Dressage athletes eagerly prepare for the 2017 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) annual winter competitions taking place on South Shore Boulevard in Wellington, Florida. The upcoming season will showcase rider and horse combinations as they demonstrate their steady training progress, reinforce their confidence, set their footing for their federation’s national qualifying specifications and prepare for April's World Cup and the summer US and European competitions. The series gives the athletes an opportunity for feedback from the judges, their colleagues, peers, and support system throughout the twelve weeks. 

The inaugural year of 2012, the AGDF brought a few 70% scores in the Grand Prix arena and now the scores are way up into the high 75% with a few 80%. Riders keep climbing the FEI World Dressage Ranking List in more numbers. Every year the participants continue to become more and more skilled in the balance of movements in their different horses’ biomechanics through the evaluations of the FEI Dressage Judges. 

The twelve-week series is also a valuable opportunity for riders to communicate with one another. The increasing camaraderie among the riders and glimpses into their horse development training systems continues to be evident with strategies for the FEI arena and general goodwill towards each other. The chance for that positive feedback in understanding the pressures, the nerves of the horse and the life-long work in training proves an invaluable treasure to each of the competitors as they hope to climb to reach scores of 80%.Mikala Gundersen and My Lady owned by Janne Rumbough Photo: DH

The public is openly invited to watch the riders and many are slowly becoming long-term fans of the sport. The top athletes willingly speak in great detail about the Grand Prix taking three-to-five years of training a horse. Explanations of training systems and stories of overcoming struggles abound; there is no secrecy among competitors. Mutual respect and support flourishes.

Following each Grand Prix test at the seven CDI competitions, the top three riders attend a press conference where they openly share their training techniques, focus and goals to a group of journalists. All the riders do have their own training systems that they hope will succeed in front of the five FEI Judges. 

How the ADGF was Created

A devotee to the sport of Dressage, Mark Bellissimo of Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC led the way by gathering more than seven benefactors comprised of a group of families, farms and businesses to sponsor the CDI international competitions including title sponsor Adequan®. In 2012, Bellissimo built the renowned, world class dressage facility.Mark Bellissimo is being interviewed at the ADGF showgrounds Photo: DH

"The growth that we have seen at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival since its inception has been tremendous and serves as a true indicator of growth and expansion of the sport not only in the U.S., but around the world," said Mark Bellissimo, managing partner of Wellington Equestrian Parters (WEP) and CEO of Equestrian Sport Productions. "We're looking forward to an exciting 2017 season and we will continue to provide opportunities for competitors and spectators to enjoy the best of equestrian sport during the winter months in Wellington." 

The Adequan® Global Dressage Festival encompasses almost 60 acres and includes a covered arena, four outdoor arenas known as the Wellington Equestrian Realty Arenas with world class footing, 250 permanent stalls and a VIP seating area that is fully catered for relaxing and having an enjoyable experience. It has become one of the world's largest national and international dressage series competition circuits. 

AGDF Competitions

The AGDF features seven FEI events, including a CDI5*, a CDI 4*, CDIO Nations Cup, and many CDI-W 3*, 12 weeks of U.S. national events and seven weeks of FEI international CDI competitions.Canada's Christilot Boylen waves hello to fans at ADGF Photo: DH


The CDIs consist of five levels, the Grand Prix (Large Tour), the Prix St George/Intermediaire I (Small Tour), the Youth Divisions (U25 Grand Prix, Young Rider Division, Junior Division and Pony Division) and the Adult Amateur Division (Intermediaire II and Small Tour). There are national level tests in the National Competition rings (Wellington Equestrian Realty Arenas).

Each of the seven CDIs include a theme from its sponsorship organization. Often the weeks are full of evening demonstrations, dinners, get-togethers, day symposiums and group discussions. There are also all-inclusive clinics in which to learn, including the Robert Dover/ Dressage4Kids HorseMastership Week starting in December.

The Greatness of the Annual AGDF Series

The Adequan® Global Dressage Festival offers more than $800,000 in prize money and awards for the eight international competitions, making it one of the richest circuits in the world.Last year's beginning of the season press conference Photo: DH

It is a place of treasure where riders are made to feel comfortable in high pressure, competitive situations. Every facet of the Festival series is kind and friendly to the athlete, from the horse inspection to the warm-up rings, to the wonderful stewards who look after the welfare of the horses and prepare the athletes for the awards ceremonies and press conferences. The dedication and acceptance in bringing top level international sport to Wellington will ensure that this sport will grow and evolve for many years to come.

The success of the event would not be possible without a team of supportive sponsors who continue to contribute to the enormous growth of the sport. Their dedication and faith ensure that this venue and event continues to encourage many riders, owners and coaches to train their horses up the levels for great futures. 

Dates for 2017 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival:

Jan. 11-15 – Wellington, Fla. – CDI-W, CDI1*, CDIAm, CDICh-A, CDIJ, CDIP, CDIU25, CDIY, CDIYH
Jan. 19-22 – Wellington, Fla. – CDI2*, CDI1*, CDIAm, CDIJ, CDIP, CDIU25, CDIY, CDIYH
Jan. 25-29 – Wellington, Fla. – CDI-W, CDI1*, CDIAm, CDICh-A, CDIJ, CDIP, CDIU25, CDIY, CDIYH
Feb. 8-12 – Wellington, Fla. – CDI5*, CDI3*, CDI1*, CDIAm, CDICh-A, CDIJ, CDIP, CDIU25, CDIY, CDIYH
Feb. 22-26 – Wellington, Fla. – CDI-W, CDI1*, CDIAm, CDICh-A, CDIJ, CDIP, CDIU25, CDIY, CDIYH
Mar. 1-5 – Wellington, Fla. – CDI-W, CDI1*, CDIAm, CDICh-A, CDIJ, CDIP, CDIU25, CDIY, CDIYH
Mar 15-19 – Wellington, Fla. – CDI4*, CDI3*, CDI1*, CDIAm, CDICh-A, CDIJ, CDIP, CDIU25, CDIY, CDIYH
Mar. 21-26 – Wellington, Fla. – CDIO3*-NC, CDI1*, CDI3*, CDIAm, CDICh, CDIJ, CDIP, CDIU25, CDIY, CDIYH

FEI judges are increasingly encouraging riders to approach them and ask questions about their tests. Since FEI Dressage Rules neither discourage nor prohibit competitors from discussing their marks with the judges after CDI classes, Christoph Hess affirms that, globally, judges want competitors to speak with them after the classes. “We are being more open to talking with both rider and trainer,” he explains, "because at the end of the day we have the responsibility to make the sport better by helping riders to see something the way we saw it. If the rider or trainer is unaware of a mistake, then a judge can point that out so a rider understands our marks and make a change for the next day.”

At the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival, the judges are available after the CDI classes to communicate with riders. To improve competitor awareness, understanding and familiarity with the judges, riders are welcome to ask show management to assist in locating the judges in order to find a good time and place to converse. 

Now serving the German Equestrian Federation (FN) as an educational ambassador, Christoph has a notable equestrian history as an international 4* FEI Judge for Dressage and Eventing with added qualifications as a trainer and rider. For more than 30 years, Christoph worked in Warendorf as the Director of Training and Education for the German Equestrian Olympic Committee for Equestrian Sports (Deutsches Olym-piade-Komitee für Reiterei, or the acronym DOKR). “I was responsible for all the qualifications and to find a good system because we were always improving and developing the rider and trainer programs.”

Enhancing his judging successes, Christoph was also one of the leading judges at Germany’s Bundeschampionate (competitions of the country’s best three to six year olds competing in dressage, jumping, eventing, driving and jumping), at the annual Young Horse Breeding Championships, and also as one of the leading FEI judges to hold symposiums for riders, trainers and judges.

“I am a judge, as you know, but I’m also looking at the horse and rider from a trainer’s point of view, as well. For me, it’s important to not only look at them and count the number of strides between the flying changes. This, at the end of the day, a computer can do.” Elaborating, he explained, “I look at two points of view: Harmony between the horse and rider. I want to see happy horses. For me, this is more important than a happy rider, because a happy horse is a healthy horse. The rider can make the decision to ride into the arena, but the horse has no possibility to make that decision, therefore the horse must look prepared to perform in a happy way. And I have one eye to the trainer’s point of view to see if the rider has a nice feeling, to see if the rider is sitting in a nice way into the horse’s movements of using the reins to find the balance. The rider has a big responsibility for their own education and training and that’s what I look very carefully to see.”

Encouraging Riders to Speak with Judges

It has become especially important to Christoph that riders communicate with judges about their marks. “To be honest, I want our comments to help because it is the best way to explain how a ride might improve. For instance, a rider could ask, ‘Why did you give me a 7 here because it was my feeling that I should have gotten a 5 or a 9?’”

“I think that talking scores over would be a good idea, especially to explain the collective marks because we as judges do not have enough time to write lengthy comments for those marks. With me, I would like to comment from my two points of view; the judge’s point of view and the trainer’s point of view. I always want to explain a little bit more.”

“Riders should not fear judges, but instead feel comfortable to come and talk with us.”

Please note for USA National Classes: In the United States, USEF Rules (GR 702) requires a rider to find the TD or show management first in order to get permission to speak with the judge at the US national competitions (Non-CDI) classes.

For more than 15 years, Harmony Sporthorses owned by John and Leslie Malone continue to contribute significantly to improving the sport of dressage through collaboration with Michael Klimke, Susan Pape, Scott and Susanne Hassler and more recently with Luuk Mourits. From breeding successful young horses through top achieving stallions like Rousseau, to training and coaching to leading in the international high performance competitions, this friendly team achieves excellent successes time after time in all phases of the sport.

The team utilizes the 2017 twelve-week Wellington Adequan® Global Dressage Festival to prepare their horses slowly and steadily up the levels step-by-step. Refining their performances out of its Four Winds Farm in Wellington, just 5 minutes from the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival showgrounds, the riders spend their Florida competition seasons preparing each of the horses for future championships in Europe and the United States. Michael Klimke expressed, “Leslie and John Malone are generous people who greatly support the sport,” he affirmed. “They support nice people. They like that personal connection. We are all so grateful to them for their support.”

With a foundation from the German Training Systems, from the breeding system to Young Horse Championship pipeline to the International High performance, the team consistently gives the sport well prepared horses achieving great results. Whether through Riveredge in Chesapeake City, Maryland or the influence through Hengstation-Pape in Germany, Harmony Sporthorses share great stallions, mares and foals which have a great influence on the sport. The quality of upcoming Harmony’s horses ridden by this team, who consistently help one another during the 2017 Florida Winter Season series, continue to achieve great scores.

The Team in Wellington

Michael Klimke, a highly skilled international dressage competitor from Münster, Germany prepares two of Harmony Sporthorses for the high performance, 8-year-old Hanoverian gelding Lemony’s Nicket (Londonderry x Weltmeyer) and Harmony’s Depardieu. In Florida, Klimke builds the confidence in the young Lemony’s Nicket through the Small Tour, “Lemony’s Nicket was third here and a bit spooky week 1.” In the FEI Prix St George, they also placed third with a score of 67.368% and during week 5 they scored 67.982%. In the indoor with rain pouring down week 7, they placed seventh with a score of 68.158%. Harmony Sporthorses' 11-year-old Hanoverian Depardieu remained in Germany due to a slight injury and was unprepared for the Florida competition season, explained Klimke, “I didn’t want to fly him over only to compete for a couple weeks during the Florida season. He will be ready for the summer.” Also doing well are Klimke’s own horses which include 11-year-old Hanoverian Royal Dancer 33, 10-year-old Westphalian Djamba Djokiba and owned in partnership together with or soley by the Pape family, ridden by both Susan or Michael this winter season are 7-year-old Hanoverian Diabolo 543 and 9-year-old Oldenburg Scuderia.

Susan Pape, superb dressage competitor who rides for Great Britain and married to Ingo Pape from the Hengststation-Pape in Germany currently competes in this year’s AGDF on 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding Harmony’s Fiorano (Rousseau x Rotspon) discovered by Ingo Pape and Scott Hassler when he was only one week old.  And 10-year old stallion Don Noblesse won his first Grand Prix Special this season’s first week with a 68.11%; the pair placed second during week 5 with 70.880%. Last year, Susan and Don Noblesse place third in the Louisdor Cup Finals for German Developing Grand Prix Horses in Frankfurt. The Malone’s have given this team an opportunity to concentrate on the sport, Susan Pape said, “And that is so incredible. It’s a beautiful facility here in Florida, we have to work and it gives us the time we need to make all the improvements for the international ring.” (See AGDF 2017 results below) 

Scott, Susanne and Sarah Hassler are widely respected dressage competitors who run all the programs at Riveredge as well as their own Hassler Dressage. Well known for the team's diverse training and education facility, Riveredge is located in Chesapeake City, Maryland. One great program they achieved together included their supporting young horse riders in the USA by holding a symposium for more than 60 riders called the Young Dressage Trainer's Symposium annually with Scott Hassler and each year a different instructor including Ingo Pape, Ulf Moeller, Steffen Peters, Oliver Oelrich, Michael Klimke and Anne Gribbons. Many of the riders who participated in the program have gone on to do great things in their careers and are grateful to Harmony Sporthorses for the many details that were brought to lightfor them on their quest for the sport. Scott Hassler had many national wins on Harmony's Star Agent at Prix St George in 2016 and prepares the 10-year-old Oldenburg for the Grand Prix. Scott rides Harmony's Diamo Gold in the Developing Prix St George and continues to prepare the talented Grand Prix prospect as daughter Sarah Hassler works to prepare the Oldenburg Harmony’s Davidoff Hit for the Prix St George. Scott expressed, "The Malones have been so supportive to all of us; it's an incredible opportunity to all be together during the Florida Season. We can help each other and it inspires all of us to bring the best out of ourselves and the horses. Thank you John and Leslie for these amazing opportunities."

Luuk Mourits (NED) has been working for Harmony Sporthorses in Kiowa, Colorado bringing the horses up the levels in dressage. They are here in Florida for the winter with five horses, four of them by the super dressage stallion, Rousseau. Luuk gains great results on the national level in Third Level. On the Westfalen gelding Harmony’s Favorit (Furst Picollo) the pair scored a 68.030% in Third Level Test 1. On Harmony’s Wicked Spring (Rousseau x Flemmingh), the pair scored 69.697%. On the Dutch Warmblood Harmony’s Zygosch (Rousseau x Jazz), they scored 72.273%. Other Harmony Sporthorses Luuk trains during Florida’s winter series and not yet shown are Harmony’s Wiebert B (Rousseau x Monte Cristo), 6-year-old gelding Harmony’s Geronimo (Rousseau x Caretino) born in Colorado and gelding Harmony’s Upperclass (by United).

Michael Klimke travels to Colorado to help the Dutch born rider Luuk Mourits at the Harmony Sporthorses’ Colorado location during the summers. Luuk stated. “I have been so fortunate to have the opportunity to train with such good trainers as Michael, Susan Pape and Scott Hassler, whether in Colorado or in Florida.” He said, “I really love Colorado. It’s a really nice barn and it’s beautiful there. I’m so grateful for the opportunities at Harmony. I have a really nice group of horses.” Luuk succinctly expressed what everyone in this Harmony Sporthorses group feels, “We always try to help each other. It’s a really great team.”

