Wayne, Ill. – Aug. 22, 2018 – Two youth divisions of the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions held their first classes on Wednesday afternoon at the Lamplight Equestrian Center. The FEI Intermediate II Test for the USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ Dressage National Championship, presented by Dressage Today, attracted some of the nation’s top under 25 Grand Prix competitors. Codi Harrison aboard Katholt’s Bossco started off on the right foot, taking a victory in the first portion of the championship with a 71.941 percent.
Harrison and Katholt’s Bossco, her 11-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding, have been partnered together for three years. Though Bossco was only schooling Prix St. Georges at the time and Harrison had never competed a Grand Prix test before, the pair have developed into a formidable Grand Prix combination in the last few years.
Winning Ride: Codi Harrison and Katholt's Bossco FEI Intermediate II Test #BrentinaCup
“I was really happy with Bossco today he felt really good really with me. His piaffe passage work is the best it’s felt in the ring.” – Codi Harrison on leading the #BrentinaCup presented by Dressage Today aboard Katholt's Bossco after winning today’s FEI Intermediate II Test at #FestivalofChampions
Posted by USA Dressage on Wednesday, August 22, 2018
Riding into second place with a 69.147 percent was Molly Paris on her 17-year-old Danish Warmblood mare, Countess. At the 2017 championship in Gladstone, New Jersey, Paris won one of the division’s classes and finished the overall championship in third, so she is looking to improve her placings this year.
Earning the yellow ribbon aboard Hampton Green Farm’s 13-year-old Andalusian stallion, HGF Brio, was Kerrigan Gluch. Also no stranger to national championships and a member of the new Discover Dressage© USEF/USDF Emerging Athlete Program, Gluch earned a score of 68.147 percent.
The U25 athletes will be required to complete three tests to determine the champion with an overall average determining the placings: the Intermediate II Test (40 percent), the Grand Prix 16–25 (45 percent) and the Grand Prix 16–25 Freestyle (15 percent). They will compete in their next class on Thursday, Aug. 23, beginning at 8 a.m. and the division will conclude on Saturday, Aug. 25, with their last class at 3:45 p.m.
In the Young Rider Team Test for the USEF Young Rider Dressage National Championship, Callie Jones rode an expressive test on her 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding, Don Philippo, to clinch the win with a 72.255 percent. Jones, who is a member of the Discover Dressage© USEF/USDF Emerging Athlete Program, had the opportunity to represent the U.S. this summer in multiple European competitions as a part of the Young Rider Tour.
She contributes the experiences she gained training and competing abroad to her recent gold medal win in the USDF North American Young Rider Individual Championship at the Adequan®/FEI North American Youth Championships (NAYC), presented by Gotham North, in Saugerties, New York, earlier this month.
Winning Ride: Callie Jones and Don Philippo FEI Young Rider Team Test at #FestivalofChampions
“Going to Europe was a huge step for us. It really boosted my confidence because the riding over there is really top notch. That really helped prepare me for NAYC and this weekend.” – Callie Jones on being a member of the Discover Dressage USEF/USDF Emerging Athlete Program with Don Philippo and using that experience to win at Adequan FEI North American Youth Championships and take the lead in the USEF Young Rider National Championship today at #FestivalofChampions
Posted by USA Dressage on Wednesday, August 22, 2018
Veronica West made the long-haul from Marina Del Rey, California, and placed second with a 70.196 percent aboard her 19-year-old Hanoverian gelding, Nobleman. The imported schoolmaster has helped develop West from First Level to the Young Rider level over the past five years.
Earning the third-place finish with a score of 69.559 percent was Nicole Scarpino on Lambada 224, her 11-year-old Hanoverian mare. The pair recently placed fourth in the USDF North American Dressage Freestyle Championship at NAYC.
The Young Rider combinations will compete in two tests, the Young Rider Team Test (50 percent) and the Young Rider Individual Test (50 percent), to determine the tricolor winner. The Young Rider Individual Test will take place Friday, Aug. 24, at 3 p.m.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Codi Harrison – Intermediate II winner
On her performance:
“I was really happy with Bossco today. He felt really good and really with me. I was happy with his piaffe and passage work in the ring. We haven’t shown since season so I’m thrilled that he felt so good.”
