USDF.

From New York to California, excitement swept the nation this weekend as the first round of Great American/USDF Regional Championship dressage competitions were held in five regions across the country, giving horses and riders the opportunity to qualify for the inaugural US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®, a national head-to-head competition showcasing adult amateur and open riders from Training Level to Grand Prix.  These Finals will be held November 7 – 10, 2013 in Lexington, KY. 
So far, more than 1,200 declarations have been received from riders seeking to qualify for what may be the chance of a lifetime to compete on the national stage and win fantastic prizes, bragging rights, and more than $50,000 in prize money.  As Regional Championships are underway, riders are now seeking to earn qualifying scores and, if successful, take the next step in pursuit of their dreams by nominating their horses for an invitation to compete at the Finals.  One of those competitors now preparing to nominate for the Finals is adult amateur rider Melissa Mulchahey of Livermore, CA, who enjoyed a successful weekend at the Region 7 Championships in Rancho Murieta, CA by claiming the Region 7 First Level Freestyle Championship with her own Westfalen pony “Outrageous”.  “Going to the Finals wasn’t really on my radar screen until I received an e-mail reminder from USDF about declaring, and I thought ‘what do I have to lose?’,” Mulchahey explained.  “So I declared and now after winning this weekend at Regionals, my trainer and my friends are encouraging me to go!  I have to consider the travel logistics involved but I’m excited about the opportunity.”

Mulchahey admitted that as she prepared to trot down centerline for her freestyle at Region 7, the Finals were on her mind well before the music started.  “I did feel a little pressure to get it perfect because I knew there was a lot on the line, but I tried not to think too much about it too much,” she said  “My pony went really well for me, and I was thrilled.  So now we’ll see about going to Kentucky.”

The US Dressage Finals will be held at the picturesque Kentucky Horse Park, home of the 2010 Alltech/FEI World Equestrian Games.  For the first time in history, riders like Mulchahey from across the country at all levels of performance will be invited to compete over the same hallowed ground where international champions have been crowned.   “The Kentucky Horse Park is one of the finest equestrian facilities in the world,” notes George Williams, President of the United States Dressage Federation (USDF).  “And I couldn’t be more thrilled that our mission to provide a national spotlight for riders at all levels, especially adult amateurs, will now be realized there.  This will be their moment to shine.”

Riders in USDF Regions 2, 5, 6, 7, and 8 completed their Regional Championships this weekend and now have the opportunity to take the next step towards the US Dressage Finals by nominating* themselves and their horses with which they earned qualifying scores.  Regions 3 and 4 will be next, held over the weekend of October 11 – 13, with qualifying concluding on October 17 – 20 for Regions 1 and 9.

To learn more about the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®, download competition information, review lists of declared riders and horses from each region, and sign up to receive news and updates, visit the official event website atwww.usdressagefinals.com.

* Nominating a horse and rider is an easy electronic process available online on the US Dressage Finals website – simply visit http://www.usdf.org/usdressagefinals/and click on “Nominate”.  Nomination, including payment of a nomination fee, is required for participation in US Dressage Finals classes.  Each US Dressage Finals championship horse/rider combination is required to complete the nomination (preliminary entry) process. The nomination fee paid will be applied to the total amount due at closing date.  From these nominations, final invitations for the US Dressage Finals will be issued, with entries closing October 24.  But hurry – the nomination deadline is midnight, 48 hours after the last championship day in the regional championship show in which the horse/rider combination competed. Nomination deadline for Regional Championships 2, 5, 6, 7, & 8 is  September 24 at midnight.  Midnight is defined as 12:00 am (midnight) in the time zone at which your Regional Championship is held.