Susan Pape on Training for Competition in Florida

“It’s so nice here,” Susan Pape exclaimed. “In Europe, you have to travel to each individual CDI. Here, it’s just 5 minutes away and so convenient. It’s especially been good for Don Noblesse and his first season in Grand Prix, but I think it’s enough for him now. He’s only 9 coming on 10 years old. It’s been a big step for him. I want to spend the remaining time helping him to understand more after the first two CDIs. He needs a little time for the experience." Pape and Don Noblesse will be going back home to Germany on March 2nd, “Yes, I have to get home because the breeders are all waiting for Don Noblesse.”

She said appreciatively, “I am very fortunate that Leslie and John Malone have invited me to come here. It’s been wonderful. The opportunity to work through the things with the Grand Prix horses in order for these horses to be their best is so good. Working with Michael has been amazing. We have been switching horses at times because we sometimes are stuck in a situation or problem that the other somehow figures out. We have an opportunity to consider things from each person’s point of view. That has been such a good combination and Michael has been so open to everything and I’ve been open to the advice.”

Series results for Susan Pape at the 2017 AGDF have been:

1-12-2017 CDI-W FEI Grand Prix HARMONY'S FIORANO placed 4th scoring 70.440%
1-12-2017 CDI-W FEI Grand Prix HARMONY'S DON NOBLESSE placed 5th scoring 69.360% 
1-13-2017 CDI-W FEI Grand Prix Freestyle HARMONY'S FIORANO placed 8th scoring 68.480%
1-14-2017 CDI-W FEI Grand Prix Special HARMONY'S DON NOBLESSE placed 1st scoring 68.118%
1-26-2017 CDI-W FEI Grand Prix – CDIW HARMONY'S FIORANO placed 5th scoring 71.620%
1-26-2017 CDI-W FEI Grand Prix – CDIW HARMONY'S DON NOBLESSE placed 6th scoring 71.260%
1-27-2017 CDI-W FEI Grand Prix Freestyle – CDIW HARMONY'S FIORANO placed 9th scoring 70.025%
1-28-2017 CDI-W FEI Grand Prix Special – CDIW HARMONY'S DON NOBLESSE placed 2nd scoring 71.980%
2-9-2017 CDI3* FEI Grand Prix CDI3*HARMONY'S DON NOBLESSE placed 2nd scoring 70.880%
2-11-2017 CDI3*FEI Grand Prix Special CDI3*HARMONY'S DON NOBLESSE placed 3rd scoring 70.608%
2-17-2017 National FEI Grand Prix Harmony’s Fiorano scores personal best 74.900%

Representing Belgium, 16-year-old Antonia Arl is thrilled about having the opportunity to enjoy Florida’s warm winter season for three weeks. Antonia began her three-week trans-Atlantic trip with her two horses in mid-February to compete in one national weekend competition and two weeks of CDIs and returning home to Belgium on March 8th. Competing in this year’s Adequan® Global Dressage Festival series, Antonia prepares for the 2017 European summer season and the European Championships for Young Riders with two 13-year-old geldings, Equestricons Duke De Niro (De Niro x Weltmeyer) and Equestricons Belstaff W (Breitling W x Diego xx). 

Stabling her horses in Germany not far from her home in Lanaken, Belgium, Antonia escaped freezing temperatures to ride in the AGDF competition series for the second time. Not always easy for Antonia the first week, her horses kept her motivated to keep them relaxed and focused on the task at hand for the higher marks. She succeeded in her plan to develop a sound training system for the two horses to solidify their calmness and confidence in the big stadium arena among the atmosphere with 70% scores. “I am so proud of both of them, how they have settled in,” she said proudly. “This has been a shock to them with the weather, the timing, the shows and the noises. Still, they did not let me down in the big stadium. They listened to me and did their thing. We are a good team.”

Their mileage spent in the competition ring will help the young rider gain her own confidence in preparation for the Young Rider division at the European Young Rider Championships taking place at the Equestrian Center “Den Goubergh” in Roosendaal, the Netherlands August 9-13, 2017.  As one of the youngest in her age divisions who are coming up through the European Young Rider system, she joins a number of young riders in Europe who are developing into superstars.

Antonia parents, Jochen and Yvette have always advocated their daughter’s love for the sport. Her sister Lavinia also climbed the levels through the European Championships division through the Pony and Junior divisions. In 2013, Antonia placed 12th in the European Championships’ Pony division and in 2015 at the age of 14, she and Equestricons Ziggy competed at the Junior level in Florida and went on to compete for Belgium in the European Championships. Now at 16, Antonia has been working hard to develop her own training system and is preparing for the European Championships Young Rider division.

Antonia Arl and Equestricons Belstaff W

When it comes to Equestricons Duke De Niro, Antonia praises, “Duke is my number one Young Rider horse. I have been riding him for one year and we have become a great match together. Of course, I have the usual struggles with him as he never leaves me alone in a test, as he spooks. But, we learn a little more every day in there.” 

Antonia has been riding her second horse Equestricons Belstaff W for one year as well. “With Belstaff, I rode in the Young Rider division last year. Here in Florida, I decided to do the Junior division because I am 16. When we go back to Europe, though, I will ride him in the Young Rider division again. I will have two horses to qualify for the European Championships in the Young Rider division. After that, I will begin training Duke for the U25 division.” She also praises the horse, “I am so lucky to have Belstaff because I can learn so much from him. I think that if I can ride him well I will be able to ride any horse in the future.”

In Florida, the horses are cared for by 22-year-old American Kya Anderson from North Carolina who, for 5 months now, has been working with the Arl family in Germany. Meeting the Arl’s when she was working for Finnish Grand Prix rider and business partner of Jochen Arl, Henri Ruoste, Kya grooms, rides and keeps all five of their horses going, which helps Antonia balance her time between school and riding. In Florida, Kya competed the 6 year old gelding Waitoni (Wynton x Weltmeyer) and won all the Training Level classes with high scores. 

When Antonia left Belgium for her competitions in Florida’s AGDF, it was winter there and snowing. “It was dark there all day,” she described. “When we would start to warm up, I could feel the horses were cold, tight and uncomfortable. It was clear they wanted to stay warm in the stable.” In Florida’s temperate weather, however, “their eyes opened, their ears went up front and they are relaxed and loose. They have been so happy to be outside here.” She smiled at acknowledging her own comfort in South Florida’s climate, “I am happy about the weather here, too. It also gives me energy.”Antonia Arl and Equestricons Duke De Niro

One week after the horses arrived in Miami, Antonia rode in her first competition in Florida’s AGDF, “We had a bit of a struggle our first few days right after we arrived here. The horses traveled for 5 days including quarantine in Miami. When they came out of quarantine and arrived at the showgrounds, I had to jog them to see that they were okay. That first day, it was hard to get them back into the routine because they had so much energy. I felt bad for both of them.” She continued, "I gave them all the trust I have and two days later we showed in the national arena so I could have a chance to practice the tests. I wanted to do one national show before the next week’s CDI.”

“At that first show, Duke was just so crazy. I rode the best I could and I’m not mad at him at all. I totally know it was crazy to do a test so soon after arriving in this weather. I am still really proud of him that we could even do it.”  She explained, “It wasn’t the best score. But, without that national competition, I wouldn’t have been able to enter the CDI ring and do as well as we did. I wouldn’t have been as confident in the big stadium arena.” 

Balancing School and Horses

Antonia switched to a high school in Maastricht, Holland. “It’s so cool,” she beamed. “I can make my own schedule for the week, which has been so much better because I can ride more and train better. Before, I could not leave school and riding was only possible three days a week. Now, I can ride 4 to 5 times in a week. This is my last year. In May I take my exams and, hopefully, I will be done with high school.”Antonia Arl and Equestricons Duke De Niro

Contemplating her training and riding performances more as she gets older, Antonia shared, “I think about everything now. When I was younger, I would just ride into the test and never give much thought to it. I would do a half-pass and not really care too much about it.” She added, “I would even sing a song in my head during the test. Because school was so difficult, I only rode three days a week to prepare for the shows. Last year, when I changed schools, I could spend a lot more time at the barn riding, training and concentrating on the connection with my horses.”

She said about showing, “You just have to give your best and see what it will feel like in there and what the results will be.”

With great focus and inner drive to pursue the sport, Antonia has done a great job on her three week competition schedule at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival competitions in Florida.  

FEI Results in Wellington 2017
Equestricons Duke De Niro
24/02/2017 FEI Young Rider Team CDIY Antonia ARL (BEL) 68.202% placing 3rd
25/02/2017 FEI Young Rider Individual CDIY Antonia ARL (BEL) 68.816% placing 1st
26/02/2017 FEI Young Rider Freestyle CDIY Antonia ARL (BEL) 72.708% Placing 1st
3/3/2017 FEI Rider Team CDIY Antonia ARL (BEL) 67.982% placing 1st
4/3/2017 FEI Young Rider Individual CDIY Antonia ARL (BEL) 66.096% placing 3rd
5/3/2017 FEI Young Rider Freestyle CDIY Antonia ARL (BEL)72.750% placing 2nd
Equestricons Belstaff W
24/02/2017 FEI Junior Rider Team CDIJ Antonia ARL (BEL) 68.063% placing 4th
25/02/2017 FEI Junior Rider Individual CDIJ Antonia ARL (BEL) 68.526% placing 3rd
26/02/2017 FEI Junior Rider Freestyle CDIJ Antonia ARL (BEL) 71.975% placing 2nd
3/3/2017 FEI Junior Rider Team CDIJ Antonia ARL (BEL) 70.405% placing 1st
4/3/2017 FEI Junior Rider Individual CDIJ Antonia ARL (BEL) 68.860% placing 1st
5/3/2017 FEI Junior Rider Freestyle CDIJ Antonia ARL (BEL) 75.200% placing 1st

At this year’s Adequan® Global Dressage Festival, Dawn White-O’Connor, Steffen Peter’s longtime training assistant treasured the opportunity to ride in a Grand Prix ring on Legolas, a horse that has competed for five years in as many as 60 Grand Prix tests. “Legolas is an amazing horse,” Dawn exclaimed. “He has a fun personality and he’s sensitive. He’s really fun to ride.”

Dawn’s main goal in riding Legolas in the big arena has been learning how to best manage the horse effectively. "I wanted to get it just right. I’ve learned with him that there’s a delicate balance between over-riding and under-riding him. It’s finding that balance that’s key.” Continuing, she said, “There’s an exact place where you can’t do too much or too little with your aids.” She added, “You have to be so clear with him, especially in the changes and remember that the aids are very little with him because he really is so sensitive. And, he knows it. It’s such a good feeling to do it right, but the second it starts to fall apart it’s like all the wheels start falling off.”

Already with three CDI competitions under their belts in 2017, Dawn and Legolas are doing very well. At the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, they scored 72.560% in the FEI Grand Prix CDIW and 76.295% in the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDIW. Working together for less than a year, the pair will be competing in California and honing in on where they can get more points in the arena. “I think it’s that way with any horse,” she said. “Every test you ride you figure out another piece on how to improve and where you made a mistake and how you can fix that in the next test. Each show, we’ll find those pieces and improve on them.”

Trained and competed by Steffen. the 15-year-old Westphalian gelding (Laomedon x Furstin x Florestan II) owned by Akiko Yamazaki represented the World Equestrian Games in 2014 in Normandy, the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto and the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016. Enthusiastic for Dawn and Legolas, Steffen said, “My heart rate was at 180 watching Dawn in the warmup and competition arena. It was exciting and incredible.”

Steffen thanked owner Akiko for both Dawn and Legolas, “Every time when I talk about Akiko I don’t even know where to start. It’s been such an amazing friendship for so many years, starting with Ravel and Lombardi before that. Together Akiko and I made this decision with Legolas because we believe in supporting the next generation. And Dawn, at 26 years old, is a fabulous example. We want to be a part of that.”

Dawn White-O'Connor

For the past ten years, 26-year-old Dawn White-O’Connor has been part of a team at Steffen and Shannon Peters’ training and boarding facility, Arroyo Del Mar in San Diego, California. From tacking up horses to riding to organizing and scheduling travel arrangements for Steffen or the team, including getting back to people and various clinics, symposiums, trips to Europe or grooming Ravel at the London Olympics, Dawn has certainly done it all.Dawn White-O'Connor and Legolas 92

She was born in a tiny mountain town near Boulder, Colorado called Jamestown with a population of 250 people, “It’s kind of a quirky town and a really good place to grow up. It was great. We had the biggest class in history; I think there were 7 or 8 of us,” she recalled, “The big rule was that we were not allowed to go outside after dusk because there were bears and mountain lions roaming around. Everyone knew everybody and it was really fun. And, it was safe.” Moving to Boulder at age nine, she went on to graduate early from high school and then to work for Steffen and Shannon.

Arriving at Arroyo Del Mar at age 17, Shannon Peters helped Dawn build a foundation for riding where she worked at the stables in exchange for riding lessons. When Courtney King-Dye traveled to the facility to prepare for the 2007 World Cup in Las Vegas, Dawn stepped up to groom for her through the competition itself, a one month tour. Still only 17, Dawn then traveled to Europe to groom Lombardi for Steffen through the short European tour where she had to wait until she reached the age of 18 to travel with horses due to flying stipulations.

Now Dawn is able to have her own business intertwined in the day-to-day work she does for Steffen and Shannon. They encourage her to build her own clientele while still relying on her to help with the workload, “It’s not just me. They’ve done this for many others. They help you and push you to build your own business. I am grateful to them.”

Also on the two and a half week Florida tour, Dawn competed Aristo a 12 year-old KWPN (Olivi x Krack C) owned by Carla Hayes in the Grand Prix earning top scores. For the last three years the pair have been climbing the levels to FEI Grand Prix international ring. They competed at the Festival of Champions at Gladstone in 2014 at the USEF Intermediaire I Championships and continue their quest on gaining high scores. Dawn shared, “I am also grateful to have such supportive owners as Carla and Akiko, who allowed making a trip to Florida possible. It has been so worthwhile for all of us.” 

On Riding with Steffen at Home or in Competition

“Steffen teaches in the same way he rides. You can see when he’s riding his horses that he’s not always supporting them. He doesn’t give too many aids. Instead, he wants the horse to have a clear understanding in what he’s asking.” She elaborated, “In the same way, he doesn’t talk to the person he's teaching during the whole lesson. He lets you ride and then he’ll give a comment here or there. It’s those one sentences or a perfect word of wisdom that makes all the difference because in the competition arena you’re on your own.”“Eddie” Jose Eduardo Garcia Luna, Steffen Peters on Bailarino and Dawn White-O'Connor

“If you see Steffen warming up his horses, you can see him being very smart about that time he has with his horse and he never over-rides them. He’s very good at utilizing the time he has with the horse and you’ll see which transitions he rides and where he places them. He’s very precise in what he does and the horses do understand what he’s asking.”

“I really do think it’s the consistency that’s so important for the horse to understand. There has to be consistency when you’re training a horse. And that’s what Steffen is so good at. He’s not constantly making changes when riding.”

Steffen about Dawn and Legolas

Steffen explained, “Dawn has made it easy on me because she has watched Legolas for so many years. She knows exactly the type of routine he needs in the warm-up for the show ring. Except in the Freestyle, I am pretty tough on Dawn because I want her to be right on with the music. There was one time when she did the piaffe for one second too long and I said so, and everyone on the side said ‘Really Steffen? It’s only one second!’ I stayed firm, but not tough.” 

