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Right on course

Young horses and Young Riders pose bright future at Flintridge Dressage

Special to the Horsetrader - June 7th, 2012 - Show & Event News

LA CAÑADA-FLINTRIDGE – Outstanding quality displayed by young horses and Young Riders provided excitement for officials and spectators alike during Dressage at Flintridge CDI*/Y/J, held in a picturesque setting under grand oak trees at the historic Flintridge Riding Club May 24 – 27.

Once again, this competition hosted the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Western Selection Trial, one of only three nationwide Selection Trials to select representatives to represent the U.S. at the World Championships in August.

Despite small fields, talent loomed large in both the 5- and 6-year-old divisions.

In the 6-year-olds, multiple young horse division-winner and defending Selection Trial Champion, Sanceo, was uncontested in his pursuit of yet another title. The elegant Hanoverian stallion (San Remo x Rivera by Ramiro’s Son II, owned by Alice Homble-Heitman) made the challenging tests seem easy as he was expertly presented by Sabine Schut-Kery to an impressive score of 8.70 in the Preliminary Test and 8.62 in the Final Test.

“We love this horse,” said judge Lois Yukins. “We want to see this horse go places, and we think he would be quite competitive in the international world.”

“This horse has a wonderful future, and we look forward to seeing and reading about him again and again,” Yukins added.

With their two-round combined score of 8.65, Schut-Kery and Sanceo have now earned a spot atop the USEF Short List for an invitation to the FEI World Breeding Championships in Verden, Germany, in August.

The lovely U.S.-bred Dutch Warmblood mare, Caliente DG, (OO Seven x Satina by Contango, bred by DG Bar Breeders Inc., owned by Brenda Linman) was ridden by Craig Stanley to win the first round of competition in the 5-year-old division, earning a score of 8.40 in the Preliminary Test. But a much-improved performance in the second day’s Final Test by the Oldenburg gelding, Regalo, (Rosario x Dandielle by Nandino) under rider Lientje Schueller earned a score of 8.20 to move the pair into the overall lead and claim the 5-year-old Selection Trial Championship for owner Pinky Roberts.

“Even though we only had a few horses, when you come out here for horses of this caliber, it’s really fun,” said USEF Young Horse Dressage Coach Scott Hassler. “I want to give credit to all three of these horses – they are of very high quality.”

In the small tour, Mette Rosencrantz (USA) continued her recent string of CDI wins with Anne Solbraekke’s Danish Warmblood gelding, Mosegaards Rico, (Robin x Maritza by Diamant) by claiming the blue ribbon in both the Prix St. Georges and Intermediaire I Tests with scores of 69.123% and 69.386%, respectively.

“This is a very elegant, talented, and modern type of horse that we like to see,” noted judge Lilo Fore. “He has nice gaits, lift, and expression, and is well-ridden.”

Rosencrantz will now travel to Gladstone, N.J., to compete in the National Intermediaire I Championship at the USEF Festival of Champions, June 13-17.

Rounding out the small tour, Rebecca Rigdon (USA) rode her own Holsteiner mare, Solei, (by Aljano) to victory in the Intermediaire I Freestyle with a score of 69.333%.

Young Rider veteran Brandi Roenick proved she is up for the challenge of a new mount by guiding Steffen Peters’ Pan American Gold Medal-winning partner, Weltino’s Magic, (Westphalian gelding Weltino x Diva by Diamond Boy, owned by Jen Hlavacek) to a convincing sweep of the division. Despite only being a team for five weeks, Roenick and “Magic” earned top scores of 70.658% in the Team Test, 72.325% in the Individual Test, and 76.625% in the Freestyle to put the pair one step closer to their goal of qualifying for the FEI Young Rider World Cup in Germany this fall.

“From everything I’ve seen while judging around the country, the quality of the Young riders here this weekend was impressive,” said Yukins. “But with Brandi and Magic, I think a star is born. She has a lot of talent, great feel, and handles him very well. I judged this horse with Steffen, and I’m so impressed with how she rides him and I’m happy for her. What a lucky and talented rider — it’s a great spot for the horse, and it’s a smart combination. Talent on talent.”

Meanwhile, Cassidy Gallman (USA) also won all three tests in the CDI Junior Division with Woden (Hanoverian gelding Weltmeyer x Derby by Ankum) with a scores of 63.514% in the Team Test, 63.596% for the Individual Test, and 65.292% in the Freestyle.

Markel/Cornerstone High Point Winners were presented in four divisions. In the FEI ranks, Brandi Roenick and “Weltino’s Magic” were presented with the champion’s dress sheet, while in the Open division Leslie Webb rode Eisenherz to the win. For Adult Amateurs, Christine Johnston with Finnigan claimed the title, and Mackinzie Pooley and Brigadier won the Junior/Young Rider division.

MORE RESULTS: See website http://bit.ly/24ADress

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