Category Archives: Dressage News

Iron Spring Farm Named 2013 USEF #1 Breeder for Dressage Breeding

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Coatesville, PA- In the final 2013 standings, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) ranked Iron Spring Farm as the #1 breeder for Dressage Breeding.  Both warmbloods and Friesians bred by the farm accrued points by successfully competing in dressage breeding competitions. Point earners included Floraya ISF, by Florianus II, who was Reserve Grand Champion, Champion Young Horse and Champion Filly at Dressage at Devon, and Jupiter ISF, by Maeije 440 Sport, who was Reserve Champion Colt/Gelding at the same show.

 

“North American dressage breeders have worked hard to produce top quality sport horses,” said Mary Alice Malone, owner of Iron Spring Farm. “To be ranked number one amongst these dedicated breeders is a great honor.”
A standout among the horses earning points toward the ranking was Darling ISF Star. Now owned by Cara Kettenbach, the 2008 mare, by Sir Sinclair out of Saigon Elite by Jazz Preferent, had a fantastic show season. At the 2013 NEDA Fall Festival, Darling ISF was named Mare Champion and the GAIG/USDF Breeders Mare Champion. She also won the NEDA Dressage Stallion Auction Futurity with a 79%, as well as the Dutch Warmblood class.

 

Four of the horses that contributed points to the number one ranking were blue ribbon winners at Dressage at Devon: Izara ISF and Heavenly ISF both by UB40, Hailey ISF by Florianus II and Melody ISF by Uwe 458.
Izara ISF and Isadora ISF, both by UB40 out of Watch Me by Sir Sinclair, impressed at Dressage at Devon. Isadora ISF was named Champion Foal and the Reserve Foal Champion in GAIG/USDF Breeders East Coast Finals. Izara ISF was Reserve Champion Foal and Foal Champion in GAIG/USDF Breeders East Coast Finals. The sisters were produced by embryo transfer.
Check out the complete list of USDF year-end award winners: www.ironspringfarm.com/article-detail/2014-01-21/2013-usdf-year-end-awards

 

About Iron Spring Farm

 

For more than 35 years, Iron Spring Farm has been importing and breeding high quality sport horses.  Iron Spring stands nearly a dozen warmblood and Friesian stallions and offers programs to help breeders produce, raise and market exceptional athletes of their own. Visit  www.ironspringfarm.com for complete information.

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Jupiter ISF

Jupiter ISF, by Maeije 440 Sport, became the first Friesian to win a championship at the Dressage at Devon breed show when he was named Reserve Champion Colt/Gelding.

Photo credits: Stacy Lynne Photography
Floraya ISF

Floraya ISF, by Florianus II, earned Reserve Grand Champion, Young Horse Champion and Filly Champion at Dressage at Devon. Her results contributed to Iron Spring Farm’s #1 Breeder ranking by the USEF in Dressage Breeding

Media Contact:
Christine DeHerrera

Equestrian Sports Promotions

303-263-7531
equestriansports@earthlink.net

 

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Juan Matute, Jr., and Don Diego Ymas Finish On Top of FEI Intermediaire Freestyle at AGDF 3 CDI W

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Laura Cardon for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

 

Wellington, FL – January 26, 2014 – Spain’s Juan Matute, Jr. collected another blue ribbon prize after winning the FEI Intermediare Freestyle presented by Chespeake Dressage Institute on Sunday at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF). Sixteen-year-old Matute, Jr. and the 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Don Frederico finished on a score of 74.400% for victory.

 

Second place went to American Heather Mason and Zar for their score of 73.275%. Tom Dvorak (CAN) and Ribot scored 70.400% for third place.

Juan Matute, Jr. and Don Diego Ymas

The FEI Intermediaire Freestyle concluded competition for the third week of the AGDF, presented by the US P.R.E. Association and the Chesapeake Dressage Institute. The AGDF 4 National will run February 1-2.

 

Sunday was the first time Matute, Jr. had done this particular freestyle with Don Diego Ymas, but he couldn’t have asked for a better performance from the gelding.

 

“It was great. It was our first freestyle in the small tour, so I was a bit nervous, but it turned out perfectly! It was fun. I enjoyed it a lot,” Matute, Jr. beamed.

 

Matute, Jr. produced his freestyle music himself, scouring YouTube for the perfect soundtrack.

 

“I went through a lot of YouTube videos!” he laughed. “I went through a lot of searching, just for soundtrack. Sometimes, you choose a song just because you like it, but it doesn’t specifically fit the horse. It was a bit hard to find the right music that fits Don Diego, but we did it.”

He continued, “I think the major point in the freestyle is that both the horse and the rider like the music and like to ride to the music. The music makes the horse lighter; it makes him dance to the music.”

Don Diego Ymas’ greatest strength is his canter work, which is where Matute, Jr. incorporated the more difficult elements of their choreography.

“I think the most difficult movements I did today were the pirouettes with one hand. He’s a big horse with a big canter, so sometimes it’s hard to control that, especially with just one hand. I think we were able to pull it off. The twos and the serpentine and the threes were a bit tricky as well, but we did it!”

Juan Matute, Jr. and Don Diego Ymas with judge Hans-Christian Matthiesen (DEN) and Cora Causemann of Equestrian Sport Productions.