From New York to California,
excitement swept the nation this weekend as the first round of Great
American/USDF Regional Cha …

British Dressage:

It was a sense of déjà vu at Stoneleigh today as we all watched the maestro of dressage Carl Hester canter around in the Esapyo colours of burgundy and gold having claimed the Grand Prix Freestyle and National Dressage Champion titles 12 months on from the exact same sight last year.  In the beautiful light of the setting sun, Carl gave a perfect lap of honour display with Jenny Green’s stunning liver chestnut stallion Fine Time 13 as he bronked his way around much to everyone’s amusement.
It was Carl’s day once again and no one would begrudge him his 65th and 66th titles, plus becoming National Champion for an eighth time, equalling the record of the doyenne of dressage, Jennie Loriston Clarke.  “I’ll just have to do it one more time!” jibed Carl. 
It was a lively display of freestyle entertainment in the Espayo arena from start to finish and British Nations Cup rider Daniel Watson and Susie Farnon’s Fideramber and when then put up a 70.73%, we knew it would be a good competition.   Judy Harvey and Fitzcerraldo, owned by Richard Heley stole into the lead with 72.05% before the break but her lead was short-lived as Emile Faurie with Julie Bradley’s Topolino squeaked ahead with 72.28%.  Michael Eilberg and Marakov were their powerful selves with a beautiful display – their canter to piaffe line impressed many and 73.98% was enough for the lead.  It wasn’t long before the crowd say a change again when Lara Griffith came in with Andretti H and they danced to the familiar reggae beat which has claimed Laura Tomlinson two national titles.  The combination are still so new in the competition arena but they know each other inside out and today was all about fun.  Lara rode with a smile from ear to ear throughout which the judges clearly loved for 74.03%.  Then in came Carl.  He’d declared his intention to ride to his 2011 European Championship score with the Florestan I sired ‘Bruno’ which won Carl an individual silver medal so he considers it lucky.  A whopping 76.65% put them into the lead with one to go.  It was all down to Anders Dahl with Fiona Bigwood’s Wie Atlantico De Ymas.  Their experience shone all the way but a final mark of 74.40% wasn’t enough to take Carl’s crown, but did give them second in a hugely competitive class.
“He was brilliant again today,” said a delighted Carl.  “He was a bit flat to start with in the warm up but then spotted Nikki Crisp’s Pasoa who is a mare and he’s madly fallen in love with her.  That certainly perked him up!  He went brilliantly to Uti’s music but he’s a bit slower than him so I had to shave bits of the arena to keep to the music!  Charlotte said I should have done my line of one-times again as I fluffed the first ones but I certainly don’t remember that one!  Must be a sign of age!  I’m so happy for his owners Paul and Jenny Green.  Paul hasn’t been well recently and couldn’t make the trip from Jersey to watch him but hopefully the win will cheer him.   Racing is his passion really, it’s Gemma (Appleton, his daughter) who is the dressage person.  We’ll talk about his future but I’d be sorry to lose him – he’s a great addition to the yard.”
Always a highlight for the knowledgeable Stoneleigh crowd on a Sunday is the final judging of the Shearwater Potential International Dressage Horse Championship and this year it was interesting as there was no clear favourite so the title was anyone’s for the taking from the 13 who came forward from Saturday’s preliminary judging.
In the four year olds, the judges Peter Holler and Hans Christian Mattieson made their champion Emma Woolley with the impressive Dutch-bred Eldorado (Special D x Damiro) owned by Jane Woolley.  The horse was first yesterday in the preliminary judging with a score of 7.68 and the judges kept him up top.  Second also was a horse of Emma’s but with trainer Hannah Esberger in the plate as she could only ride one today, Jan Bennett’s Don Fulcher (Daddy Cool x Abraham).