He continued, “To me, 75% of dressage is the mental training of the horse. The other 25% is the physical training. That explains how clearly we believe in communicating with the horse. At the end of the day, we need to speak their language.”

FEI Results for Dawn White-O’Connor and Legolas 92
01/06/2017 Las Vegas NV CDI-W GP - Grand Prix 68.100%
01/07/2017 Las Vegas NV CDI-W GP FS - Grand Prix Freestyle to Music 75.275%
02/09/2017 Wellington FL CDI3* FEI Grand Prix CDI3* 70.560%
02/10/2017 Wellington FL CDI3* FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI3* 72.850%
02/23/2017 Wellington FL CDI-W FEI Grand Prix CDIW 72.560%
02/24/2017 Wellington FL CDI-W FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDIW 76.295%

The advancements and experience the 15-year-old pony rider Lisa Widmayer gained during the 2017 series has been intensive and pivotal in preparation for the upcoming pony classes and qualifications in Germany. Travelling to Wellington for her first time ever at an Adequan® Global Dressage Festival, she has embraced its electric atmosphere. “I learned a lot about the competition experience here,” she marveled. “It has helped me feel more relaxed and confident, and I feel safer riding the tests. It has been so fun to ride here in the big ring.”

Within five minutes of the AGDF’s showgrounds, the young teen has been training intensively with Christoph Koschel for the upcoming 2017 German qualifications in her division. “The one big thing I have worked on the most with Christoph is the walk,” Lisa described. “We have worked really hard to keep it relaxed and loose and it is so good now. Also, my freestyle, we really needed to improve it and I feel great about it.”

At first, it was difficult for the very sensitive Paso Double, Lisa shared, “The noise made her lose focus, especially in the warm-up with the loud clapping coming from the bleachers,” Lisa disclosed.  Throughout the weeks, Lisa revealed that Paso Double was settling in, "She has been more focused, getting better and better. She’s super quiet now.”

Christoph recalled, “I met Lisa the first time last September where she did a national class in Germany. It was her first FEI Pony test and it was very hard for her. So, we made the decision to work through it by coming to Wellington for very intensive training because I had the same trouble with my niece Felicitas [Hendricks] and she, too, learned so much in her short time here. With Lisa, she has greatly improved and is now riding over 70% in the international arena with 5* judges. This is like a dream come true.”

Steadily riding since age six in her hometown of Hamburg, Lisa began learning about competitive riding through low level tests. About a year-and-a-half ago, she started preparing for Germany’s FEI Pony Classes by riding Paso Double, an 11-year-old Dutch Riding Pony mare (Bodo x Inselfurst), one of three horses currently owned by her family.

Lisa’s other horse is Solitaire, her up-and-coming Junior division horse; the family’s third horse is one her mom rides. “I am so grateful to my parents, Katja and Peter Widmayer, and to Antonio Do Vale and Joana Sierra Lopez Do Vale. They have helped me so much.” Lisa continued in gratefulness, “And, I am so very grateful to Christoph Koschel. He had the idea to come here. I have learned so much from him. He is incredible.”

Paso Double and Solitaire arrived in South Florida the 27th of December and Lisa arrived the 9th of January. She and Paso Double immediately began competing to take advantage of getting the pony in the ring as often as possible to help both the rider and pony get settled in and gain confidence. “It’s so big here, and with five judges!” 

Cheering Lisa on is Paso Double’s former rider, Semmieke Rothenberger, the 2016 Gold Medalist at the European Championships in the Young rider division. Lisa said, “Semmieke, is always reassuring me and giving me confidence because she knows Paso is a very sensitive mare. Semmieke and I will sometimes talk after competitions. I’m so thankful to her because she is so busy and still finds the time to encourage me. She is amazing.”

Germany’s Academics while in Florida (Palm Beach International Academy)

To meet her school’s tough requirements when she is at home in Germany, Lisa can only ride on weekends. During this winter season in Florida, though, she has been attending the Palm Beach International Academy (PBIA) daily, which is located across the street from the AGDF showgrounds. There, the teachers instruct her on the assignments sent by her school in Germany so that Lisa can keep up with her ninth grade classmates back home. “Being here has been a great experience. I love it. It is not only the competitions, it is also the school. I never thought I could love school, but the instructors here are really good. And my friends are here, too, Mathilda Von Guttenberg and Anna Von Guttenberg.”Lisa Widmayer and Paso Double at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival Photo: Lily Forado

Looking Ahead to 2017

Lisa, Paso Double and Solitaire are returning to Germany on the 26^th of March and two weeks later will be competing in the Preis der Besten, a huge national qualifying competition for youth in Warendorf. The show is the commencement competition that is part of the qualifying process for the four coveted spots on the Germany Pony Division Team in the European Championships taking place in August. “My goal is to ride in the Future Champions,” Lisa explained. “It looks so amazing and so big.” Asked if she would like to go to the European Championships for ponies, she said, “It’s so hard. I mean it’s just so hard to get on the team. I cannot say or think about anything yet. It would be a big, BIG dream for that to happen.” She emphasized again, “It’s just so hard, especially in the pony division in Germany.” 

Christoph said of Lisa and the pony, “She has learned so much to ride in an arena like this. And for the pony, as well, she is a little sound sensitive, but we can see after showing and showing, she is so much better." He reinterated, "To be honest, we also have big stadiums in Europe and this is what she needs now. The good thing here is that you get to stay in one place and the horses get so much better. They learn so much. It’s good for Lisa and it’s good for the pony. We get so well prepared for our own season." He continued, "She will go home and compete in the Preis de Besten, the first German National qualifier for the European Championships. There are around 15 top pony and rider combinations there where the official qualifications start for all of Germany. Yes, we will see. It is very tough. We have to remember that she is only riding on the international level for two-and-a-half months. At home, I will speak to our Pony Coach Connie Andrews and we will see. We had good results here. Let’s hope.”

Christoph said about the Florida experience, “Especially for the young people, it is remarkable how much they learn while they are here in Florida for the three months. For instance, Felicitas returned to Germany last year as ranked number one in the world in her division. You can really see how much better they get. It’s the same with Lisa. The scores are getting higher and higher and this is what we want, the experience and the quality and the improvements. It’s remarkable.” 

 To see Lisa Widmayer and Paso Double's FEI Results CLICK HERE

Top rider Leida Collins-Strijk, a multi-medalist for the Netherlands and high ranking rider who has consistently competed with great success throughout Europe, including 's-Hertogenbosch, Amsterdam, Vidauban, Hickstead, Stuttgart, Saumur and many FEI Grand Prix European tour competitions, shares her knowledge to prepare 21-year-old Diana Porsche and 17-year-old Jade Ellery in Wellington for the Under 25 and Junior Division competitions. “I love helping young people.”

On riding here in Wellington, she said, “It’s a great place to present a horse nationally or internationally in preparation for the European competitions during the summer.” Leida’s Wellington base is her father-in-law’s farm just minutes from the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival showgrounds. For the 2017 winter season, Leida has seven dressage horses currently at their Wellington stable. “We have some to compete, some sales prospects and some for the young riders.”

Leida grew up in the southern part of the Netherlands in a town called Brakel, also the home of dressage Olympian Coby van Baalen. “I started riding when I was 12 even though my parents had nothing to do with horses.” Mentored by Coby for 10 years, Leida’s father paid half her riding costs and she worked as a groom and brushed horses 7 days a week to pay for the other half. “For me, Coby set the base, the work ethics and all the discipline. It was the best thing for me.”

About coaching her young riders, Leida shared, “I try to take the good points and the bad points and create pathways for Diana and Jade,” explained Leida. “Because every horse is different, we have to learn what works or if we need to think of new plans.”L-R Patrick Schutte, Jade Ellery, Leida Collins and Diana Porsche

Diana Porsche, who rides for Austria, on her own 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding Di Sandro (De Niro x Gentina x Sandro) has already risen to the top of the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival leaderboard in all U-25 classes. The pair scored 74.875% in the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle 16-25 CDIU25, are currently ranked number one on the U25 FEI Youth Dressage World Ranking List for 2017 and are diligently training for the August 30-September 3, 2017 FEI U25 European Championships in Lamprechtshausen, Austria.

Jade Ellery, from Spain and who rides for Great Britain, has been leasing Diana’s 12-year-old Hanoverian Porsche’s Eloy (Earl x Wendenburg) in preparation for the Junior Division 2017 European Championships. She is experiencing highly effective training on the horse and good scores in the CDI arena. The rider and horse are now preparing for a coveted spot on the British team for the Junior/Young Riders European Championships taking place August 9-13, 2017 in Roosendaal, Holland.

Already performing magnificently at this year’s Adequan® Global Dressage Festival, Leida also prepares her horse West Side (Florett AS x Equador) for the 2017 FEI Grand Prix season. She has owned the KWPN gelding all his life. Shared Leida, “West Side is still working on getting ready for the big European ring, but right now we’ve been concentrating on the national classes for that next big step.He’s been amazing.” While Leida enjoys motivating and encouraging others, during AGDF Week #5 she and West Side scored 73% in their first Grand Prix national class for 2017.

Along with her husband, Olympic and international eventing and showjumping rider Tim Collins and their three children ages 6, 13 and 14, the Collins-Strijk family also owns a competition yard for dressage and jumping horses in the Netherlands. The farm is convenient to the summer Northern European competitions. “We have quite a few horses in Europe, all breeding horses and young ones for showjumping. My husband also has horses here in Wellington with Neil Jones; Mavis Spencer rides them for jumping.”

When in either Wellington or Holland, Leida has long-term business relations with rider and Pan American Games medalist Chris von Martels from Canada. Chris coaches fellow Canadian U25 rider Mathilde Blais Tetreault at both farms. Last summer, Mathilde paired with Utah, a 16-year-old KWPN gelding (by Jazz x Landwind II) and they recently scored a 70.850% in the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle 16-25 CDIU25. Utah was trained by Leida but competed by former stable rider, Danielle Houtvast. 

At the farm locations and during show travels, Leida receives exceptional horse management assistance from Patrick Schutte. Leida describes the entire group, “We’re really like a team, all working together.”

Coaching Young Riders Diana Porsche and Jade Ellery

Leida said, “I tell the girls that they need to have a plan and keep thinking along their own pathway. That while they might want to take advice from people because it’s good to learn, they have to remember that they know their horse.” She pointed out, “When we are young, we think that we want to be like someone. But, we can’t be like somebody else. We have to be our own person and it’s a long process with a lot of ups and downs. I still feel that I’m learning everyday.”

“I have totally different programs for Diana and Jade because one is a seasoned competition rider and one is brand new to the international competition arena. Jade is really learning how to get a feeling from the horse and Diana is an excellent show rider. My two students are so different. With Jade, I have to make her sharp in preparation for the ring and with Diana, I have to be quieter because they are different in their minds and thought processes."

"When Jade arrived at the beginning of the season, she was overwhelmed and now after 10 weeks she has pieces of the puzzle to work on and perfect. She’s come a long way in a short amount of time. I really want her to learn what she is doing so she can do it on her own with this horse or later with another horse. It’s all step-by-step. This is what I see as the fun part about riding. It’s making a positive step every day, some steps forward and some steps back, but that's riding and the way to progress. Diana already has this in her mind as we work on the pieces with her horses. She has that instinct, that order in her mind of a good show rider with her horses in preparation and in their training. With Diana, we work together to help her horses get rid of any nervousness and learn how to be confident in the ring."

"I really like my students to really work in the ring, use the corners and to make nice half-halts, really prepare their horses for each movement. I want the judges to say, ‘Wow, this rider is really doing something in there.' The judges really can see when the riders do the small preparations. They don’t want to see them just riding around." She continued, "It has to look good, but it also has to be that the rider is really utilizing the time to ride the horse. And that is what Jade is really having to learn. This season she’s had to learn how to separate her body and really learn to think on her upper body and then her lower body. I really want her to learn how isolate each part."

An intensive three months, Leida said, “I think it is fun though. It’s heaven here. It’s a great experience. It’s amazing what each of them have learned in three months, really amazing.” 

“It also comes down to the right personality to become a top rider. It doesn’t have to do with a person who has natural talent and natural good feeling on a horse. It’s more about the ones who want to work and fight for the learning. I truly believe that."

Leida said about Diana, “She really is a great show rider. She rides from letter to letter perfectly. Now, we are working on finding more expression in there, where she can gets more points. We train at home to get her horses looking more elastic and easy. I have also noticed with her in these weeks that she really thinks and prepares in there and it’s been really fun to see.”

As a coach, Leida said, “It’s been so fun to teach these riders because they are so completely different and they learn in a completely different way. When I was younger, I believed that everyone had to learn the same way because I was brought up that way. But now, I am more open in my teaching. It’s been fun to learn that one personality learns one way and another a whole different way. I also learn every day.”

"Teaching young people has also helped me with my own kids who want to be high level players in golf. Even though it's a different sport, it also requires a sort of mental thought process and I like being supportive to them because of my own experiences in top sport."

Diana Porsche and Di Sandro

2017 Florida Winter Series Results
Leida Collins- Strijk and West Side
Week #3 Grand Prix 72.800%
Week #5 Grand Prix 75.100%
Week #7 Grand Prix 73.150%
Week #9 Grand Prix 71.650%
Diana Porsche
02/10/2017 Wellington FL FEI Intermediate II 16-25 CDIU25 DI SANDRO 71.447% placing 1st
02/11/2017 Wellington FL FEI Grand Prix 16-25 CDIU25 DI SANDRO 71.535% placing 1st
02/12/2017 Wellington FL FEI Grand Prix Freestyle 16-25 CDIU25 DI SANDRO 74.875% placing 1st
3/16/2017 Wellington FL FEI Intermediate II 2017 CDIU 25 DI SANDRO 70.711% placing 2nd
3/18/2017 Wellington FL FEI YR Grand Prix 16-25 2015 CDIU 25 DI SANDRO 71.55% placing 1st
3/19/2017 Wellington FL FEI Freestyle, Grand Prix 2009 CDIU25 73.875% placing 1st
Jade Ellery
24/02/2017 Wellington FL FEI Junior Rider Team CDIJ PORSCHE'S ELOY 71.216% placing 1st
25/02/2017 Wellington FL FEI Junior Rider Individual CDIJ PORSCHE'S ELOY 72.263% placing 1st
26/02/2017 Wellington FL FEI Junior Rider Freestyle CDIJ PORSCHE'S ELOY 75.225% placing 1st
3/17/2017 Wellington FL FEI Junior Team 2017 CDIJ PORSCHE'S ELOY 69.595% placing 1st
3/18/2017 Wellington FL FEI Junior Individual 2017 CDIJ PORSCHE'S ELOY 69.386% placing 1st
3/19/2017 Wellington FL FEI Freestyle Test for Juniors 2009 PORSCHE'S ELOY 73.375% plaicng 1st 

Diana Porsche and Di Sandro

Jade Ellery and Porsche's Eloy

 L-R Lisa Widmayer, Jade Ellery, Vanessa Creech-Terauds, Diana Porsche at the Florida International Youth Dressage Championships

When she’s got her game face on, you ain’t messin’ with this lady. But this evening the sometimes seriously scary world no. 1, Germany’s Isabell Werth, really let her hair down during the prizegiving ceremony after clinching her third FEI World Cup™ Dressage title in Omaha (USA). Drenching American runner-up Laura Graves (29) and third-placed British star Carl Hester (49) in a fountain of champagne she celebrated big-time on the podium.

