESY OF HANNAH PHILLIPS/EMORY & HENRY COLLEGE
C
azenovia College (NY) student Alexandria Belton ’17 was the overall winner of the 2016 USDF/Intercollegiate Dressage Association National Quiz Challenge. The Quiz Challenge was held April 22 at Centenary College in Hackettstown, NJ, as part of the 2016 IDA Nationals. Belton, who competed in the First Level division, will receive a four-week internship at Hilltop Farm in Colora, MD. Winning other divisions in the BIG WINNER: USDF/ Quiz Challenge IDA Quiz Challenge were Kristen Kelley of Averett champion Alexandria Belton University (Introductory Level), Catherine Meyer of Cazenovia College (Lower Training Level), and
Hannah Walter of Averett University (Upper Training Level). The Quiz Challenge, open to all IDA members, consists of three rounds of competition. The first two are held online through USDF’s eTRAK and encompass dressage theory, training, and competition rules; the final is held at the IDA Nationals. In the IDA Nationals team competition, Emory & Henry College (VA) took the championship title, with Averett University (VA) claiming reserve. It was E & H coach Lisa Moosmueller-Terry’s sixth IDA national team championship, making her the winningest coach in IDA history. In individual competition, Samantha Majors of North Carolina State University was the First Level champion, with Nicholas Martino of Emory & Henry in reserve. At Upper Training Level, Centenary College’s Amanda DeFelice won over Emory & Henry’s Morgan Sollenberger. Elijah
IDA CHAMPIONS: Emory & Henry IDA coach Lisa Moosmueller-Terry with team riders Elijah Worth-Jones, Taylor Carroll, Karissa Donohue, and Nicholas Martino; E & H IHSA coach Heather McCloud; IDA president Beth Beukema; and Custom Saddlery representative Candice Ozolins
Worth-Jones of Emory & Henry was the Lower Training Level champion, followed by Elizabeth Foster of Miami University. And at Introductory Level, Emory & Henry’s Sierra Davenport won over the University of Findlay’s Eloise Hill.
USDF CONNECTION
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July/August 2016
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HEADS UP
YOUR DRESSAGE WORLD THIS MONTH GOOD WORKS
It’s Almost the End of the Road to Rio
A
ugust may be the dog days of summer here at home, but south of the Equator it’s winter, so competitors and spectators at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, can look forward to pleasantly warm weather with average highs in the seventies (F). The 31st Olympiad (rio2016.com/en) kicks off August 5 with opening ceremonies. Equestrian competition gets under way the following day with eventing, which runs August 6-9. Dressage is scheduled for August 10-15 (Grand Prix August 10-11, GP Special August 12, and GP Freestyle August 15). Jumping commences August 14 and concludes on August 19, with no competition on August 15 and 18. All equestrian competition will take place at the Olympic Equestrian Centre, part of the Games’ Deodoro complex, located northwest of the main Olympic stadium and inland from Rio’s famous Copacabana region and beaches. Unlike in previous years, there was no selection trial for the 2016 US Olympic dressage squad. Instead, the US Equestrian Federation decided to send its top-ranked horse/rider combinations to a series of designated “European observation events”: CDIO5*/3* Compiegne (FRA), May 19-22; CDI4* Roosendaal (NED), June 1-5; and CDIO5*/3* Rotterdam (NED), June 22-26. All combinations were to compete in at least two observation events, with Rotterdam being required unless a special exception was granted. The FEI nominated entry—a long list of between four and 12 combinations, plus a maximum of three reserve horses—was to be submitted by June 20. The final team selection
of four horse/rider combinations plus one reserve combination must be made by July 1. The five designated dressage selectors— Kathy Connelly, Charlotte Bredahl-Baker, Marisa Festerling, Pierre St. Jacques, and George Williams—will oversee the selection process along with the 16 members of the USEF High Performance Dressage Committee, which includes USEF dressage chef d’équipe Robert Dover; and the four-member USEF dressage veterinary panel. The horses and riders chosen for the European observation events, from whom the 2016 US Olympic dressage team will be selected, are (listed in ranked order): Laura Graves and her own Verdades, a 2002 KWPN gelding Steffen Peters and Rosamunde, a 2007 Rheinlander mare owned by Four Winds Farm Steffen Peters and Legolas 92, a 2002 Westfalen gelding owned by Four Winds Farm Kasey Perry-Glass and Goerklintgaards Dublet, a 2003 Danish Warmblood gelding owned by Diane Perry Allison Brock and Rosevelt, a 2002 Hanoverian stallion owned by Claudine and Fritz Kundrun Shelly Francis and Doktor, a 2003 Oldenburg gelding owned by Patricia Stempel Shelly Francis and Danilo, a 2004 Hanoverian gelding owned by Patricia Stempel Arlene “Tuny” Page and her own Woodstock, a 2003 KWPN gelding Guenter Seidel and Zero Gravity, a 2004 Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by James and Charlotte Mashburn.
12 July/August 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Dressage Owner, 80, Runs London Marathon for Brooke USA
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ome high-profile US dressage folks are doing their part to help the cause of Brooke USA, the American arm of the UK-based charity The Brooke, the world’s largest international equine-welfare organization, which aims to improve the welfare of working horses, donkeys, and mules in the world’s poorest communities. Fritz Kundrun, of Wellington, FL, is co-owner with wife Claudine of top dressage horses, notably Flim Flam (ridden by Sue Blinks to team bronze at the 2000 Sydney Olympics) and Rosevelt, who with rider Allison Brock is currently making a bid for the 2016 WAY TO GO! Rio Games. Now 80, Sporting his Brooke Kundrun, who had t-shirt, 80-yearnever been a runner, old Fritz Kundrun began training for a passes Big Ben during the London marathon 15 years ago. On April 24, he Marathon crossed the finish line of the London Marathon, his tenth, clad in a bright orange Brooke t-shirt to help raise awareness of the organization. Longtime Brooke supporters, the Kundruns are patrons of Brooke USA’s Dorothy Brooke Society, which will launch in September. And in May, dressage Olympian Debbie McDonald became Brooke USA’s newest ambassador. “I’m hoping that I can draw more awareness about Brooke USA and what they are doing for the welfare of these animals,” McDonald said. “I travel a lot and continue to coach and teach clinics. I think that if it is done the right way, I can open people’s eyes in the sport and show them the everyday trials of these working animals.”
COURTESY OF THE LONDON MARATHON
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YOUR DRESSAGE WORLD THIS MONTH
USDF BULLETINS
What you need to know this month Planning to Compete at the US Dressage Finals?
Apply for a Grant
HORSE/RIDER COMBINATIONS MUST DECLARE their intention to participate by completing the Declaration of Intent form by midnight on the day prior to the first day of their Regional Championship competition (including any day of open competition before the start of championship classes). You must declare at the level(s) and eligible division(s) in which you intend to compete. There is no fee to declare. Go to usdressagefinals.com to declare.
ONE DESERVING USDF GROUP member will receive a Ruth Arvanette Memorial Fund grant to attend the 2016 Adequan/ USDF Annual Convention in St. Louis, MO. The grant includes full convention registration and partial reimbursement for travel expenses. See the USDF website for an application, which is due in the USDF office by August 31.
See You at the Great American/USDF Regional Championships! CHECK THE REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP competitors page on the USDF website to verify that you’ve qualified for the 2016 Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Championships. Make sure you’re listed on the preliminary qualified horse/rider list and that all applicable scores are correctly designated as qualifying on USDFScores.com.
New Materiale Championships BEGINNING THIS YEAR, each Great American Insurance Group/USDF Breeders Championship Series Final competition will include Materiale championships. One championship class will be offered for three-year-olds, and another will be offered for four- and-five-year-olds. Review the USDFBC program rules on the USDF website for eligibility and qualification requirements, and see “Sport Horse Connection” (April) for more information.
Apprentice TD Clinic THE USDF APPRENTICE TECHNICAL DELEGATE CLINIC will be held Wednesday, November 30, during the Adequan/USDF Annual Convention in St. Louis, MO. This clinic is required for apprentice TDs but is open to all. We’ll cover how to become a dressage TD, dressage attire, tack and equipment, and USEF and USDF forms and publications. Register online through the USDF website until November 27.
USDF/Dover Saddlery Adult Amateur Medal Program ADULT AMATEURS competing at Second Level: The USDF/Dover Saddlery Adult Amateur Medal Program is just for you! Winners of three or more medals will be ranked in the annual Dover National Merit Award standings, with the national champion receiving a $1,000 Dover Saddlery gift certificate and the reserve champion receiving a $500 gift certificate. Learn more at usdf.org.
14 July/August 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
All-Breeds Declaration Deadline THE DEADLINE TO DECLARE a horse for the 2016 USDF All-Breeds Awards Program is August 1, so get your horse’s breed/performance registry papers to the USDF office, stat!
Check Your Scores HOW ARE YOU DOING this show season? Check your scores on USDFScores.com. If you spot an error, send e-mail to scorecorrections@usdf.org or call (859) 971-2277. All score corrections must be reported by 5:00 p.m. ET October 15.
Recognize Your Horse’s Accomplishments USDF HORSE PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES are a great way to recognize your horse’s achievements at each level, from Young Horse through Grand Prix. See the USDF Member Guide or the USDF website for complete award requirements.
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HEADS UP
YOUR DRESSAGE WORLD THIS MONTH
BEHIND THE SCENES
Heidi Zorn, Premier Equestrian
J
ob title: President, Premier Equestrian, Sandy, UT (premierequestrian. com) What I do: We focus on products that go in the riding arena, such as the dressage arena, footing, jumps, and so on. We started this company with the idea of providing affordable products to the amateur. It was Mark, my partner, and me in the beginning, in the basement, doing everything. Today we have a reasonably-sized staff, and I’m moving more to the [role of ] spokesperson. How I got started: As a youngster, I competed in hunters and jumpers. Then in my late twenties, I migrated to dressage. I was at a show that had a homemade arena. My neighbor at that
STYLISH: Zorn and Serrano
THE NEAR SIDE
time was a fabricator, so I said, “We could do that.” My trainer said, “Well, go make it. I’ll buy one.” That’s how we got started, and it kind of evolved from there. Best thing about my job: I get to work with horse people. Worst thing about my job: Growing the company. We’re not a mom-andpop shop any more. My horses: Serrano is a 21-yearold, 17-hand, gray Andalusian/ Quarter Horse gelding. Light of Principe (“Izzy”) is a seven-year-old, 16-hand, gray Lusitano/Thoroughbred mare. Serrano’s retired, so Izzy’s up. Tip: The geometry is what trains the horse. —Katherine Walcott
TROTTING BACK IN TIME
Presidential Well-Wishes for Dressage Young Riders
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HONORABLE MENTION: The telegram from Ronald Reagan
16 July/August 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
COURTESY OF HEIDI ZORN; USDF ARCHIVE
ompetitors at the FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships—the 2016 edition kicks off July 26 at the Colorado Horse Park in Parker—get lots of good-luck wishes. But the US dressage riders at the 1986 event got a very special VIP sendoff : a telegram from President Ronald Reagan.
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editorial@usdf.org
Dressage Freestyles Move into the Future
system will improve the sport for the spectator by making it more understandable, and by doing so that it will help to ensure the continued inclusion of dressage in the Olympic Games.
New software suite including “floor plans” heralds exciting innovations in judging, commentary, and audience outreach
The Freestyle Scoring Suite Explained
By Janet Foy
F
reestyles began as part of dressage competition in 1980 amidst a lot of worrying about “circus,” harming the sport, and other gloomand-doom predictions. The reality today is that freestyle is one of the only dressage events that consistently plays to a sold-out house.
GUINEA PIGS: Riders, scribes, and judges at the International Omaha (NE), the 2017 FEI World Cup Dressage Final test event, were the first to use the FEI’s Dressage Freestyle Scoring Suite software. Pictured is Canada’s Karen Pavicic on Don Daiquiri, winner of the Grand Prix Freestyle.
The first FEI World Cup Dressage Final—in which freestyle competition decides the title—was held in 1986, and freestyle was introduced into the Olympics in Atlanta in 1996. So what does the future hold for freestyle? The dressage sport is trying to evolve to become more global and more popular with the general public. To achieve these goals, dressage must be more understandable to those without a lot of knowledge. In jumping, it is easy to learn that if the fence falls down, that is bad. It is also easy to see the horse working against the clock. Simple. Dressage, not so much! But the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) hopes that its new Dressage Freestyle Scoring Suite
Based on the FEI’s new Degree of Difficulty Freestyle Scoring System, the Freestyle Scoring Suite has been in development for several years. It is the brainchild of FEI 5* judge Katrina Wüst of Germany and of German national judge and software developer Daniel Göhlen, who has turned Katrina’s hard work into a reality. The Scoring Suite consists of two core applications. Using the first, called Floorplan Creator, the competitor enters the movements of his or her freestyle. The app is available on the FEI website (fei.org); a FEI login is required for access to the input system. The second core element of the Scoring Suite is Judge Assistant. According to Göhlen’s website, BlackHorse88.com, Judge Assistant “manages and displays the various floorplans
FLOORPLAN CREATOR: Screen shot of the app shows required elements for a Grand Prix-level freestyle. The rider drags and drops the choreographic elements from the list at left and chooses variations from the drop-down menus to create a “floor plan” of the test. When complete, the app calculates the freestyle’s degree of difficulty and assigns a DoD mark.
20 July/August 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
SUSANJSTICKLE.COM; COURTESY OF DANIEL GÖHLEN
the judge’s box
COURTESY OF DANIEL GÖHLEN
submitted by the riders. It is the second part of the system which enables judges to score the freestyles.” Judge Assistant creates a printout of each rider’s “floor plan” and also displays the floor plan on the judge’s computer. Floorplan Creator and the competitor. Within FEI rules, riders can strive to achieve higher freestyle scores by making their choreography more challenging to execute. Floorplan Creator incorporates the FEI’s Degree of Difficulty Freestyle Scoring System: The software automatically calculates the freestyle’s degree of difficulty and assigns the floor plan a degree-of-difficulty mark. Here’s an example of how the degree of difficulty works in the judging process. Let’s say the choreography has a degree of difficulty of 8.7. The competitor will achieve that mark only if all of the movements with difficulty added earn scores of 7 or higher. The rider would get no difficulty credit for a score of 6, and a score of 5 or below would result in a deduction. “As a result, the final degree-ofdifficulty mark is highly dependent on the actual execution,” says Göhlen. Floorplan Creator also displays the following choreographic elements: • Combination: a grouping of movements to which the computer will assign bonus points for difficulty. Example: extended canter to double pirouette to flying changes. • Difficult transitions: transitions beyond the standard requirements. Example: halt-passage. • Particle: a short piece of a movement that is not to be scored, as it doesn’t meet specific requirements (e.g., 20 meters minimum for the passage). A particle may be part of a difficult combination. • “Joker”: If the rider wants the option of repeating a line of one-tempi changes, two-tempis, or extended canter in case the first one doesn’t work, she may include a “Joker” line in the floor plan. A “Joker” won’t increase the freestyle’s degree of difficulty but could salvage the mark for the movement in question.
JUDGE’S FLOOR PLAN: Section of a competitor’s freestyle-choreography printout for the judges
USDF CONNECTION • July/August 2016
21
the judge’s box
DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY VARIATION: Using the Judge Assistant software, the judge can adjust the mark for degree of difficulty up or down by as much as 0.2 point
Judge Assistant and the judging and scribing process. Thanks to the software, the judge is provided with freestyle tests that include each competitor’s floor plan. Communication with the writing scribe is now
very important, as the scribe will ask the judge, “Do you accept?” when the rider executes a combination or a difficult transition. If the judge accepts the difficulty, then the scribe ticks the corresponding box on the test sheet.
editorial@usdf.org
The mark for degree of difficulty will appear on the judge’s computer. The judge has the option of moving this mark up or down by a maximum of 0.2 point. For spectators. So what brings the audience into the fold? First, the TV commentator also has the floor plan—so he’d be able to say, “Here comes a difficult combination,” just as we’re accustomed to hearing when we watch figure-skating coverage. Skating audiences know that a triple combination is difficult, so eventually perhaps the general public will know that flying changes on a curved line are difficult! Two optional add-ons to the Freestyle Scoring Suite have the potential to further enhance the spectator experience. The first is live scores and results, which spectators already enjoy at many dressage competitions. The second is an app called Spectator Judging, which allows spectators to “score” tests in real time in one of three modes—movement by movement, in a simplified manner, or as one final score at the end
The Freestyle Evolution: Learn More
22 July/August 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
COURTESY OF DANIEL GÖHLEN
T
o learn more about the Freestyle Scoring Suite and its components, visit software developer Daniel Göhlen’s website at BlackHorse88.com/projects. The FEI has published a manual, “The New Degree of Difficulty (DoD) Freestyle Judging System,” on its website. The “Freestyle Creator Manual,” as the document has been dubbed, contains detailed instructions on how to use Floorplan Creator as well as screen shots from the application. View or download the manual at dressagefreestyle. fei.org/data/pdf/Creator-Manual. pdf. (To access the actual floorplan input system, the user must be given an FEI account by his or her national federation.)
of the ride—and then compare their marks to those of the actual judges. This new feature is proving popular with spectators, who are finding it fun, exciting, and educational.
A Promising System The Freestyle Scoring Suite is in an optional testing phase. It made its debut at the International Omaha in Nebraska in May, which was the test event for the 2017 FEI World Cup Dressage and Jumping Finals. Training sessions on the new system were held for the scribes, judges (I was a member of the ground jury), and riders. Going forward, use of the system will be mandatory only in Europe, and only at CDI-Ws. Other events may apply to use it, as well. After the 2016-2017 FEI World Cup season, the system will be adjusted as necessary. More experience is needed for all of us to feel at ease with this system, but I think it shows great potential. From the various test events that have been held, riders, judges, and trainers all
seem to be on board with the Freestyle Scoring Suite. I am excited to see how it can be developed and used to draw more spectators to our sport. The sport of dressage knows that it needs to be more transparent, and with this system open scoring could also be used, as the existence of a floor plan means that there is a “test” that can be followed. Another benefit is that the riders seem more comfortable knowing what score they can achieve for degree of difficulty if everything goes well. ▲
Janet Foy, of Colorado Springs, CO, is an FEI 4* dressage judge, a USEF “S” dressage judge, and a USEF “R” sport-horse breeding judge. She is a USDF L Education Program faculty member; a USEF Dressage Committee member; and a member of the USDF Judges and L Program Committees. She is the author of Dressage for the Not-So-Perfect Horse and Dressage Questions and Answers. Thanks to Daniel Göhlen for his assistance with this article.
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www.dehner.com USDF CONNECTION • July/August 2016
23
American Dressage Legends: Maj. Robert Borg From cavalryman to Olympic silver medalist to remarkable survivor By Kim Sodt
B
orn in the Philippines in 1913, Robert Borg started life on a plantation. His father, the plantation manager, served in the Spanish cavalry.
1932 Olympic dressage competition in Los Angeles, Borg, now 19, watched team and individual bronze medalist Col. Hiram Tuttle and the other riders
DASHING: Maj. Robert Borg and the US Army Olympic team mount Reno Overdo show off their extended trot in an undated photo
When Borg was a young boy, his family moved to the US, settling on a ranch in Oregon. There he played real-life games of “cowboys and Indians,” rounding up wild horses aided by residents of the nearby Warm Springs Indian Reservation. The boy’s interest in horses was kindled, and soon he began breaking and training. Unable to purchase a ticket to the
warm up their mounts. Afterward he began searching out books on dressage and teaching his own horse the movements. Eight years later, Tuttle gave a Grand Prix-level dressage exhibition in Oregon as part of a tour. Borg was in the audience and approached the Olympian after the show, inviting him to visit his family’s farm to evaluate
24 July/August 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
editorial@usdf.org
his horse and his riding. Tuttle accepted and was reportedly surprised at the pair’s advanced level. The two men became friends, and Tuttle encouraged Borg to pursue his dream of becoming a cavalry equitation instructor. When World War II broke out, Borg enlisted in the Army. He holds the distinction of being the last enlisted man ever assigned to the mounted US cavalry. In 1943, he was assigned to Fort Riley in Kansas as a horsemanship instructor. He went on to serve in New Guinea and to command the last active horse troop in the European theater, patrolling the Russian border. After the war, then-Lieutenant Borg was assigned to train horses and riders for the 1948 Olympics in London. The US team captured our nation’s first-ever Olympic silver medal in dressage, and Borg himself placed fourth individually riding his chestnut, Klingsor. The 1948 squad was the last US Army Olympic team, and its silver medal remains the highest-ever placing of a US Olympic dressage team. Two years later, Borg, now a major, was back at Fort Riley, training dressage and eventing horses and riders for the newly formed United States Equestrian Team. He coached the US competitors at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics and again competed himself, placing sixth individually with his horse Bill Biddle, who was later named to The Chronicle of the Horse’s Equine Hall of Fame. The US three-day eventing team won bronze at that Games. At the 1955 Pan American Games, Borg rode Bill Biddle to an individual dressage silver medal and coached student Walter Staley to an individual gold medal in eventing. At the 1956 Olympic Games in Stockholm, Borg once again coached the US team and rode Bill Biddle in the dressage competition. He remains perhaps the only equestrian in history who has both coached and ridden on the same Olympic team. Besides Tuttle, Borg cited the German master Otto Loerke—trainer of Kronos, the 1936 Olympic dressage gold medalist—as his other major
USDF ARCHIVE
historical connection
DRESSAGE & CT PHOTO
INGENUITY: Determined to continue training horses even after an accident left him without the use of his legs, Borg devised a rotating platform he called his “round table.” He demonstrated inhand work for a 1973 Dressage & CT article.
influence in dressage. As he recounted in the February 1973 Dressage & CT interview “Inside the Black Top Hat,” he met Loerke in 1948 during a pre-Olympic Games training trip. At the famed Westfalen breeding farm Gestüt Vornholz, “I had the good fortune to meet and work with a man whom I considered to be a very good, strong, and capable trainer—probably one of the very best.” Borg called Loerke “not exactly the most popular man. He was very serious and severe in his training methods; that is, he did not have a lot of patience with the rider. Naturally, Loerke did not have very many pupils. But that wasn’t his objective. His objective was to train horses, and that he did very, very well.” But “he was very kind and nice to me, and he helped me a great deal. We enjoyed our relationship fully.” After a riding accident in 1959 that left him without the use of his legs, Borg was told that he would not ride again. Undeterred, he returned to his Red Bob Farm in Oxford, MI, where he devised a platform with rails that enabled him to swing onto a horse’s back using his upper-body strength. When riding was no longer possible, Borg once again set out to devise a way to continue to train horses. He
Editor’s note: This is a slightly adapted version of an article that originally appeared in the December 2006 issue of USDF Connection. Podcast Alert
PODCAST
designed a rotating circular platform from which he could work horses in hand. Installed in his “round table,” Borg went on to train more than 600 horses at Red Bob Farm. He continued to teach and train until his death in 2005 at the age of 91. In 1999, Major Borg was one of the inaugural recipients of the American Horse Shows Association’s (now USEF) Pegasus Medal of Honor. He was inducted into the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame in 2003. ▲
Check out podcast 123 for more on Maj. Robert Borg at usdf.podbean.com.
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USDF CONNECTION • July/August 2016
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all-breeds connection
editorial@usdf.org
Breed of the Month: Shagya-Arabian This rare breed excels in dressage and as a sport horse spections (most recently in May) of prospective breeding stock in three locations in North America. After submission of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) and DNA test results, mares and stallions are formally inspected by two European judges who are recognized by the International Shagya-Arabian Society. The horses are examined by a licensed veterinarian and presented in hand on the triangle and at liberty. They also must complete three performance tests: under saddle (ridability), freejumping, and an “interior test” that displays their character and temperament in unusual situations. Upon successful completion of the inspection, the mare or stallion is registered with the PShR. This is the first step in qualifying as breeding stock. A second and very important step is participation in recognized competition: The horse must demonstrate its athletic ability in
RARE GEM: The five-year-old Shagya-Arabian gelding Royce (by *KS Rubin) and dressage trainer Andrea Montgomery in Norco, CA
a discipline such as dressage, eventing, endurance, or combined driving. For example, in dressage, the horse must receive a USDF All-Breeds Award at First Level. All-Breeds awards offered: Through third place in the open and adult-amateur categories. How to participate: The horse must be registered with the PShR, and the owner and rider must be current PShR members. Learn more: performanceshagya registry.org or (920) 893-8706. ▲
For the Breeds, by the Breeds
E
ach month, “All-Breeds Connection” spotlights a USDF All-Breeds awards program participating organization and the breed it represents. Information and photos that appear in this column are furnished by the breed registries. USDF does not endorse or promote any breed or registry over another. The All-Breeds program is designed to recognize the accomplishments of specific breeds in dressage. All participating organizations offer “open” year-end awards from Training Level through Grand Prix, and some offer awards in additional categories, such as adult amateur, junior/ young rider, and dressage sport-horse breeding. Registry representatives are usually on hand to help bestow awards at the banquet held during each year’s USDF convention. All-Breeds award eligibility requirements include memberships and horse registrations with both USDF and the participating organization. For details and a list of current participating organizations, visit usdf.org. For more information about All-Breeds awards program participation, send e-mail to allbreeds@usdf.org.
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COURTESY OF THE PERFORMANCE SHAGYA-ARABIAN REGISTRY
T
he Shagya-Arabian horse should not be confused with the purebred Arabian. Although the name indicates a heavy influence of Arabians on the breed, the Shagya-Arabian is a distinct breed with a separate breed registry. The Shagya-Arabian is a rare but versatile breed—the US is home to fewer than 200—that is equally at home in dressage, eventing, jumping, hunting, endurance, harness, and pleasure riding. Ideally, the Shagya‐ Arabian should have the appearance of a beautiful, elegant, and harmonious riding horse. He should be alert, sensitive, and confident under saddle, with an eagerness to please and a willingness to learn. At all times, he should be trusting, good-natured, and manageable when something unexpected happens. These characteristics make the Shagya-Arabian a perfect match for all levels of riders, from small children to professional trainers. Shagya-Arabians you might know: *KS Rubin (Paris – Rasga, Gazal I) is a descendant of many generations of “elite” or champion ShagyaArabian stallions and mares. At the age of five, he earned a conformation score of 9.5 and an in-hand stallion championship from judge Maj. Gen. Jonathan Burton. He went on to a successful endurance career and is now a successful breeding stallion. *KS Rubin’s son Royce (pictured) is competing in the FEI Five-Year-Old dressage Young Horse classes this year. The Performance ShagyaArabian Registry: The PShR was formed in 2008 because its members saw a need for an organization that recognizes the importance of performance testing as a significant part of breeding-stock evaluation. The PShR holds biannual in-
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USDF CONNECTION • July/August 2016
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clinic
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EXCLUSIVE TRAINING SERIES
Refine Your Riding Part 2 of our series on developing sophistication of the aids. This issue: Learn correct timing with the “kindergarten exercises.” By George Williams with Sue Weakley
L
ast month, in the first article in this series, I introduced you to the concept that the aids—primarily the rider’s legs, seat, and hands—actually become a type of language that horse and rider can both learn to share and understand. Just as our communi-
cation skills expand and become more sophisticated as we grow and learn, the aids become more sophisticated and refined as horse and rider progress in their dressage training. This month, let’s build on the basic shared “vocabulary” you and your horse have established in the form of the basic aids. Just as in learning any new language, exercises to practice your skills are vital to comprehension and mastery.
Kindergarten Class
TIMING AID: I teach all my students the “kindergarten exercises” as I was taught them by my mentor, Karl Mikolka. Here I’m practicing exercise #2 by squeezing the fingers of my outside hand at every other sitting moment of the rising trot aboard Sir Velo, a 10-year-old Westfalen gelding owned by Melissa Mulchahey.
Rhythmically applied aids help the horse to relax. Depending on the rider’s skill level, they can also help the rider to find the correct timing of the aids. I have a series of nine exercises I call the “kindergarten exercises” that I use to help riders learn the timing of the aids. A former principal rider of the Spanish Riding School, Karl Mikolka, taught me these exercises. They will help you and your horse increase your “vocabulary” and to respond to the leg and rein aids in an increasingly sophisticated manner. Exercises to improve rhythm. The first six exercises I’ll give you will help to relax your horse so that he accepts the rein and leg aids. They alternate inside and outside aids to create a “web of aids” around your horse to help him balance and stay relaxed. Do them in rising trot on the correct (outside) diagonal on a 20-meter circle. If your horse knows how to lunge, you can also do them on the lunge line as part of a seat lesson. Do each exercise in each direction, and give your horse a short break between each exercise.
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Exercise 1: Rhythmically close the fingers of your inside hand onto the rein every other sitting moment of the rising trot. The timing goes like this: Rise / sit and squeeze / rise / sit without squeezing. In other words, over 12 strides, you’ll do this six times. To give you a feeling of the rhythm and timing, each time you sit and close your fingers on the rein, say aloud one word of a simple six-word phrase. I like “Horse. Here. Is. My. Inside. Hand” because it reinforces the purpose of the exercise. Every time you sit and squeeze, you are asking your horse to accept the rein aid—to soften his jaw, flex at the poll, and bend his neck slightly to the inside. Exercise 2: This is the mirror image of exercise 1. Instead of closing your inside fingers every other sitting moment of the rising trot, you’re going to squeeze the fingers of your outside hand on every other sitting moment. On those six beats, say, “Horse. Here. Is. My. Outside. Hand.” The objective is for your horse to soften and relax in the poll and yield from back to front, not to bend to the outside.
Three Key Concepts
I
n part 1 of this series, I introduced you to three concepts that are important for a rider at any level to learn about applying the aids. Let’s review them here. 1. Developing relaxation. If you touch the rein with your hand or your horse’s side with your leg, he needs to accept that pressure and relax. 2. Creating a correct response. The horse accepts the aids and yields to the aids according to how they are used. 3. The ultimate question: Did the aid have the desired effect? If it did, then that’s proof that the aid worked. You and your horse are “speaking the same language.”
CLOSING THE FINGERS: Squeeze your fingers around the rein as if you were wringing water from a sponge
FIRST KINDERGARTEN EXERCISE: At every other sitting moment of the rising trot, I’m closing my inside hand around the rein
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INSIDE HAND AND INSIDE CALF: Every other stride, Noel Williams practices closing her inside fingers and inside calf at the sitting moment of the trot aboard Caprice, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Robert Stark
CALF CLOSE-UP: My hand indicates the place on the rider’s leg that gives the calf aid. The heel and the spur do not contact the horse.
Exercise 3: In the same every-other-stride rhythm of the previous exercises, softly close the fingers of your inside hand and close just your inside calf (not your entire leg) at the same sitting moment. Keep your leg long and resist drawing your leg upward. This time, say: “Horse. Re. lax. Your. Rib. Cage” (or Bel-ly or Stom-ach.). Exercise 4: At every other sitting moment, close the fingers of your outside hand and close your outside knee against the saddle while you say rhythmically, “Horse. Here. Is. My. Outside. Knee.” Or you can use the desired response as your phrase: “Horse. Re. lax. Your. Shoul. ders.” Exercise 5: Close your inside fingers and your inside knee at every other sitting moment. Try saying, “Horse. Here. Is. My. Inside. Knee.” This exercise will help you to learn to control your horse’s shoulders. Exercise 6: Close your outside hand and your outside calf on every
other sitting moment with the words, “Horse. Re. lax. Your. Stom. ach.” You are trying to influence your horse’s rib cage. He may become a little rounder or slow down. Now, give your horse the stretch test to confirm his willingness to seek the bit. Every other time you sit, give your inside rein and encourage him to stretch into the outside rein. Say, “Horse. Stretch. Into. The. Outside. Rein.” Then do the same with the outside rein. Exercises for developing correct responses. Throughout these exercises, you and your horse have established a clear rhythm in rising trot to apply the aids. Your horse should be relaxed and acknowledge the aids. Now it’s time to use the next four exercises to ask for a level of obedience and for him to give the correct response to your aids. Exercise 7: On a 20-meter circle, deliberately post on the wrong di-
30 July/August 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
agonal (so that you are sitting when your horse’s inside shoulder is back). By posting on the wrong diagonal, you are able to close your leg at the moment your horse’s inside hind leg is off the ground—the moment you are best able to influence it. The goal is to influence the flight pattern of the inside hind leg when it is in the air, encouraging it to step further under the horse’s body in the direction of the outside front hoofprint. To accomplish this, over a period of three strides, close your inside upper calf at each stride in rhythm with when you sit so that your horse leg-yields out on the open part of the circle fairly equally with his forehand and his haunches, with his forehand leading slightly. As you use your calf three times over three strides at every sitting moment, say, “Enlarge. Two. Three.” Ask him to move out only as far as you determine—say, a horse’s width or the width of a hoofprint. Limit this exercise to three strides per effort so that your horse doesn’t begin to drift through the outside aids. Exercise 8: Your horse also needs to respond correctly to your rein aids. Start by going back to exercise 1 and post on the wrong diagonal because it is easiest for the horse to bend when his inside shoulder is back. Subtly apply the inside rein aid rhythmically by closing the fingers of your inside hand every other sitting moment of the rising trot. Ask for three different degrees of inside flexion. First, ask your horse to look a bit to the inside by increasing the closing of your inside fingers on the rein. Second, ask him to look a little more to the inside; third, still a little more to the inside. If you were tracking to the left, you could say, “Left. More. Most.” Take care not to crank or pull. Exercise 9: Ask your horse to yield to your leading rein on the outside by teaching him to follow it by moving his shoulders out slightly. To do this, move your outside hand out and away from his withers as if you were going to place your hand over your knee— but don’t go that far. As you did in
OUTSIDE HAND, OUTSIDE KNEE: Noel demonstrates the fourth “kindergarten exercise” by closing her outside fingers and outside knee at every other sitting moment of the trot
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TIMING AID: You’re best able to influence your horse’s inside hind leg when it’s in the air. When you post on the incorrect (inside) diagonal at the trot, as Noel is doing here, your lower leg automatically closes at the correct moment.
exercise 8, post on the wrong diagonal and apply the aid at the sitting moment of the rising trot. The goal is to “catch” the outside front leg while it is in the air, influencing its flight pattern through a slight opening rein and leading the shoulders out onto a larger circle. Again, apply the aid in a graduating manner so that you open the rein slightly and lead the shoulder out in a “Lead. More. Most” fashion. Don’t exaggerate; keep in mind that these correct-response exercises are subtle. Exercise 10: Once again, post on the wrong diagonal and apply the aid at the sitting moment of the rising trot. In this exercise, you will begin to establish the primitive basics of a half-halt. In rhythm with when you sit, over a period of two strides, close the fingers of your outside hand in a directly-back manner and ask your horse to “Slow. Down.” These exercises can be done every
time you sit, as I’ve described. You and your horse may feel more organized if you give yourselves a stride in between the application of the aids—in other words, at every other stride. All of these exercises can be done in the sitting trot, as well. You will recognize when your horse’s inside hind leg is in the air by feeling for the moment when your inside knee drops down.
OPENING REIN: A slight opening outside rein, like the one Noel is demonstrating here, helps to teach the horse to yield by moving his shoulders slightly to the outside
expressive gaits. Through these exercises, you can learn to create a rhythmic web of aids around your horse. Congratulations! You have taken your human thoughts and communicated them to your horse in his language. ▲ In the next issue: Developing sophistication of the aids, including the concepts of “in front of the aids” and “in front of the leg.”
The Desired Effect These “kindergarten” or basic exercises should promote relaxation and help to develop a supple, elastic contact— which is synonymous with being on the bit. After your horse is relaxed, with a soft jaw, neck, rib cage, and back, you will be better able to get a correct response from your aids. Ultimately, you will be able to apply an aid to achieve the desired effect, whether it be engagement, self-carriage, or more
32 July/August 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Sue Weakley is a freelance writer, marketing professional, and self-avowed dressage geek. After teaching journalism and integrated marketing communications at the university level, she decided to meld dressage and writing into her dream job. She and her Lusitano, Universo do Bosque, are doing their best not to annoy each other as they strive toward half-halt perfection.
Meet the Expert
G
eorge Williams needs little introduction to the USDF membership, having served as the Federation’s president since 2009. He is a veteran international competitor with many Grand Prix-level wins and championships, including representing the US at the CHIO Aachen (winning team bronze) and at the FEI World Cup Dressage Final in 2003 with the famous mare Rocher. At 18, the native of New Hampshire traveled to Germany to study at the Reitinstitut von Neindorff, where he earned his German Bronze Rider Medal. On his return to the States, he began working with legendary Spanish Riding School alumnus Karl Mikolka. Later he apprenticed under Mikolka at the Tempel Lipizzans and eventually became director of Tempel’s equine program. Since the 2000s, Williams, his wife, Roberta, and their daughter, Noel, have operated Williams Dressage LLC and have been based at several prestigious dressage facilities in the Midwest and Florida. They currently divide their time between Ravenna, OH, and Wellington, FL. Besides serving as USDF president, George Williams is the United States Equestrian Federation’s national dressage youth coach. He is also a member of the USEF Dressage and High Performance Dressage Committees, and chair of the USEF High Performance Eligible Athletes Committee.
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USDF Dressage in the Bluegrass
Nov. 10-13, 2016 Kentucky Horse Park Compete in a national, head-to-head championship and level five competition, offering more than $60,000 in prize money. Training Level through Grand Prix; adult amateur and open divisions
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Four Important Steps and Deadlines 1. Declare - Complete a Declaration of Intent for each level and division for which the horse/rider combination may qualify.
2. Qualify at one of the Great American/USDF Regional Championships. 3. Nominate - Each US Dressage Finals horse/rider combination is required to complete the nomination (preliminary entry) process.
4. Enter US Dressage Finals Deadlines Regional Championship
Declaration
Nomination
1
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Thursday, September 22, 2016
2
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Thursday, September 29, 2016
3
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Thursday, October 20, 2016
4
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Thursday, September 15, 2016
5
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Thursday, September 22, 2016
6
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Thursday, September 29, 2016
7
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Thursday, October 6, 2016
8
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Thursday, September 29, 2016
9
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Thursday, October 13, 2016
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Physical Fitness for Dressage Horses
cage between the forelimbs. The sling muscles stabilize the position of the rib cage and elevate the withers to maintain the horse’s “uphill” balance that we desire in dressage.
Best strategies for increasing performance and avoiding injuries
Conditioning Principles
By Hilary Clayton, BVMS, PhD, Diplomate ACVSMR, MRCVS
A
s dressage riders and trainers, we are responsible for ensuring that our horses are fit enough for the job we ask them to do. Through a combination of cardiovascular conditioning and strength training, we induce physiological and
fitness, the level at which he competes, the weaknesses in his performance, and the local terrain; and are modified accordingly to accommodate any injuries. Ideally, conditioning exercises should be integrated into the horse’s regular training schedule. In this article, I’ll explain the various types of conditioning and give you a blueprint for creating a fitness plan for your horse.
Types of Conditioning
PUMP IT UP: Horses need fitness training, too
structural adaptations in the horse’s body. These adaptations have the dual benefits of allowing the horse to perform to the best of his ability while reducing the risk of injury or lameness. The best results are obtained when conditioning workouts are tailored to the individual horse’s age and current
Cardiovascular conditioning facilitates the horse’s ability to convert the carbohydrates and fats in his diet into the energy his body uses for locomotion. Cardiovascular fitness allows the horse to perform his work more easily and without getting fatigued. It also enhances his ability to dissipate heat and avoid overheating during longer bouts of exercise in hot and/or humid weather. Strength training targets the muscles that allow the horse to perform the gaits and movements of dressage with increasing impulsion, straightness, and collection. The horse’s core musculature (his abdominal, sublumbar, and back muscles) act together to maintain roundness and to lighten the forehand. The pelvic stabilizers (gluteals and hamstrings) are responsible for stabilizing the hip and pelvis so that propulsive forces from the hind limbs can be transferred effectively to the rest of the horse’s body. These muscles also need strength to maintain balance in movements that are performed without forward movement, such as piaffe and pirouettes. The muscles of the thoracic sling—principally the serratus ventralis—suspend the rib
36 July/August 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Performing an appropriate type and amount of exercise that will produce tangible benefits in performance is known as conditioning. The general principles of conditioning dictate that only a small amount of a new type of exercise is performed at first, with the amount being increased gradually over a period of weeks and months until the horse achieves an appropriate level of fitness or strength. The tissues need time to regenerate after a workout, so we should train different exercises or focus on different parts of the horse’s body on successive days. Most important, the training schedule should include easy days and rest days to reduce the risk of repetitive-strain injuries, such as pulled suspensories. Much of the conditioning work can be integrated into the regular training program, but sometimes it is beneficial to go outside the arena in order to focus on a specific aspect of fitness development. A well-conditioned horse will cope easily with the physical demands of training and competition. Bear in mind, though, that conditions at a show may be more taxing than at home as the result of inclement weather, footing, or working the horse more often than usual if he competes in more than one class per day or needs a longer warm-up to allow him to settle and relax. Combine these with the almost constant noise and activity of a show grounds, and it’s not surprising that horses get tired. Getting your horse a little fitter than the minimal required for his level of competition will help him to compensate for other energy-sapping circumstances. Each step up the competition ladder requires a greater degree of strength and fitness, so the horse’s level of training and degree of fitness should advance together.
ILLUSTRATION BY PAUL CORIO
horse-health connection
Cardiovascular Fitness Horses—especially the hot-blooded breeds, such as Arabians and Thoroughbreds—can improve their cardiovascular fitness quickly and easily. An off-the-track Thoroughbred that’s already highly fit from race training is unlikely to need additional cardiovascular conditioning in his new occupation as a dressage horse. On the other hand, a phlegmatic warmblood may perk up and become more “forwardthinking” as he gets fitter and copes with the workload more easily. Pay attention to changes in your horse’s temperament as he gets fitter, and avoid getting him overfit if this makes him too fresh or naughty. In order to improve cardiovascular fitness, the horse needs to work at an elevated heart rate, which can be achieved by riding at faster speed, riding on an uphill gradient, riding with more impulsion, or including more frequent transitions. Speed is a major determinant of exercise intensity: The faster a horse travels on level ground, the more energy he expends and the higher his heart rate. In the arena, improve fitness by spending more time in medium and extended trot and canter. However, the necessity to keep turning is a limitation to arena work, and it is preferable to use a larger area, such as a pasture, where you can ride safely at faster speeds without having to make frequent turns. Hill work is the best way of improving a horse’s cardiovascular fitness because the effects of gravity load the hind limbs so the propulsive muscles are strengthened while simultaneously unloading and reducing concussion on the forelimbs. The ideal hill for this purpose has a long, gradual incline that can be negotiated at trot or canter, then slowly walked down. Ascending the hill at a faster speed or performing more repetitions produces fitness gains. You can do hill work before or after a schooling session if the hill is close to your arena, or you can devote an entire training session to hill work.
When the horse changes speed or direction, overcoming the body’s inertia requires energy, so every transition increases energy expenditure. Therefore, frequent transitions improve our horses’ fitness as well as our technical skills in dressage! As horses move up the levels, the number and difficulty of the transitions in the tests increases, so incorporating more transitions into your training sessions is a highly specific method of improving fitness. Interval training involves short periods of exercise (works) punctuated by rest intervals. A series of alternating works and rest intervals is called a set, and successive sets are separated
Muscular strength is often the missing link when a horse is unable to progress successfully to Grand Prix. —Dr. Hilary Clayton
by longer set rests. The rest intervals allow the horse to recover somewhat between work periods, to reduce the risk of muscular fatigue or fatiguerelated injury. Much of our dressage arena work uses an interval-training format. For example, we work on improving a movement, then take a walk break. In the context of conditioning, an exercise that involves rapid acceleration from walk or halt to medium trot or canter followed by a downward transition to walk becomes an interval-training exercise if the transitions are repeated several times in quick succession. (This particular exercise can be beneficial for sharpening the responses of a horse that’s sluggish off the aids, but it might be less appropriate for an excitable “hot” horse, so use it with care.)
Strength Training Strength training improves muscles’ strength, power, or endurance. Although some dressage horses succeed
despite the fact that they don’t do strength training, many others fail to reach the pinnacle of success because they lack sufficient strength. Muscular strength is necessary not only to enhance performance, but also to reduce injuries by stabilizing the joints more effectively. Don’t underestimate the importance of joint stability: In human athletes, it has been suggested that more than half of sports injuries could be prevented through appropriate strength training. The same is likely true for sport horses. Strength training should be sport-specific. In dressage horses, this means focusing on developing endurance of the muscles responsible for self-carriage and collection. It is important to train these muscles precisely as they will be used during the dressage movements—meaning at the same joint angles, though the same range of joint motion, and at the same speed of muscle contraction. In other words, use of the dressage movements is entirely appropriate for strength training, but the number of repetitions has to be sufficient to stimulate muscular adaptation. The need to strengthen the muscles in the precise way that they are used in the movements explains why there are no shortcuts in preparing a Grand Prix horse: It is only as the horse learns the technical aspects of performing at a higher level that the muscles can be strengthened specifically to improve performance at that level. Muscle strength must increase progressively as the horse moves up the levels. When a horse graduates from the small tour (FEI Prix St. Georges and Intermediate I), the need for muscular strength increases dramatically, and this is often the missing link when a horse is unable to progress successfully to the Grand Prix level. The type of strength required for dressage is highly specific. Our sport does not require explosive bursts of activity, as in taking off over a jump or accelerating out of the starting gate.
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Instead, dressage calls for repeated submaximal muscular contractions, which requires the development of endurance in specific muscles. Appropriate strength training involves a large number of repetitions in which the muscles are used precisely as they are in the dressage movements, with progressive loading achieved by increasing the number of repetitions. Include strength-training exercises in your training program two or three times per week.
YOUR HORSE’S BEST WORKOUT BUDDY: Hill work is an optimal way to develop cardiovascular fitness and muscular strength. Steeper slopes like the one pictured are best negotiated at a walk or a canter. Walk down, being sure to keep your horse straight.
Since horses can’t lift weights or use resistance machines, we rely on core-training exercises, hill work, and the use of poles or cavaletti. In the early stages of breaking and training, we can use carrot stretches to activate a horse’s core muscles. Although these exercises are called “stretches,” their main benefit is to strengthen the ab-
dominal, sublumbar, and back muscles that are responsible for postural control, as well as to enhance the stabilization and range of motion of the horse’s back and neck. The horse learns to perform these exercises while standing square on a level surface; after he becomes proficient in the techniques, the degree of difficulty can be increased by having him stand with his legs in different positions or on an unstable surface or with one leg raised. Stimulated movements, in which manual pressure is used to induce the horse to use his core muscles to round or bend his back, are a progression from carrot stretches. All of these coreactivating exercises are best done immediately prior to tacking up in order to activate the muscles and make them ready for the workout that follows. (For more on these exercises, see my book and DVD with co-author Dr. Narelle Stubbs, Activate Your Horse’s Core.) Dressage movements can be used in an interval-training format to improve strength by performing a specific number of repetitions followed by a rest interval. An important prerequisite to using this type of strength training is that the horse must be able to do the movement correctly and in good form; if the movement is performed incorrectly or if fatigue develops, then the wrong muscles are trained. Here’s a sample exercise to try. On a 20-meter circle, ride transitions between trot and canter every half a circle until you’ve completed four circles (eight transitions, or “repetitions,” = one set); then walk on a long rein for 20 seconds. Repeat the exercise/walk interval on the opposite rein. Over a period of time, you can increase the workload by performing the transitions more frequently (every quarter of a circle), by doing more repetitions (10 transitions per set, then 12 transitions per set), or by performing more sets (an additional set of circles with transitions on each rein). A more advanced dressage horse might be able to do this upper-level interval-training exercise: Ride eight
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half-steps, then trot forward for 20 meters (half-steps + trot = one repetition). In week 1, you might do three repetitions for one set, repeating the sequence on alternating days. In week 2, do three reps of 10 half-steps. In week 3, maintain 10 half-steps per repetition but increase to four repetitions per set. In week 4, do 10 half-steps per repetition and three repetitions per set, but increase to two sets separated by five minutes of easy forward movement. The above examples are suggestions, not hard-and-fast rules, meant to illustrate how the amount of work can be increased slowly and progressively over time to improve the horse’s strength. Keep your horse moving during rest intervals to maintain circulation to the muscles and to enhance the removal of lactic acid. Be disciplined about the number of repetitions and sets and the frequency with which the exercises are performed in order to reap the maximum benefit. Hill work is invaluable for strengthening the muscles that transmit forces between the foreand hind limbs and the body. Steep uphill gradients develop power in the hindquarters, especially the gluteal and hamstring muscles. I prefer to ride steep uphill slopes at a walk or a canter rather than at a trot because these gaits encourage the horse to step forward under his body and to push hard against the ground, which maximize the beneficial muscular effects. They also avoid the lateral rolling motion of the pelvis that occurs in trot and that can potentially strain the sacroiliac region. Hill work also is a form of interval training: The ascent is the work, and the descent is the rest interval. The descent also offers a valuable strengthening opportunity. When a horse walks down a hill in self-carriage, he strengthens his sling muscles. Frequent transitions between walk, halt, and rein back are particularly effective. The key is that the horse must not lean on the rider’s hand. He should carry himself; take short,
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COURTESY OF DR. HILARY CLAYTON
H
ilary Clayton, BVMS, PhD, Diplomate ACVSMR, MRCVS, is the professor and Mary Anne McPhail Dressage Chair emerita. She was the first-ever Mary Anne McPhail Dressage Chair in Equine Sports Medicine at Michigan State Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s College of Veterinary Medicine, East Lansing, from 1997 to 2014. At the same time, she was also a professor in MSUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences. A world-renowned expert on equine biomechanics and conditioning, Dr. Clayton is president of Sport Horse Science, LC, which is dedicated to translating research data into practical advice for riders, trainers, and veterinarians through lectures, articles, and private consultations. A USDF gold, silver, and bronze medalist, she is a member of the US Equestrian Federation Dressage Committee and a USDF Connection contributing editor.
Lipizzan photo by John Borys
The Legend in Your Future
Use Variation and Rest for Best Results Insufficient exercise wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get your horse fit and strong enough for dressage, but too much exercise or not enough recovery time between workouts predisposes the horse to repetitive-strain injuries. Minimize the risk of injury by doing different types of exercise on successive days, and schedule easy days between strenuous workouts. Always warm up gradually, and be sure to â&#x20AC;&#x153;warm downâ&#x20AC;? thoroughly, including suppling exercises to stretch the muscles. â&#x2013;˛
photo by FastWinn Photography
Meet the Expert
Variables in the construction of a jumping grid include the height, width, and number of fences, and the distances between them. For dressage horses, it is appropriate to use small fences set at one-stride or bounce distances as a form of plyometric training. Gradually increase the difficulty by increasing the number of fences or the number of repetitions through the grid while maintaining the small obstacle size.
Pluto VI Andorella photo by John Borys orys
deliberate steps; and use his muscles to control every step of the descent. Make sure that your horse is straight both going up and coming down the hill; otherwise heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll adopt his habitual crookedness patterns, which will interfere with the development of symmetrically strong muscles. Work over poles, at all gaits and on straight or curved lines, strengthens the muscles that raise the limbs and make the stride more expressive, activates the core musculature, and improves balance. Raising the height of the poles increases the strength-training effect, whereas going through the poles more slowly enhances balance.
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USDF CONNECTION â&#x20AC;˘ July/August 2016
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Fitness and the Para-Equestrian Four elite para-dressage riders share their challenges—and their workouts BY AMBER HEINTZBERGER PHOTOGRAPHS BY LINDSAY Y. MCCALL
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itness is key to any rider’s success in the saddle, but it is particularly relevant to para-equestrian dressage riders, for whom physical limitations may be extreme. Many para-dressage riders work out regularly with fitness trainers, often in combination with physical therapy, occupational therapy, or both. Riding itself is a form of exercise and therapy, of course, but additional fitness work helps these elite competitors perform at their best. In this article, four para-dressage competitors explain how fitness work has helped them to reach the high-performance level of their sport.
My Fitness Regimen: Rebecca Hart
FITNESS IS FUN! Champion para-dressage rider Rebecca Hart enjoys a light moment during a workout at her Florida base, Cherry Knoll Farm in Wellington. For a look at Hart’s fitness moves, see page 43.
Until she relocated to Florida at the end of 2015, five-time US national para-dressage champion Rebecca Hart, 31, worked out three times a week with trainer Sarah Price at Mitch’s Market Street Gym in West Chester, PA. Now Hart trains at a private studio with fitness pro Krysten Lytle and also does physical therapy to help her balance and strength for standing. Hart’s disability is due to birth-onset hereditary spastic paraplegia, a degenerative disease that causes muscle wasting and paralysis. The progression of the disease cannot be arrested, but Hart has found that the best way to keep her symptoms at bay is to stay as fit as possible. “Working out with someone else holds you to it,” Hart says. “It keeps you on the straight and narrow. I have control of some muscles but not others, and my body wants to overcompensate with the ones that do work. It’s important that [my trainer] help me keep my leg in a position that I can’t hold and work the muscles I don’t have control of, not just the ones that say, ‘Look, look, teacher, I can do it!’ Without an outside source, I can’t do that. “My upper leg and thigh have some control, but my lower leg is basically a dead zone,” Hart continues, explaining that she is beginning to lose control of the muscles from her waist down. “Trying to get the muscles to function isn’t effective, so I have to work on the muscles I do have control over. Anything like opening my hip angle up are the muscles I’m trying to hold on to, for riding and daily life. Riding is a good physical therapy for me, too; when you’re on a horse, the muscles, when the horse is walking, are like muscle memory for when you walk. You’re getting some manipulation just by riding, and in the gym we work on enhancing that.” Lytle, like most fitness pros, isn’t an equestrian herself, but she’s a good listener and has been a competitive athlete herself so she understands her high-performance client’s motivation and goals, Hart says. USDF CONNECTION
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WHY I TRAIN: Hart with her current para-equestrian dressage partner, Schroeter’s Romani
Hart works out on an elliptical trainer at home to help build endurance, but she finds the machine difficult to use, so for cardio work she spends a lot of time in the pool. “I’ll swim on my own to try to keep my endurance up; it doesn’t put any stress on my joints or ligaments the way working in the gym does. I can add to my endurance without putting pressure on my knees, which is important for me,” she says. Core strength is important to all athletes, and especially dressage riders, with our sport’s emphasis on the seat. “I pretty much do core exercises every day,” Hart says. “I do a lot of Pilates. I have a Bosu ball. I do crunches and V-sits, and plank and moderated side plank. Using the ball creates some instability, which I think is important for training to be on the back of a horse. I think Pilates has been the most beneficial to my riding, and adding weight training makes you overall more fit. Being able to breathe and maintain positive tension in my body has been huge.” Price, Hart’s former fitness trainer, also gave her client advice on nutrition. “It’s not about avoiding things at all costs,” Hart says. “I eat as clean as possible—go for vegetables and lean protein—but because I use so many calories just walking with a disability, I go for whole grains. I try not to eat past 7:00 p.m.
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and break it into small meals, and I always have a healthy snack with me because I get hungry.” Price taught Hart to plan ahead. “Who doesn’t like the chocolate bar? It’s better to have a banana with me.” One of Hart’s favorite exercises is the pelvic tilt, which she says helps a rider move with the horse. “It’s very simple: You lie on your back and focus mainly on muscle isolation and control, not just strength. You put your lower spine into the floor, then lift it off without popping your rib cage, still breathing. I’m still working on it personally, but it’s simple to do. When I’m sitting at work, I have an exercise ball instead of a desk chair, and you can do it while you’re sitting there, as well. It’s helped me a lot in my riding.” (There’s a reason Rebecca Hart is the USA’s top-ranked para-equestrian dressage competitor! See the next page for a look at her challenging workout regimen.) Building fitness can be challenging to anyone, but when the athlete has a physical disability, there may also be psychological hurdles to overcome, Hart says. “I get so focused on maintaining balance that I overcorrect and mess it up. If anybody touches me or I get off balance, I can’t hold it. I have to trust my body: It’s a mental connection, and I lose the ability to activate my muscles. If I can stay mentally relaxed, I have more control over my body.”
My Fitness Regimen: Sydney Collier Sydney Collier, 18, is a Grade Ib rider from Millbrook, NY. When she made the US para-dressage team for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (along with the veteran Hart) at just 16, she became the youngest equestrian to compete in Normandy. At age seven Collier was diagnosed with Wyburn-Mason syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. While undergoing brain surgery at age 11, she suffered a massive stroke and lost the use of her left side as well as the vision in her right eye and in most of her left eye. The stroke also left her with some issues with coordination in her right side. Collier has since suffered four more strokes, which have further challenged her left side and eventually rendered her left arm nonfunctioning. These setbacks notwithstanding, she was determined to ride. “I relearned how to ride with one hand and how to readjust my balance to the best of my ability, since when I had my stroke I lost my awareness of the left side of my body,” Collier explains. “I also had to find very special horses that could tune out muscle spasms and uncontrollable movements caused by my stroke. In a sense, when I ride a horse they feel like half a person is sitting on them. Can you imagine how strange this must feel? With my loss of vision,
Work out with Rebecca Hart!
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an you balance, plank, and crunch like five-time US national para-dressage champion and Paralympic Games and World Equestrian Games veteran Rebecca Hart? If not, then, um, what’s your excuse? Hart agreed to show us some of her favorite exercises for riding. Want to try them? Get a certified fitness trainer to show you how to bust these moves correctly.
The “bridge” requires a balance between core and glute/hamstring strength to keep the torso aligned without sagging or overarching the back.
Modified side plank with knees and lower legs on the ground. Side plank works the shoulders and the core, especially the obliques.
“Superman,” with core strongly engaged and arms and legs lifted off the mat, strengthens the upper back, hamstrings, and glutes.
Sitting on a Bosu (half-round) ball challenges Hart’s balance. Holding a ball, she twists her upper body from side to side to further test her balance and strengthen her core and oblique abdominal muscles. Because she has limited control over her lower legs, she’s tied them together with an exercise band to provide stability and limit any unwanted involuntary movements.
Overhead triceps extension with a single dumbbell. Hart must engage her core strongly to keep her lower back from arching during the movement.
Triceps dips using a three-step mounting block. A forearm plank (with elbows on the ground) is a core-strength challenge. Hart ups the ante by planking on the unstable surface of a Bosu ball. She’s doing a modified version with knees bent.
V-sit on a Bosu ball—a major core-strength and balance challenge.
USDF Connection thanks Margaret Duprey for allowing us to shoot on location at her Cherry Knoll Farm in Wellington, FL.
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DETERMINATION: Sydney Collier focuses in a test aboard Western Rose
I have had to learn how to count my horse’s footsteps to help determine where I am in the ring and during different movements. My [dressage] trainer, Wesley Dunham, is also crucial in helping me pick visual points to focus on, which are usually about three or four meters off of where a normally sighted rider would be looking.” Off the horse, Collier works with a physical therapist and a fitness trainer at Millbrook Orthopedic Physical Therapy (MOST) in Millbrook, NY. “They have been amazing and offered me a full sponsorship so that I could train every day and become as physically fit as possible for my goals and my horses,” she says. “They are incredible because they understand my physical disabilities but also appreciate my high goals and push me every day as an athlete. With this knowledge, they create a workout routine which is safe but very challenging and geared toward a high-performance athlete. They are also able to manage any issues that pop up physically in my body, such as increased tone, tremors, and so on, and treat them quickly so they don’t became a big problem as I push my body to work as best as possible.” Collier works out daily and rides two to three horses a day. Her busy schedule also includes time for online college classes. “I work three days a week with a trainer and two days on my own; we do a mix of cardio, strength training, and stretching.” Her favorite exercises are crunches and balance work on tippy boards. Echoing Hart, she says that “my
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core is one of my biggest focus areas, as this helps with my seat. Since only one of my legs works, for the horses a balanced seat is super important for me, and my hips are twisted from my stroke. If my core is strong, I am able to give a more even aid, which helps the horses understand more clearly what I am asking for, even if my left leg spasms.” Collier admits that maintaining healthful eating habits can be challenging when she’s on the road training and competing, but says she loves fruit and can usually find a salad to eat. Collier attributes a large part of her competitive paradressage success to her consistent fitness routine. “We owe it to our partners to be as fit as we expect them to be for us! Being a para rider, I ask even more of my horses by presenting them with a body that gives many signals, or lack of aids, that they have to decide to tune in and listen to, or ignore. The more fit I am, the better my body works and in turn the better partner I can be. One of the ways I can see this happening is my ability recently to ride in saddles that are not specially adapted to my body. This is exciting for me, as it shows how hard works definitely pays off!”
My Fitness Regimen: Roxanne Trunnell After contracting a mysterious virus at the age of 24 that left her barely able to sit up on her own, Roxanne Trunnell, of Rowlett, TX, had to revise her equestrian goals. A USDF
DREAM REDEFINED: After contracting a never-diagnosed illness, Roxanne Trunnell switched from aspiring dressage pro to para-equestrian dressage
bronze medalist who was on her way to her silver with dreams of becoming a dressage professional, Trunnell was suddenly introduced to the world of para-equestrian. A Grade Ia rider, she was a member of Team USA at the 2014 WEG. Trunnell, who is now 31, lost the coordination required to post the trot, so any trot work that she performs has to be done at the sitting trot. She can’t keep her heels down, so in order to keep her feet from falling out of the stirrups, she attaches the irons to her boots. She’s learned through trial and error that the bands will break if she falls. She also has a light tremor in her hands. “It’s very slight, but the horses can feel it, so to deal with this I ride with ReinAid inserts on the bridle,” she explains. “This creates a barrier between my slight tremor and the horse’s mouth so that the horse can feel a steady, inviting connection to the bit.” Trunnell works with both a physical therapist and an occupational therapist. “The physical therapy is used so that I can strengthen my core in order to provide stability to allow me to walk with a walker. The occupational therapy is used to fine-tune my fine-motor movements so that I can manipulate the reins in very small increments.” Still, Trunnell finds riding the most effective way of staying fit to ride. She rides three horses six days a week, each one from 45 minutes to an hour. Trunnell is grateful for any time she can get out of her wheelchair and walk. “I walk a mile and a half twice a week with my walker, and I work out at a gym for an hour and a
half, doing weight lifting and cardio, once a week. Walking is by far my favorite exercise. We are starting to do some walking with forearm crutches, and this is quickly becoming my favorite!” she says. Like her para-equestrian teammates, Trunnell believes that maintaining her own fitness makes the horse’s job easier. “When you are fit, you tend to sit lighter in the saddle. This allows the horse to round up more through their back and also swing through their back more, giving you better workouts.”
My Fitness Regimen: Deborah Stanitski After sustaining a traumatic brain injury in a riding accident in 1999, Deborah Stanitski, MD, of Charleston, SC, was left with balance issues and limited use of the left side of her body. She had to give up her career as a pediatric orthopedic surgeon and traded her eventing saddles for para-equestrian dressage; but she today she combines those interests as president of the Equestrian Medical Safety Association. A Grade II rider, Stanitski, 63, sees a physical therapist two or three times a week, and works out at the gym on her own a few times a week. Earlier this year she faced a setback when a borrowed mount spooked and bolted toward a paved road. Stanitski “bailed out,” sustaining a concussion and two fractured vertebrae in the fall. When we talked with her she’d begun riding again but was taking things slowly. USDF CONNECTION
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FRIENDS: Para-dressage competitor Deborah Stanitski (on her Freeliner) with fellow para-equestrian Annie Peavy
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Podcast Alert
PODCAST
Following her injury Stanitski did physical and occupational therapy, and initially speech therapy as well. Today she focuses on fitness training to stay in shape for riding. “I had a [fitness] trainer before, but he pushed me until I was demotivated,” Stanitski says. “This [current] guy knows how far to go. He knows what’s hard for me, and knows that the things I don’t want to do are the things I need to do, so he’s very encouraging, too.” At the gym, Stanitski says, “I get on the treadmill, and since my legs can’t move fast enough to keep up, I increase the incline. I use the arm bike and the rowing machine, and
I do regular and side planks. I can do like a minute and 20 seconds of regular planks, but only about 45 seconds of side planks. The planks help a lot with core strength.” When she’s not on a horse, Stanitski uses a scooter because she has trouble with balance (she can’t use a manual wheelchair because one arm is stronger than the other, so she would end up going in circles). Rebecca Hart introduced her to the German-made Freeliner (freeliner.de/en), a battery-powered three-wheeled scooter, which she purchased from a distributor in Toronto last year. Stanitski is petite and slender, so maintaining strength is a priority. Although her left side is her weaker side, she works both sides to encourage even strength. “I choose the weight based on how bad I am on the left side,” she says. “My right arm and leg are much stronger, so if I set the weight for my right side, I couldn’t do it with my left.” To help her riding, she says, “I like to do an exercise where I bend forward and stand up and extend my back; it strengthens your back and extends your muscles.” Stanitski acknowledges that “the sorts of things I can do are very different than I could do before. I can’t walk forever, and I can’t walk fast. On a StairMaster I can’t go above level eight—not because I’m not fit, but I can’t move my legs fast enough. Elliptical trainers are pretty easy, but the ones where you work your legs and pump your arms wear you out!” “Balance is a big problem,” she continues. “I can fall over just by moving without thinking about it. I’ve learned by falling on the floor a few times! I have to lean against something while I put my pants on, or I’ll fall down. In the hospital they had a thing like a balance beam but sitting on the floor, and I can’t do that at all; my balance is bad and the narrow stance doesn’t work for me at all. If I ever get stopped by a police officer and have to walk a line, he’ll think I’m drunk! I actually carry a card from the occupational therapist certifying that I can’t do that test.” A couple more of Stanitski’s fitness moves: “Using the straps hanging from the jungle-gym thing, you hang on to the straps as you lie back at an angle with your body straight, put your feet forward and your head back, and pull yourself into a vertical position, sort of like doing pull-ups. Because I have balance issues, I also use the attached vertical bar to steady myself.