The five year olds didn’t quite go to Saturday’s pattern when Dan Greenwood was awarded first with his own and Jamie Reynolds’s Romanno Stromboli (Sir Donnerhall x Fabriano) having been down in fourth after the first judging round.  Second spot went to Saturday’s winner, Sam Geddes’ Dior III ridden by Tom Goode, who’s based with Emilie Faurie, the only horse to score over 8.
The four then came forward for the final judging for the championship.  In addition to the opinions of Peter and Hans Christian, our ride judge Erik Theilgaard then entered the mix with his take on the horse’s paces, way of going and feel.  It was a very different selection of horses – different shapes, variations of pace and manner which made for interesting viewing.  All four gave Erik a safe ride but he was clearly suited to the two winning horses and seemed ‘at home’.  Romanno Stromboli showed great variation in the paces and great poise whereas Eldorado was, at a year younger, more ‘raw’ and exuberant.  Don Fulcher was a picture of composure and clearly has endless potential; the judges describing him as ‘functional’.  Dior III is a powerful ‘pocket rocket’ at just 16.1hh but what he lacks in size, he more than makes up with exuberant paces which Erik seemed to enjoy; ‘He’s just like a rubber ball!” he said.  The three judges then went into a huddle while the crowd waited with anticipation.  The when the commentator announced Dan Greenwood and Romanno Stromboli, there was a great cheer from the crowd and the biggest smile of the championships on Dan’s face.
A clearly delighted and proud Dan commented; “He was great today.  He came into the final in fourth so we knew there was making up to do.  As it was his second time in the arena he was more relaxed and then he can show himself better.  And that’s basically how we manage him at home.  He can lack confidence but given the chance, he grows into it.”
Dan explained a bit more about his background and how he got his name; “He was conceived in Germany but his dam was bought by Jenny Gilchrist so effectively he’s British-bred .  We’ve had a few foals from her and when she rings to say she’s got a good one, she means it!  And he’s a good example.  He’s so straight forward and has been easy from the very start.   Alan Davies, Carl Hester’s travelling groom raised him until he was three and then he came to us to start his career.   We named him Ollie to start around the time it was time to find a show name; we were on a cruise in the Mediterranean near Sicily and happened to go to Stromboli.  Being volcanic, it’s big and black so we had our name!”
Four busy days for Dan and his team ended with just reward; “I’m so pleased he’s done it after coming so close as a four year old last year.  He’s a big horse so we’ll see how he develops over the winter before making a decision on what to do.  Six year old classes are an option or maybe we just into straight tests.  It’s been a great Nationals for us; we bought this horse and the chestnut which won the prelim championship on Thursday as foals and now they’ve both won titles as five year olds – I’m a proud daddy today!”

Many people’s idea of a perfect Sunday morning is coffee, croissants and a good read of the Sunday papers, but not for the hundreds who arrived early at Stoneleigh this morning. For them, it was to watch a ginger horse; not any ginger horse – but the one and only Woodlander Farouche (Furst Heinrich x Dimaggio), dubbed the ‘supermodel ‘of dressage.
There was an air of anticipation as the chestnut beauty, masterfully ridden by Michael Eilberg, limbered up for her 8.27 slot in the Suregrow Advanced Medium Open Championship and she didn’t disappoint. Now seven, and in her first year of ‘grown up’ competition, her performance was spellbinding and displayed all the qualities that earned the title of FEI World Young Horse Champion both as a five and six-year-old. They scored 79.05% despite an incorrect canter strike off and a change that was late behind to win the title by almost eight percent.
“She always feels unbelievable,” said Michael. “She’s on fire and felt edgy in the collecting ring so I aimed to ride a nice test without boiling over. The half passes and fluidity were great. We had the couple of mistakes but everything she does is such good quality. Through a test, what a normal horse would be running on, she’s a mark above. Her base mark is 80%.”
“In the canter she was hanging to the exit – she can be a bit trickier in canter right – which caused the error in the canter on, but the mistake in the change was my fault. Her canter ‘tigers’ away, and her front can get away from the hind legs – I needed to keep her more together.”
Aside from these blips, the test oozed quality, with expressive changes and extensions that would be sensational for a grand prix even. “My best mate Anthony, who’s not horsy, came today,” said Michael. “He said to Louise [Bell] ‘is that normal?’ when watching Farouche’s extensions!”
“She’s been hot but then horses can get wound up here. It’s very wide with a lot to see whereas at other shows the main arena is normally more enclosed. It’s all good for her though. When she’s hot like that it makes me think that training grand prix is going to be easier. Her brain is very cute and when excited she wants to show off what she’s learnt.”
Michael also filled second spot with his medium open winner from yesterday – Fuerst Sinclair – Alison Reddy’s 10-year-old son of Fuerst Heinrich. The pair scored 71.95%.
“I was really pleased with him. He’s very talented but was a bit green at this level. When I came back from Herning [in Denmark for the Europeans] he’d forgotten how to do flying changes! When I did a demo at Burghley Horse Trials with him I put a few in to remind him!” smiled Michael.
“He went through a great test today. The canter serpentine is not easy for him as he’s such a big horse but it was better today. He’s quite a hot horse and at the regionals I surprised him with the aid for the changes. This time, I just rode the canter and asked him for the change with my weight aid.”

