from JRPR.

(October 19, 2013) – Last year’s USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Champion and Reserve Champion has entered the Junior ranks as a force to be reckoned with.  Barbara ‘Bebe’ Davis, of Bedminster, NJ, and Rotano, the 12 year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by her parents, Michael and Sarah Davis, impressed judges at the 2013 USEF Festival of Champions, October 8-12, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington and delivered the kind of brilliance in their half-passes and trot extensions to earn a 69.00% in their FEI Junior Individual Test and ultimately, the coveted ACGO/USEF Junior Dressage National Championship, on an overall score of 68.771%.
“Moments like this make all of our training and all of our riding totally worth it,” said Davis, 15, a student of Nations Cup and Olympic Dressage veteran, Cesar Parra of Piaffe-Performance Dressage. “It feels unreal to be the U.S. Champion, I am on Cloud Nine and could not be more grateful to everybody who stood by me and believed in me. I could not have done it without their continuous love and support.”
The newly crowned champion especially praised her partner, Rotano: “He was such a good boy. He was really there for me, trying and listening to my aids.”  The gelding, a son of Rotspon, was acquired as a seven year-old through Parra.  “Rotano was my Christmas present. It had always been our idea that he would be the perfect horse for me for Juniors. I started riding him full time in Fall of 2012 and started showing him in the Juniors in March.
“Ever since then our relationship has improved exponentially, I trust him so much and he trusts me, we depend on each other. He is a total ham and loves the attention he is getting! I cannot begin to express how grateful I am to my parents for allowing me to ride this amazing horse, he is a gift from God.” 
Davis says the secret to this big-time milestone to her riding career was in starting off showing in the Pony divisions:  “When I showed two weekends ago at Devon, it was my last ride in the Pony division. I got a little bit emotional on centerline, but I am very happy to see how far ponies have come. ”
“Ponies have helped teach me so much over the years and I continue to learn from them every day. They have taught me important values as a rider as well as an individual, such as patience, perseverance, persistence and the value of hard work. I think that all of the work that I did with ponies helped me have a seamless transition between the FEI Pony and FEI Junior divisions.”
Not that the teen wasn’t still a little ‘starstruck’ (and loving it). “I had an incredible time. I enjoyed the Celebrity Mounted Games fund raiser and rode on Robert Dover and Debbie McDonald’s team, and it was an absolute blast! I had an incredible time riding my own horse, we had two amazing rides and there is no feeling quite like hearing the National Anthem being played and having a blue ribbon around your horse’s neck. It is truly a beautiful moment.”
What’s next for America’s newest dressage wunderkind?  “Right now I plan on competing in the Juniors for another year,” says Davis.  “I cannot wait to get back into the show ring.  We also have some really amazing young horses right now who are coming up through the ranks and, who knows, one of them might be a right fit for me.         
“Competing in Europe has always been a personal goal. If the opportunity arises I would love to go.  My parents have been more than supportive. In Summer 2010, we came to New Jersey to train with Cesar for a summer and three years later, we are still here. We gave up our home and where I grew up in the pursuit of my dream, and I will be forever grateful to them for allowing me to follow that.
The team at Piaffe Performance is so supportive and helpful; it is really like they are my second family. When somebody does well or wins, the team celebrates like it is their own personal success. Cesar is an amazing coach and incredible trainer; he is always there for me. He is also there making sure that the horses are healthy and well taken care of because their welfare is the most important thing. (Piaffe-Performance senior trainer) Katie Riley has also been there for me since day one. She is my rock; she is there no matter what. She is so encouraging and positive — I owe her huge thanks for believing in me.”
The support, at home and at Piaffe-Performance, this former pony rider finds is giving her free rein to continue to dream big:  “I have  always wanted to represent America in the Olympics, as well as the World Equestrian and Pan American Games. I would love to represent my country overseas and compete in Grand Prix and small tour as a professional.
“But first,” says the pragmatic teen, “I am looking forward to finishing high school.  Then continuing my education, as an equestrienne and as an academic.  I also would like to thank my parents, Michael and Sarah, my coach and trainer, Cesar Parra, the entire Performance Farm team, and all of my sponsors: Cavalleria Toscana, Kep Italia Helmets, Trilogy Saddlery and Pana Cavallo.  Without them my success would not be possible.”
Follow Bebe Davis and Rotano’s continued success and learn more about dressage training, lessons and sale prospects available through Piaffe-Performance Dressage at www.piaffe-performance.com.