Listen to podcast episode 87 for more about fitness for para-equestrians at usdf.podbean.com.
“Another thing I do is step over things sideways, forward, and backward; the goal is to not knock them over. I use ten or twelve of them and alternate legs; it helps with balance and strength, in terms of lifting your legs yourself. We use hard rubber blocks of various sizes; the smaller ones are easy and the bigger ones are hard. We also use metal things that you can move around. It’s like doing cavaletti!”
Dedicated Athletes Fitness is essential to all dressage riders. It is well established that core strength helps riders to maintain proper position and to apply the aids effectively. And as anyone can attest who has ridden without stirrups or had to manage a strong horse that pulls, leg and arm strength are pretty important, too! But for para-equestrians, fitness is beneficial in ways that go above and beyond the general strength necessary to be an effective rider. Fitness can help riders with physical disabilities compensate for weaknesses due to illness or injury, can contribute to longer and happier lives that include time in the saddle, and can propel these dedicated athletes to competitive success. ▲ Amber Heintzberger is an award-winning equestrian journalist and co-author with Anna Ford of the 2009 American Horse Publications book of the year, Beyond the Track: From Racehorse to Riding Horse (Trafalgar Square, 2009) and of Modern Eventing with Phillip Dutton (Trafalgar Square, 2013). She lives outside New York City with her husband and children.
Fitness Resources
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hether you’re a para-equestrian or an ablebodied rider, you want quality dressage instruction from a reputable professional. The same holds true for fitness training. Assuming you have your doctor’s OK to exercise, start out by taking some sessions with a certified fitness trainer. A good pro can design a program to suit your goals, can give you modifications as needed to accommodate any physical limitations, and can help keep you both challenged and motivated as you progress. Here are a few organizations that certify fitness professionals. American College of Sports Medicine (acsm.org) American Council on Exercise (acefitness.org) National Academy of Sports Medicine (nasm.org) National Strength and Conditioning Association (nsca.com).
www.usdf.org GMO
Support dressage and connect with your local dressage community by joining a USDF Group Member Organization today!
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Rebekah Mingari Does Her Part
For the 2015 USDF Youth Volunteer of the Year, it’s all about ensuring the future of her sport STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY LESLEY WARD
SERVICE WITH A SMILE: Young rider and tireless volunteer Rebekah Mingari (aboard current YR mount Elzarma TF) is known for her sunny disposition
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motley crew of enthusiastic mutts greets visitors to Timbach Farm, near DePauw, IN. Tails wagging, the dogs follow guests into the brandnew barn as a dozen or so inquisitive heads pop out of stalls, ears pricked, to check out all newcomers. It’s only fitting that such a cheerful, welcoming barn is home to Rebekah Mingari, of Crestwood, KY, USDF’s 2015 Youth Volunteer of the Year. Mingari, 20, is personable, professional, and super-friendly, so it’s easy to see why she won this honor, although it’s more difficult to figure out how she found the time to fit the volunteering into her schedule. She juggles life as a full-time junior at the University of Louisville in Kentucky with her work riding and training a group of young Dutch Warmbloods at Timbach Farm for owner and breeder Kerrin “K.C.” Dunn. “I have to be very creative with my schedule,” says Mingari, who is majoring in equine business and minoring in entrepreneurship and international business. “Right now I don’t start class until 1:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday; so I ride in the mornings, usually from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., and then I go to school.” When her classes are over for the day, Mingari heads back to the barn. “In the afternoon, I study or ride my horses depending on the day. My boss, K.C., is pretty flexible. And then Friday through Sunday, I’m pretty much in the barn all day.” Currently, Mingari’s main ride is Elzarma TF, a sevenyear-old Dutch Warmblood. Mingari first rode “Elle” three years ago at Angela Jackson’s Rhine River Farm in Henderson, KY, where she helped back the young chestnut mare. Mingari began taking clinics with Jackson in 2009 when she bought Unico, a Dutch Warmblood that had recently been imported from the Netherlands. The native of Germany and FEI-level competitor (best known for her successes with Dunn’s mare Allure S) has been Mingari’s trainer ever since. “Angela has a great approach to young horses, and I was always drawn to that,” says Mingari. “She really knows how to take a horse from a baby all the way up to FEI levels. She’s very passionate about dressage, and she loves the horses. She treats them all with respect, and I think that’s very important in a trainer.” Unico was seven and Mingari was just 12 when they began their dressage journey. “We started at Training Level and worked all the way up to Intermediate I in the seven years I had him. He was an incredible horse. He wasn’t very expressive, but he was biomechanically correct and a hard worker. Every year, we progressed two levels. He really took care of me a lot of times because I was just a kid.”
Mingari and the bay gelding competed in three FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships together as members of the Region 2 dressage team. “I rode Unico as a junior in 2012 and 2013, and then I was a young rider in 2014,” recalls Mingari. “We did very well in 2012 and made it to the freestyle. In 2013, we were just behind a few places, and in 2014, well, we didn’t really have a good show!” Mingari hopes to return to the NAJYRC this year—the 2016 edition will be held July 26-31 at the Colorado Horse Park in Parker—with Elle. “I call Elle my worker bee,” she says. “She does everything the best she can. When I was teaching her canter pirouettes, she was like, ‘I got this!’ She’s cool. “Right now I’m riding Fourth Level and Prix St. Georges with Elle, but I also have several other young horses I’m
5 Questions with Rebekah Mingari Were you always a dressage rider? No, I rode Western at first. I wanted to do barrel racing, but there were only hunt-seat barns where I lived, so I began riding English. I went to the Arabian Youth Nationals when I was ten and scored highest in dressage, so I decided to go that route. I rode a purebred Arabian named Extra Cool. If you could clinic with anyone, who would you choose? [German Olympic gold medalist] Klaus Balkenhol. I’ve watched him teach, and the way he communicates with both the horses and the riders is just amazing. If you could ride any dressage horse in the world, which one would you saddle up? Obviously Valegro, or maybe Totilas in his prime. Valegro is an incredible horse. He would be the ride of a lifetime. I don’t think it would be an experience that anyone could forget! Which is your favorite show to volunteer for? I love the Kentucky Dressage Association show in May at the Kentucky Horse Park. It’s very well run, and the volunteers are great. Did you have fun when you received the 2015 USDF Youth Volunteer of the Year award? Sadly, I was in Germany, so my trainer, Angela Jackson, picked it up for me at the USDF convention. I love going to the convention, though. There are always great speakers, and I enjoy the youth panels because they’re a good place where young riders can talk and share goals.
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horses: There are so many to choose from.” To top off the experience, “I got to watch so many top riders take lessons from Ton and Alexandra. It was amazing!” As she heads into her senior year of college, Mingari is planning a career with horses. “I’d love to stay here at Timbach Farm after I graduate,” she says. “I get to work with awesome horses. We have six babies coming pretty much every year, so there are plenty of horses in the pipeline; but if I ever left, I’d like to have my own training facility.”
The Carrot and the Stick
JR/YR SWAG: Mingari proudly displays her competitor’s jacket from the 2012 NAJYRC, where she competed as a junior
working with,” Mingari continues. “I’m riding a five-yearold that is doing Training Level and, hopefully, First Level by the end of the year. I’m also training a three-year-old that I plan to show in the Developing Horse division next year.” Late last year, Mingari had the chance to ride a variety of young horses in Germany. “I did a semester abroad at the European Business School in Oestrich-Winkel, but I went over two months earlier to ride with Ton de Ridder and his wife, Alexandra Simons-de Ridder, near Aachen,” she says. “Alexandra rode in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia, and was a part of the goldmedal-winning German dressage team.” “The quality of horses over there is incredible,” Mingari enthuses. “Obviously that’s why people go to Europe to buy
Nominate a Deserving Youth
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ominations for the annual USDF Youth Volunteer of the Year award are due August 31. Each year, one USDF youth member with an exemplary record of dressage volunteerism is honored at the USDF Salute Gala & Annual Awards Banquet and in the pages of the yearbook issue of USDF Connection. The honoree receives, among others, a travel grant to the banquet and a keeper trophy. Nominees must be current USDF youth members age 21 or younger. The USDF Youth Programs Committee selects the winner. Learn more and download a nomination form at usdf.org (Awards/ Service Awards).
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“I’m a member of the Kentucky Dressage Association, and originally I began volunteering to be eligible for year-end awards,” Mingari confesses. “Obviously, everyone likes awards!” Before long, she found herself becoming more involved with the KDA, a USDF group-member organization (GMO). “I became the chairperson in charge of the youth division of the KDA,” she says. “I organized clinics, and I helped create a letterman jacket program.” Mingari also served on the KDA board as a junior/young rider representative. When she became a member of the NAJYRC Region 2 team, the enterprising teen dedicated numerous volunteer hours to fundraising so she and her teammates could attend the championships. “When I started riding, I was the kid who said, ‘I’m going to the Olympics!’ I like to help young riders feel like they can dream big and achieve their goals. As a volunteer, there are so many times when you can help someone. It doesn’t have to be big, but people appreciate that you’re there.” Mingari’s favorite volunteer activity is stewarding. “Running tests is cool, too,” she says. “But as a steward, I get to watch the warm-up. I try to say something inspiring to riders as they go into the ring, or I say ‘Great job!’ when they come out. I think it makes them feel good.” In the press release announcing Mingari’s Youth Volunteer of Year award, then-KDA president Michelle Morehead said that “Her dedication, hard work, and determination are contagious, and KDA’s junior/young rider participation has increased significantly while she has been involved. Young riders need to have fun, see others succeed, and have good role models. Rebekah does that for the young riders in our area.” Mingari’s advice to other young riders? Volunteer, of course. “Dressage is such a community sport. It takes a village to do anything, and if young people want shows to go to in the future, they need to help out now.” ▲ Writer and photographer Lesley Ward lives with her three horses on a farm near Lexington, KY. Her website is LesleyWard.com.
USDF Sport Horse Prospect Development Forum October 22-23, 2016 Pineland Farms, New Gloucester, ME
With Scott Hassler and Willy Arts Internationally Respected Experts and Educators from Breeding to FEI Dressage
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Photo courtesy of Rebecca Blake, Auburn, WA.
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www.usdf.org shprospect@usdf.org 859-971-2277
YOUR CONNECTION TO THE
AMERICAN DRESSAGE COMMUNITY
ALL-BREEDS WINNERS: Champions and reserve champions from the KWPN of North America pose for a group photo at the 2015 USDF Salute Gala & Annual Awards Banquet
Insider’s Guide to USDF Awards Your dressage achievements deserve to be recognized! Fourth in an occasional series. This issue: All-Breeds awards. BY PEGGY KLUMP
Podcast Alert
PODCAST
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members for participating in national-level dressage competitions with horses of their breeds. In 2016, the KWPN of North America and the American Hanoverian Society each have more than 3,000 horses declared for the All-Breeds awards program. The Arabian Horse Association has more than 2,000 horses; and the International Sporthorse Registry/Oldenburg, the Olden-
Listen to podcast episode 127 for more about the USDF All-Breeds Award program at usdf.podbean.com.
JENNIFER BRYANT
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he popular USDF All-Breeds awards program, which was instituted in 1982, is designed to recognize the accomplishments of specific breeds in dressage. This program offers USDF members and the participating breed registries (known for program purposes as participating organizations, or POs) a means of recognizing excellence in dressage competition—both in hand and under saddle—by horses of specific breeds and registries. The All-Breeds awards program has grown from 12 POs in 1982 to 66 for the 2016 show season. The American Morgan Horse Association, the American Quarter Horse Association, and the Appaloosa Horse Club, along with the larger warmblood registries, have participated since the program’s inception (see “Fun Facts” on page 55 for the full list). These registries recognize the value of rewarding their
burg Horse Breeders Society NA division of GOV, and the American Trakehner Association each have 1,000 to 1,500 horses declared. Even among those registries with fewer horses participating, the competitive accomplishments remain significant. These awards encourage USDF members, regardless of their horses’ breeds, to strive to improve and offer a goal to work toward. Each year’s All-Breeds award winners are celebrated at the Salute Gala & Annual Awards Banquet at the Adequan/ USDF Annual Convention. Champions and reserve champions each receive a custom cast pewter medal on a neck ribbon. Participating organizations may give additional prizes ranging from championship ribbons to embroidered coolers. Certificates are available online for all horses in the standings in recognition of their success that year.
Program Specifics Participating organizations. USDF welcomes breed registries interested in becoming long-term POs. AllBreeds awards letters of agreement are renewed annually by March 1. USDF works with the POs to identify and rank eligible horses and riders based on their median scores. Every competition year, each PO is given a list of horses that may be eligible for All-Breeds awards based on scores earned; the organizations mark each horse as either eligible or not eligible. If your horse is not marked as eligible, contact the PO directly, as he will not appear in the All-Breeds preliminary standings until the PO marks him as eligible. Be aware that a PO will not be listed in
FAQ: All-Breeds Awards My horse is registered with two All-Breeds awards participating organizations (POs). Can I earn awards from both registries? No. For All-Breeds awards purposes, a horse may be declared with only one PO at a time. My horse is declared for All-Breeds awards, but I would like to change the declaration to a different PO. Is this possible? Yes. You’ll need to submit an updated All-Breeds Awards Declaration Form along with the applicable breed-registry papers and a $50 declaration change fee. My horse has a passport. What information from the passport do you need in order to declare him for AllBreeds awards? We’ll need copies of four pages from his passport: the front or cover page, the page listing his breeder, the pedigree page, and the page bearing the stamp/seal and signature from the issuing organization. If a certificate of ownership is available, a copy of that certificate will suffice in place of the other pages. FEI passports are not acceptable. Do scores from breed-restricted competitions count toward All-Breeds awards? Yes! I declared my horse for All-Breeds awards last year. Do I have to re-declare him every year? Once a horse is declared for the All-Breeds awards program, that declaration stays in place for future competition years. However, you must meet the score and membership requirements for both USDF and the PO every year in order to remain eligible for awards. I earned scores at shows in April and May. If I declare my horse for All-Breeds awards in July, will those earlier scores count toward the awards? Yes. Once a horse is declared, all scores earned in the current competition year may be eligible for the awards, even if the scores were earned prior to the date the declaration was made. Where can I find out what awards my PO offers? See the USDF website (Awards / Participating Organizations / List of recognized awards). How can I verify my horse’s All-Breeds awards declaration? Log in to USDFScores.com and view your horse’s summary page. I have met all of the award requirements, and my PO has marked my horse as eligible for All-Breeds awards, but he does not appear in the standings. What should I do? The preliminary standings are updated weekly, and it may simply be a timing issue. If your horse still does not appear in the standings after a week, contact USDF.
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5 Helpful Hints for Submitting All-Breeds Awards Declarations 1. Submit the All-Breeds Awards Declaration Form and the copy of your horse’s breed-registry papers together. Incomplete submissions will not be processed. 2. Make sure that all copies are clear and easy to read. 3. Sign and date the All-Breeds Awards Declaration Form. 4. If making a late declaration, include all applicable fees. 5. When making a new declaration, list the full name of the desired participating organization (PO). There currently are seven Friesian registries that participate in the All-Breeds awards program. If you just put “Friesian” on the form, we won’t know which one you wish to declare your horse with.
the preliminary standings until it has marked at least one horse as eligible for awards, and that horse meets all of the award requirements. If you are striving toward an All-Breeds award, USDF encourages you to contact your PO directly to verify that you have met all of the requirements. USDF requirements. To be eligible for All-Breeds awards, horses, riders, and owners must meet all of the membership and registration requirements as outlined in the USDF Member Guide. The requirements follow those of Adequan/USDF year-end awards for the horse, rider, and owner that have been discussed in previous articles in this series (September 2015, December 2015/January 2016, March 2016). The declaration process. In addition to meeting score and membership requirements, a horse must be “declared” for the program in order to be eligible for All-Breeds awards. Declare your horse by submitting to USDF (by e-mail, fax, or mail) a copy of his breed- or performance-registry papers and a completed All-Breeds Awards Declaration Form. Online printouts of registry papers or pedigree and FEI pass-
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AMERICAN DRESSAGE COMMUNITY 54 July/August 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
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ports are not accepted. The declaration form is located on the USDF website under Awards / Forms and Documents. Once the documentation has been processed, USDF will notify the owner of the horse via e-mail that the declaration has been made. All-Breeds declarations must be received by August 1Â of the award year or late fees will apply. Declarations may be verified on the horseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s summary page of USDFScores.com. For current-year foals, if registry papers are not yet available, a letter of eligibility from the PO will be accepted as long as USDF receives the document by September 30Â of the current year along with a completed All-Breeds Awards Declaration Form. Questions? Send e-mail to allbreeds@usdf.org. Good luck, and thank you for helping to promote your breed for dressage! â&#x2013;˛
Fun Facts
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he following 12 registries were the first to offer All-Breeds awards when USDF instituted the program in 1982:
American Association of Breeders of Holsteiner Horses American Hanoverian Society American Morgan Horse Association American Performance Horse Registry American Quarter Horse Association American Trakehner Association American Saddlebred Horse Association Appaloosa Horse Club International Arabian Horse Association North American Trakehner Association Part-Thoroughbred Stud Book
Peggy Klump, of Rancho Cucamonga, CA, is the chair of the USDF Awards Committee.
United States Lipizzan Registry.
US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan ÂŽ
Become a Patron Support the US Dressage Finals by making a tax deductible gift. Patron gifts, received by October 14, 2016, will be recognized in the event program, the yearbook issue of USDF Connection, and receive a commemorative gift of appreciation.
usdressagefinals.com For more information please contact us at donate@usdf.org, PS
Patron levels of giving are: t 1MBUJOVN
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WISH YOU WERE HERE? The USDF is working to make dressage education (like this Region 1 Adult Clinic) more accessible to members
Dressage Education: Survey Says… What’s keeping you from pursuing more opportunities? We analyze USDF’s findings. BY VICTORIA TROUT
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did not shift greatly, indicating that, even in some regions that are more geographically spread out, dressage enthusiasts are able to take advantage of the educational offerings. Adding clinics and symposia to one’s regular training schedule can be an invaluable learning tool. Although attending one event seems feasible for many USDF members, fewer indicated that they are able to participate in multiple events per year. Only 34 percent of the respondents were able to ride in three or more clinics/symposia in the survey period; 27 percent audited three or more clinics/symposia; and 11 percent attended three or more unmounted lectures or other educational events.
Barriers to Participation These data beg the question: Why the big drop-off? What is keeping people from attending and riding in more educational events? Following are the respondents’ stated reasons for not participating in an event at least once during the survey period.
JOANNA FALINI/USDF FILE PHOTO
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ast summer the USDF conducted a dressage-education survey, reaching out to more than 13,000 members to ask about their experiences with dressage education outside their normal lesson schedules. The purpose of this survey was to help determine members’ amount of access to dressage education, as well as what difficulties they experience in trying to attend educational events. For survey purposes, “dressage education” included USDF programs, programs hosted by USDF group-member organizations (GMOs), local events, and privately held events. Of the more than 1,300 respondents, 75 percent indicated that they had ridden in at least one clinic or symposium in the previous year. An even higher number—86 percent— audited at least one clinic or symposium. Unmounted lectures or educational events were somewhat less popular, with 58 percent of respondents attending at least one. These statistics speak volumes about the number of educational events that take place across the country each year. When broken down by region (see chart), the percentages
89 percent felt that the event was too far away 75 percent said that attendance costs plus travel expenses were too high 68 percent didn’t know about the event early enough to plan for it 67 percent thought the cost of the event was too high 67 percent had a non-horse-related event schedule conflict 59 percent had a horse-related event schedule conflict 56 percent were not interested in the event 43 percent thought that the presenter was not of a high enough quality 33 percent felt that the event was too far above their level to be of benefit 28 percent claimed they were excluded from participating 28 percent felt that the event was too far below their level to be of benefit 24 percent said they had attended too many events (educational, non-educational, and personal) already. When asked to describe in their own words the biggest factors preventing them from attending more educational events, the survey respondents stated the same things: travel time, costs, and lack of free time. Asked to indicate the maximum amount of acceptable travel time to attend an event, only 15 percent of respondents said they are willing to haul their horses more than three hours’ distance, and only 10 percent will sign up for an unmounted event that’s
further away than a four-hour drive. In both scenarios, fewer than 40 percent of respondents said they’d travel more than two hours. Every rider’s situation is unique, but our survey indicates some trends that the USDF, GMOs, and local organizers would do well to bear in mind when scheduling events. Few dressage enthusiasts indicated “education overload”; therefore, a high priority moving forward is to help foster the creation of additional educational events that are viewed as both accessible and affordable. The USDF is committed to enhancing dressage education across all regions. With a clearer picture of members’ needs and perceived barriers to participation, we can work with organizations and individuals to provide new opportunities that will offer more members the best chance of taking part.
Be Proactive The best way to fulfill your education needs is to be your own advocate and to get involved. Here are a few ways that you can help bring dressage education to your area. • Work with a GMO to host a USDF Instructor/Trainer workshop or L program. These programs aren’t just for prospective instructors and judges. There are often chances to audit or to serve as a demonstration rider. Whether you ride or audit, you’ll gain a wealth of valuable information. Learn more at usdf.org.
Respondents Rode or Year Respondends who Rode in OneWho or More ClinicsininOne the Previous More Clinics in the Previous Year
Respondends who Rode in One or More Clinics in the Previous Year 85.3% 75.8%
73.9%
77.2%
79.4%
79.2% 74.4% 69.3%
Region 1
Region 2
Region 3
Region 4
Region 5
Region 6
Region 7
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Take the Survey
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hat are your own educational challenges? Take this shortened version of our survey and find out.
1. Approximately how many educational events do you attend per year in the following categories? ___ Ride in a clinic/symposium ___ Audit a clinic/symposium ___ Attend an unmounted education lecture/event 2. How many times did one or more of the following scenarios prevent you from attending an education event in the last year? ___ The event was too far away ___ The costs of the event plus travel expenses were too high ___ I did not know about the event in enough time to plan for it ___ The cost of the event was too high ___ I had a non-horse-related event scheduled at the same time ___ I had another horse-related event scheduled at the same time ___ I was not interested in the education event ___ The presenter was not of a high enough quality ___ I felt that the event was too above my level to benefit ___ I was excluded from participating ___ I felt that the event was too below my level to benefit ___ I had attended too many events (education, non-education, and personal) already 3. Approximately how many of the following types of dressage events are offered in an average year within a two-hour drive of you? ___ Clinics/symposia with local trainers ___ Clinics/symposia with national-level trainers ___ Clinics/symposia with foreign trainers
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EDUCATION
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___ Unmounted education lectures/events ___ Social events (banquets, receptions, fundraising) 4. Think about your favorite educational event from the past year. What type of event was it, and what was your primary role as a participant? (Check one) ___I did not attend any educational events in the past year ___Riding in a small clinic (only a few auditors) ___Auditing a small clinic (only a few auditors) ___Riding in a larger clinic ___Auditing a larger clinic ___Riding in a national event/symposium ___Auditing a national event/symposium ___Attending an unmounted lecture/event or series of lectures/events ___An online event 5. Think about your favorite educational event from the past year. Who put on the event? ___I did not attend any educational events in the past year ___A local barn ___My USDF group-member organization (GMO) ___A GMO that I am not a member of ___My USDF region ___USDF ___Other Are you happy with your answer to question 1? Knowing how much education you’re actually getting each year can help you assess where you’d like to be. There is no right or wrong answer to the number of events you’ve attended or plan to attend, only whether it’s enough for you. Be honest with yourself about how much time you can devote to your dressage education.
Everyone can learn to recognize correct Training and Riding.
What’s Stopping You?
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n survey question 2, you identified your barriers to participating in more dressage educational events. Pick your top two or three and come up with a plan to defeat them. Here are some suggestions to get you started. Costs. Add an education line item to your monthly budget. If you’ve read this far, you’ve determined that you’d like to up your education game, so make it a priority. Perhaps you can set aside a small amount of money each month so that you have a modest education fund to draw from when an opportunity arises. Distance. Time away from family or the horses can be tough. This one can take planning many months ahead of the event. Post a list of all the things that need to be taken care of while you’re gone. As soon as you’ve got a plan in place for each one, check it off the list. Try taking care of one item per week so you don’t have to scramble at the last minute. Finding events. Get to know the riders, trainers, and barn owners in your area. Some privately organized clinics are not advertised and are closed to auditors—but even these clinics sometimes look for riders to fill a few extra spots. The more people you know, the more likely you’ll hear about such opportunities. And if you’re not a member of your local GMO, consider joining today. GMOs are holding more educational events than ever before. Even if you aren’t looking to join, keep an eye on the GMO’s calendar and social-media outlets (you may be able to attend some events as a nonmember) as well as on the USDF education calendar for more opportunities.
• Keep track of your calendar so you know which weekends you’re free. Clinics and symposia with sought-after trainers fill quickly, so apply as early as possible if you are interested in riding. • Organize a clinic. Contact an instructor you (and others) would like to work with, and learn his or her rates and availability. Clinics don’t have to be huge, high-profile events; you can start by bringing in someone from a city or two away. If you aren’t comfortable organizing an event by yourself, start by volunteering at a clinic to learn the ropes. • Host an educational potluck. Invite friends or fellow GMO members over for a shared dinner and an evening of watching dressage DVDs, discussing books or articles, or utilizing USDF’s eTRAK online educational database.
Let Us Know What You Need Find out who organizes dressage education in your area, and talk with that person about upcoming plans and how you can get involved. The USDF website contains contact information for each GMO. If you don’t know where to start, or if you have an idea you’d like to share, we’d love to hear from you. Send your questions and ideas to education@ usdf.org.▲
Victoria Trout is a USDF senior education coordinator. Contact her at vtrout@usdf.org.
Take USDF with you wherever you go... USDF has launched a new app,
“USDF: Your Dressage Connection” The app provides access to USDF media and publications, and features stream and social media components. Easy access to the digital editions of USDF Connection, USDF Member Guide, and the Online Stallion Guide, as well as new online-only content. USDF members have full access to all content and features of the app, with the exception of retail titles.
This is just another way that USDF is YOUR CONNECTION TO THE
AMERICAN
DRESSAGE COMMUNITY
Take advantage of this new member benefit today!
To download the app and view tutorial videos on how the app works, visit the USDF website.
www.usdf.org/app
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reviews
editorial@usdf.org
Bumper Crop of Books The latest for your summer reading By Jennifer O. Bryant
The Outside of a Horse Is Good for the Inside of a Human Most people know Ann Romney as the wife of 2012 Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Dressage people, however, recognize Ann as a fellow enthusiast, and as a co-owner of Jan Ebeling’s 2012 Olympic mount, Rafalca. Ann Romneyy shares her life— as privileged political spouse, as dressage rider and horse owner, as devout Mormon, and as a person who struggles with multiple sclerosis—in her memoir, In This Together (Thomas Dunne Books, 262 pp.). Horses and dressage aren’t the central theme, but they are a recurrent theme in the life of a woman who, like many of us, has found both salvation and sanity in the saddle. Ann Romney comes across as the type of person you’d want to have at your barn, and as a strong survivor who loves fiercely—her husband, her family, her faith, her horses.
From the Horse’s Mouth FEI-level trainer and competitor Yvonne Barteau has developed a publishing niche of sorts with her unique takes on horses and training. In her first book, Ride the Right Horse, she
presented pr aan equine twist on tw tthe ubiquitous u human h personalip ty-type inventories. In her follow-up effort, The Dressage Horse Manifesto (Trafalgar Square, 188 pp.), she imagines what 10 horses would have to say on the subjects of riding, training, and competition through the levels. The “first person horse” narrative approach could be a cutesy gimmick, but Barteau saves it thanks to her insightful observations about equine personalities, quirks, and learning styles. And although I don’t think horses actually want to impart to us clever gymnastic exercises for improving the shoulder-in, said exercises and other info contained in The Dressage Horse Manifesto are solid and workable advice.
A Fitness and Body-Image Guide for Riders Another book on fitness for riders? Not exactly. We all know—don’tt we?—that wee need physical fitness in order to ride well. What we don’t know is what to do with the negative i selflf images and doubts some of us carry into the saddle.
60 July/August 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
If you’ve ever cringed at a photo of yourself in white breeches or thought maybe you were too fat, too old, too out of shape, too whatever to have any business being on a horse, then you’ll want to pick up Riding Through Thick and Thin (Trafalgar Square, 418 pp.). Author Melinda Folse (The Smart Woman’s Guide to Midlife Horses) tackles the touchy subjects of body image and “fat shaming” in equestrian sports along with lots of, yes, fitness and weight-loss advice (and expert tips on nutrition, wellness, time management, and positive self-talk). Folse would like for riders to understand that they can be effective equestrian athletes even if they don’t look like the models in the breeches ads. Maybe they can even learn to like the reflection in the arena mirror.
The Tao of Dressage “Picture book” dressage how-to manuals, with their big cheerful photos and diagrams, aren’t for everybody. Some philosophical types prefer to really delve in to cerebral discussions of dressage, The Atlantic style: long-form essays and other thoughtful discussions. If the latter is your bag, then you will enjoy dressage trainer Susan Medenica’s The Dressage Way (Xenophon Press, 199 pp.). An expanded version of Medenica’s previous effort, The Way of Dressage, The Dressage Way is a collection of essays about the nature of horses, riding, dressage, training, even life itself. There’s more than a little Zen to these meditations, which are Medenica’s effort to articulate why dressage is so enchanting, frustrating, all-encompassing, and life-altering. Seek and you may find passages that resonate and illuminate your own journey. ▲
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USEF licensed/USDF recognized competitions Breedersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Championships Regional Championships USDF sponsored events USDF University accredited programs All the important deadlines and dates you might need
66 July/August 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ USDF CONNECTION
USDF CONNECTION USDF W W W. U S D F. O R G
MARCH 2010
ARENA FOOTING AND CONSTRUCTION
NEW TRAINING SERIES: What Other Disciplines Can Teach Dressage Riders Basics of Freestyle Creation
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Phone: (859) 971-2277, Fax: (859) 971-7722, E-mail: usdressage@usdf.org Accounting .....................................................................(859) 271-7891 ...................................... accounting@usdf.org Address and E-mail Updates ...........................................(859) 971-2277 ...........................................changes@usdf.org Adult Clinics ...................................................................(859) 271-7882 ...................................... adultclinics@usdf.org Adult Education Programs .............................................(859) 271-7882 ........................................ education@usdf.org Adult Team Competitions ................................................(859) 271-7876 ..................... adultteamcompetition@usdf.org All-Breeds Awards ..........................................................(859) 271-7895 ..........................................allbreeds@usdf.org Applications Submitted at Competitions..........................(859) 271-7880 ..........................................affidavits@usdf.org Demographics and Statistics ...........................................(859) 271-7083 ................................................ stats@usdf.org Donations .......................................................................(859) 971-7826 .............................................donate@usdf.org Dover Medal Program .....................................................(859) 971-7361 ..................................... dovermedal@usdf.org eTRAK.............................................................................(859) 971-7039 ................................................etrak@usdf.org Group Membership.........................................................(859) 971-7048 ................................................ gmo@usdf.org Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement Awards ..............(859) 271-7882 ....................................... halloffame@usdf.org Horse Performance Certificates ........................................(859) 971-7361 ............................horseperformance@usdf.org Horse Registration...........................................................(859) 271-7880 ..............................horseregistration@usdf.org Horse/Rider Score Reports. ............................................(859) 271-7894 .............................................reports@usdf.org Human Resources/Career Opportunities...........................(859) 271-7885 .................................................... hr@usdf.org Instructor Certification ....................................................(859) 271-7877 .......................instructorcertification@usdf.org Insurance Certificates for Competitions............................(859) 271-7886 .......................................... compins@usdf.org Junior/Young Rider Clinics ...............................................(859) 971-7360 ..........................................jryrclinics@usdf.org L Education and Continuing Education ............................(859) 971-7039 ......................................... lprogram@usdf.org Mailing Lists....................................................................(859) 971-7038 ........................................mailinglist@usdf.org NAJYRC Criteria and Procedures ......................................(859) 971-7360 .............................................. najyrc@usdf.org Nominations â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 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USDF CONNECTION
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July/August 2016
67
the tail end
editorial@usdf.org
From therapeutic riding to dressage, this pony does it all By Leslie Lytton
A
mother and daughter’s dreams converged in one Welsh pony. That pony in turn has made countless other riders’ dreams come true. Mom Milinda dreamed of running a therapeutic-riding center. Daughter
to be the keystone of the therapeuticriding facility Shining Hope Farms, in Mount Holly, NC. Now 15, Sammy has an incredible aptitude for therapeutic work. He has a busy schedule, working Monday through Friday as a therapy pony
MULTITALENTED: The Welsh pony Sammy, taking a break from his career as a therapy mount to compete at Training Level with the writer’s daughter, Hayden Lytton
Jessi dreamed of owning a gray Welsh pony named Sammy. Together they found the pony, the three-year-old gelding What’s It to Ya. Renamed Sammy (of course), he would come
and also teaching beginners how to ride. When there’s any doubt about how a new student will react to that first riding experience, Sammy is the mount of choice. Sammy doesn’t mind
68 July/August 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Leslie Lytton, of Huntersville, NC, is a USDF bronze and silver medalist and a PATH therapeutic-riding instructor at Shining Hope Farms. She’s also the proud horse-show mom of Hayden Lytton.
PATGIRARDPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
Dream Pony
wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, or any other assistance devices. He walks to the loading ramp like a professional, waits for his rider to mount or to be placed on his back, and stands motionless until his cue to “walk on.” It doesn’t matter to Sammy whether his rider sits facing forward, sideways, or backward. He takes his riders over ground poles, negotiates cones, and stops at the ring pole while they do occupational and physical-therapy exercises. A couple of years ago, Sammy’s experiences broadened when an able-bodied youngster began taking lessons on him. Sammy and the young girl, Hayden, enjoyed jumping, going to hunter shows, and having all-around pony fun—but Hayden dreamed of dressage. Hayden got to work. She asked Sammy to use his topline, relax, take longer steps, and move forward. Sammy’s neck and topline began to develop. His frame became rounder as he lifted his back. After two years of competing in dressage schooling shows, the pair entered their first recognized dressage show in 2015. That season, they earned good scores at Training Level and even received a scholarship from the North Carolina Dressage and Combined Training Association to attend its Summer Highland Fling show in Tryon. That show was Sammy and Hayden’s final outing as a team. Capping off Hayden’s dreams, they earned a score of 80 percent from FEI 5* dressage judge Linda Zang. The final comment: “Well done.” Whether he’s in the ring at Shining Hope Farms or in the dressage arena, Sammy continues to make riders’ dreams come true every day. ▲
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2016 ADEQUAN®/USDF CONVENTION PREVIEW (P. 34) W W W. U S D F. O R G
SEPTEMBER 2016
USDF CONNECTION Official Publication of the United States Dressage Federation
Greetings from
Florida How a swampy strawberry patch became a global dressage destination
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20
36
50
IN THIS ISSUE
40
4 INSIDE USDF Meet Me in St. Louis
GREETINGS FROM WELLY WORLD
By Anne Sushko
How Wellington, Florida, grew from snowbird’s paradise to global dressage destination
6 RINGSIDE The Horsiest Place on Earth
By Sue Weakley
By Jennifer O. Bryant
50
MARKETING YOUR DRESSAGE BUSINESS Promotion is key to finding and keeping clients. Here’s a guide to getting started By Jennifer M. Miller
20 CLINIC Refine Your Riding By George Williams with Sue Weakley
28 THE JUDGE’S BOX Geometry Class By Kathy Rowse
36 HISTORICAL CONNECTION American Dressage Legends: Roemer 38 ALL-BREEDS CONNECTION Spotlight: Friesian Sporthorse Association 60 RIDER’S MARKET Better Performance the Natural Way 68 THE TAIL END Forging Metal By Karen Abbattista
8 14 61 62 66 66 67
MEMBER CONNECTION HEADS UP SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT SHOP @ X USDF CONNECTION SUBMISSION GUIDELINES USDF OFFICE CONTACT DIRECTORY ADVERTISING INDEX
Greetings from
40 Florida
MILY KOENIG; AND JENNIFER BRYANT
IN EVERY ISSUE
ON OUR COVER Photo illustration by Emily Koenig. Photos by Sue Weakley and Jennifer Bryant.
Volume 18, Number 4
USDF CONNECTION
•
September 2016
3
inside usdf
region4dir@usdf.org
USDF OFFICERS & EXECUTIVE BOARD PRESIDENT
GEORGE WILLIAMS
Meet Me in St. Louis If you get involved with the USDF, there’s no telling how you’ll benefit
421 Park Forest Way, Wellington, FL 33414 (937) 603-9134 • Fax: (740) 362-5539 president@usdf.org VICE PRESIDENT
LISA GORRETTA 18120 Snyder Road, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 (216) 406-5475 • vicepresident@usdf.org SECRETARY
By Anne Sushko, Region 4 Director
MARGARET FREEMAN 200 Aurora Lane, Tryon, NC 28782 (828) 859-6723 • secretary@usdf.org
me feel optimistic about the future of our sport. River, who hails from the Kansas City area, is not a rider; his sister is. But he helped me in the show office for two days, posting scores, running results to the awards office, and never complaining. He probably doesn’t think of himself as part of the USDF, but he is. Fourteen-year-old Cody was a ring steward in Wisconsin. His ring ran efficiently and on time, and his equipment-checking abilities rank with the best. He doesn’t ride, but he loves horses. When I asked him why he was volunteering, he said he enjoys helping out and being at the shows. He, too, probably doesn’t think of himself as part of the USDF, but he is. At the same show in Wisconsin, I met Julia, a first-time dressage competitor. Her smile and gracious behavior were a pleasure to see. Whether she becomes a regular competitor or an involved USDF member remains to be seen, but she will forever be a part of my memories of that show because of her spirit and desire to be part of the sport. Like River and Cody, Julia may not consider herself a part of USDF, but she is. River, Cody, and Julia were at those dressage shows because someone invited them to participate. I am involved with the governance of our sport because someone invited me to become more active. I chose to accept that invitation, and now it is my turn to issue you an invitation. Come to the USDF convention in St. Louis this year! Get involved. Raise your hand. ▲
4 September 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
TREASURER
STEVEN SCHUBERT P.O. Box 2044, Methuen, MA 01844 (978) 360-6441 • treasurer@usdf.org
REGIONAL DIRECTORS REGION 1 DC, DE, MD, NC, NJ, PA, VA
LISA SCHMIDT 5 Thads Hill Road, Hampton, NJ 08827 (201) 981-1823 • region1dir@usdf.org REGION 2 IL, IN, KY, MI, OH, WV, WI
KEN LEVY 330 North Mill Creek Road, Noblesville, IN 46062 (317) 773-4532 • region2dir@usdf.org REGION 3 AL, FL, GA, SC, TN
SUSAN BENDER 1024 Grand Prix Drive, Beech Island, SC 29842 (803) 295-2525 • region3dir@usdf.org REGION 4 IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD
ANNE SUSHKO 1942 Clifford Street, Dubuque, IA 52002 (563) 580-0510 • region4dir@usdf.org REGION 5 AZ, CO, E. MT, NM, UT, W. TX, WY
HEATHER PETERSEN 12395 Gull Lane, Peyton, CO 80831 (719) 683-8435 • region5dir@usdf.org REGION 6 AK, ID, W. MT, OR, WA
CAROLYNN BUNCH 18430 111th Place SE, Snohomish, WA 98290 (360) 577-6201 • region6dir@usdf.org REGION 7 CA, HI, NV
TERRY WILSON 2535 Fordyce Rd., Ojai, CA 93023-9630 (805) 890-7399 • region7dir@usdf.org REGION 8 CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT
DEBRA REINHARDT 160 Woods Way Drive, Southbury, CT 06488 (203) 264-2148 • region8dir@usdf.org REGION 9 AR, LA, MS, OK, TX
SHERRY GUESS 18216 S. 397th East Avenue, Porter, OK 74454 (918) 640-1204 • region9dir@usdf.org
AT-LARGE DIRECTORS ACTIVITIES COUNCIL
SUE MANDAS 9508 Bridlewood Trail, Dayton, OH 45458 (937) 272-9068 •ald-activities@usdf.org ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL
KEVIN BRADBURY PO Box 248, Dexter, MI 48130 (734) 426-2111 • ald-administrative@usdf.org TECHNICAL COUNCIL
CAROLYN VANDENBERG 112 Eden Ranch Dr., Canyon Lake, TX 78133 (830) 226-5006 • ald-technical@usdf.org
COURTESY OF ANNE SUSHKO
I
t is always interesting to hear how someone became involved with the USDF. My story? I blame it on my daughter. I’ve been a participating and a group member of the USDF for a long time, but until 2007 I was not very active. That year, after I decided to retire from teaching junior high, my daughter said: “You should think about becoming a technical delegate. You like rules and books and explaining things to people. And you’ll have to go to the USDF convention.” As it happened, that year’s USDF convention was in Florida. Florida in December—very appealing to this Iowan. Then came the convention organizer’s call for volunteers. I signed up. At convention, I was assigned to help check people in—and had a blast getting to talk with the superstars of our sport. I got to ask their names (like I didn’t recognize them!), hand them their packets, and ask if they had any questions. During my Region 4 meeting, they asked for volunteers to serve on the USDF Membership Committee. Guess whose hand was up in a second (despite not knowing what that entailed). My journey had begun. At the next convention, I helped to direct the symposium demonstration riders to their proper places and stood in awe of the presenter. The most fun, though, was helping backstage at the awards banquet. He will not remember the encounter, but it was a thrill to tell George Williams to please get in line so that he would be ready to go on stage. Going to convention, the people I have met, the opportunities afforded—all of these happened because my daughter thought I would enjoy becoming involved. At dressage shows earlier this year, I met three young people who made
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ringside
jbryant@usdf.org
The Horsiest Place on Earth Wellington, Florida: keystone of a burgeoning equestrian empire
USDF CONNECTION The Official Publication of the United States Dressage Federation EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Stephan Hienzsch 859/271-7887 • stephh1enz@usdf.org
——— Editorial——— touch when it comes to seeing “big audacious goals” to fruition. Bellissimo’s company acquired the WEF as a struggling operation, turned it around, and then launched Global to great success. His family purchased The Chronicle of the Horse magazine, which is thriving. He created a splashy, pricey horse show in the heart of New York City, and the Rolex Central Park Horse Show—which features dressage freestyle, among others—now is a fixture on the fall calendar (this year’s edition runs September 21-25). Most recently, Bellissimo & Co. spearheaded the development of the Tryon (NC) International Equestrian Center—and in August, the TIEC threw its hat into the ring to host the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, which at press time was homeless after the FEI and the intended host city, Canada’s Bromont, dissolved their contract (page 14). It would certainly be a feather in our country’s cap to host the World Equestrian Games again, just eight years after its successful first-time-outsideEurope edition in Kentucky 2010. You’ve noticed, of course, that all of these eggs are in Bellissimo’s basket. As his ventures’ fortunes go, so goes a decent chunk of our sport. But with his investments Bellissimo has made his own statement about where he thinks American dressage, and US horse sports, are headed. So this winter, if you can, come on down to Welly World and experience the magic kingdom for yourself.
Jennifer O. Bryant, Editor @JenniferOBryant
6 September 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
EDITOR
Jennifer O. Bryant 610/344-0116 • jbryant@usdf.org CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Hilary M. Clayton, BVMS, PhD, MRCVS EDITORIAL ADVISORS
Melissa Creswick (CA) Margaret Freeman (NC) Lisa Gorretta (OH) Anne Gribbons (FL) Terry Wilson (CA) TECHNICAL ADVISORS
Janine Malone Lisa Gorretta • Elisabeth Williams
——— Production ——— SENIOR PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR
Emily Koenig 859/271-7883 • ekoenig@usdf.org SENIOR CREATIVE COORDINATOR
Karl Lawrence 859/271-7881 • klawrence@usdf.org
——— Advertising ——— ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVE
Danielle Titland 720/300-2266 • dtitland@usdf.org USDF Connection is published ten times a year by the United States Dressage Federation, 4051 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511. Phone: 859/9712277. Fax: 859/971-7722. E-mail: usdressage@usdf. org, Web site: www.usdf.org. USDF members receive USDF Connection as a membership benefit, paid by membership dues. Copyright © 2016 USDF. All rights reserved. Reproduction of articles requires permission from USDF. Other text may be reproduced with credit given to USDF Connection. USDF reserves the right to refuse any advertising or copy that is deemed unsuitable for USDF and its policies. Excluding advertisements, all photos with mounted riders must have safety head gear or USEF-approved competition hat. USDF assumes no responsibility for the claims made in advertisements. Statements of fact and opinion are those of the experts consulted and authors, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or the policy of USDF. The publishers reserve the right to reject any advertising deemed unsuitable for USDF, as well as the right to reject or edit any manuscripts received for publication. USDF assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. All materials must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Questions about your subscription or change in address? Contact USDF Membership Department, 859/971-2277, or usdressage@usdf.org. POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: USDF, 4051 IRON WORKS PARKWAY, LEXINGTON, KY 40511. Canadian Agreement No. 1741527. Canada return address: Station A, P.O. Box 54, Windsor, Ontario N9A 6J5.
SUSANJSTICKLE.COM
W
hen I learned that British and European dressage stars are making regular trips to Florida to train and compete, I realized that USDF Connection needed to do a story on this reversepilgrimage phenomenon. For decades, the tickets were oneway in the other direction. Europe was the epicenter of the dressage universe, and so US riders seeking the crème de la crème of training and competition had to cross the pond. It was never the other way around. But along the way, as journalist and part-time Wellington resident Sue Weakley recounts in this month’s cover story (page 40), a happy combination of events and circumstances began to converge in south Florida like winds in a hurricane. Well-to-do Northerners, some with equestrian interests, had long been fleeing Old Man Winter for the Sunshine State. Florida land, particularly inland of the tony Palm Beach area, was relatively inexpensive. Horse owners began to build farms, and equestrian enthusiasts began to build arenas and show grounds, first for polo and later for jumping and dressage. From there the growth of Wellington and environs as equestrian-sport hub has snowballed. Polo remains a major part of the “Welly World” scene, while jumping and dressage got big boosts from the show series known respectively as the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) and the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. These series have become as prestigious as Europe’s offerings, and that’s why celebrities like British Olympic dressage gold medalist Laura Tomlinson are now traveling to Wellington to compete at Global, as fans call it. Investor and businessman Mark Bellissimo, who has a controlling interest in the Wellington show grounds and show series, seems to have the Midas
member connection The Extravagant Trot SPECIAL HORSE-HEALTH ISSUE I was interested to USDF CONNECTION read Pam Henline’s letter in the June is- EPM: sue, with questions about the extravagant trots showing up these days—what I’ve come to think of as the “big lick” dressage horse (“The Judge’s Box: Evaluating the Extravagant Trot,” March). Like Pam, I’m puzzled that there seems to be thought of changing the definition of the trot from “a two-beat diagonal gait with a period of suspension between beats.” Will the US Equestrian Federation redefine a trot as having four beats to accommodate the “big lick” horses? Will that definition also apply to horses that have a four-beat trot without the extravagance? When is a bad trot just a bad trot? I was always told that a horse needs three good, pure gaits for dressage. In her reply to Pam’s letter, judge and writer Jayne Ayers referenced long, elastic walks; but those walks still meet the definition of the gait. The dressage community needs to be careful about redefining a gait for all horses to accommodate the few. Things change and evolve, but is it the role of dressage to fundamentally change and redefine the horse? Just because a “big lick” trot can be performed doesn’t mean that it is correct. Sally Baker Oxford, MI W W W. U S D F. O R G
JUNE 2016
Official Publication of the United States Dressage Federation
Latest on Diagnosis and Treatment
Sport-Horse Maintenance Advice from US Team Vet Rick Mitchell (p. 28)
New Training Series: Refine Your Riding with George Williams
Charlotte Jorst and Kastel’s Nintendo
With all due respect to the credentials and expertise of both Jayne Ayers and Dr. Hilary Clayton, we disagree with their comments concerning the extravagant trot and the inference that the physiology of the horse has changed, so the gaits should perhaps be reevaluated. What is being rewarded at the dressage shows is one of the main reasons for this descent into harming instead of helping our horses. The rules written by various dressage federations are being ignored and replaced by flashiness and hyperflexion, particularly the “show trot” that thrills the uneducated audience. Top riders are being rewarded with top marks and applause by an unknowing public and judges who should know better, resulting in damage to the horse that is sometimes irreversible. What happens when the horse is ridden in this flashy trot? The back is pushed down, the balance of the saddle falls too far back, and the rider sits behind the center of gravity, all of which causes too much pressure over the last floating ribs. This causes a chain reaction: The saddle stuffing compresses in the rear, the rider goes into a chair seat, and the excess pressure on the horse’s sacroiliac joint makes it nearly impossible for him to engage from behind and step under. The horse becomes what is called a “leg mover” rather than a “back mover.” Sabine Schleese Director of Corporate Affairs Schleese Saddlery Service Ltd. Holland Landing, ON
editorial@usdf.org
EPM Thanks to Katie Navarra for her excellent article on EPM (“EPM: Not Just Playing Possum,” June). During my pathology training at the veterinary school at Cornell, I necropsied many horses with EPM, and the effects in the brain and spinal cord are devastating. Today, much more is understood about the protozoa’s life cycle. Although opossums are considered an important host, there is increasing evidence that coyotes are an equally important vector; there are also several case reports of EPM fatalities in horses that were irrefutably caused by coyotes. Opossums are scavengers and do not actively hunt kill and eat barn cats. Coyotes do, and cats and small dogs are some of their favorite foods. So a coyote would eat a barn cat, consuming the muscle meat containing the schizonts. Then it would defecate in the barn area, shedding eggs that a horse would consume. Then the horse would develop EPM. While it is a good idea to discourage opossums, coyotes should be aggressively dealt with as a source of EPM and also as killers of pets and young animals. All dog-type feces around barn areas should be picked up as soon as possible, and preferably bleach poured on the site. Carol Meschter, DVM, PhD, DACVP Los Altos, CA Editor’s note: A few readers pointed out that we neglected to mention what EPM stands for: equine protozoal myeloencephalitis. Our apologies.
Lebanon Junction, KY Permit # 559
PAID
NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. Postage
Give Your Horse a Rest It was a pleasure to see the article “The Latest in Sport-Horse Maintenance Care” (June) pertaining to the health and well-being of our dressage partners. It is amazing to see all kinds of innovative products and equipment being used to keep horses happy and sound. Unfortunately, some barns are
8 September 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
member connection
I am convinced that USDF CONNECTION the USDF continues to cater to a very small portion of its membership while ignoring those who make the organization: the weekend dressage riders who compete in local schooling shows, most of whom are adult amateurs who cannot afford to attend recognized shows or USDF educational activities. You bring out the disparities between the haves and the have-nots (“Ringside: Out from the Sidelines,” July/August), but it does not have to be like that. Many organizations are reaching out to their weekend warriors. The American Quarter Horse Association has been recognizing local activities for many years. The US Eventing Association supports local shows through its education program. The US Equestrian Federation has always supported local activities through its affiliate associations. In her article “Dressage Education: Survey Says...” (July/August), Victoria Trout points out that, surveyed about USDF’s educational activities, 75 percent of respondents said that attendance costs plus travel expenses were too high, 67 percent thought event costs were too high, and 33 percent felt the event was too far above their level to be of benefit. This should send a clear message to USDF. Unfortunately, even though it supports its group-member organizations (GMOs), the USDF does not recognize local schooling shows or clinics. In my area, there are multiple schooling shows and clinics, which are well-attended and economical. It is about time that USDF considers
10 September 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
W W W. U S D F. O R G
J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 6
Official Publication of the United States Dressage Federation
Meet USDF’s Youth Volunteer of the Year (p. 48) Fitness for Para-Equestrians
Get Your Horse Fit for Dressage with Dr. Hilary Clayton (p. 36)
New Software Transforms Freestyle Competition (p. 20)
Rebekah Mingari and Elzarma TF
PAID
USDF secretary Margaret Freeman’s “Inside USDF” column (“Picture This,” June) was very disappointing. She acknowledged the importance of wearing protective headgear but did not give any reason that the USDF logo (which portrays a rider wearing a top hat) should not be changed. We may not need a logo change to “hammer home the importance of wearing protective headgear,” but why
Recognize Schooling Shows
NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. Postage
Headgear and the USDF Logo
not change it to reflect the best practice in dressage riding? USDF should be a leader, not a passive acceptor. Lynn Rzonca Narberth, PA
Lebanon Junction, KY Permit # 559
forgetting the most vital part of keeping our horses healthy: time off. I do not mean a day or two off per week, but real time off—at least four or five days in a row, at least once a month. Time to let the horse be a horse, to mentally relax, and to let sore muscles truly recover and grow stronger. Most high-end barns do not allow horses to take more time off because they don’t want them “losing ground” in their training. Yet they often have horses sidelined by lameness issues or by stumbling blocks in their training because they suddenly start to buck, rear, bolt, kick out, or refuse to go forward. Most of these issues are caused by hidden pain or mental frustration. In the 25-plus years I have been in dressage, my horses all work four days a week for three weeks and then take five days off. During their week off, we might do one or two trail rides to keep fit, but that is all. They come back into work rested, with a happy and eager attitude. Never have I had a horse “lose ground” in his training. Horses do not get out of shape after a week of relaxation. They retain what they were taught and actually try harder to figure out difficult concepts if they were struggling before. I have never had a horse suffer an injury caused by excessive training, and they have never had temperamental issues. I hope that others will try giving their horses consistent mini-vacations. I think they will be surprised at the positive results—horses that are sound in both mind and body. Ashley Simmons Heber, UT
editorial@usdf.org
recognizing these local shows. Recognizing local activities may benefit and reward members and may even increase the number of people who join USDF. Maybe it is time to consider the have-nots and not cater only to the elite. Jorge Rojas, MD Coopertown, TN Editor’s note: The USDF is the USEF’s recognized affiliate organization for dressage.
Relatable Stories I enjoyed reading the story of Seldom Seen and Lendon Gray (“American Dressage Legends: Seldom Seen,” June). As a breeder, trainer, and rider of Morgan sport ponies for 40 years, I have always been supportive of the pony classes and divisions. Lendon Gray was my inspiration decades ago. Having just returned from the National Dressage Pony Cup, I can truly say it’s making a huge impact on our sport and growing by leaps and bounds. Please continue to have stories about ponies! Deb M’Gonigle Woodstock, IL Thank you so much for the “Tail End” story “Thank You, Misty” (April). These are the stories that your members want—the ones about average Joes working their butts off to earn their medals on not-so-likely horses! The real percentage of your members! Call us your blue-collar dressage riders, who support the rest of the elite. Elizabeth O’Connor Mechanicsville, MD
Get more from USDF Connection magazine. Go online and login to access bonus features. WWW.USDF.ORG
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HEADS UP
YOUR DRESSAGE WORLD THIS MONTH
SPORT PONIES
Championships Are All About Ponies
P
onies representing 16 breeds and registries gathered July 8-10 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington for the 2016 National Dressage Pony Cup. Competition in the 23 divisions drew a worldwide audience thanks to live streaming on the USEF Network and commentary by FEI 5* dressage judge Axel Steiner.
PONY CHAMP: 2016 National Pony Cup open FEI champion Forsite Renoir, a Morgan stallion bred, trained, and ridden by Debra M’Gonigle
Debra M’Gonigle, Woodstock, IL, rode her Morgan stallion Forsite Renoir—whom she also bred and trained—at Prix St. Georges and Intermediate I to claim the open FEI championship title. Another Morgan, the Grand Prix-level gelding Avatar’s Jazzman, owned by Melissa Dowling, took the reserve championship with rider Lauren Chumley, Pittstown, NJ. In a unique twist, a motherdaughter pair won their respective championships aboard the same mount. Hakuna Matata, an Oldenburg mare owned by Marsha Montgomery, did double duty for Alayna Borden, 17, Lambertville, NJ, and mom Karen Borden. First Alayna won the Third Level Junior/Young Rider title; then Karen piloted Hakuna Matata to the Third Level Adult Amateur championship. The mare also claimed the Oldenburg breed award. “We came to the Pony Cup for the first time last year and returned because we just love it,” said Alayna. “We compete in other recognized shows in our area but have to compete against big horses all the time, and sometimes it’s really tough to do with a small pony. Here it feels like we’re on a more level
ALL-AGES SHOW: Oldenburg mare Hakuna Matata won Third Level championships with both 17-year-old Alayna Borden (pictured) and her mother, Karen, an adult amateur
playing field, plus the atmosphere is relaxed and fun, and it’s a refreshing change for us as competitors.” For a complete list of results, visit dressageponycup.com.
BEHIND THE SCENES
J
ob title: Secretary for such major dressage competitions as this month’s Dressage at Devon (PA) performance division (dressageatdevon.org) and the winter Adequan Global Dressage Festival (FL) (gdf.coth.com) What I do: I organize all of the entries as they come in. I make sure that all their credentials are in place. I schedule. I make sure that all of the times get out to the riders. Then I am at the show grounds during the show. Afterward, I send in the results. This year for Global, I was secretary and managed, with a full staff. There were 12 weeks of shows. Once I’m finished with the Wellington Global circuit, I probably have another 15 shows I do.
ORGANIZED: Fitzgerald
12 September 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
How I got started: I did not start riding until I was in my early thirties. My trainer thought that I would be very good at doing the secretarial side, so I started helping out with schooling shows. Then my local GMO asked me if I would be interested in helping out at a rated show, and I went from there. I’ve been doing this 20 years now. Best thing about my job: All of the people I get to meet. Worst thing about my job: Never having enough hours in the day to get everything accomplished. My horses: I no longer have horses. Tip: We are here to help you. —Katherine Walcott
JENNIFER M. KEELER; COURTESY OF MONICA FITZGERALD
Monica Fitzgerald, Show Secretary
US DRESSAGE FINALS
THE NEAR SIDE
Declare and Nominate
H
oping to compete at the 2016 US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan? Horse/ rider combinations must declare their intention to participate by filing a Declaration of Intent form. U S D R E S S AG E The deadline to declare FINALS is midnight on the day prior to the first day of your Great American/USDF Regional Championship competition (including any day of open competition before the start of championship classes). You must declare at the level(s) and eligible division(s) in which you intend to compete. There is no fee to declare. Find the declaration form at usdressagefinals.com/declare. In addition, nomination (preliminary entry) is required for participation in US Dressage Finals classes, whether you qualify via placing or wild-card eligibility. The nomination deadline is midnight, 96 hours after the last day of your Regional Championship. Find the nomination form at usdressage final.com/nominate. See page 19 for declaration, nomination, and entry deadlines by region. For the prize list and other information, go to usdressagefinals.com.
RIDER HEALTH
FEI
App Offers Helmet-Fit Tips and Concussion Advice
A
imed at parents of helmet-wearing child athletes, a new safety app contains helmetfit tips and concussionassessment tools useful to equestrians of all ages. From the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the CDC Heads Up app includes detailed fit guidelines (select “equestrian” for sport-specific helmet-fit advice) as well as information about concussion symptoms and what to do if you suspect you or
Olympic Channel to Include Equestrian Sport
B RIDE SAFE: App screen shot
someone else may have suffered a concussion. Download CDC Heads Up for free from Google Play or Apple’s App Store.
ecause 17 days are not enough” is the tagline for the soon-to-launch Olympic Channel. The International Olympic Committee venture promises to bring “everything Olympic”—event coverage, news, stories, and original programming (but not live Olympic Games footage)—to a global audience across all digital platforms and devices, including social media. The Fédération Equestre Internationale
is one of the 27 international sport federations that signed an agreement with the IOC to provide content to the Olympic Channel, according to a June 6 FEI press release. The IOC is undertaking the Olympic Channel venture as part of its effort to engage a younger audience. The website (OlympicChannel.com) stated a launch date of August 21, which is the date of closing ceremonies at the 2016 Rio Games.
USDF CONNECTION
•
September 2016
13
HEADS UP
YOUR DRESSAGE WORLD THIS MONTH
PARA-EQUESTRIAN
Collier, Hardin Win 2016 USEF Para-Dressage Championshipos 2016 US Paralympic dressage team named
ON TO RIO: High-performance para-dressage champion Sydney Collier on Western Rose
at the Waterloo Hunt Club in Grass Lake, MI. Collier, a Grade Ib para-equestrian from Ann Arbor, MI, will compete in Rio with her national-championship partner, Western Rose, a 2003 Oldenburg mare owned by Wesley Dunham. Collier’s Paralympic teammates are Rebecca Hart (Grade II), Wellington, FL, on Schroeters Romani, a 2002 Danish Warmblood mare owned by Cherry Knoll Farm, Barbara Summer, Bill and Sandy Kimmel, and the rider; Margaret McIntosh (Grade Ia), Reading, PA, on her own Rio Rio, a 2006 Rheinland Pfalz-Saar mare; and Angela Peavy (Grade III), Avon, CT, and Wellington, FL, on Lancelot Warrior, a 2002 Hanoverian gelding owned by Heather Blitz and Rebecca Reno. The 2016 Rio Paralympics will be held September 7-18. Para-equestrian dressage competition takes place September 11-16. Peavy earned the high-performance reserve title behind Collier and was the Grade III national champion. In the national division at the USEF Para-Dressage championships,
WORLD EQUESTRIAN GAMES
B
14 September 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
top honors went to Grade III athlete Pamela Hardin, Evans, GA, riding Quaterjack, a 2005 Brandenburg gelding owned by Kara Hardin, Kasey Hardin, Rachel Bryant, and the rider. The national-level reserve champion was the Grade Ib rider Laurietta Oakleaf, Malvern, PA, on the 2004 Friesian stallion Niekele fan Busenitz, owned by Laura McGinnis and the rider.
GOVERNANCE
No WEG in Bromont 2018; FEI Exploring Options romont, Canada, the intended host city of the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, will not be the site of the WEG after all. By mutual decision, the FEI and the 2018 Bromont organizing committee (COJEM) terminated their contract “due to ongoing financial issues,” the FEI announced July 22. According to the FEI’s press release, COJEM was “unable to put in place a realistic funding and sponsorship strategy” for the 2018 WEG, largely because hoped-for funding from the Canadian federal government did not materialize. The FEI intends to secure an alternate host city, according to FEI President Ingmar De Vos.
NATIONAL-LEVEL CHAMPION: Pamela Hardin and Quaterjack
FEI Announces New Dressage, Para-Dressage Director
F
ollowing the departure of FEI dressage and para-equestrian dressage director Trond Asmyr on account of his ill health, on June 14 the FEI announced the appointment of Bettina de Rham to those positions. De Rham adds the duties to her existing responsibilities as the FEI’s director of vaulting and reining. She will officially take over the NEW FEI DIRECTOR: dressage and para-dressage roles after this De Rham month’s Paralympic Games. The acting dressage and para-dressage director since Asmyr’s resignation, Carina Mayer, leaves the FEI at the end of this month for her new position as secretary general of the European Equestrian Federation in Warendorf, Germany.
ERICH LINDER PHOTOGRAPHY; HUGUES SIEGENTHALER/FEI
W
orld Equestrian Games veteran Sydney Collier punched her ticket to the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro with her high-performance championship win at the 2016 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships sponsored by Deloitte. The competition, a Paralympic selection event, was held June 2-5
HEADS UP
YOUR DRESSAGE WORLD THIS MONTH
USDF BULLETINS
What you need to know this month Regional Championships Feedback Sought THE USDF wants your Great American/USDF Regional Championship experience to be memorable and positive. Immediately following your Regional Championship competition, you’ll receive an evaluation form via e-mail. Please help us continue to improve the championships by completing the survey. Your feedback will be shared with the USDF and with competition management. Thank you, and best of luck at the Regionals!
Awards Deadlines Approaching DON’T MISS OUT on a USDF award! September 30 is the deadline for: • Submitting birthdates for Vintage Cup, adult amateur, and junior/young rider awards • Filing Vintage Cup status and verifying adult-amateur status • Joining USDF for Breeder of the Year awards • Submitting online Rider Performance Award applications • Submitting online Horse Performance Certificate applications.
US Dressage Finals Offers High-Score Breed Awards HIGH-SCORE BREED AWARDS will again be offered at the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan. Participating breed and performance registries will award two high-score awards in the adult-amateur and open divisions: one for the national levels (Training through Fourth Levels) and one for the FEI levels (Prix St. Georges through Grand Prix). Results from freestyle and non-championship classes will not be included. To be eligible, declare your horse for the awards when you enter. For more information and to see a list of participating registries, visit usdressagefinals.com.
Competition-Management Education JOIN US AT THE 2016 Adequan/USDF Annual Convention in St. Louis, MO, for an educational session relevant to competition managers and show secretaries of all experience levels. The session will focus on competitor relations, competition financials and reporting, and risk management. This session requires separate registration from convention. Register online through November 25.