The Stretch & Flex Elementary Open Championship was full of classy combinations but there could only be one winner, and that was Jo Hamilton with her own and Lady Hope’s Corchapin. Jo rode the elegant six-year-old son of Negro for a score of 72.31% to edge ahead of close runners-up, Becky Moody and Carinsio on 72.13%.
“I knew Becky was the one to beat with that score – plus she’s such a technician,” said Jo, obviously delighted with her horse. “Corchapin was great today; as consistent as I’ve ever known him. It was the best test at elementary he’s ever done – just one of those days when everything went right.”
Jo and Corchapin (stable name Colin) have a very good championship record together. “I really wanted him to win today having won the novice here last year and coming second in this class. I certainly didn’t want to do worse than that.”
Jo trains with Carl Hester for whom she worked for five years after leaving school. “I haven’t been able to see Carl for six months since the Winter Championships. I’ve just been relying on feedback from my test sheets and watching the mirrors at home so I must have more faith in myself!
“Colin is a ‘busy’ person so I compete him at least once a month to keep his competition head on,” said Jo, describing his active show schedule. “And I do all my own grooming at shows – I like it that way – if something goes wrong, you’ve only got yourself to blame! For me, it’s part of the mental preparation.”
I’m so grateful to Carl for his support and belief in me; he offered me Colin sight unseen as he knew that he’d suit me. I’m sure he could have sold him for more elsewhere. I love the Negro-sired horses as they have such a great temperament – look at Valegro. I’ve just bought another one from Carl so that’s exciting for the future – I pick him up on my way home today!”

Photos: Kevin Sparrow

Yellow Horse Marketing for the California Dressage Society.
 
As the third day of championship dressage competition concluded at the Murieta Equestrian Center in Rancho Murieta, CA, a multitude of horses and riders sported new tricolor sashes, trophies, and proud smiles at the CDS Championship Show, annual host of the CDS Horse of the Year awards, the CDS Young Horse Futurity, the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 7 Dressage Championships, and the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Breeders Championships West Coast Series Final. 
 
Future superstars of dressage sport were on display as the five and six-year-old divisions of the CDS Young Horse Futurity concluded today.  The five-year-old Dutch Warmblood “Dancing Queen” (Jazz x Junior, bred by CFM Van Der Linden) lived up to her name as she made both First Level tests look easy and impressed the judges from start to finish for an average combined score of 77.541%.  As one of the top-ranked young horses in the country, the elegant mare was expertly ridden by Ashlyn DeGroot of Hanford, CA for DG Bar Ranch, a combination which earned their second Futurity title in two days after claiming yesterday’s four-year-old title with “DG Edorijke”. 

“Dancing Queen was really good for me this weekend, she does everything I ask and every time I ride her she gives me more,” said DeGroot.  “Young horses are so fun to work with because you get to see how they grow.  It’s been an amazing year for us, and I’m so thankful.”
 
The judges also fell in love with “Casanova”, Jocelyn Hamann’s flashy Dutch Warmblood gelding (by Lauwersmeer), awarding him the highest marks of the day in the six-year-old division to overtake the first-round leader and claim the overall Futurity title with a combined score of 72.449%.  In the Adult Amateur divisions of the Futurity, the second test of the multi-stage competition was cancelled due to weather, leaving Thursday’s first-round winners Ivetta Harte of Dublin, CA and her Oldenburg gelding “Days Go By” (by Danone) as champions in the five-year-old division, and Melissa Mulchahey of Livermore to take home the six-year-old Futurity trophy for her Westfalen pony gelding “Outrageous” (by Out-Break). 
 