Don Diego Ymas has been with the Matute family for years, and Matute, Jr. has enjoyed how their relationship has progressed.

“We had our barn with the top horses and the young ones, and he was always the last one [to be worked with]. He was the ugly one, the big one, the naughty one! He was so naughty when he was young,” Matute, Jr. laughed. “But he was always nice. He’s super noble. We’ve known each other since I was eight or nine, so it’s funny how [our relationship has progressed]. From walking down the barn aisle and saying ‘Oh, hi buddy!’ to now being able to perform in these competitions and do well. I think it’s a great development.”

 

The AGDF continues for nine more weeks of world-class dressage competition, running through March 30. For full results and more information, please visitwww.globaldressagefestival.com.

 

Final Results: FEI Intermediaire Freestyle, presented by Chesapeake Dressage Institute

Rider, Country, Horse: Judge E%, Judge H%, Judge C%, Judge M%, Judge B%, Total%

1 Juan Matute, Jr., ESP, Don Diego Ymas: 73.500%, 77.375%, 73.500%, 73.750%, 73.875%, 74.400%

2 Heather Mason, USA, Zar: 73.250%, 75.125%, 73.00%, 73.750%, 71.250%, 73.275%

3 Tom Dvorak, CAN, Ribot: 71.125%, 71.500%, 70.750%, 68.500%, 70.125%, 70.400%

4 Gabriella Stumpf, AUT, Finally Love: 70.375%, 68.125%, 70.375%, 69.625%, 70.625%, 69.825%

5 Bent Jensen, USA, Saracen: 68.500%, 66.125%, 64.875%, 68.125%, 63.375%, 66.200%

6 Kristy Truebenbach Lund, USA, Reel Adventure: 58.00%, 62.125%, 63.250%, 61.500%, 63.750%, 61.725%

7 Katharina Stumpf, AUT, Nymphenburg’s Love: 61.250%, 66.125%, 60.875%, 60.500%, 59.750%, 61.700%

8 Amy Walker-Basak, USA, Wagner: 59.250%, 59.625%, 59.750%, 57.625%, 59.375%, 59.125%

 

Photo Credit: Photos © SusanJStickle.com.

 

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Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven Victorious With Divertimento in FEI Grand Prix Special at AGDF 3 CDI W

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PRESS RELEASE
Laura Cardon for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Wellington, FL – January 25, 2014 – Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven finished first for the second time with Divertimento during the third week of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF), this time winning the FEI Grand Prix Special presented by US P.R.E. Association on Saturday evening. Vilhelmson-Silfven and Divertimento, a 12-year-old Westphalian owned by Lövsta Stuteri, topped the class with a score of 74.882%.

The third week of the AGDF concludes tomorrow with the FEI Intermediaire Freestyle along with a full complement of national classes.

Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven and Divertimento

 

American riders finished second and third, with Adrienne Lyle and Wizard placing second with their score of 70.549% and Katherine Bateson Chandler earning the third place finish with Wellnetta. The pair’s final score was 69.686%.

Vilhelmson-Silfven felt Divertimento was tenser in the ring than he had been earlier in the week in the FEI Grand Prix, but was still pleased that she could keep his focus and rideability.

 

“Thursday he was more relaxed, I had an easier ride. He got a bit tense [tonight but] I could still ride him and he still let me ride him and he trusted me and got relaxed during the test. Educationally, I’m very happy. I think he’s getting better and better,” Vilhelmson-Silfven commented.

Vilhelmson-Silfven is focused on maintaining the frame of mind Divertimento is currently in for future competitions.“He’s working very well, and he’s technically much easier to ride this year than last year. I’ll just keep training. He’s in a good mood and in a good feeling right now, so I’m going to try to keep him soft and happy in that way,” Vilhelmson-Silfven explained.

Lyle was also quire satisfied with Wizard’s performance in the class, chalking up any lost points to pilot error. Despite not having as clean of a test as she did Thursday, Lyle was happy to see the gelding’s piaffe-passage work improve.

“I haven’t ridden the special in a really long time, so I have to say a couple of the errors I think were a little rider error. I was quite happy with parts of it. We had some errors, but the quality I thought of the rest of [the test] was going in the right direction,” Lyle detailed.

Third place finisher and fellow American Bateson Chandler was full of praise for her mare Wellnetta, especially since the two have not been together for long.

“My horse is amazing! She has an incredible work ethic. She goes in the ring, she has her ears up on go,” Bateson Chandler grinned.

Wellnetta’s tireless attitude does occasionally result in having a bit too much ‘go’ during the test, but Bateson Chandler would much prefer that to a mount she would have to constantly push along.

“You’re going to get tension when you have that much go in a horse. She is a workhorse. She doesn’t quit the whole time. [She wants to do] more, more, more and you have to tell her ‘less, less, less,’” Bateson Chandler explained.

Heather Mason (USA) and Zar won the FEI Intermediaire-I presented by Chesapeake Dressage Institute on Saturday afternoon. Mason and Zar also won the FEI Intermediaire Freestyle during the first week of competition and topped week three’s class with a score of 71.842%.

