Great American/USDF Region 7 & CDS Championships see record-breaking participation. Heading in its 50th year, California Dressage Society is getting better with age. And it s certainly getting bigger, if whopping 370-horse turn-out for its 49th Annual Championship is an indicar. Held at Los Angeles Equestrian Center Sept. 29-Oct. 2, Great American/USDF Region 7 & California Dressage Society Championships enjoyed record-breaking participation in six rings over four days. After 49 years, it s amazing that this championship show just gets better better every single year, said longtime organizer Glenda McElroy. We ve hosted record-setting editions before, 1/7
but this one takes cake by far. We re seeing a level of excitement I haven t seen before, it s wonderful for sport. This show has become a destination event for riders e on West Coast. Big stars like Jan Ebeling, Sabine Schut-Kery Sarah Lockman joined with riders from every nook cranny in West tackle Championship s many divisions. Competition encompassed horses of all ages experience riders from 13-year-olds Olympians, including 1976 team bronze medalist Hilda Gurney. Space restraints prevent us from detailing all highlights, but e is a smattering of some of Championships p sries, excerpted from daily reports by Yellow Horse Marketing for CDS. 2/7
Tribute To Parry Thomas This one s for Parry, said Elma Garcia, as she struggled control emotions before receiving $1,000 California Dressage Society Horse of Year title, for Adult Amateur Intermediaire I division, for partner Wenesa. Parry originally bought Wenesa out of Verden Hanoverian auction for Debbie [McDonald] ride, he loved mare. But when Debbie retired from international competition after 2008 Olympics, Adrienne [Lyle] encouraged me try, explained Garcia. I got on, ok two steps knew immediately that she horse for me. Debbie a little skeptical at first said that she would be a technical ride for an amateur, but after a week of working with Debbie we got blessing, it s made it so much better for me because this horse has taught me so much. [Parry s wife] Peggy always said that Brentina had same white birdcatc spots on body that y were for good luck - I guess she right. I love Thomas family have so much respect for m, so I ld my husb that I riding day for Parry. (Edir s Note: One of U.S. dressage s p supporters, Parry Thomas passed away in August.) Ravel Redux The royally-bred KWPN stallion Gaspard De La Nuit DG (Ravel x Ceolieta by Sir Donnerhall, owned bred in U.S. by DG Bar Ranch) is looking more more like his famous sire in show ring. In this year s CDS/Interactive Mortgage Five-Year-Old Open Futurity, black stunner swept both First Level tests for an overall score of 74.038% in talented hs of rider Ashlyn DeGroot of Hanford, CA (Fresno Chapter). 3/7
Even though he s a stallion, he s so rideable he never says no. He has such a great, workmanlike attitude at shows, is hling dems of both competition breeding so well, said DeGroot. I think a big highlight is his suppleness how easily everything comes him. He has a lot of presence in ring he s very fluid steady. I m so thankful be able ride such a nice horse. Super Silberpfell David Wightman of Murrieta, CA (Temecula Valley Chapter) certainly knows his young horses. In 2003 2005, Wightman represented United States at FEI/WBFSH World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in Dressage in Verden, Germany. So when he his wife Kathleen Raine found Silberpfeil, y knew y had a potential new star six-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Silberschmied x Barcelona by Boss, bred in Germany) did not disappoint. In August, Wightman returned World Championship stage with Silberpfeil as one of two U.S. Team members who traveled Nerls compete, now back home on West Coast pair claimed Paquita Parker Perpetual Trophy for CDS/Interactive Mortgage Six-Year-Old Open Futurity with an overall score of 71.611%. (Edir s Note: For more on WBFSH, read Ayden Uhler s report) 4/7
World Cup Hopes After claiming CDS Gr Prix Horse of Year honors on Friday, Charlotte Jorst of Reno, NV (San Diego Chapter) wrapped up championship weekend on a winning note by pping a field of 10 in Great American/USDF Region 7 Open Gr Prix division with a p score of 68.950% aboard Danish gelding Kastel s Akeem Foldager. Jorst noted that she mount will now consider trying qualify for 2017 Reem Acra/FEI World Cup Final in Omaha, as well as a trip Kentucky next month represent Region 7 at U.S. Dressage Finals presented by Adequan. Why not? said Jorst. It would be great go Finals, I think Akeem would love it! Busy Body Sarah Lockman of Foothill Ranch, CA (Los Angeles Chapter) may have been busiest rider at show with 11 horses competing across a wide range of levels, but efforts paid off with three horses in p five of Region 7 Open First Level Championship, including taking win with Tobi Coate s five-year-old Oldenburg gelding Charming Boy (72.574%). 5/7
Team Ebeling Is On Fire The Region 7 Open Intermediaire I title went Olympian Jan Ebeling of Moorpark, CA (Los Angeles Chapter), who has been nurturing up--coming talent of Ann Romney s 10-year-old Hanoverian Bakari for several years has claimed titles at CDS Championship Show at Fourth Level Prix St. Georges since 2014. Now anor honor added gelding s resume by pping a huge field with 71.136%. He just keeps coming back every year getting better better, said Ebeling. Racing To Winners Circle After qualifying for CDS Championship show through popular Regional Adult Amateur Program (RAAC), Karen Nocket of Rolling Hills Estates (Palos Verdes Chapter) nine-year-old off--track Thoroughbred gelding Ken s Kitten earned CDS Horse of Year divisional honors for Adult Amateurs at Fourth Level win Fox Run Perpetual Trophy with a combined average of 62.958%. 6/7
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