“It’s special to win again after ten years, to come back with a different kind of horse and after a really great season. I’m very happy and I’m also thankful, because I know what it’s like to be downstairs, and I’m really happy and grateful to be upstairs again!”

Werth has indeed experienced all the highs and lows that accompany a long and extraordinarily successful career.

The undisputed doyenne of the sport, and the most decorated equestrian athlete of all time, was last into the arena and chasing Graves’ target score of 85.307 with Verdades. The American created a frenzy of excitement when finishing her test with a spine-tingling extended trot - “I wanted to add a little surprise today and I think it paid off, and the crowd loved it!” she said after raising the roof of the Century Link Centre.

But Werth and the mare with which she claimed Olympic team gold and individual silver at the Rio Olympics just cruised through a fabulous Freestyle full of grace, poise and elegance for the winning mark of 90.704. Hester too was happy with third place. “I think he gave his maximum so I can’t be disappointed when he did his absolute best” he said of his horse Nip Tuck who scored 83.757.

Result, Freestyle:  1, Weihegold (Isabell Werth) GER 90.704; 2, Verdades (Laura Graves) USA 85.307; 3, Nip Tuck (Carl Hester) GBR 83.757; 4, Vancouver K (Judy Reynolds) IRL 79.571; 5, Cennin (Madeleine Witte-Vrees) NED 79.046; 6, Glock’s Voice (Edward Gal) NED 78.921; 7, Goreklintgaards Dublet (Kasey Perry-Glass 77.068; 8, Mister X (Inessa Merkulova) RUS 76.414; 9, Rosamunde (Steffen Peters) USA 75.879; 10, Du Soleil (Kristy Oatley) AUS 75.868; 11, Rustique (Mai Tofte Olesen) DEN 74.300; 12, Smeyers Molberg (Marcela Krinke-Susmelj) SUI 74.146; 13, Banduria Kacerro (Maria Florencis Manfredi) ARG 70.696; 14, Xama dos Pinhais (Joao Victor Marcari Oliva) BRA 70.321.

FULL RESULTS can be viewed here

Quotes:

Isabell Werth GER - 1st: Talking about the performance of her horse Weihegold - “I knew her day could be today, and Laura pushed me to show what we could do, I’m so happy! Tonight we’ll definitely have a party!”

Laura Graves USA - 2nd: “I didn’t realise how badly I wanted to win. I said on Thursday I’d give it a run for the money, and today I thought Oh I want that so badly, but finishing second to the no. 1 in the world still feels a lot like winning. This is my first time on a podium as an individual and that was very special. I won’t forget it, that’s for sure!”

Carl Hester GBR - 3rd: Nip Tuck is so thin because he hasn’t eaten for a week. He’s really missing Valegro who he’d normally be travelling with and when he’s not there he frets. He has no-one to grab hold of but he’ll have to get used to it. He’s been eating hay at least, but you need some petrol to do these competitions. Alan (his groom) has had to hand-feed him for the last few days.”

The progress in the sport of dressage is the U25 Grand Prix Division Championships. Advancing the sport of dressage last year, the FEI introduced its first annual European U25 Championships in the U.S. and Canada at the 2016 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival added a CDIO-U25 Division. International dressage judge for over fifteen years Elisabeth “Sissy” Max-Theurer affirmed, “These championships are a good idea for young people coming up in our sport and a good spring board to the International Grand Prix level.”

This year, the 2017 FEI U25 European Championships will be held August 30-September 3 near Salzburg in Lamprechtshausen, Austria, in Max-Theurer’s home country. Most likely, Max-Theurer will be the President of the Ground Jury for the Championships. “The U25 division has needed some time to develop. Now this group is getting stronger and stronger,” she openly added.

“The sport has been growing and improving, starting from the introduction of the musical freestyles years ago to the U25 division to what has been happening here in Florida. When it started here, there weren’t so many riders and now there are so many good ones coming here for the winter. I think this is a good chance for dressage to be more global, more open to the world.”

Essential to Judging

When asked what is of specific importance to her in being a Dressage Judge she explained, “As a dressage judge, I want to see that the riders are thinking about the horse, the fairness to the horse. It is very good in dressage and all equestrian sports that there must be good sportsmanship for the horse and that the horse is treated like a partner. This is the most important thing in order for a rider to be successful.”

About Elisabeth Max-Theurer         

 “I have always loved horses. I started with jumping and then moved into dressage.” At the young age of 23, Max-Theurer was the 1979 European Dressage Champion in Aarhus, Denmark riding Mon Cherie. A year later on Theurer, she became an Olympic champion by winning the gold medal. She also competed in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles and the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. 

Under her guidance and that of her husband, Hans Max-Theurer, Max-Theurer’s daughter, Victoria Max-Theurer rode ponies and won a total of six bronze medals at the European Championships for Junior riders in 1999, 2000 and 2001 with Agrigento and Falcao. In 2002, team and individual silver awards were added at the European Championships for Junior riders at the FEI Pratoni del Vivaro/ITA riding Falcao. She won her first Austrian State Champion title with Weinrausch and worked her way up towards the European Championships and, at age 17, was the youngest participant in Great Britain’s Hickstead. “I am always careful not to have a conflict as a judge with my daughter, so I come here to the States and also travel to the Eastern part of Europe to encourage those riders.”

The Max-Theurer family also breeds and stables horses at Achleiten Castle in Oberösterreich in upper Austria, a 12^th century estate that was purchased by the family in 1982 that they painstakingly restored. It has been the setting of the annual CDI 4* Achleiten Dressage competition that takes place annually each summer in July.

The New 2017 North American U25 Grand Prix Test

A new annual CDIO-U25 Grand Prix Division competition emerged the second-to-last weekend in March at the 2017 AGDF where more than 8 riders competed. This inaugural year for the North American created CDIO U25 Nations Cup was a highlight to the usual open division rider CDIO Nations Cup. The youth riders had a chance to compete on U.S. and Canadian teams, with the USA entering two three-rider teams. Never before has the U.S. and Canada had as many U25 Grand Prix riders looking ahead to a strong future in the sport.

Max-Theurer affirmed, “These new tests are very good for the young people coming up in our sport.”

The CDIO-U25 Division Nations Cup winners are the USA and Canada at the first Annual U25 Grand Prix Nations Cup in North America at the 2017 Adequan Global Dressage Festival

There is truly something special about the husband and wife team of Jaimey and Tina Irwin. The impressively successful training process they developed led both to top wins, as seen at the 2017 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival 12-week series. The pair of riders accomplished consistent top placings in the Prix St George and Intermediare I throughout the 2017 Adequan Global Dressage Festival 12 week winter series guiding their two horses Donegal V owned by Team Irwin Supporters Group, a 9 year old KWPN Gelding (Johnston x Remy) and 10 year old Laurencio (Laurentio x Pasedena) owned by Jaimey and Tina. In the small tour CDI ring, Tina and Laurencio attained the highest scoring small tour horse and rider pair of the entire 2017 AGDF series, scoring a 78.708% in the Intermediare I Freestyle beating Steffen Peters and Bailarino who scored a 77.00%. On April 10th, 2017 Equestrian Canada awarded Laurencio the 2016 Dressage Horse of the Year at the Equestrian Canada Awards reception.

Aware that horses take at least one entire season, if not two, to adjust to the electric atmosphere of the AGDF series varying windy, rainy, warm or perfect weather days, buzzing catering teams wheeling large trays of food over cobblestones on the outside of the VIP tent, clinking silverware and the bustle and noise of other horses, riders, spectators and announcers in the CDI competition ring, Jaimey and Tina put together an impressive, if not difficult Pas de Deux and presented it in Toronto at the Canadian Royal Winter Fair in November.  “We wanted something to get the crowd excited,” Jaimey said.

Tina shared, “The horses know each other really well. They are really good buddies. We were asked to do it to promote dressage. So we decided to do something really fun.” She confirmed, “We did do a lot of work practicing for that Pas de Deux because we wanted it to be really good and of high quality. It was a great way to get them used to a large atmosphere before we had to compete under the lights in Florida. It was a really good experience for them.” By allowing the horses to be together under those lights in front of thousands of spectators with some strong music, there would be no reason for each of the horses to be frightened when alone in the competition ring.

Their plan worked. Tina continued, “And now they seem to be peeking for this level at the same time. All our hard work is paying off. Developing any horse takes many years of time and work. So now, we are seeing some of our results.” Jaimey said, “We had the opportunity to do it again here at Global and that was amazing. It was a really good experience for them.”

Their steady road to success began in 2010 on a buying trip to Europe looking for young horses to bring up the levels. There they found 3-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Donegal V (Johnston x Remy x Gribaldi) for Jaimey, owned by Team Irwin Supporters Group, and also found 4-year-old Oldenburg gelding Laurencio (Laurentio x Pasadena x Donerhall) who would become Tina’s winning horse. Shipping both horses to their Stoney Lake Equestrian facility at Strathfield Farm in Stouffville, Ontario, Canada, Jaimey and Tina have since been raising and training them to enjoy infinite confidence while competing in any atmosphere.

Jaimey shared, “When they were young, we took them along on the pony rides so they would be relaxed and see everything as young horses, all for their confidence and handling any atmosphere." He recapped, "And last year in Florida, even though Donegal and Laurencio were a bit green it was the first time we competed them at PSG/Intermediaire I in the national classes. We were really trying to fix some mistakes from each competition. This year, though, both horses have been very consistent. They’re feeling stronger and more confident in their work. They are where they need to be for this level.”

Tina is clear about her pride in Laurencio, “He has amazing rideability and a wonderful temperament to go with it. It’s quite easy to ride him, I’d have to say. He’s an incredible horse and does a great job. I’m very lucky and I’m pleased with our season. I knew he was a special horse right from the beginning. I’ve been so very happy showcasing our hard work together over the last year-and-a half.”

Pleased with his own horse’s improvements, Jaimey said, “Donegal’s been doing really well this year and I’m very happy with his progress.” On Donegal V and Laurencio, their intention is to make it to Grand Prix and onto championship teams with the correct time and confidence for each horse. Acknowledging that horses can take some time to step up the levels, the husband and wife duo will continue with their intelligent strategy. 

The Irwins’ training system has reaped high honors on other horses they have trained. Tina was a member of the Canadian Team for the PanAmerican Games in 2011 in Guadelajara, Mexico where she brought home a Silver Medal and Jaimey competed at the 2013 World Cup in Gothenburg, Sweden representing Canada.

With their 25-stall dressage training and sales business called Stoney Lake Equestrian at at Strathfield Farm owned by Sheryl and David Kerr, a mere 20 minutes from downtown Toronto, everything requires keen juggling as they also raise their preschool children, Gavin is 6 years old and Marlies is 3.

"And help,” Jamie declared “It’s not just us, but our whole team. Everybody pitches in and helps groom, helps us with the kids, the farm, everything. They’re all a huge help,” Tina quickly agreed, “It takes a lot of organizing, but it’s really fun, too. We have a super team and we need that. They’re supportive in every way possible.” She continued, “The kids are in preschool this year. We organized it so that our parents were here when we were competing. Last year, we had a nanny, but this year we didn’t do that and it worked out great.”

"We are so grateful to our loyal sponsors and all of their continued support. They are all an important part of Team Irwin and include: Schleese, Brooks Feed, Kentucky Performance Products, Zap Productions, Equinety, GhpSport, Knixwear, Theraplate and to all of our horse owners."

A fitting quote by the legendary 16th century French riding master Antoine de Pluvinel sums up Jaimey and Tina Irwin’s training of Donegal V and Laurencio, “You can never rely on a horse that is educated by fear. There will always be something that he fears more than you. But, when he trusts you, he will ask you what to do when he is afraid.”

A highly skilled athlete who routinely wins at top worldwide competitions including her three Pan American Games Individual Gold Medals and six Olympic Games and a myriad of international CDI victories including Aachen and the Hamburg Derby, Christilot Boylen is one of the all-time greatest athletes in the sport. Not only does she train her horses to the highest levels, she and her partner Udo Lange have coached some of the greatest riders consistently to extraordinary victories in FEI Grand Prix levels and in Olympic Games.

“A horse’s training really should be in the classical system. It’s important to understand that horses have been developing in the same manner for centuries. As the rider, you have to create balance, suppleness and throughness and always train through the six steps of the training scale until you get to where you want to go. There is no leaving anything out. Some horses are quicker, some are slower. It has to be done in this way.” She maintains, “If a horse understands, they will try to do it. It’s the goal to always nurture that try in the horse.” She continued, “We have to go back to the masters. I’m looking through a book now written by Major Stecken. One of the themes is that you do not have to be a superstar. Good riding, correct riding is sufficient. And the second statement is that horses try. One of the most important things as trainers and riders is that we must maintain that quality of try.”

Christilot competed two horses throughout the 2017 Wellington CDI circuit in preparation for future championship team qualifications. Allowing the horses time in electric atmosphere of the CDI ring, she shared, “Everything is a learning experience. Some of it is positive and some of it negative. And we probably learn more from the negative than from the positive. We’ve had some very good ups and downs this winter season.” The horses she competed at the 2017 AGDF are Drentano a 2003 Hanoverian gelding (De Niro x Brenda Lee x Brentano II) in the FEI Grand Prix and her own Rocky Lane a 2007 Westphalian mare (Rock Forever x Rica (Rombach) in the small tour.

Always striving Christilot is honing in on the upcoming challenges facing them in qualifying for Canada at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tyron, North Carolina next September, “There are a lot of things we’ve been working on to get back into ‘team form.’ She shared, “Rocky Lane is a horse I started in the middle of March a year ago. She is my long-term project and probably the best horse I’ve ever had to work with. She does everything for the Grand Prix now, even though I can’t yet show it in the ring. Nothing is too difficult for her. We have to work on a few small issues. At the moment she needs experience with the large atmosphere and she’s trying to figure it out. At home, though, she does everything with ease.” She added, “She’s a case because it’s her first winter season in the big arena. I got her March 21st a year ago. She’s 10 not 11 because she was born in December of that year. She has a lot on her plate. At home, she is picture perfect. There is nothing to correct. We get out here in the big stadium and she is a different horse. Now, she and I have to figure that out. Slowly, I have to get her to where she relaxes.”

Two top riders Christilot coaches include Olympians Megan Lane and Belinda Trussell. Christilot said, “My one big goal in life is to impart my knowledge. The training really has to be in the classical system.”

Megan will have three top horses in the 2018 FEI Grand Prix CDI arena for next year in preparation for the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, NC. Megan has taken over the #1 position in Canada this year so far from Belinda who last year retired her superstar horse, Anton from the Grand Prix international level and recently, at the April 10th, 2017 Equestrian Canada Awards Reception, Belinda was honored as the 2016 Dressage Athlete of the Year and Robyn Eames & Mark Trussell the 2016 Dressage Horse Owners of the year. 