CDS Horse of the Year titles were awarded at First, Second and Fourth Levels, as well as Intermediaire I.  In the Open First Level division, Riana Porter once again partnered with Kathy Van Camp’s Oldenburg “Dax” to top a large field of competitors t take the McLeod Perpetual Trophy home to Santa Rosa, CA with an overall combined score of 75.842%.  In Open Second Level Horse of the Year, an average score of 73.379% earned the Bengt Lungquist Memorial Trophy for “Releve”, a Hanoverian mare ridden and owned by Sandy Savage of Sacramento. 

Meanwhile, Leslie Webb of Bakersfield, CA guided 2011 CDS Second Level champion “Harmony’s Armani” (Dutch Warmblood mare owned by Harmony Sporthorses) to another Horse of the Year title, this time at Fourth Level with an overall score of 73.015% to claim the Pal Kemery Perpetual Trophy.  Sean Cunningham of Northridge, CA and “Luminence” (Trakehner gelding owned by Hilda Gurney) won the CDS Open Intermediaire I Horse of the Year Trophy with a score of 70.263%, while the Adult Amateur division and T.D.I. Systems Perpetual Trophy was won with a score of 66.382% by “Lancaster”, a Danish Warmblood gelding ridden and owned by Sheryl Ross of Menlo Park, CA. 
 
This year, junior riders enjoyed expanded opportunities to earn CDS Horse of the Year awards, and the performances did not disappoint.  At First Level, Quinn Lancaster of Coto de Caza, CA topped the field riding her own Holsteiner mare “Uganda” to a combined two-test average score of 69.495%.  FEI Young Rider veteran Jaclyn Pepper (Santa Rosa, CA) and her Dutch Warmblood gelding “Taboo” showed how they helped the Region 7 Young Rider Team win a Gold Medal at this year’s NAYRC in Kentucky by claiming the Junior/Young Rider Prix St. Georges championship (65.658%). 

Talented juniors also showed off their riding skills in two divisions of the HorseShow.com/CDS Dressage Seat Equitation Challenge.   For riders 13 and under, Paris Richman of Monte Nido, CA partnered with her own Appendix Quarter Horse gelding “Maverick Ever So Clever” for the win (64.000%).  Jaclyn Pepper rode to her second win of the day, this time with Jeannette Bell’s Hanoverian gelding “Polestar” to top the 14 – 21 division on a score of 76.000%. 
 
Additional CDS Championships were awarded in the Fourth Level and Grand Prix Freestyle divisions as part of afternoon and evening entertainment.  Donna Richardson (San Marcos, CA) and her white Lusitano gelding “Venturoso” are on a musical winning streak as today they earned victory in the CDS Fourth Level Freestyle with 69.250%.  Tracey Lert of Soquel, CA repeated her previous day’s success in the Grand Prix Freestyle with her Dutch Warmblood gelding “Udo” to win the Lt. Col Hans Moeller Trophy on a score of 69.438%.    
 
Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 7 Championships were also presented in a multitude of divisions, including several in the Junior/Young Rider ranks.  At Training Level, Quinn Lancaster earned 74.700% for her second championship sash of the day on “Uganda”.   Jaclyn Pepper once again guided “Polestar” to the winner’s circle on a score of 66.548% in the Second Level Junior/Young Rider division, while Jessica Pierce of Ramona, CA rode her Oldenburg gelding “Sterling” to claim the JR/YR Fourth Level Championship (59.125%). 

Olivia Zeilinger from Danville, CA, and her Dutch Warmblood partner “Stentano” were members of the Silver Medal-winning Region 7 NAJC Team this summer, and today added yet another honor to their resume by winning the Junior Team Test Championship on a score of 68.243%.  Another veteran of FEI Young Rider competition, Genay Vaughn rode Starr Vaughn Equestrian’s eye-catching black Hanoverian stallion “Donarweiss GGF” to victory in the JR/YR Intermediaire II Region 7 Championship on a score of 62.368%.
 