Second place went to Brittany Fraser of Canada and All In for their score of 71.053%. Fellow Canadian Chris Von Martels rounded out the top three with Zilverstar. The pair finished on a score of 70.868%.

The 2014 AGDF was Mason’s first, but she and Zar certainly made the most of their trip south. Her goal for the year was to qualify Zar of the Festival of Champions (Ky.), which, thanks to her multiple wins at AGDF, she has already accomplished. Mason worked with Lars Petersen while in Wellington, who she credits with putting them on the path to success.

Heather Mason and Zar

“I’ve been working with Lars [twice a week] since I’ve been here. We’ve been working on more power and more engagement, especially in the extensions. I need to keep going like this and build the strength now. Our goal coming here was to qualify for the Festival, which now he’s pretty sure to be in [since] his average is over 70,” Mason explained.

Following the Festival of Champions, Mason’s focus with Zar will be moving him up to the grand prix level. It’s time for her “backburner horse” she’s owned since he was four months old to step into the big leagues.

“It’s been a challenge,” Mason admitted when asked about her and Zar’s journey. A habitually spooky horse that Mason describes as “an honest to goodness chicken,” Zar has certainly tested Mason’s fortitude. It all came together Saturday afternoon, although the 10-year-old KWPN gelding was briefly unnerved as the test began.

“Zar was more relaxed than yesterday, so I could go for a little bit more. We did have one major spook at A. But everything else was good. After the spook, I upped the ante a little bit more and pushed a little bit harder to make up the points,” Mason commented. “He was much more rideable, minus the spook, which actually surprised me.”

When Mason first arrived in Florida, she hadn’t had a lesson with Petersen on Zar for some time. Not wanting to push the gelding too quickly, they played it conservative during AGDF 1 before going for more week three.

“This show I definitely pushed for more. It helps to have Lars standing out there yelling at me,” she joked. “We played it low-key at the last show, but we knew we could ask for more. Yesterday, I had to be conservative again, but today, Lars was like ‘Go for it!’”

The final test for Mason and Zar at the 2014 AGDF will be the FEI Intermediaire Freestyle, which will wrap up competition for the third week of the AGDF. Mason and Zar will head back to Mason’s Flying Change Farm, based in Lebanon, NJ, at the end of the month, but the AGDF carries on with nine more weeks of world-class dressage competition through March 30.

Competition concludes with the FEI Intermediare Freestyle on Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. for the AGDF 3 CDI-W, presented by the US P.R.E. Association and the Chesapeake Dressage Institute. AGDF 4 Dressage National runs January 29 – February 2.

 

Final Results: FEI Grand Prix Special, presented by the US P.R.E. Association

Rider, Country, Horse: Judge E%, Judge H%, Judge C%, Judge M%, Judge B%, Total%

1 Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven, SWE, Divertimento: 73.431%, 73.529%, 74.804%, 77.059%, 75.588%, 74.882%

2 Adrienne Lyle, USA, Wizard: 72.059%, 70.294%, 72.059%, 69.020%, 69.314%, 70.549%

3 Kathrine Bateson Chandler, USA, Wellnetta: 68.235%, 70.000%, 71.569%, 67.451%, 71.176%, 69.686%

4 David Marcus, CAN, Chrevi’s Capital: 68.235%, 65.294%, 71.176%, 70.098%, 69.216%, 68.804%

5 Belinda Trussell, CAN, Anton: 68.235%, 68.529%, 68.824%, 68.235%, 68.725%, 68.510%

6 Lisa Wilcox, USA, Denzello: 66.275%, 68.137%, 69.412%, 70.490%, 67.451%, 68.353%

7 Tom Dvorak, CAN, Viva’s Seleiri W: 65.294%, 65.882%, 65.392%, 65.588%, 65.980%, 65.627%

8 Catherine Haddad-Staller, USA, Mane Stream Hotmail: 65.882%, 64.706%, 65.490%, 63.922%, 65.980%, 65.196%

 

Final Results: FEI Intermediaire-1, presented by the Chesapeake Dressage Institute

Rider, Country, Horse: Judge E%, Judge H%, Judge C%, Judge M%, Judge B%, Total%

1 Heather Mason, USA, Zar: 70.132%, 71.316%, 71.711%, 73.533%, 72.500%, 71.842%

2 Brittany Fraser, CAN, All In: 73.026%, 72.105%, 71.316%, 69.737%, 69.079%, 71.503%

3 Chris Von Martels, CAN, Zilverstar: 71.184%, 70.789%, 71.053%, 70.395%, 70.921%, 70.868%

4 Juan Matute, Jr., ESP, Don Diego Ymas: 68.684%, 68.026%, 71.842%, 68.158%, 68.684%, 69.079%

5 Tom Dvorak, CAN, Ribot: 67.368%, 66.579%, 68.829%, 66.579%, 68.816%, 67.526%

6 Gabriela Stumpf ,AUT, Finally Love: 67.632%, 66.053%, 66.184%, 66.447, 66.579%, 66.579%

7 Melissa Jackson, USA, Whirpool: 66.316%, 65.000%, 65.658%, 66.842%, 65.395%, 65.842%

8 Mary-Haskins Gurganus, USA, Richmond HL: 67.105%, 62.105%, 66.711%, 64.079%, 66.447%, 65.289%

 

Photo Credit: Photos © SusanJStickle.com.