About the two, Christilot shared, "Megan has gathered more experience and more polish this winter season and her great luck is that her mare is wonderfully sound. And Belinda is bringing along her horse Tattoo with great success in the national Grand Prix ring this year in preparation for future successes.”

Training with Christilot the past three years at the Deer Ridge Equestrian Center in Loretto, Ontario and in Wellington, Megan has another two top horses she is also grooming for the 2018 Grand Prix CDI arena in preparation for the 2018 World Equestrian Games. One is San D’or, a 2006 Westfalian gelding (Sandro Hit X Cocktail); the pair scored well at the 2017 AGDF CDI competitions in the Grand Prix. Her third horse, 2005 KWPN gelding Zodiac MW she calls “Ziggy” (Rousseau x Amethist) who is competing in the national classes in Intermediare II and scored a 72%.

There is a Cinderella story about Megan Lane and her 2001 KWPN Caravella (Contango x P. Riviera x Riverman) growing up together from the lowest level through the Young Riders to the world stage. Lane and Caravella represented Canada at the 2009 FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) and again in 2010. Both years they were among the top three in every class. After a short while in the U25 Young Rider Grand Prix, they went onto the world stage as part of Canada’s 2014 World Equestrian Games team for Normandy, France. In 2015, the pair checked a Pan American Games medal off their bucket list and then the 2016 Olympics and 2017 Nations Cup win.

Belinda Trussell has been training with Christilot since just before the mid-1990s when Belinda moved to Germany to train with Christilot and Udo’s system of training. Now, Christilot trains and coaches Belinda with only an hour’s drive to Oakcrest Farms in Stouffville, Canada, the state-of-the-art facility for world-class riding and training owned by Belinda and her husband Mark. A team member for Canada at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, 2010 World Equestrian Games, a Silver Medal team member at the 2015 PanAm Games, and riding for Team Canada in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, Belinda has garnered countless other successes and victories.

Belinda and the upcoming 2003 Westphalian gelding Tattoo (Tuareg x Renaissance x Ramiro’s Son) bred by the Theodorescu family in Germany and owned by Belinda and her husband, received a 72.9% in Tattoo’s third ever Grand Prix in the national classes during the 2017 Florida winter season and Belinda plans on debuting him in next year’s FEI Grand Prix CDI arena.

This group will prove a force in the future. 

Twenty-two-year-old Anna Buffini of Del Mar, California builds an unhurried and steady progression for a secure and long-term career as a professional rider in dressage by honing in on three main focal points. First was the fine-tuning of her year's training with Guenter Seidel and with Debbie McDonald for three months this past winter season; second, she diligently prepared to successfully compete in the CDI U25 Grand Prix show-ring representing the USA; and third, she focused on her on coaching skills as an assistant to Lendon Gray. Anna shared, “There is no quick route. Anyone heading into the sport has to learn the basics and consistently return to the basics with intelligence because there is the team-mate aspect with the horse.”

Since 2014, Anna has been climbing the FEI levels step by step with her two horses, her remarkable Sundayboy (Kennedy x Eezelma) and Wilton 11 (Jazz x Olympia-W x Contango). Wanting more of a challenge in her division with Sundayboy, she decided to travel to Florida for the 2017 AGDF twelve-week series. Completing the series with a win on Sundayboy, the two were victorious in the FEI Grand Prix Nations Cup Freestyle 16-25 U25 CDIO with a score of 73.525%. Anna will be retiring the 1999 KWPN gelding Sundayboy on April 29, 2017 during the CDI competitions of the 72nd Del Mar National Dressage during the Evening of Musical Freestyles.

“This season has been amazing in experiencing Wellington and in knowing where I want to get to in my own training while competing. The year I had with Guenter really taught me and gave me a foundation. He helped me to learn what I need to do to ride as a professional and helped me in my own growing. It’s going to take a long time and I know it.” She continued, “The coaching I’ve had from Guenter and now from Debbie has helped me to become a fundamentally growing professional, rider and coach.”

After competing for the third year in the CDI ring, she said, “The first year, I honestly didn’t understand all that a CDI involves. I just went in there like it was a regular show and didn’t realize the huge significance of it. My eyes kind of opened at the North American Young Rider’s Championships in 2014. But, it was in 2016 that I really began to feel the pressure and understand what I was entering into. Since then, though, I remind myself that it’s just a 20x60-meter arena with sand and not to overthink it. I go in there and ride the way I’ve been training. I’ve learned that winning is through a rider’s training system and in the long-term preparation.” Before she started to work with Guenter and Debbie, Anna began her dressage training with Sandy Burns-Gardner. 

Anna is the second of six children in a very closely knit, sports-oriented family where faith, hard work and working smartly have always been emphasized. Her older brother, AJ, played Wide Receiver for the Southern Methodist University Mustangs, her younger brothers are looking into colleges for volleyball and basketball, and her teenage twin sisters play volleyball with their Mom encouraging them as the Assistant Coach. But, it is their highly accomplished parents who, by focusing on their children’s individual skill developments, founded their paths. “They’ve always encouraged us to believe in ourselves and to realize the value we represent on a team.” Being homeschooled by parents with solid positive mindsets, Anna explained, “If something started getting negative, they were on it right away.”

Their father, Brian played soccer for his native Ireland and was a national collegiate soccer champion. Their mother, Beverly, played volleyball for the Universities of Alabama and Tennessee, was the Assistant Volleyball Coach for both the men’s and women’s volleyball teams of the United States Military Academy at West Point, received several Southeastern Conference (SEC) individual and team championship honors, and set the NCAA record for service Aces one year. She also played volleyball for the USA team from 1985 to 1988, competed in the Pan American Games in 1987 and was an alternate for the 1988 USA Olympic team.

“My Mom always reminds me not to get too low or too high with my emotions and that ‘being an elite athlete you need to have an unbelievable toughness.’ Whenever I hit a roadblock of any kind, I know that both my parents have been through it. They’ll go back to pivotal times in their lives to explain that they understand.”Supporting and cheering for Anna Buffini - her brother Alex and her Mom - Beverly Buffini

Anna said it has transferred into her own riding, “It’s 100% what I do. It’s always that positive structure. It’s all mental. All the riding comes from your mentality and the way you think. Your horse can feel if you are negative or positive. Even if it is a tough ride because you are going to have tough rides, your mindset and the way you think have to find that positive note.” She continued, “My Dad says, ‘The best athletes are those with the shortest memories.' You have to forget the bad. Learn from it. Omit it and move on to the next day.“

For a solid year, Anna has worked with Guenter on a daily basis. The three-time Olympian said, “Anna is such a great girl. You cannot help liking her and that is how she is on the horse and that’s how her family is. Her whole family comes with her and they are all just such great people. She is super dedicated, talented and great to work with.”

Guenter spoke about Anna’s training, “The aha moments were all from Sundayboy for her. He is the aha moment. You can have good teachers, but the horse is at the end, the good teacher. The funny thing about Sundayboy is that I think a lot of people thought he was easy and did everything on his own. That is far from the truth. There is no such thing as an easy Grand Prix horse. They all have to be ridden well.” He continued, “It wasn’t me or Sandy, her former coach. We can help, but the horse is the one that really teaches the rider.”

He added, “One special horse will give you a lot. I had Graf George. He did the same for me. He changed the whole game for me. He gave that to me, no one else.”

He said about riding, “Learning the right thing at the right moment is something each rider has to learn. Doing the right thing at the right moment is the key.”

He continued, “It’s challenging and can be a very frustrating sport that can be especially hard on kids because they take any defeat very personal. The highs and lows can be quite extreme. You cannot let that get to you. It’s always trying to find that healthy balance. The rewards are great, but if you did something wrong in the show arena it’s not the end of the world. It’s important to keep it all into a healthy perspective.”

Anna shared about working with Guenter, “He is always focused on what is right in front of him. If something bad happens, you can see his brain trying to figure out where to go. He is so clever. Sometimes, he doesn’t have an immediate answer. He’ll stop me, think for a second and come up with a plan or exercise in order to progress forward with whatever the problem may be. He really wants to work with the horse’s brain.” Anna explained that “Debbie does the same thing. She will figure out a new way. If I say, ‘I am struggling with this part,’ she will come up with a way to work through it. She will create a whole new exercise that somehow builds the horse up. Both of them do not train with their emotions. They really train in a logical manner. That is what I have learned from them. If the horse does something bad, do not react to it. Do not get negative.”

Debbie McDonald shared her thoughts on working with Anna, “Anna hit the ground running this season. The first thing she did was integrate with Lendon Gray and her Winter Intensive Training Program so that she could help those kids a few hours a day when she wasn’t focused on her own riding. She really helped them in any way she could. She wanted to stay busy, involved and active throughout the season. She is such a role model for the generation coming up. She’s so inspirational. It has been nothing but pure joy working with her this season. She is a real testament of her parents and their whole family.”

She added, “That’s the one thing about Guenter, we are very good friends. We work very well together. We spent many years together on the road with Klaus Balkenhaul. I cannot say that I added anything to their work other than an eye on the ground for her this season. Guenter has done such an amazing job with her. So, I take absolutely no credit to what Anna is. I was passed on a very well educated, well-schooled young woman.”

Assistant Coaching

While in Florida during the 2017 winter competition season, Lendon asked Anna to help with the fitness portion of her three-month Dressage4Kids Winter Intensive Training Program. Noticing Anna's passion, Lendon then asked  Anna to assist her in giving lessons to the students. Lendon in doing so, mentored her in coaching the young riders. “At first, she watched how I was teaching the riders,” Anna described. “Then, she started to ask me about each lesson and we’d discuss it.”Anna Buffini and Kaitlin Blythe share a congratulatory hug

“I felt so welcome there. They were my family this season.” She continued, “I went to see all of them show and they in turn came to watch me.”

“I’m a young trainer,” Anna professed. “I’m only 22 years old and basically, I teach from what I’ve learned. For instance, I would say, ‘You have to connect the horse from both legs to both reins.’ In the way I explained, it was exactly the same step-by-step way Debbie had been telling me. The funny thing is that the next time I’d ride my own horse I’d understand just what it was that she had been showing me. My teaching another allowed me to understand it for myself and was a huge help in my own training development.” 

Riding under the lights, she shared, “It was so surreal. My dream has been to compete under the lights and this was Sundayboy’s last competition ever and to come out with the win is unbelievable. I owe him so much and he tried his heart out. He’s such a star. He’s done everything for me. He’s given me his whole heart and that is all I can ask."

“This was Guenter Seidel’s freestyle. I didn’t have one and he said, ‘you can use mine.’ It’s fun and recognizable.” She continued, “We did a piaffe fan. I thought at that moment, ‘I cannot believe we are doing this.’”

Anna is grateful to many, “I’m so thankful to my parents, my brothers and sisters, and to Guenter, Debbie and Lendon. And, also to my grandparents for coming to Florida to support me and for bringing laughter with them. It’s all been so wonderful.”

“Sundayboy will go back to California. No one else will show him. We will trail ride him and let him get fat and happy for the rest of his life.”

L-R Sierra Keasler, Anna Buffini, Kaitlin Blythe at the CDIO U25 Nations Cup 2017

Olympic U.S. rider, trainer and 4* FEI Dressage Judge Charlotte Bredahl-Baker has dedicated herself to be the best U.S. Assistant Youth Coach she can be. This year, she launched a new coaching program for riders in the Junior Division, Young Rider Division and U25 Grand Prix Division called the “Select Athlete One-on-One Program.”

With a lifetime of knowledge in bringing quite a few horses to the FEI levels, as well as judging and riding in several big international championships, Charlotte wants to impart her knowledge and establish long-term support and collaboration similar to riders, trainers and judges in Europe. Wanting to encourage trust and be an ally in the journey up the levels, Charlotte stated, “So far, there are about 25 riders who have been invited to take part in this program. They come from all over the country. I’m going to try and see as many as I can in person. I know it’s not possible to go all across the country, but many of them are in Florida for the winter season. This year I’ve gone from farm to farm in Wellington and seen quite a few for one or two days each time. For the ones I don't have a chance to see in person, I will provide a video review with the rider and trainer. They send me a video and I get on the phone with the rider and trainer and we talk through the video. I give them my feedback and encourage them to send me another video after they have had a chance to work on the things we discussed. Some of them have been super receptive to that."

There are certain criteria that young athletes must fulfill in order to be invited to participate in this program. Once a rider and their trainer have been selected, Charlotte will do her best to go to their farm and provide in-person support, or otherwise will offer evaluation perspectives as a trainer and judge through video review. “The whole idea,” she explains, “is to establish a relationship with the trainers because if you only see a rider a couple of times a year in a clinic for only two days, you can't make much of a difference. I think it’s very important to work alongside a trainer.”

The benefit of this program is to have ongoing support for both riders and their trainers, someone to call on when there is a problem with a difficult step up the levels with a horse or when a trainer just wants a judge’s point of view before a competition. Charlotte hopes to establish long-term relationships in order to encourage riders to thrive when things get difficult. Due to the big steps from the Junior Division to the Young Rider Division to the U25 Grand Prix Division and beyond, Charlotte wants to encourage growth and advancement.

Beth Baumert Endorses Charlotte Bredahl-Baker’s U.S. Equestrian Select Athlete One-on-One Program

"This country needs to develop Young Riders who can challenge the Young Riders in Europe, and Charlotte's USEF program puts us on that road,” Beth Baumert said. “Her training is strictly classical and although it is challenging, it is couched in kindness, consistency and encouragement. Charlotte is also great at supporting the trainers and she works with our young riders locally."

She continued, “Because our country is so different than any other country, we cannot do it in the same way, for example, as the way Germany does it.  We, as trainers cannot say, ‘Here is a great young rider’ and send them to the training center in Warendorf to be seen at the DOKR head of federation program directors for future opportunities. We need someone who is like-minded to come to us and support us as trainers. It’s a great program.” She added, “I think of Charlotte as our traveling Warendorf.”

The first time Charlotte worked with Beth was in 2016 when Beth had been coaching 19-year-old Molly O’Brien and the 18-year-old Lusitano stallion Grand Prix schoolmaster named Telurico owned by Pierre Pirard. “Charlotte was extraordinarily helpful, kind and consistent and encouraging. She did not give compromises, but she did give tons of breaks and tons of encouragement. It was wonderful.” Soon after that winter, Molly started riding the Grand Prix Oldenburg stallion Jubilant aka ‘Eubie.' Thanks to his special owner Anne Wood, "Eubie" has been partnered with Courtney King, Mica Mabragana, and now Molly. 

“Charlotte helped us a few times down in Florida with Eubie and it was the same thing,” Beth said. “She confirms for me that I am on the right path with Molly.” It is Charlotte’s goal to be in collaboration with the trainer for every yong rider. 

Molly, who hails from Tucson, Arizona and continues up the levels through the North American Junior/Young Rider system competing in the Junior Division in 2015 before moving to Connecticut to work with Beth. Now preparing Jubilant, the horse and rider pair has their first qualifying score at the 2017 Palm Beach Derby scoring a 67.632% in the FEI Young Riders Individual 2017 test.