HorUS.

Last weekend the American dressage championships stood on Lexington’s program. There was a big victory for Olympic rider Steffen Peters. 

Peters scored an average score of 79,45% aboard the 11-year old Westphalian gelding Legolas (by Laomedon). The pair scored exactly three percent more than the runner up in this championship, Guenter Seidel with Wylea.

Daily Mail.

A horse believed to be the oldest in the world has died after reaching the age of 51. Shayne, a liver chestnut Irish Draught cross thoroughbred, had been enjoying a comfortable retirement at an Essex sanctuary in Great Britain, spending up to five hours a day in the fresh air despite suffering from mild arthritis. But last month he was unable to get back up after his legs gave way and staff took the decision to put him down.

The previous title of oldest living horse in the world was held by Welsh/Arab steed Badger, from Pembrokeshire, Wales, who died aged 51, in in 2004.
Last year, the Guinness World Records team said nobody had laid claim to the title since Badger’s death. Staff at the sanctuary believed him to be 51 based on the date of birth given by his previous owner, and medical checks.

By: Helen Murray, Kathleen Landwehr, & Eileen Schnettler.

Lexington, Ky. – The 2013 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp came to a conclusion on Saturday with the final four champions crowned. In The Dutta Corp/USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship, Steffen Peters claimed his seventh title in the division under the lights, while earlier in the day Kim Herslow and Rosmarin claimed their first National Title in The Dutta Corp/USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship. Barbara “Bebe” Davis won the AGCO/USEF Junior Dressage National Championship title in her first attempt at the annual competition, while Alison Redston and Tony 47 led the victory gallop in the USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship. 

The Dutta Corp/USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship

Grand Prix competition came to a conclusion under the lights of the Rolex Stadium as the eight competitors rode their Freestyle tests to earn the remaining 15% of their championship score.

Steffen Peters and Legolas 92 (SusanJStickle.com)

(San Diego, Calif.) scored a repeat victory with Four Winds Farm’s Legolas 92, as he cruised to an unprecedented seventh National Title in the Grand Prix division. The Olympic veteran pulled out all the stops with the 11-year-old Westphalian gelding as he produced strong piaffe and passage, as well as improved one-time changes. The talented combination concluded their Freestyle with an impressive pirouette in piaffe directly into halt on the centerline as they scored 79.450%.

“This was the best freestyle for sure. He felt great in the warm-up and I just hoped I could do that in the ring,” said Peters of Legolas 92. “Right-off from the first step he felt as supple as in the warm-up. He stayed right with the music. I couldn’t be happier.”

The pair finished on a championship total of 76.476%.

Looking toward the future and preparation for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Peters will rely on advice from Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor Robert Dover in planning for the future months.

“I have not thought about it,” said Peters. “California, Florida, we’ll think about it and I’m sure Robert will weigh-in on that.”

Earning second place in the Freestyle and Reserve Champion honors overall was Guenter Seidel (Cardiff, Calif.) and Coral Reef Wylea. Coral Reef Ranch’s 13-year-old Westphalian mare earned a 76.450% in the Freestyle to finish on a championship score of 72.404%.

Despite a mistake in the two-time changes, Seidel was extremely pleased with the mare and believes she improved from Friday night’s Grand Prix Special.

“I thought she was great; there was the obvious mistake in the twos but it worked out great. In general, I thought she was better than the night before. Definitely, she felt good.”

Earning third place in the championship was Kathleen Raine (Murrieta, Calif.) and her own, Jennifer Mason, and David Wightman’s 13-year-old Hanoverian mare Breanna. The pair finished the Freestyle with a score of 70.225% and earned a championship score of 71.213%.

The Dutta Corp/USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship

Kim Herslow and Rosemarin (SusanJStickle.com)

Herslow (Stockton, N.J.) and Rosmarin narrowly missed sweeping the three tests of Intermediaire I Championship, placing second in Saturday’s Freestyle but scoring a decisive victory in the National Championship. Kiroli Enterpirse Inc.’s eight-year-old Hanoverian gelding’s score of 75.200% counted for the remaining 15% of the pair’s championship average of 75.701%.