Apprentice Technical Delegate Clinic ANOTHER USDF CONVENTION adjunct education session will be the November 30 USDF Apprentice Technical Delegate Clinic. Required for apprentice TDs, this seminar is open to all. We’ll cover how to become a TD; dressage attire, tack, and equipment; and USDF and US Equestrian Federation forms and publications. Register online through November 25.
16 September 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Yearbook Photo Deadlines SUBMIT RIDER-AWARD PHOTOS by October 7 and year-end award photos (first place only) by October 28 in order to be considered for inclusion in the 2016 yearbook issue of USDF Connection. See the USDF photo release form (on the USDF website under Awards/ Forms and Documents) for submission instructions.
Check Your Scores CHECK YOUR SCORES at USDFScores.com. Contact the USDF Competitions Department at scorecorrections@usdf.org or at (859) 971-2277 if you notice an error. The 2016 competition year ends September 30. All corrections must be reported by October 15 at 5:00 p.m. ET.
WORLD CUP FINALS
2017 FEI World Cup Finals Tickets on Sale
T
ickets are on sale to the general public for the 2017 FEI World Cup Dressage and Jumping Finals, March 29-April 2 in Omaha, NE. According to the Omaha Equestrian Foundation, all-session tickets are available for dressage and jumping. Ticket prices range from $145 to $265. Each all-session package includes admission to five sessions. Visit OmahaWorldCup2017.com for information about the World Cup Finals and for Ticketmaster links.
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Four Important Steps and Deadlines
1. Declare - Complete a Declaration of Intent for each level and division for
which the horse/rider combination may qualify. usdressagefinals.com/declare
2. Qualify at one of the Great American/USDF Regional Championships. 3. Nominate - Nomination is required for participation in US Dressage Finals classes, whether qualifying through placing in a Regional Championship class or by Wild Card Eligibility. usdressagefinals.com/nominate
The Nomination (preliminary entry) deadline is midnight, 96 hours after the last championship day of your Regional Championship. The Nomination fee paid will be applied to the total amount due at Closing Date. Nominated entries that do not receive an invitation will receive a full refund. Priority for all stabling requests (including stabling in heated Alltech Barn and for double stalls) will be based on the date of receipt of the completed entry and allotted Alltech stalls per region. To maintain priority consideration, a completed entry must be received within five days after the nomination deadline.
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Thursday, September 15, 2016
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Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Thursday, September 22, 2016
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Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Thursday, September 29, 2016
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Thursday, October 6, 2016
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Thursday, October 13, 2016
Above deadlines are midnight in the time zone of the specified Regional Championship
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EXCLUSIVE TRAINING SERIES
Refine Your Riding Part 3 of our series on developing sophistication of the aids. This month: Teach your horse to be “in front of the aids.” By George Williams with Sue Weakley Photographs by Sue Weakley
I
approach every horse with the attitude that I will train it to Grand Prix. A Grand Prix horse must be quick and reactive to the aids. He must respond to the aids in a positive way, with energy and minimal tension. This can seem like a paradox—we’ve all seen horses whose energy was fueled by tension—but it is possible to achieve through a methodical approach to developing the horse’s understanding of our aids.
In the last issue (July/August), I gave you the “kindergarten exercises” as taught to me by my mentor, Karl Mikolka, for teaching horse and rider the “shared language” of the basic aids. This month, let’s take a look at that common dressage expression: “The horse must be in front of your aids” (or “in front of your leg”).
Out in Front
In order to achieve true self-carriage, the horse must be quick and responsive to the driving aids.
Of course, your horse isn’t literally in front of you when you are riding him. The expression refers to the feeling the horse gives the rider when he is responsive to the forward driving aids. The USDF Glossary of Judging Terms defines “on the aids” as “the horse reacts to the rider’s aids willingly, confidently, immediately, and correctly.” But how do you create this responsiveness and willingness? And how do you assess whether your horse is sufficiently confident and willing to go forward? For starters, as I discussed in part 1 of this series, I look for a correct response to correctly given aids. How I approach the training, how I address the application of the aids, and how the horse responds to the aids all factor into the training process. We riders must revisit these aspects frequently as we move up the training scale.
think forward. We must think and react quickly, and we must learn to time our aids precisely. A quick, well-timed aid produces a quick response; an aid given late can make the horse dull. Don’t confuse a late aid with a deliberately longer, slower aid such as we might use in an extended trot to ask for a longer stride but with no change in tempo. I will forever hear Karl Mikolka’s words: “The quicker the horse is off your leg, the quicker he will be off his own legs and therefore the lighter he will be in your hand.” That’s why, in order to achieve true self-carriage, the horse must be quick and responsive to your driving aids.
Playing It Forward IN FRONT OF THE AIDS: Our goal is for the horse to “think forward”—to respond to light aids with energy and minimal tension. Sir Velo, a 10-year-old Westfalen gelding owned by Melissa Mulchahey, is straight, relaxed, and responsive to my light hand and “draped” leg on a diagonal line.
ground. The horse should move forward into a halt and “think forward” in a rein back. A young horse must be ridden “calmly, straight, and forward.” An FEI-level horse must be able to go forward in collection. These are examples of the way a well-trained dressage horse “thinks forward.” And only by riding forward are you able to train a “forward thinking” horse. To achieve these goals, we must both develop the horse’s forward movement and teach him to accept the half-halts—to be able to “step on the gas” and to “tap the brakes lightly.” If we want our horses to “think forward,” then we riders also have to
There is no doubt that racehorses go forward, but that’s not that kind of forward we’re looking for in dressage. A good piaffe that’s “on the spot” must have forward movement, even though the horse is not actually covering
20 September 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Coordination of the Aids In order to influence your horse effectively, you must coordinate your aids so that he can understand what is being asked of him. Most riders do not think about coordinating their aids when they ask their horses to go forward. By combining your aids properly, you can influence your horse to lift his back by engag-
â&#x20AC;˘ Set the bar high. Be mindful of signs that your horse is getting behind your aids. Are you drawing your leg up? Carrying your inside leg too far back? Using your heels instead of your calves? Using too much spur or whip? Exaggerating the position of your outside leg? Overusing your seat? In other words, are you resorting to incorrect aids? Keep in mind that nagging only makes the problem worse. â&#x20AC;˘ Mix it up. Use canter work to help â&#x20AC;&#x153;OVER THE BACKâ&#x20AC;?: Caprice, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Robert Stark, is engaging his core muscles in response to Noel Williamsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s driving aids. Because of Noelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s receiving hand and elastic contact, Caprice can use his hind legs to produce impulsion and a supple swing and lift of his back.
ing his core muscles, thereby allowing the energy generated by his hind legs to swing forward and â&#x20AC;&#x153;throughâ&#x20AC;? into a receiving hand that allows an elastic contact. This lift and supple swing, sometimes referred to as â&#x20AC;&#x153;over the back,â&#x20AC;? is what Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m looking for when I say that a horse is using his back. It is much easier for a horse to go forward when he uses his back. Chasing a stiff-backed horse forward can have limited success. In a minute, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll give you some of my favorite exercises for teaching riders to coordinate their aids. But before we get started, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s go over some concepts that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like for you keep in mind as we proceed. â&#x20AC;˘ Set a time frame for the response. Remember the â&#x20AC;&#x153;kindergarten exercisesâ&#x20AC;?? As you did when you rode those exercises, give yourself a time frame in which to expect a response from your horse. My rules of thumb are: three strides for a change of gait, two strides to change tempo, and one stride to activate. â&#x20AC;˘ Be consistent in your training. You cannot demand a response one day and be lenient the next. Your horse will not understand and learn what you want, and the inconsistency is unfair to him.
the trot and trot work to help the canter. Doing so can be beneficial in sensitizing the horse.
In Front of Your Leg Here are some of my favorite exercises for teaching a horse to stay in front of the leg. Develop a correct hind-leg response. The whip can be useful in encouraging your horse to bring his hind leg forward so that when you
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close your leg, he immediately steps forward to the bit. Start by making sure that you are holding the whip properly as you ride. It should lie quietly across your thigh and point toward your horse’s stifle. Doing so will also help to keep your hand in the correct position. The whip is an aid, not a punishment. Your horse should never fear the whip, and we want him to go forward calmly from the lightest of aids. So on a 20-meter circle in trot, use the lightest touch possible—think of tickling him with the whip behind your leg—to ask him to go forward for half a circle. If he doesn’t respond to a tickle, increase the intensity of the aid to a vibration and then a tap if necessary. The entire whip aid—from touch to vibration to tap—may last for up to two strides, but not more. With horses that are slow to respond, I occasionally alternate the whip aid between the horse’s shoulder and behind my leg, for three quick taps. This should be done carefully, with minimum movement of your hand and arm. Remember that the goal is not to startle the horse but simply to activate his hind leg. Next, alternate using the whip and your leg as you ask your horse to go forward. In rising trot, establish working trot around the entire arena. For three strides on the long side, use your leg as you sit and the whip as you rise. The rhythm is leg-whip, leg-whip, legwhip. If your horse is “over his back” and accepting of an elastic contact, you’ll know he is accepting the whip and responding correctly when you feel him immediately increase the tempo and take a longer stride, covering more ground progressively with each of the three strides. After the third stride, allow the tempo and the stride length to return to working trot. When I’m teaching a horse this exercise, I want him to increase both his tempo and the stride length in response to the whip because I’m emphasizing that I want the whip to activate his hind legs. Later, when the horse learns to truly extend his stride in the
22 September 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
CORRECT WHIP PLACEMENT: The shaft lies quietly across Noel’s thigh, the end pointed at the horse’s stifle. Her hand is positioned correctly with her fingers closed on the rein and around the handle and her thumb on top, which will prevent her from touching the horse with the whip unintentionally.
trot, I’ll want the tempo to remain similar to that of the collected trot. Transitions to encourage “forward.” Short forward spurts are extremely beneficial in freshening the gait for three strides and testing your horse’s willingness to stay in front of your leg. Frequent changes of tempo within the gait will keep him alert and attentive to your aids. Trot-canter transitions will do wonders to supple his back and strengthen his hind legs, particularly the outside hind that he uses to push into the canter. As you ride these transitions, ask yourself: Does my horse go forward smoothly and quickly when I ask, with his hind legs stepping forward and under his body with supple hips and a swinging back like a well-oiled machine? Or is there a hesitation and a momentary loss of rhythm caused by tightness or resistance? If the latter is the case, then the exercises below— particularly leg-yield (page 25)—will help address those issues. Confirm the individual driving aids. If you are wearing spurs and carrying a whip, then you have at your disposal a total of six driving aids (not including your voice): your seat, left leg, right leg, left spur, right spur, and whip. Your horse should be in front of all six driving aids independently. Here’s an
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exercise to confirm his understanding of the individual driving aids. From a rhythmic and energetic trot, pick up the canter. The driving aids for this transition are: inside leg at the girth, outside leg behind the girth, and inside seat bone imperceptibly weighted and “scooping” forward slightly. In the canter, notice that your inside knee sinks rhythmically. The drop corresponds with the moment that your horse’s inside front foot (the leading leg) is landing. This is the correct moment
to apply a driving aid in the canter: The next step he takes will be with his outside hind leg, and we want to encourage him to push off the ground more strongly at the start of the stride. In the exercise, you’ll use a different driving aid at each stride of the canter, for three strides. On stride one, give a squeeze with the upper calf of your inside leg. On stride two, squeeze your outside calf. On stride three, slightly weight and “scoop” your inside seat bone as you did for the
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24 September 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
CORRECT MOMENT TO DRIVE: In the canter, Noel applies her driving aids (including weighting and “scooping” her inside seat bone) as Caprice’s leading leg lands so that he’ll push off the ground more strongly with his outside hind leg in the first step of the next canter stride. Noel’s upper body has rocked back slightly more behind the vertical than is ideal, even for this “down” moment of the canter stride.
transition to the canter. Make sure that your legs and seat are positioned correctly, and don’t exaggerate any of the aids, especially your seat. Allow your horse to feel the more forward and energetic canter for a few strides so he understands that this is the response you wanted. Always give him a moment of peace before you repeat an exercise. These moments should be long enough to keep him calm and confident, but short enough that he connects the exercises in his mind and continues to improve. I like to vary this exercise by mixing up the driving aids. For instance, I might ride three strides of inside leg-outside leg-inside seat bone; or three strides of inside leg-inside legoutside leg. Experiment with different combinations. Occasionally test your horse’s response to a single aid for the three strides. When you’re happy with his response, see how he responds to the driving aid for a single step. The ultimate goal is for him to respond immediately to a single driving aid. This immediate reaction is necessary, whether you’re reconnecting him to a contact or keeping him stepping actively in a walk or canter pirouette. Repeat the exercises several times. You should see your horse develop a
away from the rider’s right (inside) leg. “The horse moves around the inside front leg. The outside front foot steps forward and around the inside forefoot, which remains active in the sequences of the footfalls. The hind feet move on a curved line, with the inside hind foot striking the ground in front of the outside hind foot.” In the leg-yield, which is introduced at First Level, the horse steps forward and sideways away from the rider’s inside leg. Although technically there is
LEG-YIELD ON A CIRCLE: Caprice enlarges the circle by leg-yielding right, away from Noel’s left (inside) leg. To ask Caprice to step both forward and sideways, Noel is using her leg when the horse’s inside hind leg is in the air.
better understanding and acceptance of the driving aids within five or six efforts. Be sure to ride the exercises in both directions. Positive reinforcement goes a long way in teaching your horse what you want. Don’t be stingy: Reward him with either a pat or your voice when he makes an effort and goes forward. Develop sensitivity to the aids with leg-yield. Charging forward is not the only way to teach a horse to “think forward.” He must also learn the dynamics of the leg aids. Turns on the forehand and leg-yielding are good exercises for teaching the horse to be more obedient and sensitive to your leg. The turn on the forehand is a good way to introduce the horse to the concept of yielding to the rider’s leg. According to the USEF rule book, “The purpose of this exercise of to supple the horse and teach him obedience to the aids.” From the halt or a walk, the horse is flexed slightly at the poll to the inside (the side away from which he is yielding). So in a turn on the forehand left, the horse is flexed to the right while his haunches yield to the left,
no bend in a leg-yield, the horse’s poll is flexed slightly to the inside, away from the direction of travel; and his inside leg is encouraged to step forward under his body, suppling his inside hip. Leg-yield can be performed at any gait (it’s done most commonly at the walk and trot) and on both circles and straight lines. In part 2 of this series (July/August), I introduced the first leg-yielding exercise I like to use: legyielding out on a circle or “enlarging the circle.” Begin on a 20-meter circle;
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USDF CONNECTION • September 2016
25
clinic the degree of bend required is less than on a smaller circle and therefore easier for the horse. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t confuse leg-yielding out on a circle with spiraling out to a larger circle. In the leg-yielding exercise, the goal is to move the horse away from the riderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inside leg for two or three strides, then to return to the original circle line. Riding just two or three strides of legyield ensures a clear beginning and end to the leg-yielding and will allow you to evaluate the quality of your horseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
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response to your inside leg. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how to ride the exercise: On the open side of the circle so that your horse is not restricted by the rail, ask him to yield with his inside hind leg and enlarge the circle by squeezing rhythmically with your inside leg when his inside hind leg is in the air. Your â&#x20AC;&#x153;guardingâ&#x20AC;? outside hand and leg help to channel his energy forward and sideways and to prevent him from â&#x20AC;&#x153;fallingâ&#x20AC;? to the outside. After the final step of enlarging, turn your horse onto the
Where Do You And Your Horse Rank? â&#x20AC;&#x201C;you could receive an award! Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Miss These Important Year-end Award Deadlines! t 4FQUFNCFS t 4VCNJTTJPO EFBEMJOF GPS CJSUIEBUFT GPS WJOUBHF DVQ BEVMU BNBUFVS BOE KVOJPS ZPVOH SJEFS BXBSET t %FDMBSBUJPO EFBEMJOF GPS WJOUBHF DVQ BOE WFSJGZJOH BEVMU BNBUFVS TUBUVT t .FNCFSTIJQ EFBEMJOF GPS 64%' #SFFEFS PG UIF :FBS FMJHJCJMJUZ t 0DUPCFS t "MM DPSSFDUJPOT NVTU CF SFQPSUFE UP 64%' CZ Q N &5 t 0DUPCFS t 1IPUP TVCNJTTJPO EFBEMJOF ĂśSTU QMBDF SFDJQJFOUT POMZ GPS JODMVTJPO JO UIF ZFBSCPPL JTTVF PG 64%' $POOFDUJPO t /PWFNCFS t *G QMBOOJOH UP SFDFJWF ZPVS BXBSE BU UIF 4BMVUF (BMB "OOVBM "XBSET #BORVFU QVSDIBTF ZPVS CBORVFU UJDLFU POMJOF BOE QSPWJEF 64%' BXBSE SFDJQJFOU JOGPSNBUJPO Learn more about the year-end nd SDF award requirements in the USDF Member Guide. res.com Check your scores at USDFScores.com Visit usdf.org/awards/preliminary minary y to find out where orse are ranked. you and your horse
26 September 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ USDF CONNECTION
LEG-YIELD ON A STRAIGHT LINE: From this view, you can clearly see the crossing of Sir Veloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hind legs as he leg-yields right, away from my left leg. Leg-yield is an excellent exercise for suppling the horseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inside hip. The horseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s head is tilted slightly in this moment; ideally it should be straight, with his ears level.
original circle line using gentle outside aids so that you are aimed at the next quarter point of the circle. Between leg-yielding efforts, I like to check my horseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s willingness to move forward. Ideally his shoulders and haunches will move as one unit so that his body continues to conform to the arc of the circle as he leg-yields out. This exercise also helps teach the horse to respond to and â&#x20AC;&#x153;fill outâ&#x20AC;? the outside aids, especially the outside rein. Repeat the exercise several times until you and your horse can execute it easily and he remains attentive, willing, and in front of your inside leg. Then ride the exercise on the opposite rein, and try it in trot in both directions when you and your horse feel comfortable at a walk. Next, ride leg-yield on a straight line. Practice the movement as itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s written in the testsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;from a long side to the center line or from the center line to the
Meet the Expert
G
eorge Williams needs little introduction to the USDF membership, having served as the Federation’s president since 2009. He is a veteran international competitor with many Grand Prixlevel wins and championships, including representing the US at the CHIO Aachen (winning team bronze) and at the FEI World Cup Dressage Final in 2003 with the famous mare Rocher. At 18, the native of New Hampshire traveled to Germany to study at the Reitinstitut von Neindorff, where he earned his German Bronze Rider Medal. On his return to the States, he began working with legendary Spanish Riding School alumnus Karl Mikolka. Later he apprenticed under Mikolka at the Tempel Lipizzans and eventually became director of Tempel’s equine program. Since the 2000s, Williams, his wife, Roberta, and their daughter, Noel, have operated Williams Dressage LLC and have been based at several prestigious dressage facilities in the Midwest and Florida. They currently divide their time between Ravenna, OH, and Wellington, FL. Besides serving as USDF president, George Williams is the United States Equestrian Federation’s national dressage youth coach. He is also a member of the USEF Dressage and High Performance Dressage Committees, and chair of the USEF High Performance Eligible Athletes Committee.
long side. There are many variations, such as from quarter line to quarter line or in a zigzag pattern (away from one leg for a few strides, then away from the opposite leg for a few strides, with a moment of straightness in between). Leg-yielding can also be done “head to the wall,” with the horse’s forehand remaining on the track as he travels at an angle to the rail. Test your horse’s responses by mixing leg-yield with other work. I might leg-yield right (away from
my left leg) for two strides, then go straight for two strides before legyielding left (away from my right leg) for two strides. Get creative in how you put exercises together, and always know what response you are looking for so that you can immediately reward your horse when he tries to do what you want. ▲ Next month: Develop your seat as an aid, and teach your horse to be “in front of your seat.”
USDF CONNECTION • September 2016
27
the judge’s box
Geometry Class Tips on riding an accurate test from a USEF “S” judge By Kathy Rowse
M
ost of us took geometry in tenth grade, never thinking it would turn out to be applicable in the dressage ring. (Maybe geometry class would have been more
If you have attended the USDF L Education Program, you know that dressage judges consider accurate geometry to be less important than correct basics. However, the horse that is truly attentive to the aids will be very adjustable so that the rider can produce precise geometry, such as accurately sized and correctly shaped circles. Conversely, incorrect geometry is like a red flag, showing where the rider’s aids or the horse’s response was deficient. A skilled rider understands how the aids direct the horse to produce accurate geometry and therefore higher scores.
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takes lots of practice. Have someone look at your voltes from both the side and in front; each view will provide a different picture of your inside and outside aids. If the judge’s comment is “too large,” we are really saying that the horse is drifting through the outside aids and that you are avoiding the difficulty of the exercise. This is a movement where even good riders lose points. Show-ring tip: Ride circles so that your outside leg is on the arc. Your outside leg and rein control the horse’s outside shoulder and hind leg, so if your outside leg is on the arc, you know that he is on the correct circle line.
EASY AS PI: Good dressage riding requires some knowledge of geometry
interesting if we’d known!) In fact, your success in dressage competition has a lot to do with your mastery of geometry as it relates to the figures and movements.
There are many articles on how to ride a 20-meter circle, but still we judges often see 18-meter circles at the ends of the arena (at A and C) and 24-meter circles in the middle, at B and E. Study the test patterns and the spacing of the letter markers in the arena. Use cones to mark the circle points, and practice until you can control the size of the circle. Another common error is the egg-shaped circle. Think of the four points of the circle as the points on a diamond. You don’t want the figure to be diamond-shaped, but riding from point to point will help you stay on your line during each quarter of the circle. Ten-meter voltes are introduced at Second Level. Impress the judge by not drifting through the outside aids into a 11-meter circle or making a 10-meter egg. To practice, try going around the perimeter of the arena and riding a 10-meter volte at every letter. The eight-meter volte, introduced at Prix St. Georges, is even harder and
28 September 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
THE ARENA: Learn the spacing of the letter markers, the quarter lines, and the center line so that you ride accurate turns, figures, and movements
ILLUSTRATION BY KARL LAWRENCE; USEF ILLUSTRATION
The World Is Round: Riding Circles and Voltes
Loop-de-Loop: Loops and Serpentines
Transitions A transition doesn’t require geometry per se, but it does call for accuracy. There are two types of transitions: between gaits (say, from walk to trot) and within a gait (such as from working trot to a trot lengthening). Between gaits. It takes lots of practice to be able to produce fluid, accurate transitions. Your horse must be responsive to your aids but not antici-
USEF ILLUSTRATION
CIRCLE DIMENSIONS: Riding perfectly placed, round circles is a real test of your skill and your arena-geometry mastery. Pictured are a 20-meter circle and a 10- and 6-meter volte.
Loops and serpentines are S-shaped figures. The wider the loops and the greater the number, the more challenging the figure. The trot loops in Training Level Test 3 (H-X-K and M-X-F) are not diagonals with sharp turns (see illustration on page 30). Strive to show clear but fluid changes of bend in each loop. First Level Test 3 contains the same loop, this time in canter with no change of lead. This figure should also be fluid with rounded curves, not pointy tips. Keep your horse’s body organized and aligned; judges often see the horse’s haunches leading or trailing. The foreleg should be on the same track as the haunches, with the horse maintaining slight flexion to the leading foreleg. No leg-yielding! Second Level requires a threeloop canter serpentine, the width of the arena (see illustration on page 31). The serpentine geometry can be
difficult to master. Learn it by using cones to mark three equal 20-meter half-circles. It’s one thing to look at a diagram of this figure, but it may help you to actually draw it out yourself. A correct serpentine requires one straight stride on the center line between loops, parallel to the short side of the arena. Riding this figure accurately requires a great deal of balance. Common serpentine-geometry errors are diagonal lines instead of half-circles, and three-loop serpentines with the first and third loop too small and the second loop too large.
USDF CONNECTION • September 2016
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the judge’s box
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pate the transition. To keep him really on your aids for transitions, practice riding five steps of walk to five steps of trot to five steps of canter to five steps of trot to five steps of walk. Or make a trot-walk-trot transition at every letter as you ride around the arena. Show-ring tip: The dressage tests call for transitions executed at specific letter markers, meaning when your horse’s shoulder is opposite the letter. If you wait until he arrives at the letter to ask for the transition, it will be late. You must plan and ask preparatory questions of your horse before you reach the letter. If he is attentive, he will make the transition exactly where asked. Within the gait. Judges often remark that transitions are gradual or unclear. However, we don’t want you to charge forward at the start and pull back abruptly at the end. In the trot, think of the gait being adjustable on a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 being passage and 5 being extended trot. Practice making transitions from a “3” trot to a 4 and then to a 5; and then from 5
30 September 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
USEF ILLUSTRATION
SINGLE LOOP: Loop as ridden at Training and First Level
SERPENTINE: The classic three-loop serpentine comprises three 20-meter half-circles, each connected by one straight stride over the center line, parallel to the short side of the arena
to 4 to 3 to 2. Eventually you will be able to go from 3 to 5 and from 5 to 3 smoothly and effortlessly. Your horse should maintain a correct balance and outline during the transitions. Transitions within the gait at the canter take even more practice. Ride the above exercise; then, on a 20-meter circle, try riding five strides of a bigger canter (lengthening, medium, or extended) to five strides of working or collected canter. Repeat the sequence for three or four circles; it will give you a clear idea of how adjustable your horse needs to be. At Fourth Level and above, the rider performs extended canter on a diagonal to collected canter with a flying change. Frequently we see the horse collect as he is turning the corner and then change in the corner, after he has passed the letter. You must collect on the diagonal and make the change when your horse’s nose is approaching the letter but he is still on the diagonal line. Practice collecting two strides before the letter and then
making the flying change one stride before the letter. As a judge, I will be very impressed with your precision and your horse’s response.
Center Lines: Look at Me! The turn onto the center line and the halt and salute punctuate your test and are the first and last impressions the judge gets of you and your horse. A good halt starts with a balanced turn onto the center line. Many riders overshoot or undershoot the turn and therefore end up to the right or left of the center line. To the horse, being on the center line is like being out in the middle of the ocean, with no shore line visible to give him his bearings. To practice riding straight from A to C, try marking the center line with lime or chalk. Good preparation for the halt involves maintaining an active trot or canter on the center line and then asking for smaller steps before the transition. Use your peripheral vision to make sure that your horse’s body (ideally between
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31
the judge’s box his shoulder and your boot) is at the correct letter when you ask for the halt.
Corners Corners are judged as modifiers (they don’t receive individual scores), but they are crucial in setting up the movements that follow. The horse that is straight going into the corner, shows clear balance and bend through the turn, and then is straight for one horse’s length before the next letter will be balanced and ready for whatever the ride asks. If you cut the corner, you lose the opportunity to
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prepare for the next movement and therefore the accuracy and clarity of the next transition will suffer. The US Equestrian Federation rules state that corners should be ridden as onequarter of a volte appropriate to the level (10 meters at Training and First Level, eight meters at Second through Fourth Levels, and six meters above Fourth Level).
Good Basics + Good Riding = Improved Geometry The more attentive the horse is to your aids, the better geometry you
will be able to produce and the more points you’ll earn from the judges. Happy training and riding! ▲
Kathy Rowse is a USEF “S” dressage judge from Suffolk, VA, where she and her husband, Mike, own and operate Silverleaf Farm. She is a USDF bronze, silver, and gold medalist who has coached numerous students to their USDF medals. She is a faculty member of the USDF L Education Program and a member of the USEF Youth Committee.
US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan ®
Hospitality Sponsorship Opportunity For more information about Hospitality or other sponsorship opportunities, contact:
Ross Creech rcreech@usdf.org (859) 971-7038
32 September 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Show your support to competitors and event staff as a US Dressage Finals Hospitality Sponsor! Hospitality Sponsors will receive valuable onsite exposure to over four hundred of the top competitors from around the country, as they compete at this showcase event. Hospitality Sponsorships are available starting at $1000. Hospitality Sponsors will receive exposure in the event program and through onsite signage at hospitality events throughout the week. Additionally, Hospitality Sponsors have the opportunity to include a promotional gift item in the competitor gift bags.
TDF Funding for the Future YŽƵƌ ĚŽŶĂƟŽŶ ƚŽ d & ŝƐ ĂŶ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŵĞŶƚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ
ĨƵƚƵƌĞ ŽĨ h͘^͘ ĚƌĞƐƐĂŐĞ͘ EŽƚ ŽŶůLJ ǁŝůů LJŽƵ ŚĞůƉ ŚŽƌƐĞƐ ĂŶĚ ƌŝĚĞƌƐ ƚŽĚĂLJ͕ ĚŽŶĂƟŽŶƐ ƚŽ d & ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚ ƚŚĞ ĨƵƚƵƌĞ ŽĨ ĚƌĞƐƐĂŐĞ ŝŶ ŽƵƌ ĐŽƵŶƚƌLJ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ ƚŚĞ ĐŽŶƟŶƵŝŶŐ ĞĚƵĐĂƟŽŶ ŽĨ ƌŝĚĞƌƐ͕ ŝŶƐƚƌƵĐƚŽƌƐ͕ ƚƌĂŝŶĞƌƐ͕ ũƵĚŐĞƐ͕ ďƌĞĞĚĞƌƐ͕ ĂŶĚ ŵŽƌĞ͘
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Cath Ca ther heriine ine Ch Cham hamb berllai be ain in, TDF Gra rant nt Rec eciipi ipie ientt Photo Courtesy of Phelps Media Group //M Mar ary Ad ary Adel elaaiid dee Bra rake kenr nrid nrid dge ge
Daily Highlights Wednesday, Nov. 30 Registration opens Executive Sessions (closed) Closed Committee Meetings USDF Apprentice Technical Delegate Clinic (ticketed event)
2016 Adequa Annual Con
Thursday, Dec. 1 Rider Fitness (daily program) Committee Chairs & Delegates Meeting Region 1-9 Meetings USEF Rule Change Forum Open Committee Meetings Featured Education Presentations Welcome Party
Friday, Dec. 2 Region 1-9 Meetings Competition Open Forum with Q&A GMO Roundtable Featured Education Presentations Board of Governors General Assembly
Saturday, Dec. 3 Board of Governors General Assembly Youth Education Competition Management Education Session (ticketed event) Featured Education Presentations Salute Gala & Annual Awards Banquet (ticketed event)
For the most complete and up-to-date agenda visit
www.usdf.org/convention
Thank You to Our Corporate Sponsors
Join us for
Dressage at the Arch November 30 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; December 3, 2016 St. Louis, MO
an®/ USDF nvention Travel to the Gateway Arch to surround yourself with your peers through networking opportunities, forums, and roundtable discussions. Experience educational events seeking to improve the mind and body of the horse and rider, then celebrate the year’s accomplishments at the Salute Gala & Annual Awards Banquet.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION Register online at www.usdf.org/convention or call 859-271-7871 for assistance. Deadline for the Member Advance Registration Discount is November 25, 2016
Convention Package $175 USDF member (onsite $225) $250 non-member $90 youth (21 and under) The convention package includes: All featured education presentations All interactive education opportunities All business meetings Committee meetings Regional meetings Board of Governors General Assembly Open forums Welcome Party
Additional Events & Clinics Salute Gala & Annual Awards Banquet $90 (onsite $110) USDF Apprentice Dressage Technical Delegate Clinic (Tickets must be purchased by November 25, 2016.) $175 Competition Management Education Session: An Over-Arching Session on Competitor Relations, Finances, and Risk Management (Tickets must be purchased by November 25, 2016.) $35
Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch
Hotel Reservations
Our host hotel is located close to the Gateway Arch and situated on the downtown riverfront. The central location will afford many opportunities each day to enjoy the ‘flavor’ of St. Louis, including theatre, live music, and history. You’re sure to find all you need to enjoy your stay at Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch.
To guarantee your room at the discounted USDF rate, make your reservation by November 11, 2016. After that, it is subject to room availability. Visit www.usdf.org/convention to make your reservation.
American Dressage Legends: Roemer First breeding stallion inducted into the USDF Hall of Fame
B
efore there was a Roemer Foundation, there was Roemer. Today the USDF Hall of Fame bears the name of this sponsoring foundation. All of that came about as a result of the remarkable Dutch Warmblood stallion that left an indelible stamp on American sport-horse breeding. In 2006, Roemer became the first horse inducted
Farm in Coatesville, PA. Owner Mary Alice Malone imported the 17-hand chestnut stallion (Pilatus – Cronella, Cyrano) from the Netherlands in 1986. Then aged 11, the German-born Roemer had already competed as a Grand Prix jumper and had been the top producer of dressage horses in the Netherlands for more than seven years.
HANDSOME INSIDE AND OUT: Roemer and owner/rider Mary Alice Malone
into the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame not for his achievements in the competition arena (although those, too, were impressive) but for his accomplishments as a breeding stallion.
F
or years Roemer (1975-1996) was the flagship stallion at Iron Spring
Roemer put Iron Spring Farm on the map as a force in the US sporthorse-breeding industry. Over an 11-year period, he was the leading sire in the USDF Horse of the Year standings, and he became the first KWPN stallion outside Europe to be awarded Preferent status by the registry.
36 September 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
editorial@usdf.org
Roemer left his mark on the sport-horse world not only as a sire of breeding stock, but also as a sire of both jumpers and dressage horses. Approved by the Westfalen and Oldenburg registries as well as by the KWPN, he produced the approved sons Winston, Darwin, Boy B, and Einstein; the Iron Spring Farm-bred and –owned licensed son Neptune; and five approved grandsons. He also sired 23 Preferent mares, 29 Prestatie mares, 17 Sport mares, 198 Star mares and geldings, 31 Keur mares, 85 First Premium foals, and 651 registered Dutch Warmblood offspring. Roemer also was the sire of the approved Oldenburg stallions Nassau and Joshua. Among Roemer’s successful performance offspring were the FEI-level dressage horses Sea Fox (who qualified for the 1996 Olympics with Canadian Leslie Reid), Casanova, Escado, Jakarta, Joshua, Magnolia, Tango, Winston, Zaire, and Zenobia. The jumper Minstrell competed in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Numerous additional offspring competed successfully at the national levels. The multitalented stallion himself proved equally talented in dressage. Malone brought Roemer to Grand Prix just three years after his import. The pair competed successfully, earning a USDF performance certificate at the Grand Prix level. In 1988 Malone said of her stallion: “Roemer is actually extremely easy to ride. He is intelligent, so I only have to show him something once before he understands. He doesn’t make an issue over doing it again, even if it’s difficult for him. He has such an honest character and really tries.” A broken shoulder sustained in a trailering accident cut short Roemer’s performance career. Despite his early retirement, he continued to build a legacy through his sons and daughters. He died in 1996 at the age of 21; later that year, he posthumously won the Get of Sire class at Dressage at Devon.
COURTESY OF IRON SPRING FARM
historical connection
Remembering Roemer By Mary Alice Malone
“PART OF THE FAMILY”: Roemer with Malone in an undated photo
for some grass. Roemer fit in with everything. He was good in the barn and with other horses. He was easy to handle and safe around my kids, so I liked that very much. He truly had a golden character, a quality his children and grandchildren inherit. He was just a lovely horse; I cannot say enough about him. ▲
COURTESY OF IRON SPRING FARM
Roemer is one of my all-time favorite horses. He was a successful Grand Prix jumper in the Netherlands, and he is one of the few stallions to receive a 10 on character and a 9 on temperament during his stallion testing. Before I met Roemer, I bought his son Winston in 1985 as five-year-old. Like Roemer, Winston demonstrated ridability and trainability, and was fun to ride. Winston was a fantastic horse with a long and successful show career that we developed from Training Level to Grand Prix. Winston truly had a heart of gold, so I took the opportunity to see Roemer in the Netherlands in 1985. Roemer was big, beautiful, and marvelously marked. He had a good attitude. I just looked at him and knew he was going to be a wonderful horse. At the time, it was believed that Roemer’s offspring were developing too slowly. However, I had a dream in him and faith that his babies would also be
good horses, so Roemer became part of the family. This dream paid off because as Roemer’s offspring reached five to seven years old, they came into their own. Once they began the collected work, they excelled at the FEI levels. Roemer was a jumper, but he also had some dressage training and had shown Prix St. Georges in Holland. When he arrived in the United States, we taught him to piaffe, which he understood quickly and easily. This wonderful trainability is something that Roemer passes on to his offspring. Roemer was fun to show—easy to handle and easy to ride in the warm-up and in the ring. When other horses were naughty, he was brave and steady. At one show in Richmond, Virginia, there were several white hunter ponies he thought were particularly interesting. He got a little pumped up, but he still listened to me and did everything I asked. His favorite class was the freestyle. He loved his music—big band and country. At the shows after his classes, he liked to go out for a little walk or
USDF CONNECTION • September 2016
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all-breeds connection
Bred to perform
F
Friesian Sporthorses you might know: The main book/elite book stallion Lexington (Baron von Kolderveen – Denver Miss xx) is one of the best-known Friesian Sporthorses in the US. Lexington has been the Friesian Sporthorse Association’s (FSA) high-performance dressage national champion for five consecutive years, and he was the 2015 Adequan/USDF All-Breeds FSA champion at Grand Prix. Friesian Sporthorses have also excelled in dressage sport-horse breeding (DSHB) classes and in FEI Young Horse competition. Multiple Friesian Sporthorses have participated in the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan; Celtic Grace (Roi Des Blues – Zena xx), owned by Bobbi Wojtowicz and ridden by Jonni Allen, won the 2015 Fourth Level Open Freestyle championship with a score of 72.944 percent. The Friesian Sporthorse Association: The FSA is the official registry of the Friesian Sporthorse STANDOUT: The Grand Prix-level Friesian Sporthorse and registers Friesian stallion Lexington, owned, trained, and ridden by Gigha Sporthorses worldwide. Steinman of River Oaks Farm (FL) It is the only registry to recognize the Friesian Friesian Sporthorses most commonly Sporthorse as a developing breed, combine warmblood blood, Thorwith strict and specific guidelines for oughbred blood, or both with that breeding and registration. In 2008 the of the Friesian, as these breeds have FSA trademarked the name Friesian proven to most consistently improve Sporthorse; that same year, the FSA overall athleticism and stamina as well became internationally recognized as the quality of the canter. and authorized to issue UELNs The Friesian Sporthorse is an espe- (Universal Equine Life Numbers) to cially popular choice for dressage and Friesian Sporthorses, giving additioncombined driving. al legitimacy and recognition to the riesian Sporthorses are often a bit baroque in their build, with the higher and more arched neck of the Friesian. They are best known for their kind temperaments and expressive gaits. The goal of Friesian Sporthorse breeding is to produce a quality horse of sport-horse type by building on the strengths of the Friesian, but with a greater emphasis on sport potential.
38 September 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
breed around the world. All-Breeds awards offered: All USDF performance and DSHB categories. How to participate: The horses must be registered with the FSA. Membership is included with registration; there is no additional membership requirement for owners or riders. Learn more: FriesianSporthorse Association.com or (386) 749-0097. ▲
For the Breeds, by the Breeds
E
ach month, “All-Breeds Connection” spotlights a USDF All-Breeds awards program participating organization and the breed it represents. Information and photos that appear in this column are furnished by the breed registries. USDF does not endorse or promote any breed or registry over another. The All-Breeds program is designed to recognize the accomplishments of specific breeds in dressage. All participating organizations offer “open” yearend awards from Training Level through Grand Prix, and some offer awards in additional categories, such as adult amateur, junior/young rider, and dressage sport-horse breeding. Registry representatives are usually on hand to help bestow awards at the banquet held during each year’s USDF convention. All-Breeds award eligibility requirements include memberships and horse registrations with both USDF and the participating organization. For details and a list of current participating organizations, visit usdf.org. For more information about All-Breeds awards program participation, send e-mail to allbreeds@usdf.org.
COURTESY OF THE FRIESIAN SPORTHORSE ASSOCIATION
Spotlight: Friesian Sporthorse Association
editorial@usdf.org
Greetings from
40 September 2016 â&#x20AC;¢ USDF CONNECTION
How Wellington, Florida, grew from snowbird’s paradise to global dressage destination BY SUE WEAKLEY
USDF CONNECTION
•
September 2016
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY EMILY KOENIG; PHOTOS BY SUE WEAKLEY AND JENNIFER BRYANT
Florida
41
H
urricanes? Check. Alligators? Check. Sandy, marshy swampland with stifling summertime heat and humidity but no decent hay? Check. Given these factors, south Florida might not seem a prime location for a global center of equestrian activity. But that’s exactly what Wellington has become. This 45-square-mile village, west of Palm Beach and on the edge of the Florida Everglades, calls itself the Winter Sport Horse Capital of the World. Synonymous with highperformance dressage, jumping, and polo, “Welly World,” as aficionados call it, draws riders and spectators from around the world to its mild winter climate, top-notch training and competition facilities, and equestrian lifestyle. From December to April it’s common to see an Olympic rider choosing his lunchtime sushi from the Fresh Market takeout, or to spy a billionaire’s daughter in boots and breeches lunching at The Grille Fashion Cuisine just down the street from the show venues. Equally typical is the sight of working students and grooms shopping alongside the wealthy at Florida’s popular Publix supermarkets. From one of many snowbird’s-paradise destinations to singular global equestrian hub, the story of Wellington’s rise is one of American entrepreneurship, sporting passions, and an unshakable belief that “if you build it, they will come.” Let’s retrace the rise of this equestrian capital and take an inside look at why, each winter, many of the world’s top riders beat a path to Welly World.
In 1951, the Massachusetts accountant and businessman Charles Oliver Wellington bought 18,000 acres of transitional marshlands in Palm Beach County and created the world’s largest strawberry patch, with 2,000 acres of berries
as well as row crops and a cattle ranch. Wellington’s property became known as the Flying Cow Ranch, a nod to C. Oliver’s initials and his penchant for airplanes. After Wellington’s death in 1959, his son, Roger Wellington, developed some of the land in an effort to raise capital to pay estate taxes. Some polo aficionados from nearby Palm Beach established a show grounds and began hosting high-level matches in the area, and suddenly Wellington real estate was booming. Over the next 20 years, polo in Wellington flourished. Gradually the area began to attract enthusiasts from other equestrian sports—primarily hunters and jumpers at first, and later dressage. “For decades, people who loved horses chose to come here and make a home for themselves for the winter,” says Olympian and year-round Wellington resident Robert Dover, who now serves as chef d’équipe of the US dressage team. “In the beginning, I’m thinking 1981, there was a stadium,” he says, gesturing toward the 160-acre show grounds located in the heart of Wellington, surrounded by developments with street names like Equestrian Way and Appaloosa Trail. “Across the street were three barns. I had one; [Olympic jumper riders] Joe Fargis had one with Conrad Homfeld; and [hunter trainer] James Lala had one with his partner. Our arenas, directly across the street, were off to the side. The jumpers were here in the front field, where they had the Grand Prix. This was the crux of it. That became home for more and more equestrian people, and it just grew exponentially when Gene Mische created [horse-show management company] Stadium Jumping Inc. with some partners. Then, as jumpers came [for Stadium Jumping’s hunter/jumper show series, the Winter Equestrian Festival], more and more of us who wanted to do dressage were interested.”
Wellington by the Numbers
Wellington Goes Global
Strawberry Fields
I
s Wellington in winter really the horsiest place on earth? Check out these numbers.
61,485 ................. Population of the village of Wellington 250,000.............. Annual visitors 12,800-13,400 ... Horses in January and February 2,900-3,200 ....... Horses from June to September 9,608 .................. Permanent stalls 2,000-3,000 ....... Temporary seasonal stalls 2,000 .................. Horses visiting daily during the winter season 100 ..................... Miles of public bridle trails.
42 September 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
As equestrian sports continued to grow, Mother Nature dealt Wellington and the greater Palm Beach area a series of blows. Hurricanes Charley, Frances, and Jeanne in 2004; and Katrina and Wilma in 2005 all caused extensive property damage and financial losses. Wilma ripped roofs off permanent barns at the show grounds and reduced temporary stalls to piles of rubble. The village of Wellington suffered almost $62 million in damage. Adding to the woes, Stadium Jumping Inc.’s lease of the show grounds was on shaky financial footing, with the threat of default. Mische knew he lacked the resources to take his Winter Equestrian Festival to the next level.
SUSANJSTICKLE.COM
Where some see hardship, others see opportunity. In 2007, the businessman and Boston native Mark Bellissimo—a full-time Wellington resident since 2004—made headlines when his company Wellington Equestrian Partners (WEP) and its subsidiary, Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP), assumed control of the Winter Equestrian Festival show grounds as well as Stadium Jumping Inc.’s event licenses and show dates, all formerly held by Mische. Led by Bellissimo, who is WEP’s largest shareholder, WEP revitalized and expanded the grounds into what is now known as the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Bellissimo did not respond to interview requests for this article. But as he told the equestrian newsweekly The Chronicle of the Horse in 2012, he had experience in reviving struggling organizations. He said that, with a wife and children who enjoy coming to the area to escape the winter and ride, “Our vision was to transform Wellington from a town with a large horse show to a community with a vibrant equestrian industry that would include a world-class show grounds, enhanced lifestyle options, and a family-friendly offering that would be integrated into the community.’” In 2011, Dover approached ESP about creating a worldclass venue for dressage. The old Palm Beach Polo stadium, part of the Winter Equestrian Festival property, was deemed an ideal spot. Today the PBIEC hosts both the Winter Equestrian Festival and the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (GDF), each with its own venue. In 2016 the GDF comprised 12 shows from January to April, of which seven were CDIs (FEI-recognized dressage competitions) and one included a CPEDI (FEI-recognized para-dressage competition). (Bellissimo is far from finished making his mark on equestrian sport. In 2013 he and his family purchased The Chronicle of the Horse. The following year, he launched the successful Rolex Central Park Horse Show in New York City. Most recently, in April of this year WEP acquired the International Polo Club and surrounding properties in Wellington, a total of 248 acres, thereby sealing the deal on a trifecta of horse sports in the region.) “I will never forget that meeting Bellissimo had when Global [the Global Dressage Festival] was just a dream,” says international dressage competitor Arlene “Tuny” Page, a founding sponsor of the GDF and owner of Stillpoint Farm in Wellington. “He made it really clear. There was this room with two or three hundred people in it. A lot of people wanted to hear what his vision was for Global, and Robert [Dover] was cranked up about it. Bellissimo said: ‘I get the feeling from people that they want this. I want to know who’s going to put their money on the line. Who is going to
ELECTRIC ATMOSPHERE: Florida gets its share of bad weather, usually thunderstorms and hurricanes
have some skin in the game?’ Bing, bing, bing, hands started going up around the room. Stillpoint became a founding sponsor because I thought if that place doesn’t fly, my place doesn’t fly. He didn’t need the funding; he needed to know we were behind him.”
Bellissimo Built It, and They Came Since its inception in 2012, the Adequan Global Dressage Festival has exploded in popularity, for both competitors and spectators. The twelve-week dressage-show series now boasts a waiting list for tables in the two VIP tents, standing room only in the bleachers for the Friday night Grand Prix Freestyles, and classes filled to capacity. Success breeds success, and the businesses that piggyback on the Wellington-area show circuit—from veterinary clinics and tack shops to real estate—have likewise benefited. “The building of Global is what made it all possible,” says Olympian and youth-dressage advocate Lendon Gray, who USDF CONNECTION
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now organizes an annual Winter Intensive Training education program in Wellington under the auspices of her Dressage4Kids organization. “[The equestrian scene in Wellington] was good before that, but I think having all these shows here in one place in a short period of time, and the weather, are what did it. It really is a phenomenon. “I’ve been coming to Florida for more than 30 years,” Gray continues. “I came down for six months at a time; this was before many people were coming. I was from Maine, where my closest show was a five-hour drive.” She marvels at the numbers of top-level riders, trainers, and equine experts who flock to Wellington—and the educational opportunities that follow. “You’ve got an expert in everything to draw upon, to meet, to talk to, and to watch ride. There’s no place in the world with resources like this within such a small space.” Page concurs. “So many of the top riders are here, and now all the top resources are here. You have the best vets in the world, who are linked into the best vets in Europe. You have every piece of equipment you could possibly imagine. MRI? Half a mile down the road. Ice tank? A quarter of a mile over there. Race track? Boom. Everything you need is here. There are seminars and clinics taught by someone amazing every single week here.” Long lauded as the world’s foremost dressage-horse
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The Budget Traveler’s Guide to Welly World The costs of traveling to and competing in Wellington can be intimidating; after all, this is a place where many ultrawealthy live, work, and ride. But seasoned snowbirds say there are ways to do Welly World on the cheap, or at least for less, if you’re willing to work for your keep. When Page first headed to Florida from her native Massachusetts, she didn’t have enough cash to buy dinner, so she mucked stalls, she says. The influx of trainers and horses sparks the hiring of many seasonal workers; as an example, Page recalls dressage trainer David Marcus’s mentioning that he needed a helper for a month during the 2016 season. “He’s one of five hundred riders and trainers in town, and lots of people need help,” says Page, who recommends contacting local show secretaries as well as trainers in search of job leads. Horse board is pricey in Wellington proper. If you want to bring a horse and your budget is limited, nearby Loxahatchee may offer less-expensive options, Page says. And there never seems to be a shortage of people who are looking to share seasonal accommodations.
ELENA LUSENTI
EMPIRE BUILDER: Bellissimo
shopping, training, and competition destination because of its compact size and many quality offerings, western Europe may have met its match in Wellington. In fact, the Florida winter climate and world-class shows are drawing increasing numbers of foreign riders. British Olympian Laura Tomlinson is now a Welly World regular. The 2016 FEI Reem Acra World Cup Dressage Final reserve champion, Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén of Sweden, has competed at the GDF. Even West Coast-based stars like Olympians Steffen Peters and Adrienne Lyle make the trip to Wellington. “Not competing for seven months is too long to be out of the ring,” explains Canadian Tina Busse-Irwin, who with husband Jaimey Irwin has been escaping their home country’s frigid winters for many seasons. “Also, for us, we are able to do everything [in Wellington]. We can compete, come back, ride a couple of horses, teach a couple of lessons, and go back again. It’s the convenience.” “Down here, the competitions are so close,” Jaimey Irwin agrees. “You go, you come back, and it’s easy. Great competitors, judging, weather—it’s all here.” The prize money doesn’t hurt, either. “Especially when you get to the Grand Prix, the purses are becoming bigger and bigger,” says Tina Busse-Irwin. “Even in the small tour, if you make the top six, you make money.”
The Winter Dressage Mecca “Wellington is the winter Mecca for dressage,” says Kimberly Boyer, owner of Hampton Green Farm and a GDF founding sponsor. “I like to say that the Wellington season is like taking a twelve-week cruise with 700 of your closest friends.” If you’re a dressage enthusiast, the winter season in Wellington is a phenomenon you should experience at least once. Whether you come to ride, train, show, learn, or shop for horses or tack and equipment, opportunities abound,
all within convenient driving distance. And the proximity makes for a remarkably tight-knit community that helps to bridge the usual divide among equestrian disciplines. ▲
Sue Weakley is a freelance writer, marketing professional, and self-avowed dressage geek. After teaching journalism and integrated marketing communications at the university level, she decided to meld dressage and writing into her dream job. She and her Lusitano, Universo do Bosque, are doing their best not to annoy each other as they strive toward half-halt perfection.
World-Class Learning
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SUE WEAKLEY; JENNIFER BRYANT
ith so many dressage stars making the Wellington area their winter headquarters, it’s no surprise that clinics and other opportunities with top names in the sport abound. Large-scale educational events dot the winter calendar, too. Such renowned trainers and judges as Johann Hinnemann, Stephen Clarke, and Steffen Peters have headlined the annual Adequan/USDF FEI-Level Trainers Conference, which returns to Loxahatchee in January and draws an impressive lineup of demonstration riders and horses (check usdf.org for date and clinician announcements). A newer offering is the Florida Dream Tour, sponsored by The Dressage Foundation (TDF). Patterned after TDF’s
BEST OF THE BEST: German master Johann Hinnemann instructs demo rider Ayden Uhlir aboard Sjapoer at the 2016 Adequan/USDF FEI-Level Trainers Conference East in Loxahatchee
INSIDER’S GUIDE: 2016 Florida Dream Tour participants got up close and personal with wellknown riders at flagship facilities, including Danish competitor Mikala Münter Gundersen (aboard her international partner My Lady) at her Bell Tower Farm
International Dream Program, in which selected youth visit European dressage trainers for a once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunity, the day-long Florida Dream Tour (which is open to all ages) features demonstrations by some of Welly World’s best-known dressage riders and private peeks into some of its most prestigious stables. In March, participants in the second annual Florida Dream Tour watched Laura Graves and Adrienne Lyle at Betsy Juliano’s Havensafe Farm; David Marcus, Nicholas Fyffe, and Arlene “Tuny” Page at her Stillpoint Farm; Janne Rumbough at her MTICA Farm; and Mikala Münter Gundersen at her Bell Tower Farm.
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It’s a Welly World, After All PHOTOGRAPHS BY SUE WEAKLEY
The winter season in Wellington offers the complete immersion experience in everything dressage, equestrian, and lavish. See for yourself.
FLORIDA SUNSET: Riders warm up under a dramatic sky
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PARADISE? International competitor and Global Dressage Festival founding sponsor Arlene “Tuny” Page during her 2016 Florida Dream Tour demonstration ride at her Stillpoint Farm
FAIRYTALE SETTING: Mikala Münter Gundersen rides My Lady at Bell Tower Farm
MEET AND GREET: Olympians Laura Graves and Verdades during the Dream Tour
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL: Aboard her Grand Prix horse Junior, MTICA farm owner and amateur dressage rider Janne Rumbough addresses the Dream Tour participants
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FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: Global Dressage Festival’s Friday-night Grand Prix Freestyles are a major spectator draw. Kasey Perry-Glass rides her 2016 Olympic partner, Goerklintgaards Dublet.
PACKED HOUSE: Olympian Shelly Francis gives a thumbs-up to the GDF crowd
INTO THE SPOTLIGHT: Juan Matute Guimon of Spain rides into the GDF arena
CHEERING SECTION: Olympian Debbie McDonald, owner and sponsor Betsy Juliano, and US dressage chef d’équipe Robert Dover applaud Laura Graves’ freestyle ride
SUNNY SIDE UP: Olympian Laura Graves gives a wave after a successful test on Verdades
DRESSAGE REFLECTIONS: Dream Tour participants watch as David Marcus coaches Nicholas Fyffe on the eight-year-old PRE stallion Fiero HGF
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BEHIND THE SCENES: Florida Dream Tour participants visit Janne Rumbough’s MTICA Farm. (The acronym? Short for More Than I Can Afford.)
STATELY PALMS: Inviting patio at Mikala Münter Gundersen’s Bell Tower Farm
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Marketing Your Dressage
Promotion is key to finding and keeping clients. Here’s a guide to gettin BY JENNIFER M. MILLER
CULTIVATED IMAGE: Good marketing (like this PR photo) helps dressage professionals like Nicholas Fyffe and David Marcus of Marcus Fyffe Dressage presen
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Business
M
aybe Steffen Peters doesn’t need to advertise, but most mere mortals—especially those getting started in a business—need to get the word out. Whether you want to attract clients, boarders, or horses in training, what’s the best strategy for marketing in today’s multimedia world? Most dressage professionals chose their careers because they love horses. But a horse business is still a business, so trainers and facility owners need to consider marketing strategies to grow and maintain their clientele. Your name and reputation are key factors in your success. Savvy marketing can help to promote the image you want to portray. Good marketing takes time and planning. You wouldn’t wing your dressage test, right? Read on and we’ll show you how attention to the marketing details can help ensure your business’s long-term success.
ng started.
nt their desired image to prospective clients.
Define Your Niche In what aspect of the horse industry do you specialize? (Hint: The correct answer is not “dressage.”) Are you an instructor? A horse trainer? A coach? All three? Do you judge? Breed and sell horses? Board horses? Are you based in one location year-round, or do you relocate your business for all or part of the winter season?
Marketing vs. Public Relations
PHELPS MEDIA GROUP/MARY ADELAIDE BRAKENRIDGE
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lthough some people use these terms interchangeably, they traditionally have different connotations. According to the American Marketing Association, “Marketing is the activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large.” Whereas public relations, or PR, is “a strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their publics,” according to the Public Relations Society of America. In other words, marketing typically involves paid promotions (like advertising and sponsorships), while PR veers toward unpaid brand-building, such as media mentions and grassroots advocacy. But the advent of social media has done much to blur those lines, and a modern “marketing strategy” may include activities that cross-pollinate between advertising and PR.
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Next, who are your intended clients? Some dressage pros mainly teach adult-amateur riders, while others cater to highperformance competitors. Are you a young-horse trainer, or a retrainer of horses, or a resale specialist, or a developer of elite international equine talent? Determining your target client is an important basis for your marketing plan.
Strategies for Success That time-tested marketing method, word of mouth, is still king in building a business. “Ultimately, the best advertisement is word of mouth from happy clients,” says Lauren Sprieser, a USDF bronze, silver, and gold medalist who trains out of Clearwater Farm in Marshall, VA, “and the second best is competition success for me and my students.” “When picking a trainer, a potential student’s top priority is: Will this person help someone like me achieve what I want to achieve? If I can show them that I can because I’ve done so before, that gets them in the door,” Sprieser says.
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The Game-Changers: The Internet and Social Media Your dressage business needs a website—what equestrian journalist and marketing pro Chris Stafford calls “your shop window.” Your website is a multimedia business card. It should be
Marketing Tip: Referrals
U
se word of mouth to your advantage by encouraging clients to promote your business. Offer incentives for successful referrals, such as lesson discounts or shirts or saddle pads bearing your logo (wearable advertising!). Be sure to follow up promptly on all leads.
JENNIFER BRYANT
HAPPY TRAINER, HAPPY CLIENTS: Word of mouth is dressage pro Lauren Sprieser’s best marketing tool. She also writes, blogs, and uses social media.
Even established pros need to keep themselves “out there.” In dressage, continuing-education opportunities offer ways to both hone one’s skills and promote newly acquired credentials or a commitment to learning. “The Bills”—Bill McMullin and Bill Warren, of WarrenMcMullin Dressage in Stoughton, MA, and Wellington, FL—have used continuing education to their advantage. McMullin is a USDF bronze and silver medalist, a USDFcertified instructor, and a US Equestrian Federation “r” dressage judge. Warren is a Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) 3* dressage judge and a USDF bronze, silver, and gold medalist. Each says that the USEF and FEI judgelicensing programs and associated judges’ forums, and the USDF Instructor/Trainer Program have been helpful tools in maintaining their visibility in the sport. “The Bills” agree that best form of advertisement is “the repeated success of our horses and riders.” They encourage fellow dressage pros not to rest on past accolades but to continue to produce and learn. Any new venture, even if it’s by a well-known name, deserves a marketing push. Early this year, Florida-based competitors David Marcus (who represented Canada at the 2012 Olympic Games and the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games) and the Australian Grand Prix-level rider Nicholas Fyffe launched Marcus Fyffe Dressage, based at Stillpoint Farm in Wellington, FL. “With our new joint venture, we realized it was time to take Marcus Fyffe Dressage seriously and treat it as one would any other business,” says Marcus. “In any business, you can be the best, but if nobody knows you’re doing it, it is not going to bring you success. Marketing is an important part of our sport in general. Have you ever known anyone to win an Olympic gold medal that you’ve never heard of before? I think not.”
visually appealing, list the services you offer, and provide news and contact information. Use photos, video, or both to give potential clients a look at your operation. Website development ranges from hiring a designer to create a customized site, to choosing one of the many do-it-yourself options available. Prices vary accordingly. Today, your marketing strategy isn’t complete without a social-media presence—which happens to be one of the fastest and least-expensive ways to promote your equine business. New social-media apps appear daily, but the big three for the equine industry are still Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. No longer just for keeping in touch with friends and loved ones, Facebook is a powerful marketing tool. Businesses stoke brand loyalty by advertising flash sales, holding contests, and creating engagement with Facebook users who “like” their pages. Twitter is a microblogging site (posts, or “tweets,” must be 140 characters or less). Users who want to keep current on your doings “follow” you or your business. You’ll find dressage pros tweeting photos, video clips, show results, announcements, and the occasional personal snippet. At Instagram, photos and video rule. Businesses share images ranging from new products to lifestyle shots evocative of their brands. You, of course, could post sale-horse
Marketing Tip: Websites
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ooking for a website designer? Start by browsing existing sites, especially those of other equine pros. When you see one you like, look for a “website by” credit line, usually at the bottom of the home page. Or contact the business owner directly to inquire. If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, then check out the easy-to-use, customizable templates on such sites as WordPress.com or Wix.com. You don’t have to know HTML to create a website using these tools.
photos, ribbon shots, “between the ears” mounted photos, fun selfies, educational video clips…. Smartphones are powerful marketing tools. You probably carry one, and so do your present and prospective clients. All social-media platforms have smartphone-optimized apps. Once you establish a user account on a platform, download its app to your phone, which will make posting photos and updates between lessons, chores, and tests at shows a snap. Sprieser, for one, finds Facebook the most effective way of keeping her clients up to date. She also creates an elec-
®
REIN-AID
Helping You To Help Your Horse
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CALLING CARD: Your website is a 24/7 business promo. WarrenMcMullin Dressageâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s site is simple but contains the essentials: bios, services offered, contact information, photos, and news.
tronic newsletter with about 700 subscribers, most of them in her local area. Sprieser has dabbled in online advertisingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tried pay-per-click Google AdWords and targeted Facebook adsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; but although the ads have brought traffic to her websites, she says she has not seen much new-client benefit. The problem, she feels, is that â&#x20AC;&#x153;online ads reach a national audience, which can be helpful, but the reality is most of our business is local.â&#x20AC;?
If you use social media and online marketing tools, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll want to know how effective they are. Sprieser uses Google Analytics, which measures traffic to her websites. Facebook and the electronic newsletter service Constant Contact both offer tracking, as well. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But those numbers are irrelevant if theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not producing new paying customers,â&#x20AC;? Sprieser cautions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I try to always ask new folks where they heard about me, and that guides our marketing choices.â&#x20AC;? Thanks to the power of the Internet and social media, people can stay connected easily, regardless of whether they live next door or on the other side of the world. Aussie Fyffe uses social media to keep in touch with fans and friends Down Under. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Social media is the easiest way to access that information, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fun,â&#x20AC;? Fyffe says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Any successful strategic-marketing plan must include a strong component of social media because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how the majority of people get information today.â&#x20AC;?
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Softâ&#x20AC;? Marketing: Sponsorships, Donations, and Appearances Sponsoring or hosting events, clinics, and other equine activities helps dressage pros market their businesses to po-
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tential clients. Donating lessons, training sessions, judging services, or other items to auctions and fund-raisers can raise awareness, as well. Sprieser donates lessons to her local USDF groupmember organization’s (GMO) silent auctions as a way of supporting the club. It’s a win-win, she says, because many lucky bidders go on to sign up for additional lessons. Another strategy that’s proven successful for Sprieser is to host an open house. “I make sure that we always have a variety of exhibitions—not just me riding, but also talking about teaching and training, to show the range of what my program offers.” If you get invited to speak at an event, say yes if you can. At her Show Chic dressage-apparel boutique in Wellington, FL, owner Michele Hundt hosts monthly “Shop Talk” events with well-known presenters. The well-attended events often garner media coverage, and both McMullin and Warren have given “from the judge’s perspective” talks.
Your Name Here: Paid Advertising Traditional paid advertising is alive and well in the equine industry. Studies have shown that, even in this online age, print advertising remains an effective way of reaching a targeted audience. Markets range from national magazines (such as the one you’re reading), to local and regional equine publications, to GMO newsletters, to local newspapers—including their digital counterparts. Costs vary widely, in part based on ad size and frequency of placement. Sprieser has purchased ads in GMO newsletters, Virginia state publications, and The Chronicle of the Horse and other national magazines but says she has not seen a large benefit. McMullin and Warren advertise regularly in the Equine Journal and in the annual NEDA Omnibus and Florida Omnibus. “It is not clear that these specific ads have brought spe-
3 Questions for 3 Marketing Pros
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helps Media Group director of client relations Ariel Weisman and account executives Mary Adelaide Brakenridge and Annan Hepner are among the PMG team members helping clients to formulate effective marketing strategies for their equine-related businesses. We posed the three PR pros the following questions:
user-friendly website. Having information about you and your services readily accessible online is key to attracting new business, and once established, the site should require only occasional updates to stay current. Make sure it is set up so that you can easily edit the content yourself when you want to add upcoming events to the calendar or share news about clients’ What should a dressage professional or facility own- successes. er consider in developing a marketing strategy? Set aside 20 to 30 minutes each week to update PMG: First, think about how you define your business and your website and social media. Take advantage of the your brand. What are the key values you want to comability to schedule posts on Facebook: You can set up municate to prospective clients? Who is your competition, posts in advance to get the word out about upcoming and what sets you apart from them? Ask your current events. Get in the habit of sharing news as it happens, clients what they value about your business and why but having some posts scheduled will ensure that you they choose to work with you. Initial brainstorming along don’t go quiet for long stretches. Think about which these lines will help you distinguish yourself from the social-media platforms are the best fit for your business generic marketing efforts of many trainers or facilities by so you can concentrate on those rather than trying to presenting a clear and cohesive image of your business. juggle many different accounts. Then consider your target audience for your business in your region, and think about how to effectively What promotional step could a dressage pro take reach out to them. Are they more likely to look for right now? boarding facilities in a print magazine or on social Make sure your website and social media are up to media? What are the most influential online and print date, with current information about the facility, sale publications in your region? This will give you a sense horses listed, sponsors, testimonials, and results. If you of where to focus your advertising efforts. are at a show, write one social-media post a day with a photo. You don’t have to get very detailed, but remain What tip do you have for business owners to manpositive, thank the owners and sponsors, and congratuage their limited time? late your students. A little effort can go a long way to Invest the time up front in creating a modern, build relationships and your brand.