For a long time, Beth Baumert has been a coach, rider and trainer of dressage horses and students.  She spends most of the year training riders at her farm, Cloverlea Farm in Columbia, Connecticut, and the winter months in Wellington, Florida. Her daughter, Jennifer Baumert is a highly competitive Grand Prix rider with many FEI wins under her belt.L-R Silke Rembacz, Sierra Keasler and Charlotte Bredahl-Baker

Silke Rembacz (Trainer) and Sierra Keasler (U25 Rider) Also Praise the US Dressage Program  

“This was our first and second time utilizing Charlotte and the Select Athlete’s One-on-One Program,” Silke Rembacz said. “I loved the fact that she let us choose whether I was to teach or she was to teach. I opted for her to teach and then I would ask questions or say what about this or something about that. I really liked that part about it. It’s not easy for somebody to come in. I think this is a good way because every young rider gets to the higher levels a certain way and having somebody come in and give their input is a very good idea.” She added, “Charlotte offered some truly great suggestions.”

Coach and mentor to Sierra Keasler, Silke grew up near Bremen, Germany and came to the United States in 1986. An active FEI competitor and coach, she is based both in Ringoes, New Jersey and Wellington, Florida. 

“For us with Lux [Lux Stensvang], you really need to know him,” Silke revealed. “He’s a great horse and each horse is unique. Because I look at Sierra and Lux every day and I know them and I know how they react, as a person to come in who doesn’t see them every day, Charlotte can say, ‘What about that?’ or ‘Have you tried this?’ She’s picking up on things to discuss and work through.” Silke added, “It’s the same as my teaching a clinic. As an outsider, I go in and suggest something and the student understands it in a whole new way. Perhaps, they try the exercise I show them and they see where that is taking them. It’s like a discussion on ways to improve. They show me their way and I show them my way and maybe later they mix them together for the next step in their horses training.  And I think that is very good to do it that way.”

Sierra Keasler also commended Charlotte, “What I like most about her program is that she allows the trainer to be a part of the lesson. Everyone goes into her program like a team and she really incorporates the trainer. It’s not like a clinic with someone completely new and completely different from your program. She works with you and your trainer. Silke and I really appreciated that. She was very good at adjusting her program for Lux, me and Silke. When Silke was out of town, she came out and helped me. Silke was very happy because we’ve gotten very comfortable working together with Charlotte.”

Sierra added, “While it’s nice to know Charlotte is a judge, she doesn’t say, ‘that’s a 6 or that’s a 7.’ She’s teaches more like a rider or trainer. She was able to look at our overall picture and helping me make Lux shorter here or there and she had me sitting up quite a bit more at certain times. She coached with Silke and I could see them meshing well together in their coaching me. She’d teach me and then Silke would talk with her for a second. There was open communication about how Silke might do something and how Charlotte might work through it. They were pretty much teaching me together about how to make certain things better.” 

To read about the “Select Athlete One-on-One Program” and criteria requirements, visit https://files.usef.org/assets/Xykp_QVka8Y/2017-select-coaching-program-memo-to-athletes-1052017.pdf.

To learn more about Charlotte Bredahl-Baker’s background, visit http://dressageretreats.com/

Riding all of her life with two years explicitly focusing on Dressage for U.S. competition, sixteen-year-old Mallih Ataee of Medina, Washington has been steadily achieving her goals. Structure is important to Mallih and her mentor Sheila Buchanan as they have put in place a strategy and succeeded in giving Mallih’s 11-year-old Westphalian gelding Sir Pegasus (Siberian Express x Nora) aka “Peanut Butter” the time to develop the correct fitness, strength and confidence for the tasks ahead.

Now preparing to compete in her first international competition at the North American Junior/Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) taking place July 18-23, 2017 in Saugerties, New York, Mallih will be part of a four-person team flying their horses across the country to take part in the Junior Division competing for USDF Region 6. “The girls on our team have been so supportive of each other. We’ve already made lifelong friendships.”

A Logical Training Program

Riding 4 to 5 days each week, Mallih drives the forty-five minutes from Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bellevue, a suburb of Seattle, to the stable in Snohomish to work with Sheila, a busy full-time working professional who also continues to maintain her standings both as a mentor to Mallih and an amateur rider who competes two of her own horses.

Sheila said, “When we started with Sir Pegasus last November, I put a plan together for him. Mallih and I agreed that his fitness has to be the most important, more important than making the test movements perfect and we needed to work on the way he traveled in all three gaits.”Mallih Ataee and Sir Pegasus Photo: Siggi Wolff of Cavallis.com

“It’s really the partnership between horse and rider that ends up being the winning combination." Clarifying, she said, "If it’s not about the partnership in the competition, it all becomes very mechanical and then ever so slightly the beauty of it is lost. But, when the horse understands and performs for you, the beauty of the partnership is there. And that’s the relationship Mallih is learning to develop with her horse. Now, they’re doing the equivalent of between third and fourth level in the Junior level.”

Mallih appreciatively affirmed, “Sheila is an incredible mentor. Her guidance has been extraordinary.”

Sir Pegasus, a talented horse at 17.1 hands bay sporting two socks on his hind legs and a star on his forehead that at five years old relocated to the U.S. from Germany, Mallih beamed, “he’s so willing to learn something new. I’ve never had a horse with such expressive and easy gaits. When I do the extended trot, I just put my legs on and he goes. He’ll go right into his lateral work. It’s been so awesome to be able to ride like that.”

Sheila says with a broad smile, “It’s so fun working with Mallih. She came to me about two years ago when she was just turning 15. Her mom couldn’t always be at the stable so I promised to make sure that Mallih would wear a helmet and ride only when an adult is around. The first year, she just powered through the training and the next year, this year, she had to decide if she wanted to do the Junior Division program and go for the Region 6 Junior Division Team for the North American Junior/Young Rider Championships. I spoke with her parents and suggested, ‘let’s try it and see what happens.’ We’ve been rolling along ever since.”

Sheila currently owns an insurance company in Bellevue, manages a construction company handling resales and rentals, breeds Golden Retrievers, and is also the primary caregiver for her 92-year-old mother. Humbly, she said, “I’m not a full-time coach. I am an amateur who has a full-time job and who rides after work. Mallih and I really hit it off and started working together. Over the past two years, we’ve really blossomed together. Now I feel like family and I think that’s why we work so great together.”

Concentrated Movements

“When I work on an exercise,” Mallih began, “whether or not in a lesson, I try to imagine what the horse is doing under me. For example, if I’m riding a 10-meter circle I think about his hind legs bending and stepping directly on to the centerline and him bending through his entire body. I imagine him doing it perfectly the first time for a 10 and, of course, like most, we have our mistakes. This idea of reaching for a 10 is what keeps me focused and working.”Mallih Ataee and Sir Pegasus Photo: Siggi Wolff of Cavallis.com

She clarified, “My structure for working Peanut Butter at this point in our career is to first make his cadence correct and then working on movements. So let’s say that I’m working our half passes. First, I develop the trot I want under me based on what I’m feeling in my hand and my body, making him supple to my aids, moving his hind legs under him, softening through his entire body and moving forward into my hand. After I have the movement under me that I want, I’d start the half pass.”

Training Clinics

Mallih also takes part in some clinics given by dressage coach, trainer and mentor Christophe Theallet who coached USA Olympian Kasey Perry-Glass. He acts as an outside source to affirm they are on the correct path, “Christophe gives me homework and I also send him videos and we go over them. It’s been a wonderful opportunity.” Mallih has attended Christophe’s clinics at Jennifer Schrader-William’s Summervale Premier Dressage horse sales facility, “I’m so very grateful to Jennifer,” and at Wendi Montgomery’s Sky Equestrian Center in Sultan, “I get to collect amazing exercises and different ways of working through a movement.”

Another outside source for Mallih and Sheila is Linda Grandia and Laura Rising who own Hilltop Stable with riding instruction from Linda Grandia. Sheila acknowledges, “Her experience and dedication makes her a perfect match for our training and she keeps us on track.”

Continued Training 

“In the final few weeks before leaving for New York,” Sheila explained, “we began refining our training to have everything as clean and tight as possible. We started with such a short timeline to train this horse, but he and Mallih both have risen to the task. Mallih’s family has been wonderfully supportive in this quest. Her mom Schanon and father Tony, along with her two brothers have all made tremendous sacrifices. There have been many cold nights watching Mallih’s training and many times Schanon has simultaneously worked with Mallih’s younger brother Keyon on his homework. This kind of dedication from family is an amazing asset to the pair."

“The schedule for training will remain the same at about 5 days per week of work for Peanut Butter,” she continued. “What will change is what takes place in the work. Until now, the focus has been on strengthening the horse and developing soft elevated gaits. Now we’ll move into shorter spurts of much more collected work where the requirements for the movements will be quite precise. This requires much more focus and determination. To have a fun day for the horse is important, too, and working with the freestyle is always fun for the rider and for the horse.”Mallih Ataee and Sir Pegasus Photo: Siggi Wolff of Cavallis.com

Mallih added, “I concentrate more about Peanut Butter keeping a correct way of going than I do about the movement itself. I believe Sheila and Christophe that he’s more than capable of doing a movement correctly and to go back and do it until we get it right. I focus not so much on the movements themselves but each individual step leading up to the movement, throughout the movement and ending the movement into the next portion of our work or the test.”

With a pleasant smile, Mallih then shared, “We do have a freestyle and I’m absolutely in love with it. It was done by Karen Robinson from Applause Dressage. Our entire test is choreographed to George Michael songs. The walk music is “Careless Whisper,” our trot music is “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” and our canter music is “Faith.” Karen did a wonderful job and I’m so excited to compete it.”

Mallih Growing up

The Ataee family still owns the Hackney pony that Mallih learned how to ride when she was just four years old. The pony, named Sunny Boy, is thought to be about 37 years old and is still in perfect health. Their veterinarian recently visited and predicted that he will live long enough for Mallih’s own children to learn how to ride on him. Thanks to the very special Caryn Darmer, an accomplished dressage rider in her own right who would ride Sunny Boy when Mallih could not and helped to pique Mallih’s interested in Dressage.

The Future

Next year, Mallih will be applying to colleges and she hopes to go to the University of Washington Foster School of Business or possibly Stanford. She has been determined to go to the Juniors across the United States and has a can-do attitude of creating a plan and sticking to it.

“I have faith,” Sheila declared, “that Sir Pegasus/Peanut Butter is going to take Mallih through a successful trip to New York and we’ll continue working to get to the U25 Grand Prix."

Looking forward to New York and the North American Junior/Young Riders Championships

Sheila shared, “We would not be where we are without everyone’s continued love and enthusiasm through the hard times and the good times. In my opinion, the journey doesn’t get much better than this. No matter where we finish in the international competition, our tribe will be beaming with pride of the accomplishments that have been made.”

Mallih Ataee and Sir Pegasus Photo: Siggi Wolff of Cavallis.com

The youngest person in the small tour at Dutta Corp.’s U.S. Equestrian Festival of Champions in Gladstone in May was Natalie Pai. After just turning 20-years-old in April, she rode 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding Fritz San Tino (Falkenstern II x Wanderbursch II) aka “Santo.” Competing against professionals and Olympic medalists who have been riding for decades, the pair came in 8th after the first two days of the Championships in Prix St. George and Intermediare I, and 10th overall in the Intermediare I Championships. According to USEF’s records, Natalie was the youngest person ever to qualify and compete in the Intermediare I National Championships. In the U25 Grand Prix division, Natalie competed on Unlimited (Jazz x Winckenburgh) a 16-year-old KWPN gelding aka “Jazzy” owned by Peacock Ridge LLC and leased for Natalie. The pair ended up overall Reserve Champion at the Dutta Corp.’s U.S. Equestrian Festival of Champions in Gladstone, New Jersey.

A demanding task for a young rider to accumulate as many points as possible in a CDI international dressage arena within its allotted seven minutes, there are many facets to a test that need mastering. To achieve triumphs and victories, a successful Small Tour and U25 Grand Prix competitor must nurture a keen mind with a desire to continually learn, cultivate great instincts and draw on the basics while steadily progressing toward higher scores.

Building her foundation in Wellington, Florida training with Kevin Kohmann and Devon Kane at the supportive and high performance competition training stable Diamante Farms, Natalie has been working her way up to 70% scores in the international arena.

With great mentorship by Devon and Kevin along with a small group of riders at Diamante Farms Dressage training center, only a couple of miles from the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival showgrounds. Natalie shared, “Diamante has a great group of people and perfect environment for getting things accomplished,” says Natalie. “It’s a small environment and very private; we’re really a family. I am very blessed to have so many supportive people in my life. I wouldn’t be where I am without my parents’ help and support. My friends and my family have helped me tremendously. They keep it fun." She continued, "Emilija Anderson, my friend and groom, has taught me so much and always knows how to put a smile on my face no matter what is happening. I don’t know what I would do without her help, especially balancing school and riding. This sport can be very stressful and it can put on a lot of pressure on a person at times. Last year, I was trying to figure out what I want to do in life. I took a break over the summer to reflect on things. There were things going on that I needed to figure out. That break allowed me to come back stronger than ever.”

In mid-June Natalie competed Unlimited in the Open Grand Prix at the Palm Beach Equine Sports complex at a local national level competition, “I could hear Kevin and Devon in my earpiece. Devon really helped me with my pirouettes at that show.” Sharing the complexities of being a petite rider with Devon, Natalie said, “I’m five feet two and Kevin is six feet tall and a man. Because Devon and I are both smaller girls, she was able to give me some tips and tricks of hers that helps her in her riding, which ended up working out great for me.”

She continued, “The way Kevin words things is really important because he’s able to phrase things for a young rider to understand. He was doing Young Riders not too long ago, himself. If he says something I don’t understand, he is able to quickly reword it another way. And, if I am still confused, he can get on and show me what he means. Sometimes, being able to watch can make it more understandable. It’s quite remarkable the way he coaches and his way of teaching has made all the difference.”

Training for Confidence

Showing eight times in the big stadium in Wellington in the small tour with scores in the mid-to-high 60%, Natalie shared, “There were some ups and downs with Santo. Because he’s so sensitive to the atmosphere in the big stadium at Global, we were eliminated almost every single time we competed in 2015 and 2016, but this year we worked past his fears. It’s been a long process in figuring out how to get him to trust me. I used to try and calm him by slowing down and petting him, which would just cause him to get even more anxious.”

“This year, though, I was able to figure out what to do if it felt like he was becoming insecure in there. Now, I push him more forward, which gives him confidence. I also think because this is our third year together he trusts me a lot more and he tries so hard for me now. He was the most relaxed in the Gladstone National Championships CDI ring than he’s ever been and actually enjoyed the atmosphere there. We finally have a really good partnership. I’m absolutely thrilled with him.”

Unlimited and the U25 Grand Prix

PJ Rizvi, mom to four kids and a top U.S. Grand Prix rider herself shared her horse Unlimited (Jazzy) in a lease for Natalie to learn. “I am so grateful to PJ Rizvi for allowing me to learn on her horse. This has been a once in a lifetime experience. I had no idea I would ever have such an opportunity to ride such a talented horse. Not only is he talented, but he is just so sweet. He loves to cuddle and be petted. But feeling his powerful passage and piaffe, it’s just incredible. He is amazing.”

“Jazzy is a very different horse than Santo. Jazzy is more confident in the big stadium, and isn’t as fiery as Santo. He wants to help me; he tries so hard for me. He’s so patient with me and I have learned so much from him. At times, he’d look up at me like, ‘what are you doing?’ We’ve gotten so much better even from Nationals in Gladstone to now, a month later. I can’t believe how far we’ve come even in just this last month alone. It takes a solid year to build a partnership, and we have come a long way in our six months together.”