Topping a large field of Adult Amateurs at First Level was Cynthia Makishima of Mountain View, CA, who earned a winning score of 70.887% with her own Oldenburg gelding “Solino”.   In the Open Third Level Championship, Leslie Webb earned her second championship of the day, this time riding Sherry Tourino’s Trakehner stallion “Eisenherz” to the title (67.115%), while the Adult Amateur division at this level was topped by Moraga, CA’s Victoria Von Arx with her own Hanoverian mare “Celina” on a score of 70.192%.  In the FEI divisions, topping the leader board in the Open Prix St. Georges Championship was Ericka Reinig, who piloted Joan Cinquini’s Hanoverian mare “Fraktura” to a winning score of 69.211%. 

Charlotte Jorst (Reno, NV) piloted Skagen Holdings’ “Adventure” to earn the Adult Amateur Prix St. Georges Regional Championship (72.632%), the Dutch Warmblood gelding’s second championship of the weekend.  In 2011, Jorst partnered with the Dutch gelding “Tristan” to win Region 7 Championships at the Intermediaire I level; this year they returned to the same arena at Murieta Equestrian Center to once again claim top honors, this time at the Adult Amateur Grand Prix level with a score of 64.362%.  David Blake (Encinitas, CA) and his international High Performance partner “Ikaros” (owned by Melanie Pai) added another Grand Prix championship to their trophy case by winning the Region 7 Grand Prix Open Championship with a score of 69.521%. 
 
In addition to a full day of championship rides, in-hand sport horse breeding competition was also featured with the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Breeders Championships – West Coast Final.  Jackie Ahl-Eckhaus of Sanger, CA presented “Si Donna MVS” (Sir Donnerhall x Lumara by Flemmingh), a three-year-old Oldenburg filly which she owns and bred, to claim the Filly Championship by earning a score of 78.800% from judges Jayne Ayers and Peggy Klump.  In the Colt/Gelding Championship, owner Laura Blanton presented her two-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding “Guinness” (Idocus x La Raya by Rampal, bred by Con Brio Farms LLC) to win the division title with a score of 79.650%.

  Kevin Reinig presented Carol Webb’s eight-year-old Hanoverian mare “Devra” (Domiro x Dililah by Diamant, bred by Lucchetti Ranch) to win the Mare Championship with a score of 78.275%.  In the Current Year Foal Championship, owner/breeder Mellanie Burkhart of Bakersfield, CA won with her own flashy Appaloosa filly “Confetti’s Cottontail” (Butterwap Confetti x Grace by Goldluck) on a score of 78.750%, while color was also the hit of the day in the Stallion Championship where Katie Hoefs-Martin presented the pinto four-year-old Oldenburg “Argentum BSH” (Art Deco x Sasia by Slewvescent) for owner and breeder Dove Butler for a winning score of 76.325%.

Championship competition concludes on Sunday with final divisions of Regional and CDS Championships.  
The California Dressage Society, formed in 1967, is a non-profit organization devoted to furthering interest in dressage.  It is one of the largest dressage organizations in the nation with more than 4,000 individual members in its 36 Chapters and a rich history of equestrian sport on the West Coast.
PHOTO CAPTION & CREDIT:  Ashlyn DeGroot and “Dancing Queen” won the CDS Young Horse Futurity for Five-Year-Olds.  Photo: Jennifer M. Keeler

Man of the moment, Spencer Wilton, held his command at small tour on day two of the Espayo National Dressage Championships. Today, he took the Saracen Horse Feedsintermediate I title on Doogie, the horse relegated to bridesmaid by superstar stable mate Goodman’s Supernova in yesterday’s epic prix st georges. Spencer rode a masterly test on the 10-year-old KWPN Democrat-sired gelding to score 74.21% and earn the attractive grey his deserved moment in the limelight.
“It sounds awful, but I was gutted for Doogie yesterday so I’m glad he’s had his moment to shine,” said Spencer. “This has been the best ever show. It means a lot to me. Everyone puts in so much work, effort and money so it’s great to get a result like this. I’m so glad for his owners, Mary Baker and Carol Large.”