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cific clients, but we believe it is helpful for name recognition and staying ‘current’ in front of the dressage community,” says Warren.
He Said, She Said: Media Mentions Some say the best advertising is the kind you can’t pay for: editorial mentions. Being interviewed for your expertise (as we did the pros quoted in this article) or having your show win covered in a news story lends credibility and offers your business exposure. Sometimes a reporter seeks out interview sources; other times, would-be sources “pitch” their accomplishments to newspapers, magazines, and blogs that cover dressage news. Some higher-profile riders and farm owners hire PR firms to issue press releases on their behalf (see “Have My People Call Your People”), but e-mails and phone calls also suffice, especially with smaller media outlets. McMullin and Warren were featured in a Dressage Today article, with a photo of the pair on the cover. Marcus and Fyffe have issued several press releases for their business, including an announcement about their new Wellington location. Be aware that, unlike when you pay for advertising, you
can’t control the message when it comes to editorial content. If you are interviewed by a journalist, you probably won’t get to review or approve the story prior to publication—so think about the topic and your intended message beforehand. If you’re handy with a phrase, you might be able to contribute content yourself. Sprieser blogs for The Chronicle of the Horse’s website and writes articles (her work has appeared in USDF Connection and other magazines). “People who like how I write tend to also like how I teach, so it’s a platform for getting my style out there,” Sprieser says. “There’s no silver bullet, but second to word-of-mouth advertising, my writing has gotten me more clients than any other advertising I’ve done.”
Have My People Call Your People: PR Firms “People trying to run a business do not always have time to truly develop a comprehensive promotional strategy. Something that may take a trainer or rider months to do on their own could be accomplished quickly by a professional firm using the latest tools and effectively putting together a marketing mix tailored to each client,” says Ariel Weisman,
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director of client relations for the equine-industry-focused Phelps Media Group (PMG), Wellington, FL. Marcus and Fyffe are PMG clients. “Together with Phelps Media, we created a communications plan, and it changes depending on what opportunities come. We know the tools that we have at our disposal, but we also understand that they have to be dynamic depending on what’s happening in our business and our competitive lives at that time,” Marcus says. Numerous PR firms specialize in the equine industry, and not all clients are individual riders. Among Nan Meek and Patti Schofler’s Dark Horse Media Biz clients is the California Dressage Society, the USDF’s largest GMO. Their combined experience as riders, judges (Schofler is a USDF L graduate with distinction), and barn managers gives them an edge formulating marketing plans for their clients because they understand the demands of the horse business, Meek says. Costs of using a PR firm vary. Some clients pay a retainer— typically a monthly fee for marketing services—while others pay by the project. In selecting a firm, evaluate its experience with similar businesses, its products, and its reputation.
Your Credentials: Certifications and Memberships Many occupations require practitioners to hold credentials and licenses. Although that’s not the case for dressage in the US, increasing numbers of professionals recognize that earning certifications and other credentials are useful marketing tools in addition to valuable education. Modeled in part after the German trainer-licensing program, the USDF Instructor/Trainer Program emphasizes teaching, riding, and lungeing and offers certification at levels ranging from Training and First to FEI. Likewise, the USDF L Education Program teaches the fundamentals of dressage judging, and L graduates with distinction are eligible to enroll in the USEF judge-licensing program. Current certified instructors and L graduates, as well as program officials and USEF and FEI judges and technical delegates, are listed on the USDF website as a resource and for promotional purposes. The prestigious USDF bronze, silver, and gold rider medals appear on many dressage trainers’ resumes. These
USDF Salutes the 2016 Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Championships Competitors
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YOUR CONNECTION TO THE AMERICAN DRESSAGE COMMUNITY 58 September 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
rider awards demonstrate proficiency at the designated levels in USEF-licensed/USDF-recognized dressage competition. Learn more about USDF programs at usdf.org. Many clients like to see that professionals hold membership in—or better yet, are involved in—relevant organizations. Memberships in the USEF, the USDF, and one or more GMOs demonstrate a level of commitment to the sport from the national to the local or regional levels. Dressage pros and facilities often join with their GMOs to promote their businesses within the local and regional communities. Many GMOs list trainers and boarding facilities on their websites and in their newsletters. Volunteering with a GMO, such as serving on the board, helps the club and also presents opportunities for networking and promotion.
Toot Your Own Horn If someone new to dressage, or new to your area, were to go looking for an instructor, a training facility, or a horse tomorrow, would she find your business easily? That’s one of the primary objectives of marketing. “The various marketing tactics we use are based mostly on remaining visible,” say McMullin and Warren. Says Fyffe: “My advice for dressage professionals would be to understand that a marketing plan can create advan-
tages for your business. It’s important to be very strategic about what image is put out to the world, and what image you’re really trying to present.” “Don’t be afraid of marketing,” says Marcus. “Often we feel self-conscious about promoting ourselves and our business, but it’s necessary. Get good at it.” The average American is exposed to literally thousands of promotional messages each day. Your hard-earned dressage skills can’t attract clients if nobody knows about them. So get out there. ▲ Jennifer M. Miller is a freelance writer from Albany, NY, with 15 years of experience in marketing and communications. She is a past president of the Capital Region chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and the current newsletter editor for the Eastern New York Dressage and Combined Training Association. She competes in dressage with her North American Spotted Draft cross mare. Digital Edition Bonus Content
Watch a video of dressage trainers and judges Bill Warren and Bill McMullin’s “Shop Talk” presentation on judging at the Show Chic boutique in Wellington, FL.
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Nicholas Fyffe (Dressage) Daniel Stewart (Equestrian Sport Psychology over Fences) Doug Leasor (Barrel Racing & Pole Bending) Sterling Graburn (Driving) Lynn Palm (Western Dressage) Kevin Oliver (Reining & Ranch Horse Versatility) Stephanie Lynn (Hunter under Saddle, Western Pleasure) Sean Patrick (Trail Riding) Larry Whitesell & Jennifer Bauer (Easy Gaited Horses) Tommie Turvey (Trick Training) Sandy Croote (Miniature Horses) Heidi Potter (Clicker Training) Copper Hills Vaulting Team (Vaulting)
• Enjoy an Unparalleled Educational Program • Shop the Largest Horse-Related Trade Show in the East • The Fantasia (sponsored by Absorbine®) on Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights. Don’t miss Equine Affaire’s signature musical celebration of the horse. • The Versatile Horse & Rider Competition (sponsored by Nutrena®) on Friday afternoon in which horses and riders will race through a challenging obstacle course with $5500 at stake! • Breed Pavilion, Horse & Farm Exhibits and Demonstrations • Explore the Equine Fundamentals Forum — Educational presentations, exhibits, and activities for new riders young and old. • Win a $1000 Shopping Spree and Other Great Prizes — Enter the free Equine Affaire Raffle online at equineaffaire.com and at the Raffle Center at the event. • Buy a Horse...or Sell One at the Show — Shop for a new horse or market the one you want to sell at Equine Affaire’s expanded Horse & Farm Exhibits. • Enter the New Horse Video Challenge — Earn a cash prize of up to $500 for your truly humorous or “touching” horse video. Visit equineaffaire.com for details on how to submit videos.
For all you need to know, consult... Presenters subject to change.
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September 2016
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rider’s market
editorial@usdf.org
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The upgraded CoolFit pad actually senses sweat and reacts by reducing its temperature to help cool the horse during heavy work or in warm conditions. The manufacturer’s promotional video shows a CoolFit pad dropping by 9 degrees F when its smart textiles sense sweat, as simulated by warm water. The dressage model of the Ecogold CoolFit saddle pad is available in two sizes. The pad also comes in hunter, jumper, and cross-country styles. All Ecogold pads are known for their nonslip, secure design and high quality. Learn more: Ecogold.ca.
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Horse Fresh is made from zeolite, a mineral formed from volcanic ash and alkaline water under extended pressure. According to Standlee’s website, zeolite can absorb up to 60 percent of its weight in moisture, and its negatively charged ions attract ammonia and other positively charged compounds, neutralizing them and the unpleasant odors they cause. Horse Fresh is safe for animals, your family, and the environment. It also works well for other livestock and in dog runs, poultry coops, and litter boxes; plus it’s compostable. Horse Fresh can be used with any bedding material. Learn more: StandleeForage.com.
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60 September 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Noseband Design Relieves Pressure Olympians Ashley Holzer and Sue Blinks wished for a bridle that created more jaw stability, less poll pressure, and less stress on the horse’s TMJ (temporomandibular joint) and facial nerves. The Dressage Connection owner Charles Tota obliged, and the result is the Tota Comfort System, which centers around a unique noseband design. The Tota Comfort System noseband features a curved cheekpiece and a stabilizing chin strap. It can replace the noseband on a
“Rider’s Market” contains notices of new products judged to be of potential interest to USDF members. Information and images are supplied by manufacturers. Inclusion of an item does not constitute an endorsement or a product review.
Thank You for Supporting USDF
Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Dressage Championships and Great American Insurance Group/USDF Breeders’ Championship Series
conventional snaffle or double bridle; a converter strap may be required if the bridle adjusts on only one side. The noseband comes in black leather, black with patent, black with white padding, and brown leather. The Dressage Connection also offers a line of Hennig double and snaffle bridles that incorporate the Tota Comfort System. The Tota Comfort System noseband is permitted in FEI and USEF/ USDF dressage competition. In FEI competition, the stabilizing chin strap replaces the throatlatch. In nationallevel competition, the noseband may be used with or without a throatlatch. Learn more: TotaComfortSystem. com. ▲
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66 September 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ USDF CONNECTION
USDF CONNECTION USDF W W W. U S D F. O R G
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NEW TRAINING SERIES: What Other Disciplines Can Teach Dressage Riders Basics of Freestyle Creation
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TAILORED TO THE DRESSAGE COMMUNITY
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Forging Metal Ancient meets modern during a former driving horse’s transition to dressage By Karen Abbattista
C
S Dante of Earl, owned by my friend Dr. Wendy Ying, has an impressive resume in the sport of combined driving. In 2008, he was the USEF National Combined Driving Single Horse Champion and the USEF Combined Driving Single Reserve Horse of the Year. In recent years, “Dante,” a 16-yearold Welsh Cob cross gelding, has been “repurposed” as a dressage horse. Can you teach an old dog new tricks? With careful planning, the answer
dominant. As a trainer, identifying a horse’s personality type can help you better understand his needs and temperament. Dante is a quintessential Metal horse. He thrives on hard work and mental challenge. He is a no-nonsense kind of guy: He bonds through work, not play. Like metal itself—strong and durable, cold and rigid—Metal horses are calm, orderly, and not overly social. They like routine. They learn best when things are presented one step at a time, and once they understand a lesson, they will not forget it. If he gets confused or doesn’t understand, a Metal horse will brace through his entire body. Metal horses internalize stress; they seem quiet but are actually highly sensitive. Dante likes to know exactly what to do and when. CREATURE OF HABIT: With patient and insightful training, the former driving horse CS Dante of Earl has become a standout dressage mount so I base our training on familiar patis a resounding yes. In Dante’s case, terns. A good example is the counterthat planning involved drawing on canter, which was our biggest training theories used in traditional Chinese hurdle to date. Dante was convinced medicine (TCM). that I did not know my canter leads According to TCM, all sentient and could not understand why I beings have physical and emotional wanted him to do something “wrong.” characteristics ascribed to each of His confusion led to bracing, which led five elements (fire, wood, earth, water, to deterioration of the gait and eventuand metal), with one or more usually ally a complete failure to communicate.
68 September 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
editorial@usdf.org
How to train the counter-canter in a way that Dante could comprehend? I started with the pattern. In the trot, we made a shallow loop to the quarter line and back, with no change in positioning. Is there such a thing as counter-trot? If so, we schooled it, over and over again. Eventually we did the same thing in the canter. When he understood what I wanted, I expanded on the concept, this time going to the center line and back in “counter-trot.” Finally I tried the loop in canter, emphasizing the lead—and all of sudden, he got it. The months of struggling melted away, and he understood. Routine is important to Dante— something I was reminded of the hard way at a hot, humid summer competition last year. I kept the warm-ups short, and for ten minutes before our rides we cooled off under a tent while a friend fed Dante ice cubes. Using this routine, our first three rides of the weekend netted us three blues. But the ring was running early for our fourth and final test, and so I went straight into the arena from the warm-up, forgoing tent and ice-cube time. I did not finish the test. Should it have made that big a difference? One thinks not, but one would not be thinking like Dante. By using his Metal horse desire for order and structure to optimal advantage, Dante has embarked on a new career at an age when many horses would be slowing down, and he’s done it quite successfully. In 2015, he was the Welsh Pony & Cob Society of America’s half-Welsh Adequan/USDF All Breeds reserve champion at both Training and First Level. Not bad for an old driving horse! ▲ Karen Abbattista, of Sarasota, FL, is a USDF bronze and silver medalist, a USDF bronze and silver freestyle bar recipient, and a USDF L Program graduate with distinction. She left the corporate world in 2012 to pursue a career in dressage. Her website is KarenAbbattistaDressage.com.
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16
24
40
IN THIS ISSUE
34
STUDY IN PERSISTENCE For artist and USDF gold medalist Christine Collier-Trevino, the urge to create beauty has been lifelong By D. J. Carey Lyons
40
PORTRAIT OF THE DRESSAGE RIDER AS AN ARTIST International competitor Elizabeth Ball finds dressage lessons in her pursuit of fine art By Patti Schofler
44 48
4 INSIDE USDF Is It Your Turn to Serve? By Kenneth Levy
6 RINGSIDE In the Eye of the Beholder By Jennifer O. Bryant
16 CLINIC Refine Your Riding By George Williams with Sue Weakley
22 HISTORICAL CONNECTION American Dressage Legends: Sally Swift
HANSEN AND UPCHURCH ARE ON A ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH
24 HORSE-HEALTH CONNECTION The Science of Saddle Pads
The young rider and junior dominate dressage as NAJYRC leaves customary Lexington for Colorado
32 ALL-BREEDS CONNECTION Breed of the Month: New Forest Pony
MEET THE CANDIDATES Get to know who’s running for USDF Executive Board office
By Hilary Clayton, BVMS, PhD, Diplomate ACVSMR, MRCVS
34
60 THE TAIL END In the Nick of Time By Lynne Lavers with Victoria Bellino
IN EVERY ISSUE 8 10 20 54 58 58 59
MEMBER CONNECTION HEADS UP SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT SHOP @ X USDF CONNECTION SUBMISSION GUIDELINES USDF OFFICE CONTACT DIRECTORY ADVERTISING INDEX
ON OUR COVER 2016 FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships Young Rider team, freestyle, and individual gold medalist Nicholas Hansen and Ritter Benno of USDF Region 1. Photo by SusanJStickle.com.
Volume 18, Number 5
USDF CONNECTION
•
October 2016
3
inside usdf
region2dir@usdf.org
USDF OFFICERS & EXECUTIVE BOARD PRESIDENT
GEORGE WILLIAMS
Is It Your Turn to Serve? What do regional directors do for you, your region, and the USDF?
18120 Snyder Road, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 (216) 406-5475 • vicepresident@usdf.org
MARGARET FREEMAN
Directors are responsible for ensuring that their regions submit nominations for the USDF Volunteer of the Year award, the USEF Sportsman’s Award, and participating-member (PM) delegates. They establish Regional Championship selection committees to review applications and make recommendations for venue selections. Regional directors also work closely with the coordinator for the FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships teamselection process, and to help to raise money for the regions’ NAJYRC dressage teams. An important duty of the regional director is to oversee the regional budget. The regional director and the appointed regional finance volunteer manage the income and expenses associated with the region’s activities. The regional director establishes and maintains the region’s website and Facebook page. In person or via conference call, directors meet with GMO presidents and PM delegates to discuss key issues and prepare reports for the Executive Board. I receive many e-mails and phone calls asking about rules and policies, or expressing comments that USDF members wish to convey to the Executive Board. Although serving as a regional director takes time and effort, I have found it to be a rewarding endeavor. So I challenge you: Are you ready to serve? I hope the answer is yes. We need people with new ideas, a wide range of opinions, and a love of dressage to carry on the tradition. ▲
4 October 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
200 Aurora Lane, Tryon, NC 28782 (828) 859-6723 • secretary@usdf.org TREASURER
STEVEN SCHUBERT P.O. Box 2044, Methuen, MA 01844 (978) 360-6441 • treasurer@usdf.org
REGIONAL DIRECTORS REGION 1 DC, DE, MD, NC, NJ, PA, VA
LISA SCHMIDT 5 Thads Hill Road, Hampton, NJ 08827 (201) 981-1823 • region1dir@usdf.org REGION 2 IL, IN, KY, MI, OH, WV, WI
KEN LEVY 330 North Mill Creek Road, Noblesville, IN 46062 (317) 773-4532 • region2dir@usdf.org REGION 3 AL, FL, GA, SC, TN
SUSAN BENDER 1024 Grand Prix Drive, Beech Island, SC 29842 (803) 295-2525 • region3dir@usdf.org REGION 4 IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD
ANNE SUSHKO 1942 Clifford Street, Dubuque, IA 52002 (563) 580-0510 • region4dir@usdf.org REGION 5 AZ, CO, E. MT, NM, UT, W. TX, WY
HEATHER PETERSEN 12395 Gull Lane, Peyton, CO 80831 (719) 683-8435 • region5dir@usdf.org REGION 6 AK, ID, W. MT, OR, WA
CAROLYNN BUNCH 18430 111th Place SE, Snohomish, WA 98290 (360) 577-6201 • region6dir@usdf.org REGION 7 CA, HI, NV
TERRY WILSON 2535 Fordyce Rd., Ojai, CA 93023-9630 (805) 890-7399 • region7dir@usdf.org REGION 8 CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT
DEBRA REINHARDT 160 Woods Way Drive, Southbury, CT 06488 (203) 264-2148 • region8dir@usdf.org REGION 9 AR, LA, MS, OK, TX
SHERRY GUESS 18216 S. 397th East Avenue, Porter, OK 74454 (918) 640-1204 • region9dir@usdf.org
AT-LARGE DIRECTORS ACTIVITIES COUNCIL
SUE MANDAS 9508 Bridlewood Trail, Dayton, OH 45458 (937) 272-9068 •ald-activities@usdf.org ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL
KEVIN BRADBURY PO Box 248, Dexter, MI 48130 (734) 426-2111 • ald-administrative@usdf.org TECHNICAL COUNCIL
CAROLYN VANDENBERG 112 Eden Ranch Dr., Canyon Lake, TX 78133 (830) 226-5006 • ald-technical@usdf.org
COURTESY OF ANNE SUSHKO
E
VICE PRESIDENT
LISA GORRETTA
SECRETARY
By Kenneth Levy, Region 2 Director very three years, offset by one year, USDF’s even- and oddnumbered regions seek nominees to serve as regional directors. (At the 2016 convention this December, we’ll be electing directors in Regions 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. Read the candidates’ biographies and statements on page 48.) I hope that some of you will consider running for your region’s director position in the future—but before you do, it is important that you fully understand the commitment and have the skills, knowledge, and attributes that help make a great regional director. Before I ran for Region 2 director, I was very involved with my local USDF group-member organization (GMO), serving as a board member and president for many years. I was an active dressage competitor, served as a Region 2 delegate, was a member of the USDF Marketing Committee, and chaired the USDF Membership Committee. I believe it’s important for a prospective regional director to understand the needs of the region’s GMOs and participating members. I also believe that experience at the national level is important, to gain a better understanding of the USDF’s organizational structure and of how policies and decisions are made. Regional directors must attend the Adequan/USDF Annual Convention and the spring Executive Board meeting. To handle matters that arise between meetings, we participate in two to four conference calls per year. Each director writes a regional report for the spring EB meeting and a final report for convention summarizing the region’s activities, strengths, and opportunities for improvement. The reports also provide a formal vehicle for expressing requests or concerns raised by groups or individuals within the region.
421 Park Forest Way, Wellington, FL 33414 (937) 603-9134 • Fax: (740) 362-5539 president@usdf.org
ringside
jbryant@usdf.org
In the Eye of the Beholder Dressage in art, and as art
USDF CONNECTION The Official Publication of the United States Dressage Federation EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Stephan Hienzsch 859/271-7887 • stephh1enz@usdf.org
——— Editorial——— EDITOR
figure skating, we made dressage a sport when we decided to hold competitions and judge the performances. But sometimes, riding at home or in the competition arena, dressage gets touched with grace, and horse and rider produce a little bit of art. Those peak moments are intoxicating to watch and even more intoxicating to feel. They are what Grand Prix-level dressage rider and aspiring painter Elizabeth Ball tries to create, and she discusses the interplay of riding and painting on page 40. They are what USDF president and international competitor George Williams strives for when he trains, and on page 16 you’ll find the latest installment of his series on developing the sophistication of the aids. And the harmony and sense of flow that accompany a great ride—those Zen moments in the saddle—were what Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame member Sally Swift, who we remember on page 22, was tapping into when she created Centered Riding. I hope that this issue contains something that will help you to find the art in dressage. Happy questing.
Jennifer O. Bryant, Editor @JenniferOBryant
6 October 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Hilary M. Clayton, BVMS, PhD, MRCVS EDITORIAL ADVISORS
Melissa Creswick (CA) Margaret Freeman (NC) Lisa Gorretta (OH) Anne Gribbons (FL) Terry Wilson (CA) TECHNICAL ADVISORS
Janine Malone Lisa Gorretta • Elisabeth Williams
——— Production ——— SENIOR PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR
Emily Koenig 859/271-7883 • ekoenig@usdf.org SENIOR CREATIVE COORDINATOR
Karl Lawrence 859/271-7881 • klawrence@usdf.org
——— Advertising ——— ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVE
Danielle Titland 720/300-2266 • dtitland@usdf.org USDF Connection is published ten times a year by the United States Dressage Federation, 4051 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511. Phone: 859/9712277. Fax: 859/971-7722. E-mail: usdressage@usdf. org, Web site: www.usdf.org. USDF members receive USDF Connection as a membership benefit, paid by membership dues. Copyright © 2016 USDF. All rights reserved. Reproduction of articles requires permission from USDF. Other text may be reproduced with credit given to USDF Connection. USDF reserves the right to refuse any advertising or copy that is deemed unsuitable for USDF and its policies. Excluding advertisements, all photos with mounted riders must have safety head gear or USEF-approved competition hat. USDF assumes no responsibility for the claims made in advertisements. Statements of fact and opinion are those of the experts consulted and authors, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or the policy of USDF. The publishers reserve the right to reject any advertising deemed unsuitable for USDF, as well as the right to reject or edit any manuscripts received for publication. USDF assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. All materials must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Questions about your subscription or change in address? Contact USDF Membership Department, 859/971-2277, or usdressage@usdf.org. POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: USDF, 4051 IRON WORKS PARKWAY, LEXINGTON, KY 40511. Canadian Agreement No. 1741527. Canada return address: Station A, P.O. Box 54, Windsor, Ontario N9A 6J5.
SUSANJSTICKLE.COM
I
s it art? The question has inflamed critics and connoisseurs for centuries. Even such acknowledged masterpieces as Michelangelo’s David were greeted with controversy when they were unveiled. Perhaps some measure of controversy speaks to a work’s artistic sensibility: After all, art is supposed to affect our senses and produce an emotional reaction. Horses, as I’m sure you’ll agree, are works of art unto themselves. Their beautiful eyes, slender legs, and powerful bodies are arresting to look at, whether they are cavorting in the field, leaping an obstacle, charging into battle, or pulling a farm wagon. Countless artists—including the equine fine artist Christine CollierTrevino, profiled in this issue on page 34—have striven to capture that beauty on canvas and in sculpture. Humans being what we are, we wanted to take the elegance, power, and athleticism of a horse prancing and pirouetting in the field and put it to our own use. We harnessed horses’ gymnastic movements for use in war, and we taught horses to perform them on command for fun and royal equestrian bragging rights. Dressage could have been trivialized as “trick training” and lapsed into obscurity when cavalries were mechanized and royalty lost its fascination with haute école riding, but luckily it did not. For somewhere along the way, we realized that what we had created was a potential art form. There is an innate tension in dressage, which straddles the line between art and sport. Of course dressage is an athletic endeavor, and the people who say otherwise have never tried to sit the trot, much less channel the power needed for collection. And, just as we did with
Jennifer O. Bryant 610/344-0116 • jbryant@usdf.org
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editorial@usdf.org
An Incomplete Education If my horse could USDF CONNECTION write an e-mail, he would be writing this: Thank you more than I can say for the “kindergarten exercises” “Clinic” article in the July/August issue (“Refine Your Riding”). It filled in holes in my riding education and allowed me to be clear in asking for, and getting a response from, my horse, for which we are both grateful. The howto-do-this information made it easy to take the concepts and apply them. Wow! Thank you so much! Can’t wait for the next installment. Chris Dickenson North Wales, PA W W W. U S D F. O R G
J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 6
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HEADS UP
YOUR DRESSAGE WORLD THIS MONTH
YOUNG HORSES
Victoria’s Secret Turns Heads at Ermelo
V
ictoria’s Secret lingerie models are famous for strutting on the catwalk, and their equine namesake seems to enjoy the spotlight just as much. The five-year-old Rheinlander mare (Vitalis x Fidermark), bred by Walther Schulte-Böcker and owned by Rhenania Pferde GmbH, claimed a decisive victory at the 2016 Longines FEI/WBFSH World Breeding Dressage Championships for Young Horses. Ridden by Beatrice Buchwald of Germany, Victoria’s Secret earned a total average score of 95.00 per-
SUPERMODEL: 2016 Five-Year-Old world champion Victoria’s Secret, ridden by Beatrice Buchwald of Germany
cent at the July 28-31 competition, with head judge Francis Verbeek calling her “a real superstar.” The reserve five-year-old champion was the Oldenburg gelding Quel Filou OLD (Quaterback x Stedinger), ridden by Sascha Schulz (LUX) to a score of 93.20 percent. Placing third on 91.00 percent was Guadeloupe-Beau (Bordeaux x Vivaldi), a KWPN mare ridden by Kim van der Velden (NED).
In the FEI Six-Year-Old division, the world title went to another mare, the Danish Warmblood Fiontini (Fassbinder x Romanov), bred and owned by Hanne Lund and Henrik Hansen and ridden to a score of 95.80 percent by Severo Jesus Jurado Lopez of Spain. It was a return trip leading the victory ceremony for Fiontini and Lopez, who won the Five-Year-Old title last year. Kirsten Brouwer (NED) rode the KWPN stallion Five Star (Amazing Star x Jazz) to the reserve championship on 89.00 percent. The Oldenburg stallion Sir Olli (Sir Donnerhall x Florestan I), ridden by Ann-Christin Wienkamp (GER), was third with 87.60 percent. Two combinations represented the USA. Both in the Six-Year-Old division, the pairs ended up tied for twelfth place in the “small final” on a score of 75.60 percent: Lucky Strike (Lord Laurie x His Highness), a Hanoverian gelding owned by Max Ots and ridden by Endel Ots, Wellington, FL; and Silberpfeil (Silberschmied x Boss), a Hanoverian gelding owned by Kathleen Raine and ridden by David Wightman, Murrieta, CA. This year marked three firsts for the World Breeding Dressage Championships. Held in Ermelo, Netherlands, it was the first time the competition had moved from its traditional Verden, Germany, location. It was also the luxury watchmaker Longines’ debut as dressage sponsor. Finally, it was the first time a championship for seven-yearolds was included in the program. Having won the Five- and Six-Year-Old world titles, the Danish Warmblood stallion Sezuan (Zack x Don Schufro) made history by claiming the Seven-Year-Old championship under German Olympian Dorothee Schneider, dominating the competition on a score of 89.005 percent. Fiorucci HT, a Swedish Warmblood gelding (Florencio I x Rubinrot) ridden by Jeanna Hogberg (SWE), was second on 80.253 percent. In third was the German entry Saphira Royal (San Amour x Monteverdi), a Rheinlander mare ridden by Stefanie Wolf.
US DRESSAGE FINALS
S Dressage Finals entries must be received by midnight (ET) October 27. Each horse/rider combination must submit a nomination (pre-entry) by midnight, 96 hours after the last championship day of the Great American/USDF Regional Championship in which the pair competed. In addition, the entry process must be completed. Nominated horse/rider combinations that do not earn an invitation by placing, and are ineligible for a wild card will receive a full refund of fees paid. See the official prize
U
10 October 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
list at usdressagefinals.com for more information. To maintain priority stabling consideration, including stabling in the heated Alltech barns and for double stalls, a completed entry must be received within five days after the nomination deadline for each region. Allocation will be based on the date of receipt for the completed entry U S D R E S S AG E FINALS and will be allotted per region.
FEI/LYNN VAN WOUDENBERGH
Important US Dressage Finals Entry and Stabling Information
OBITUARY
Uwe Steiner
T
he German-born dressage master Uwe Steiner, a founding member of the USDF and a prominent dressage trainer in both Germany and the US, died June 30 near his home in Sherrard, IL. He was 72. Steiner was born in Wiesbaden, Germany, where he began his equestrian education. In 1957, he and his mother
MASTER: Uwe Steiner on Komtur in the early 1990s
moved to Karlsruhe so that he could train at the Reitinstitut of the late German master Egon von Neindorff. Steiner eventually became head rider at von Neindorff ’s, and also went on to study in Switzerland and to earn his German equestrian licenses at Warendorf. At von Neindorff ’s in the late 1960s, Steiner met his future wife, Betsy, and followed her when she returned to the US. The couple married in 1971 and had two children, son Devon and daughter Jessie, the latter of whom is a dressage rider and trainer with her mother’s Steiner Dressage operation. The Steiners later divorced. Uwe Steiner’s brother, Axel Steiner, the well-known FEI 5* judge from California, said: “Uwe was classically trained and adhered to those principles all his life. I’m sure that his students can attest to how outspoken he was about proper riding, and to the fact that he always considered the horse first and foremost.” Uwe Steiner is survived by his brother, Axel; by his ex-wife, Betsy Steiner; and by their children, Devon and Jessie. Axel Steiner requests that memorial donations be made to The Dressage Foundation (dressagefoundation.org).
BEHIND THE SCENES
Rick Hodges, Hodges Badge Company
TERRI MILLER; COURTESY OF RICK HODGES
J
ob title: President, Hodges Badge Company, Washington, MO, and Portsmouth, RI (hodgesbadge.com) What I do: We manufacture award ribbons, medals, and trophies that we sell mostly in the US for a variety of sports, but mostly equestrian-related. My role is mostly planning and setting direction for the company and then trying to meet as many customers as possible. I split my time between worrying about where we are going to be in five years and where we are going to be in five days. How I got started: I worked here as a kid. Then I got a job while I was still a
MASTER OF SWAG: Hodges
college senior working for Digital Equipment Corporation. I worked for them for about five years. Then [Hodges Badge Co. was] expanding, opening the first Missouri plant, and I got a phone call from my dad, who said, “If you want to join the business, this is the time.” You don’t say no to an offer like that. Best thing about my job: Having a great team and seeing this family business grow up. Worst thing about my job: I hate saying no to anybody. You never want to disappoint any customers. My horses: My horses are two Lab rescue puppies. Tip: You gotta go for your dreams. —Katherine Walcott USDF CONNECTION
•
October 2016
11
HEADS UP
YOUR DRESSAGE WORLD THIS MONTH
GOOD WORKS
Dressage Pro Organizes Help for Horses in Louisiana Floods
C
atastrophic flooding in Louisiana in August left hundreds of horses in evacuation centers running low on hay and bedding, with local suppliers also flooded.
DOUBLE WHAMMY: Some horses affected by flooding were already victims of neglect. Jodie Kelly (behind horse) bathes a rescued horse while a veterinarian tends to its facial wounds.
Combining efforts with the Alaqua Animal Refuge Fund, Florida-based dressage rider and trainer Jodie Kelly and her mother, Laurie Kelly, appealed to the dressage community. Kelly’s hay supplier, Otis, shipped 30,000 pounds of hay to the Department of Agriculture to distribute as needed. Eddie Chalmers and Sun Coast Pine Shavings delivered a truckload of shavings at a reduced rate and no charge for freight. Donations will continue as the fund allows. Six horses, already in poor condition from abuse or neglect, were rescued from the flood and are now settled at Alaqua Animal Refuge in Freeport, FL, where they will receive veterinary care.
THE NEAR SIDE
“People are donating from all over the country, and it’s primarily the dressage community,” Jodie Kelly said. “I think they just needed a connection; they didn’t know where to start. I’m close enough to Louisiana that I could arrange to have something shipped there, since you can’t just show up with 30 round bales! I’m not shocked at the dressage community’s response, but I am pleasantly surprised at how quickly people responded. It’s amazing how everyone came together.” Want to help? Visit alaquaanimalrefuge.org or mail checks (payable to Alaqua Animal Refuge) to Jodie Kelly, 4311 Derby Lane, Destin, FL 32541. —Amber Heintzberger
FINANCIAL AID
Dressage Foundation, Other Equine Nonprofits Receive Grants
12 October 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
COURTESY OF JODIE KELLY
T
he Dressage Foundation (TDF), Lincoln, NE, was among seven equine-focused nonprofit organizations to receive grants from the USA Equestrian Trust in 2016. As announced in August, TDF received more than $4,000 to enable it to participate in the trade fair at next year’s FEI World Cup Finals in Omaha. A private foundation, the USA Equestrian Trust has awarded more than $1.9 million since the inception of its grants program, with a mission of helping to preserve or enhance the quality of equestrian sport in the US. Among the other 2016 grant recipients is the American Association of Equine Practitioners Foundation, which received $15,000 to support its Equine Disease Communication Center. The USA Equestrian Trust’s next grant-application period will begin early in 2017. Learn more at trusthorses. org. To be notified when the application period has opened, send e-mail to grants@trusthorses.org.
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HEADS UP
YOUR DRESSAGE WORLD THIS MONTH
USDF BULLETINS
What you need to know this month Receiving Awards at the Salute Gala & Annual Awards Banquet
Final Year-End Awards Standings
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE YOUR AWARD on stage at the 2016 Salute Gala & Annual Awards Banquet, you must purchase your banquet ticket and complete the required information by November 4. Visit the USDF website for more information and to purchase tickets.
ADEQUAN/USDF 2016 YEAR-END AWARDS standings will be final approximately one week after the score-correction deadline of October 15 at 5:00 p.m. ET. Check the final standings on the USDF website under Awards.
Competition-Management Education JOIN US at the 2016 Adequan/USDF Annual Convention in St. Louis, MO, for an educational session relevant to competition managers and show secretaries of all experience levels. The session will focus on competitor relations, competition financials and reporting, and risk management. This session requires separate registration from convention. Register online through November 25.
2017 USDF Member Guide Coming Next Month THE 2017 USDF MEMBER GUIDE will be mailed with the November issue of USDF Connection. This book is a complete guide to all USDF member benefits and includes dressage tests, championships and awards program information and rules, and information about USDF’s educational programs and opportunities. Even if you have opted out of receiving the print edition of USDF Connection, you will still receive a hard copy of the USDF Member Guide.
Regional Championships Feedback Sought THE USDF WANTS YOUR GREAT AMERICAN/USDF REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP experience to be memorable and positive. Immediately following your Regional Championship competition, you’ll receive an evaluation form via e-mail. Please help us continue to improve the championships by completing the survey. Your feedback will be shared with the USDF and with competition management. Thank you!
14 October 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Year-End Awards Photo Deadline SUBMIT YEAR-END AWARDS PHOTOS (first place only, please) by October 28 in order to be considered for inclusion in the 2016 yearbook issue of USDF Connection. Photos must be submitted electronically and accompanied by the USDF photo release form (on the USDF website under Awards/Forms and Documents), which also contains submission instructions.
Apprentice Technical Delegate Clinic ANOTHER USDF CONVENTION adjunct education session will be the November 30 USDF Apprentice Technical Delegate Clinic. Required for apprentice TDs, this seminar is open to all. We’ll cover how to become a TD; dressage attire, tack, and equipment; and USDF and US Equestrian Federation forms and publications. Register online through November 25.
Step onto the National Stage and have the experience of a lifetime.
and
USDF Dressage in the Bluegrass 1RY Â&#x2021; .HQWXFN\ +RUVH 3DUN Entry Closing Date is October 27, 2016 midnight Eastern Time.
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EXCLUSIVE TRAINING SERIES
Refine Your Riding Part 4 of our series on developing sophistication of the aids. This month: Learn to use your seat as an aid, and teach your horse to be “in front of your seat.” By George Williams with Sue Weakley Photographs by Sue Weakley
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ast month, I shared exercises to test your horse’s willingness to be “in front of the aids.” We used transitions to encourage forwardness and leg-yields to reinforce his acceptance of your leg aids. We worked on the light, subtle use of the whip as well as the other driving aids—your seat, legs, and spurs—to help engage your
POWERHOUSE: As your aids become more sophisticated, your horse becomes increasingly responsive to your seat. Caprice, a nine-yearold Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Robert Stark, is going powerfully forward from rider Noel Williams’ seat. Note the softness of her leg and the elasticity of her rein contact.
horse’s hind legs under his body, with supple hips and a swinging back. This month, let’s spend some time examining the often-heard (and confusing) dressage term “in front of your seat” and delve into refining the important use of the seat and the subtle application of the spur as driving aids.
In Front of Your Seat The rider’s seat can be an effective driving aid. Your horse should be in front of your seat and “on your seat” at all times. (I’ll talk more about keeping him “on your seat” later in this series.) Using the seat as a driving aid is a difficult skill that must be developed. It is tricky because you must train yourself to be effective and to “produce correct dynamic influence,” as the USDF Glossary puts it, with minimal discernible movement. This requires tremendous body control of your pelvis, spine, rib cage, shoulders, and core musculature. In his book Riding Logic, Wilhelm Müseler writes that the necessary bilateral tightening of the rider’s back muscles is similar in action to being “on a swing where the back is braced for the forward swing and slacked for the backward swing”—a description I have always found helpful in understanding the mechanics of using the seat. Müseler also describes the “unilateral tightening of the back muscles (pushing forward one hip or one pelvic bone).” However, in riding you don’t want to rotate your hips as far as you might while on a swing, such that you’re sitting on your tailbone in a “chair seat” with your lower back rounded.
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The key to the use of the seat is that while its action should be imperceptible, its effects are noticeable both to the horse and an observer (including the judge!). When your horse feels the forward push of your seat along with a slight downward and backward (but not behind the vertical) movement of your shoulders, he should be willing to move forward more energetically, with a longer stride. When he responds in this manner, he is “in front of your seat” and you have learned to use your seat as an effective driving aid. Here are two exercises that can help teach your horse to stay in front of your seat. Exercise 1: Teach your horse to respond to your seat. This is a threepart exercise. Do it sequentially (you don’t have to do all three parts in one session). Get comfortable with each step before you move on to the next. 1. Establish a 20-meter circle in a rhythmic rising trot. For three steps, sit the trot and use a bilateral tightening of your lower-back muscles to resist your horse’s forward movement, supported by a gentle closing of your hands to ask your horse to slow down. Your goal is to balance him so that you can keep his hind legs further underneath his center of gravity, which ultimately will encourage him to carry more weight behind. Repeat this exercise several times until your horse is truly attentive and slows down primarily from your seat within three steps. 2. Once you’re able to slow your horse with your seat, try using your seat to influence the way he steps with his inside hind leg. Start on a 20-meter circle in rising trot. This time, sit the trot for three steps and ask your horse to enlarge the circle by weighting your inside seat bone and squeezing with your inside calf. You may have to repeat this several times until he understands what you want. If he doesn’t seem to be getting the idea, walk on the circle and leg-yield away from your inside leg for two steps. You’ll know he’s responding correctly
1
2
FINE-TUNING THE SEAT: The action of the seat should be subtle: If movement is obvious, you’re probably not doing it right! In photo 1, Noel has momentarily tightened her lower-back muscles and gently closed her hands on the reins to ask Caprice to shorten his stride. Compare the position of Noel’s seat and upper body to that in photo 2, in which she’s asking him to take longer strides with a slight forward push with her seat and a slight downward-backward movement of her shoulders.
when you feel him lower his inside hip slightly and step forward and under his body with his inside hind leg going toward the hoofprint of the outside
front foot—all from your seat. 3. On a 20-meter circle in rising trot, sit for three steps and ask your horse to go forward for those three
steps from your seat and legs. He should soon associate your seat with going forward correctly in a balanced manner (learned from exercise 1),
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The Role of the Spur
T
he spur is a supporting player in your cast of forward driving aids. Teach your horse to respond to the leg and seat as primary aids; the spur reinforces the leg when necessary.
REINFORCEMENT: The spur reinforces— but does not replace—the rider’s leg. Before you can wear spurs, you must gain absolute control over your legs.
Just as your horse should not fear the whip, he should not be made afraid of the spur. In order for this aid to be clear, deliberate, and nonthreatening, the rider must have total control over its use—which requires absolute control over the leg. A good rider knows when the spur is touching the horse and can touch him with it quickly in order to produce a quick reaction. The spur can also be used to help supple the horse, with slight pressure helping to create more bend through his body.
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with a supple inside hind leg (exercise 2) that—assuming the contact is correct—allows him to swing through his back. When you and your horse become comfortable with these exercises, try them on a straight line or in corners, as well. Exercise 2: Use your seat to ask for a bigger stride. In rising trot, ride a diagonal line M-X-K or H-X-F and ask for a “strong trot” (a lengthening or a medium, depending on your horse’s level of training). When you reach X, sit the trot and ask for a longer stride by using your seat as a driving aid. At the end of the diagonal, make a downward transition to working trot, using your seat to slow the trot; then resume riding rising trot. Variation: Start in sitting trot. At X rise to the trot and ask for a bigger stride; then sit the trot for the downward transition. Although both versions of this exercise teach the horse about your seat, their effects differ slightly and can address different issues. For instance, is your horse reluctant to use his back? If so, then I would start the diagonal in rising trot to encourage him to lift and come over his back. Does he push enough with his hind legs? If not, it might help to start the diagonal in the sitting trot to encourage him to keep his hind legs more under his body. Does he change his longitudinal balance? If he has a tendency to get more and more on his forehand, I would try introducing the sitting trot at X to help rebalance him and get him to carry more weight behind. Returning to the three-part exercise I gave you in exercise 1 could be beneficial, as well. Be prepared to experiment to see what method best helps your horse understand what you want and how to do the movement.
USDF Sport Horse Prospect Development Forum October 22-23, 2016 Pineland Farms, New Gloucester, ME
With Scott Hassler and Willy Arts Internationally Respected Experts and Educators from Breeding to FEI Dressage
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As Little as Possible, as Much as Necessary A primary goal of dressage training is to teach the horse to respond promptly and willingly to light aids. Although occasionally an aid needs to USDF CONNECTION • October 2016
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be “louder” to elicit a reaction, always go back to the lightest possible aid. Otherwise your horse will not learn to be sensitive to light aids or to go in self-carriage. Overuse of the aids is like using swear words all the time: They pack a punch when used sparingly, but they quickly lose their impact if they become a staple of the conversation. So refuse to drive your horse forward at every stride. Continually monitor his acceptance of the aids, but don’t nag. If he thinks about getting behind the leg, correct him immediately with one quick, clear aid; then be light. Your lightness is his reward for going forward. There are times when your voice (“Good boy!”) or a pat on the neck is called for, as well. Too much babbling isn’t helpful, but don’t be stingy with your rewards. Strive to make your aids clear, well-timed, and consistent. Clear aids are vital to your horse’s understanding of what you are asking of him, and therefore also to his confidence. Busy or sloppy aids create static in the connection and are difficult for the horse to understand. Finally, an important part of teaching a horse to “think forward” is keeping him attentive and interested. I believe that a change of scenery is important in keeping a horse happy in his work. Vary your rides—ride outdoors, ride in fields or on trails, do hill work—to keep your horse fresh in his body and his mind. These kinds of sessions will also help to get and keep him physically fit (see “Horse-Health Connection,” July/August, for more on dressage-horse fitness), which will give him more energy and encourage him to “think forward,” as well. ▲
Next month: We’ll conclude the series by examining the top three building blocks of the pyramid of dressage training: impulsion (which includes “throughness”), straightness, and collection; and we’ll combine the aids to envelop the horse in order to achieve those goals.
Meet the Expert
G
eorge Williams needs little introduction to the USDF membership, having served as the Federationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s president since 2009. He is a veteran international competitor with many Grand Prixlevel wins and championships, including representing the US at the CHIO Aachen (winning team bronze) and at the FEI World Cup Dressage Final in 2003 with the famous mare Rocher. At 18, the native of New Hampshire traveled to Germany to study at the Reitinstitut von Neindorff, where he earned his German Bronze Rider Medal. On his return to the States, he began working with legendary Spanish Riding School alumnus Karl Mikolka. Later he apprenticed under Mikolka at the Tempel Lipizzans and eventually became director of Tempelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s equine program. Since the 2000s, Williams, his wife, Roberta, and their daughter, Noel, have operated Williams Dressage LLC and have been based at several prestigious dressage facilities in the Midwest and Florida. They currently divide their time between Ravenna, OH, and Wellington, FL. Besides serving as USDF president, George Williams is the United States Equestrian Federationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s national dressage youth coach. He is also a member of the USEF Dressage and High Performance Dressage Committees, and chair of the USEF High Performance Eligible Athletes Committee.
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historical connection
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American Dressage Legends: Sally Swift The Centered Riding founder’s approach forever changed the teaching of riding
LEGENDARY: Sally Swift in an undated photo
A Stellar Second Act Swift is so famous for Centered Riding that many people are not aware that her equestrian teachings were a second career. For 21 years, she was a records manager for Holstein Association USA, “the world’s largest dairy breed association,” in her hometown of Brattleboro, VT. She’d taught riding all along, but it wasn’t until she was in her sixties, after she’d retired, that she’d developed and begun teaching what she called the four basics of Centered Riding: “soft eyes,” correct use of the breath, centering, and “building blocks” (balance). Today riders are accustomed to hearing about concepts like core strength, and Pilates and other corefocused fitness regimens enjoy mainstream popularity. But in Swift’s day such techniques were largely unheard of in the equestrian community, and she was arguably the first to marry equitation, Alexander Technique, T’ai Chi, and Zen. Riders throughout New England began to practice Swift’s methods, and before long students—including former international eventing competitor and How Good Riders Get Good author Denny Emerson—were urging her to publish her techniques. Swift’s seminal book, Centered Riding, was published in 1985; Centered Riding 2: Further Exploration followed in 2002. Together the books have sold nearly a million copies and have been translated into 15 languages. The Centered Riding organization (CenteredRiding. org) certifies instructors around the world who practice Swift’s methods.
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THE TEACHER: Swift explains her concepts to riders in an undated photo
Centered Riding and Dressage The dressage world is lucky that New England was one of the places it was being practiced in the 1950s and 1960s. Swift, unfamiliar with the sport, met dressage trainer Tom Poulin at a New England Dressage Association show in Brattleboro. Poulin invited her to watch him train at his farm in Maine. Swift became fascinated with dressage, and dressage students likewise were fascinated by her imagery and ideas. As Swift recalled in a 2006 interview with USDF Connection, for much of her career she didn’t actually have much interaction with the USDF. That changed in the 1980s, when the Michigan-based dressage pioneer and fellow future Roemer Foundation/ USDF Hall of Famer Violet Hopkins saw Swift teaching. Hopkins, founder of the USDF Violet Hopkins National Seminars for Dressage Instructors (forerunner to the USDF FEI-Level Trainers Conferences), invited Swift to
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it should look. She called her method Centered Riding, and it spawned bestselling books, countless clinics, and a thriving organization. Swift’s approach, which was one of the first to emphasize the rider’s mindbody connection, arose from personal necessity. A rider and horse lover from an early age, she was diagnosed with scoliosis (curvature of the spine) at age seven—and would ride wearing a full back brace for most of her life. Her mother took her to the physiotherapist Mabel Ellsworth Todd, author of
The Thinking Body, who taught Swift how the mind can be trained to help tap in to the body’s deep musculature, thereby gaining better control.
For more on Sally Swift, check out podcast 134 at usdf.podbean.com.
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f your riding instructor has ever counseled you to imagine your body parts stacked like building blocks in the saddle, or to imagine that your arms and hands are garden hoses with water flowing through them toward your horse’s mouth, then you’ve benefited from the revolutionary imagery and innovative teachings of Sarah “Sally” Swift. The equestrian pioneer, who died in 2009 at the age of 95, eschewed the pedestrian equestrian exhortations— “Heads up! Heels down!”—in favor of a kinesthetic approach. Swift talked about how riding should feel, not how
TIME TO RENEW FOR 2017! Your 2016 membership expires November 30! Renew by 12/31 to receive the 2016 Yearbook. DRESSAGE DAYS: At a USDF Violet Hopkins seminar in the 1980s. From left: Col. Aage Sommer, Maj. Anders Lindgren, Maryal Barnett, Violet Hopkins, Sally Swift.
her Tristan Oaks Farm to teach Centered Riding at the Hopkins seminars. Although so many Centered Riding concepts seem integral to learning to ride dressage, Swift was adamant that Centered Riding is not dressage, and that her concepts have more to do with the development of a balanced seat and therefore apply to any equestrian discipline.
Oddly, until she was inducted into the USDF Hall of Fame in 2006, Swift felt somewhat marginalized by the dressage establishment. “They weren’t interested in me,” she said—even fellow Hopkins seminar instructors Col. Aage Sommer and Maj. Anders Lindgren. The formal recognition bore out what riders have known for years: that Swift was ahead of her time. ▲
From the Horse’s Mouth
Only members who renew by 6/1/17 are guaranteed a printed copy of the 2017 USDF Member Guide.
Important Reminder You must have a Participating Membership to be eligible and qualify for most year-end award and championship programs. (See the website for detailed program information and eligibility requirements.)
By Jennifer O. Bryant
I
n a lovely and important ritual, the USDF Historical Recognition Committee interviews incoming Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame members for the archival record. It was my privilege to interview Sally Swift at the time of her 2006 induction. Here are excerpts from our conversation. On why centering is not a muscular exercise: It requires understanding of body articulation. This is why I teach a lot of anatomy. I do it so [students] will know how the bones articulate. I don’t teach much about individual muscles because then people get left-brained about them.
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On how Centered Riding is similar to Zen: One day I was teaching, using Centered Riding and doing my methods. At the end of the class, somebody came up to me and said, “But that’s the teaching of Zen.” I looked at him wide-eyed and said, “But I don’t know anything about Zen.” I learned most of what I know about Zen afterward, from The Tao of Pooh. On riders’ most common mistake: [They] work too hard; block their own efforts. The horse feels you think, and if you play in your imagination what you want your body to do, the horse feels it and he gives it. He is responsive immediately. If [riders] try less hard, see the whole picture, use their centers as a key point for working, and allow it to happen, they don’t have to work that hard. Of course they do have to know what they want to do; they then can understand it and see the picture. It’s a certain inner energy that you put into it, I think, to allow. You get out of the way, and you allow it to happen.
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horse-health connection
The Science of Saddle Pads We help sort through the options By Hilary Clayton, BVMS, PhD, Diplomate ACVSMR, MRCVS
A
ccording to an online survey, more than 98 percent of riders use a layer of padding between the saddle and the horse’s back. Common reasons cited by respondents for using a saddle pad are compensating for saddle-fit problems, increasing the horse’s comfort, improving saddle balance for the rider’s benefit, absorbing sweat, and protecting the saddle.
prominent withers. If the contouring is excessive, take care that the pad is not so bunched-up in the gullet that it puts pressure on the withers. It’s also useful to have an upward contour at the back of the pad to avoid having an area of pressure behind the back of the saddle, as shown in Figure 1. This tends to occur when the front of the pad is pulled up too much into
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lar saddle pads is that they contribute to heat accumulation during exercise. Areas of the horse’s body that are covered by the tack or the saddle pad cannot lose heat by conduction, convection, or radiation; horses sweat heavily underneath but the sweat is unable to evaporate, so they lose fluids and electrolytes without losing heat. This is not a problem for most horses; but for those affected by anhidrosis (inability to sweat), it is important to do everything possible to minimize heat accumulation. For these horses, a saddle pad that matches the shape of the saddle is preferable. One of the most frequent complaints with saddle pads is that they slip during use. Even though most riders pull the front of the pad up into the gullet of the saddle, it is common for the pad to slide down onto the horse’s withers. To prevent this from happening, take care in adjusting the pad before you mount. If your pad has a choice of slots for the girth billet straps as shown in Figure 1, use the ones that will hold the pad forward when the girth is correctly placed. Also make sure that the pad is not being pulled down at the back.
MORE THAN LOOKS: Saddle pads are attractive, and they can also help—or hinder—your horse’s performance. The layer of wool beneath this pad helps to reduce pressure, to keep the horse’s back cooler, and to wick away sweat.
Just as there are many reasons for using a saddle pad, there are also a huge number of pads to choose from. In this article, I’ll explore some of the factors you should consider in making a purchasing decision.
Pad Shape The majority of dressage riders use a rectangular pad that is contoured to accommodate the elevation of the horse’s withers (Figure 1). High withers require more contouring than less-
the gullet, or if the trim around the pad has shrunk more than the pad itself. If you notice ruffled or broken hairs in the area behind the saddle, take a look at how your saddle pad fits in this area at the end of your ride. Another thing to check is that any partial pads, shims, or risers have a smooth contour against the weightbearing area of the horse’s back, without any potentially painful ridges and wrinkles. One of the drawbacks to rectangu-
24 October 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Synthetic fibers, such as polyester and nylon, are made from oil-based products. In addition to being less comfortable than natural fibers, synthetics are based on plastic, which is much less biodegradable than natural fibers. On the positive side, saddle pads made from synthetic fibers are inexpensive and easy to launder. Natural fibers, such as cotton and wool, are commonly used in saddle pads. Cotton is soft, absorbent, and breathable, although the presence of the saddle affects its ability to disperse heat and moisture. Saddle pads can be made of pure cotton or a cotton/polyester blend. Wool pads for dressage are usually in the form of sheepskin, with the wool remaining attached to its leather (skin) backing. Wool fibers are strong, with a natural crimp and resiliency. The crimp makes wool feel
JENNIFER BRYANT
Materials: Pros and Cons
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Hoof, Coat & Attitude!
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FIGURE 1. Dressage-type saddle pad that is contoured both at the front (right side of photo) and at the rear (left side). This amount of wither contouring is appropriate for a horse with normal withers; more contouring would be required for a horse with very prominent withers. This pad has three slots for secure placement of the girth billet straps.
soft and springy to the touch. It also adds bulk and traps a large volume of air between the fibers, which allows a sheepskin pad to dissipate pressure and reduce pressure points. Maximum pressure reduction has been found when the pile is clipped to a uniform length of about an inch and a quarter. Testing in hospitals has confirmed the value of sheepskin in preventing and treating pressure ulcers in human patients. In the equestrian industry, wool’s ability to reduce and dissipate pressure has found many applications, including saddle pads, numnahs, saddle seat covers, sheepskin horse boots, tack linings, and girth tubes. Sheepskin can be dry-vacuumed or washed. The interior of the wool fiber is susceptible to chemical attack, such as by strong alkaline detergents, so washing in cold water with a pHneutral detergent is recommended. Tack shops carry products that are specially formulated for washing wool or sheepskin. After washing, air-dry sheepskin out of direct heat or sunlight, as the wool is susceptible to UV damage. Stretch sheepskin as necessary as it dries to retain the shape and prevent excessive shrinkage. Do not
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USDF CONNECTION • October 2016
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horse-health connection tumble dry, iron, or bleach sheepskin. Brushing with a wire wool comb will help restore the fluff y appearance and natural â&#x20AC;&#x153;loftâ&#x20AC;? of the fibers between washings. Sheepskin products with cotton or other backing material are generally not suitable for machine or hand washing, so dry cleaning is usually recommended. Wool has a unique property called felting. When wool is agitated in the presence of heat and moisture, as in a washing machine, the scaly coating on the fibers makes them interlock to form felt and prevents the fibers from returning to their original position. Shrinkage resulting from felting is irreversible. Some saddle pads, such as the thick pads used with Western saddles, are made of this felt. Gel pads are filled with a gelatinlike substance that is a solid but with some characteristics of a liquid. The gelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s resiliency allows it to disperse on impact and then rebound to its original shape. The many types of gel
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FIGURE 2. Images from a saddle pressure mat showing pressure scans of the same horse, saddle, and rider at the time of maximal force in the trot stride. The pommel is toward the top of the images, and the cantle is toward the bottom. The color bars on the right side of each scan show the colors used to represent increasing levels of pressure, from black (lowest) to pink (highest). The scan on the left shows the saddle without a pad; the scan on the right shows the effect of a sheepskin pad. Note that the sheepskin pad produces a more even pressure distribution, an overall reduction in peak pressures, and no pressures in the red or pink zones.
vary both in impact absorption and rebound characteristics. Similarly,
there are many types of foam, which differ in their ability to absorb impact
Where Do You And Your Horse Rank?
â&#x20AC;&#x201C;you could receive eive an award! Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Miss These Important Year-end Award Deadlines! t 0DUPCFS t "MM DPSSFDUJPOT NVTU CF SFQPSUFE UP 64%' CZ Q N &5
t /PWFNCFS t *G QMBOOJOH UP SFDFJWF ZPVS BXBSE BU UIF 4BMVUF (BMB "OOVBM "XBSET #BORVFU QVSDIBTF ZPVS CBORVFU UJDLFU POMJOF BOE QSPWJEF 64%' BXBSE SFDJQJFOU JOGPSNBUJPO Learn more about the year-end award requirements in the USDF Member Guide. Check your scores at USDFScores.com Visit usdf.org/awards/preliminary to find out where you and your horse are ranked.
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and to return to their original shape sufficiently rapidly to provide effective cushioning beneath a saddle.
Why Use a Saddle Pad? Saddle pads fulfill a range of functions, and your reason for using a pad determines the type of pad you should choose. The main reasons for using a saddle pad are to protect the underside of the saddle, to pull heat and moisture away from the horse’s back, to improve saddle fit, and to distribute the forces on the horse’s back more consistently as he moves. Let’s look at the properties of the saddle pad required for each of these functions. If your saddle fits well and your goal is simply to keep it clean and dry, then use a thin pad because a thicker one may interfere with saddle fit. To dissipate heat from your horse’s back and wick moisture, then the requirements are fairly simple. Natural fibers are generally better than synthetics for wicking away moisture and absorbing heat. Wool acts as a natural insulator by trapping air between its fibers, so sheepskin pads keep the horse’s back warm in cold weather and near body temperature when the weather is hot. Sheepskin also draws sweat away from the horse’s skin and into its fibers, where it can trap over 30 percent of its own weight in moisture. Your horse’s back will get hot and sweaty under any pad because the pad is trapped between his skin and the saddle. The best way to cool this area is to use liberal applications of cold water, either by sponging or cold-hosing, after you remove the saddle. In an ideal world, every horse would be ridden in a saddle that fits perfectly, but this is not always the reality. Horses change shape, flocking moves within the panels, or a saddle may be used by more than one horse. If the saddle is basically the correct size and shape, then a remedial pad may improve the fit and make it more comfortable for the horse—but pads have their limitations, and it is not possible to correct a saddle that is the incorrect size for the horse.
If the saddle tree is too narrow and is exerting pressure on the sides of the withers, then adding padding material will make matters worse. If the saddle is too wide, extra padding may help to stabilize it, but check carefully that the saddle and padding material are clear of the withers because a wide saddle tends to sit lower in the pommel. Saddles may have localized areas of high pressure, such as from lumpy flocking or tight stirrup bars. In these cases, natural sheepskin is a good
material for relieving localized high pressure. Compared to wool and sheepskin, synthetics perform poorly. Wool’s natural crimp and resiliency traps a large volume of air between the fibers, which allows a sheepskin pad to compress in areas of high pressure and reduce pressure points. The photos in Figure 2 show the effect of a sheepskin pad in changing the pressure patterns beneath a saddle that fits reasonably well. The areas showing the highest pressure without a pad have
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horse-health connection
FIGURE 3. Images from a saddle pressure mat showing pressure scans of the same horse, saddle, and rider at the time of maximal force in the trot stride. The pommel is toward the top of the images, and the cantle is toward the bottom. The color bars on the right side of each scan show the colors used to represent increasing levels of pressure, from black (lowest) to pink (highest). This saddle shows “bridging”: high pressure areas at the front and back of the panels, with an area in the middle that is relatively unloaded. Bridging is a common saddle-fit problem, most often resulting from a tree that is too narrow. The image on the left shows the saddle with a foam pad, and the image on the right shows the saddle with a sheepskin pad. The loading patterns are similar, but the pressure magnitudes are lower with the sheepskin pad. However, neither pad corrects the bridging.
lower pressure with a sheepskin pad. The pressure is redistributed to other areas, so the pressure profile becomes more uniform. The sheepskin has the
same beneficial effects in evening out the pressure when it is placed directly on the horse’s back or on top of a thin pad. By using a thin pad underneath,
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the sheepskin stays cleaner but is less effective in wicking sweat. Another reason for using a saddle pad is to cushion the forces on the horse’s back: to reduce the maximal force during each stride by spreading it more evenly over time. In the walk, the total force on the horse’s back is fairly consistent throughout the stride and is approximately equal to the combined weight of the rider and the saddle. But in the suspension phases of the trot and the canter, the force of the horse’s back pushing upward against the saddle and the rider’s seat projects the rider upward. As this happens, the horse’s back experiences higher forces—approximately twice the rider’s weight. A cushioning pad aims to reduce the peak forces and redistribute them more evenly throughout the stride. Natural fibers have good cushioning properties. One European study showed that reindeer fur was particularly effective for this purpose—but before you search the Internet for a reindeer-fur pad, my own research
ADEQUAN®/USDF FEI-LEVEL
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28 October 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
COURTESY OF DR. HILARY CLAYTON
For attendance criteria, registration, curriculum, and travel information, visit
indicates that sheepskin is equally effective. The key is the natural loft of wool or fur. Gel or foam pads deform when loaded, which absorbs energy, but then they rebound later to their original shape. The changes in shape help to disperse the impact energy, while the rebound characteristics determine how the energy is recycled. The material properties of each type of foam or gel determine how much the pad deforms and how rapidly it rebounds, so there can be considerable variation between pads. Unfortunately, there is insufficient research to make recommendations about which pads are more (or less) suitable for use with dressage saddles.
Meet the Expert
Fit the Pad to the Purpose
you are trying to improve the fit of a saddle that is basically the correct size but not a perfect fit, sheepskin is a good choice, and it is equally effective used against the horse’s skin or on top of a thin pad that will help to keep it clean. Do not use incompressible materials under saddles that have pressure points. Sheepskin is also a
The first question to ask yourself is why are you using a saddle pad. If your saddle fits well and you simply want to keep it clean, then a thin pad is all you need. To wick moisture and heat away from your horse’s back, choose natural rather than artificial fibers. If
H
ilary Clayton, BVMS, PhD, Diplomate ACVSMR, MRCVS, is the professor and Mary Anne McPhail Dressage Chair emerita. She was the first-ever Mary Anne McPhail Dressage Chair in Equine Sports Medicine at Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, East Lansing, from 1997 to 2014. At the same time, she was also a professor in MSU’s Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences. A world-renowned expert on equine biomechanics and conditioning, Dr. Clayton is president of Sport Horse Science, LC, which is dedicated to translating research data into practical advice for riders, trainers, and veterinarians through lectures, articles, and private consultations. A USDF gold, silver, and bronze medalist, she is a member of the US Equestrian Federation Dressage Committee and a USDF Connection contributing editor.
good choice for attenuating forces on the horse’s back, so long as the wool retains its loft. Foam or gel pads may also be effective, but little information is available regarding the benefits of specific types of foam or gel for this use. Finally, be aware that some types of pads—notably gel—tend to make the horse’s back hotter. ▲
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FEATURED EDUCATION PRESENTATIONS Join our panel of presenters as they focus on topics aimed to improve the mind and body of both horse and rider. Our presentations this year are: The Dressage Seat: A Pilates Perspective with Janice Dulak Strategic Planning For Riders with Jen Verharen Sport Psychology for the Equestrian with Dr. Sandy Venneman Why Does My Horse Do That? with Dr. Sandy Venneman Help Your Horse Perform Its Best with Coralie Hughes Youth Education: Time and Stress Management with Jen Verharen
Featured Education with Dr. Hilary Clayton Managing Equine Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) with Allyn Mann
INTERACTIVE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES Join us for discussions and activities on the latest topics and initiatives in the dressage community. The opportunities this year are: Pilates is Dressage for Riders with Janice Dulak Youth Open Forum Competition Open Forum GMO Roundtable Discussions USEF Rule Change Forum For more details about our featured education presentations and interactive education opportunities, visit
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2016 Adeq Annual C Join us for
Dressage at the Arch November 30 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; December 3, 2016 St. Louis, MO
quan®/ USDF Convention
REGISTRATION INFORMATION Register online at www.usdf.org/convention or call 859-271-7871 for assistance. Deadline for the Member Advance Registration Discount is November 25, 2016
Convention Package $175 USDF member (onsite $225) $250 non-member $90 youth (21 and under) The convention package includes: All featured education presentations All interactive education opportunities All business meetings Committee meetings Regional meetings Board of Governors General Assembly Open forums Welcome Party
Additional Events & Clinics Salute Gala & Annual Awards Banquet $90 (onsite $110) USDF Apprentice Dressage Technical Delegate Clinic (Tickets must be purchased by November 25, 2016.) $175 Competition Management Education Session: An Over-Arching Session on Competitor Relations, Finances, and Risk Management (Tickets must be purchased by November 25, 2016.) $35
Salute Gala & Annual Awards Banquet Saturday, December 3, 2016 You are cordially invited to celebrate with top competitors from around the country. We’ll pay tribute to this year’s annual award winners, USDF Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medalists, and honor dressage legends and USDF volunteers.