 

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Dujardin and Valegro make it a back-to-back Reem Acra double in Amsterdam

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REEM ACRA FEI WORLD CUP™ DRESSAGE 2013/2014 – Round 5
Amsterdam (NED), 25 January 2014

 

By Louise Parkes

Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro were like an unstoppable force as they marched to another spectacular victory at the fifth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Western European League series in Amsterdam, The Netherlands today.  With a mark of 91.275, the Olympic double-gold and individual European Championship winning partnership were 2.7 points short of the world-record Freestyle score they posted at the previous leg at Olympia, London in December.  But today’s result underpins their position at the very top of their game, and sets them firmly on the road to the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final at Lyon, France in April.
The Netherlands’ Edward Gal had to settle for runner-up spot once again despite a lovely performance from Glock’s Undercover, while Denmark’s Anna Kasprzak and Donnperignon really impressed when lining up third.  Former FEI World Cup™ Dressage champion, Isabell Werth, headed German counterparts Fabienne Lutkemeier (D’Agostino FRH) and Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (Unee BB) when slotting into fourth with Don Johnson FRH, while Frenchman, Marc Boblet, produced a charming test from Noble Dream Concept Sol to stand seventh in the prizewinner’s line-up.
The start-list was reduced to 14 when The Netherlands’ Hans-Peter Minderhoud withdrew Glock’s Romanov, but it was another day of sparkling competition.  The Dutch crowd was captivated by the British duo who continue to take the sport of Dressage by storm, and there is no doubt that their presence is having a very positive effect as so many others have been encouraged to raise their game again this season, bringing a freshness and energy to the prestigious and long-established indoor series.
Great start
The competition got off to a great start when Dutch rider, Madeleine Witte-Vrees, posted a score of 74.500 with the 11-year-old Vitana V, and that remained the target until the French partnership of Boblet and Noble Dream Concept Sol set sail.  This pair, who finished seventh at Olympia last month, soared into the lead when scoring 76.125, and the spectators showed their appreciation of this expressive performance filled with lightness and enthusiasm.
When the German contingent went into action however they were instantly demoted, firstly by Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Unee BB who edged them out with a score of 76.650 and then again by Fabienne Lutkemeier and D’Agostino FRH who posted 77.575.
With only four left to run the Dutch took back the advantage.  The 12-year-old Glock’s Undercover produced a focused, calm and concentrated test for Edward Gal whose relationship with this horse seems to be cementing with every outing.  They looked rock solid as they strode purposefully to a mark of 85.125 which would now be the one to beat.
With just three riders per nation permitted to compete at the Final, the battle for a qualifying spot amongst the German contingent is a fierce one, but double FEI World Cup™ Dressage champion, Isabell Werth, threw down the best German score of 80.850 to stake her claim with Don Johnson FRH before Denmark’s Anna Kasprzak took her turn as the penultimate contestant.
The 24-year-old rider and her 15-year-old horse, Donnperignon, have developed into a dynamic duo over the last two years and were impressive from the moment they entered the arena today.  Confident and composed, they produced a very classy test for a mark of 82.000 that would always keep them well within the frame.  But the best was saved until last.
Magic
There’s a magic about Dujardin and Valegro that is difficult to explain, and such is their appeal that every time they appear in competition something sensational is expected to happen while their very presence is an occasion in itself.
Once again they didn’t disappoint, setting off in spectacular extended trot to the strains of the very first musical score they used together.  Dujardin said at Olympia that she wouldn’t use her Olympic score again, and so decided to go back to where it all began.  “I love riding to that music.  I know how I am with it, so I could relax and have fun – and my horse did too!” she after posting another whopping mark of 91.275. Stillness and balance, control and rhythm, straightness and lightness – it was all there but for a moment in canter when, according to the rider, Valegro was “spooked by a camera”.  In everything they do together, however, this horse and rider seem to be in perfect harmony.  And Valegro looked just as happy and satisfied as his rider when it was all over today.
Asked if the gelding she calls Blueberry prefers to perform indoors or in an outdoor environment, Dujardin replied, “it doesn’t really matter to him. I just feel feel I always have his trust, and if something happens then I just tell him its OK and he believes me so we can just get on with what we are doing – I’m so lucky with him!” she said of the horse with which she has enjoyed such phenomenal success over the last few years.
Remarkable
Making today’s result all the more remarkable was the fact that Dujardin has been abroad for the past few weeks so didn’t get to ride her horse.  She had a good deputy however, in her trainer and mentor Carl Hester who kept Valegro in work.
“I’ve been away for two weeks in New Zealand and only got back on Sunday so only rode for two days before here and I’m not used to that, but Carl kept him going for me” Dujardin explained.  “Yesterday (in the Grand Prix) he was very good, but today he was even better, I felt we were back in the flow of it again,” she said, adding after a momentary pause – “you know, it’s a massive honour every time I ride this horse!”.
Now her sights are set on adding the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage title to their long list of extraordinary achievements.  Talking about her plans with Valegro for the coming months, Dujardin explained, “we will go to Den Bosch (NED) and I will ride my new floor plan and music there.  Then it will be on the Final in Lyon, and I’m really looking forward to that!” she said.
Lying equal-sixth in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Western European League rankings which continue to be headed by Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven followed by Gal in second, Werth in third and Germany’s von Bredow Werndl and Switzerland’s Marcela Krinke Susmelj in joint-fourth, it seems Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro are well set to make their mark at the Lyon Final where victory would ensure yet another entry into the record books.
Because, in the 28-year history of the FEI World Cup™ Dressage series, a British rider has never come out on top.  The best British result previously registered was second place for Christopher Bartle and Wily Trout at the inaugural Final in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands in 1986.