Time Management

Natalie attends Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida, about a half-hour drive from Diamante Farms. She is a Business Management major. “I ride the horses in the morning and then in the afternoon I attend my classes. Last semester I took 16 credits. My days were completely full with school and riding and competing at Global. While I was competing Santo, I would drive from campus to Global to ride him in the stadium at 6 am everyday to try and get him used to it, so he would be more calm when I competed him. Then, I would drive back to school and go to classes. Afterward, I would drive back to Global and compete in the afternoon. To be able to go to college full-time and still be able to ride has been an incredible opportunity. Being so busy, it actually helped me focus more.” 

Emilija Anderson, Unlimited and Natalie Pai at the Dutta Corp US Equestrian Festival of Champions - Reserve Champion in the U25 Brentina Cup Grand Prix

Molly Paris, Natalie Pai, Kaitlin Blythe at the Dutta Corp US Equestrian Festival of Champions U25 Grand Prix

Seventeen years of collecting data on gait analysis for dressage horses in the equine laboratory at the McPhail Center at Michigan State University, biomechanics research veterinarian Hilary Clayton, BVMS, PhD, DACVSMR, MRCVS, conducted studies to evaluate a horse’s body during collection.

She ascertained how much weight each of the four limbs of a horse carries, how much propulsion are in each of the horse’s legs, the significance of a horse’s chest and trunk, and how crucial it is for a rider to have a well informed understanding on the sling muscles to aid a horse’s balance.

Unlike the human shoulder girdle where the collarbones (clavicles) attach the arms to the body, a horse has none. Without a collarbone, a horse has no bony connection between its front limbs and trunk. Instead, strong muscles connect the inside of its shoulder blades to its rib cage, which act like slings and suspend the chest between the horse’s two front limbs. The 'sling muscles' consist primarily of the serratus ventralis thoracis muscle assisted by the pectoral muscles. 

Contraction of these sling muscles lift the trunk and withers between the shoulder blades, raising the withers to the same height or higher than the croup. When a horse travels without proper contraction of its sling muscles, the horse's motion looks downhill and on the forehand.

Horses in Clayton’s studies were ridden in a working frame, a collected frame and a downhill frame in order to check the different populsion of each leg. Motion analysis markers were used to measure movement of the trunk, neck and croup as well all of the horse's legs during many data sessions on a horse's populsion and collectability. The average horse carries 58 percent of its weight on its front legs and 42 percent on its hind legs. She discovered the horse must learn to move in an uphill balance by pushing upwards with its forelimbs. The hind legs can then function as they should by sitting to carry more weight and by providing pushing power. In essence, the heavy chest needs to be up and out of the way for the hind legs to push.  

The Sling Muscles and Self-Carriage

The sling muscles are extremely important to the self-carriage of the dressage horse. The goal in dressage training is to teach the horse to use its sling muscles throughout the workout. With time, these muscles get stronger and the persistent elevation allows the horse to push and hold its hind legs under the center of gravity through its motion to be even more pronounced and uphill.

The toning of the sling muscles increases with a rider who balances the shoulders throughout training while also balancing with half-halts. This raising of the frame, if balanced correctly by the rider, will allow those muscles to become stronger and more elastic and aid in the horse learning to hold its own frame.

Riders tend to think crookedness comes from the back and hind legs of the horse. However, it is the horse’s serratus ventralis thoracis muscles and its shoulder blades that also play a role in the crookedness equation. Since a horse is stronger on one side than the other, it allows one shoulder to fall in on a turn or drift out on the other, depending on the stronger or weaker side. 

“These muscles,” Clayton explained, “fan out from the shoulder blade onto the ribs and on to the vertebrae at the base of the neck. When they connect they raise the withers so they emerge into a higher position between the scapulae and also raise the base of the neck.”

"In a young horse, the strength of its sling muscles are often asymmetrical on the left and right sides and that plays a significant role in its crookedness. Riders, therefore, must focus on teaching the horse to use and develop the muscles on its weaker side to make them more symmetrical for balance and self-carriage. In time, the horse will begin to balance in a more upright position without falling in or out of the turns." 

She also discovered that the horse's pectorals get bigger and grow stronger if the chest is balanced up during smaller circles, correct turns and going sideways (lateral work) because these muscles are important for holding the front legs in a vertical position during their stance phase and for crossing the forelimbs during their swing phase. 

A horse’s shoulders and trunk are heavy; therefore, in training and working toward collection with a horse, a rider must learn how to balance the chest and the trunk upwards so the hind legs can come underneath to provide propulsion and support. Clayton emphasized, “It’s the balance of the trunk that allows the push from the hind legs to go through the horse's body without pushing it onto the forehand.”

Posture of Both Rider and Horse

There is a distinct correlation between the rider’s posture and the horse’s posture as they train together. If the rider’s core muscles are not engaged, then the horse’s core muscles also will not be engaged. Even though the horse has a distinct advantage in having four legs, a rider must learn to hold his or her own posture in order for the horse to engage its own core strength, which is necessary for it to hold its frame up.Ashley Holzer and Sir Caramello at the Dutta Corp U.S. Equestrian Festival of Champions Photo: DH

A horse’s self-carriage is achieved through controlled tension of the muscle groups. There is a muscle ring that wraps around deep inside the horse through its back and abdominal muscles which allow it to maintain roundness of its back. The abdominal muscles encase the abdomen from the pelvis to the ribcage to the sternum. Contraction of these muscles and the back muscles allow the horse to be supple and loose to free its legs to push and carry all of its weight.

Equal Pushing Power

Most riders think that only the hind legs need development and push. More accurately, the push from the hind legs has to be supported by the upward push of the front legs. So pushing power of the hind legs must be harnessed by the elevation of the forehand so the horse can perform with controlled power in an uphill balance. 

About Hilary Clayton

“I grew up in England foxhunting and in pony clubs in Derbyshire, which is right in the middle of England. I am a veterinarian and I always wanted to study the horse’s biomechanics, but the technology did not exist when I came out of university. I've been studying equine biomechanics for almost 40 years and I am convinced that understanding the action of the horse's sling muscles and the role of the forelimbs are crucial to understanding the mechanics of self-carriage in the dressage horse."

Clayton said Mary Anne McPhail was instrumental in providing the facilities and equipment needed for this type of research. “Thanks to Mary Anne, I was able to make enormous strides in understanding the mechanics of the dressage horse and the rider's interaction with the horse at Michigan State University. I am so grateful that Mary Anne made that possible." 

Serving for almost seventeen years as the Mary Anne McPhail Dressage Chair in Equine Sports Medicine at the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Clayton has since retired from her post. She continues to remain active in the research and presenting lectures that describe her amazing findings to the world. She is based at her home in Michigan during the summertime and migrates to Wellington, Florida for the wintertime. Currently, she is appying her knowledge to develop better tack and equipment for the dressage horse. 

Continuing to bring technology into riding, she said, “I love to do research and I'm currently working on several projects that have practical applications for dressage horses and trainers. That's what keeps me active and engaged." Always available to share her findings, Hilary Clayton gives great lectures and workshops all over the world.  

Highly regarded by the international dressage community, Liselotte “Lilo” Fore a USEF Dressage ‘S’ (Senior) Judge and as an ‘R’ Sport Horse Judge who aged out as a FEI 5* judge but was given an incredible two years of annual extensions beyond the mandatory 70-year age limit due to her expertise and acumen. “People have asked me what I’m doing with my free time now, but I haven’t had any yet,” she chuckled.

Lilo remains quite busy. She continues to pass on her knowledge as a trainer, coach, rider and judge. For more than forty years, Lilo’s fervor for dressage has included many roles, “My passion really is riding, teaching and training and the last passion is the judging. And that has helped me to be who I am. I’ve been riding all my life and I’ve been teaching all my life and that is what makes me the judge I am today. I think it’s easier to see what’s right or wrong if you’ve done it. That does not mean that I am better than another judge who may not have ridden to the same level, though. There are many who do have a really good eye and they can see what’s wrong, but if you want to help someone to make it better, then you have to have done it.”

Encouraging the next Generation of Judges in the United States

“We don’t have enough judges coming up to the FEI’s levels in the U.S.,” Lilo pointed out. “It takes a long time and a tremendous expense for judges to climb the levels to FEI.”

She continued, “We need more judges to come up the levels. It starts with the L Graduate going on to the small ‘r’ program then the large ‘R’ program then the ‘S’ program and then the FEI. By the time they get there, it’s taken them a lifetime. And the expense of it is tremendous. We need to encourage them and give them more opportunities to gain more experience."

She explained, "It’s the number of hours necessary, expense and 'who you know' of it all that holds the up-and-coming judges back from being able to get the opportunities that are available. The small ‘r’s’ for instance have harder times getting judges assignments they need to fufill that level due to the fact that show managers want to bring in judges they can use for all the different classes and not just a judge for Training Level through Second Level. So, the small r’s are left behind. But, it’s also true that the small ‘r’s’ want the same amount of money as the large ‘R’, ‘S’ and FEI judges to judge." Lilo continued, "It’s really hard. They really just have to bite the bullet those first few years for them to be able to get their feet in the door. That is where the problems lay. There are really good judges out there. And the show managers have to know them. If they don’t know them, it’s a little bit tougher.”

Lilo also said, “We have to look at the judging programs a little bit too to see that when they do pass a level, there will be a program for the next level within the next two years so they don’t have to wait five years to be able to prepare for the next level. I think the levels before the 'S' level should be made easier because it’s taking too long. Once they get to 'S' they need to spend a lot more time there before the FEI level.”

What is Panel Judging?

The U.S. is the only country having just one judge for each national class; every other country has [panel judging] at least two or three judges for each national class. There are expenses associated with each judge include airfare and hotel, food and daily compensation. The only time there is national panel judging (not a CDI) in the United States is at yearly USDF Regional Championships and US National Championships.

A “panel” is usually comprised two-to-five judges positioned around arena, at C, M, H, B or E.

Lilo shared, “What I miss mostly that I’m not doing the FEI level, is the panel judging. We sit around the ring together all day and judge the rides and then we can really talk about it later. The other judges really keep you on your toes. They really keep you honest, straight forward and really sharpen your skills.  And that is really important.”

“We, as judges beat ourselves up regularly even if we feel there is even only a small difference. We feel terrible and the ride we judged plays over and over in our mind, (like a video replay) on why we came up with that score. With discussion though, we feel at the time we maybe had a good reason. Our marks must make sense to riders, trainers, coaches, spectators, media, but when one realizes how many times we judge an event during a year, discrepancies could occur for sure once in our judges life, (machines we are not).”

“What is really the issue is that in the National classes, we do not have enough panel judging. When the judges go through the levels, and they do sit at the different places, they still use the same methodology and terminology than when they are sitting at C. But, you can’t. You have to have methodology and terminology for each part of the arena. If you are sitting at B or E, it’s very hard to say, ‘The angle was good,’ or ‘The alignment was correct,’ or ‘the straightness was enough.’ These are the things that show you are still guessing a little bit. Because you cannot 100% say these comments from those parts of the arena. It takes time to really develop the correct terminology by sitting at each of the different places around the ring. Because what you do see is the engagement, the through-ness and adjustability within the gaits. It’s where you can really see the self-carriage and the impulsion levels. You can see if the poll is the highest point, if the nose is in front of the vertical. You can see the contact. You cannot really see if it’s not enough bend. You can see if it’s too much bend because the neck is turned over. If the horse is not doing too much in the frame it’s really difficult to see from the sides. The bend in the half-passes are hard to see from the sides, but you can see if the haunches are trailing or if the horse is not engaged enough. Or the horse is missing the support and on the forehand or the neck is too low or the horse’s frame is incorrect because the hindquarters are not engaged enough and the neck is short.  These are the things you can see from the sides.”

Utilizing the Mentorship

“We have some really good judges in this country who are great mentors, like Lois Yukins, Gary Rockwell, Jane Weatherwax, Jeanne McDonald,” Lilo pointed out. “They’re all for the up and coming judges. There are more good mentors I can also name, like Axel Steiner, Natalie Lamping, Marianne Ludwig, Linda Zang, Anne Gribbons and Janet Foy.  In fact, I don’t know an FEI judge who isn’t a good mentor!”

“I get many emails all the time from judges coming up the levels asking what they should have done. Or, ‘Was that the right thing for me to do?’ Or, ‘How would you have handled that situation?’ These are important questions and we have many judges who will answer these questions. The door is always open. We want them to ask because if they come across that problem again, then they’ll know the answer. I cannot think of any judge who would not be willing to help another up-and-coming judge going up the ladder.”

She explained the mentoring process, “Apprentice judges and scribes sit with the experienced judges. It’s not easy sometimes because we’ll judge all day long, 8 or sometimes 9 hours, and then go to dinner with the other judges. And, mentors don’t get paid. Mentoring up and coming judges is all volunteer work.”

This last winter season on the Sunday after the USDF Trainer’s Conference, Lilo spent a day with 102 judges at an all-day Judges Forum in Wellington, Florida. “I voluntarily made a PowerPoint presentation with 172 points on it. It took me three months to put together. Once again, it’s all of us wanting to make sure we have good, educated judges coming forward. That they have a way to know they can come to us when they have questions."

Lilo's Journey to becoming a Judge

“I was asked in 1973 if I would be interested in judging and I said ‘no’ because I didn’t think I was good enough. I had already ridden through FEI but, at that moment, to me a judge was a god. I wasn’t one to sit in a box and tell people how they should ride. But, then, my colleagues (other riders) pushed me and I did go through the judges program with the CDS (California Dressage Society). At that time, I was riding a lot. I would encourage others to start the process even if they don’t feel ready. It’s been a long journey to get to the 5* position, a very prestigious position I’m proud to have achieved. I hope I’ve been able to prove to my colleagues and to show managements that it was deserved.”

Lilo has always tried to keep her judging comments constructive and encouraging, “Everyone always tells me that my comments on the test papers are always positive. I think the reason why I’m so careful with my comments is that I want the riders to take the tests home and really read them. If I only write down negative things, they’re just going to rip that page up and throw it in the trash. I want them to know we care. And, even though we might say that’s not good enough, we’ll encourage them. If the rider thinks, ‘Man, if I get this one thing, I’m going to get it,’ that’s important to me. I want them to fight for it."

“Another reason, I think, is because I look at the horse as the overall unit and I look at the rider as a part of that and then I figure out what that unit did do well and what could they improve in order to go on to the next level. I somehow say it in a few sentences and it makes sense.”

Lilo has officiated at numerous international competitions such as the World Cup finals in Las Vegas and several Olympics, Pan American Games and World Equestrian Games that included the 2014 WEG in Normandy. And, as a founding member of the United States Dressage Foundation’s Instructor Certification Program, she is currently an Examiner and Chair of the Program.