“I went easy on my horse yesterday and just did a really basic ride,” Herslow noted. “Today I wanted to have more horse and I think I had a little more than I have had for a little while, but that’s okay. I also have to learn how to ride that tension and I felt like I had him a little more up in his shoulders and I had him in a little more expressive frame. But I was a little on edge because we haven’t really been going there. But I’m thrilled.”

Herslow expressed how proud she’s been of Rosmarin and how’s he’s dealt with the pressure of such difficult competition.

“I’m amazed that he came back to showing after having the whole summer off and stepped up to the plate even more than in Florida this past season. I’m really looking forward to the season in Florida this winter and we’ll be moving up to the Grand Prix as soon as he’s ready.”

Caroline Roffman (Wellington, Fla.) and her own Her Highness O finished first in Saturday’s Intermediaire I Freestyle test, earning 76.625% and finishing on an overall total of 73.504% as the Reserve Champion. Roffman and her 10-year-old Hanoverian mare performed a powerful test in the Rolex Arena.

“For me, today was the perfect ending to Intermediare I,” Roffman said. “She (Her Highness O) showed she’s able to compete with the best in the country. She was a blast to ride and it was the perfect way to end, in my mind. Today was perfect.”

Emily Jucsher Wagner (La Cygne, Kan.) and Wakeup, her own eight-year-old AWR stallion, finished third in the championship on a score of 69.612%.

AGCO/USEF Junior Dressage National Championship

Bebe Davis and Rotano (SusanJStickle.com)

(Bedminster, N.J.) had another top performance on Saturday morning to claim victory in the AGCO/USEF Junior Dressage National Championship with her impressive mount Rotano. She and her parents’, Michael and Sarah Davis, 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding had a lovely test with excellent trot extensions and half-passes to score a 69.000% in the FEI Junior Individual Test. The pair finished the championship with an overall score of 68.771%.

“My ride this morning was really amazing. I couldn’t be more thankful for my horse, and for my trainers and my parents for always being there for me,” stated Davis. “Moments like this make all of our training and all of our riding totally worth it. He was just such a good boy. He was really there for me and just really trying and listening to my aids.”

Davis credits riding at the Pony level with enabling to reach the level she has in her riding. Last year she won the USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship and has moved up to Junior ranks this year finding much success. Davis believes she has learned a great deal about patience and perseverance while riding the intelligent little creatures.

“I showed two weekends ago at Devon and it was my last ride in the Pony division. I got a little bit emotional on centerline, but I am very happy to see how far ponies have come,” Davis said. “I did it the first year when there were only two and this year it is five times the size. It really makes me so happy to see that, that kids are really wanting to do it because I would never be where I am today if I didn’t do the ponies.”

Lindsey Holleger (Whigham, Ga.) had an improved test with Friedensfurst from Thursday, having beautiful trot extensions, strong canter half-passes, and a nice walk tour. She and the 11-year-old Trakehner gelding scored a 68.079% in Saturday’s test to finish with a 67.324% overall in the championship.

“I loved my ride today,” said Holleger. “He gave me everything and he was really relaxed, and that’s what I wanted to fix from the last ride. He did that and even more and I am really ready for Young Riders next year.”

Mallory Kent (Birmingham, Ala.) and Okiedokie slotted into third place in the AGCO/USEF Junior Dressage National Championship with a solid effort, receiving a 66.842% in the FEI Junior Individual Test. She and her own 17-year-old Royal Dutch Warmblood gelding completed the championship with a 66.219%.

The girls thanked their families, trainers, and sponsors, as well as being appreciative of the show management and volunteers.

USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship

Alison Redston and Tony 47 (SusanJStickle.com)

Redston (Needham, Mass.) swept the Pony division with her own Tony 47. She demonstrated a solid test with the 13-year-old German Riding Pony gelding to score 66.683% in the FEI Pony Individual Test. The pair won the National Championship with an overall score of 66.303%.

“I thought our test went pretty well,” said Redston. “Throughout the test he was more relaxed, especially compared to the awards ceremony the day before. I felt like it let out some of his energy and it also had a feeling that it was more like a regular show. He was much more relaxed and could be himself.”