Hotel Reservations To guarantee your room at the discounted USDF rate, make your reservation by November 11, 2016. After that, it is subject to room availability. Visit www.usdf.org/convention to make your reservation.
all-breeds connection
Careful, kids—your mom might steal this pony for herself!
T
he earliest record of horses in Britain’s New Forest dates back to 1016. Though efforts to increase the ponies’ height and refinement were made on a couple of occasions, nature tended to prevail, favoring the hardier types that could withstand life in the forest. Since
STANDOUT: The New Forest Pony stallion Brando and owner/rider Karen Erickson
1930, the books have been closed and no further outcrosses have been allowed. The New Forest Pony was officially declared a rare breed in 2014, with fewer than 3,000 breeding pairs in the UK. New Forest Ponies are notable for their more horse-like characteristics— build, appearance, and movement— and for their uncanny sense of humor. Intelligent, quick learners, they can excel at multiple disciplines, often thriving on the variety. Trainability and temperament are key factors for many amateur and junior riders. New Forest Ponies tend to have a natural aptitude for dressage, with nicely set-on heads and necks; long, sloping shoulders; strong quarters;
and active hocks. Their free, active, and straight movement is comfortable but not too difficult to sit, often with an extremely smooth canter. With enough size and substance for children as well as small adults, they are ideally suited for climbing the levels with either. New Forest Ponies you might know: Brando (Orlando – Elvira, Justice HR) and his adult-amateur owner, Karen Erickson, Clovis, CA, won the 2014 California Dressage Society AA Four-Year-Old Futurity at Training Level and were the Great American/USDF Region 7 Training Level AA champions. Last year, they were ranked tenth at First Level AA in the Adequan/USDF year-end standings and were the CDS High Score Pony Amateur Rider on an incredible 75.441 percent. The 1997 gelding Marnehoeve’s Forever (aka A Diamond Is Forever) and Claudia Tomaselli, of Kennesaw, GA, won the 2014 Training Level Reserve Champion All-Breeds award as well as the National Dressage Pony Cup Training Level AA Championship. Last year, they won the AllBreeds Training Level AA championship. Now competing at Prix St. Georges, Far Above Par has been at the top of the USDF All-Breeds awards rankings from Second Level through Fourth. The New Forest Pony Society of North America: The NFPSNA was founded in 2003. In 2007, it was awarded Daughter Stud Book status with the New Forest Pony Breeding & Cattle Society of England, making the NFPSNA the sole recognized New Forest Pony registry in the US and Canada. All-Breeds awards offered: To fifth place, open and junior/young rider
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categories, Training through Grand Prix. To fifth place, all dressage sporthorse breeding (DSHB) categories. How to participate: Ponies, both purebred and part-bred, must be registered with the NFPSNA’s Lifetime Achievement Program. A pony must be shown under its registered name or have a registered show name on file with the NFPSNA. The owner must be a NFPSNA member in good standing. Learn more: nfpsna.com or (336) 755-3565. ▲
For the Breeds, by the Breeds
E
ach month, “All-Breeds Connection” spotlights a USDF All-Breeds awards program participating organization and the breed it represents. Information and photos that appear in this column are furnished by the breed registries. USDF does not endorse or promote any breed or registry over another. The All-Breeds program is designed to recognize the accomplishments of specific breeds in dressage. All participating organizations offer “open” yearend awards from Training Level through Grand Prix, and some offer awards in additional categories, such as adult amateur, junior/young rider, and dressage sport-horse breeding. Registry representatives are usually on hand to help bestow awards at the banquet held during each year’s USDF convention. All-Breeds award eligibility requirements include memberships and horse registrations with both USDF and the participating organization. For details and a list of current participating organizations, visit usdf.org. For more information about All-Breeds awards program participation, send e-mail to allbreeds@usdf.org.
COURTESY OF THE NFPSNA
Breed of the Month: New Forest Pony
editorial@usdf.org
United States
Dressage Federation GMO Support dressage and connect with your local dressage community by joining a USDF Group Member Organization today!
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Study in Persistence For artist and USDF gold medalist Christine Collier-Trevino, the urge to create beauty has been lifelong BY D. J. CAREY LYONS
Symbols and Sypher memorializes Collier-Trevino’s Grand Prix horse, Sypher
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PHELPSPHOTOS.COM
C
hristine Collier’s passions for art and for horses started early. At age three, she “began drawing on my bedroom walls instead of taking naps.” Her mother, an artist herself, “bought me thick tablets of paper that I filled with drawings,” beginning a lifelong practice. At age five, Collier saw Radar, a neighbor’s Paint horse, and declared, “I want on him!” Her father lifted her into Radar’s saddle, mounted another horse, and led the way to the pasture. There, she’d “barely gotten Radar moving” when the other horse shot ahead. Excited, “I dropped the rein— and Radar stopped. We had to be led back in, but the riding bug had bitten!” Collier’s father was a career Army officer. ”He was transferred—and our whole family moved—at least every three years. So there was no way I could have a horse.” Instead, she’d scour each new neighborhood for evidence of horses, “follow the trail of manure or hoofprints to the owner’s door, and ask, ‘Can I ride your horse?’ If the answer was no, I’d ask, ‘Can I brush your horse?’ That sometimes produced a yes; eventually, I might get to ride.” In Alaska, where her father was posted to monitor the Nike missile air-defense system, “a traveling carnival with pony rides came to town. I talked the manager into letting me lead a pony around the ring all day, then ride at day’s end—my first job!” Collier found her second job after a transfer to Fort Leavenworth, KS, where “historic stables that housed the US cavalry were—and are—still in use.” Many of the stalls were rented by a retired lieutenant colonel who “had a string of horses and gave balanced-seat riding lessons. I worked for him every day after school and all weekend, grooming and saddling and cleaning stalls. In exchange, I got one lesson a week.” At the dinner table after her first day’s work, “I was waxing rhapsodic about my opportunity until my older sister said, ‘What a chump!’ But I didn’t care. Riding all those horses, I was in heaven.” A high-school student when the family relocated to Greece, Collier found a stable there with an instructor who’d studied with the legendary hunter/jumper master Gordon Wright. She took lessons, and “got good enough that when the instructor went on vacation, she had me ride her horses.” Although art remained integral to Collier’s life, she entered Kansas State University aiming for a veterinary degree. But a riding accident before her first midterms “left me with a concussion so severe that I didn’t even remember I was in school.” She recuperated, took the exams, and “thought I’d done all right” until her math professor told her she’d had only one correct answer on his test—“and if I hadn’t real-
DREAM REALIZED: With her USDF gold-medal partner, Sypher
ized that, I needed to withdraw.” Her other professors also advised withdrawal. “So I switched my career focus back to art. I didn’t need a memory for that.” Marriage to Army officer Abel Trevino and his posting to Germany—the first of many duty stations in what would be a 37-year military career—put Collier-Trevino’s university plans on hold. During that first stint in Germany, she “was hired as a crafts instructor for the military Morale Support Division because of my artistic skills.” After a transfer Stateside, Collier-Trevino “was hired and eventually promoted to illustrator for Military Review, a national magazine produced in Fort Leavenworth by and for military personnel.” Besides designing covers and title pages, “if an article needed maps with battlefield symbols or other interior visual elements, we’d do those. I got very good at drawing things like tanks, troop carriers, rocket launchers, soldiers in uniform, and guns.” USDF CONNECTION
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AT THE TRACK: Stately clock at a famed Kentucky racetrack is the subject of the watercolor Rolex Keeneland
Back in Germany again, Collier-Trevino decided to reactivate her stable-finding skills. She befriended several horse owners—and “got my first experience with the big warmbloods.”
“The Long, Hard Slog to Grand Prix” During one assignment, “my husband said he’d really like to do some traveling in Europe. But having grown up in the military, I’d traveled all my life—so, I said, what I really wanted was to buy a horse. And Abel agreed, saying I could use my half of our anticipated travel budget to do it.” In Mainz, Germany, Collier-Trevino bought Marengo, a nine-year-old Rheinland Pfalz-Saar schooled to “M level, which is somewhere between Third and Fourth Levels.” About a year later, she shipped him stateside when reassignment brought the family back to Fort Leavenworth. Not long afterward, she was “dinking around with him one day,
36 October 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
trying to apply what I’d been reading in Alois Podhajsky’s book The Complete Training of Horse and Rider, when all of a sudden the feel under me transformed—as if I was sitting on a turbocharged engine. And I thought, ‘That’s how it’s supposed to feel!’ I didn’t know what to do with that energy, so it kind of dribbled away. But I never forgot it.” Sadly, Marengo died after a colic episode. “My heart was broken,” Collier-Trevino says. “I wasn’t sure I’d ever ride another horse.” Some months later, though, she tagged along when a friend went to see a stallion. A Polish Warmblood named Symbol, he had recovered from a severe case of laminitis but with a lingering “hitch in his get-along.” At the farm of Symbol’s owner, Kansas-based dressage breeder Elaine Cornell, “a handler led him to an arena where, turned loose, he did a double pirouette and then a complete freestyle on his own!” Impressed, Collier-Trevino decided she wanted a Symbol baby. Eventually her inquiries brought her an envelope
CAPTURING A CORGI: One of Collier-Trevino’s favorite dog breeds is immortalized in Sun Doze
containing “a Polaroid of a very under-impressive baby: big, high head; huge feet; upside-down neck. But a German friend had taught me, ‘You don’t ride the looks.’ And seen in the flesh, he had the ‘look of eagles’ in his eyes, plus suspension to die for.” She bought the colt. Now he’d need a name. “Thinking about symbols and how they’re used, I thought of ‘cipher’— and decided to name him Sypher.” She broke the colt, did some trail riding, and turned him out again. “When he was four—we’d relocated to Washington state by then—I realized that I really didn’t know how to train a dressage horse. So I went to shows and asked for trainer recommendations whenever I saw someone I thought really knew how to ride. The name I heard was always the same: Kari McClain.” In the ensuing eight years of training with McClain, Sypher and Collier-Trevino “started the long, hard slog toward Grand Prix. It wasn’t easy; a lot of times I went home
thinking, ‘I don’t know if I have the stomach for this.’ But Sypher loved learning new things—and his idea of a reward was to go to a show and perform for an audience.” Along the way Collier-Trevino “encountered some bumps, including cancer, a radiation-caused infection, and subsequent surgery. I lost my job during the 1998 Federal government cutbacks. We moved and we moved and we moved—and with every move I’d have to find a new farrier, find a new vet, find safe stabling and riding space. But Sypher took it all in stride.” After one move landed them in Kentucky, “Abel generously encouraged me to take Sypher to Florida two winters in a row. The first year, 2000, I drained our bank account. The second year, I found a job there as a fifty-year-old working student for USET rider Kathy von Ertfelda. Every day, from predawn until well after dark, I fed and groomed nine horses, cleaned every stall and all the tack, supervised turnout, and managed the barn. And I rode. In return, I got a USDF CONNECTION
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little apartment over the barn (sharing an outdoor shower with a tree frog), a stall for my horse, a lesson every day, and $125 a week for pocket money. And I learned so much!” Home from her working-student stint, Collier-Trevino assessed her situation. She had earned her USDF bronze and silver medals and had two scores toward her gold with Sypher, now 15. “And with Sypher’s attitude, I figured we’d get the remaining scores soon. “Then reality hit. Grand Prix was absolutely the hardest thing I’d ever tried. And I had to convince Sy to work harder
than he’d ever done—and keep him sound while doing it. “Meanwhile, when the Gulf War broke out and my husband deployed, I moved back to Washington—and, after eight years of working part-time and finishing my degree, found a job.” Collier-Trevino kept working toward those last two Grand Prix scores, but by the end of the 2006 season she’d managed only one. “I thought, ‘I’m burned out and Sy’s burned out. Do I want another medal that badly? Is it worth pushing him this hard?’” Fate intervened. “Abel was going to be deployed again— and I was offered a job, with a promotion, in Hawaii. So he went to Iraq and I went to Hawaii.” Sypher and his halfsister Symmetry came along, and Collier-Trevino was able to bring German trainer Christian Garweg to Hawaii three times for clinics. “Christian taught me not only how to compete at Grand Prix, but how to focus,” she says. “He was tough: Figuratively, he didn’t take his boot off my neck.”
The Tide Turns During that year in Hawaii, “Bill Northern, a ‘horse communicator,’ stopped at the barn. I’m no believer in ‘woo-woo’ stuff, but I let him visit Sypher. Afterward—knowing nothing about me, my horse, or our history—he told me that Sypher wanted to ‘try the hard work again.’ So I decided that in 2008 we would try again.” And at last, Collier-Trevino earned her gold medal. “We’d done it: my twenty-two-year-old American-bred, American-amateur-trained horse and his fifty-eight-yearold amateur owner. It was the hardest thing I’d ever done. But one thing I’ve learned from riding is the four P’s: patience, patience, patience, and perseverance.” Collier-Trevino retired Sypher from Grand Prix competition after their medal win. The gelding had to be euthanized at the close of 2015, and “that hit me very hard. I haven’t ridden since he died,” she says. “What I am doing with horses is trying to breed Symmetry, Sypher’s sister. That’s something totally different that I’m getting excited about.”
Art Imitates Life
FAREWELL: Crossing Over was the last painting Collier-Trevino did of her beloved Sypher. “It was my way of letting him go.”
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Art in some form has always been Collier-Trevino’s career, but she didn’t get serious about equine art until the early 1980s, when a horse she owned got injured and she needed money to pay the $500 vet bill. Primarily a graphite and pen-and-ink artist at the time, she offered to do pencil portraits of horses for $10 or $15 apiece—and raised the needed funds. Her interest in painting arose 20 or 25 years ago, esti-
mates Collier-Trevino, now 66. Many of her paintings are watercolors (her favorite medium) with a blurred, dreamlike quality even as the subjects—a pensive jockey, a Corgi snoozing in the sun, and of course her beloved Sypher— convey a sense of realism and display a keen attention to detail. She’s also done silkscreens, pastels, and oil paintings, the latter including a portrait of Flim Flam, the 2000 US Olympic dressage team bronze medalist under Sue Blinks. Most of Collier-Trevino’s works depict scenes related to dressage or foxhunting, and that’s no accident. “I know the sports; I know the equipment,” she explains. She’s done racing-related art a few times—it’s lucrative and in high demand—“but I usually reach a point, doing the tack, where I slow to a halt. It doesn’t excite me because I don’t know it.” She does have several Corgis, however, and they’ve become favorite non-equine subjects. From the time Collier-Trevino began her career as an artist, “I was doing fairly well, making work I liked. But I didn’t feel I had a recognizable style…. About two years ago, it hit me that I needed to decide what truly expressed me.” To that end, she took a watercolor workshop and, more recently, studied oil painting. From her teachers, she says, “I learned about qualities of good painting: drama, clear ideas, confidence of execution. And, saying that, I realize that those are the same things I had to learn to be good at dressage!” In 2000, Collier-Trevino made her first attempt at sculpture “after a friend said, ‘I’ve been looking for a bronze of a horse, and I can’t find one I like, so I want you to make me one.’ When I told her I didn’t know how, she said, ‘You’ll figure it out.’ I did. And I decided I liked doing it.” That first bronze was called Pirouette. After reading about people who sponsor USDF awards, and knowing another artist who’d donated a sculpture, Collier-Trevino contacted the USDF and offered to donate a copy of Pirouette on the condition that it become a year-end trophy for the adult-amateur Grand Prix champion. It did, and the trophy has been presented annually since 2007. Pirouette actually marks the third time Collier-Trevino has worked with the USDF. Her painting Touch of Grace graced the 1997 USDF holiday greeting card, and Evolution I was on the 2004 USDF convention souvenir T-shirts. Besides bronze, Collier-Trevino has sculpted in carved alabaster, welded steel, and concrete. But lately, she says, she has been concentrating more on her “two-dimensional style. Once that feels really solidified, I’ll probably do more sculpture. There’s a life-size bust of Sypher’s head that I started before he died; I plan on finishing that. And I have a couple of pieces of alabaster waiting for me.”
HONORING THE AMATEUR: Pirouette, Collier-Trevino’s first bronze, adorns the USDF perpetual trophy for the annual adult-amateur Grand Prix champion
In her studio—“what used to be the family room” of the Collier-Trevino house in Manhattan, KS—are “two easels, a computer where I keep all my records, and a huge watercolor board just waiting for the next piece of paper to be put on it. I also have a file of photos I’ve taken. And whenever I get an idea, I do a little sketch and file it in a folder.” Collier-Trevino rarely accepts commissions, but she says she never lacks for ideas. “I have plenty to choose from. The hard thing is keeping focused. Maybe I need another Christian Garweg to ‘put a boot on my neck’!” Dressage is all about balance. We won’t be surprised if Collier-Trevino’s next work shows a lot of Symmetry, as well. ▲ D. J. Carey Lyons is a writer based in Chester County, PA. USDF CONNECTION
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EVANESCENT BEAUTY: Elizabeth Ball (pictured aboard Avanti in 2016) finds similarities between dressage and painting
Portrait of the Dressage Rider as an Artist International competitor Elizabeth Ball finds dressage lessons in her pursuit of fine art
T
hree years ago, international dressage competitor Elizabeth Ball picked up a paint brush and steeped herself in learning a different kind of art. An adult learner for the first time, she struggled to master oil painting—and reminisces wistfully about how easy it is to learn things as a child. Growing up riding over the coastal ranch lands of Bolinas, CA, Ball’s second home after moving from her native Lexington, KY, at age three, “we didn’t have good positions, could barely get into a canter, and knew nothing about which lead our ponies were on,” she says. “We grew up hap-
40 October 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
pily figuring it out and didn’t do it with an awareness of how much there was to learn. Now, as an adult, I’m challenged by art and very aware of how little I know.” Her pursuit of fine art has given Ball, 52, a new appreciation of the challenges her adult-amateur dressage students face. “Being a beginner takes courage and patience. It’s very humbling. Painting, like dressage, is a lifelong pursuit. Luckily, I learned basic riding before I was aware of the learning process. Now, starting painting as an adult, I’m painfully aware of the time it’s taking to gain the basic skills. I love having an appreciation for high quality, but having high
TERRI MILLER
BY PATTI SCHOFLER
ARTISTIC DEPARTURE: Ball enjoys painting a variety of subjects, from the sea at Big Sur to the doomed African lion of Cecil
standards in art and riding can be difficult. I’m very impatient with myself because it seems impossible for my skills to ever catch up with my ideals. And, like any great pursuit, the more I learn, the more I realize how far there is to go.” Sometimes the dressage teacher finds herself doling out advice she realizes she ought to take in her other career. “I have students who are so hard on themselves, and I tell them, ‘Are you kidding? You are so good at the hardest parts, so hang in there.’ I hear myself saying this to them while I’m trying to hang in there as an art student. Sometimes, in frustration, I do stop painting. I want too much out of it for as little skill that I have. Then I’ll give it a few weeks before I look again at a painting I did and think, ‘Where did that come from? It’s not bad.’ It’s easy to lose perspective when we try too hard.”
COURTESY OF ELIZABETH BALL
An Artistic Sensibility Even in her riding, Ball brings a dramatic flair to our typically conservative discipline. Her costumed Phantom of the Opera-themed pas de deux with her coach and good friend, Olympian Guenter Seidel, brought down the house at the 2009 FEI World Cup Finals in Las Vegas. At the same event in 2015, a scantily clad (in riding terms) Ball and three other “showgirls” danced with a jumpsuited Seidel as Elvis in a lively “Viva Las Vegas” quadrille. Ball is much more than an exhibition rider, however. Aboard Bolshoj, she won a team silver medal at the 1995 Pan American Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina (where Seidel was a teammate). She made headlines when she rode her American-bred Hanoverian stallion, Selten HW (Sandro
Hit – High Princess, Hohenstein), to an unprecedented three Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championship titles in a row, from 2008 to 2010. (Ball sold the then eightyear-old Selten HW to Great Britain as the highest-priced horse at the 2012 Equine Elite auction in the Netherlands. This year, the stallion represented Denmark at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.) Today, Ball, of Carlsbad, CA, is competing successfully at Grand Prix with her 2005 Dutch Warmblood gelding Avanti (Tuschinski – Fleur, Naturel).
Art, Like Dressage, Is All About the Basics One of Ball’s art teachers insists that students use only three primary colors, and mix all other colors from those three. “I try to have the discipline and wisdom to simplify— to focus on the foundation,” Ball says. An admitted perfectionist who can lose the proverbial forest for the trees, “It’s amazing how the little details we fret about resolve themselves when the bigger simple, basic things are understood really well.” The similarities between art and dressage aren’t lost on Ball. “To fix the little details in art and in riding, you need to see the bigger picture and see that the basic elements are there. My painting teacher has taken away the detail brush and given me one that is an inch wide, so that what I paint is first understood in the broad sense, and I see the overall basic composition of values. It’s the equivalent of being on the lunge line with no stirrups or reins.” Ball’s art class set up one day at a local lagoon to practice the method of painting known as plein air—French for “open air.” The plein air artist is creating in the moment and must work quickly to try to capture the look of the scene—an exercise that has proven both challenging and useful to Ball. “You don’t think. You aren’t hypercritical and detailed USDF CONNECTION
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because you have only a certain amount of time before the light changes and shadows move,” she explains. “You discover a looser, quicker style. Every aspect of painting in plein air is a lesson in its own. It’s trusting to free yourself rather than agonizing over perfection. You go with the moment to the best of your ability and let the paint do what paint does. I’m trying to capture an impression of the scene, including the overall feeling of the time and place, all in a short session. It’s harder than you might think.”
Riding Lessons and Art Lessons Ball and Avanti made their Grand Prix debut early this year. Although the horse did well in the California CDIs, his rider knows that horses take time to mature and develop at the level—and she realizes that the same holds true for her growth as an artist. “I’m excited that now Avanti is developing much more confidence, strength, and relaxation in his work,” Ball says. “He’s really understanding how to do everything easily, which gives us such a great feeling of partnership. Someday I hope to find a similar level of confidence and ability in painting.”
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Ball continues to discover parallels between her two passions. “In riding, you are managing and observing: How does he feel? Is the energy forward? How do I want him to be, and how can I improve him? You’re always measuring and checking and adjusting.” Likewise, “with painting, you look up, you look down, you look up, you look down, comparing the subject and the canvas. How do the light, the tones, and the colors work between the scene and the work? Both are about feeling, observing, and being creative in looking beyond what is obvious to see the nuances.” Even the physicality of painting draws lessons from riding. Although Ball is one of those fortunate riders who does not suffer body aches and pains, she noticed that her knees got hot and achy after four or five hours of painting. “I realized I was locking my knees when I stood for hours,” she says. “I need to stand more in the posture of sitting well in the saddle: with everything stacked up, with my heels and feet the right width apart, my knees slightly bent, my hips over my heels, my tummy in, and no arch in my back.” Finally, the idea of showing her art in public has given this veteran dressage competitor a new case of the butterflies.
BOBTARR.COM
DRAMATIC DRESSAGE: Ball and Guenter Seidel thrilled 2009 World Cup Finals audiences with their Phantom of the Opera-themed pas de deux
“It’s one thing to ride at home, and another to ride and show in front of others. My teacher said basically the same thing about art,” says Ball. “You can be very good in the studio and reach a certain level on your own; then you need to paint with other people who have more expertise, and expand your skill set while trying to hold your own. It brings you to an entirely new level. Someday, I hope, I’ll feel with painting as I do riding down center line.”
Dressage en Plein Air Her painting has given Ball a new vocabulary with which to describe her pursuit of the art of dressage. “With dressage, because the beauty is not caught but is in the moment, our best goal is to be in the moment of the inspiration and the learning. We hope to touch people with this beauty and show that it can be done easily and in a harmonious way, presenting our horses’ natural ability in the best possible light.” ▲
PLEIN AIR: Ball poses with a California oceanside scene
Patti Schofler, of Petaluma, CA, is a freelance journalist and publicist as well as a USDF “L” program graduate with distinction. She has earned her USDF bronze medal and is half way to her silver.
US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan ®
Hospitality Sponsorship Opportunity
COURTESY OF ELIZABETH BALL
For more information about Hospitality or other sponsorship opportunities, contact:
Ross Creech rcreech@usdf.org (859) 971-7038
Show your support to competitors and event staff as a US Dressage Finals Hospitality Sponsor! Hospitality Sponsors will receive valuable onsite exposure to over four hundred of the top competitors from around the country, as they compete at this showcase event. Hospitality Sponsorships are available starting at $1000. Hospitality Sponsors will receive exposure in the event program and through onsite signage at hospitality events throughout the week. Additionally, Hospitality Sponsors have the opportunity to include a promotional gift item in the competitor gift bags.
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Hansen and Upchurch Are on a Rocky Mountain High
The young rider and junior dominate dressage as NAJYRC leaves customary Lexington for Colorado PHOTOGRAPHS BY SUSANJSTICKLE.COM
ALL THE GOLD: Triple NAJYRC Young Rider dressage gold medalist Nicholas Hansen on Ritter Benno
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he dressage portion of the 2016 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North could have been rechristened the Nicholas Hansen and Jenna Upchurch Show. Young rider Hansen and junior Upchurch dominated their respective divisions to sweep five of the six gold medals up for grabs at the July 26-31 competition at the Colorado Horse Park in Parker. Hansen, 21, of Catawissa, PA, anchored the USDF/Platinum Performance Region 1 YR gold-medal team. Riding the 2001 Westfalen gelding Ritter Benno, a horse that was donated to Lendon Gray’s Dressage4Kids organization, he went on to clinch both the YR individual gold medal and the YR freestyle gold. “If he were a human, he would give the best hugs,” Hansen said of his partner. “Honestly, he’s the happiest horse who always tries 100 percent ever single day and never gives up. It’s a pleasure and an honor to be able to ride him.” After sustaining a serious injury, Ritter Benno was given long odds for ever returning to top competition. But Hansen refused to give up on the horse.
“Being able to put him slowly back into work, have him actually feel better than before he went lame, and get here after being told that your horse probably won’t be able to work again is something that is amazing,” Hansen said. “I would like to thank the vets who did what they did to get the horse to where he is now.” Sharing the YR gold-medal podium with Hansen were his Region 1 teammates Mallory Chambers, 21, Flanders, NJ, on Urithmic; Elizabeth Bortuzzo, 20, Annandale, NJ, on Macao; and Lian Wolfe, 21, New Hope, PA, on Zimba. The YR team silver medal went to Canada’s combined Ontario/Manitoba/Alberta team: Alexandra Meghji, 18, Toronto, ON, on Rigo; Elexis Ortlieb, 20, Leduc, AB, on Verida; Emily Ferguson, 21, Winnipeg, MB, on Wrazzmatazz; and Nachelle Forde, 21, Winnepeg, MB, on File Della Caccia. The USDF combined Regions 4/5/7 team (Codi Harrison, 20, Augusta, KS, on Katholts Bossco; Lexy Donaldson, 19, Littleton, CO, on Power Play; and Kate Cassidy, 20, Rancho Santa Fe, CA, on Welt Erbe) won bronze. In the YR individual competition, USDF Region 3’s Rachel Robinson, 21, Orlando, FL, on Indira took the silver
Adequan/FEI NAJYRC Adequan/FEI NAJYRC Dressage Young Rider Results Dressage Junior Results YR Team 1. Region 1 (Hansen/Ritter Benno 72.263; Chambers/ Urithmic 64.474; Bortuzzo/Macao 63.868; Wolfe/Zimba 62.026) 2. Ontario/Manitoba/Alberta (Meghji/Rigo 67.868; Ortlieb/Verida 66.658; Ferguson/Wrazzmatazz 65.684; Forde/File Della Caccia 62.395) 3. Regions 4/5/7 (Harrison/Katholts Bossco 67.921; Donaldson/Power Play 67.211; Cassidy/Welt Erbe 61.289). YR Individual 1. Hansen/Ritter Benno 72.502 2. Robinson/Indira 68.921 3. Donaldson/Power Play 68.053. YR Freestyle 1. Hansen/Ritter Benno 72.125 2. Mingari/Elzarma TF YR TEAM CHAMPIONS: Region 69.328 1 gold medalists Nicholas Hansen, 3. Ferguson/ Elizabeth Bortuzzo, Mallory Chambers, and Lian Wolfe Wrazzmatazz 68.295.
Junior Team 1. Region 3 (Hess/Diano 67.162; Hewitt/ Whats Up de la Ferme Rose 65.595; Milazzo/ Baccus 64.541; Syribeys/ Hollywood EL) JUNIOR INDIVIDUAL MEDALISTS: 2. Region 4 Vanessa Creech-Terauds (silver), Jenna Upchurch (gold), Carlos Maldonado Lara (Fragomeni/ (bronze) Aragon 62.432; Upchurch/ Greystoke 67.919; Schmidt/Octavian’s O’Neill EL; Peer/ Stella Luna 64.378) 3. Regions 1/6 (Kadlubek/Freewill 60.865; Nemeth/ Dafoe 67.703; Wyman/Thys 65.730). Junior Individual 1. Upchurch/Greystoke 70.632 2. Creech-Terauds/Fleur de Lis L 70.184 3. Maldonado Lara/Massimo 69.974. Junior Freestyle 1. Upchurch/Greystoke 71.350 2. Creech-Terauds/Fleur de Lis L 70.500 3. Gillespie/Westpoint CB 69.500.
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JUNIOR TEAM MEDALISTS: Region 4 (silver), Region 3 (gold), Regions 1/6 (bronze)
medal behind Hansen. Region 5 rider Lexy Donaldson on Power Play won the individual bronze. Region 2’s Rebekah Mingari, 20, Crestwood, KY, piloted Elzarma TF to YR freestyle silver. (For more about Mingari, who was also the 2015 USDF Youth Volunteer of the Year, see the July/August 2016 issue of USDF Connection.) Emily Ferguson, 20, Winnipeg, MB, on Wrazzmatazz won the bronze.
Region 3 Wins Junior Team Gold Jenna Upchurch, 17, Chesterfield, MO, and her Region 4 teammates (Cara Fragomeni, 17, Maple Grove, MN, on Aragon; Bianca Schmidt, 15, Edina, MN, on Octavian’s O’Neill; and Madison Peer, 17, Derby, VT, on Stella Luna) had to settle for
silver in the junior team competition. The team gold medal went to Region 3 (Juliet Hess, 17, Atlanta, GA, on Diano; Emily Hewitt, 18, Atlanta, GA, on Whats Up de la Ferme Rose; Helena Marie Milazzo, 17, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, on Baccus; and Marline Syribeys, 17, Atlanta, GA, on Hollywood). The combined Regions 1/6 team (Kayla Kadlubek, 16, Fairfax Station, VA, on Freewill; Allison Nemeth, 14, Flemington, NJ, on Dafoe; and Cameron Wyman, 17, Gig Harbor, WA, on Thys) won the bronze medal. In the junior individual and freestyle competitions, however, Upchurch reigned, riding Greystoke to gold medals in both divisions. In the individual competition, she won over silver medalist Vanessa Creech-Terauds, 16, Caistor
Special Awards
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he dressage competition at the Adequan/FEI NAJYRC includes two special award presentations. The first is the Fiona Baan “Pursuit of Excellence” Memorial Trophy, named for the late US Equestrian Team dressage team leader and Roemer Foundation/ USDF Hall of Fame member. DEDICATED: Region 5 chef d’équipe Joan Clay (third It is presented annually to the from left) receives the Albers Award from USDF executive director Stephan Hienzsch, USDF FEI Jr/YR Committee Young Rider who earns the highest combined average score chair Roberta Williams, and US Equestrian Federation CEO William Moroney in the three YR dressage tests. The 2016 recipient was triple YR gold medalist Nicholas Hansen, Catawissa, PA, of USDF Region 1. Named in memory of the longtime USDF Region 1 chef d’équipe and supporter Patsy Albers, the Albers Award is presented annually to the dressage chef who best demonstrates the dedication, enthusiasm, and team spirit that Albers exemplified. In 2016 the award went to Region 5 chef Joan Clay.
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HONORING EXCELLENCE: Fiona Baan “Pursuit of Excellence” Memorial Trophy recipient Nicholas Hansen (center) with USDF executive director Stephan Hienzsch and USDF FEI Junior/Young Rider Committee chair Roberta Williams
The 2016 NAJYRC Dressage Teams
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TOP JUNIOR: Individual and freestyle gold medalist Jenna Upchurch on Greystoke
Centre, ON, on Fleur de Lis L; and bronze medalist Carlos Maldonado Lara, 17, Guadalajara, MEX, on Massimo. In 2015, Upchurch did not qualify to advance to the freestyle competition, which made her 2016 freestyle gold medal even more special. Creech-Terauds won freestyle silver, and the bronze went to Region 5 rider Jackson Gillespie, 17, Denver, CO, on Westpoint CB. Upchurch was a hunter/jumper rider and also competed in the Arabian pleasure world before she took up dressage. “I really like the challenge of dressage,” she said. “That’s why I was drawn to it.”
A Life-Changing Experience “I think that this competition is invaluable,” Nicholas Hansen said of the NAJYRC. “You form bonds that you have for the rest of your life.” What’s more, “To have the ability to say that you went to NAJYRC, and when you’re able to put that on your resume, I think that’s something not many people are able to do, and it’s a huge accomplishment.” “I think the special part of this competition is that you have fun, and that’s my goal,” said Emily Ferguson, the YR freestyle bronze medalist and member of the silver-medalwinning YR team from Canada. “It’s about setting goals, having fun, but also having positive experiences in the ring, and that’s what’s so special about this competition.” ▲ Podcast Alert
PODCAST
Listen to podcast episode 137 for an interview with Nicholas Hansen at usdf.podbean.com.
he USDF congratulates the talented youths who made this year’s USDF/Platinum Performance NAJYRC dressage teams. The Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships are the premier equestrian competition in North America for juniors and young riders ages 14 to 21. Riders from the US, Bermuda, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean islands compete in jumping, dressage, eventing, reining, and endurance. Region 1 Juniors: Kayla Kadlubek/Freewill, Allison Nemeth/Dafoe Region 1 Young Riders: Nicholas Hansen/ Ritter Benno, Elizabeth Bortuzzo/Macao, Mallory Chambers/Urithmic, Lian Wolfe/Zimba Region 2 Juniors: Callie Jones/Don Philippo, Meredith Talley/Romeo, Sophia Schults/Sandro, Jacquelynn Mackie/Weltrubin 5 Region 2 Young Riders: Rebekah Mingari/ Elzarma TF, Kayla Barteau/Raymond, Keegan O’Brien/ Foley, Hunter Chancellor/Amigo For Ever Region 3 Juniors: Marline Syribeys/Hollywood, Juliet Hess/Diano, Emily Hewitt/What’s Up de la Ferme Rose, Helena Milazzo/Baccus Region 3 Young Riders: Rachel Robinson/Indira, Rebecca Roman/Ultimo, Meghan Miller/Remington Region 4 Juniors: Jenna Upchurch/Greystoke, Cara Fragomeni/Aragon, Madison Peer/Stella Luna, Bianca Schmidt/Octavian’s O’Neill Region 4 Young Rider: Codi Harrison/Katholt’s Bossco Region 5 Juniors: Jackson Gillespie/Westpoint CB, Gaylen Davis/Mojito RH, Katherine Scotford/Dean Martin, Paige Smith/Welkin Region 5 Young Rider: Lexy Donaldson/Power Play Region 6 Junior: Cameron Wyman/Thys Region 6 Young Riders: Stevie Gaudreau/RI Maverick, Sarah Lane/Dutch Treat, Piper Newman/ Whatsup Region 7 Juniors: Christian Simonson/Herzkonig, Ben Ebeling/Descartes, Nila Venkat/Skyler Ace, Annie Ray/Calvin Klein Region 7 Young Rider: Katharine Cassidy/Welt Erbe Region 9 Juniors: Madison Lacy/Cipriani, Abigail Fleischli/Laguna, Madeleine Ramon/Lowenherz, Kyra Shine/Alaric Region 9 Young Riders: Allison Cyprus/Madoc Gareth, Eden Wyker/Welmingh, Anna Campbell/ Liebling, Allison Hopkins/Rusty 324.
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Get to know who’s running for USDF Executive Board office
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t the 2016 Adequan/USDF National Convention in St. Louis, MO, in December, the USDF Board of Governors will elect seven members of the USDF Executive Board: vice president, secretary, and the directors of USDF’s odd-numbered regions (1, 3, 5, 7, and 9). (The regions are shown on the map at right.) The incumbent board members in the following positions are running for reelection: vice president Lisa Gorretta, secretary Margaret Freeman, Region 3 director Susan Bender, Region 5 director Heather Petersen, and Region 9 director Sherry Guess. As Region 1 director Lisa Schmidt prepares to step down at the end of 2016, two candidates are running for that position: Donna Kelly and Bettina Longaker. Likewise, in Region 7 we prepare to say goodbye to Terry Wilson, and Kevin Reinig is running to fill that director’s position. Like all organizations, USDF needs committed leadership in order to enjoy continued growth and thoughtful direction. The USDF Executive Board functions as a cohesive team and strives to further the organization’s mission and goals. For the 2016 election cycle, the USDF Nominating Committee asked each candidate to submit a brief biography and to answer the following questions: 1. What special professional or technical skills would you bring to the Executive Board to help implement the strategic plan of the organization (e.g., financial, legal, business, management, technology, human resources)? 2. How has your involvement in local, regional, and national USDF activities promoted and enhanced dressage regionally and nationally? 3. What specific goals and objectives do you have for USDF? 4. How will you, as an officer (or regional director), encourage greater member participation and help to make USDF the “go to” organization for dressage in the US (or encourage greater participation by each member within your region)?
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The candidates’ biographies and responses follow. Additional nominations will be accepted from the floor at the Board of Governors assembly.
Vice President Incumbent: Lisa Gorretta Responses to questions: 1. I owned a tack shop, The Paddock Saddlery, from 1986 until I sold the business to Big Dee’s Tack & Vet Supply in 2013. The experience gained in running a not-so-small business encompassed all aspects of business management. Our team established a regional and national reputation as a top supplier to the sport-horse industry and was a regular fixture on vendor row of major competitions up and down the East Coast and Midwest. As a USDF sponsor, we proudly offered the USDF Volunteer of the Year and Youth Volunteer of the Year Awards. I formed a consulting firm in 2011 that works with all types of businesses within the equestrian trades.
COURTESY OF MARGARET FREEMAN
I have been a licensed official for about 30 years (USEF dressage technical delegate) and, since 2010, an FEI dressage steward. I currently serve as co-chair of the US Equestrian Federation (USEF) Dressage Technical Committee and represent USDF on the USEF International Disciplines Council. On both the USDF Executive Board and the USEF Dressage Committee, I work well in a team environment but am equally comfortable assuming a leadership role when appropriate. 2. I have been a member of my USD group-member organization (GMO), the Northern Ohio Dressage Association, for more than 40 years and served as president, GMO delegate, and Region 2 participating-member (PM) delegate before serving two terms as USDF Region 2 director. My competition horse is now semi-retired at age 23, but with him I earned my USDF bronze and silver medals. I served USDF as chair of the Regional Championships Committee for seven years prior to being elected to the board as the first at-large director for the Activities Council. I am at the end of my first term as USDF vice president. I have had the privilege of serving on the editorial advisory committee and as a technical advisor to USDF Connection magazine. My November each year now starts with volunteering at the US Dressage Finals and ends wherever our Adequan/USDF Annual Convention is held. 3. I would like to see us take on more responsibility in the education of our licensed officials; to broaden and build on the success of our L Education Program and our Dressage Sport Horse Breeding Forums. Time and experience have proven that there is a tremendous “trickle down” benefit for all categories of our membership when we run these types of programs. We need to redouble our efforts in support of our Instructor/Trainer Program to make USDF instructor certification a national standard. We owe this to all USDF members as well as to those who simply express interest in our sport. At this time, I do not have a new ready “amateur solution,” so for now I will hold to my long-held belief that the best thing we can do for our hard-working adult-amateur members is to recognize their achievements and to help to provide the best possible education for the people who teach and train them. I believe it is essential to our longrange success to foster a “place at the table” for everyone— from the person who is just getting into riding, to the highperformance rider and trainer who should feel both responsibility to and recognition from USDF. And we must resolve to be current with the happenings in the international world and the FEI as well as the national scene and the USEF. 4. As we begin work on a fresh strategic plan for the Federation, we will examine the strengths and weakness of each
of our membership categories and programs. We must recognize that the role of the GMO has changed over the past 40 years and be willing to adapt accordingly. It is very important that we meet our current challenges with the same vigor as those early pioneers of dressage in the US who founded USDF. We must look at what we do for youth members and young professionals, because without them our future is far from guaranteed. We must remain true to the tenets of classical dressage as it is known throughout the world, but in doing so additionally provide support when possible to those who wish to include dressage principles and training in their disciplines, breeds, or organizations. We have come such a long way and have so much further we can go!
Secretary Incumbent: Margaret Freeman Margaret Freeman is a Senior (“S”) USEF dressage judge living in Tryon, NC. She has been showing dressage as a member of USDF for 40 years. She is a freelance writer/ editor for horse magazines, covered the equestrian events at seven Olympics for the Associated Press, and is on the editorial advisory committee of USDF Connection. She’s on the committee of the Youth Dressage Festival (NY) and was on the founding committees of CDCTA (VA) and Dressage at Devon (PA). Margaret was born and raised in Portland, OR. She has a bachelor’s degree in dramatic literature from Mills College in Oakland, CA, and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri in Columbia. She’s lived in five USDF regions (and belonged to nine GMOs) as she and her husband, Henry, moved to work at various newspapers around the country. They settled in North Carolina in 2012 after spending two decades in the NY/NJ area. Responses to questions: 1. My extensive background in writing and editing provides the skills appropriate for the office of USDF secretary and for written materials regarding the USDF strategic plan, which is under revision. I have wide experience in show organizing and in public speaking. I understand dressage shows from every angle and level. My travels around the country as a judge have helped me gain perspective on regional differences and current concerns that need to be further addressed in the strategic plan. 2. In addition to my current term as USDF secretary, I’ve been on a number of ad hoc USDF committees and have USDF CONNECTION
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Region 1 Director Candidate: Donna Kelly My husband, Michael, and I live on our farm in Oak Ridge, NC, just northwest of Greensboro, where I teach and train from Training Level to FEI. We have two children, Justin (24) and Grace (20). Previously we lived in Basel, Switzerland, where I taught English at a technical school in the city and rode and competed horses for private farms. While there I was membership chair and eventually vice president for the American Women’s Club of Basel. I earned my Swiss Federation competitive riding license for both jumping and dressage. After five years we returned to the States. My riding career has been quite diversified, with successes in several different arenas such as jumping, eventing, dressage, and Western. I graduated from the University of Tennessee in animal science. My husband and I are active in our church as well as our community. My other interests are reading, traveling, and hiking. Some of my accomplishments and contributions in dressage are: • 2015 Region 1 Volunteer of the Year • NCDCTA vice president 2006-2010 • Co-chair of the NCDCTA Horse of the Year program • Chair of the NCDCTA Annual Gala and HOY Awards • Region 1 PM delegate 2013-2015 • Organizer of the 2015 L Program Continuing Education in Musical Freestyle Judging • L graduate with Distinction
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• 2015 USEF “r” candidate • Volunteer scribe, runner, and judges’ hospitality committee member for numerous shows • Regional and BLM Championships • Regional and National Arabian Sport Horse Championships • USDF bronze and silver medalist. Responses to questions: 1. Organizational, management, financial, and people skills and a variety of experiences in the horse industry, giving me a broad perspective when discussing business strategy. 2. I have served on the local, regional, and national level of the governing process. I have been involved in continuing education for membership by organizing programs, writing articles, and volunteering. I have supported our sport as a volunteer for USDF shows in North Carolina and Virginia. 3. My objectives are continued growth of our strong Jr/ YR program and maintaining regional financial soundness. Furthermore, the development of the fundraiser for PM delegates to help relieve their financial burden, hopefully enabling more of our membership the opportunity to participate in the governing process. It is critical that our membership fully understands how USDF makes changes and decisions. Being a part of the process helps one feel invested in the future of our sport. GMOs are critical to educating and inviting participation of their membership in this process. 4. As USDF focuses on national programs and strategies, it is easy for the “grass roots” membership to feel invisible. Our GMOs are the gateway to this membership. Remaining autonomous enables GMOs to best serve their members and their needs. Encouraging and facilitating local volunteer education or appreciation programs, L program continuing education, and other outreach programs keep the grass roots feeling valued and eager to participate. As regional director, I see my encouragement to share ideas and help facilitate these programs critical to the success of improved participation of our membership. Candidate: Bettina Longaker As a candidate for director of Region 1, Bettina Longaker brings 40 years of horse ownership, riding, competition management, and GMO leadership to the dressage arena. Running non-licensed USDF Youth and Adult Team Competitions, then NAJYRC, AHSA and now USDF Regionals, she also served as president of two VADA chapters and VADA itself.
COURTESY OF DONNA KELLY; COURTESY OF BETTINA LONGAKER
served on the boards of several GMOs. I’ve served with Dressage4Kids Inc. for 15 years in a variety of educational programs, in addition to the Youth Dressage Festival. I believe the strength of the USDF lies in the health of local GMOs and that dressage enthusiasts should promote local unity through GMOs. 3. I want membership in USDF to grow, of course, but it’s also important to serve the members we already have, to encourage them as both as supporters of the Federation and of dressage in general. I would like to see programs that expand the understanding of dressage to other riding disciplines as well. 4. One priority is to help GMOs attract members locally. USDF is a federation—an organization of organizations. GMOs should be a resource anyone in a specific locale finds useful, including high-performance riders who, in turn, help inspire and instruct other members.
COURTESY OF SUSAN BENDER
She considers her regional experiences as a qualifying secretary and president of the Col. Bengt Ljungquist Memorial Championships to be invaluable. Raised in New York, Bettina’s formal training as a rider started at Cornell University with Charles Lent. She credits Chuck for being instrumental in preparing her for dressage by teaching her the balanced seat at a time when the forward half-seat was becoming popular. This made for an easy transition when she discovered dressage after moving to Virginia in 1976. While attending Virginia Commonwealth University (information systems, 1988), she was training in dressage, earned a USDF bronze medal in 1985, and became an L graduate with distinction in 1993. Also in 1993, she volunteered to secretary one of the largest East Coast dressage shows at that time, paving the way for many more years of service. Bettina lives in Somerset, VA, raising Hanoverians at Glen Oaks Farm, where she also operates her business, Scripts & Rides LLC. When asked if she really wanted the position of Region 1 director, she responded, “Yes! Region 1 has given me so much, both personally and professionally, and I know I still have much to give back in return.” Responses to questions: 1. Through my professional career in IT and dressage show management, I found an invaluable skill: the ability to work for and with different management/personality types. My early involvement with technology, combined with my people skills, give me an advantage in understanding where the confusion lies with the lay person and evolving technology. 2. Over the last 40 years, I have run schooling shows, Regional Championships, CDIs, CPEDIs, and NAJYRC; and I am secretary for the 2016 US Dressage Finals. Having been involved from the ground up, I understand the needs of the varying levels of dressage rider across our nation. As show management, we are service providers. Because the competition world can be very confusing, I believe we can function more efficiently by being the rider’s advocate. 3. One of my greatest concerns with our sport today is, “Who is going to take over when our generation is no longer there?” Every year it gets harder to find volunteers and even paid staff to run our competitions. I feel it is imperative for the USDF to expand volunteer outreach to members by conveying the value of volunteering to the organization and the members themselves. 4. Communication with members is vital to encourage engagement with their regions. As regional director, I would expand the use of social media without forgetting that some still need the hard copy to be engaged. For our organizations to prosper, our members must feel ownership of their individual GMO up through the USDF.
Region 3 Director Incumbent: Susan Bender A love of horses has always been part of my life, as I grew up in the Northeast doing 4-H and hunter/ jumpers before moving to dressage in college. After graduating with a business degree, I met my husband, an Army officer. The next 28 years were spent moving around the world, with six assignments in Region 3. It was at the first assignment that I attended my first USDF convention and met the members of Region 3 and felt a part of them. For the first 14 years of military life, I worked as an Army auditor, riding in my spare time like so many other USDF members. In the later half I volunteered for several organizations, including USDF. I have been on numerous boards, including GMOs, and a term as Region 3 director in 1999 and again for the past three years. I have been a PM delegate several times and have served on several USDF committees, including Historical chair and Junior/Young Rider coordinator for numerous years. I have been an active competitor and earned my silver medal. As a senior military spouse in Germany in 2001, I took several years off from competition and started again in 2005 as an adult amateur. I have bred several horses and have watched my mare go through the young-horse program for six years, learning from the experience. My personal goal is to continue to learn at USDF activities and encourage others to join me, whether regional director or not. Responses to questions: 1. As an internal auditor, I have done reviews looking at financial, legal, personnel, and other aspects of various organizations. It also included doing surveys and writing and implementing strategic plans. 2. The way to see dressage enhanced is seeing more people dedicated to the sport and having members involved to improve it. Working with our regional junior/young riders, I hope that I have contributed to their staying involved in the sport as adults. Those members of our NAYRC team of 1999 I now see as active trainers and amateur riders, with children that they are showing a dedication to the sport. 3. Our sport has a wide range of levels, from Olympic to the very basic programs that are sponsored by GMOs. All of these are vital to the continued success of dressage. I have been working to increase the participation in our USDF Youth and Adult Team Competitions. We are also discussing a Memorial Championship in the spring time frame to USDF CONNECTION
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Region 5 Director Incumbent: Heather Petersen Heather Petersen was born and raised in Dubuque, IA. She attended Iowa State University, earning degrees in music (oboe performance) and animal science. Heather met and married her husband, Michael, during college and moved to Colorado soon after. They have two children, Elizabeth and Sarah, and a menagerie of animals on their farm. Before working in the horse-show industry, Heather worked in restaurant management with the McDonald’s Corporation and private franchises. Heather is an active dressage competitor; mother of an active dressage competitor; a USEF “r” technical delegate working on her promotion to “R”; an FEI Level 1 steward; a member of the USDF Competition Management, Bylaws, and Awards Committees; management of USDF Regional Championships, Rocky Mountain Dressage Society Regional Championships, and CDIs. She is the secretary/manager for many other successful national competitions, schooling shows, local shows, and horse trials; and a past president, education chair, and current secretary for the Rocky Mountain Dressage Society. Heather has organized USDF L programs, USEF “r” dressage judge programs, and several educational symposiums. She has also served several years as the USDF Region 5 Young Riders team chef. In her spare time, Heather loves to ride her horses, read lots of books, throw darts, and hang out with her family and animals. Responses to questions: 1. While on the board of the Rocky Mountain Dressage Society and several other large nonprofit organizations, I’ve worked through budgeting, restructuring, long-term planning, and membership retention. Running restaurants and my own horse-show-management business has given me experience in management, cost analysis, and budgeting as
52 October 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
well as an awareness of the importance of teamwork. 2. With the Competition Management Committee work, I have helped to provide valuable resources for dressage shows and competitors around the country. By organizing judging programs, I have worked to increase the dressage knowledge base. I’ve enjoyed working with our juniors and young riders, helping to grow the sport and to create potential open and adult-amateur competitors. 3. I would like to see USDF maintain and develop more diverse educational programs to meet the changing needs of our membership. Marketing has improved recently, but we need to make sure we are offering desired programs. For our region, I will focus on keeping up good communication, revamping our website to be more interactive and helping our large community to feel more cohesive. We will hold our first regional meeting in a long time in September 2016 at the Regional Championships. 4. I will continue to encourage more involvement in USDF regional and national activities as well as GMO programs. I would work with the members of the region to help them understand that they are USDF and we are here to serve them. USDF offers many programs, and there is something for all of our members.
Region 7 Director Candidate: Kevin Reinig I started riding horses at the age of 13 when I started taking riding lessons. That led to training and competing in eventing. At the age of 15, I started working as a groom at a local breeding farm, eventually working in the breeding shed as the assistant breeding manager. There I learned about all aspects of breeding, including handling stallions, mares, and foals. I worked my way through high school and college at the breeding farm. In college I majored in finance, and my senior year I was hired at a local bank as a loan officer. Though I enjoyed the bank, I missed the horses, and after two years of banking I went back to work for the breeding farm and married my wife, whom I met there. We started our own dressage training business in Elk Grove, CA, where we prepare horses for breed shows, start young horses under saddle, and train horses up the levels for competition. In addition to managing our training business, I am the president of the California Dressage Society and work at horse shows all over California. This gives me the opportunity to stay in touch with what is going on in the sport of dressage,
COURTESY OF HEATHER PETERSEN; MCCOOL PHOTOGRAPHY
start with the AA riders. I would like to see it include a team competition between the GMOs for bragging rights. But this takes volunteers, so hopefully this is something we can unite behind. 4. I am always open to talking with any member and will work with them to encourage them to get involved. It is important for me to listen to the membership, to find out how they are interpreting things, so as to make the correct changes to motivate participation.
and the feedback is invaluable to me as I work to progress dressage in our region. Responses to questions: 1. I have a strong background in finance and business management. I have worked in the horse industry for more than 26 years, and my wife and I have owned and operated our dressage training business for 13 years. 2. My work on the CDS board and as CDS president, along with the work I do at the shows in our region, keeps me in touch with what is going on in the sport of dressage and the direction the membership would like to see the sport develop. I am constantly looking for ways for the local GMOs to support the national programs and work with the other GMOs both in and out of the region to coordinate the promotion of dressage. 3. I want to work to bring national education and competition opportunities to our region and promote the growth of dressage both locally and nationally. 4. I plan to continue the work I already started as CDS president to keep the sport of dressage moving in a positive direction. It has been a mission of mine to put the fun back into the sport; keeping people focused on this idea stimulates excitement and participation. Working with the GMOs to disseminate information to the members is the best way to get the membership involved.
Region 9 Director Incumbent: Sherry Guess Having joined USDF in the late 1970s, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had many years to watch it grow and mature. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m proud of our organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s accomplishments and want to be involved in its future growth. I began my membership in the dressage community with Califor-
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nia Dressage Society, the largest GMO in the nation, and for the past 20 years in the Midwest in a much smaller group. This gives me a unique perspective on what would be important to our membership. I have been involved in many positions in the Oklahoma Dressage Society, serving as president several times and helping to organize a variety of educational events, and as chair of the USDF GMO Council for 12 years. In 2014 I served as Region 9 interim regional director, and in 2014 was elected to serve a two-year term as regional director. As regional director I represent USDF at our Regional Championships at the award ceremonies as well as volunteering. I have attended our adult-education events and try to attend various activities offered by GMOs throughout the region. I believe that when people volunteer, they begin to have a vested interest in the organization. Involving more individuals in our activities will be a priority. The addition of a regional â&#x20AC;&#x153;buttonâ&#x20AC;? in the USDF e-blasts needs to be utilized by more of our members. Making sure the GMO presidents and newsletter editors in our region are more aware of its availability will make it more useful. I want our regional members to become more aware of the information contained on our website. It is not only updated regularly, but we also send out regional e-blasts around the fifteenth of each month to make sure members receive the timeliest changes. Our omnibus contains a great deal of information. I hope to enlarge it so it becomes a valuable source of information for all our membersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; needs. We hope to identify the breeders in our region so they can be pinpointed with information and help to grow their pool of buyers. Our CDI continues to experience growth, giving our members a way to experience this elite showing experience without having to travel great distances. Our active regional board will continue to promote USDF programs available to our membership. â&#x2013;˛
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In the Nick of Time Patience produces golden results with an aging ex-racehorse By Lynne Lavers with Victoria Bellino
I
n my family, off-the-track Thoroughbreds have been both a business (when I was growing up, my mom and I would retrain OTTBs for second careers) and an avocation (I worked my way up to a Pony Club “A” rating on a string of OTTBs). But I couldn’t have predicted that an ornery
Nick of Time was 16.3 hands, with a gorgeous copper coat, a can-do attitude that seemed perfect for an event horse—and an aggressive streak that caused many to call him dangerous and even unridable. I bought him on the spot. “Nick’s” foibles didn’t bother me. He chased people out of his stall at feeding time, and he kicked and pinned his ears when the girth is tightened. But he’s sound— those bowed tendons don’t affect his performance—and as he progressed through the levels in eventing, he especially shone in the dressage phase. Nick and I evented through preliminary level, but despite his attitude on the ground, he lacked confidence crossPARTNERS: Lavers and her off -the-track Thoroughbred, Nick of Time country. In 2006, I made the decision to switch Thoroughbred with two bowed tenhis career to dressage. dons would take me to the Grand Prix Our relationship reached a turnlevel in dressage. ing point when I put Nick in a job that In the late 1990s, my equestrian he was suited for and took my agenda sport of choice was eventing, and I was out of it. We began to develop mutual looking for an advanced-level prospect. trust, and slowly we began working A friend had been urging me to look our way through the levels. I’d earned at a horse that had been turned out for some USDF bronze-medal scores at two years after bowed tendons in both dressage shows during Nick’s eventing front legs ended his racing career. days, and we continued to earn scores
60 October 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
editorial@usdf.org
toward our bronze and then toward our silver. In 2013, we competed at the Intermediate level. It was demanding, and I realized that if Nick and I were to get to Grand Prix, I needed to stop thinking only about my horse and focus on improving myself as a rider. We’d been together for 15 years, and Nick was 19. It was now or never. In 2014, Nick and I headed from our home in Tennessee to Florida, where we had the opportunity to train with international competitor Kathleen Raine and the late Uwe Steiner. Back home, we worked with trainer and clinician Carrie Harnden. Jennifer Thompson, president of the Central Tennessee Dressage Association, helped me with my position. Every night I studied Grand Prix tests on YouTube. Nick taught me that practice and hard work alone aren’t enough. He mirrored my attitude: If I was tense and uptight, so was he. After earning a score of 59.9 percent on a Grand Prix test, I knew I had to change my approach. When I made a conscious effort to ride with relaxation, and focused more on engagement and throughness than on the minutiae of the test, the scores went up. Our next time out, we earned a 64.6 percent. Last December, we earned the USDF gold medal. Now 20, Nick is still sound and he hasn’t slowed down one bit, so I’ve set a new goal: ride a Grand Prix Freestyle with him. Meanwhile, I’m bringing along a young horse. I hope to develop him to Grand Prix, as well—with the same patience, humility, and determination I learned from Nick. ▲ Lynne Lavers is a natural-health practitioner and owner of Optimal Health Management in Nashville, TN. She is also a licensed massage therapist, a certified lymphatic therapist, and a craniosacral therapist. She is a member of the Central Tennessee Dressage Association. Victoria Bellino is an amateur dressage rider, owner of an OTTB, and a CTDA member.
SUZANNE FISCHER
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NOVEMBER 2016
USDF CONNECTION Official Publication of the United States Dressage Federation
The View from Rio:
TEAM USA ENDS OLYMPIC MEDAL DROUGHT
Terry Ciotti Gallo Critiques the Olympic Freestyles (p. 16)
Insights from Judge Gary Rockwell (p. 14)
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44
IN THIS ISSUE
32 40
BRONZE! Team USA breaks 12-year drought with 2016 Olympic dressage medal By Diana De Rosa
ROZ KINSTLER PAYS IT FORWARD For the 2015 USDF Volunteer of the Year, it’s about a love of teaching and sharing our sport
4 INSIDE USDF Olympic Adventure By Lisa Gorretta
6 RINGSIDE Dressage Goes Mainstream By Jennifer O. Bryant
14 THE JUDGE’S BOX Reflections on Rio By Gary Rockwell
By Fran Severn-Levy
44 50
SWEET ON DRESSAGE As CEO of boutique chocolatier Harbor Sweets, amateur rider Phyllis LeBlanc has a yummy job By Katherine Walcott
MY HOLIDAY GIFT LIST Editor’s picks for a happy, horsey holiday season By Jennifer O. Bryant
16 FREESTYLE CONNECTION The Olympic Freestyles Critiqued By Terry Ciotti Gallo
20 CLINIC Refine Your Riding By George Williams with Sue Weakley
28 ALL-BREEDS CONNECTION Breed of the Month: Pinto 52 HOLIDAY GIFTS Special Advertising Section 60 THE TAIL END It Takes a Village By Kelly Eaton
IN EVERY ISSUE 8 18 54 58 58 59
HEADS UP SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT SHOP @ X USDF CONNECTION SUBMISSION GUIDELINES USDF OFFICE CONTACT DIRECTORY ADVERTISING INDEX
32
ON OUR COVER For the first time since Athens 2004, the US dressage team won a spot on an Olympic Games medal podium. From left: Allison Brock, Laura Graves, Kasey Perry-Glass, and Steffen Peters. Story, page 32. Photo by Diana De Rosa.
Volume 18, Number 6
USDF CONNECTION
•
November 2016
3
inside usdf
vicepresident@usdf.org
USDF OFFICERS & EXECUTIVE BOARD PRESIDENT
GEORGE WILLIAMS
Olympic Adventure Stewarding in Rio: An unforgettable experience
18120 Snyder Road, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 (216) 406-5475 • vicepresident@usdf.org
MARGARET FREEMAN
horse inspections for eventing dressage, a role I never have in the US. Suddenly this amateur dressage rider from Ohio, technical delegate from USDF Region ON THE JOB: In Rio 2, FEI steward from the USA, and USDF VP realized: I was working the Olympic Games! By the time dressage got under way, I had regained my composure, which was a good thing and necessary when working to maintain the same level of equal time and attention for every test, horse, rider, and nation. The TV exposure (the NBC live feed showed yours truly conducting equipment inspections after almost every ride) was unplanned and rather unusual, but television abhors dead air time, and this was apparently the most interesting activity the camera operators could find to film between tests. I am glad, however, that I did not know about that beforehand! Experiencing the Olympics—from the detailed execution of horse care, to the daily scheduling of schooling times to ensure that every team and individual had the same length of time and conditions, to arranging maintenance breaks that were timed and executed with military precision—was truly exceptional. Everyone worked together for the benefit of the athletes (the FEI’s Twitter hashtag #TwoHearts got a lot of play) and their teams of grooms, coaches, veterinarians, and chefs d’équipe. I must give thanks to everyone who played a role in getting me to the point in life that the opportunity was offered, and I hope to adequately “pay it forward” to those who might in some way benefit from my experience! ▲
4 November 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
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HASHIMOTO SHIGERU
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VICE PRESIDENT
LISA GORRETTA
SECRETARY
By Lisa Gorretta, USDF Vice President hen I accepted the appointment from the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) to work as a steward at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, I did not realize that the O in Olympics stood for opportunity. But the chance to serve as deputy to Elisabeth Williams, chief steward for dressage, proved to be exactly that. The stewarding team in Rio comprised about 50 officials from all over the world, licensed in one (or, as I discovered is common in other countries, in two or even three) of the Olympic disciplines: dressage, jumping, and eventing. Everyone brought their A game, including the countless volunteers, who played an important role in the team and in the success of our mission. There were challenges, beginning with the inevitable language barriers that made radio communications interesting. I had to get up to speed on “Olympic-speak”: Like the military, the Games use acronyms for everything. Deciphering my schedule meant decoding such references as DAV (the Deodoro Accommodations Village, aka our quarters, which were apartments usually occupied by mid-level Brazilian army officers) and EQA (the equestrian venue/military base at Deodoro). Mornings required negotiating an ever-changing setup of security checkpoints and making sure I was with the right group at the right work site at the correct time. This was a lot to expect of a person on a single cup of coffee before 6:00 a.m.! The first several days became a bit of a blur, and I almost wondered it we would ever get to use the FOP (“field of play” in Olympic-speak, or what you and I would call a competition arena). The day finally arrived, and I had a full complement of goose bumps the morning I walked down to supervise the
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Dressage Goes Mainstream The good, the bad, and the ugly of the Rio Olympics media coverage
The Official Publication of the United States Dressage Federation EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Stephan Hienzsch 859/271-7887 • stephh1enz@usdf.org
——— Editorial——— discovered that people like princesses (real ones, not DQs) ride dressage. Still, I tip my tiara to Stein for tracking down Dover and spotlighting our sport. Most Olympic-tide dressage media mentions have that tongue-in-cheek, LOL quality. If you’re old enough to remember the comic Rodney Dangerfield, you’d say it gets no respect. That’s why I’m bestowing my highest honor, the Salute award, on The New Yorker for its detailed and insightful portrait of Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro. In his article “The Duo That Dominates Dressage,” the UK-based journalist Sam Knight explains our sport in remarkable detail, from its ancient origins to today’s elite competition. Knight traces Dujardin’s rise from gifted child rider to 2012 Olympic sensation. Along the way he outlines the sport’s challenges—the elitism, the costs, the spectator-killing quality of most competition save for freestyle— honestly and without mocking. Best of all, he captures the essence of dressage: “[I]t moves us when we see a person in true communion with a horse.” Dujardin, of course, has that true communion with Valegro. She was in tears at the end of their gold-medalwinning freestyle in Rio, and so was I. To top it off, our splendid Team USA won bronze. For our exclusive behindthe-scenes look at Rio, turn to page 32. Then enjoy a little communion of your own with your beloved horse.