“Doogie’s always been a good horse but until this year, he didn’t have an awful lot of fire. This year, he’s come into his own and is now really high quality,” said Spencer. “Personality-wise he’s very different to Supernova. Doogie’s fairly independent and unflappable whereas Supernova’s quite needy – the complete opposite.”

Spencer and Doogie go forward to tomorrow afternoon’s Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I Freestyle which, if the inter I is anything to go by, promises to be a stonker! And it determines the winner of the Saracen Horse Feeds Intermediate I Supreme Champion.


On form Daisy Coakley maintained her 100% strike rate today at the Espayo National Dressage Championships. The 20-year-old Hertfordshire rider and her mount, Cleopatra II, once again stamped their authority to notch up a second title at the show, the Dodson & Horrell Novice Open. Judy Firmston-Williams’ six-year-old daughter of Dayano, was still full of running following yesterday’s victory and powered through her test for a score 71.86% from the panel of judges.

“I’m gobsmacked today,” smiled Daisy after the prize giving, “She felt really fluent and had plenty of energy in there. The test wasn’t perfect as there was a mistake in one of the canter transitions, but the rest of it felt great – and she walks for a nine.”

Judy found Cleopatra in Hampshire as a foal and Daisy has ridden the mare since February last year. During this short time together they’ve become a forced to be reckoned with, now with four national titles under their belt. Daisy clearly enjoys working with the horse “She has a very good mind and expresses herself well,” she said. “She can be a bit grumpy in training, but then she thinks about it for a couple of days, and then gets it.” 

Daisy, who trains with Judy, Ali Berman and Gareth Hughes, left school in 2012 and now rides full time, combining a successful eventing career with the dressage “I rode throughout my years at school years though – what else are lunchtimes for!” she laughed.

26-year-old Elenna Carroll stole the show in the Dodson & Horrell Novice Restricted Championship riding Gemma Appleton’s six-year-old 17.2hh gelding Moviman. Elenna and the stately chestnut, a son of former Carl Hester ride Movistar, headed the class with 72.41% to sit more than three percent ahead of their nearest rivals. 

“It’s been a long journey with him. He was very sharp and difficult – just a couple of years ago he wouldn’t even let his hind feet be picked out. It’s been a real turnaround,” said Elenna. “Today his attitude was great. He was focused and not at all distracted. This time last year it would have been too much for him. I’m so happy.” 

Elenna, who was born in Australia to British parents, is Gemma Appleton’s riding head girl, riding and competing the youngsters. “I originally came to Europe on holiday and as the industry over here is bigger, there are more opportunities, so I came back. Being at Gemma’s is great and she has such amazing horses.” 

The Dressage Deluxe Medium Restricted Championship field left the judges in disagreement with some differences of opinion but Oxfordshire rider Helen Philip came out top with her own Rubens.  Drawn halfway in the running order, Helen put up a score of 68.49% and so the agonising wait began with some good combinations to come but it was towards the end that the real challenges came.  Hannah Bates and Essentially M&S came close with 67.62% and then the final combination, Kate Walters and Freddy looked like snatching it but their final mark of 67.62% was just adrift of Helen and ‘Ruben’.
Despite winning their regional at Addington, Helen felt there was lots to work on before coming to their first Nationals as she was disappointed with her canter work.  “I’m pleased with the canter today.  The regional it was the other way round but this felt better.  The test went to plan with the half pass and simple changes excellent.  I know there’s still more to come from him and we only move on up from here.”

Helen found the now 11 year old in a show jumping yard as a just backed four year old and took a shine to him.  His breeding is classically dressage on the side of the sire, Riccione and his dam is show jumping but when it was found that ‘he couldn’t jump a stick’ he was put up for sale.  “He wasn’t the easiest youngster – stress and spooky – but he’s matured into the easiest horse.  He goes out in the field every day and we do lots of hacking.  I really believe that I’ve found the key to him in the supplement Cool, Calm and Collected plus having my friend Wesely Morrissey helping me at shows; she’s a rock.  She knows my moods, when I need something and when to keep quiet!    We’ll keep on working hard to perfect both the trot and canter and the aim is to qualify him at advanced medium for the winter regionals,” explained Helen.  

HorsUs.