Redston is thrilled with her results and has no regrets about getting into the discipline of dressage after this weekend.

“I got into dressage because whenever I would jump, I would fall on my face, which was never fun. I always like to watch it (dressage) and I would be like, ‘Wait, how did they do that?’ and I wanted to learn about it and learn how to do it like those people who do things that seem impossible.”

Finishing in second place in the division were Madelyn Guthrie and Jordy. Guthrie (Westmont, Ill.) and her own 15-year-old Welsh Pony gelding presented a solid ride to score 64.026%.

“Our ride had a lot more energy than yesterday,” Guthrie commented. “After our last test we knew we needed to improve the energy level a little bit to improve all the movements as well. I think some of our highlights today were the medium and extended trot as well as the canter and we just really upped our game and knew we wanted to strive to be better. Jordy did really well and was there for me.”

Savannah Rose Franklund (Boulder, Colo.) rode into third place with CF Godiva Chocolate. She and her own 13-year-old American Quarter Pony gelding finished with an overall score of 63.384%.

HorsUS.

Elvis VA, the top mount of German Nadine Capellmann will say goodbye to the sport and his fans on October 11 at the gala evening of the Hannoverian Studbook in Verden (Germany). The 17 year old chestnut is bred by Espri and was very successful with his rider Nadine Capellmann.

The pair won team gold at the world equestrian games in Aachen (Germany) in 2006 and won team gold at the Olympics in Hongkong in 2008. Now Elvis will enjoy his retirement after his will give one more ‘acte de presence’ in Verden.

 HorsUS.

During the Dutch national show Geldrop Hippique Laurens van Lieren has won the Grand Prix dressage. He showed Ulysses La Haya (by Gribaldi). This combination is in the Dutch B-squad and scored almost 71%. Hans Peter Minderhoud and Jazz son Johnson passed the 70% as well and came second. With a score of almost 69% Margo Timmermans finished third. She competed Metall bred Utah. 

By Wendy Barker.

Hannah Dodd – Grand Sam
At the 2013 NSW Dressage Championships
Photograph:Toni Venhaus

This year for the first time, the Saddleworld Australian Dressage Championships will be holding Para-Equestrian competitions over three days at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre (SIEC).
Gold Medallist Paralympian Joann Formosa will travel from Victoria to compete on her chestnut stallion Worldwide PB, showing the impressive paces that earned him such great scores last year in London in Grade 1b.
A State Teams Competition will include riders from Victoria, NSW, South Australia and Queensland. Fifteen horses will compete in the FEI PE Dressage Team, Championship and Freestyle Tests. Aggregate scores from the Team and Individual Championship Tests decide the Teams winners and placegetters.
London Paralympic Team Member and 2013 NSW Grade IV Para Equestrian Champion Hannah Dodd will be riding Grand Sam at the event. Judges for the event include Jan Geary (FEI PE 5* Judge), Sue Cunningham (FEI PE 4* Judge), and Kyli Bullock (FEI PE 3* Judge).
SIEC will be familiar territory for many of the Para riders, as selection events for the Paralympics were held at the beautifully appointed venue last year.
In November, Werribee Park Equestrian Centre will again host an international Para Equestrian event.  The first CPEDI3* for 2013 in FEI Region VIII, it will be part of the Dressage Festival of Victoria.
Most riders competing in the Para-Equestrian competitions at the Australian Dressage Championships, as well as a contingent travelling from WA, will head to Werribee to pit their skills against visiting teams from other countries in our FEI Region.
For the CPEDI3*, President of the Ground Jury will be Anne Prain from France, and also judging will be Chris Porterfield (FEI PE 4*) from Great Britain and Alison King (FEI PE 5*) from Hong Kong. Chris Porterfield will also be FEI Technical Delegate, and Veronica Steward will be FEI Chief Steward. Joining the guest judges on the Ground Jury will be FEI PE 4* Judges Sue Cunningham and Wendy Barker.
Julia Battams,  Dressage and Para Equestrian High Performance Manager for Equestrian Australia, said, ‘The WEG in Normandy is less than a year away, and these events provide great opportunities for our riders to gain valuable experience for competitions on the world stage.’