For further information on the fifth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2013/2014 Western European League series at Amsterdam, The Netherlands, go to www.jumpingamsterdam.nl or contact Press Officer Charlotte Gunnink, Email media@jumpingamsterdam.nl, Tel: +31 205445720, Mobile +31 6383 25326.

The next leg takes place at Neumunster, Germany on Sunday 16 February.  For all information on the German fixture go to website http://pst-marketing.de or contact
Press Officer Andreas Kerstan, Email andreas.kerstan@comtainment.de, Tel: +49 430 782 7973/+49 341 678 6012.
Result: 1, Valegro (Charlotte Dujardin) GBR 91.275; 2, Glock’s Undercover (Edward Gal) NED 85.125; 3, Donnperignon (Anna Kasprzak) DEN 82.000; 4, Don Johnson FRH (Isabell Werth) GER 80.850; 5, D’Agostino FRH (Fabienne Lutkemeier) GER 77.575; 6, Unee BB (Jessica von Bredow-Werndl) GER 76.650; 7, Noble Dream Concept Sol (Marc Boblet) FRA 76.125; 8, Vitana V (Madeleine Witte-Vrees) NED 74.500; 9, Thriller (Katja Gevers) NED 73.350; 10, Vingino (Tommie Visser) NED 72.225; 11, Smeyers Molberg (Marcela Krinke Susmelj) SUI 71.550; 12, Ulysses la Haya (Laurens van Lieren) NED 70.875; 13, Biggles (Kristian von Krusentierna) SWE 70.600; 14, Uzzo (Patrik van der Meer) NED 68.800.  Full details here http://results.scgvisual.com/2014/amsterdam/index.html

Facts and Figures:

Amsterdam in The Netherlands presented Round 5 of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2013/2014 series.

The Dutch fixture is celebrating its 55th anniversary this year.
14 horse-and-rider combinations competed in today’s qualifying leg following the withdrawal of Dutch rider Hans Peter Minderhoud and Glock’s Romanov.
Competitors from 7 nations took part – Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland.
Just three further qualifying rounds will take place before the series final at Lyon, France in April.
The next leg will take place at Neumunster, Germany on Sunday 16 February.
The Ground Jury for today’s competition was –  At E, Adriaan Hamoen (NED); At H, Katrina Wuest (GER); At C, Francis Verbeek van Rooij (NED); At M, Jean-Michel Roudier (FRA); At B, Susanne Baarup (DEN).
Today’s winning horse-and-rider combination, Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro, won double Olympic gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games, individual gold at the Ecco FEI European Championships in Herning, Denmark last summer and hold all three world records in Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special and Freestyle.  They set the new world Freestyle record at Olympia, London in December 2013.

Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2013/2014 Western European League – Standings after Round 5 at Amsterdam, The Netherlands:

1. Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven SWE – 74
2. Edward Gal NED – 51
3. Isabell Werth GER – 48
4. Jessica von Bredow-Werndl GER – 43
4. Marcela Krinke Susmelj SUI – 43
6. Charlotte Dujardin GBR – 40
6. Hans Peter Minderhoud NED – 40
8. Anna Kasprzak DEN – 35
8. Fabienne Lutkemeier GER – 35
Nanna Skodborg Merrald DEN – 26

 

Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro made it two-in-a-row when winning today’s fifth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Western European League series at Amsterdam, The Netherlands.  Photo: FEI/Arnd Bronkhorst.

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Lars Petersen and Mariett Lead the Competition in FEI Grand Prix Freestyle at AGDF 3 CDI W

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Spain’s Juan Matute, Jr., Earns Second CDI Win

with Don Diego Ymas in the FEI Prix St. Georges

Laura Cardon for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

 

Wellington, FL – January 24, 2014 – Danish rider Lars Petersen and his grand prix mount Mariett won the FEI World Cup Qualifying Grand Prix Freestyle presented by US P.R.E. Association during the third week of competition at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF). Petersen rode Marcia Pepper’s 16-year-old Danish Warmblood mare to first place with 77.450%.

 

Second place went to Canada’s Diane Creech and Devon L. The pair finished on a 73.175%. Mikala Munter Gundersen (DEN) rounded out the top three with My Lady after receiving a score of 72.075%.

Lars Petersen and Mariett

The third week of the AGDF, sponsored by the US P.R.E. Assocation and Chesapeake Dressage Institute, runs through Sunday, January 26. The AGDF hosts nine more weeks of world-class dressage through March 30. The FEI World Cup Qualifying Grand Prix Freestyle was the feature event of the week, and chilly weather and a schedule adjustment didn’t detract from a phenomenal evening of dressage competition.