USA dressage rider Steffen Peters has a new horse as a successor to his current top horse Legolas. Rosamunde is a six-year-old Rhinelander mare which is bought by Peters’ sponsor Akiko Yamazaki for Steffen Peters to train and compete.
Rosamunde, or “Rosie,” as the mare is nicknamed is a dark bay 16.3-hand (170cm) horse that is in quarantine in Los Angeles after being flown from Germany for what Akiko described as “a nice birthday present” for Steffen. He turned 49 years old Wednesday.

‘I’m super excited to get another chance to produce another horse,’ said Steffen who is based in San Diego, California and competed for Akiko the KWPN gelding Ravel at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, won two individual medals at the 2010 World Equestrian Games and was the 2009 World Cup champion before being retired late last year. Legolas, an 11-year-old Westfalen gelding, was bought by Akiko almost two years ago and is the prime American prospect for the WEG in Normandy in 2014.
Rosamunde by Rock Forever out of a Fidermark mare had been trained and competed in young horse classes by the Finnish rider Henri Ruoste who is based in Krefeld, Germany

Yellow Horse Marketing for the California Dressage Society
 
As summer comes to an end, dressage competitors across the country are preparing for the fall championship season.  This weekend, close to 300 exhibitors from up and down the West Coast will once again gather for one of the largest and most lucrative championship programs in the nation as the California Dressage Society (CDS) Annual Championship Show returns to the Murieta Equestrian Center in Rancho Murieta, CA, September 19 – 22, 2013.
Returning to the CDS Championship Show will be the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 7 Dressage Championships and the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Breeders Championships West Coast Series Final.  Adding to the excitement, riders competing in these Regional Championship classes have the opportunity to qualify for the inaugural US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan – the first national head-to-head competition for open and adult amateur exhibitors – to be held November 7 – 10, 2013 in Lexington, Kentucky.
Every year the CDS Championship Show offers something for everyone, whether a dedicated competitor or enthusiastic fan.  This show will once again award a multitude of CDS Horse of the Year titles with $20,000 in prize money across all levels from Training to Grand Prix, and expanded championship classes for juniors and young riders.  Fifty-eight talented young horses will compete for top honors and more than $12,000 in prize money in the CDS Young Horse Futurity (including the Cal-Bred Futurity) for four, five, and six-year-olds, while riders will have a chance to show off their skills in the HorseShow.com/CDS Dressage Seat Equitation Challenge.
But the CDS Championship Show is more than just great competition and awards – it’s about enjoying the annual championship experience and camaraderie.  Exhibitors are invited to participate in a variety of complimentary hospitality, activities, and entertainment, including a fabulous wine tasting (courtesy of Villa Toscano) while shopping at over 20 vendors, touring the all-new “Artist Walk” displaying the work of 14 featured artists, or shopping for their next dressage prospect during the Sale Horse Presentation. 
Special “Masters Series” discussions will once again be held on Friday and Saturday, featuring U.S. Young Horse Champion Charlotte Jorst; FEI Junior/Young Rider coach Nadine Pestana; and High Performance Grand Prix riders and 2014 U.S. Dressage Team hopefuls Kathleen Raine and David Blake. 
Saturday evening special performances will include the Visalia Rockettes Junior Drill Team; a demonstration by five-time U.S. National Champion vaulter Mary McCormick; a thrilling theatrical act by AirAligned aerial dance group; as well as musical freestyle competition with horses and riders dancing for a championship title and a year’s worth of bragging rights in the $1000 CDS Horse of the Year Grand Prix Freestyle, including Olympians Charlotte Bredahl and Hilda Gurney. 
The California Dressage Society, formed in 1967, is a non-profit organization devoted to furthering interest in dressage.  It is one of the largest dressage organizations in the nation with more than 4,000 individual members in its 36 Chapters and a rich history of equestrian sport on the West Coast.
PHOTO CAPTION & CREDIT:  California’s best dressage horses and riders, like High Performance Grand Prix rider Kathleen Raine, will be in attendance this week in Rancho Murieta at the CDS Championships.  Photo: Jennifer M. Keeler