Jennifer O. Bryant, Editor @JenniferOBryant
6 November 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
EDITOR
Jennifer O. Bryant 610/344-0116 • jbryant@usdf.org CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Hilary M. Clayton, BVMS, PhD, MRCVS EDITORIAL ADVISORS
Melissa Creswick (CA) Margaret Freeman (NC) Lisa Gorretta (OH) Anne Gribbons (FL) Terry Wilson (CA) TECHNICAL ADVISORS
Janine Malone Lisa Gorretta • Elisabeth Williams
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Danielle Titland 720/300-2266 • dtitland@usdf.org USDF Connection is published ten times a year by the United States Dressage Federation, 4051 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511. Phone: 859/9712277. Fax: 859/971-7722. E-mail: usdressage@usdf. org, Web site: www.usdf.org. USDF members receive USDF Connection as a membership benefit, paid by membership dues. Copyright © 2016 USDF. All rights reserved. Reproduction of articles requires permission from USDF. Other text may be reproduced with credit given to USDF Connection. USDF reserves the right to refuse any advertising or copy that is deemed unsuitable for USDF and its policies. Excluding advertisements, all photos with mounted riders must have safety head gear or USEF-approved competition hat. USDF assumes no responsibility for the claims made in advertisements. Statements of fact and opinion are those of the experts consulted and authors, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or the policy of USDF. The publishers reserve the right to reject any advertising deemed unsuitable for USDF, as well as the right to reject or edit any manuscripts received for publication. USDF assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. All materials must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Questions about your subscription or change in address? Contact USDF Membership Department, 859/971-2277, or usdressage@usdf.org. POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: USDF, 4051 IRON WORKS PARKWAY, LEXINGTON, KY 40511. Canadian Agreement No. 1741527. Canada return address: Station A, P.O. Box 54, Windsor, Ontario N9A 6J5.
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very four years, dressage gets some mainstream-media attention—whether it likes it or not. As part of the summer Olympic program, dressage typically receives a passing mention. I’ve come to expect snarky remarks by writers who have never thrown a leg over a horse. But 2016 was different, with my pre-Rio Games search for dressage mentions turning up articles ranging from “snark as usual” to astonishingly lovely. Presented with such variety, I decided to create my own, completely unofficial (with apologies to Stephen Colbert) Fancy Horse Prancing Media Awards. The Poorly Ridden award goes to Patrick Redford’s post on the sports website Deadspin. Redford, who cheerfully admits his ignorance, thinks the Olympics are a largely worthless enterprise to begin with, but the presence of equestrian sports is the last straw: “This is an animal walking, and it does not belong in the Olympics.” He is certain that riding is “far easier than running a marathon or lifting weights.” He even acknowledges that an equestriansports-knowledgeable colleague disagrees with him, but he won’t let a few facts get in the way of his rant. The Half-Passable award goes to Time magazine. Humorist Joel Stein’s premise is funny: Poking fun at overachieving parents, Stein says he’s decided he and his wife need to pick a sport so their seven-year-old son can train for future Olympic glory. The problem: The boy isn’t inclined to athletic exertion. So presented with a list of Olympic sports, little Laszlo selected—you guessed it—equestrian. Stein actually interviewed US Olympian and chef d’équipe Robert Dover, who explained what dressage is. The good news: Father and son enjoyed watching videos of Dover riding. The bad news: Dover did a pretty good job of outlining the costs involved in elite dressage competition. Stein also
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CHAMPIONSHIPS
Youth, Young Horses Earn Titles at US Dressage Festival of Champions
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decision to split the United States Equestrian Federation’s (USEF) dressage national championships, the US Dressage Festival of Champions, into two competitions in different parts of the country didn’t entirely work out this year.
YOUNG RIDER CHAMPION: Barbara “Bebe” Davis on Feivel Mousekewitz
The original plan was for the USEF Pony Rider, Junior, Young Rider, and Young Adult “Brentina Cup” champions to be held along with the Markel/ USEF Young and Developing Horse Dressage National Championships and the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals at Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, IL. Those competitions went off as planned, staged as separate shows August 25-27 and August 28. Part 2 of the championships lineup, however, fell apart. The USEF
originally planned to hold the remaining portion of the 2016 Dressage Festival of Champions—the Grand Prix and Intermediaire I National Championships—this month at Epona Farms in Thousand Oaks, CA. In July, citing “logistical challenges with the venue build out,” the USEF changed the date and location to October, at the Paso Robles (CA) Horse Park. Then, in September, the USEF canceled the 2016 GP and the I-I championships altogether “following a series of challenges and logistical hurdles,” including “a significant increase in financial obligations for the USEF” and the apparent realization that, on the heels of the 2016 Rio Olympics, many top Grand Prix-level pairs didn’t want to put their horses through another major competition and travel obligation so soon. Amid those disappointments, there was plenty of celebrating going on at Lamplight. Here’s a rundown of the 2016 USEF championships. USEF Pony Rider. Julia Lee Barton, Lawrence, KS, rode her own Bonnaroo, a 2009 Weser-Ems mare, to the national title. They earned an overall championship score of 66.220 percent. The reserve championship, on an overall score of 66.179, went to Hannah Irons, Queenstown, MD, riding Bohdjan, a 1999 Dutch pony gelding owned by Dressage4Kids Inc. “Bobo” was donated to Olympian Lendon Gray’s organization by former pony-rider champion Barbara “Bebe” Davis. The busy Irons also took third place riding her own 2009 Welsh pony cross gelding, My Lucky Charm, on 65.296. AGCO/USEF Junior. Fresh off her individual and freestyle gold medals at the 2016 FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships, Jenna Upchurch, Chesterfield, MO, captured the Junior title at the Festival
8 November 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
of Champions aboard her own 2005 Oldenburg gelding, Greystoke. The pair won on an overall score of 69.697 percent. Finishing second on 69.049 were Marline Syribeys, Atlanta, GA, and her 2006 Hanoverian gelding, Hollywood. Riding Julia Stainback’s 2003 Belgian Warmblood gelding, Diano, Juliet Hess, Atlanta, GA, was third on 68.500. AGCO/USEF Young Rider. Bebe Davis, Wellington, FL, was the 2013 AGCO/USEF Junior national champion. Now competing as a young rider, she returned in 2016 to clinch the YR title aboard Michael Davis’ Feivel Mousekewitz. Recently returned from the USEF Dressage Young Rider European Tour, Davis and the 2001 Hanoverian gelding earned an overall score of 70.044. The reserve YR champion was Rachel Robinson, Orlando, FL, who earned an overall score of 69.518 with Indira, a 2004 Westfalen mare owned by Jeff and Lorraine Robinson. In third were the 2016 NAJYRC YR champions, Nicholas Hansen, Catawissa, PA, and the 2001 Westfalen gelding Ritter Benno (69.145). USEF Young Adult “Brentina Cup.” Anna Buffini, Escondido, CA, finished one-two in the USEF Young Adult “Brentina Cup” Dressage National Championship presented by Dressage Today. Buffini led the victory lap aboard her 1999 Dutch Warmblood gelding, Sundayboy (71.115); and took the reserve championship with her 2003 Dutch Warmblood gelding, Wilton II (68.981). Buffini expressed gratitude for the existence of the “Brentina Cup” program as a bridge between Young Rider and senior Grand Prix competition. She acknowledged the late Parry Thomas, co-owner of Brentina, who died during the Festival of Champions, by saying: “A huge thank you to
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Mr. Thomas, who helped create this amazing program, because it would not be possible without him. Otherwise we would be out there struggling against Steffen [Peters] and Laura [Graves].” (Read Thomas’s obituary on page 10.) Placing third was Kerrigan Gluch, Wellington, FL, who rode Hampton Green Farm’s 2005 Andalusian stallion HGF Brio to 64.893. Markel/USEF Four-Year-Old. Craig Stanley, Madera, CA, captured his first Four-Year-Old championship title with his KWPN gelding, Habanero CWS. The pair earned an overall score of 8.256. The reserve Four-Year-Old champion was the KWPN stallion Hero BHS, owned and ridden by Justine Wilson, Beach Island, SC (8.208). J. T. Burnley, Fulton, KY, was third aboard the Hanoverian stallion Won Million, owned by Anna Hopla (7.920). Markel/USEF Five-Year-Old. Christian Hartung, Vacaville, CA, and Desario went from second alternates for these championships to the new national champions. The Oldenburg gelding, owned by Christiane Noelting, earned an overall score of 8.824. The reserve Five-Year-Old champion was the KWPN gelding Giuliano, owned and ridden by Karin Persson, Bedford Hills, NY (8.484). Cyndi Jackson, Glendale, AZ, and Sir Amour, a Hanoverian gelding owned by Schuttler Stables LLC, were third on 8.260. Markel/USEF Six-Year-Old. Back from the 2016 Longines FEI/WBFSH World Breeding Dressage Championships for Young Horses, Lucky Strike, a Hanoverian gelding owned by Max Ots and ridden by Endel Ots, Wellington, FL, claimed the USEF national Six-Year-Old title with an overall score of 8.60. The reserve champion was Don Cesar, a Westfalen gelding owned and ridden by Cesar Parra, White House Station, NJ. Their score of 8.436 bested the third-place finishers, Michael Bragdell, Colora, MD, and Sternlicht Hilltop, a Hanoverian stallion owned by Hilltop Farm Inc. (8.028).
Markel/USEF Developing Horse Prix St. Georges. Another rider who was mourning the death of Parry Thomas was Adrienne Lyle, whose 2012 Olympic and 2014 World Equestrian Games mount, Wizard, is owned by Parry Thomas and his wife, Peggy. Lyle, of Ketchum, ID, rode Betsy Juliano’s 2007 Oldenburg mare, Horizon, to win the Markel/USEF Developing Horse Prix St. Georges National Championship on an overall score of 74.272 percent. “He was watching over us,” Lyle said of Parry Thomas, “and we rode for him today.” Cesar Parra was back for another awards ceremony aboard his 2008 Oldenburg gelding, Fashion Designer OLD. They took the Developing PSG reserve championship with an overall score of 70.440. Quincy, a 2008 Oldenburg gelding owned by Jennifer Mason and ridden by Nicholia Clarke, Temecula, CA, was third on 70.429. Markel/USEF Developing Horse Grand Prix. Jane Karol, Concord, MA, rode her own 2007 Oldenburg mare, Sunshine Tour, to the title on an overall score of 66.917 percent. The pair were the 2013 Six-Year-Old reserve champions. The 2016 Developing GP reserve champions were Holger Bechtloff, Wellington, FL, and Clapton JP, a 2007 KWPN gelding owned by Peggy Mills (66.040). Petra Warlimont, Evergreen, CO, was third with Highschool MCF, a 2006 Hanoverian gelding owned by Susan Alvey (63.749). USEF Dressage Seat Medal Final, 13 and Under. Dressage-seat equitation competition rounded out the US Dressage Festival of Champions, with youth in two age divisions testing their skills in flat and pattern work. In the 13-and-under division, Averi Allen, Pleasant Hill, MO, rode Bobbi Wojtowicz’s 2003 Friesian Sport Horse mare, Celtic Grace, to win the national championship on a score of 83.000 percent. Allen is trained by Johnny Allen. The reserve champion was Ella Angelo, Kalamazoo, MI, riding Martha Stover’s Welsh Cob pony mare,
TOP SIX-YEAR-OLD: Lucky Strike and rider Endel Ots
Here-be Seren Gwyn (82.000). Angelo trains with Andrea Landis. Trained by Hillary Martin, Lucienne Bacon, Atherton, CA, was third aboard the Quarter Horse mare Humble Hazel, owned by Karen Lee (78.000). USEF Dressage Seat Medal Final, 14-18. Allison Hopkins, Dallas, TX, trained by Yvonne Kusserow, rode Michael Mayes’ 2005 German Sport Horse gelding, Royal Falcon, to the title on a score of 87.000 percent. The reserve champion was Madison Peer, Overland Park, KS. Trained by Emily Miles and Jana Wagner, Peer rode her own 2007 Friesian mare, Stella Luna, to a score of 85.000. The 2016 Junior national champion, Jenna Upchurch, showed her solid dressage basics by placing third with her own Greystoke. Upchurch trains with Martin Kuhn. The future. The USEF has indicated that it hopes to change the time frame of the Dressage Festival of Champions. In its request for venue bids for the 2017-2019 events, it proposed back-to-back weekends in May as competition dates, to encompass the Grand Prix, the Intermediaire I, and the Young Adult “Brentina Cup” championships. At press time, dates and location for the 2017 event had not yet been announced.
USDF CONNECTION
•
November 2016
9
HEADS UP
YOUR DRESSAGE WORLD THIS MONTH
OBITUARY
E. Parry Thomas
T
o most of the world, E. Parry Thomas was a banking mogul who turned Las Vegas, NV, from a corrupt gambling town into a glamorous entertainment destination. But to the American dressage community, Thomas, who died August 26 at the age of 95, will be best remembered as a stalwart supporter who helped put US dressage on the international map through his sponsorship of such star pairs as Debbie McDonald and Brentina, and Adrienne Lyle and Wizard. Thomas’s widow, Peggy, loves horses and dressage; so the couple established River Grove Farm in Hailey, ID, where they retired. Although Idaho is not a conventional location for a dressage powerhouse,
River Grove became just that with the success of trainer Debbie McDonald, who achieved international stardom aboard the Thomases’ chestnut Hanoverian mare, Brentina. McDonald’s student Adrienne Lyle competed in the 2012 Olympics and the 2014 World Equestrian Games aboard another Thomas-owned horse, Wizard. Las Vegas has become synonymous with top-level international dressage and jumping competition thanks to several successful FEI World Cup Finals held there. All have been staged at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas’s sports arena, the Thomas & Mack Center, named for Thomas and his banking business partner, Jerome “Jerry” Mack.
As the Las Vegas Review-Journal explained in its tribute to Thomas, the game-changer for Las Vegas was Thomas and Mack’s successful effort to get the laws changed regarding casino ownership to allow corporate ownership. Previous laws permitted only individual ownership, which had enabled organized crime to take control. The changes—and the resulting regulation and oversight— helped drive out the Mob and ushered in an era of massive corporate investment and casino development. Besides his wife of 69 years, Thomas is survived by sons Peter Thomas, Thomas A. Thomas, and Roger Thomas; and by daughter Jane Thomas Sturdivant, who shares her mother’s love of dressage.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Reisa Bonetti-Sullivan, Dressage Training Online My horse: World of Fashion (“Karl”), an eleven-year-old, seventeen-hand chestnut Hanoverian gelding. My goal with him this year is to get my USDF silver medal. Tip: Watch the videos recommended to you once you initiate
membership. If a trainer resonates with you, choose another of their videos and continue learning their methods. Take that knowledge with you into your next ride; apply some of the techniques. Then go back and watch the same videos again: You will solidify and ingrain in your memory what you learned, and you are sure to pick up something new that did not stay with you before. —Katherine Walcott
Corrections
S
FROM THE RING TO YOU: Bonetti-Sullivan
10 November 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
ome of the photo subjects in our September feature “Greetings from Welly World” were misidentified. The horse Laura Graves is riding in the Florida Dream Tour photo is Fizau, a six-year-old Westfalen gelding. A “Friday Night Lights” Global Dressage Festival image captioned as Shelly Francis is actually of the Argentinian rider Maria Florencia Manfred on Bandurria Kacero.
COURTESY OF REISA BONETTI-SULLIVAN
J
ob title: Founder and CEO, DressageTrainingOnline.com, Brentwood, CA What I do: I do more of the high-level strategic planning for the business. That consists mostly of creating content ideas, contacting trainers and judges around the world, setting up shoots for my videographers, and so on. How I got started: When I started riding in this discipline about thirteen years ago, I didn’t want to travel very far to get good training because I had small children. I had a full-time trainer, but I wanted more training than my one hour a day. I wanted something that I could watch and know that these were the best trainers in the world. There was nothing, so I created it, ten years ago. Best thing about my job: I get to completely immerse myself and work within an industry that I love. Worst thing about my job: Now that it’s such a big thing, sometimes I can’t get away from it.
HEADS UP
YOUR DRESSAGE WORLD THIS MONTH
USDF BULLETINS
What you need to know this month 2017 Membership Renewal ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TIME TO RENEW FOR 2017! Renew your USDF participating or business membership by December 31 to receive the 2016 yearbook issue of USDF Connection. Only members who renew by June 1, 2017 are guaranteed a hard copy of the 2017 USDF Member Guide.
US Dressage Finals Competitors: We Want to Hear from You! IT IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE to USDF that your US Dressage Finals experience is one to remember. Immediately following the competition, you will be e-mailed an evaluation form. Please complete this survey to provide feedback to both USDF and competition management. Help us continue to make the US Dressage Finals great. Best of luck at the Finals, and we look forward to hearing from you!
THE NEAR SIDE
OBITUARY
H
2016 Adequan/USDF Annual Convention JOIN US NOVEMBER 30-DECEMBER 3 in St. Louis for the annual convention! Travel to the Gateway Arch to surround yourself with your peers through networking opportunities, forums, and roundtable discussions. Experience educational events seeking to improve the minds and bodies of both horses and riders. Online registration is easy at usdf. org/convention. Register by November 25 to get the member advance-registration discount.
Henry Schurink
enry Schurink, an early importer of warmbloods to the US and a prominent dressage trainer, died August 22 at his home in Shaftsbury, VT. He was 87. A native of the Netherlands, Schurink survived German occupation during World War II. He came to the US as an exchange student with Purdue University in Indiana. In 1951 he took a job as a dairyman at a farm in Bennington, VT. Four years later, he purchased his own farm, Doornhof Farm, in Shaftsbury. Doornhof was both a dairy farm and a horse farm, first known for its award-winning dairy herd. But both Schurink and his wife, Janet, rode and trained horses, and the equestrian side of the business gradually prevailed, with the dairy operation ceasing in 1972. Doornhof became a prominent New England equestrian facility, stabling as many as 100 horses and with the Schurinks teaching and training dressage, eventing, and jumping. The facility was the home of the Bennington Pony Club, and Schurink was the Pony Club district commissioner for 30 years. Doornhof hosted dressage shows and horse trials from 1974 through 1990, with some serving as US Equestrian Team selection trials. In 1961, Schurink became the first importer of a Trakehner stallion, Melos, to the US. He was a founding member of the American Trakehner Association, serving as an ATA stallion inspector and conformation judge for 40 years. During that time he made annual trips to Europe, eventually importing more than 300 Trakehners and other warmbloods.
12 November 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ USDF CONNECTION
the judge’s box
Thoughts on the Olympic competition, the state of the sport, and the Rio experience By Gary Rockwell
T
he dressage competition in Rio was amazing—I would say the best ever. The quality of the horses has continued to progress, and there was a whole group of young horses that will dominate the sport in the coming years. Most important to me was the quality of the
MR. PRESIDENT: Heading the ground jury at the 2016 Rolex Central Park Horse Show in New York City
The Judge’s Task Judges don’t “own” a nationality when they are judging, but judging your own countrymen is always a little concerning. Sitting in the box, judging what you see and trying to be impartial, you have no idea if you will be the high-scoring judge or the low-scoring judge. If you are the high judge, the appearance will be that you are being nationalistic. If you are the low judge, your countrymen hate you. They also know where you live! We just strive to be fair, and I think that the judging in Rio was very fair. I am proud of the judging at these Olympics. Dressage judges always are pressured to produce identical scores, placings, and even similar comments, but that will never happen. The judging system, which is always criticized and a target for naive revisions, clearly worked again at the 2016 Olympics. Interestingly, in Rio there was not a lot of criticism afterward. Probably the most difficult task was that of the Judges Supervisory Panel, which struggled to cope with difficult logistics and the technology necessary to do their job as promptly as is required. The panelists were tireless and did an amazing job.
Self-Made Horses: Ticket to Future Success When the competition ended, I was very proud of the US team, the quality of the riding, and the training that went into their success. The veteran Steffen Peters did a great job, but seeing his young teammates perform—some with
14 November 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Brazilian Adventure If the high point of the Games was the level of riding and training, the low point was seeing the empty seats in the stands. I thought immediately, “I know so many people who would ‘kill’ to be watching this competition.” What a beautiful arena! What good seats and visibility! The press strikes again, scaring the whole world into thinking that they would die of a virus or a gunshot. It’s disheartening to know how Brazil struggled to pull off this Olympic Games, and that Podcast Alert
PODCAST
riding and training that was evident in the medal-winning teams and the successful individuals. Happy athletes, produced according to correct principles of training, were rewarded. Horses with tension, tight necks, contact problems, blue tongues, and artificially produced gaits were left behind. For that reason, I think this is an important moment in our sport:
when everyone can see that in order to be at the top of the sport, there are no alternatives to the harmonious development of the horse.
mounts that they have trained from young horses—was another important moment in the sport. It became evident after the 2012 London Olympics that the success of Great Britain’s Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin was a result of their selecting top young horses and training them correctly. Many of our last generation of trainers didn’t invest in young horses, but it is becoming increasingly clear that in order for Team USA to move up from bronze to gold in the medal standings, that will be the way to go. I first judged 2016 Olympic team bronze medalist Verdades and owner/ rider Laura Graves in Wellington, FL, at the Prix St. Georges level. As they came around the arena, it was obvious that the quality was far above the rest of the class. But at the time, Verdades appeared insecure, shying from letters and disturbed by his surroundings. Laura has done an amazing job with him, giving him confidence and patiently establishing a willing cooperation. I think she became his security blanket. It’s the best story in American dressage since Debbie McDonald and Brentina.
Check out podcast 138, an Olympic review with Steffen Peters and Robert Dover at usdf. podbean.com.
DIANA DE ROSA
Reflections on Rio
editorial@usdf.org
even many people who bought tickets decided not to attend. In the modern world, there are no completely safe places to go. We just get a little insurance, a little religion, and off we go. Of course, in any large city you need to be sensible, follow good advice, stick with friends, and know where to go and where not to go. Traffic in Rio made getting around a little challenging, and a few taxi rides for dinner turned into late-night excursions, but we enjoyed the experience. As judges, we enjoyed excellent hospitality in Rio, a few parties, a short cruise out to an island for lunch on our day off, and the great company of our colleagues. Many thanks to our hosts! Volunteer workers at the Games were incredibly friendly and helpful, making not only the Olympics successful but our trip to Rio a great, memorable experience. ▲ Gary Rockwell, of Wellington, FL, won a team bronze medal aboard Suna at the 1994 World Equestrian Games. An FEI 5* dressage judge, he officiated at the 2016 Rio Olympics, the 2012 London Olympics, and the 2008 Hong Kong Olympics. He has judged many other prestigious championships, including FEI World Cup Dressage Finals. He is a faculty member of the USDF L Education Program and chair of the USDF Judges Committee, and he is a member of the USDF L Program Committee and the US Equestrian Federation Dressage Committee.
COMING NEXT MONTH • 2016 Paralympic Games para-dressage coverage • Bloodline analysis: The 2016 Olympic and Paralympic dressage horses • Meet the 2016 USDF Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement Award honorees USDF CONNECTION • November 2016
15
The Olympic Freestyles Critiqued What worked—and didn’t—in Rio 2016? An international freestyle designer offers commentary By Terry Ciotti Gallo
A
t elite international competitions, we expect athletes to have a firm grasp on a formula for success—and then rise to the top by going above and beyond. The Grand Prix freestyles at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games met that expectation but, on an artistic level, presented us with very few surprises, either choreographically or musically. Let’s take a closer look at the Olympic performances.
SHOWMANSHIP: At its best, freestyle is a performance that moves the audience. Although his score of 83.625 wasn’t good enough for a medal in Rio, placing fifth, Severo Jesus Jurado Lopez of Spain on Lorenzo was a crowd-pleaser.
Choreography Whereas design flaws pop up at lower levels, every Olympic competitor showed complete command of the principles of good freestyle choreography: They fully used the space in the arena, held our attention by placing
key elements in a variety of locations, and combined movements to prevent a “test-like” feeling. That said, passage half-pass to trot half-pass combinations were more numerous than could be counted, and the same could be said for canter extensions to pirouettes. Few riders took risks with their tempi changes, as most were performed on straight lines or started at the corner and curved onto the center line. Placing tempis on the center line shows bravery because the changes must be very straight; however, the pattern is not as challenging as some others. For instance, Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén of Sweden performed two-tempis on a half-circle, yet no choreography was more spectacular than US rider Laura Graves’ combination. Her steep canter half-pass to a half-circle of two-tempis that directly connected to one-tempis on a short diagonal was made even more brilliant because she did it twice. Along with these two courageous souls, a few others attempted more unusual and difficult combinations. British gold medalist Charlotte Dujardin’s trot extension to piaffe pirouette in one direction that immediately changed to a piaffe full pirouette in the other direction was truly spectacular. Other notables were Spanish rider Severo Jesus Jurado Lopez’s two-tempis to a left canter pirouette directly to a piaffe pirouette to the right. The piaffe full pirouette, short passage, and canter double pirouette by Britain’s Carl Hester was an eye-catcher. Vilhelmson Silfvén again made the list with one-tempis to a one-handed canter pirouette. There were many canter extensions to pirouettes to second lines of tempis; and with the new Grand Prix scoring format that rewards higher
16 November 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
editorial@usdf.org
difficulty for multiple combinations, we can expect that there will be more still. That certainly does not make them less difficult or less worthy, just more commonplace. For an extraordinary triple combo, there was the canter extension to double pirouette to piaffe by the USA’s Steffen Peters.
General Observations on Music It is an honor to ride for one’s country during any part of an Olympic Games, but by freestyle day, the field has been narrowed considerably (in Rio, only the top 18 qualified) and the individual medals are at stake. From that exclusive group, we should expect true quality in music choice and preparation, as well as in choreography and technical execution. It is now a matter of personal pride. In Rio, all of the freestyle competitors rode to music that did its job. Music selections reflected the horses’ gaits, and the musical phrasing and dynamics were coordinated with changes in movements. Yet disappointingly, there were exceptions to the factors of music selection and preparation. The music should be suitable for the horse—neither overwhelming his movement nor undermining his strength—but one rider missed that very important aspect by choosing music that was too “light” for her horse. Cohesiveness (when various pieces of music all sound as if they belong together) and seamlessness (smooth edits) are two other criteria that should not be absent from a world-class freestyle. It was surprising to me that one of the most prominent riders of the past few years would not pay attention to this kind of polish, and that her music would lack unity and smoothness. eTRAK Extra
Get a “Taste of Freestyle Judging” with Terry Ciotti Gallo at the following link: bit.ly/TerryGallo
DIANA DE ROSA
freestyle connection
Vocalizations in freestyles have become more common, with some being pulled off better than others. Also, since Debbie McDonald’s groundbreaking “Respect” freestyle of a decade ago, the use of lyrics has increased. Last, although musical interpretation is an important part of riding a freestyle, the trend of employing artificial means of expressing various movements and transitions is creating a hole in musical integrity. An example we see is using the same music for passage and trot, with the tempo being adjusted down for passage and cranked back up for trot. If done artfully, this could be OK; but in Rio most instances reminded me of the analog musicediting days, when we turned a knob to change tempos and then everything began to sound strange. Pirouettes seemed to be the biggest offenders in the “artificial device” category: The melody would suddenly drop out while some sound effect hummed along for the pirouette. Riders need to aim for interpretation, but they also need to keep the music sounding, well, musical. If they lack this knowledge, than whomever they hire should help in this area a bit more.
The Nitty-Gritty The freestyle score for Music Choice and Interpretation is—correctly— based on a set of criteria. Personal musical taste has nothing to do with the functionality of the music or its score. Nevertheless, music has the potential to present the judges and audience with a theatrical experience. To do that, it must go beyond merely “checking the boxes” to bring a smile, a tear, a thrill, or just plain joy to the viewer. This is where riders’ personal pride should shine so that they offer something truly memorable. Of all the freestyles at the 2016 Olympics, only about a third did that well. Of those who excelled, what is it about Spanish men? They always seem to find music that sets us on fire. In this case, Severo Jesus Jurado Lopez not only chose the pulsating music of
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Latin rock legend Carlos Santana; he also kept its spirit. This is a rare thing in a sport that often eviscerates the intent of rock music. Bravo, Severo! Likewise, Vilhelmson Silfvén made my list yet again, this time with the Beach Boys’ songs “God Only Knows” and “Good Vibrations.” Beautifully woven together, expressive, and cleverly orchestrated, her music perfectly exemplified how to underscore a dance and still keep the integrity of the original music. While the melodic themes were repeated several times, the instrumentation was varied and well developed. Yet even that freestyle had a weakness. Like some others in Rio, we heard composers slowing the tempo for the pirouette music (another artificial device), using gongs (please, no more gongs!), and occasionally overorchestrating the music, which risks making pirouettes appear ponderous. On a move that’s difficult enough to keep buoyant, let us not weigh down the horse with music!
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www.dehner.com 18 November 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Watch the Olympic Freestyles
I
f you missed the excitement from Rio as it was happening—or if you just want to savor the 2016 Olympic freestyles again—the entire competition is archived at NBCOlympics.com. For full access, you’ll need to sign in with the username and password of your US pay-TV provider. Link to bit.ly/NBCOlympicFreestyle.
As we compare music choices of the Europeans and the Americans over the past decade, we can note that American riders’ freestyles tend to have a bit more snap, and that we do not confine snap to just one gait. A number of European yawners still existed at the Olympics, so it was refreshing to hear the catchy tunes used by the individual silver medalist, Germany’s Isabell Werth. Her soundtrack had snap and was also a nod to the Games’ host country, Brazil. Then, of course, there was Charlotte Dujardin’s Brazilian music. Her gold-medal partner, the legendary Valegro, could perform to a washboard and I would be happy. So in general, yes, it was a good choice of music for this celebrated horse in his final performance. The award for originality goes to Steffen Peters and the first rap dressage freestyle. Did you catch the rap lyrics? “Piaffe—light and nimble. I go crazy when I hear a cymbal and high hat that’s played to dressage. I’m on a roll and it’s time to passage.” Great risk exists in a freestyle that’s accompanied by powerful or dramatic music. If the horse’s movement or the execution does not reflect a corresponding level of strength or power, then the ride falls flat. Neither Hans Peter Minderhoud of the Netherlands nor Laura Graves disappointed us in that area. While done in different ways, they both effectively gave us a firsthand look at the marriage of the beauty and strength that is the horse.
Behind the Scenes The cooperative effort between rider and music coordinator rarely is mentioned. Indeed, as you watch the complex choreography the riders
present and the way they break up the gaits, you will hear what a challenge it is to the composer or editor to keep expression while staying musical. Like Vilhelmson Silfvén’s composition, it can be done very well. However, even among those who had original soundtracks composed, some melodies became overly repetitive as a result of lack of scope and variety in the music. In a sport in which we seek out quality trainers, farriers, vets, and grooms to make our efforts successful, those at the top whose freestyles will be broadly viewed should also be seeking quality assistance with their music. Selection and preparation, whether the music is edited or recorded, should be as flawless as possible—not just “do its job”—when the rider enters the arena. Dressage freestyles have moved forward tremendously over the past several years. I hope that they will continue to do so, both in their musicality and in the variety of genres represented. Maybe by the next Olympic Games, all of the riders who rise to the last day’s competition will aspire to reach the peak in choreography and, most especially, in musicianship. ▲ Florida-based freestyle designer Terry Ciotti Gallo has had freestyles in every Olympics—in Rio 2016, with US riders Laura Graves and Steffen Peters— since their introduction at the 1996 Atlanta Games. She is a member of the USDF Freestyle and Judges Committees, developed the USDF Continuing Education Program in Freestyle for Judges, and was honored as the 2014 USDF Volunteer of the Year. Her freestyles hold two FEI World Cup Dressage Final titles.
TIME TO RENEW FOR 2017! Your 2016 membership expires November 30! Renew by 12/31 to receive the 2016 Yearbook. Members who renew early will enjoy an increased member discount of 25% in the USDF store, valid through December 31, 2016! Only members who renew by 6/1/17 are guaranteed a printed copy of the 2017 USDF Member Guide.
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YOUR CONNECTION TO THE
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USDF CONNECTION • November 2016
19
clinic
editorial@usdf.org
EXCLUSIVE TRAINING SERIES
Refine Your Riding We conclude our series on developing sophistication of the aids. This month: Combining the aids to take you to the top of the pyramid of training. By George Williams with Sue Weakley Photographs by Sue Weakley
I
n this series, I’ve guided you through the steps I take in training a rider and horse to give and respond to increasingly sophisticated aids as they progress through the levels in dressage. I’ve given you exercises for teaching your horse to respond correctly to your leg aids—to teach him to stay “in front of your leg.” Last month, I explained the use
PIAFFE SIMPLIFIED: Use gymnastic exercises, like the one on page 22, to teach your horse that advanced movements such as piaffe and passage are simply variations of the trot. I’m riding Sir Velo, a 10-year-old Westfalen gelding owned by Melissa Mulchahey.
of the rider’s seat as a driving aid to keep your horse “in front of your seat.” In all of these steps, the goal is to encourage your horse to use his back and hind legs in response to soft, “whispered” aids that are clear, welltimed, and consistent.
I hope that you now feel more confident that your horse is in front of your leg and in front of your seat. This month, in the final installment of this series, it’s time to think about what I refer to as “putting the horse on the aids” by using a well-coordinated combination of aids.
Seamlessly on the Aids My mother, who was trained classically as an artist, used to say that dressage training is akin to the process of creating a realistic portrait. If the artist focuses on only one aspect of the subject’s appearance—say, the person’s nose—then that feature will dominate the portrait. In art, as in dressage, you must pay attention to all of the details in order to end up with the desired finished product. In dressage, that desired finished product is a horse that is on the aids and able to perform seamlessly. To have a horse that’s seamlessly on the aids, you must be able to influence his hind legs, first and foremost. Think of the hind legs as the pistons of a car’s engine. In order to maintain a steady tempo and rhythm, they must fire the same way with every step. To achieve this regularity, all of the aids must now be brought into play. My teacher, Karl Mikolka, talked about what he called a “circle of aids”; I refer to it as a “circle of energy.” It has its origins in the initial starting of a young horse on the lunge line, in which the horse is first taught to step forward from the lunge whip. To help you to visualize the circle of energy,
20 November 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
picture that young horse on the lunge. The handler’s primary driving aid— the lunge whip—teaches the horse to go forward and step more actively with his hind legs. Later, when the horse is introduced to a rider on his back but still on the lunge, the horse at first continues to respond to the lunge whip as the driving aid. Over time, the driving aids are transferred from the handler to the rider, and the horse learns that the rider’s leg means the same thing as the lunge whip. Off the lunge line, the rider builds on that understanding, using the riding whip to bring the horse’s hind leg forward so that when the rider uses the leg aid, the horse steps more forward to the bit. (Used in this way, the whip is not a punishment. Your horse should view the whip as a friendly training aid, not as something to be afraid of.) After a short period of time, and once he understands the driving aids, he should remain in front of the aids and maintain the “circle of energy” even when you drop your whip. Here’s how the circle of energy works: The horse steps forward to the bit from your leg aid. He learns to take a contact with the bit, “filling out” the rein. From the bit, the energy then travels back through the reins and, if your position is correct, to your hands and through your wrists, forearms, elbows, upper arms, and shoulders. The energy continues back down to your seat and to your horse’s back, returning to his hind legs in what is in essence a half-halt. This recycling of the energy encourages the horse to lower his haunches slightly and to push off from the ground more powerfully with his hind legs in response to the leg aid, once again sending the energy forward to the bit. Like all circles, the flow of energy should be continuous. When it is, it seems to magically produce even more energy. But if the horse is behind the basic driving aids or if the rider’s seat or position is incorrect, the flow of energy will be blocked and the horse will be unable to come “through” over his topline. Just as with the horse, any
stiffness or tension in the rider’s body becomes a dam to the flow of energy. Unsteady hands, legs, or seat create major interruptions to the flow. Therefore, in talking about the circle of energy, these two aspects need to be stressed: the horse’s portion and the rider’s portion. Of course, both are truly the rider’s responsibility. Second, as I’ve discussed repeatedly throughout this series, the horse must be taught to understand and respond correctly to the aids. Once again, this is all about a correct response to correctly placed and correctly given aids. Like all magic tricks, this (ideally) seemingly invisible feat can be broken down into a few simple elements. And like all magic tricks, in order for it to performed flawlessly, it requires a lot of practice.
Balancing Act Making a horse light and responsive to the aids has a lot to do with putting him in a position or carriage in which he can respond to those aids.
Here is where balance, “throughness,” and straightness truly come into play (see the pyramid of training illustration at right). Energy has to be able to flow through your horse’s body easily with no resistance: This is part of the essence of impulsion. I view throughness as a part of impulsion, as well. Besides throughness and impulsion, I was taught that the horse needs to develop equal amounts of suppleness and strength in order to produce straightness (correct alignment). Therefore, in both lateral and longitudinal suppling exercises, the horse must “use his back” (lift his back using his core muscles, which allows the energy generated by his hind legs to swing forward and “through” into the rider’s hand). Using his back to become light on the forehand and “uphill” in his balance while maintaining engagement demonstrates collection. A horse that is unable to achieve this will never be able to bend correctly throughout his entire body in a half-pass. Likewise, a horse that
The dressage pyramid of training
doesn’t use his back will never make an easy, fluid transition into piaffe.
Putting It All Together When we’re looking for a correct reaction or the desired effect of an aid at the more advanced levels of dressage, we have to consider how the aids are combined. How does your hand support your leg? Does your seat support
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clinic your leg? Does your hand support your seat? It’s the combination—this exact mix or balance of your aids— that makes it all come together. Here are some examples of this interplay. When I use my leg, I want my horse to remain soft and supple in his topline. In a pirouette, I may have to remind my horse to stay in front of my inside leg, or I may have to ask him to stay soft in his jaw as he stretches into the outside rein. The closing of a finger or the softening of a wrist may be all it takes, but it is how the primary aid is supported by another, supplemental aid that completes the picture. When your horse is in front of your leg, you achieve the desired effect of a more active step, with greater reach and more articulation of the three major joints of his hind legs, when you apply your leg. And when he is responsive to your seat and hand, your half-halt creates the desired effect of his carrying more weight over his hind legs, again with greater articulation of the three major
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joints, although this time it’s when his foot is on the ground. When your horse is on your aids, you will develop more control over his tempo. I think of tempo as steps per minute or (going back to the car analogy) in terms of RPMs. Keep in mind that RPMs and speed (miles per hour) are not necessarily related. When I’m driving my car, I can go 20 miles per hour at a high rate of RPMs in a low gear, or 20 miles per hour at a low rate of RPMs in a higher gear. When you are riding your horse, you are the transmission. You use and combine your aids in different ways to produce different “gears” in your horse. Using the gymnastic exercises I’ve given you in this series, you should be to ask him to take either a quicker step or a longer step while maintaining the same speed.
The “Kindergarten Exercises” Grow Up As your horse’s understanding of the aids progresses, their effects become more refined. To illustrate how this
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happens, let’s revisit some previous exercises from this series and see how they can evolve to be made more advanced. Exercise 1: From engagement to passage. In the “kindergarten” version of the “enlarging” exercise (July/ August), you posted on the “wrong” diagonal on a 20-meter circle and enlarged the circle by riding a few steps of leg-yield, which taught your horse to step further underneath his body with his inside hind leg. You used vocal cues, like saying “en – large,” to help yourself give the aids with the correct timing. Here’s an advanced version of the “enlarge” exercise that I use to introduce the passage. On a 20-meter circle, ride sitting trot and feel for the moment in the stride that your inside knee goes down. In rhythm with that moment, ask your horse to “en – large” the circle for two beats; then immediately give two half-halts in the same rhythm by using your seat and outside hand (very minimally!) to “slow –
down.” The result should be that he lifts his back slightly and offers a momentary hesitation in the step, which ultimately can produce a passage. Caution: If your half-halt is too strong, it will produce a “backward” passage, with the horse not stepping through from behind and not using his back sufficiently. But if you ride this exercise correctly, with the right balance of aids, it can produce a forward passage with an active hind leg that carries weight, pushes off powerfully, and steps forward and under with great articulation. It’s one of my favorite ways to introduce the passage. Exercise 2: From adjustability to piaffe precursor. In the September and October installments, I guided you through exercises designed to teach you how to use your leg and seat aids to make your horse adjustable— to increase and decrease the size of his steps. Here’s a simple trot exercise to further develop that adjustability. While riding sitting trot in a straight line (down the long side of the
arena works best), “play” the trot back as much as you can while still maintaining a diagonal rhythm. I use the word “play” because I don’t want you to pull back with the reins! Your hands should stay in place and very steady while your fingers (ring fingers only if you’re riding in a snaffle bridle) softly keep your horse round and loose over his topline, with a supple poll and relaxed jaw. Keep him as straight or aligned as possible without losing suppleness. Take care not to drive with your legs and seat; this is intended to be a no-pressure exercise. My goal is to achieve only a few steps of a shortened stride, with each attempt helping the horse understand how to use his body in a way that allows him to remain “thinking forward” as he takes shorter and more compressed steps. If you ride this exercise correctly, you will set your horse up to feel very comfortable when you later transition from collected trot to piaffe. These two exercises illustrate in a very simple and clear manner that
PASSAGE PREP: By creating more engagement with the “enlarge” exercise and then giving two gentle, well-timed half-halts, Noel Williams produces passage steps aboard Caprice, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Robert Stark
piaffe and passage are just variations of the trot. When approached in this way, movements considered some of the most difficult in dressage become
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clinic easy for the horse to understand. Remember: Keeping the work playful and fun for your horse, and being quick to reward, enables him to learn more easily and in a positive manner. Exercise 3: Refining the half-halt for flying changes. In my discussion of teaching the horse to “think forward” (September), I stressed the importance of teaching him to accept the half-halts so that you can both “step on the gas” and “tap the brakes lightly.” Here is an exercise that focuses on developing the horse’s understanding of the rider’s hand while helping you to maintain better control over the flow of energy. I love the simplicity of this exercise. From the trot, halt using your outside hand as the primary rein aid along with your leg and seat. After your horse is immobile and square in front, use your outside hand to ask him to rein back one step with his outside foreleg. Then use your inside hand to ask him to take one step back with his inside foreleg. Now ask for one step with the out-
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side foreleg again. Your horse should remain on the bit with his back up throughout the exercise. Do not pull him backward or sit too heavily, as this will cause him to come above the bit and hollow his back. My goal with this exercise is to teach the horse that in the “circle of energy,” once he is confirmed in stepping forward to the bit and therefore to the hand, the energy should be able to flow back through your hand, arm, shoulder, back, and seat to his hind legs, thus encouraging him to carry more weight and to push off with more energy and power. Simplicity is the key word here. I want my horse to understand in a very basic manner that energy can flow directly and laterally back and influence his longitudinal balance and the engagement of that same (outside) hind leg. Once your horse is able to do a good trot-to-halt transition, you can start this exercise from the canter. Over the years, I have used this exercise many times to help horses understand how to respond
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to a half-halt as an essential part of the aid for a flying change.
The Sophisticates By introducing the aids to our horses in a simple, easy-to-understand manner in which we are very clear and definitive in our goals and expectations, we can increase our ability to communicate with our horses in a more sophisticated manner. This means that, over time, we can become more complex in what we ask—not only in how we combine the aids, but also in the subtlety of how we use them. For example: If I ask a Training Level horse for a transition to canter from the trot, I will most likely use a firm inside leg on the girth along with a strong outside leg behind the girth and weight in my inside seat bone to essentially assist the horse in making the transition. By the time this horse is showing Second Level, I hope to make that same trot-to-canter transition just by using light leg aids. And by the time this horse is competing at the
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clinic
SELF-CHECK: Correct riding position is a prerequisite to being able to give precise and well-timed aids. I’m using the mirror to check my position and Sir Velo’s outline.
FEI levels, I hope to have increased his sensitivity and understanding such that I can make a walk-to-canter transition solely from my inside seat bone. Not only does this subtle aid make the
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transition look effortless, but from a practical point of view, it also helps to ensure that the horse stays straight during the transition. Ultimately, we want our aids to be this effective. From there it’s a matter of adjusting the dial—more forward, more cadence, shorter steps, longer steps. This adjustability is what makes for great transitions. It is created by first teaching the horse to give the correct response to the aids, and then by sensibly building his sensitivity to those aids. I’ll close this series by reminding you never to forget the importance of giving your horse positive reinforcement through rewards. Karl Mikolka, a man I consider a true master, once said: “The key to an elegant seat is a well-trained horse.” Of course, in order to create that well-trained horse, your position must be correct and you must have a good seat. Before you can have elegance, you must build a solid foundation of basics. ▲
26 November 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Meet the Expert
G
eorge Williams needs little introduction to the USDF membership, having served as the Federation’s president since 2009. He is a veteran international competitor with many Grand Prixlevel wins and championships, including representing the US at the CHIO Aachen (winning team bronze) and at the FEI World Cup Dressage Final in 2003 with the famous mare Rocher. At 18, the native of New Hampshire traveled to Germany to study at the Reitinstitut von Neindorff, where he earned his German Bronze Rider Medal. On his return to the States, he began working with legendary Spanish Riding School alumnus Karl Mikolka. Later he apprenticed under Mikolka at the Tempel Lipizzans and eventually became director of Tempel’s equine program. Since the 2000s, Williams, his wife, Roberta, and their daughter, Noel, have operated Williams Dressage LLC and have been based at several prestigious dressage facilities in the Midwest and Florida. They currently divide their time between Ravenna, OH, and Wellington, FL. Besides serving as USDF president, George Williams is the United States Equestrian Federation’s national dressage youth coach. He is also a member of the USEF Dressage and High Performance Dressage Committees, and chair of the USEF High Performance Eligible Athletes Committee.
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all-breeds connection
Breed of the Month: Pinto Studies in contrast, these colorful horses can be spotted in the dressage arena
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quine enthusiasts have long admired the Pinto horse’s striking coat patterns. The tobiano appears white with large, flowing spots of color, often overlapping. Spots of color typically originate from the head, chest, flank, and buttock, often including the tail. The overo pattern appears to be the reverse: a solid-colored horse with white markings. The overo’s jagged white spots
outcross registry is eligible for the Pinto Horse Association of America’s Solid Registry. Pinto characteristics include blue eyes, leg white above the knee or hock, white or multi-colored hooves, collective white in the eligible zones (but not enough to qualify for color registry), and pink skin. The diversity of the Pinto breed is evident by the number of recognized outcross breeds, which are separated
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color and to maintain their show records and pedigrees. Today, the PtHA has 47,000 members and boasts more than 150,000 registered Pintos. All-Breeds awards offered: Top two placings, all open categories. How to participate: All exhibitors must have a current membership with the Pinto Horse Association of America, and all horses must be registered with the PtHA. Learn more: pinto.org or (405) 491-0111. ▲
For the Breeds, by the Breeds
COLORFUL CONTRAST: Ariana Newton (WA) and her 2007 bay tobiano Pinto gelding, Saintly Sacred (Sacred Indian – Red Rio Leo)
usually originate on the horse’s side or belly, spreading toward the neck, tail, legs, and back. White coloring almost never crosses the back. A Pinto horse must have four square inches of cumulative white in the qualifying zone (the amount of white required is reduced accordingly for ponies and miniatures), as well as underlying pink skin. An equine that does not meet the color requirement but has at least two Pinto characteristics or is registered in an approved
into types according to five classifications: stock, hunter, pleasure, saddle, and utility. Ponies and miniatures are also included. The Pinto Horse Association of America: Several horsemen in the 1930s formed the Pinto Horse Society with the purpose of breeding superior colored horses. A new organization, the Pinto Horse Association of America (PtHA), was founded in 1956 to encourage the promotion of quality horses, ponies, and miniatures with
28 November 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
COURTESY OF THE PINTO HORSE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
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ach month, “All-Breeds Connection” spotlights a USDF All-Breeds awards program participating organization and the breed it represents. Information and photos that appear in this column are furnished by the breed registries. USDF does not endorse or promote any breed or registry over another. The All-Breeds program is designed to recognize the accomplishments of specific breeds in dressage. All participating organizations offer “open” yearend awards from Training Level through Grand Prix, and some offer awards in additional categories, such as adult amateur, junior/young rider, and dressage sport-horse breeding. Registry representatives are usually on hand to help bestow awards at the banquet held during each year’s USDF convention. All-Breeds award eligibility requirements include memberships and horse registrations with both USDF and the participating organization. For details and a list of current participating organizations, visit usdf.org. For more information about All-Breeds awards program participation, send e-mail to allbreeds@usdf.org.
American Connemara Pony Pon onyy Society Soci So ciet iety American Hackney Horse Society American Haflinger Registry American Hanoverian Society American Holsteiner Horse Association American Morgan Horse Association American Mule Association American Mustang & Burro Association American Paint Horse Association American Quarter Horse Association *American Rhineland Studbook American Saddlebred Registry American Shire Horse Association American Trakehner Association American Warmblood Registry American Warmblood Society Appaloosa Horse Club Arabian Horse Association Belgian Warmblood Breeding Association Canadian Hanoverian Society Canadian Horse Breeders Association Canadian Sport Horse Association Canadian Warmblood Horse Breeders Association Cleveland Bay Horse Society of North America Curly Sporthorse International Draft Cross Breeders & Owners Association Fell Pony Society of North America The Foundation for the Pure Spanish Horse FPZV USA Friesian Heritage Horse & Sporthorse International Friesian Horse Association of North America Friesian Horse Society Friesian Sporthorse Association
Friesian Sport Horse Registry S Gypsy Cob and Drum Horse Association Gypsy Horse Association Gypsy Horse Registry of America Gypsy Vanner Horse Society Hungarian Horse Association of America International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association International Friesian Show Horse Association International Georgian Grande Horse Registry International Rescue Horse Registry International Sporthorse Registry/Oldenburg NA Irish Draught Horse Society of North America Knabstrupperforeningen for Danmark KWPN of North America New Forest Pony Society of North America North American Danish Warmblood Association North American Shagya Arabian Society NorthAmerican Sportpony Registry North American Thoroughbred Society Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry Oldenburg Horse Breeders Society NA Division of GOV Performance Horse Registry Performance Shagya-Arabian Registry Pinto Horse Association of America Rheinland Pfalz-Saar International Spanish-Norman Horse Registry Swedish Warmblood Association of North America United States Lipizzan Federation United States P.R.E. Association United States Trotting Association Welsh Pony & Cob Society of America Weser-Em Ponies & Small Horses Westfalen Horse Association *Denotes a new Participating Organization for 2016.
A complete listing of the AdequanÂŽ/USDF All-Breeds Awards Participating Organizations, program rules, and award standings are available on the USDF website at www.usdf.org. For questions e-mail allbreeds@usdf.org.
All-Breeds Participating Organization
USDF implores any member, whose organization is not listed, to contact their breed organization and co encourage them to participate!
Thank You for being a 2016
These organizations, in partnership Th with w USDF, promote and recognize a high standard of accomplishment within their breed, through their participation in the AdequanÂŽ/ USDF All-Breeds Awards Program.
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Team USA breaks 12-year drought with 2016 Olympic dressage medal STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY DIANA DE ROSA
32 November 2016 â&#x20AC;¢ USDF CONNECTION
YOU’VE ARRIVED AT YOUR DESTINATION: US chef d’équipe Robert Dover’s (left) “road map to the podiums” led straight to bronze in Rio for Team USA’s Kasey Perry-Glass, Allison Brock, Laura Graves, and Steffen Peters
UNTOUCHABLE: The nearly-flawless Valegro and Charlotte Dujardin of Great Britain winning their second consecutive Olympic individual gold medal
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n 2013, when six-time Olympian Robert Dover was named chef d’équipe of the US dressage team, he wrote a 58-page plan for winning international medals that he famously called his “road map to the podiums.” On August 8, Dover’s road map reached its destination when Team USA—Steffen Peters and Legolas 92, Laura Graves and Verdades, Kasey Perry-Glass and Dublet, and Allison Brock and Rosevelt—stood on the bronze-medal podium at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. The US riders finished behind the gold medalists (Germany) and silver medalists (Great Britain) with scores that were so close it could have been anyone’s day. Germany’s final overall score of 81.936 percent was fewer than four percentage points ahead of the British, who finished on 78.595. Team USA had a final overall tally of 76.667 percent. In Rio, the dressage team competition comprised the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Special. When both scores were tallied for each rider, Perry-Glass totaled 73.235 percent, Brock 73.824, Peters 74.522, and Graves 80.644. The individual results, although no US rider medaled, were equally as impressive. Riding her own Verdades, Graves finished in fourth place. The judges rewarded her Grand Prix Freestyle with one of her highest-ever scores at 85.196, mere fractions from the bronze-medal-winning score of 87.142 earned by Germany’s Kristina Broring-Sprehe on Desperados FRH. The individual silver went to Broring-Sprehe’s countrywoman Isabell Werth on Weihegold OLD (89.071), who with that medal—her ninth—became the most successful Olympic equestrian in history. USDF CONNECTION
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Even with the Germans in top form, there was no touching the pair that has dominated dressage since they won double gold in London 2012. Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro, who won individual gold in London on 90.089 percent, set a new Olympic dressage record in Rio. Their Latin-themed GP Freestyle earned a score of 93.857. The performance, which reduced Dujardin to tears afterward, was all the more poignant for the knowledge that this was “Blueberry’s” final competition; the Dutch Warmblood gelding will be officially retired next month in a ceremony at the CDI-W Olympia in London.
The Long Journey to Rio For Team USA, the bronze medal was a long time in coming; our nation’s last Olympic dressage medal, also team bronze, was in Athens 2004. If it was a long wait for US dressage fans, it was nearly half a lifetime for Peters, who was 31 when he won his only previous Olympic dressage medal—team bronze at Atlanta 1996, aboard Udon. Peters wasn’t on the team for Sydney 2000 or Athens 2004, and in Hong Kong 2008 and London 2012 he and his teammates went home empty-handed. “I have been waiting for this team medal for twenty
IMPRESSIVE START: Olympic Games first-timers Kasey Perry-Glass and Dublet
years,” said a teary-eyed Peters, 52, of San Diego, CA. “USA dressage has been waiting for this for twelve years. At my age you ask yourself that question: When is the time when
Behind the Scenes with Team USA Dressage
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ika and water and crime, oh my! Despite dire predictions about Brazilian mosquitoes, dirty water, and unsafe streets combined with political unrest, the events of the 2016 Rio Olympics largely went off smoothly. Some who attended—including members of the US dressage team—were pleasantly surprised. “Everything is really good. The stabling is well done, and the horses have big stalls. There are no bugs, and the venue is beautiful,” said Kasey Perry-Glass. “It is better than what we were expecting.” “They have done a fabulous job,” Allison Brock concurred. “The footing is impeccable everywhere. The
WORLD-CLASS: Veteran competitors said the Rio equestrian venue was as good as anywhere in the world
LUXURY HOUSING: Teams appreciated the airy, roomy stabling
stalls are extremely comfortable, horse-friendly, and airy. From what we had heard coming into it to what we found, everybody was very pleasantly surprised. And every person we have interacted with has been nothing but friendly, helpful, and seems happy that we are here. So it’s been very welcoming to be in Brazil.” “To compare it to other facilities, it’s right up there with the very best I’ve been in,” said Laura Graves. For these dressage pros, whose days are typically jammed with multiple horses to ride and lessons to teach, having the time to lavish on one horse is a
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luxury. All were clearly enjoying the extra time they had to spend with their Olympic mounts. They shared stories about their horses with USDF Connection. The laid-back Dublet, said Perry-Glass, is “like a surfer boy. He is a very kind horse, and he always wants to do the right thing.” One of “Dudu’s” quirks: “He likes giving back rubs. If you scratch him in a really good spot, he will pull you closer with his nose and start scratching you.” If Dublet is a surfer boy, then Rosevelt is the jock: “the all-around guy, the kind that is exceptional in sports, a really good student, played in the band, and is friends with everybody yet not arrogant,” said Brock. “He is a kind animal but has a high play drive, which comes out when you see him do the jog. He is really naughty in the jog, but it’s only because he is playful. He does not have a mean bone in his body.” Rosevelt expresses his playful nature with his tongue. “He loves to give you his tongue. He will stick it out. It’s a social, friendly behavior that some horses do. He’s done it forever. He’ll do it to other horses. It’s his greeting.” The stallion is also “cold backed,” and not paying attention to that can land Brock on the ground. “People always look at me funny because I lead that horse up to the arena. The walk down loosens his back up. Yes, it tears my boots up, but I know what that horse needs. Now he is acclimated, so the day after the Grand Prix I could get on him at the barn. But if I was to just assume, I could end up in the dirt real fast. I can tell by how relaxed he is. He has a short back and needs a little bit of time. This is nothing new. He’s had this his entire life.” “He is my best friend,” Laura Graves said of Verdades, whom she’s owned since he was a foal. “We know each other completely inside and out. He is really funny. He can reach out and grab anything on his stall front and throw it just to get attention, just so you get up.” But the “funny, easy guy” is all business when Graves climbs into the saddle. “He is the most focused and hardest-working employee you have ever had. Any time you ask him to show up, he shows up. If you ask him to work overtime, he would and would not expect a raise. He has an incredible work ethic.” Steffen Peters says of Legolas 92: “The reason we get along so well is because we are both still two little kids. He is extremely talkative when I come into the barn. It’s not just this little nicker; it’s this loud greeting that I get every time I see him and he sees me.” Legolas demands a daily scratch from his rider. The preferred location “changes daily—sometimes right on
top of the croup; then it’s right on his back. He is very clear about where he likes to be scratched. If I stand in his stall on a stepping stool, he just moves around me and shows me exactly what the particular spot is on each day.” Perry-Glass and Brock, in particular, appreciated the support of Peters and of US chef d’équipe Robert Dover at their first major international championships. “I was reading an article about Steffen’s first Olympics [in Atlanta 1996],” said Perry-Glass. “I had no idea he was so stressed and had the hardest time ever. After I read that, I was able to talk to him about it. Having someone who has been through it like that is very helpful.” Dover, who has said since his hiring as chef in 2013 that medals for US dressage are his goal, said his faith in the American riders never wavered. “The outcome has been exactly as I had hoped and truly in my heart expected,” Dover said. “This is a group that on any given day could be in the medals, especially the top five.” Like many others, including US FEI 5* judge Gary Rockwell (see “The Judge’s Box,” page 14), Dover expressed disappointment that the equestrian events in Rio were poorly attended. “The attendance was sad, between Zika, the political situation, and people saying it was not going to be safe. Yet this has been a tremendously well-organized Olympic Games. Everyone was as nice and as helpful as they could be on a facility that is as excellent as any facility I’ve ever been to anywhere in the world. There is not one bad thing that I can say.” Dover, whose first of six Olympic appearances was in Los Angeles 1984, said he has seen the quality of international dressage skyrocket, even in just the past four years. “This has been the greatest group of horses that have ever been in one venue, ever,” he said of the Rio lineup. “This is better than in London [the 2012 Olympics] by far. Look at the number of horses [scoring] over 80 percent. Look at the statistics. There were five horses over 80 percent, and many got over 75 percent and higher.” Already a perennial optimist, Dover was overflowing with superlatives after Team USA’s Rio triumph. “I am extremely thankful to our riders and the fabulous horses that we love so much; to the most amazing grooms; the best staff; and the greatest owners, sponsors, and veterinarians. We have it all. Americans believe in being the best. I believe in the next four years we will see that in dressage!” —Diana De Rosa
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THE PERFECT GENTLEMAN: The stallion Rosevelt and rider Allison Brock made a strong showing
you can’t do this any more, and when is the time that this will be the last time in the arena?” The lead-up to Rio was different from what Peters and other veterans were accustomed to—but for these Games only Peters fully appreciated the changes, as his three teammates all were Olympics first-timers. The US Equestrian Federation instituted a new selection process for Rio. Instead of the usual selection trials on US soil, the USEF sent eight horse/rider combinations to Europe, where for three months they were watched closely as they competed in designated “observation event” CDIs (FEI-recognized dressage competitions). It was from that group that the final four were chosen. Next behind Peters in terms of international experience was Graves, 29, of Orlando, FL, who also competed at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, the 2015 FEI World Cup Dressage Final in Las Vegas. and the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto. But Rio was the first major international championships for both PerryGlass and Brock. Perry-Glass, 28, of Orangevale, CA, was hopeful that she would make the Olympic team aboard Dublet, a 2003 Danish Warmblood gelding owned by Diane Perry; but she realized that “you can’t expect anything. You have to go out there, do your best, and hope that your best is what will get you on the team. Luckily it was.” Although “it was a long stint in Europe,” Perry-Glass said, “I think it got us really prepared as a team to come over here and get the job done.” Her performances in the
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A RIDE TO REMEMBER: Steffen Peters said he’ll cherish the memory of his Olympic Grand Prix test aboard Legolas 92
Olympic arena showed how well the experience helped her. “My first ride was a good warm-up ride,” Perry-Glass said of her Grand Prix effort, which garnered a score of 75.229 percent. “It was the first time in a big stadium like that for him. We had the ring familiarization, but it’s different when you are all by yourself and there is a different atmosphere around you; but he really stepped up to the plate. He was a little nervous at first, but by the end of the ride he was relaxed and trusting me. “In the Grand Prix Special, I felt like he understood he was there to pull the team together and get a final good score. We had one mistake in the extended trot, and that affected our extended-trot and our transition scores.” She’d asked a little too much of Dublet in that movement, she said, “and my half-halt was not at the right time and he just kind of fell on his forehand.” But her coach, Olympian Debbie McDonald, had taught her that “you have to keep on riding. You can’t dwell on what just happened. You have to block it out and make the rest really special.” Perry-Glass did; it worked; and she ended with a GP Special score of 73.235. For Brock, 36, of Wellington, FL, her bobble in the Grand Prix wasn’t as obvious. Her mistake in the two-tempi changes resulted from a momentary loss of focus, she said. “When I picked up the canter, I realized they were play-
ing Anky’s [van Grunsven] Bonfire kür music,” she said. Momentarily struck by the fact that she was riding to the music of one of the most decorated dressage Olympians in history, “I had an idea of where I was but lost count. And then I didn’t give the aid that I needed. I prayed for the change instead of riding for the change. I was mortified.” If that Grand Prix test wasn’t Brock’s best effort—her 72.686 ended up being the team’s drop score—she redeemed herself in the Special, besting Perry-Glass’s 73.235 with a 73.824 aboard Rosevelt, a 2002 Hanoverian stallion owned by Claudine and Fritz Kundrun. The effort was sufficient to qualify Brock for the individual medal final, the Grand Prix Freestyle, along with Peters and Graves. (Perry-Glass missed the cut, failing to place in the top 18 individually.) “It was quite hot, and yet he couldn’t care less about that. He thinks he belongs here,” Brock said of her mount. “He just cantered in there like he owns the place.” That wasn’t always the case, however. According to Brock, Rosevelt “used to be a horse that was very environmentally sensitive.” In one experience she called “terrifying,” her freestyle music volume wasn’t adjusted properly, and the blast of sound “really scared him.” Patient training helped the stallion to overcome his fears, and now Rosevelt is “a perfect gentleman,” said Brock, who expressed her pride that “my horse stood like a rock and calmly trotted around the awards ceremony in Rio.” It was Peters’ score of 77.614 percent in the Grand Prix that put Team USA on the fast track to a medal. Later, he rhapsodized about the effort: Even though he went on to score 79.393 in the freestyle, “The one ride that I will remember for the rest of my life is the Grand Prix. It was exactly what I had dreamed of. I wanted to deliver a score that would put the team a little bit ahead of nations who were in the running for third place, and that is exactly what I did. Let me rephrase that: It was exactly what Legolas did,” he said of his mount, Legolas 92, a 2002 Westfalen gelding owned by Four Winds Farm. Peters and Legolas have had an enduring and successful partnership, with appearances at the 2012 Olympics, the 2014 WEG, the 2015 Pan Am Games, and the 2015 World Cup Dressage Final. Peters made it clear that these Olympics were extraspecial. “I remember getting off, and even after four Olympics being crazy emotional about his performance,” he said of his horse. “And then when I started talking to the TV crew [in the round of mandatory post-ride press interviews], I made it through the first crew, but by the second crew I was bawling my eyes out. When you have a group of people together for three months without a single conflict, without a single
THIS IS WHAT 80 LOOKS LIKE! Laura Graves and Verdades pour it on to top 80 percent in the Grand Prix Special
incident, it is more than friendship; and then to deliver for three incredible people and for their families, their support, and for our country, to try to put that into words, it’s almost impossible.” If the Grand Prix was emotional for Peters, the Grand Prix Special was equally memorable, but for a different reason. The audience saw Legolas make one obvious bobble in a half-pass—a momentary loss of balance, Peters said—but the real (and unseen) story started in the first piaffe. “The buckle of my belt broke, and for the entire test the belt was flapping around, and I could feel my pants getting looser and looser and sliding down,” Peters recounted. “Finally, by the last center line, I grabbed the belt with my left hand, and when I saluted I looked at [judge] Gary [Rockwell], who was at C, and he saw me taking the rest of my belt off. He had this look on his face as if to say, ‘What is he doing?’” The distraction concerned Peters because “I didn’t know if the score was going to be good enough to support the team. I knew we needed a 74.198, but the score was not up on the scoreboard.” Fortunately, the effort was more than sufficient, and when his score of 74.622 was announced Peters got “super excited. I knew it was a supporting team score. From there on, I was quite happy coming out with a belt in my hand.” But the bronze medal wasn’t secure yet. With both PerryGlass and Peters scoring slightly lower than hoped in the Special, it came down to Graves. She’d earned the top US score in the Grand Prix with her 78.071, and after the Special she USDF CONNECTION
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Scene in Rio
V
eteran photojournalist Diana De Rosa has captured seven Olympic Games in photos. Here are some of the indelible images from the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
CRITICAL MOMENT: Horses must pass a veterinary inspection (“the jog”) to be permitted to compete. Allison Brock concentrates on keeping the “naughty, playful” Rosevelt under control.