 

“Competition was stellar, the horses were beautiful, (and) the riding was exquisite,” commented Allyn Mann of Adequan.

 

Mann was excited to see the AGDF continuing to flourish, especially under new Sports Director Thomas Baur’s expertise. “As far as this year versus previous years, I think we’ve already exceeded expectations. Thomas is just continuing to do wonderful things to make each of these events a special evening. I would expect that it’s only going to get better and the competition more fierce because I think that’s what keeps each [rider] going, right? You want to get to the top rung on the ladder,” Mann remarked.

 

The rider at the top of that ladder has often been Petersen with Mariett, and after finishing second with the mare during AGDF 1, Petersen was pleased to see her getting back in the swing of things.

 

“That was the first show since [Dressage at] Devon [in September]. Now we have one show with a little bit to practice. When you’re on a roll it always gets a bit easier. I think that’s the biggest thing. Also for her, she was in [this ring] before and she was more tense the first show. I think it’s a combination of a lot of things, [but] the main thing is that we showed two weeks ago and now we do it again,” Petersen explained.

 

Of Mariett’s performance on Friday evening, Petersen said, “I thought she was really good today. I had a very difficult test; high difficulty with my changes and all my transitions from trot to passage. She was with me today.”

 

Second place finisher Creech debuted a new freestyle routine featuring Capital City’s hit song “Safe and Sound.” Creech’s music was produced by Karen Robinson, who Creech has worked with before.

 

“We’ve always liked working with each other. It’s not so easy to find the right music for your horse,” she acknowledged. “It needs to suit the temperament and the movement, and I need to like it and he needs to like it. Those are a lot of things to mix into it. It needs to be happy music, and I like it to be a little bit familiar to people.”

 

The most important thing to Creech is that Devon L takes to the music, which he appears to be doing.

 

“I just have ridden [the new freestyle] for the second time now, so we’re just getting into the routine, but he seems to like the routine and he seems to like the music,” she described.

Diane Creech and Devon L

Mikala Munter Gundersen and My Lady put on another good show, placing third for the second time in the FEI World Cup Qualifying Grand Prix Freestyle. Munter Gundersen was very happy with her horse’s performance, but admitted she committed a few errors that kept them from the top prize.

 

“She has had some nice consistency in her test. Tonight, she got a little bit hot for me and I got a little behind the music, so I was chasing to catch up with the music a bit, and I got some mistakes because of that. Those were all mine. She really paid attention to me even though she was hot,” Munter Gundersen recounted.

 

As for giving Petersen a run for his money, Munter Gundersen says it will all come together in a few weeks at the AGDF 5 Dressage CDI 4*.

Mikala Munter Gundersen and My Lady

“I think in two weeks, we’re going to get Lars. At least we’ll try!” she laughed.

 

Cesar Parra was the top American finisher for the class, riding Van the Man to a 71.975%. He too sees his routine coming along as the horse continues to mature.

 

“I’m very, very happy with him. He’s a very hot horse. A very special horse; he’s my special child,” he smiled.

 

Parra continued, “I think he’s a wonderful horse that is maturing a lot, and I really have big expectations for him. I think very soon everything will come together, and everyone will see his greatness in the ring. I’m very proud to be representing the United States with him.”

 

Spain’s Juan Matute, Jr., Earns Second CDI Win with Don Diego Ymas in the FEI Prix St. Georges

 

In only his second CDI outing with Don Diego Ymas, 16-year-old Juan Matute, Jr., conquered the FEI Prix St. Georges presented by Chesapeake Dressage Institute at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF). Matute, Jr., and Don Diego Ymas won the class with a score of 71.421%.

 

Canadian Britney Fraser took second with All In with a final score of 70.684%, while Heather Mason (USA) and Zar were third with 70.421%.

 

Matute, Jr. won the Intermediaire-I during the first week of competition for the AGDF and was thrilled to pick up another small tour victory with Don Diego Ymas.

Juan Matute, Jr. and Don Diego Ymas

“It feels amazing. We were not expecting it!” Matute, Jr., grinned. “We were just expecting to perform well, and of course getting a good score is always part of that, but our first goal was just to be good and to enjoy [the test] and create a stronger bond with each other.

 

“We had some mistakes in the threes, so a few parts of the canter were a bit messy, but I think the overall picture was great,” he continued. “The contact was great; the frame was great.”

 

Matute, Jr. also picked up a blue ribbon earlier in the morning with Dhannie Ymas in the FEI Junior Team Class. Matute, Jr., admitted that both horses enjoy taking in the sights of the winner circle.

 

“They like it. They like to win! They like the people clapping and the whole atmosphere of victory,” Matute, Jr., commented.

 

With the season in Wellington off to an exciting start, Matute, Jr. now looks forward to the FEI Nations Cup during the AGDF 7 CDIO, presented by Stillpoint Farm and Peacock Ridge.

 

“My goal is to do well in the small tour this season in Wellington, and my goal by the end of the year is to move up to the Under 25 [classes]. We’re going to do the Nations Cup, so that’s one of the biggest goals for the small tour this season,” Matute, Jr. outlined.

 

Matute, Jr. spent two months in Germany training with Oliver Oelrich before returning home to Wellington to resume training with his father, Juan Matute, Sr. Matute, Jr. enjoys having a trainer-student relationship that runs deeper than most.