Hamilton Farm in Gladstone, New Jersey, is where the United States Equestrian Team Foundation is headquartered and where U.S. equestrians continue to prepare and represent their country abroad, including major team championships like the Olympic Games. It’s a place where the US Equestrian’s Talent Search Finals continues to hold one of the most rigorous competitions and where the Dressage National Championships, called the Dutta Corp US Equestrian Festival of Champions, takes place. Most importantly it is where, thanks to the USET Foundation, the Hamilton Farm Stable complex is now officially recognized as a National US Historic Landmark while also celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

Wall Street financier and magnate James Cox Brady (not “Diamond” Jim Brady) who was close friends with Thomas Edison and also interested in gas and electric lighting, built Hamilton Farm and named it after his third wife’s family name. Quickly growing from 180 to 5,000 acres, the homestead included an extensive horse barn with storage area for a large carriage collection. When this barn burned, Brady resolved to re-build in even grander scale, and included fire-proofing measures which were virtually unheard of at the time.  The new barn featured a carriage storage area and fifty stall stable. Ten years later, in 1927, James Cox Brady passed away at the age of 45 from pneumonia. During World War II, the entire stable complex was converted into an emergency hospital and recuperation center for merchant seamen injured in the war. This was the very first facility in the U.S. used for such a purpose, called Base Hospital No. 1. When the war was over the buildings were restored to their original purposes.

The building housing the stables is made of reinforced steel, brick and stucco and has vaulted tile ceilings that maintain a cool environment during the hot northeast summers and help to radiate warmth on cold, wintry days. Recent renovation of the two levels of stalls called special attention to the craftsmanship of the horse’s box stalls, with individually handcrafted wood paneling and brass fittings constructed in 1917. A ramp decked with sections of old fire hose allowed horses to easily walk from one level to the other.

The United States Equestrian Team was established at Hamilton Farm at Gladstone in 1960 to transition from cavalry riding to competition riding with a series of donated horses. From 1960 – 1980 horses and riders were selected, lived, trained, were coached and sent to represent the USA in such shows as the National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden, Olympic Games, Nations Cups across the globe and European Championship competitions.

There are Many Ways to Get to Gladstone

Everyone is encouraged to visit Hamilton Farm invites USET Executive Director Bonnie B. Jenkins. “We have two major events that happen almost every year. One is the Dressage National Championship [U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions] usually at the end of May. The other one is in October called the U.S. Equestrian’s Talent Search Finals.”  She continued, “Young riders work all year to qualify and it’s the most difficult of the equitation finals. It’s a three day competition including flatwork, gymnastics and Show Jumping.  The US Equestrian Talent Search Finals are different than the Medal Finals because it points the direction to prepare young riders for that next step and to help them work toward representing the Team someday in Show Jumping.  It really asks many more questions technically. Many of the young riders ride their jumpers in it opposed to riding their equitation horses.”

“We encourage anyone who is coming up the ranks, who maybe doesn’t have some of the same opportunities, to look up the clinics and activities on the U.S. Equestrian website or USET website.” Bonnie welcomes, “There are many ways to get to Gladstone.” 

Now housed in the open section of the barn that was originally used for carriage storage is office space for staff. Currently, eight USET Foundation staff members work in that section, along with some U.S. Equestrian staff that travel with the athletes to nations cup competitions and international championships. The spacious building also has dorm rooms for athletes who would stay and train there. “The list of U.S. riders who have stayed here is incredible, like Jimmy Wofford and Michael Page in Eventing, George Morris and Frank Chapot to name a couple for Show Jumping, and Robert Dover and Kathy Connelly for Dressage,” shared Bonnie.

Bonnie B. Jenkins, Executive Director

“Right out of college, I started working in New York City as a prize list analyst for the AHSA, known back then as the American Horse Shows Association. I would read the prize lists all across the country for upcoming competitions and contact the show managers and let them know what they needed to correct. Soon I became its Assistant Executive Director and moved up to Executive Director. I did that from 1985 to 1996. Then, I took some time off, had some children and was offered the position here in Gladstone with the USET. I became the Executive Director when the USET was still fielding teams and fundraising for the high performance programs.”

“I’ve been the Executive Director for the USET Foundation since it was put into place in December 2003. It’s been a wonderful experience for me, being able to meet and stay in touch with incredible people in the sport and to be involved in helping our teams. We’ve really had a great go of it with tremendous success thanks to an incredible Board of Trustees and generous people involved in this sport who have given their support to the athletes. Because of them, we’ve been able to provide $35,000,000 to our equestrian teams over the last 13 years.”

“We have a comprehensive fundraising program.  We have annual support programs through direct mail and on-line, as well as our Gold Medal Club program, annual supporters of $1,000+, in addition to benefit events and major gift campaigns all that contribute to supporting our United States Equestrian Teams and this country’s High Performance programs each year. ”

Hamilton Farm from an Athlete’s Point of View

Six-time Olympian and current US Dressage Team Chef d’Equipe Robert Dover shared, “I was 19 years old when I arrived here in the late 70s. It was the first time I was longlisted for the USET. I had a horse named Jonathan Livingston Seagull. I drove up from Georgia to be in a clinic given by Colonel Bent Lindquist. When I arrived, I didn’t know where to put my horse. I took him off the trailer and placed him in a stall before looking for a person to show me where I needed to be. When I entered the offices, I met Fiona Baan, an imposing British woman who was the Stable Manager here for many years. Also in the office was the Executive Director for the USET, Captain Jack Fritz, also a top dressage judge.”

“In her British accent, Fiona took me to a stall that had a brass plate with my horse’s name scripted on it. That’s how it would be for years to come. Every stall had an immaculate brass plate with the horse’s name on it. The stall had been bedded down for my arrival with the shavings banked higher against the walls than the hocks of my horse. Everything was polished and perfect.”

“I met Bert de Némethy who was perfectly dressed in bloomer breeches and wearing an ascot. Back then, the horses were donated to the USET and riders were selected to ride and compete them. Bert informed me I’d also be riding and caring for two other horses while staying there at the facility under his watchful eyes and those of the Colonel. These were world-class jumping horses housed there that would compete for the country in Europe with great riders like Bill Steinkraus, George Morris, Joe Fargis and Conrad Homfeld.”

“This place is the most special place in my heart. I lived here for two years after returning from Europe and a long tour there. When you were a member of the US Team you could live here in a room either above the garages or the stables and house your horse here for a nominal fee. The place was really about being a family of people who were preparing or had been on a team.”

Recognition as a Historic Landmark

Earlier this year, the USET Foundation received approval to pursue being listed on the National Register of Historic Places. “To be included on the National Historic Registry is a very long process,” Bonnie pointed out. “We’ve actually been working to achieve this goal for about two-and-a-half years. You have had to complete an extensive application where every window, every latch , the ceilings, the light switches are all of the same period, fully restored yet left as period pieces. It all has to be either original or we have to explain how it was altered.”

“We’ve had professional historians really help us complete that rigorous process and it’s first gone through 7 or 8 reviews in the New Jersey Historic Preservation Office before it was finally approved by them. Now, it goes on to the national office in Washington, D.C. and we believe it will be endorsed and approved. Once this rigorous process is completed, it will officially be preserved as a landmark on the National Register of Historic Places.” This year is the Hamilton Farm’s 100th year celebration and it is a bit of a celebration in achieving National Historic Designation.

This year has been a steady climb for Heather Boo and Divertimento aka Timmy, a 15-year-old gelding (Di Versaci x Ferragamo). The duo won the Grand Prix Amateur Adult division at the USDF Regional 3 Championships with a score of 67.85% at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in October. The highly disciplined Heather said, “I’ve spent the entire summer doing thousands of transitions.” The pair has spent the year getting to know each other. “Timmy has become a really good friend in a very short period of time,” Heather smiles gratefully.

A physician who practices at Delray Medical Center, Dr. Heather Boo has spent the last several years adeptly learning to balance her work with her rise in becoming a world-class dressage athlete. For the 2016 season, Heather competed in the CDI Grand Prix dressage arena with her own horse, Liberty Light (Livingstone x Pion) at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival.

Heather owns a privately run training facility, Three Bays Farm in Loxahatchee, FL with a 6-stall barn where she and Divertimento train daily together. Since purchasing the horse in January, she has steadfastly dedicated herself to the training with Divertimento and a couple other of her developing horses. With busy schedules and travel, Heather must sustain a team approach to training that works. With the help of Evi Strasser, Chris Von Martels, and this past summer and fall with Neve Myburgh, Heather continues to pursue better scores at the highest level step-by-step. With her medical background it comes as no surprise that Dr. Boo has an interest in avidly supporting the Para-Equestrian Division. She has recently sponsored up and coming rider Laura Hall for the Canadian Team in the 2017 CPEDI on Heather's 11-year-old KWPN gelding Boo Sinclair (Sir Sinclair x Onward O'Crimson) and more recently with eight-year-old Oldenburg mare Odessa M (Christ x Ophelia) in Tryon, North Carolina also owned and trained by Boo.

Heather grew up with the daily rigors of ballet technique successfully passing an audition in high school to dance in a top school in England. "Moving to England was something I wanted to do for myself," she shared. "I wanted to be a ballet dancer. That was my passion, and I loved being expressive and artistic in that specific platform." Arduously embracing the rigors of training, she developed a still and strong posture which in ballet is ironically referred to as "self carriage." Through ballet she learned how to push her limits. "To dance at that level is a lot of body control, flexibility, coordination and heavy training. I was always practicing. I couldn't even walk across the kitchen without a couple pirouettes." She noted how it has helped her riding. "All that performing has helped me because I am not afraid when I sort of 'go on stage' to ride a dressage test. I don't find that piece intimidating. You warm up, and you get one shot to make that performance work."

But after some time, it became apparent to her that ballet was not the life she wanted to pursue at all. "We were pretty hard on ourselves and ballet was tough on our bodies. I saw many dancers chain-smoke and develop eating disorders. I did not want to be that way or have my whole career revolve around what would happen if I accidentally tripped and rolled my ankle in a parking lot one day. To be a great dancer, you cannot take time off. There is an old quote that says, "if you don't practice for one day you know it. But if you don't practice for two days, everybody knows it." She laughs, "I remember teachers telling us never to ride horses because it will ruin your turn out."

Heather's family motivated her to become a physician. "It was something my parents wanted for me. I have three brothers who are physicians and I like the idea of having a challenge and stability. It was a tough 16 years of postgraduate education for me but my parents repeatedly promised that someday I would be glad. I didn't believe them until it actually happened." Heather received her Medical Doctor degree from West Virginia University School of Medicine and has been in practice full-time ever since. She currently serves four large hospitals, trauma and stroke centers. 

For Divertimento, trained by Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén to the Grand Prix level, it was decided in 2016 by owner Antonia Ax:son Johnson to open the opportunity to Chris Von Martels to try to secure a Canadian spot in the Rio Olympics. After the pair came very close to qualifying, Antonia, Tinne and Chris decided to sell the horse and Heather quickly became the ideal next rider. When asked what it’s like to work with such a powerful horse, Heather replied, “Yes, the power is there all the time and it’s a constant surprise in every step, even the small ones. It isn’t just in the extensions and big steps. It’s there in the little things too. I spent the entire summer doing the transitions. You would think that with a horse like him I would go out and do all the fancy things and do the tricks but, no, I have spent days and days just working on the transitions again and again, over and over. I wanted to know how to keep that much power under control.” She continued, "This work is physically challenging for me. I actually signed up for a fitness and nutrition coach to help me develop the necessary stamina." 

On her partnership with Timmy, "Deep down inside all of us there is a real truth underneath everything we say, the real truth lives there and that's where I believe in the two of us," she said. In the process of preparing an outstanding Grand Prix Freestyle with top Dressage Musical Designer Tom Hunt, Heather Boo and Divertimento will certainly be ones to watch.

The highly anticipated 2018 international World Equestrian Games (WEG) will be held at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, North Carolina. Touted as the world’s premier “Equestrian Lifestyle Destination” and the most prestigious equestrian event in the world, its competitions are held every four years in the eight equestrian disciplines of Jumping, Dressage, Para-Equestrian Dressage, Eventing, Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining governed by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI).

Born and raised near Dublin, Ireland, Michael Stone was a former international Show-Jumping rider and a national competitior of 3-Day Eventing and Dressage. In his career, he led as the Chef d’Equipe for the Equestrian Federation of Ireland from 1987 to 1997 which included as the Team Manager for the Irish Team during the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta and the 1994 FEI World Equestrian Games in The Hague. He acted in the same position for the Irish Junior and Young Riders Teams from 1993 through 1996 before he joined the FEI in 1997 in the position of Development Officer all while he acted as the Management Director of his family’s horse feed business for five years. In 1998, he became the FEI Assistant Secretary General and he was appointed to the position of FEI Sports Director. Since 2007, he has been the President of Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) and Michael has been one of the key players in the bid to secure the 2018 World Equestrian Games (WEG) for the United States in Tryon, North Carolina.

As the Sports Director for the FEI WEG organizing committee, Michael’s knowledge of horses, the athletes and equestrian sports is extraordinary. “We really want to enhance the United States Equestrian Federation’s words and find the “Joy of Horse Sports.”

He continued, “Next year’s horse competitions will showcase the worlds best athletes from the different international horse sports and the Tryon International Equestrian Center.” Michael predicts confidently, “We’re working to have fantastic television coverage for the entire two-week event.”

A great team of esteemed leaders share in the contribution in shaping the 2018 WEG include Mark Bellissimo, CEO of Equestrian Sport Productions, Sharon A. Decker, former Secretary of Commerce for North Carolina and Tryon’s Chief Operating Officer with more than thirty years’ experience in business and commerce, Dan Farrell, formerly the Senior Vice President of Corporate Sales for Charlotte Motor Speedway as the Chief Revenue Officer for Equestrian Sport Productions, and Volunteer Coordinator Kathryn McMahon, former Executive Director of the Tryon Riding & Hunt Club (TRHC) who is currently its new Director of Community Engagement.

The Tryon Community and the Tryon International Equestrian Center

Michael described Tryon, “It’s a small, rural and very equestrian-oriented community. It was the original home of the USET before it moved to Gladstone in New Jersey and also the home of the 1956 Show Jumping Team that included Bert DeNemethy, George Morris and Gordon Wright. Horse competitions there go back to the 1930s.”

The showgrounds which is conveniently right off the highway with an exit directly into the Tryon International Equestrian Center, has been in full-time mode since June 2014 with 1,600 acres, 1,200 permanent stalls, 12 arenas, a cross country driving course, and a dedicated exhibition area. “We’ve already comfortably hosted 8,000 to 10,000 people during our Saturday night events and we’re working on accommodating the expected 500,000 spectators at the 2018 WEG,” Michael shared.

With adequate hotels and restaurants in and surrounding the area, the Tryon International Equestrian  Center will be enhancing its amenities significantly with plenty of parking, ample shuttle areas, buses and other ways of helping with transportation. Volunteers from both North Carolina and South Carolina are also embracing the upcoming event, “Yes, everyone’s excited and showing unbelievable support.”

He added, “We also have a major equine trade-expo, which is something we’ll probably continue afterwards to get people to visit and be more interested in learning all the different aspects of the horse. We’re working on having one large ring just for a host of exhibitions and a fun way for people to see how fantastic the horses and the people are, and that it isn’t as crazy expensive or out of reach as they may think.”

The 2018 World Equestrian Games™ will undoubtedly be a spectacular two-week experience and not to be missed. Tickets to the competitions already went on sale October 16, 2017 and the time is now to begin preparing and being part of the September 11th to September 23, 2018 event. Tickets can be purchased online at www.Tryon2018.com.