BRAZILIAN PRIDE: A carioca waves her country’s flag and Vinicius, the Rio Olympics mascot, at the dressage competition
TEAM GOLD MEDALISTS: Germany again reigned supreme with riders Isabell Werth, Dorothee Schneider, Sonke Rothenberger, and Kristina Broring-Sprehe PARTY CITY: Beachside watering hole in Rio de Janeiro
TIGHT SHIP: Armed security forces were evident throughout the city and at competition venues
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OVERWHELMED: Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin (with mount Valegro and groom Alan Davies behind her) wipes away tears during the individual medal presentation while silver medalist Isabell Werth (left) and bronze medalist Kristina BroringSprehe look on. Dujardin’s victory was all the more poignant for the knowledge that this was “Blueberry’s” final competition.
MAGIC MOMENT: Team USA went wild when Laura Graves and Verdades delivered under pressure to secure the bronze medal. At left, the teammates high-five as Graves exits the arena. At right, supporters exult in the “kiss and cry” area: Graves’s groom, Alex Levine-Nevel; US chef d’équipe Robert Dover; Graves’s coach, Debbie McDonald; USEF dressage managing director Hallye Griffin; Betsy Juliano, one of Graves’s sponsors; and Graves’s boyfriend, Curt Maes.
revealed that she’d gone in the ring determined to hit a new high mark—what she later termed “the elusive 80 percent.” “I had no idea of the score I needed,” Graves said afterward. “I wanted to give the team enough points to put us on that podium.” (In fact, a score of 73-plus-percent would have been sufficient.) Graves went for it, and her Grand Prix Special with Verdades showed a new level of power that the judges rewarded with a score of 80.644 percent. “Kasey and I were sitting together watching Laura pull off that incredible ride,” Brock said later. “I could see the ticker on the screen. It was 80, 81, 79. It was unbelievable.” Peters decided that the team should run down to the ring to high-five Graves for the achievement. The exuberant competitors startled “Diddy” at the exit gate (“but it was totally worth it,” Graves said) and broke the news that they’d won the bronze. Delivering under pressure is the stuff that sporting legends are made of. Asked how she managed it, Graves said: “I am very lucky that I have such a great horse that gives me the ability to be confident. I don’t have to prove any more that I have a nice horse and that I can ride. And that feels good, especially against the Charlotte Dujardins and Isabell Werths in the world. When you are warming up next to them, it can be distracting, and you can maybe feel lesser. These past three years have given Podcast Alert
PODCAST
Listen to our Olympic special edition episode 136 at usdf.podbean.com.
me the experience to not have those feelings. It helps your mindset and your riding that you could very easily beat any other combination.”
Stronger Together Praise for the members of Team USA flowed lavishly after the medal ceremony. “It’s been a great experience,” said Graves. “I got to share it with three great teammates, our amazing alternate [traveling reserve Shelly Francis with Patricia Stempel’s 2003 Oldenburg gelding, Doktor], and the staff. Everybody just worked so well together. We did everything we planned on doing. Every member of our team was able to contribute to that medal.” “I am excited to be part of the team that put the US back on the podium after there has been a drought, because I also think now we are building momentum,” said Brock. “I know what kind of depth we have coming up behind us. I think it was really good for American dressage.” Said Peters: “If this would have been my last time in the ring, it was worth the wait. It really meant that much to me. It hit me when Laura did her last center line because the score was great. That was the most emotional part, and the medal confirmed it later on. It is one of those moments you live for. I look at it this way: We didn’t lose the gold or silver; we won the bronze medal, and that is why to me it is as good as gold. The bottom line is that we didn’t just hope that the dream would come true. We made the dream come true.” ▲ Journalist and photographer Diana De Rosa, of Farmingdale, NY, has covered seven Olympic Games and numerous World Equestrian Games, World Cup Finals, and other prestigious championships. She is the owner of the PR firm Press Link and the current president of American Horse Publications. USDF CONNECTION
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Roz Kinstler Pays It Forward For the 2015 USDF Volunteer of the Year, it’s about a love of teaching and sharing our sport
BEHIND THE SCENES: When 2015 USDF Volunteer of the Year Roz Kinstler (right) talks, dressage VIPs including USDF president George Williams (left) listen
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USDF FILE PHOTO
BY FRAN SEVERN-LEVY
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rowing up outside New York City, the high point of Rosalind “Roz” Kinstler’s childhood was going to a summer riding camp. That girlhood love of horses led to a career of teaching and competing in dressage, and—with a little bit of urging from friends in the USDF—a long and deep involvement in USDF projects. In recognition of those efforts, Kinstler, 66, of Whitmore Lake, MI, was named the 2015 USDF Volunteer of the Year. When you read the list of her volunteer activities, you’ll understand why. Kinstler’s USDF volunteer résumé includes serving as the current chair of the Youth Programs Committee and as a member of the USDF Junior/Young Rider and Historical Recognition Committees, and of the USDF Activities Council. She’s the longtime Region 2 FEI junior/young rider coordinator and chef d’équipe at the FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships. She was a driving force in developing the biennial USDF/US Equestrian Federation Young Rider Graduate Program and the new youth clinics that will run concurrently with USDF Jr/YR clinics starting in 2017. Outside of her USDF activities, she works with 4-H clubs and Pony Clubs to introduce kids to dressage. And all of that is in addition to her work as a professional dressage instructor/trainer.
DIANA HADSALL
Hooked on Dressage As a youth, Kinstler rode jumpers (dressage was a nearly alien term in those days) and worked with professionals like Harry de Leyer, owner and trainer of the legendary Snowman. But a visit to Camp Teela-Wooket in Vermont, then a riding camp, at the age of 17 altered Kinstler’s equestrian focus forever. At the camp, she watched the head instructor, the late T. Frederik “Cappy” Marsman, give an upper-level dressage demonstration aboard a Morgan horse, “and I was hooked.” “Jumping is a kick, a thrill,” Kinstler says, “but the discipline in dressage is fascinating. It’s the difficulty of it. The mental descriptions are a lot like music. You’re analyzing what you can do with horses.” But Kinstler’s parents tolerated, rather than encouraged, her passion for horses. When it came time for her to look at colleges, “There was no question of looking at a school with a riding program. That was a waste of time. College was for training for a profession.” Kinstler majored in biology and chemistry at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, with a minor in music. The lure of horses remained strong, however, and during college she began a sideline as a riding instructor. After graduation, she worked as a small-animal veterinary technician and
ACCOMPLISHED: Kinstler is an experienced and successful dressage competitor and instructor/trainer
continued instructing and riding. Eventually the veterinary career fell by the wayside, and Kinstler has been a full-time equestrian pro ever since. After marriage to the “non-horsey” John Kinstler, the couple moved to Michigan when John got transferred. It was there that Roz Kinstler began riding with the late legendary master Chuck Grant and became “totally involved with dressage.” Soon she was a regular competitor at area dressage shows. She joined the USDF and made friends throughout the dressage community, including future USDF president George Williams and his wife, Roberta; and the late Region 2 dressage supporter Miki Christophersen.
The Youth Champion In 1998, then-USDF Region 2 director Sue Hughes suggested that Kinstler apply to serve as the region’s FEI Jr/YR coordinator. The coordinator handles the logistics of transporting and housing the kids and their horses, completing and processing entries, fund-raising, and the administrative details. Hughes thought that Kinstler’s background and personality were a good fit for the job: “Roz was doing things with the Michigan Dressage Association, was an active instructor, and knew everyone,” she says. “She was working with students at an advanced level, and she had a cadre of people she could call on.” Initially surprised at the suggestion, Kinstler accepted, in no small part because it allowed her to focus attention on one of her major interests: young riders. USDF CONNECTION
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Roz Kinstler: Tips for Low-Stress Volunteering
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re you too busy to volunteer? Many people don’t step up because they think volunteering means a huge time investment. Not necessarily, says Roz Kinstler, the 2015 USDF Volunteer of the Year. “Volunteering doesn’t have to be a big commitment. Go to a clinic and let yourself get known. Go to a 4-H club and take a young rider, or give a demo yourself. See someone who is interested and give them a lesson.”
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BIG TIME: At the 2012 London Paralympic Games with student Dr. Dale Dedrick and Bonifatius
with everyone on a committee and gets them to do more and try harder.” For Kinstler, volunteer work is a case of paying it both back and forward. “I’ve gotten an incredible amount from the sport, and volunteering is my way of returning the favor. The paybacks are huge. Kids from Region 2 teams, from the Graduate Program, they stay in touch. I hear from people that I didn’t know I influenced. It’s cool to pass it along to the next group coming up.”
Into the Spotlight Kinstler’s dressage involvement goes way beyond her behind-the-scenes activities. Both she and her students have attained competitive success, most recently at the US Dressage Finals. In 2014, Kinstler placed fourth at Third Level Open on London Swing, a horse owned by her students Liza MacMillan and Eleanor Brimmer. Last year, aboard the half-Arabian Trifecta, student Courtney Horst-Cutright placed seventh at the Finals in the adult-amateur Prix St. Georges, and also won the PSG national title at the Sport Horse National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championships. But for sheer magnitude, nothing compares to 2012, when Kinstler accompanied her student Dale Dedrick, MD, to the London Paralympic Games. Dedrick, 60, of Ann Arbor, MI, was an orthopedic surgeon and a Grand Prix-level rider who had to retire from both of those careers in 1992 when she was diagnosed with lupus. Making matters worse, she later sustained severe injuries when she was hit by a car. Dedrick eventually decided to try to ride again, with Kinstler’s help. “Roz opened the world back up to me,” she says. Initially, Dedrick rode just for fun. But when the women learned about the growing sport of para-equestrian dressage, they decided to explore the possibilities, and Dedrick began competing as a Grade II athlete aboard her striking gray Hanoverian gelding, Bonifatius. “We didn’t even know the rules when we went to the
LINDSAY Y. MCCALL
“I was interested because I love kids,” Kinstler says. “I love teaching kids how to ride. I wanted to pass that on to the next group coming up.” From Jr/YR coordinator, Kinstler went on to become the Region 2 NAJYRC chef d’équipe. Equal parts chaperone, den mother, and stable manager, the chef supervises the horses’ care, keeps track of the competition schedules, and basically ensures that the riders need concern themselves with nothing besides their own performances. The chef ’s job is challenging enough when the team consists of professional riders; at the youth level, add the stresses of dealing with inexperienced teenagers and their coaches and parents. Emotions can run high, but “Roz is the gold standard,” says Roberta Williams. “She keeps the waters calm. She is a master at dealing with parents and coaches. She is also very generous in helping people new to those positions learn how to do them.” The USDF isn’t all about elite riders, and neither is Kinstler, who in her work with the Youth Programs Committee focuses on what she calls “normal” youth. “There are already programs for the top young riders, but most kids are not and never will be competing at that level,” she says. “These are the kids on a Quarter Horse or a ‘backyard’ horse who will never compete at the higher levels or outside a local schooling show. But that’s not the point. It’s not about the award. It’s about the sport. We need to have programs that get them interested and draw them in. They don’t have to go to the Olympics, or have a super-highlevel horse, or even want to ride dressage as their sport. We can use dressage to help hunter/jumpers improve their flat work. What’s important is enlarging the base of riders in dressage. The kids are the future of the sport.” That attitude is one reason former USDF Region 1 director Alison Head nominated Kinstler for the Volunteer of the Year award. “She is a tireless defender of youth programs for the grass-roots kids,” Head says. “She has the ability to work
Roz delights in taking an average horse and getting the best damn movement out of it that she possibly can.”
The Eternal Student
STUDENT/TEACHER: A lover of learning, Kinstler enjoys passing along her dressage knowledge, particularly to young people
[USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage] National Championship in 2011,” Dedrick recalls. “We just tried to figure it out and do what we could. I finished just a quarter-point from winning the national championship.” Coached by Kinstler, Dedrick and “Erik” made the US 2012 Paralympic team. Competing in London was a peak experience for both, even though Team USA didn’t medal. Today instructor and student are exploring a new sport: para-reining. “Para-equestrian, para-reining—it all comes back to dressage,” says Dedrick. “And that comes back to basics. And with Roz, you get well-grounded basics. She is a genius with amateur and average riders. She’s always thinking about how do you help a rider who is less than perfect.
Kinstler claims she’s cutting back on teaching somewhat so she can focus on her new personal horse, but “I love teaching as much as riding. I ride three or four horses every day and teach three or four lessons at all levels and abilities.” She also finds time to pursue her newest hobby: agility training and competition with her Springer Spaniels. After 30 years in dressage, Kinstler still finds the sport as exciting as she did when she saw that demonstration at Camp Teela-Wooket. “There is always something new to learn. You never know when the next opportunity will come. I love the sport. It’s taken me to places I never thought I would go, and I want to pass that along.” To the woman Dedrick calls an “eternal student,” learning, teaching, and volunteering are all intertwined—and the American dressage community is the better for it. ▲ Fran Severn-Levy is a freelance writer who focuses on travel and horses. She lives in Maryland with her husband, three dogs, and her Holsteiner cross, Chance Encounter, who is teaching her First Level dressage.
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Sweet on Dressage As CEO of boutique chocolatier Harbor Sweets, amateur rider Phyllis LeBlanc has a yummy job—and still finds time to volunteer with the New England Dressage Association
TWO OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS: Harbor Sweets president/CEO Phyllis LeBlanc with a bevy of Dark Horse Chocolates gift items
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BRYCE VICKMARK PHOTOGRAPHY
BY KATHERINE WALCOTT
I
f you need a gift for a horse lover, you pretty much can’t go wrong with Dark Horse Chocolates. The high-quality, hand-dipped candies with the equestrian names and designs—like the decadent dark-chocolate, buttercrunch-toffee-filled Dressage Classics—have been satisfying sweet tooths for years. But although you may be well acquainted with Dark Horse Chocolates and its parent company, Harbor Sweets, you may not know that its president and CEO is an accomplished amateur dressage rider and a longtime New England Dressage Association member and volunteer. Connecticut native Phyllis LeBlanc, 58, is a lifelong horse lover who did Pony Club, evented, and rode hunter seat as a youth. In college at Salem State University in Salem, MA, outside Boston, a friend invited her along to take some riding lessons, and “I ended up, just by chance, at a dressage barn,” LeBlanc says. She was hooked. “I just love dressage. There is a controlled power in dressage that is very exciting.” LeBlanc has trained and competed in dressage ever since, studying under instructors including the New England-based pros Keith Angstadt and Cindi Rose Wylie. Like many college students, LeBlanc juggled classes with part-time work to help pay the bills. In 1978 she took a job working on the production line of the Salem-based chocolatier Harbor Sweets. “I saw an ad for a chocolate dipper. I thought that looked like fun. So I went and applied, got the job, and what was going to be a part-time job to help fund my college turned into my career.”
COURTESY OF PHYLLIS LEBLANC
An Entrepreneur Is Born LeBlanc’s job, studies, and love of horses converged to produce a winning business idea. Continuing to work at Harbor Sweets after she earned her undergraduate degree, LeBlanc decided to get her MBA. She enrolled at Boston University, taking courses at night. “During that time that I took a class in entrepreneurship, and we had to write a business plan.” At the same time, LeBlanc was doing her Christmas shopping. “I was out looking for gifts for my trainer and my blacksmith and thinking, ‘Oh, what can I get them? They’re people I care about but I don’t know really well. It’s hard to buy something that is special but not terribly personal.’” An idea was born. “I came up with the concept of the chocolates with the equestrian designs. I wrote my business plan on that for my entrepreneurship class. I probably worked harder on that plan, because it was so exciting to me, than anything else I did in my college career.”
ACCOMPLISHED: LeBlanc and her Oldenburg gelding, Chiron
The next step was to get Harbor Sweets’ management on board with the concept. As the company name suggests, the products originally had nautical themes befitting Salem’s harborside location near the Atlantic coast—and Sweet Sloops, Harbor Lights, and other treats continue to be a mainstay of the business. As LeBlanc recalls, “It took me about two years to convince the founder of the company, Ben Strohecker, that we should consider launching [the Dark Horse Chocolates line]. We were very much focused on the sea coast and the nautical niche,” and Strohecker worried that straying from that niche would dilute the company. “He finally said, ‘Well, let’s go ahead and try it.’ I worked on it, we launched it, and it paid for all of the development costs the first four weeks that it was on the market.” In 1998, shortly after Dark Horse Chocolates’ successful debut, LeBlanc bought the company. She has been president and CEO of Harbor Sweets ever since.
The Gifts That Keep on Giving In 1973, when Harbor Sweets was founded, “There were not gift chocolates on the market,” says LeBlanc. “You’d see Hershey’s in the stores and Russell Stover in the drugstores. We came on the scene just about the same time that Godiva came to the US. We were lucky; they paved the way. Now gift food and gourmet food is such a huge market. We were very early into that scene.” Over the years, Harbor Sweets has continued to expand its offerings. As LeBlanc explains, “We do a variety of handmade chocolates in designs that feature different lifestyles. The Dark Horse Chocolates apply to equestrians. We have a line of Perennial Sweets for gardeners, and of course our USDF CONNECTION
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DECADENT: Chocolate connoisseurs relish Harbor Sweets’ creations, including its signature Sweet Sloops (center)
local wildflower honey that infuses the chocolates. Harbor Sweets chocolates are for giving, and the company believes in giving, as well, donating 5 percent of its profits to various causes. “We even donated when we didn’t have profits, which was a little tricky,” LeBlanc says, “but it’s something that has
UNDER ONE ROOF: Visitors to the factory can watch chocolates being made. LeBlanc narrates as workers make chocolates by hand (above right); bonbons are sprinkled with toppings as they roll off the production line (right).
46 November 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
BRYCE VICKMARK PHOTOGRAPHY
Harbor Sweets have a coastal theme of shells and boats and things that appeal to people who love the New England coast.” Capitalizing on the salted-chocolate craze, Salt & Ayre honors Salem’s history in the spice trade, using flavors from all over the world. The company’s newest line is called Gather, a nod to the busy bees whose efforts produce the
BRYCE VICKMARK PHOTOGRAPHY; COURTESY OF PHYLLIS LEBLANC
QUAINT: Harbor Sweets’ chocolate-factory storefront in historic Salem, MA
been a priority for us, even before the term ‘cause marketing’ was coined.” The company donates 2.5 percent of sales of Gather chocolates to the Pollinator Partnership, an organization that supports and protects pollinators and their ecosystems. And “we are located in what has historically been the area of Salem where the newest immigrants to the community come. We do a lot with The House of Seven Gables, which has a significant program to help immigrants become integrated into the community.” Other supported causes include Boys & Girls Clubs and other local nonprofits. And there are lots of donated chocolates, for use as horse-show volunteer thank-you gifts, as fund-raisers, and other causes as deemed worthy by a Harbor Sweets committee that evaluates donation requests. “It’s a small company. We all do a bit of everything,” says LeBlanc, who describes her primary role as “to look toward the direction that the company is going to create new products, new designs.” She’s also the person you’ll meet if you visit the Dark Horse Chocolates booth at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in Lexington or Dressage at Devon in Pennsylvania. LeBlanc says she enjoys going to the shows. “I get great feedback about what people are looking for, and what they like and don’t like. And it’s fun; I like to meet our customers.” There was one nail-biter of a show, however. The first year that Dark Horse Chocolates exhibited at Rolex Ken-
FULL SERVICE: You’ll meet the CEO herself if you visit a Dark Horse Chocolates booth (pictured: at Dressage at Devon)
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tucky, there were few sales—until the last day, when “they bought everything I had. I learned that people bought it as a gift to take home to somebody who was watching the dog or watching the horses.”
Silver Linings On her way to her USDF silver medal with her Oldenburg gelding, Chiron, LeBlanc found her goal derailed when the horse sustained an injury that may prove career-ending. She’s getting her horse fix in various ways, ranging from driving a pair of spotted draft horses to hacking a retired upper-level combined-driving and dressage horse. “I’ve had a some lovely horses I’ve been offered to half lease,” she says, “and that might be something I do, but for right now, it’s really kind of a relief to just play a little bit.” The down time might give LeBlanc a bit more time at her home in Bradford, MA, where she lives with her husband of 36 years. But she’s far from idle, thanks to her “other job”: volunteering with the New England Dressage Association. LeBlanc got involved with NEDA, the largest singlechapter USDF group-member organization (GMO), about a
48 November 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
decade ago. “I was a sponsor, and there was a problem with my sponsorship. I called them to talk about it, and they said, ‘You know, we could really use your help to make sure these kinds of things don’t happen. You have the background, the experience.’ They pulled me right in. “So I started out working a little bit with sponsorship with them, and the next thing I know I was heading up sponsorship. I did that for a number of years, and I’m now the vice president of services. I oversee membership, sponsorship, and our marketing and PR.” NEDA, like most GMOs, is mostly volunteer-driven. Says LeBlanc: “I’m in awe of what the organization accomplishes with an all-volunteer board.” With such dedicated volunteers, the accomplishments are impressive but hardly surprising. Let’s just say NEDA got one sweet deal the day LeBlanc signed on. ▲ Katherine Walcott is a freelance writer and a lifetime USDF member. Sadly, she lives in the South and was unable to sample the various Harbor Sweets chocolate lines during the writing of this story. She plans to remedy that oversight on her next trip to Boston.
COURTESY OF PHYLLIS LEBLANC
VIP VOLUNTEER: LeBlanc (center) and fellow volunteers at the NEDA Fall Festival
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My Holiday Gift List Editor’s picks for a happy, horsey holiday season
W
BY JENNIFER O. BRYANT hen it comes to horses and riding, I’m always on the lookout for a better mousetrap—something that will help my horse and me feel and perform better. So for this annual holiday-gift feature, I decided to list some things that have made my horse life better in 2016 (or that I am hoping will land under my tree to make my horse life better in the New Year). Plus one great new book, because one can’t have too many books, especially if they are dressage-related.
Rescue of the Lipizzan Stallions The Spanish Riding School of Vienna and its Lipizzaner stallions are famous worldwide, and most of all to us dressage enthusiasts, who fully understand and appreciate their equestrian artistry. But with the passage of time, even we don’t necessarily know how close the baroque breed came to becoming part of a very different story. During World War II, the Nazis seized Lipizzan stallions from Austria for their own use. Aided by Austrian Col. Alois Podhajsky, then director of the Spanish Riding School, US Army forces crossed enemy lines into occupied Czechoslovakia, where the stallions had been taken, to liberate them and return them to their homeland. The dangerous mission is brought to life in the new book The Perfect Horse by Elizabeth Letts (The Eighty-Dollar Champion) (Ballantine). Carefully researched and detailed, The Perfect Horse is a suspenseful read. The amazing true story is a thrilling saga that deserves to be told, and I’m glad Letts has told it. More info: RandomHouseBooks.com.
Take Your Video Training to a New Level This device is a game-changer: a robotic auto-follow “cameraman” that works with a video camera both outdoors and in those notoriously poorly lit indoor arenas. It’s called Pixio, and it may forever relieve your friends, instructors, and significant others from being asked to film your training rides. You wear a “watch” that the robot tracks. Attach the Pixio robot to a compatible video camera, and place the three micro-beacons around the space to be filmed (dressage arena, playing field, dance studio, lecture hall…). The robot controls the camera and zooms in and out automatically. According to the manufacturer, Pixio has a 100-meter range, which makes it more than ample for dressage purposes. More info: Movensee.com.
50 November 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Zip It up with a Versatile Hoof Boot The UK-based brand Woof Wear has a reputation for making tough and well-designed equine leg protection and other products for horse owners. I have some Woof boots that are still going strong after years of use. So I’ll be happy if I find a pair of Woof ’s new Medical Hoof Boots under my tree. These unique-looking boots can be used over poultices and wound dressings, in the treatment of abscesses, and to protect a foot that’s lost a shoe. The boots can be used with or without shoes, and they’re lined with Kevlar for durability. The zippered closure is angled to prevent its opening. The rubber tread on the sole enhances traction, and the Medical Hoof Boot is durable enough to withstand turnout, but it’s not intended for use while riding. It comes in nine sizes so you can get just the right fit for your horse. More info: Toklat.com.
Stay Fresh When I ride, I sweat. A lot. And in keeping with a desire to rid my pantry and bathroom shelves of questionable chemicals and potentially harmful ingredients, I’ve been searching for an alternative to conventional deodorant/antiperspirant products. Not being a regular Shark Tank viewer, I was late to the party in discovering the all-natural deodorant PiperWai, but I’m glad I did. The creamy product smells great, disappears into the skin (no annoying white residue on clothing), doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin even after shaving, and—best of all—works well. I don’t stay 100-percent dry during heavy exertion, but I don’t with conventional antiperspirants, either. The finger-application method doesn’t bother me (PiperWai comes in a glass jar), but I’m nevertheless looking forward to trying the stick-applicator form, which the manufacturer says is coming soon. More info: PiperWai.com.
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Precious USDF gold medal comes with unexpected life lessons By Kelly Eaton
O
n April 8, I received the final score for my USDF gold medal. People have differing opinions about the USDF rider medals and what they mean. Some think that they are too easy to achieve. The scores and the number of rides required, they say, are too low for a medal to be considered a significant award.
mastered some dressage skill set, my Thoroughbred cross gelding, Ali, would tell me that, no silly girl, you know nothing—and here is a dirt sandwich to remind you of your ignorance. Thank you, Ali, for the lessons in humility. The medals mean faith. My longtime trainer and friend, Adam Lastowka, has seen Ali and me progress from Training Level to Grand
SUPPORT TEAM: The writer (right) and her gold-medal partner, Ali, with trainer Adam Lastowka and husband John Eaton
Then there are those who struggle, day in and day out, to get those precious scores of 60 percent. The medals represent the blood, sweat, and tears put into every ride; the traveling to and from lessons; the writing down of every detail of the lesson so they don’t forget. For this group, these medals are priceless. I am one of these, and I’d like to explain what the medals means to me. First, the medals mean humility. Without fail, just when I thought I had
Prix. Not once did he tell me that this was something we couldn’t or shouldn’t do. There were times along the way when it looked as if Ali might make it to Grand Prix, but maybe I couldn’t. Other times, the reverse seemed more likely. With his cleverness, determination, and kindness, Adam was able to make this unlikely pair capable of the impossible. For the many times Ali and I failed, he was there to say, “OK, we’ll try this again
60 November 2016 • USDF CONNECTION
Kelly Eaton, of Hull, GA, is the first whipper-in at the Shakerag Hounds near Athens, GA, where her husband, John, is the huntsman. Kelly also trains and teaches out of Pascova Farm in Athens. She has competed in the upper levels of eventing. In dressage, she is a USDF bronze, silver, and gold medalist and a USDF L graduate.
COURTESY OF KELLY EATON
It Takes a Village
next time.” On April 8, that “next time” came, and we accomplished something truly extraordinary. Thank you, Adam, for your faith. The medals mean guidance. Dr. Laura Molony is not only a good friend, but also one of the most gifted veterinarians I have ever known. Her skill in keeping Ali comfortable and happy is one of the reasons my horse has become more pleasant as he has aged and his workload has gotten harder. She is always there with advice, support, and a wicked sense of humor. Thank you, Laura, for your guidance. The medals mean love. The USDF should acknowledge members’ husbands, wives, and partners with their own special award! The sacrifices my husband, John, has made so that I could do this thing are beyond measure. He has illuminated my arena with truck lights so that I could ride in the earlymorning darkness before a foxhunt. He has always pushed me to get in another ride, another lesson. “Don’t give up,” he said a million times. He would often quote Adam: “Mud is good for passage, so go ride in the rain.” My favorite was when John told Adam to put a Moon Pie in every corner of the arena in an effort to get me to ride into one! Thank you, John, for your love. A dressage judge once told me that every center line is a reflection of a lifetime of stories. Respect them all, as you don’t know what it took for that horse and rider to get to that center line. The same, I feel, is true for the USDF medals. So cheers and congratulations to those who have achieved, and to those who are achieving, kick on and tallyho! I’ll be around, looking for those Moon Pies. ▲
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IN THIS ISSUE
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THE HOTTEST BLOODLINES IN RIO What sport-horse pedigrees were represented in the 2016 Olympics? By Judy Wardrope
THERE’S NO STOPPING GREAT BRITAIN AT THE PARALYMPIC GAMES Sixth consecutive team gold for Team GBR; no medals for USA
4 INSIDE USDF One Size Does Not Fit All By Sue Bender
6 RINGSIDE The Sky’s the Limit By Jennifer O. Bryant
16 HISTORICAL CONNECTION The Honor Roll By Victoria Trout
LESSONS FROM THE WORLD’S BEST
20 ALL-BREEDS CONNECTION Breed of the Month: Lipizzan
Gold medals are great, but the training is what really makes Charlotte Dujardin tick
46 REVIEWS ’Tis the Season for Books
By Kelly Sanchez
HOW THE L PROGRAM CHANGED MY RIDING Programs pays off in improved training, riding—and show scores By Angelia Bean
MEET THE CLINICIANS
By Jennifer O. Bryant
48 STALLION GUIDE Special Advertising Section 56 THE TAIL END The Right Instructor By Donna Dunn
This dynamic duo will lead the 2017 Adequan®/USDF FEI-Level Trainers Conference
22
By Kathie Robertson
IN EVERY ISSUE 8 8 10 50 54 54 55
MEMBER CONNECTION SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT HEADS UP SHOP @ X USDF CONNECTION SUBMISSION GUIDELINES USDF OFFICE CONTACT DIRECTORY ADVERTISING INDEX
ON OUR COVER US para-dressage rider Angela Peavy on Lancelot Warrior made her Paralympic Games debut at Rio 2016. Story, p. 30. Photo by Jon Stroud Media.
Volume 18, Number 7
USDF CONNECTION
•
December 2016/January 2017
3
inside usdf
region3dir@usdf.org
USDF OFFICERS & EXECUTIVE BOARD PRESIDENT
GEORGE WILLIAMS
One Size Does Not Fit All Regional diversity may require “out of the box” solutions
I
VICE PRESIDENT
LISA GORRETTA 18120 Snyder Road, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 (216) 406-5475 • vicepresident@usdf.org SECRETARY
By Sue Bender, USDF Region 3 Director t was 15 years ago that I last sat on the USDF Executive Board. Being away that long—literally; I spent several years in Europe—I can see the changes, both in our country and in our. So this seemed like a good time to look at how things have changed, and how those changes have affected us all. Rule changes. Rules in equestrian organizations above the USDF seem to change almost daily, especially those pertaining to medications and equipment. Riders who compete must stay abreast of the changes so as not to commit a rules violation, and officials also must be up to date to properly enforce the rules. Both can really make your head spin. Competition changes. There have been a number of positive additions in the competition realm, especially for our juniors and young riders. The FEI North American Junior and Young Riders Championships now include divisions for juniors and para-equestrian dressage. The US Equestrian Federation National Dressage Championships now have multiple divisions for youth and young adults: child, pony rider, junior, young rider, and young adult “Brentina Cup.” Another newer program is the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals, with two age divisions for young dressageseat-equitation riders. All of this makes for very busy summers for some parents and kids, but what an experience! Adult riders also have seen positive competition additions. The USEF created its dressage Young Horse and Developing Horse programs, which culminate in six national championships. Now in its fourth year is the US Dressage Finals. These programs have become very popular, and I believe that they have led to better horses and riding in this country. Regional changes. Some parts of the country have seen a massive increase in the number of clinics, symposiums, and
421 Park Forest Way, Wellington, FL 33414 (937) 603-9134 • Fax: (740) 362-5539 president@usdf.org
MARGARET FREEMAN
other educational programs put on by USEF, USDF, USDF’s group-member organizations (GMOs), and private individuals. At times, in parts of my region, USDF members have to decide which program to attend on a given weekend—a wonderful problem to have, but the abundance has made many members reluctant to travel. A result has been a large attendance decline in some programs, including the USDF Adult Clinic Series. The USDF Executive Board has studied and discussed this issue extensively, and a proposed change will be put forth at this month’s Adequan/ USDF Annual Convention. But an even bigger question, in my opinion, is how best to address the growing diversity among USDF’s nine regions, and even within a given region. The regions, which at one time were relatively similar in terms of dressage activity and opportunities, are each now quite unique, with their own challenges and strengths. A “one size fits all” solution no longer seems appropriate or likely to succeed. Even with regional differences, many USDF members share similar sentiments regarding their dressage activities. When I talked with adult amateurs at the Great American/ USDF Region 3 championships this year, most said that what they want is to keep learning, to be competitive, and to have fun with like-minded members from all parts of the region. We hear you, and over the next couple of months we’ll be looking for ways to bring you closer to these goals. There is a lot we can learn from one another! ▲
4 December 2016/January 2017 • USDF CONNECTION
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REGIONAL DIRECTORS REGION 1 DC, DE, MD, NC, NJ, PA, VA
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AT-LARGE DIRECTORS ACTIVITIES COUNCIL
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CAROLYN VANDENBERG 112 Eden Ranch Dr., Canyon Lake, TX 78133 (830) 226-5006 • ald-technical@usdf.org
ringside
jbryant@usdf.org
The Sky’s the Limit Raising the bar higher—and higher—in our sport
The Official Publication of the United States Dressage Federation EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Stephan Hienzsch 859/271-7887 • stephh1enz@usdf.org
——— Editorial——— Competition reports are important, but the USDF’s primary mission is education. There is nothing like watching and learning from the world’s best to raise one’s own riding and training bar. So when USDF vice president Lisa Gorretta suggested that USDF Connection cover the Charlotte Dujardin US clinic in California in October, I was all over it. Our California-based correspondent and award-winning writer Kelly Sanchez got the exclusive media coverage of this major event, including interviews with the British superstar herself. I learned some things reading Kelly’s report, “Lessons from the World’s Best” (p. 36), and I hope you’ll find some new insights for your own riding and training, too. While we’re on the subject of training and instruction, I’ll close this column with the news that we’ve launched a new mini-feature in our “Heads Up” section. In every issue, we’ll introduce you to a USDF-certified instructor or USDF Instructor/Trainer Program faculty member or examiner in “Meet the Instructor.” These professionals have done what is required in many other countries but not in the US: take a rigorous course of study and pass one or more examinations that test their knowledge of dressage riding, teaching, and training. If you’re in the market for an instructor/trainer, check the list of current USDF-certified pros at usdf.org. Then get out there and raise the bar!
Jennifer O. Bryant, Editor @JenniferOBryant
6 December 2016/January 2017 • USDF CONNECTION
EDITOR
Jennifer O. Bryant 610/344-0116 • jbryant@usdf.org CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Hilary M. Clayton, BVMS, PhD, MRCVS EDITORIAL ADVISORS
Melissa Creswick (CA) Margaret Freeman (NC) Lisa Gorretta (OH) Anne Gribbons (FL) Terry Wilson (CA) TECHNICAL ADVISORS
Janine Malone Lisa Gorretta • Elisabeth Williams
——— Production ——— SENIOR PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR
Emily Koenig 859/271-7883 • ekoenig@usdf.org SENIOR CREATIVE COORDINATOR
Karl Lawrence 859/271-7881 • klawrence@usdf.org
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Danielle Titland 720/300-2266 • dtitland@usdf.org USDF Connection is published ten times a year by the United States Dressage Federation, 4051 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511. Phone: 859/9712277. Fax: 859/971-7722. E-mail: usdressage@usdf. org, Web site: www.usdf.org. USDF members receive USDF Connection as a membership benefit, paid by membership dues. Copyright © 2016 USDF. All rights reserved. Reproduction of articles requires permission from USDF. Other text may be reproduced with credit given to USDF Connection. USDF reserves the right to refuse any advertising or copy that is deemed unsuitable for USDF and its policies. Excluding advertisements, all photos with mounted riders must have safety head gear or USEF-approved competition hat. USDF assumes no responsibility for the claims made in advertisements. Statements of fact and opinion are those of the experts consulted and authors, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or the policy of USDF. The publishers reserve the right to reject any advertising deemed unsuitable for USDF, as well as the right to reject or edit any manuscripts received for publication. USDF assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. All materials must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Questions about your subscription or change in address? Contact USDF Membership Department, 859/971-2277, or usdressage@usdf.org. POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: USDF, 4051 IRON WORKS PARKWAY, LEXINGTON, KY 40511. Canadian Agreement No. 1741527. Canada return address: Station A, P.O. Box 54, Windsor, Ontario N9A 6J5.
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P
erformances at international championships aren’t the be-alland-end-all of the sport, but they do serve as benchmarks: the state of dressage judging, the power players, and the level of quality currently required to medal. They produce those moments of reckoning—“Are we there yet?”—that tell nations whether they have arrived or whether they still have work to do. As we prepare to close the door on 2016, we look back on the Rio Olympic Games as a new high-water mark, both for our sport and for Team USA. The soon-to-retire British superstar horse Valegro and rider Charlotte Dujardin’s swan song was an individual gold medal whose record-breaking score may stand for some time. And when Team USA’s dressage chef d’équipe, Robert Dover, is asked, “Are we there yet?”, he can answer YES—finally atop the Olympic medal podiums after 12 years away. Several features in this issue celebrate this new level of dressage excellence. Freelance writer and sport-horse pedigree specialist Judy Wardrope analyzed the bloodlines of the Rio Olympic dressage team medalists. She then compared those bloodlines with those of the team medalists from the Rio Paralympic Games. In her report, “The Hottest Bloodlines in Rio” (p. 22), you’ll learn which breeds and lines are consistently producing top performers in our sport. Then we move on to a look at the Paralympic Games para-equestrian dressage competition itself. When US national para-dressage coach Kai Handt asks himself the “Are we there yet?” question, the answer is no. Our mostly young and inexperienced Team USA has a ways to go before it can give the juggernaut from Great Britain a run for its gold medals. But our wonderful riders and horses did a fine job in Rio, and they are on a promising path of progress. Read more on page 30.
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The Pursuit of Art
I
really enjoyed USDF CONNECTION your letter in ANNUAL EQUINE-ART ISSUE the October issue (“Ringside: In the Eye of the Beholder”). Your writing summed up so eloquently what I want to say to all the non-horsey people over the last 30 years who have asked, “What is it, this ‘dressage,’ that you do?” It all started for me in 1982. While clumsily “exercising” a friend’s horse in a makeshift grass arena in her parents’ yard—my first time in an English saddle—I looked over next door to see a stunning, muscled, athletic horse performing ballerina-like movements. The rest is history: my own horsey journey as a working student for the neighbor of my friend; a 15-year hiatus while raising four kids; resignation turned to encouragement by my husband; my investment in a five-monthold—my first and only horse—at age 45; bringing her up awkwardly with starts and stops until today, where our partnership of 11 years has us schooling at almost Third Level. What is this “dressage” I do? A personal lifelong pursuit to blend sport, art, and soul. You said it best: “But sometimes, riding at home or in the competition arena, dressage gets touched with grace, and horse and rider produce a little bit of art.” Thank you. Deb Parent West Lafayette, IN RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP/P. 23 • CONVENTION PREVIEW/P. 30 W W W. U S D F. O R G
OCTOBER 2016
Official Publication of the United States Dressage Federation
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH! Colorado Hosts NAJYRC (p. 34)
George Williams: Get Your Horse in Front of Your Seat Choose the Right Saddle Pad (p. 24)
Young Rider gold medalist Nicholas Hansen on Ritter Benno
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8 December 2016/January 2017 • USDF CONNECTION
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HEADS UP
YOUR DRESSAGE WORLD THIS MONTH
COMPETITION
Irish Rider Takes a Bite out of the Big Apple Valegro, Charlotte Dujardin make celebrity appearance
LUCK OF THE IRISH: Judy Reynolds and Vancouver K dominated the Rolex Central Park Horse Show dressage competition
$75,000 US Open Dressage Freestyle presented by the Axel Johnson Group on 77.051 percent to a compilation of Beatles songs and other classics. “For Ireland it is quite historic,” said Reynolds, 35, who hails from Kildare and who has been based in Germany for the past 15 years. “I don’t think anybody has ever won two classes in one weekend at a CDI, so it’s nice to have done that.” (Their CDI winning streak continued the very next weekend, when they won both the Grand Prix and the GP Freestyle at Dressage at Devon in Pennsylvania.) Seven horse-and-rider combinations took part in the dressage competition. In the Grand Prix, Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfvén on Paridon Magi took second place,
while the recently married Canadian Brittany FraserBeaulieu and her Dutch gelding, All In, were third. In the GP Freestyle, Vilhelmson-Silfvén was again second, while third place went to Denmark’s Mikala Gundersen on My Lady. The CPHS also featured hunters, jumpers, and Arabian competitions, plus Pony Club games, pony rides, and other attractions on Sunday’s Family Day. But the biggest draw for many was the “How to Train Your Dragon” freestyle exhibition by the UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL: After Valegro’s reigning Olympic freestyle exhibition, rider Charlotte Dujardin champion, invited the CPHS audience into the ring to meet, Valegro, who pet, and take selfies with the superstar horse officially retires in December. Rider Charlotte Dujardin then invited the audience into the ring to meet her superstar. The ensuing mob scene would have sent most horses leaping all the way back to England, but “Blueberry” stood patiently while his adoring fans petted him and took photos with him, only his elegant head visible above the throng. —Amber Heintzberger
10 December 2016/January 2017 • USDF CONNECTION
Digital Edition Bonus Content
Watch highlights from the 2016 Rolex Central Park Horse Show.
AMBER HEINTZBERGER
I
reland’s Judy Reynolds swept the dressage division at the 2016 Rolex Central Park Horse Show, held September 21-25 in New York City. She and the KWPN gelding Vancouver K put in two forward, correct tests to definitively dominate the competition, recognized for the first time this year as a CDI4*. The pair was fresh off representing Ireland at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in August. In the US Open FEI Grand Prix, Reynolds and Vancouver K won on a score of 73.800 percent. The following evening, under the lights and with the city skyline framing the Wollman Rink arena, they won the
Charlotte Bredahl-Baker Receives HSUS Horse Hero Award
THE NEAR SIDE
The Humane Society of the United States honored 1992 US Olympic dressage team bronze medalist, FEI 4* dressage judge, and US national assistant dressage youth coach Charlotte Bredahl-Baker with its 2016 Horse Hero Award. Presented October 9 near Bredahl-Baker’s hometown of Solvang, CA, the award recognizes “her work using horses as teachers and encouraging young equestrians to achieve their greatest potential as well as treating their horses with the utmost care and respect,” according to the HSUS press release. She is pictured accepting the award alongside Aiden Francis, a boy she mentors.
MEET THE INSTRUCTOR
Alexa “Ali” Perkins, Wilton, ME
MICHAEL UNDERWOOD/AP IMAGES FOR THE HSUS; COURTESY OF ALI PERKINS
M
eet Ali Perkins! She became a USDF-certified instructor, Training through First Levels, in March 2016. She studied secondary education at the University of Maine and plans to teach elementary school next year while continuing to work as a dressage instructor. How I got started in dressage: I began my riding career at Mollyockett Pony Club, where I evented through Training Level and earned my HB rating. I participated in Lendon Gray’s Winter Intensive Training Program and became Lendon’s assistant
in 2015. I am currently running the Ridgewood Farm summer riding camp. My horse: Last winter, Dressage4Kids gave me
an FEI-level horse named Santé. Through the Instructor/Trainer Program, I strengthened my relationship with Santé and
ACCOMPLISHED: Perkins
USDF CONNECTION
•
continued his training. Highlight of the Instructor/Trainer Program: The unforgettable part was the opportunity to work with faculty members Annie Morris and Bill McMullin while connecting with other young professionals. Training tip: Riders need to be as fit and supple as they expect their horses to be! Position work, stretching, and fitness work out of the saddle will bring success. Contact me: alexa. perkins@maine.edu or (207) 829-6242. —Jamie Humphries
December 2016/January 2017
11
HEADS UP
YOUR DRESSAGE WORLD THIS MONTH
OBITUARY
Weltino’s Magic
T
ALWAYS A CHAMPION: Winning team and individual gold with Steffen Peters at the 2011 Pan American Games in Mexico
EDUCATION
OBITUARY
Wim Ernes
Lendon Gray to Keynote Weekend Program
A
keynote speech by Olympian Lendon Gray will be a highlight of the fifteenth annual Dressage4Kids Weekend Equestrian Program, January 28-29 in Woodbury, CT. The program— part of Gray’s Dressage4Kids educational offerings that also include the Emerging Dressage Athlete Program and the Youth Dressage Festival—is not only for youth, but also for riders of all ages, parents, and NEXT GENERATION: Gray and a Weekend dressage profesEducation Program participant sionals. The 2017 lineup includes an eventing forum, a judges’ forum, and a business-management seminar for pros. Learn more at Dressage4Kids.org.
12 December 2016/January 2017 • USDF CONNECTION
The Chronicle of the Horse named him its 2011 Overall Horse of the Year. Peters’ wife, Shannon Peters, rode “Magic” when he was a young horse, winning the reserve Six-Year-Old title at the Markel/USEF National Young Horse Championships. In 2012, paired with Brandi Roenick, Magic won Young Rider individual and freestyle gold medals at the Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships. Shannon Peters then brought the horse up to Grand Prix. This year, with Shannon’s student Ehren Volk, Magic returned successfully to the Young Rider ring.
T
he Dutch FEI 5* dressage judge and longtime Dutch national dressage-team coach Wim Ernes died November 1 after a battle with cancer. He was 58. Ernes judged at the 2012 London Olympics, three FEI World Cup Dressage GONE TOO SOON: At a judges’ press conference at the 2012 Finals, and the London Olympic Games 2007 FEI European Championships. He coached the Dutch team to team and individual silver and individual bronze medals at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, and team gold and individual bronze at the 2015 European Championships. For three years, he also chaired the KWPN Stallion Dressage Selection Committee. The week of his death, the Royal Dutch Equestrian Federation presented Ernes with its prestigious golden KNHS award. The 2015 European Championships goldmedal team members—Edward Gal, Hans Peter Minderhoud, Diederik van Silfhout, and Patrick van der Meer—carried the coffin at Ernes’ November 5 funeral, according to the FEI.
DIANA DE ROSA; COURTESY OF DRESSAGE4KIDS; JENNIFER BRYANT
he 2011 Pan American Games team and individual dressage gold medalist, Weltino’s Magic, died November 3 after complications from colic surgery. He was 14. Owned by Dr. Jen Hlavacek of Las Vegas, the Westfalen gelding (by Weltino) achieved small-tour worldrecord scores with rider Steffen Peters, San Diego, CA. Prior to their Pan Am sweep in Guadalajara, Mexico, the pair won the Prix St. Georges and the Intermediate I in Aachen, Germany. Weltino’s Magic was the 2011 Adequan/USDF Prix St. Georges and Intermediate I Horse of the Year, and
HEADS UP
YOUR DRESSAGE WORLD THIS MONTH
USDF BULLETINS
What you need to know this month Do You Need to Declare a Change of Region? GREAT AMERICAN INSURANCE GROUP/USDF Regional Dressage Championships competitors: USDF presumes that you’ll compete in your home region, which is determined by the address associated with the rider’s membership information on file as of July 1. But you may choose to compete in any region: Simply submit a Change of Region form along with a $25 processing fee (if submitting before July 1; after July 1, late fees apply). Find the form and more information on the Regional Championships Competitors page of the USDF website.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Bo Lofvander, Back on Track (USA)
J
ob title: Owner, Back on Track (USA subsidiary), Pottstown, PA (backontrackproducts.com)
2016 Awards Coming Your Way Soon!
Discounts Available to USDF Members RENEW YOUR USDF MEMBERSHIP to take advantage of great member perks in 2017. USDF’s Member Perks partners include DressageClinic.com, Dressage Extensions, DressageTrainingOnline.com, HotelStorm, MyDressageStats.com, Premier Equestrian, and US Rider. Renew today to start saving!
Graceful Exit
After judging the final CDI (FEI dressage competition) of her career, the Grand Prix Freestyle at Devon (PA) October 1, FEI 5* dressage judge Lilo Fore of California (front row, fourth from right) is presented with flowers by USDF president George Williams while other judges and officials look on. The FEI requires judges to retire at the beginning of the year in which they turn 71. As a USEF “S” judge, however, Fore may continue to officiate at national-level dressage competitions.
14 December 2016/January 2017 • USDF CONNECTION
SUCCESS TRACK: Lofvander
What I do: Everything. I mostly make sure we have product and make sure the whole operation runs smoothly. I used to travel a lot. For the first seven years, I lived in hotels. Now, we are pretty well known. Plus, a few years ago I began a family. That changes your life. At work, I have great people who make my job easier. You succeed in business by finding the right people and putting them in the right spot. How I got started: I fell into it. I used to train and sell Standardbreds. A friend of mine found the product on a racehorse. She asked me to help her out. When she stopped, I took it over. We’ve been in business in the US since April 2013; overseas since 2000. Best thing about my job: You meet a lot of nice people. Worst thing about my job: The hours. It’s 24/7 when you run a company, even a small one. My horses: I own a couple of Standardbred broodmares and yearlings. No racing. I used to do it myself, so it’s hard to get the bills. I own a piece here and there. Some people have boats as a hobby; I have horses. Tip: Prepare. Perform. Recover. —Katherine Walcott
STACYLYNNEPHOTO.COM; COURTESY OF BO LOFVANDER
AWARDS NOT PICKED UP at the 2016 Salute Gala & Annual Awards Banquet will be mailed to recipients at the end of December. Please contact the USDF office if you have not received your award by January 30, 2017.
DONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T MISS OUT! Renew your membership by 12/31 to receive the 2016 Yearbook. To renew your membership and take advantage of the 2017 Member Perks, visit
www.usdf.org/join USDF 2017 Member Perk Partners Discounts available to 2017 USDF members DressageClinic.com Educational videos from the top dressage trainers around the globe. 15% discount on membership
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historical connection
We welcome the 2016 Hall of Fame inductees, Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, and—new this year—a Member of Distinction By Victoria Trout
O
ne of the highlights of the annual USDF Salute Gala & Annual Awards Banquet is the presentation of USDF’s highest honors. As nominated by USDF members, researched and recommended by the USDF Historical Recognition Committee, and given final approval by the USDF Executive Board, these awards recognize individuals who have make extraordinary contributions to our sport and to the USDF. The list of Roemer Foundation/ USDF Hall of Fame inductees reads like a Who’s Who in American Dressage. Hall of Fame members are the most influential people and horses in American dressage history, from USDF founder Lowell Boomer, to the groundbreaking Thoroughbred Keen, to six-time Olympian Robert Dover. The USDF Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have amassed an outstanding record of volunteer contributions to the USDF on a national level. Over the years we’ve honored those who have served in many capacities, including the late USDF past president Lazelle Knocke and, most recently, the late former USDF Region 4 director and show manager extraordinaire Lloyd Landkamer. Other USDF members’ contributions toward furthering USDF’s mission of education, recognition of achievement, and promotion of dressage are made primarily on a local or regional level. To recognize these outstanding members, the Executive Board in 2015 approved the creation of the new Member of Distinction award. At the 2016 Adequan/USDF Annual Convention in St. Louis in December, we will honor three outstanding individuals and one legendary horse. Let’s meet them now.
Hall of Fame Lilian Wittmack Roye
EQUESTRIAN FLAIR: Striking a circus pose with the jumper Kentucky, a Danish Warmblood mare
Lilian Wittmack Roye (1920-2001) was instrumental in the development of dressage in the US after emigrating from Denmark at the close of World War II. Her mother, Renee Wittmack, ran a riding school in Copenhagen, and Lilian rode from an early age. In 1939, she became the first woman ever to enter and win the jumping Grand Prix de la Ville de Lucerne (Switzerland) CHIO. But rules in her home country prevented Lilian Wittmack from being able to show and be an equestrian professional at the same time, so she sought out a country where she would be able to do both. In 1949, Wittmack got a one-year contract with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus and moved to its headquarters city of Sarasota, FL. She would log 20,000 miles traveling with the circus and performing with her horses in the coveted center ring, during which time she met her future husband, George Roye. The couple married in 1950 and settled in York, PA, not far from Roye’s home town, where they built the area’s first indoor arena and founded Bri-Mar
16 December 2016/January 2017 • USDF CONNECTION
Stables, named for Roye’s two sons from a previous marriage. After hosting a few unrecognized shows, Lilian Wittmack Roye in 1955 organized the first American Horse Shows Association (AHSA, now the US Equestrian Federation) -recognized dressage show ever held in the US—despite the fact that that AHSA told her not to bother because no one was interested in dressage. Roye proved the AHSA wrong, with her show attracting riders from as far away as Canada and Michigan. She hand-wrote all of the tests, which she translated from the Danish, and judged the show herself. In another pioneering move, in 1958 Roye founded the International Equestrian Organization (IEO), the oldest dressage club in the US and the USDF’s oldest charter group-member organization, or GMO. The IEO hosted recognized dressage shows, and in 1976 it produced another milestone: the first US CDI (FEI-sanctioned dressage competition), held at the York Fairgrounds. “Lilian was known as the center of real, truly European dressage. She was the guru,” said the late Lazelle Knocke, a past USDF president and founder of another charter GMO, the New Jersey-based Eastern States Dressage and Combined Training Association. Roye was ahead of her time by nearly two decades: The USDF itself wasn’t founded until 1973. For her groundbreaking efforts in bringing dressage to the US, the USDF is proud to be inducting her into the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame. Rocher Many US horses enjoy successful Grand Prix-level dressage careers. But of those, precious few are selected for induction into the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame. Why? According to the nomination criteria, horses should have “contributed to excellence in dressage” or “served as ambassadors to the sport.” This year’s equine inductee did both. Every once in a while, a horse comes along that captures the pub-
USDF ARCHIVE
The Honor Roll
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TERRI MILLER
THE DIVA: 2002 Dressage at Devon (PA) Grand Prix victory lap with rider George Williams
lic’s imagination. Lendon Gray’s Grand Prix-level pony Seldom Seen (inducted in 2005) was one. Debbie McDonald’s legendary mare, Brentina (2009), is another. And then there was Rocher. The jet-black, drop-dead-gorgeous 1991 Westfalen mare (Rolls Royce – Fraenzi) simultaneously wowed audiences with her talent and charmed them with her long, expressive lop ears. Imported from Germany and owned by Ohioans Charles and Joann Smith, “the Diva,” as many affectionately called Rocher, put a then fairly well-known rider named George Williams solidly on the international map. Williams and Rocher racked up title after title. In 2002, they won the Dressage at Devon (PA) Grand Prix Freestyle and the USDF Region 2 GP open championship. In 2003, representing the US, they placed fifth at the FEI World Cup Dressage Final; and Rocher went on to become that year’s USDF Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle Horse of the Year, and The Chronicle of the Horse’s Dressage Horse of the Year. In 2005, the pair won the GP Freestyle at Devon for a record third time; won the USEF National Grand Prix Dressage Championship; and competed as part of the US dressage team at the renowned CDIO Aachen in Germany. Williams and the Smiths had even bigger dreams for Rocher—like the World Equestrian Games and the OlymUSDF CONNECTION • December 2016/January 2017
17
historical connection
Lifetime Achievement Award Dr. Samuel Barish
HIS FINEST HOUR: Cutting the ribbon at the 2006 opening of the USDF National Education Center at the Kentucky Horse Park
It always surprises dressage enthusiasts to learn that one of the sport’s biggest movers and shakers isn’t, strictly speaking, a dressage enthusiast. Samuel Barish, PhD, is a physicist who currently manages the Laboratory Technology Research Program at the US Department of Energy in Germantown, MD. Barish, 72, is not a rider. He is not a horse owner. But he was a “horse husband” (his ex-wife was a dressage rider), and that’s where it all started. Somewhere along the way, Sam Barish’s own dressage interests blossomed, and he became active in the sport to an unprecedented level for a non-horse enthusiast. Barish served as president of the Western Pennsylvania Dressage association in 1977 before focusing his volunteer efforts on the Potomac Valley Dressage Association, whose locus is closer to his Rockville, MD, hometown.
He became active in the PVDA, beginning as a show announcer in 1980. In 1983, he founded the Colonel Bengt Ljungquist Memorial Championships— a championships for members of GMOs in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast—that today remains a prestigious event, and managed the series from its founding to 1995. In 1983, Barish also earned his dressage technical delegate’s license. He would go on to serve as PVDA president from 1984 through 1988. From there, Barish stepped up to national-level volunteerism. He was the USDF Region 1 director from 1988 to 1995, USDF vice president from 1997 to 1999, and USDF president from 2000 to 2009. He has served on the USEF Board of Directors, the USEF High Performance Dressage Committee, and the USEF Dressage Committee, and was vice president of FEI Affiliates from 2005 to 2007. With the United States Equestrian Team Foundation, he served as a member of its Planning, National Governing Body Advisory, and Hearing Committees as well as its Executive Committee, Board of Trustees, and Dressage Committee. On Barish’s watch as president, the USDF underwent the most significant period of change in the organization’s 43-year history. In 2000, he appointed the relocation committee that ultimately steered the Federation from its birthplace of Lincoln, NE, to the “Horse Capital of the World,” Lexington, KY. Ensconced in a suburban office building, the USDF was closer to the action but needed to raise millions of dollars in order to secure a permanent home at the epicenter of all things equine in the US, the National Horse Center at the Kentucky Horse Park. Under Barish’s leadership, the USDF undertook a successful capital campaign that raised the funds needed to construct its National Education Center and permanent headquarters at the Horse Park, in a prime location next door to the USEF. Other Barish achievements as president weren’t as obvious as the bricks-and-mortar HQ building but were also groundbreaking. He signed the first-ever Memorandum of Under-
18 December 2016/January 2017 • USDF CONNECTION
standing between USEF and USDF to open communication and foster better understanding between USEF and its dressage affiliate organization. In 2007, he developed the USDF’s strategic plan that for years has helped to guide the organization’s mission and efforts. Says current USDF president George Williams: “Through his tenacity, Sam got a job done that many did not believe was possible. He was the major force behind the USDF’s move to our own building at the Kentucky Horse Park. As he believed it would, the move cut our operating costs, allowing us to direct more funding into programs that benefit our members.”
Member of Distinction Janne Rumbough
LIFELONG RIDER: With her PRE gelding, Junior, in 2015
The new USDF Member of Distinction award recognizes a member who has demonstrated exceptional commitment in his or her local area or region toward carrying out USDF’s mission, or who has demonstrated longevity of excellence in the sport of dressage and has made outstanding contributions to the growth, development, quality, popularity, and appreciation of the sport at a local or regional level. The inaugural USDF Member of Distinction award goes to Janne Rumbough. Rumbough, 72, of Palm Beach, FL, is an adult-amateur rider who has been
JENNIFERMUNSON.COM; JONNA J. KOELLHOFFER/SUSANJSTICKLE.COM
pics—but injuries cut short the mare’s career, and she was retired in 2009. Even though she never won a medal, Rocher left an indelible mark on American dressage and all those who know her. “Rocher took a dream and made it a reality,” said Charles Smith. “She took us all over the world and filled us with pride. She has incredible character and inspired her fans wherever she showed.”
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a model to amateurs, professionals, and juniors in many capacities. In 1979, she and fellow members of the GMO now known as the Gold Coast Dressage Association organized the first dressage show in Wellington, FL. Four years later, she helped to establish the Palm Beach Dressage Derby, the longest-standing CDI in Florida and one of the oldest in the US, thereby earning the nickname “Wellington’s First Lady of Dressage.” Rumbough helped to raise an unprecedented $25,000 in prize money for that first Derby, and “this really changed the picture for high-class dressage, because there was no show like it in the whole world with that much prize money,” she recalled. Rumbough has supported our sport with her own money, as well. She was a major USDF capital-campaign donor. Danish-born, she sponsors the Florida-based Danish dressage rider Mikala Münter Gundersen through the ownership of Gundersen’s international mount My Lady. Said award nominator and FEI 3*
dressage judge Kristi Wysocki: “Ms. Rumbough has played one of the most active roles in developing the sport of dressage in Florida. She hasn’t just given money to the sport; she has given hundreds of hours of time over the years to make sure the sport develops with sportsmanship, honor, and love for the horse as the priorities. She has played a role both locally and nationally in helping the sport survive through hard times, not just good times.” Rumbough’s riding and training achievements are equally impressive. Among the many awards she has won are the USDF bronze, silver, and gold medals and the USDF silver and gold freestyle bars. Aboard her self-trained
PRE gelding, Junior, she won the Grand Prix Freestyle Amateur Championship at the 2014 US Dressage Finals. Junior is among several horses Rumbough has trained to Grand Prix, and she is also a breeder of PRE horses. Earlier this year, Rumbough was presented with the 2016 Carol Cohen Global Dressage Visionary Award for her continued dedication to the sport as a rider, owner, and longtime supporter. To learn more about Rumbough’s life and dressage contributions, see “The Amateur Ambassador,” April 2015. ▲ Victoria Trout is a USDF senior education coordinator and the liaison to the USDF Historical Recognition Committee.
Do You Know Someone Worthy?
T
he USDF Historical Recognition Committee welcomes nominations for the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame, the USDF Lifetime Achievement Award, and the USDF Member of Distinction award. Nominations are due by May 1 of each year. For criteria and nomination forms, go to usdf.org/halloffame/nominations. Questions? Send e-mail to halloffame@usdf.org.
Lipizzan photo by FastWinn Photography
photo by John Borys
The Legend in Your Future
photo by John Borys orys
Pluto VI Andorella
Pluto Virtuosa 47
Arcola
UNITED STATES LIPIZZAN FE FEDERATION Learn about Lipizzaners & locate a breeder by visiting:
USLipizzan.org • 503-589-3172
USDF CONNECTION • December 2016/January 2017
19
all-breeds connection
Enthusiasts preserve the heritage of this rare and celebrated breed
L
ipizzans represent more than 400 years of careful breeding of superb horses gathered from all over the world. Because gray was the color favored by the rulers of the Austrian Empire, who controlled most Lipizzan breeding for hundreds of years, it remains by far the most prevalent color. But black, bay, and even chestnut individuals can be found.
The feet tend to be large, and the hooves are tough. Lipizzan horses tend to mature slowly. However, they live and are active longer than many other breeds, with horses performing the difficult exercises of the Spanish Riding School well into their twenties and living long into their thirties. Lipizzans have an innate work ethic and are sensitive without being spooky. As with most baroque breeds, they have a natural inclination toward collection. Although they are smaller than most warmbloods, their breadth takes up a rider’s leg well and makes then suitable for dressage competitors of all heights and sizes. Lipizzans you might know: The Grand Prix-level stallion Pluto VI Andorella (pictured), owned by Linda Leffingwell and ridden by Amanda Johnson, competed in the CDI Devon (PA) GOING FOR BAROQUE: The Grand Prix-level Lipizzan stallion in 2015 and in the CDI Pluto VI Andorella, owned by Linda Leffingwell (IL) and ridden Omaha (NE) in 2016. by Amanda Johnson (WI) Five Lipizzans were slated to compete at the Most Lipizzans measure between 2016 US Dressage Finals: Favory Cana14.2 and 15.2 hands, with horses da and Katy Myllykangas (Third Level), closer to the original carriage type Neapolitano Gloria and Kate Phillips being taller, approaching 16.1 hands. (Second Level), and Kulpa and Laura The Lipizzan has a long head with a Myllykangas (First Level), all owned by straight or slightly convex profile. The Kate Phillips (MN); Maestoso Alfaya jaw is deep, the ears small, the eyes II, bred and owned by Tempel Farms large and expressive, and the nos(IL), and Jessica Starck (Training and trils flared. The breed is baroque in First Levels); and the Lipizzan cross type, with a wide, deep chest; a broad Vignette, owned and ridden by Jill croup; and a muscular shoulder. The Dearing (WI) (Fourth Level). tail is carried high and well set. The The United States Lipizzan legs are well-muscled and strong, with Federation: The mission of the USLF broad joints and well-defined tendons. is to preserve, protect, and promote
20 December 2016/January 2017 • USDF CONNECTION
the rare Lipizzan breed by educating breeders, providing opportunities for evaluation of horses, and maintaining a stud book of evaluated breeding stock. All-Breeds awards offered: All levels in the open, adult amateur, junior/young rider, Vintage Cup, and Musical Freestyle categories. How to participate: Lipizzans and Lipizzan crosses must be registered with the USLF, and owners and riders must be USLF members. Learn more: USLipizzan.org. ▲
For the Breeds, by the Breeds
E
ach month, “All-Breeds Connection” spotlights a USDF All-Breeds awards program participating organization and the breed it represents. Information and photos that appear in this column are furnished by the breed registries. USDF does not endorse or promote any breed or registry over another. The All-Breeds program is designed to recognize the accomplishments of specific breeds in dressage. All participating organizations offer “open” yearend awards from Training Level through Grand Prix, and some offer awards in additional categories, such as adult amateur, junior/young rider, and dressage sport-horse breeding. Registry representatives are usually on hand to help bestow awards at the banquet held during each year’s USDF convention. All-Breeds award eligibility requirements include memberships and horse registrations with both USDF and the participating organization. For details and a list of current participating organizations, visit usdf.org. For more information about All-Breeds awards program participation, send e-mail to allbreeds@usdf.org.