 

“I love it. I get to ask questions 24/7. My dad sometimes wants to kill me at the dinner table because I keep asking questions and asking questions,” Matute, Jr. laughed. “But I think it’s great because besides having that relationship as father and son, we keep that relationship in the ring.”

 

Competition for the AGDF 3 CDI W continues Saturday morning with the FEI Intermediare-I at 11:00 a.m. followed by the FEI Grand Prix Special at 3:20 p.m. For full results and more information, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

 

Final Results: FEI Grand Prix Freestyle, presented by the US P.R.E. Assocation

Rider, Country, Horse: Judge E%, Judge H%, Judge C%, Judge M%, Judge B%,

 

1 Lars Petersen, DEN, Mariett: 76.875%, 77.875%, 76.125%, 79.750%, 76.625%, 77.450%

2 Diane Creech, CAN, Devon L: 73.125%, 74.375%, 71.625%, 75.000%, 71.750%, 73.175%

3 Mikala Munter Gundersen, DEN, My Lady: 71.375%, 72.250%, 73.000%, 72.625%, 71.125%, 72.075%

4 Cesar Para, USA, Van the Man: 71.500%, 73.875%, 72.625%, 71.250%, 70.625%, 71.975%

5 Jill Irving, CAN, Pop Art: 71.125%, 68.625%, 71.375%, 71.625%, 72.000%, 70.950%

6 Jacqueline Brooks, CAN, D Niro: 72.750%, 69.750%, 69.875%, 71.875%, 70.500%, 70.950%

7 Megan Lane, CAN, Caravella: 70.625%, 72.250%, 69.500%, 71.250%, 68.875%, 70.500%

8 Anna Marek, USA, Unico G: 68.875%, 71.375%, 69.875%, 69.125%, 69.750%, 69.800%

 

Final Results: FEI Prix St. Georges, presented by Chesapeake Dressage Institute

Rider, Country, Horse: Judge E%, Judge H%, Judge C%, Judge M%, Judge B%, Total%

1 Juan Matute, Jr., ESP, Don Diego Ymas: 72.632%, 74.605%, 70.658%, 69.737%, 69.474%, 71.421%

2 Brittany Fraser, CAN, All In: 68.158%, 68.421%, 72.500%, 71.711%, 72.632%, 70.684%

3 Heather Mason, USA, Zar: 71.316%, 71.974%, 71.184%, 67.500%, 70.132%, 70.421%

4 Chris Von Martels, CAN, Zilverstar: 68.289%, 70.395%, 70.658%, 69.737%, 72.763%, 70.368%

5 Neve Myburgh, GER, Lexington Star: 69.342%, 68.684%, 69.868%, 67.500%, 69.605%, 69.000%

6 Tom Dvorak, CAN, Ribot: 6.7500%, 70.000%, 67.632%, 68.158%, 68.158%, 68.289%

7 Evi Strasser, CAN, Rigaudon Tyme: 67.632%, 67.105%, 66.579%, 68.289%, 70.395%, 68.00%

8 Maya Markowski, CAN, Lumiere: 67.105%, 69.342%, 66.447%, 65.526%, 66.842%, 67.503%

 

Photo Credit: Photos © SusanJStickle.com. These photos may be used only in relation to this press release and must include photo credit.

 

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Announcing the U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor Kai Handt

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Wellington, FL- January 23, 2014- As the 2014 Para-Dressage season kicks into gear, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has announced Kai Handt as the U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor. Handt’s new appointment will run through 2016 making him the United States Para-Dressage Team Chef d’Equipe/ Technical Advisor for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France and the 2016 Paralympics. This new role is very familiar to Handt who has been a rider, trainer, and coach for nearly 40 years. Since relocating to the United States in 1985, Handt has built a large training program at his own North Texas Equestrian Center in Wylie, Texas. Handt not only trains multiple young riders in dressage but he also has earned his USDF bronze, silver, and gold medals as well as his silver and gold freestyle bars. Over the past six years, Handt has worked within the Para-Dressage world where he trained and sponsored the late Paralympian Jonathan Wentz.  Handt helped Wentz ride to his full potential and reach his goals which included representing the U.S. Para-Dressage Team at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, winning the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship in 2011, and becoming the highest individual ranking U.S. rider that competed in London at the Paralympics. Handt will work closely with all current and potential para-dressage athletes preparing each rider and their horses for international competition. Kai Handt is an advocate for the para-dressage discipline and enjoys encouraging other sponsors, riders, and trainers to get involved with the sport. The ultimate goal of each high-performance discipline is to win medals. Kai Handt is excited for his future with the para-dressage program and looks forward to a medal winning 2014.
Kai Handt commented, “I am excited and honored by the decision of my peers to appoint me the Para-Equestrian Dressage Technical Advisor and Chef d’Equipe. I look forward to this exciting leadership position and will strive to make sure that our outstanding horses and riders will be a successful team on the national and international show circuit. With the help of our exceptional staff at the helm and a growing number of excellent supporters for our sport, I look forward to a fantastic future for all of our athletes.”