JOHN BORYS PHOTOGRAPHY
Breed of the Month: Lipizzan
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I
n the belief that “blood will tell,” sport-horse enthusiasts like to analyze the pedigrees of top performers. Their goal: identify patterns and trends indicating that certain bloodlines are reliably producing the types of movement, temperament, and physical longevity that make for excellence in dressage. What were the hottest bloodlines at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro? To find out, let’s take a closer look at the ancestry of the dressage medalists.
Team Gold: Germany Weihegold OLD Leading the German squad was the individual silver medalist, Isabell Werth, on the 2005 Oldenburg mare Weihegold OLD. Contrary to tradition, the mare’s name starts with a W instead of the expected D for her sire, Don Schufro, himself an Olympic dressage competitor who won team bronze in 2008. Don Schufro’s pedigree contains the potent Donnerhall/Pik Bube I cross as well as a dash of Trakehner through Donauwind, and Don Schufro is the sire of such international performers as Diamond Hit and Paragon. Weihegold’s dam, Weihevoll, is by Sandro Hit (Sandro Song/Ramino), an international dressage mount and the sire of such notables as Showtime FRH (team gold and individual sixth place in Rio), Sancette, Sir Donnerhall I, Sir Donnerhall II, Show Star, Selten HW, Santana 1111, Jimmie Choo SEQ, Sandro Boy 9, and the international eventer Santano II. Weihevoll also traces to two influential Thoroughbreds: Furioso (originally used in Selle Français breeding and found in nearly all the warmblood registries) and Volkorn (by Neckar and used by several German registries). Desperados FRH Hot on Weihegold’s heels in the individual bronze-medal spot was Desperados FRH, a 2001 Hanoverian stallion sired by the international dressage competitor De Niro (by Donnerhall). De Niro also carries the blood of Akzent II (by Absatz), Weisenbaum (a Thoroughbred by Birkhahn), and Ferdinand. Desperados’ dam, Wie Musik, is by Wolkenstein II, a son of the famous Weltmeyer (Hanoverian dressage influence), who also has Ferdinand in his background. On her dam’s side we find Matcho (an Anglo-Arabian of considerable influence) and Pik König (sire of Pik Bube I).
DIANA DE ROSA
BRED FOR SUCCESS: The pedigree of the Rio dressage individual silver medalist, Weihegold OLD, contains proven bloodline crosses and producers
Showtime FRH The individual sixth-place finisher in Rio was the 2006 Hanoverian gelding Showtime FRH, a son of Sandro Hit, who comes from the Sacramento Song sire line and is the damsire of Weihegold. Sandro Hit was a top dressage competitor, and he went on to be a leading sire of dressage horses. USDF CONNECTION
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Showtime’s dam is by the international dressage horse Rotspon (Rubinstein I/Argentan I/Pik Bube I) and out of a Donnerhall/Pik Bube I mare. If you recall, we saw the combination of Donnerhall, Pik Bube I, and Sandro Hit in Weihegold’s pedigree. In addition, Sandro Hit sired Santana 1111 from a Rubinstein I/Donnerhall mare. Cosmo 59 The youngest member of the German team, Sonke Rothenberger, rode the 2007 KWPN gelding Cosmo 59. Cosmo’s sire, Van Gogh, was a jumper from a strong jumping sire line: Numero Uno, Libero H, Landgraf I. Other notables in Van Gogh’s lineage include Bernstein (Ramiro Z) and Burggraaf (Landgraf I). Cosmo’s dam continues the jumping trend with Landjonker (Landadel by Landgraf I) as a sire. The dressage in-
fluence starts with Aktion, the sire of the second dam, and would end with that international dressage horse if not for the presence of Farn. Aktion competed at the upper levels of dressage and began his stud career in the Netherlands before being exported to Hungary.
Team Silver: Great Britain Valegro The British team was once again led by the seemingly invincible duo of Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro, who repeated as the individual gold medalists. One might assume that the 2002 KWPN (Dutch Warmblood) gelding comes from a line of outstanding dressage horses, but does he? Valegro’s sire, Negro, was a lovely dressage horse in his younger years, but he did not stay in competition long
Bloodlines in Paralympic Dressage
T
he 2016 Rio Paralympic Games mounts are elite dressage horses in their own right. You might have wondered whether para-equestrian dressage horses’ pedigrees differ from those of their Olympic dressage colleagues, or whether there is more variety in breeds, registries, or bloodlines in para-dressage. So let’s take a look. Our sample group for para-dressage bloodlines is the team medalists from Rio. Because each Paralympic team consisted of a mix of para-equestrian grades (classifications of severity of disability), we should get a broad sample by examining the lineage of their mounts.
Team Gold: Great Britain
SURPRISE: The 2016 British Paralympic team gold medalist and Grade Ia individual and freestyle silver medalist, LJT Lucas Normark, is a registered Danish Warmblood—with a couple of Appaloosas in the woodpile
His damsire, Pallex Af Ulstrup, was solid black in color and competed at the lower levels in dressage. Valerius, a Grade IV horse, is a KWPN by Flemmingh and out of a daughter of Rex Magna (Thoroughbred). Flemmingh, a Holsteiner, is a noted sire of dressage horses for the KWPN, with the likes of Lingh and Krack C to his credit. He is also the damsire of Glock’s Johnson, who finished ninth individually at the 2016 Olympics under Hans-Peter Minderhoud of the Netherlands.
Team Silver: Germany Regaliz, a Grade Ia mount, is a KWPN mare by Jazz, an international dressage competitor and the sire of Glock’s Johnson. Jazz is not noted for passing on a
24 December 2016/January 2017 • USDF CONNECTION
FEI PHOTO
Cabral, a Grade II mount, is a Polish Trakehner gelding. His sire, Bujak, was an international eventer; and his grandsire, the Thoroughbred Sir Shostakovich, was a jumper. Cabral was sold to the UK as a jumper and was evented prior to converting to dressage in 2009. The Danish Warmblood mare Athene Lindebjerg is a Grade Ia mount. Her sire, Gribaldi, is also the sire of the 2016 British Olympic team silver medalist Orthilia. Her dam, a daughter of Diamant, also produced Alina, a Grand Prix dressage mount for the USA’s Arlene “Tuny” Page. At first glance the pedigree of the Grade Ia mount LJT Lucas Normark appears to be that of a Danish Warmblood, as both of his parents are so registered. But a look at the actual horse and his leopard markings make it obvious that there is Appaloosa in his background. It comes through his sire, Ravaldi, who has two Appaloosa grandparents.
enough to wow the judges at the Grand Prix level season after season as his son has done. Negro also sired the 2013 US Dressage Finals Grand Prix Freestyle champion, Unico G. Negro’s sire, Ferro, was a consistent dressage performer on the international stage and, as a sire, boasts descendants in all three Olympic disciplines. His best dressage performers include US rider Courtney Dye’s 2008 Olympic partner, Mythilus (dam by Purioso from the Furioso sire line); and Dutchman Edward Gal’s international mount Glock’s Undercover (dam by Donnerhall). Ferro’s heritage shows such major influences in KWPN breeding as Ulft, Le Mexico, and Farn. Any likely surprise in Negro’s lineage comes in the form of his granddam, Mewrie, a national-level jumper sired by an international jumper named Gondelier. Valegro’s dam is by Gershwin, a Dutch-bred jumper who was exported first to Sweden and then to Italy. Gershwin
sired the US dressage horse Goldwing as well as other dressage mounts and jumpers. He carries the influences of the important stallions Voltaire (Furioso sire line) and Nimmerdor (by Farn). Valegro’s dam also traces to Ladykiller, a Thoroughbred who factors in the foundations of several warmblood registries. Nip Tuck The 2004 KWPN gelding Nip Tuck, who was seventh individually in Rio under Carl Hester, is by Don Ruto, a Donnerhall grandson who also traces to Graphit, Rubinstein I (ancestor to Showtime FRH), and Matador (by Donauwind). Although Don Ruto is considered KWPN, his ancestry is Oldenburg, Hanoverian, Westfalen, and Trakehner. Nip Tuck’s dam is by Amino (by Alme), an international jumper and the sire of numerous jumpers, a few eventers, and a scant number of dressage horses. His dam shows the
calm disposition, but Regaliz would contradict that belief. The dam of Regaliz traces to Ramiro Z and Furioso. Nea’s Daboun, an Oldenburg and a Grade Ib mount, is by Dressage Royal and out of a mare by Placido. Dressage Royal is a Donnerhall/Rubinstein I cross, and Placido is by Pik Bube I. We saw how potent the combination of these bloodlines was in the Olympic medalists. Del Rusch, a Grade IV mount for his visually impaired rider, is a Hanoverian gelding by Del Piero (Donnerhall/Matcho) and out of a mare by World Cup I (sire of Weltmeyer) who also traces to Ramiro Z. Feel Good 4, a Grade II mount, is a Hanoverian mare by Fürst Heinrich (Florestan I/Donnerhall) and out of a mare by Arogno (Trakehner), who also traces to Argentan I.
FEI/LIZ GREGG
Team Bronze: Netherlands Wallace, a Grade Ib mount, is a KWPN gelding by Future (Florestan I/Apart) and out of a mare by Rohdiamant (Rubinstein I/Purioso), which makes him related to Olympic dressage medalists from Rio. Alphaville, a Grade IV mount, is a KWPN by Sandreo (Sandro Hit/Flemmingh) and out of a mare by Inglesias (Rubinstein I/Inschallah). Sandreo was also known as True Hit, and Inglesias was also known as Rubinstar. Caraat, a Grade II mount, is a KWPN by Gribaldi, out of a mare by Negro (sire of Valegro) and traces to Aktion. That makes her related to other medalists in both Paralympic and Olympic dressage competition in Rio. Burberry, a Grade II mount, is a KWPN mare by Lord Loxley (Lord Sinclair I/Weltmeyer), who also
NO SURPRISE: Most Paralympic dressage horses have similar bloodlines to their Olympic counterparts. The KWPN mare Burberry, who won team bronze for the Netherlands with rider Demi Vermeulen, is by Lord Loxley, also the sire of the 2016 Spanish Olympic sensation Lorenzo.
sired Lorenzo (fifth individually for Spain at the 2016 Olympics). Her dam is by Kelvin, a son of Flemmingh.
Dressage Is Dressage From the standpoint of bloodlines, a dressage horse is a dressage horse. Nearly all of the team-medal-winning horses at the Rio Paralympic Games have recognizable dressage bloodlines, regardless of whether they compete in the walk-only, walk-trot, or walk-trot-canter categories. The only exceptions would be the British para-dressage horses Cabral and LJT Lucas Normark. —Judy Wardrope
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Team Bronze: United States Verdades Laura Graves and her 2002 KWPN gelding, Verdades, led the way for Team USA, finishing fourth individually. Verdades is by the dressage horse Florett As, a son of Florestan I and from a sire line tracing to Furioso. The dam of Florett As, Unforgettable, actually competed as a jumper, but the rest of her siblings competed in dressage. The pedigree of Verdades’ dam is quite unusual compared to the ancestry of other medalists from Rio. Liwilarda is listed as KWPN, yet both of her parents were Dutch Harness horses. But that is not the end of the story. Both parents actually descend from Cambridge Cole, a Hackney—and that is what sets Verdades apart from a breeding perspective.
largest dose of Selle Français influence—through Alme and L’Espoir—of the horses included in this article. Orthilia Fiona Bigwood’s 2016 Olympic mount, the 2005 Oldenburg mare Orthilia, is by the Trakehner Gribaldi, who became a superior sire of dressage horses following his competitive career under Edward Gal. Gribaldi’s notable dressage offspring include Totilas, Peter Pan, Paragon, Painted Black, Unee BB, and Uniek. In fact, Gribaldi is one of the leading sires of dressage horses at the Grand Prix level by numbers; he ranks behind Donnerhall and De Niro but ahead of such notables as Florestan I, Ferro, Sandro Hit, Weltmeyer, Don Schufro, Rubinstein I, and Rohdiamant. Orthilia’s dam is by the German-born Donnerschlag, who later stood in the United States; however, the daughter that produced Orthilia was foaled in Denmark. Donnerschlag was by Donnerhall and out of a full sister to Pik Bube I. Super Nova II Super Nova II, a 2003 Hanoverian gelding ridden by Spencer Wilton, is by the leading dressage sire De Niro (Donnerhall/ Akzent II, by Absatz), the sire of Desperados FRH and a topclass competitor on the world’s dressage stage. De Niro has produced a number of noteworthy dressage offspring from Weltmeyer daughters, including Delgado, who finished tenth individually at the 2016 Games with Spain’s Beatriz Ferrer-Salat. Super Nova’s dam is by Weltmeyer (World Cup I/Absatz), an ancestor to Desperados and a leading sire and broodmare sire in dressage breeding. The second dam’s sire, Golfstrom II, was the broodmare sire of the international Grand Prix horse Dow Jones, from the Donnerhall sire line.
Legolas 92 Steffen Peters and Legolas 92 finished twelfth individually at the Rio Olympics. Legolas is a 2002 Westfalen gelding by Laomedon, a son of the Thoroughbred Lauries Crusador who also carries the blood of Pik Bube I. Laomedon is also the sire of the eventer Lissy MacWayer, who competed for Brazil in Rio 2016. Legolas’ dam, Furstin, is by Florestan II, who is a full brother to Florestan I, the paternal grandsire of Verdades. Furstin also traces to Pilot, a very strong jumping influence for the Westfalen verband, through her damsire. Rosevelt Rosevelt, a 2002 Hanoverian stallion who placed fifteenth individually with rider Allison Brock, is by Rotspon, a Rubinstein I/Argentan I/Pik Bube I combination and the maternal grandsire of the German team gold medalist Showtime FRH. Rosevelt’s dam is by the Thoroughbred stallion Lauries Crusador, the paternal grandsire of Legolas 92; and she also traces to Grande (broodmare sire of the former Olympic mounts Beauvalais and Weyden) and Duft I. Rosevelt’s full brother, the gelding Rovell Royal, foaled three years after Rosevelt, is also a Grand Prix dressage horse. Dublet Dublet, ridden by Kasey Perry-Glass, is a 2003 Danish Warmblood gelding by the international dressage sire Diamond Hit, who is by Don Schufro (sire of Weihegold) and also carries the influences of Ramiro Z and Welt As. Diamond Hit, who is listed as a top sire of Grand Prix horses, has produced international dressage mounts the likes of Doktor (the 2016 US Olympic dressage team reserve mount with rider Shelly Francis) and Della Cavalleria. Dublet’s dam, La Costa, was by Ferro (Ulft/Farn) and
26 December 2016/January 2017 • USDF CONNECTION
FEI/DIRK CAREMANS, HIPPOFOTO
STANDOUT SIRE: The Trakehner stallion Gribaldi appears in the pedigrees of many top dressage horses, including his daughter Orthilia, who won 2016 Olympic team silver for Great Britain under Fiona Bigwood
out of a mare tracing to Lord (Ladykiller) and Ramiro Z. Ferro is the paternal grandsire of Valegro; however, the balance of the dam’s pedigree leans more toward jumpers than dressage stars.
It should also be noted that a good number of the sires and broodmare sires of the Rio Olympic dressage horses were competitors themselves, which is a growing trend. It seems that performance has become part of the selection criteria for breeders of the modern dressage horse, rather than bloodlines alone. Any unusual aspects found in the pedigrees of these Olympians are relatively minimal. There’s a bit of a surprise regarding the Dutch Harness and Hackney blood in the ancestry of Verdades, but the balance of his pedigree is not that unusual. There’s a smattering of jumping influences in some pedigrees—another thing we’ve seen with more regularity in the last few years. However, the almost purely jumper bloodlines in the lineage of the German mount Cosmo 59 make him outside the norm. Cosmo 59 excepted, the medalists from Rio exhibit dressage pedigrees, most of which would definitely be associated with the top horses in the sport. ▲
Inside and Outside the Traditional Box So far, it should be fairly evident that most of the top performers from the 2016 Olympic Games were more than likely bred to be what they are: dressage horses. For the most part, each is the product of a mare with a predominantly dressageoriented pedigree and a stallion that was competitive in dressage and with a strong dressage pedigree. Consequently, it is not surprising that, among this very elite group, each horse is related to at least one other horse. You likely noticed the prevalence of Donnerhall blood among the medal winners. Two of the three individual medalists are Donnerhall descendants, as are seven of the 12 team medalists and at least four others that contested the individual medals. That has to qualify as an unmistakable influence. You may also have noticed that the Donnerhall influence is predominantly through male descendants, and that the Pik Bube I influence is usually through daughters. No wonder the Donnerhall/Pik Bube I combination is so potent for this level of the sport.
Based in Canada, Judy Wardrope is a longtime equine journalist with a particular interest in performance-horse breeding, bloodlines, conformation, and function. Her website is jwequine.com.
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THERE’S NO STOPPING GREAT BRITAIN AT THE PARALYMPIC
GAMES
RULE, BRITTANIA: Great Britain, which won team gold again in Rio 2016, has dominated Paralympic dressage for two decades. This photo of Grade IV rider Sophie Wells on Valerius (also the Grade IV individual gold medalists and freestyle silver medalists) shows why.
30 December 2016/January 2017 • USDF CONNECTION
FEI PHOTO
Sixth consecutive team gold for Team GBR; no medals for USA
A
s in the world of able-bodied dressage, a lot of top international para-equestrian dressage riders and horses are now coming out of Great Britain. In fact, Team GBR has been a world force in Paralympic Games dressage a lot longer than its Olympic Games counterpart: Since para-dressage was added to the Paralympic roster in Atlanta 1996, the Brits haven’t given up their spot at the top of the medal podiums. They reigned supreme yet again at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, claiming not only the team gold medal but also six of the 10 individual medals. The Paralympic Games, held shortly after the summer Olympic Games in the same host city, are “parallel Olympics” for athletes with physical disabilities. The 2016 Paralympics were held September 7-18 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Paralympic dressage competition works a little differently than Olympic dressage. That’s because para-dressage riders are “classified,” or officially assigned a competition category, by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). The categories, called grades, are designed to even the playing field by grouping riders with similar degrees of physical impairment. The grades range from Ia (most disabled) to IV (least disabled). (The FEI is changing the grade nomenclature as of 2017; see “New Para-Dressage Grading System” below for more.) Riders compete only against others in their same grade, and each grade has its own tests (team, individual, and freestyle). The 2016 FEI Grade Ia tests are walk-only. Grades Ib and II are walk-trot. Canter is included as of Grade III; Grade IV includes such movements as shoulder-in, extended trot, and simple changes of lead. For Paralympic Games purposes, nations must field teams that include at least one athlete from Grades Ia, Ib, or II. A team may not have more than two athletes from the same
New Para-Dressage Grading System
grade. The Paralympic team competition consists of the team and individual tests, with a team’s three top-scoring riders’ percentages counting toward the medals. Paralympic medals are also awarded to the top three finishers in each grade’s individual and freestyle tests, for a total of 10 individual medals.
The British Empire With a combined team total of 453.306, Team Great Britain handily clinched its sixth consecutive Paralympic dressage gold medal. Two London 2012 Paralympic veterans returned, both riding different mounts: Grade Ia athlete Sophie Christiansen on Athene Lindebjerg and Grade IV rider Sophie Wells on Valerius. Their gold-medal-winning teammates were the Grade Ia rider Anne Dunham on LJT Lucas Normark and the Grade II athlete Natasha Baker on Cabral. “It’s very exciting,” said Dunham, who with the Rio team gold has now won five team titles since her first Paralympic Games, in Atlanta 1996. “The one horror that all of us have at the moment is being on the team that doesn’t actually win the team gold medal. But we won it, and we won it in style.” Germany repeated its 2012 Paralympics silver medal. The team of Elke Philipp/Regaliz, Alina Rosenberg/Nea’s Daboun, Carolin Schnarre/Del Rusch, and Steffen Zeibig/ Feel Good 4 took the silver medal on 433.321 total points. The team bronze medal went to the Netherlands (Nicole den Dulk/Wallace, Frank Hosmar/Alphaville, Rixt van der Horst/Caraat, and Demi Vermeulen/Burberry), with 430.353 total points. For the individual and freestyle medal results, see the sidebar on the next page.
PODCAST
FEI/LIZ GREGG
A
s of January 1, 2017, the FEI is changing the names of the para-equestrian dressage grades (athlete disability classifications). The current and new grade names are: Grade Ia Grade I Grade Ib Grade II Grade II Grade III Grade III Grade IV Grade IV Grade V The preceding five grades are the ones seen in para-dressage competition. A sixth grade, previously known as Grade V (ineligible to compete in paradressage), will be renamed Grade VI. Learn more at fei.org.
WORLD STAGE: The Rio Paralympics dressage riders competed in the same arena used in August’s Olympic Games. The Grade III individual silver medalist, Denmark’s Susanne Sunesen, gives a thumbs-up after her test.
Podcast Alert Our Olympic special edition episode 136 features US Paralympian Rebecca Hart at usdf.podbean.com.
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Paralympic Individual and Freestyle Medals
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en additional para-equestrian dressage medals were up for grabs at the 2016 Rio Games: an individual and a freestyle for each of the five para-dressage grades. By the time para-equestrian competition wrapped on September 16, Great Britain had claimed six of the 10. Here’s the complete individual medal table.
EVENT
MEDAL
RIDER
HORSE
NATION
Grade Ia Individual
Gold Silver Bronze
Sophie Christiansen Anne Dunham Sergio Oliva
Athene Lindebjerg LJT Lucas Normark Coco Chanel
GBR GBR BRA
Grade Ia Freestyle
Gold Silver Bronze
Sophie Christiansen Anne Dunham Sergio Oliva
Athene Lindebjerg LJT Lucas Normark Coco Chanel
GBR GBR BRA
Grade Ib Individual
Gold Silver Bronze
Pepo Puch Lee Pearson Stinna Kaastrup
Fontainenoir Zion Smarties
AUT GBR DEN
Grade Ib Freestyle
Gold Silver Bronze
Lee Pearson Pepo Puch Stinna Kaastrup
Zion Fontainenoir Smarties
GBR AUT DEN
Grade II Individual
Gold Silver Bronze
Natasha Baker Demi Vermeulen Rixt van der Horst
Cabral Burberry Caraat
GBR NED NED
Grade II Freestyle
Gold Silver Bronze
Natasha Baker Rixt van der Horst Steffen Zeibig
Cabral Caraat Feel Good 4
GBR NED GER
Grade III Individual
Gold Silver Bronze
Ann Cathrin Lubbe Susanne Sunesen Louise Etzner Jakobsson
Donatello Que Faire Zernard
NOR DEN SWE
Grade III Freestyle
Gold Silver Bronze
Sanne Voets Ann Cathrin Lubbe Louise Etzner Jakobsson
Demantur Donatello Zernard
NED NOR SWE
Grade IV Individual
Gold Silver Bronze
Sophie Wells Michele George Frank Hosmar
Valerius FBW Rainman Alphaville
GBR BEL NED
Grade IV Freestyle
Gold Silver Bronze
Michele George Sophie Wells Frank Hosmar
FBW Rainman Valerius Alphaville
BEL GBR NED
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FEI/LIZ GREGG
GRADE II INDIVIDUAL MEDALISTS: Demi Vermeulen (NED), silver; Natasha Baker (GBR), gold; Rixt van der Horst (NED), bronze
JON STROUD MEDIA; FEI/LIZ GREGG
A Promising Team Although no US rider ascended a medal podium in Rio, US para-dressage chef d’équipe Kai Handt expressed confidence in his competitors. “We have some very young riders who started in this sport a few years ago,” Handt said, “and they have been growing together, working and supporting each other.” These were the first Paralympics for three of the four team members as well as for the individual competitor. The newcomers on Team USA were 2014 World Equestrian Games veteran Sydney Collier, 18, Ann Arbor, MI, Grade Ib, riding Western Rose, a 2003 Oldenburg mare owned by Wesley Dunham; fellow 2014 WEG competitor Angela Peavy, 20, Avon, CT, Grade III, riding Lancelot Warrior, a 2002 Hanoverian gelding owned by Heather Blitz and Rebecca Reno; and Margaret McIntosh, 61, Reading, PA, Grade Ia, riding her own Rio Rio, a 2006 Rheinland Pfalz-Saar mare. Rounding out the team was the veteran of two previous Paralympic Games, the Grade II athlete Rebecca Hart, 32, of Wellington, FL, riding her 2002 Danish Warmblood mare, Romani. Another nation’s loss was the USA’s gain. In August, after a Danish athlete withdrew from the Paralympics, the FEI extended an invitation to the next-highest-ranked rider on its para-dressage ranking list. That athlete was the Grade Ia rider Roxanne Trunnell, 31, Rowlett, TX, who like Collier and Peavy had made her international-championships debut at the 2014 WEG. Trunnell competed as an individual in Rio, riding Royal Dancer, a 2005 Westfalen gelding owned by Julia Handt. In the Grade III team test, Peavy and Lancelot Warrior finished sixth on a score of 68.974 percent. “I was very pleased with my ride,” Peavy said. “My horse really poured his heart out. He was focused on his job, and I felt like we had great connection. It was such an incredible atmosphere to be in, with so many spectators.” Collier, who was the youngest equestrian at the Rio Paralympics, also delivered a solid test for Team USA, scoring 66.440 percent in the Grade Ib team test aboard Western Rose. “I was really happy with the test,” said Collier. “For this being my first time riding in the Paralympics, it was really great. ‘Rosie’ was such a good horse, and we really nailed our geometry today. “I am so lucky to be with amazing teammates; I couldn’t make it without them,” Collier added. “They really are my rock, and we are a super-strong team.” Riding as an individual in the Grade Ia team test, Trunnell gave a strong performance to score 69.348 on day two of the team tests, placing fourteenth. Competing in the same
COMING TOGETHER: US para-dressage chef d’équipe Kai Handt (with individual Paralympics competitor Roxanne Trunnell on Royal Dancer) has been working to build an internationally competitive roster of riders
JOB WELL DONE: Angela Peavy exits the Paralympic arena as a Team USA supporter waves the stars and stripes
FOCUSED: Sydney Collier is all business as she rides a Grade Ib test aboard Western Rose. She wears an armband to signify visual impairment.
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grade for the US team was McIntosh, who scored 68.087 to finish nineteenth. “Royal felt amazing during the test,” said Trunnell. “I couldn’t help but smile during it because he was so forward and marching in his walk! I was thrilled with his free walk. I’ve been working on letting the reins go more, which is a bit of a weird feeling for me since with Nice Touch [her 2014 WEG partner] I always had to keep a hold of her a little, but I’m getting better about it.” On the final day of team tests, Hart earned a score of 69.941 percent aboard Romani in the Grade II team test, placing fifth. Calling Romani “the best horse I have ever sat on,” Hart said that “it is a privilege to ride her and represent our country. I was slightly disappointed in the score, but in saying that,
this is the highest I have ever scored at a Paralympic Games.” Then it was time for the individual tests—the second half of the team competition—to commence. First up for Team USA was Peavy, who was eighth in the Grade III individual test on a score of 68.585. Next, in the Grade Ib individual, was Collier, whose final center line received three marks of 8 from the five-member ground jury. Her score of 67.655 percent put her in seventh place. In the Grade II division, Hart scored 67.714 in her individual test to finish ninth. In the Grade Ia individual test, Trunnell scored 69.565 (tenth place) and McIntosh scored 66.217 (twentieth). The combined efforts of the four team riders placed Team USA twelfth in the team standings.
Memories of Rio
A
RED, WHITE & BLUE BONDING: Team USA riders and supporters relax in the stabling area
PARTNERS: Team gold medalist Steffen Zeibig of Germany shares a quiet moment with his horse, Feel Good 4
ALL DRESSED UP: Angela Peavy’s trainer, the international dressage competitor Heather Blitz (who co-owns Peavy’s mount Lancelot Warrior), with “Lance” at the horse inspection
ELEGANT: Competing as an individual, Austria’s Pepo Puch on Fontainenoir won Grade Ib individual gold and freestyle silver medals
34 December 2016/January 2017 • USDF CONNECTION
JON STROUD MEDIA; JON STROUD MEDIA; FEI/LIZ GREGG; FEI/JON STROUD
ttending a Paralympic Games is an unforgettable experience. Here are some of our favorite images from Rio 2016.
POWERFUL: The Grade II rider Rebecca Hart on Romani. Born with a rare, progressive disease called familial spastic paraplegia, Hart now rides without stirrups because the pressure was causing spasms in her legs.
Freestyle Final On the final day of 2016 Paralympic equestrian competition, the top riders from all five grades competed for freestyle medals. Of the US competitors, only Hart qualified to advance to the freestyle. In the fiercely contested Grade II division, she placed seventh on a score of 67.650 percent.
The Paralympic Experience Paralympians are elite athletes whose competitive drive is as keen as any Olympian’s; but most people who watch pa-
IT TAKES A VILLAGE: Like all her teammates, Margaret McIntosh expressed gratitude to the friends, supporters, and sponsors who helped get her and her horse to Rio
ra-dressage (or any para sport) will attest that another force is at work, as well. “I am in awe of the courage, determination, and effort that these athletes put into their daily lives, let alone what it takes to compete at this level and excel at their own sports,” said McIntosh, who as a first-time internationalchampionship competitor called staying in the athletes’ village the highlight of her Paralympic Games experience. “It’s been overwhelming to walk around the village and to see so many vibrant people at the top of their game.” ▲
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Training Exclusive
Lessons from the World’s Best Gold medals are great, but the training is what really makes Charlotte Dujardin tick. She shared her expertise at a California symposium. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY KELLY SANCHEZ
CONTROLLED POWER: Dawn White-O’Connor and Aristo work under the watchful eye of British Olympian Charlotte Dujardin
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f she never enters at “A” again—she retires her 14-yearold wonder horse, Valegro, this month—Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin has earned her place in dressage history. Just 31, she’s already amassed a lifetime of honors: smashing all three of the sport’s world records; being named an officer of the Order of the British Empire; and earning her second consecutive individual gold medal at this summer’s Olympics in Rio. In October, some 900 spectators gathered in California at El Campeon Farms, an hour north of Los Angeles, to watch Dujardin work with 13 horse-and-rider combinations. Her two-day appearance was part of an educational clinic tour organized by Scott Hayes’ SH Productions and Piaffe Presents. Confident, at times brash, Dujardin doled out advice with a helping of her signature sharp-as-a-tack wit, uttering lines familiar to those who’ve seen her in action before (“Short reins win gold medals”; “I think you need a yee-haw”). She regaled the crowd with stories, took questions, and signed autographs and posed for photos with those making donations to The Brooke, the international equine-welfare organization for which she serves as global ambassador. USDF Connection was there for it all. Read on for our report on the clinic—and our exclusive interview with the world’s top dressage rider.
Always Think Forward
year-old KWPN mare Florentina. Training youngsters, she said, is all about establishing a proper foundation: “If you can get it right here, going up the levels is so much easier.” A critical component in laying that foundation is teaching young horses to “think forward.” “They’ve got to learn to react to your leg,” Dujardin told Victoria Fedri, who rode her own three-and-a-half-year-old gelding, Rock Steady. Once the horse learns to go forward from the lightest leg aid, Dujardin introduces rein aids and half-halts—but woe to the rider who pulls back on the reins. “I see a lot of riders with really long reins and then their hands are pulled in toward their body,” she warned. “That shortens the horse’s neck. It’s all about pushing your hands toward the horse’s mouth.” Dujardin likes to introduce lateral work by riding legyield on a diagonal line, to familiarize the horse with the concept of moving away from the rider’s inside leg. Mistakes—especially when they’re “forward thinking”—are never punished. Observing Sarah Lockman’s smaller and more compact five-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Dehavilland, Dujardin said, “Long horses you have to think of pushing together. A short horse like this you’ve got to stretch, make him use his body more, and lengthen his frame.” The Olympian cautioned against pulling down and shortening the horse’s neck when beginning to collect the canter: “Sarah’s going to walk with her reins and canter with her legs.”
Dujardin has some promising up-and-comers in her own pipeline, like 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding Barolo, sevenyear-old Hanoverian mare Mount St. John Freestyle, and six-
Charlotte’s Quips
B
ritish dressage superstar Charlotte Dujardin is known for her direct manner and dry wit. Here are a few of her memorable lines from her October clinic in California. “Shorten your reins.” “Are you looking down?” “Why are you going on the right rein? Is that easier? Let’s go on the left rein.” “You’re going to have a dream when you sleep tonight: I must not pull on my reins.” “Were your legs on holiday?” “I want you to love your right rein like you love your left.” “I think you need a yee-haw.” “You’ll get time faults in your test if you ride that slow.” “Pat him. Pat him like you love him.” “Shorten your reins a lot.”
TO THE POINT: Dujardin is funny and warm, but her training assessments don’t mince words
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As she’s done in past clinics, Dujardin suggested a “yeehaw”—a near gallop around the ring—to get a horse moving off the leg. “But you have to be really brave to kick them and not pull.” At home, she said, she trots her horses in the field to help them “find more push and more gears.”
“My Sort of Horse” Amelie Kovac and her five-year-old Dutch gelding, Toretto, were last-minute additions to the clinic, and Dujardin loved what she saw. (“You know when you see a horse and think, ‘Damn, that’s my horse!’?”) She praised Toretto’s powerful hind leg, ground-covering stride, and shoulder freedom. “He’s very uphill naturally. I would develop the muscles at this stage of his training so that he learns to work a little more over his back by making his head and neck drop down.” After watching Toretto canter, Dujardin asked if she could get on, joking, “I just want to test-ride my horse.” She touched on what’s expected of a five-year-old. “For him to stay in the frame I want him in all the time is difficult. I’ll give him a long rein, but he’s got to take my hand forward.” Dujardin complimented Kovac on the horse’s training. “He has a super mouth, very good contact, he’s not too strong, he’s not too light; he’s very adjustable….He’s a very, very exciting horse for the future.”
Charlotte Dujardin on… …her impact on dressage: “So many people have said they’ve taken up the sport because of me, and that’s what it’s all about—trying to get more people into our sport. I came from nothing; I haven’t been bought expensive horses. I’ve worked my way from the bottom to get here. That’s a huge inspiration for people who think you have to have lots of money to do this.” …life after gold medals: “Everybody thinks I just ride Grand Prix horses. I don’t. My passion is training horses. Finding young horses, getting that bond and that connection with them is what I absolutely love. And I love it when people think a horse isn’t good enough, and then I put a couple of years of training into it and say, ‘That’s the horse you didn’t think was good enough.’” …retiring Valegro: “We hold every world record. It was important that he finish at the top of the sport. I’ll retire him at [CDI] Olympia [London] in December. There’ll be six or seven thousand people there. He’s going to have a nice, easy life at home.”
IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION: Dujardin coaches David Blake through getting the mare Heide Spirit more “uphill” in her outline
The Rider Stays in Control Again and again, Dujardin declared: “Lazy horses you have to ride with your legs off, and hot horses you’ve got to ride with your legs on.” Working with rider Carly Taylor-Smith and Nikki Taylor-Smith’s expressive six-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Rosalut NHF, Dujardin stressed the importance of looseness and relaxation. “Some horses, when they get stiff because of tension, they get a bit ‘holding’ and behind your leg.” Dujardin teaches flying changes on a figure eight, riding a half 10-meter circle and then turning on a short diagonal to the corner to ask for a change. The turn helps collect the canter to a short, bouncy stride. So that Rosalut wouldn’t anticipate the change, Dujardin had Taylor-Smith alternate three-tempis down the long side with a single change “so he never learns he’s going to do the same thing and take over.” With her eight-year-old Dutch gelding, Daniel V, Helen Stacy wasn’t just the sole adult amateur in the clinic; she’s also been riding dressage for only five years. Riding schoolmasters can give novices a feel for the upper-level movements, Dujardin said; but “sometimes it’s ten times harder learning on a horse that wants to take over than actually training one your way.” Noting that Daniel got excited and croup-high during the flying changes, Dujardin instructed Stacy to correct him through repetition. “You just repeat it, and then he finishes, understanding that he’s got to think forward for the change and not come back at your leg.”
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STAY LOOSE: Dujardin helps Niki Clarke find the relaxation in the work with Quincy
Encouraging Looseness and Lift Stacy’s instructor, David Blake, was next, riding Pippa Bird’s sixyear-old Oldenburg, Heide Spirit. Dujardin worked on getting the powerful mare more “uphill” in her outline. She encouraged Blake to make the mare rounder through the poll using flexion, bend, and travers (haunches-in), all the while remaining relaxed through her body yet connected to the rider’s hand.
Dujardin had Blake alternate between shoulder-fore and travers to encourage looseness. “Dressage is gymnastics,” she said. “Don’t think of riding one bend, one angle all the time. Play with it.” Asked how to create more suspension in the trot, Dujardin responded: “I always make sure I can ride forward into the contact; and when I half-halt, I use my seat and close around them and find that lift. It’s a feeling. I just do it. The
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RIDING THROUGH THE TENSION: Correct reactions are a must, even when a horse spooks or is nervous. Ashleigh Luca-Tyson rides the Westfalen gelding Wellknown.
horse has to be pushing from back to front to find that lift.” She coached Niki Clarke through the process of finding that cadence with Jennifer Mason’s eight-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Quincy. “I want [Clarke] to half-halt so she slows the front legs,” Dujardin explained, “but he stays quick behind and starts to find a tiny bit of lift. Half-halt, slow the front, touch him with the whip on the top of his bum. Don’t think too much toward passage, or you slow it down too much. Tap him in rhythm. She’s got to create power and energy, and contain it.” The rider must always finish by properly stretching the horse, Dujardin said. “When you’ve done a test, whether it’s been good or bad, always think about coming out and stretching in the warm-up arena. It’s important that you finish each session with loose, floppy muscles.”
Fit to Ride
R
iding nine to 11 horses a day is only part of Charlotte Dujardin’s fitness regimen. Working with a personal trainer three to four times a week helps her to maintain a strong core: “I do gym balls, loads of situps, ab crunches, planking—all the horrible things you don’t want to do.” She also does twice-weekly cardio (usually spin classes) and gets regular sports massages and acupuncture treatments. Correct body alignment, she says, is essential for a dressage rider: “I have to be as even as possible for my horses so they can be straight and supple themselves. A lot of riders are one-sided and create that in their horses.” Dujardin and her mentor, British Olympian Carl Hester, make sure that their horses get plenty of work outside the arena, as well. They all go out in the field and are hacked regularly. “And Valegro did water treadmill two or three times a week before Rio. It really loosened his back. I do it with all my young horses as well; it helps them get stronger and fitter.”
SECURITY BLANKET: To encourage the tense mare La Fariah to relax her body, Dujardin sat more heavily in the saddle and stayed relaxed herself while repeating the exercise
Riding the Spooky or Tense Horse Tense and nervous horses frustrate many riders. “Horses that spook that still go forward aren’t as bad as horses that draw themselves back and are looking,” Dujardin said. “The bigger deal you make of it, the worse they become.” Riding leg-yield and shoulder-fore, she said, can encourage confidence. Working the nine-year-old Hanoverian Wie Cantabrico in canter, Verena Mahin concentrated on getting the sensitive, long-backed gelding to take more weight behind. On a circle, Dujardin asked Mahin to keep her leg loose but supportive. Giving small half-halts while collecting encouraged the horse to rebalance and “sit.” Dujardin recommends lots of walk breathers for tense horses. “As a rider, it feels like you need to keep going and going and going, but actually it’s the wrong thing because all you do is work with tension,” she said. In a test, a tense collected walk will earn low marks—something Dujardin counters by riding it more like a medium walk. Better to get a 6 for “not collected enough” than a 4 for a tense walk marred by loss of rhythm, she reasoned. The theme of dealing with tension continued into the next session. Watching Ashleigh Luca-Tyson warm up Alison Swanson’s eight-year-old Westfalen gelding, Wellknown, Dujardin talked about the challenges of riding descendants of the KWPN stallion Jazz, who have a reputation for being hot. “I actually have a Jazz myself. He’s seven years old, and I’ve only just taken him to his first show because I’ve never been so petrified in my entire life.” Wellknown gets stiff when he’s nervous, so Dujardin had Luca-Tyson work in travers and ride him round and over his back. “Even when he spooks, you’ve just got to move the bit and soften. When she gives the rein, he mustn’t speed up or slow down or stick his neck up or push his neck down. He must stay the same.”
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She asked the pair to ride on a circle and focus on selfcarriage. “Because he gets spooky, he draws himself in and gets behind the leg. She’s got to keep those reactions— thinking forward without pulling.”
Channeling Energy Dujardin prefers “hot, sensitive horses” but admitted that they require brave riders. “Otherwise, you end up trying to slow down all the time, and then they just want to run.” Watching Rebecca Rigdon-Blake ride a few changes on her seven-year-old Rhinelander mare, La Fariah, Dujardin wanted more separation of the hind legs, and advised that the mare needed to relax, strengthen her core, and lift her back. Getting into the saddle, Dujardin said: “I love that she has all this energy. She just needs to do a little less and find that relaxation button.” When La Fariah stiffened in the bend, Dujardin sat more heavily in the saddle to channel the mare’s energy and encourage her to relax. “If I stiffen and tighten when she tightens, then all the work I do with her is done through tension.” Sitting “heavy,” Dujardin added, doesn’t mean pushing down on the horse’s back. “I’m letting her know I’m there. I’m her security blanket. I don’t mind when she makes a mistake, gets tense, or worries; I just keep doing the exercise until she’s relaxed about it.”
Preparing for Grand Prix In readying the horse for the counter-changes of hand (the canter “zigzags”), Dujardin rides leg-yield in canter from one side of the arena to the other. She asked 2015 US Pan Am Games veteran Sabine Schut-Kery to ride Nicole Bhathal’s 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Sir Cedrik H, in travers to encourage looseness. They then continued to play with the bend in half-pass. “When you make that line steeper, the horse wants to slow down and you have to keep the activity and speed,” Dujardin said. Of the Grand Prix-level zigzags, Dujardin said: “It sounds pretty easy. Well, you try and ride it. First, you’ve got to count. And then each half-pass has to be even on each side of the center line. You want to have the same bend, and you’ve got to have a good, expressive change. “When you have seven judges ’round the arena, they see absolutely everything,” she added. “You can’t afford for your horse not to be even or supple in the bend.” Schut-Kery and Sir Cedrik H also worked on the halt and rein back. “Some horses duck their heads and fly backward, and other horses just do not move,” said Dujardin. “If they run backward, you do two steps and stop and two steps and stop so that you stay in control of each step.” Having
PREPARING FOR THE NEXT LEVEL: The getting-ready-for-GrandPrix horse Sir Cedrik H and rider Sabine Schut-Kery
a helper at the horse’s shoulder or tapping lightly with the whip can encourage the “sticky” horse to step backward.
Riding for the 10 When she competes, “I don’t go in the arena and ride for a 7 or an 8,” Dujardin said. “I want a 9 or a 10. There’s no point me going in there and riding a safe, nice test.” If she makes a mistake, she said, she follows the advice of those keep calm and carry on memes: “You’ve got to put it to the back of your head.” Working with Sarah Christy and Zamorin, a 13-yearold Lusitano gelding owned by Linda Alexander, Dujardin called Iberian horses “super fun.” She urged Christy to get the most out of every movement, particularly in the extensions, which aren’t typically Iberians’ strong suit. In the canter pirouettes, Dujardin advised thinking of a small start and a big finish. “You see a lot of riders either make a huge start and a small finish, or the horses whip around really, really fast. You’ve got to stay in control of every step of the canter and keep it in balance.” With Dawn White-O’Connor and Carla Hayes’ Aristo, the emphasis was on increasing the activity when the 11-year-old Dutch gelding got slow behind in the pirouettes. “Think shoulder-fore, not quarters-in. He braces forward with the front leg and makes really big, slow steps; and he needs to make shorter, quicker, bouncier steps.” They also practiced halts on the center line, with Dujardin having White-O’Connor ride a collected canter as if she was going to halt, but not halting. “I would live up and down that center line doing exactly this until I knew I could collect him and he wasn’t going to take over.” In competition, Dujardin pointed out, “You’ve got to go with what you’ve got.” But the day-to-day training—making mistakes and getting the best out of the horse—is clearly what she lives for. ▲ Kelly Sanchez is a California-based freelance writer and a regular contributor to USDF Connection. When she’s not thinking about horses, she writes about design and architecture for Dwell.
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SOLID FOUNDATION: The USDF L program teaches dressage enthusiasts how to evaluate correct training. FEI 4*/USEF “S” dressage judge and L faculty member Janet Foy prepares to lead a practice-judging session. Seated at the table are L candidates and their scribes; auditors are in the background.
How the L Program Changed My Riding Program pays off in improved training, riding—and show scores BY ANGELIA BEAN
Feel vs. Look Feel is a tricky thing. What we feel as we ride is not necessarily “correct” or “incorrect”; what we’re usually feeling is a change in the horse’s body. Sometimes that change is for the better, and sometimes it is not. Sometimes the change feels bigger to the rider than it appears to the observer. Let’s say I’ve been working to improve a horse’s shoulderin. My training may have resulted in a shoulder-in with better angle, steadiness, and cadence than I was able to produce last week, but is this improved shoulder-in “fairly good”? According to the scale of marks, “fairly good” earns a mark of 7. If that shoulder-in isn’t a 7 at home, or if it’s a 7 only sometimes, I shouldn’t be disappointed if the judge doesn’t give it a 7. If I haven’t looked at the shoulder-in on video, I’ll know that it has changed, but not necessarily to what degree. Competitors also need to keep in mind that there’s a difference between “training shoulder-in” and the ability to produce a quality shoulder-in consistently. If my horse can’t execute a shoulder-in in a relaxed, confident manner at least 75 percent of the time at home, then it’s unrealistic of me to get disappointed in a lower score at a show. Expecting a “trained” score from a movement that is still being developed leads to unnecessary frustration. Once I started thinking of the marks in this way, it changed the way I read my test sheets. My reaction to the judge’s comments became much less emotional. If I rode a
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USDF FILE PHOTO
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enrolled in the USDF L Education Program because, no matter how much money I spend on lessons, the judge ultimately determines my score. The more I’m able to see things from the judge’s perspective, the higher my potential score. During the L program, I learned that dressage judges are much more objective than many riders think. In order to improve my scores, I realized, I needed to become as objective as my evaluators. As a rider and trainer, changes in my horses’ balance and gaits are exciting, and feeling a horse begin to offer a movement is goose-bump-worthy. But as a competitor, I have to be objective about what that offering looks like. Let’s face it: The worst place to see what a horse looks like is on top of the horse. So I pulled out my video camera. I began filming my tests, and once I got over picking apart my faults (which took a while), a few funny things started to happen. In the past, I’d leave the show arena either in a cloud of euphoria or crushed because the test didn’t go well. Then I’d get my test sheet and be confused because the actual score was usually somewhere in between. I’d grumble and complain, sure that certain movements were better or worse than the judge’s marks. But when I began watching my test videos with score sheets in hand, I discovered three things. First, the look and the feel of a movement are not always the same. Second, the judge is trying to tell the rider some specific things about the performance. Third, sometimes I disagree with the judge’s evaluation.
shoulder-in that started well, but halfway through the steps got short, my horse’s neck got tight, and he started falling over his outside shoulder—and the judge gave it a mark of 5.5 and commented on those things—my reaction became “Good eye, judge.”
The Judge’s Message The dressage judge has two jobs. The first is to evaluate each element of the test using a number-based vocabulary (the scale of marks) as defined in the US Equestrian Federation rule book. The second is to explain, in a few words, what the rider would need to show in order to earn a higher mark. The L program teaches prospective judges that they must provide a comment if they give a score of 6 or below—in other words, if the movement met the standard “sufficiently,” “marginally,” or “badly.” Judges aren’t obligated to comment on a score of 7, 8, 9, or 10; but a mark of 7 accompanied by a comment indicates that the judge thought I was capable of earning an 8, 9, or 10 on that movement. A movement that earns a 7 is, by definition, fairly good. The difference between a 7 and an 8 often comes down to one of two things: the elasticity of the horse’s topline during the movement, or the clarity of the movement, particularly the beginning and end of the movement. An elastic, swinging topline is a product of suppleness, impulsion, and engagement. Some horses’ toplines are naturally more soft and swinging than others’. Some horses come with more power. Some come with a more naturally obedient personality. Through training, all of these areas can be improved. But if my horse is a 6 in natural topline swing and a 10 in “try to please the rider” temperament, the horse that’s a 7 in topline swing and an 8 in “try” will probably pin ahead of me. This can be disheartening, but it is part of the objectivity of judging. Judges can’t be harder or easier on one horse than another, even if they recognize how much effort a horse is putting in. The final comments may reflect that a horse is “trying his heart out,” but the numbers still need to objectively compare my horse to the “10” ideal. Fortunately, the clarity of a movement can bump up the mark. The more clearly a movement is shown, the better the judge can evaluate it. An elastic, swinging horse whose shoulder-in is sloppy and wavering will earn a lower mark than a less-swingy horse with a tidy performance. In other words, if I’m showing a horse with less natural swing, it’s even more important that I present a well-prepared test—which to me is encouraging, because of all of the variables that horse shows create, test preparation is the one thing I can control. When I started reviewing my tests on video, I quickly saw ways that I could improve my performance and there-
fore garner more points. I began holding my accuracy to a much higher standard, both at home and in the show ring.
Agree to Disagree Most of the time, I agree with the judge’s evaluation. But not always. When I began attending judges forums, I discovered that not only do I sometimes disagree with the judge, but that judges also sometimes disagree with one another. In the L program, the examiners aren’t overly worried about discrepancies as long as candidates are within one point of the evaluator on a given movement. Their main concern is that the best, most well-presented horse wins the class and that the weakest performance places last. But as a competitor, the difference between a 5 and 6 on a movement feels large—much larger than its actual impact on the final score. When judges disagree in a forum, the matter is often resolved with the comment, “We are only talking about one point here.” That one point translates to a change in score of about .01 or .02 percent, which is rarely enough to affect the placings in a class. That being said, it’s OK to disagree with a judge. Expecting to agree with a judge’s every mark is optimistic. But if I find myself disagreeing with every judge every time I head down center line, it may be time to reevaluate my standard. The judges may be holding me to a higher standard than I am setting for myself.
A Win-Win for Competitors and Judges My time in the L program clarified what I am trying to present to the judges when I show. The results have been much less confusion about my marks, better-prepared performances, and higher scores. Thank you to the Delaware Valley Combined Training Association’s Marilyn O. Heath Scholarship fund for helping support my trip to the judge’s box. ▲ Angelia “Ange” Bean operates Straight Forward Dressage in Glenmoore, PA. She is a USDF L program graduate with distinction and a USDF bronze and silver medalist, and she holds American Riding Instructors Association Level III certification in dressage and stable management. Her website is StraightForwardDressage.com.
eTRAK Extra
Watch a “Taste of the L Program” (C Session) for more on the program at bit.ly/LProgramTaste.
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Meet the Clinicians This dynamic duo will lead the 2017 Adequan/USDF FEI-Level Trainers Conference BY KATHIE ROBERTSON
T
he USDF has a long tradition of bringing the world’s top dressage masters to “train the trainers” symposia, with the goal of raising the standard of dressage training and instruction across the country. These events date back to the USDF Violet Hopkins Instructor Seminars of the 1980s, which evolved into today’s Adequan/USDF FEI-Level Trainers Conferences. Hans-Christian Matthiesen and Lilo Fore will headline the 2017 conference, January 16-17 in Loxahatchee, FL. Get a sneak peek at the clinicians and their plans in this exclusive Q&A.
Hans-Christian Matthiesen Hans-Christian Matthiesen, a veterinarian by profession, is an FEI 5* dressage judge from Denmark and a member of the FEI Dressage Committee. He chairs the Danish selection committee and coaches his nation’s junior and young-rider teams.
Have you and Lilo Fore worked together before? I wish! I have judged many times with Lilo, I have seen her giving clinics, and I am a great fan. She is like a mentor in many ways.
Explain your training philosophy and approach. My way and work with horses has changed a lot since my competition days. When I was competing and training I was very goal-oriented, which is good if you bear the horse and the circumstances in mind. But if the goals are only limited to show results, then you need to rethink. For the last 15 years I have worked full time as a veterinarian in a big horse hospital outside Copenhagen. I work with sport horses and problems related to training and sports. That fact has made me rethink a lot of my training. My philosophy is: Make it easy for your horse, and it will gain more confidence and do better in the sport. This doesn’t mean rising trot on a 20-meter circle for 40 min-
utes; it means rethinking your training and approach to problems.
What are your goals for this conference, and how will you know the event has been a success? I hope that I can give some good advice when it comes to problems, where I can relate to them as a vet/horse person and dressage judge. My target would be to give people a few things to think about, and ideas to bring home.
Past conference presenters have included Johann Hinnemann, Stephen Clarke, Steffen Peters, and Kyra Kyrklund. In what ways does your approach differ from theirs? In what ways is it similar? What will make this conference unique and memorable? I don’t consider myself a trainer; I am a horse person, a vet, and a dressage judge. People outside Europe might know me as “the judge from Denmark,” and I like to think of myself as the “independent judge” who is not involved in training. I work with sport horses with problems every day. I have spent nine years as a team vet for Denmark, at three Olympics and many other championships, standing next to the best trainers in the world, watching them train the most successful riders in the world. I have seen a lot of ways to try to solve problems—some good ones, some not-so-good ones, and some stupid ones! I like to think that I have the outsider’s approach.
What criteria will you use in selecting the demonstration riders and horses? In recent years, the conferences have featured many elite riders and horses—who are wonderful to watch and raise our standards, but arguably are not like the horses and riders most trainers work with at home. Do you think your lessons will “translate” to ordinary horses and riders if only high-performance demonstration pairs are chosen? For the FEI I have traveled the world, and worked for the FEI challenge tour. That means judging and training on many levels. To me it doesn’t matter what level the riders
44 December 2016/January 2017 • USDF CONNECTION
are. You might say that the more experienced rider can adapt more quickly to a new training system or knows what do to—or the complete opposite may be true. Then again, some not-so-experienced riders can easily improve. It’s not a show; it’s a conference; it’s about exchanging ideas. I am happy to work with any kind of person. I would also like to give a presentation on some riding and training problems in a classroom setting. That would be something different. Topics may include back and neck problems (I’m also an equine chiropractor), lameness (my thesis was about suspensory-ligament injuries), tongue/ mouth/jaw problems, and saddle-fit problems.
Lilo Fore Lilo Fore has helped to educate countless dressage instructors through her work as a USDF Instructor/Trainer Program examiner and co-chair of the Instructor/ Trainer Committee. She is a USEF “S” judge and a recently retired FEI 5* judge who officiated at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and the 2015 Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final.
USDF Connection asked her about her plans for the Trainers Conference. I have worked with Hans-Christian enough times to know that he is a very educated horse person in many fields, and I think we will complement each other wonderfully. We will challenge the riders on the training side and the judging side. We want to involve the audience of trainers, instructors, and judges when issues arise. We have always had quite good horses and riders for these events. Though some attendees say that the level of quality is not realistic, in an educational setting we need to have riders and horses who are skilled and talented enough to make changes and improve their performance in front of an audience.
Don’t Miss Out! Preregister today for the 2017 Adequan/USDF FEI-Level Trainers Conference, which will be held in conjunction with the USEF Judges Forum. Attendance criteria apply. Learn more at usdf.org / Education / Other Programs / Trainers Conference. ▲
Kathie Robertson is USDF’s Education Department manager.
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’Tis the Season for Books New titles for the holidays—and after By Jennifer O. Bryant
C
older weather makes us think of curling up with a hot beverage and a good book. You handle the former, and I’ll suggest some new offerings in the latter category.
The Biomechanics of Bend New from the German veterinarian who penned the well-known books Tug of War and Balancing Act comes his latest sally in the war against “rollkur” and incorrect, potentially damaging dressage riding and training. Collection or Contortion? by Dr. Gerd Heuschmann, newly translated from the original German (Trafalgar Square, 104 pp.), does what its subtitle says: Exposing the Misconceptions and Exploring the Truths of Horse Positioning and Bend. Using photographs and superbly rendered anatomical illustrations, Heuschmann explains the differences between correct and incorrect flexion and bend vis-a-vis shoulder-in, travers, half-pass, and other movements. These concepts aren’t groundbreaking, but the visuals will prove helpful to many riders. A good number of the photos used as positive examples are black-and-whites of German masters (Klimke, Neckermann, et al.) back in the day; the images are super, but one wonders whether Heuschmann believes that modern horses are less correct. A Valegro or two might have alleviated that speculation.
A Rider’s Fitness Plan Another book on rider fitness? This one’s a little different because it doesn’t just give you a list of exercises you ought to be doing; it lays out a nine-week plan for you to follow. Not unlike those “couch to 5K” running programs, Fit to Ride in 9 Weeks! (Trafalgar Square, 199 pp.) provides a detailed road map to equestrian fitness that aims to build strength, stability, agility, balance, flexibility, and stamina. Author Heather Sansom is a certified fitness trainer and equestrian coach through Equine Canada, that nation’s equestrian governing body. Lots of color photographs illustrate the many exercises, some with overlaid illustrations showing the primary muscle groups being worked. I appreciated the diversity in choice of models: a younger woman (Sansom herself), an older man, a woman of color. You’ll need a few props to do Sansom’s program (bands, hand weights, exercise ball, and the like), but they’re easy to find and pretty easy on the wallet. If you follow Fit to Ride in 9 Weeks!, you will get a lot fitter and your riding will improve, whatever your equestrian discipline.
The German Team’s Chinese Weapon The German eventing Olympian and international dressage competitor Ingrid Klimke is a phenomenally popular clinician. Klimke’s appearances
46 December 2016/January 2017 • USDF CONNECTION
are usually joint affairs with her colleague the German equestrian team physiologist Dr. Ina Gösmeier, who lectures about traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), particularly acupuncture and its needleless cousin, acupressure. Gösmeier has written a new book, Acupressure for Horses, newly translated from the original German (Trafalgar Square, 152 pp.). The hardcover book is spiral-bound so it’ll lie open for reference as you practice stimulating acupressure points on your horse. Photos show Gösmeier using the ancient technique to help ease pain and stiffness, stimulate energy, calm disease symptoms, and other applications. Acupressure for Horses also contains a detailed guide to the five Chinese elements or types into which horses can be classified, followed by suggestions of points to use to mentally balance each type. It’s fascinating stuff—and if Klimke (who wrote the foreword) and the German team get results with TCM, then I think I’ll be giving it a try with my horse.
From Unwanted Ex-Racehorse to Dressage Success Moonshine, an off-the-track Thoroughbred with a checkered past, wasn’t literally in the kill pen when the young girl who’d been riding him prevailed on her parents to save him. But the horse’s owner had issued an ultimatum— buy him or I’m sending him to slaughter—and so that’s why Victoriaa Shade titled
her memoir The Tale of the Dancing Slaughter Horse (Amberjack, 303 pp.). Shade’s family situation is tumultuous, and dressage is her beacon of sanity. Moonshine is difficult and nasty, and the girl is told he’ll never succeed against the warmbloods. Against all odds, they—well, you know where this is going, but I won’t give any more away. The writing is unpolished, and a few of our sport’s better-known names don’t come off smelling so sweet. But Shade’s book will speak to younger riders, especially those who are struggling with personal issues or “not good enough” horses, and it offers a behind-the-scenes look at the dressage world and an inspirational message.
“Out of the Box” Dressage Training Uta Gräf had me at “play.” Never before have I seen that word on the cover of a dressage book, but there it is: Uta Gräf ’s Effortless Dressage Program: A Top Rider’s Keys to Success Using Play, Groundwork, Trail Riding and Turnout (Trafalgar Square, 176 pp.) Gräf isn’t quite a household name in the US, but in her native Germany she’s a successful Grand Prix-level rider and trainer and coach of the German Paralympic dressage team. She’s known for her “back to nature” equine-management approach, and she’s produced several DVDs outlining her training and horsekeeping philosophies. This book continues that work by marrying classical dressage training with other ways of helping a horse become more relaxed, less spooky, more active, and so on— everything from ground work with tarps to riding in the snow.
Effortless Dressage Program will take a lot of dressage riders out of their comfort zones. Safety is, of course, paramount, so don’t just blunder outside on the coldest, windiest day of the year if you’ve rarely ventured from the indoor arena. But if you introduce Gräf ’s methods into your regimen in baby steps, over time you and your horse will feel more relaxed, confident, and dare I say, playful in your dressage work. ▲
IN THE NEXT ISSUE • 2016 USDF Yearbook • USDF Regional Championships and US Dressage Finals results and photos • 2016 USDF convention coverage
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Advice, Guidance, & Insight
w w w. u s d f.o r g
USDF CONNECTION
TAILORED TO THE DRESSAGE COMMUNITY
â&#x20AC;¢
December 2016/January 2017
55
the tail end
editorial@usdf.org
A good one can have a profound influence on a rider’s education By Donna Dunn
I
t’s been said that you don’t know teamwork until your partner is a 1,200-pound free spirit. An integral part of that team is the instructor, and finding the right one is key to success. I have been riding on and off since the age of 10, taking a hiatus while raising my family and reentering the equestrian world as a timid 40-yearold. Thanks to some talented school
progress and expectations. Did I feel challenged in my lessons? Was I ready for new challenges and goals? Was my instructor giving me both constructive and supportive feedback? Did I have the time and effort to dedicate to dressage while trying to balance life’s other responsibilities? These questions and my answers guided me to find my instructor of the
PARTNERSHIP: The writer riding her Lusitano gelding, Astyages Interagro, with instructor Patricia Norcia
horses and the guidance of some wonderful instructors who reintroduced me to riding, my confidence returned. I progressed from the occasional pleasure rider to the passionate, partially obsessed dressage rider I am today. Throughout my training, I have had to constantly evaluate my
past three years. Her passion, knowledge, and thoughtful approach to dressage have inspired me. A talent that I admire is her ability to communicate—to ensure that I understand not just what I am doing but why. Several times, she’s had me stand off the horse or kneel on the
56 December 2016/January 2017 • USDF CONNECTION
Donna Dunn, of Old Saybrook, CT, is a stay-at-home mom of three. She trains and competes in dressage with her Lusitano, Astyages Interagro. She is thankful for the continuous support of her husband, kids, and parents to pursue her dressage dreams.
COURTESY OF DONNA DUNN
The Right Instructor
ground, performing lateral movements myself, breaking them down so that I could better understand how the horse moves. She also focuses on suppleness and how a lack of suppleness in either horse or rider can impede a movement. My instructor has taught me the importance of fitness, both physical and mental. Yoga and Pilates have become an integral part of my training, and practicing mindful meditation has helped sharpen my mental focus. My trainer encourages her students to read to expand our knowledge and to become familiar with the great masters and with methods of classical training. My equestrian library has tripled since I began riding with my instructor. Like many other confident instructors, my trainer encourages her students to ride with various clinicians. Last year she traveled with three other students and me to Spain for intensive instruction at Epona Equestrian Center. Two of the days, we rode with Rafael Soto, a member of the silvermedal-winning Spanish team at the 2004 Athens Olympics. To say it was a trip of a lifetime is an understatement. Most important, the right instructor is someone you can trust to give honest feedback. With my trainer’s help, my Lusitano, “Asty,” and I have developed a true partnership that continues to progress as we work together and reach new goals. I hope my journey will benefit you in as much as it has helped me in finding the right instructor. With her guidance, I have grown and succeeded personally. She has helped me to acquire the skills I needed to become a better student, rider, and teammate. ▲
15634 Palma Lane, Palm Beach Point Wellington, Florida
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10.8 Acres 4 Bedroom, 3.5 Bath Pool Home 24 Stalls Total 14 Stall Center Aisle Barn with: Office Tack Room Laundry Room + Full Bathroom Two, 2 Bedroom/1 Bath Apts. Two Large Feed/Storage Rooms 10 Stall U-Shaped Barn with: Tack Room Feed Room One, 1 Bedroom/1 Bath Apt. One, 2 Bedroom/1 Bath Apt. 1.28 Acre Grass Field 250â&#x20AC;&#x2122; x 125â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Riso Riding Ring 11 Paddocks 6-Horse Walker Enclosed Round Pen Ample and Easy Parking Two RV Hook-Ups
Offered at $8,600,000 Jim Corbin
561-798-2224 Jim@JimCorbin.com
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