NTEC Richter Scale and Kai Handt (USA) photo by Lindsay Yosay McCall
Kai Handt with his horse NTEC Richter Scale (ridden by Jonathan Wentz) preparing for the trot up at the 2012 London Paralympics. Photo (C) Lindsay Yosay McCall
For more information about the U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor position please visit:https://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/allparaequestrian/hpparaEquestrian.aspx
Note from USEF:
The United States Federation (USEF) has named Kai Handt as the U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor. The Search Committee, chaired by Eric Straus, USEF Para-Equestrian Eligible Athlete Committee, and USEF Para-Equestrian High Performance Committee recommended Handt for this position.
On Saturday, January 25 at 7:00 am the USEF will host a breakfast forum for all potential Para-Equestrian 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games applicants and their trainers to meet with Handt for a meet-and-greet session and to begin the strategic planning for 2014. The forum will take place at the Asador Patagonia restaurant, 675 Royal Palm Beach Boulevard, Royal Palm Beach, Fla.
This opportunity to meet with Handt follows the USET Foundation’s “Soirée du Cheval” on Friday, January 24, 2014, where 21 individuals from para-equestrian sport will represent the discipline at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games fundraiser.
Reservations for the forum to meet Handt are required through Laureen Johnson, USEF High Performance Director of Para-Equestrian and Vaulting, 908-326-1155, or via email at lkjohnson@usef.org.
About the United States Para-Equestrian Association:

 

The USPEA is a network of riders, judges, national federation members, and equestrian enthusiasts.  The association gives athletes the ability to get involved and expand their knowledge and experience in the Para-Equestrian sport. The USPEA encourages Para-athletes to participate in all disciplines under the Para-Equestrian umbrella.

 

The USPEA is a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) which serves as the National Governing Body for the equestrian sport.  This relationship between the USPEA and USEF is to encourage Para-Equestrian competitors, leisure riders, coaches, fans and enthusiasts to network and get involved with the entire equestrian sport.

 

Ultimately the goal of the USPEA is to foster growth in the Para-Equestrian discipline.  From growth in the number of participants to growth as a team, and growth in the experience and knowledge of all involved.  From local horse shows to international Paralympic Games, the USPEA provides Para-Equestrians the knowledge and resources needed to succeed.  The USPEA connects with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the United States Dressage Federation (USDF), USA Reining, and USEF which provide Para-Equestrians the top equestrian resources.

 

In June 2010, the USPEA earned its 501 (c)(3) status which has encouraged supporters to help supply funding to the Para-Equestrian Team as a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation(USEF).

 

For more information about the USPEA please visit www.USPEA.org or contact USPEA President: Hope Hand by e-mail: hope@uspea.org or by phone: (610)356-6481.

 

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Live in Amsterdam and Zurich – tune in to FEI TV for Dressage and Jumping

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Lausanne (SUI), 24 January 2014

The Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage returns with a bang after a five-week break. The series’ fifth qualifier takes place in Amsterdam (NED) this Saturday (25 January), and has attracted a sparkling field of 23 rider and horse combinations from 11 nations.

The spotlight will no doubt be on double Olympic champions Charlotte Dujardin (GBR) and Valegro, who only last month broke the Freestyle world record with their winning performance at the series fourth qualifier on home ground at London Olympia. The event will also feature Dutch favourite Edward Gal aboard the talented 13-year old KWPN gelding Glock’s Undercover and two-time FEI World Cup™ Dressage champion Isabell Werth (GER) and Don Johnson FRH.

The eighth leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping also takes place this Sunday (26 January) at the famous Mercedes-Benz CSI in Zurich (SUI), before heading on to Bordeaux (FRA) and Gothenburg (SWE) before the Final in Lyon (FRA) in April.

Don’t miss a hoof beat

Live action on FEI TV, the FEI’s official online video platform, starts with Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage on Saturday at 12.25 local time, followed by Sunday’s Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping at 13.55 (see full FEI TV live schedule here).

Mobile this weekend? Download the FEI’s free FEI TV on the Go app and watch all the live action on your iPhone or iPad.

Looking for rider interviews and behind-the-scenes footage? See the FEI’s official YouTube channel.

Access Press Kits & Hubs

Download the FEI’s detailed press kits at www.feipresskits.org, and browse through the dedicated online hubs for Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage and Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping.

Social media

Join us on Facebook www.facebook.com/the.fei, and follow and share news on Twitter @myfei_home, @Reem_Acra, @Longines, #longinesjumping, #Dressage

Longines Live Timing Jumping

Download the free Longines Live Timing Jumping application from The App Store (iPhone) & Android Markets: www.longines.com/events/equestrian-sports/jumping/live-timing-jumping-application – follow live results, see latest Longines Rankings, view competition schedules and get exclusive information and alerts on your favourite riders along with all the latest FEI news.

Free images for editorial use

Free images for editorial purposes are available from the FEI Photo Catalogue.

Photo caption: New York fashion designer and sponsor, Reem Acra, with Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro who broke the Freestyle world record with their winning performance in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Western European League leg at Olympia, London (GBR) in December 2013.  Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.

Media contacts:

At Amsterdam
Charlotte Gunnink
+31 638325326
At Zurich
Roman Gasser
+41 79 635 50 05
At FEI
Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
+41 78 750 61 45
Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Press Relations
+41 787 506 133

 

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