On Katholt’s Bossco:
“I got him when he was 8 and he is 11 this year. I’m with Lars and Melissa [Peterson] and they helped me find him. He’s so fun to learn and develop with. He was [schooling] Prix St. Georges when I got him, but I don’t think that he had shown yet. It’s been really fun to learn, grow and develop with him. He’s so sweet, he’s like a little dog.”
On preparing for the upcoming tests:
“Tomorrow I hope to have the same energy that I had today. He can sometimes get a little bit behind me in the ring. I hope that we have the same feeling tomorrow as we did today. I want to improve our connection, really using the corners to set him up. For the freestyle, hopefully, we do everything in it.”
Molly Paris – Intermediate II second place
On her performance:
“Tess was really good. She is really feisty and is 17, but thinks that she is 6. We’ve been working on connection throughout the summer, just getting her more through the topline and getting her more responsive to aids. I’m so happy with her. She had two days of travel and still came out like a champ.”
On her test highlights:
“Her extended trot has come so far since last year and she’s strong enough to carry herself. It’s a really good feeling to have that underneath me. That was definitely a high-point for me today.”
Kerrigan Gluch – Intermediate II third place
On her performance:
“I was really happy with both horses but especially with Brio. He has been out of competition for a couple of months, since the Wellington season. He came here and was so relaxed and was so with me. It was a really big surprise and also a gift. He did everything that I asked him to do and there was nothing he said no to. That was really awesome to feel. I think that going into tomorrow I could improve on overall energy in the collected work. I can’t really ask anything more from him right now.”
On her test highlights:
“I think, in general, our biggest highlight is the connection I have gained with him, with his personality and rideability overall. Like I said, I can’t ask anything more movement-wise from him. He did everything that I asked of him. I think the connection between horse-and-rider has gotten a lot better.”
Callie Jones – Young Rider Team Test winner
On her test:
“I was very happy with my test today. My horse was really reliable as always. The trot work was excellent so I was super happy with that. He did get a little fired up in the canter work so I just had to remind myself to stay relaxed and calm so I could give him the confidence. Hopefully, on Friday, we can be a little more relaxed. Overall, I was very happy with my ride. I just hope that on Friday we put out another clean test. I want it to be a positive experience and no matter the outcome, I’ll be happy.”
On how her success this summer prepared her:
“Going to Europe was a huge step for us. It really boosted my confidence because the riding over there is top-notch. I saw that they weren’t afraid to take risks, but that they’re human and they make mistakes too. That really encouraged me to take risks and not be afraid to work outside of the box a little bit. That all really helped prepare me for NAYC and this as well.”
Veronica West – Young Rider Team Test second place
On her test:
“Overall, I was really happy with my ride today. The trot work started off really well. We had a bobble early on from a little spook but we recovered well. I think that some of our highlights were our three and four tempi changes and some of our extended work. I think he felt really good and had really good energy so I’m really happy.”
On Nobleman:
“I’ve had Nobleman for five years now. We imported him as a schoolmaster from Europe. He has taken me all the way from First Level to now Young Rider level and he has been the best partner I could have ever asked for. He is always there for me and it’s been really cool to learn from him. Our partnership has really developed and we’re a strong team now.”
Nicole Scarpino – Young Rider Team Test third place
On her test:
“I was really happy with her because it was a very solid test for her. I was happy with how well she stayed with me and listened to me. She didn’t really question anything that I asked her to do. I was really happy with our canter work because the energy was good and she was just on it. The trot work needs a little bit more self-carriage and I could clean up a few more spots.”
On her horse:
“I’ve had my mare since she was 6 and now she is 11. We’ve come up through the levels together. I just have really great people around me too. My coach, Anne Gribbons, really helped me develop her and develop me as a rider. It’s been really cool to develop that relationship with her over time. I know her really well and she knows me really well so it’s been a special connection.”
Results: Intermediate II for the USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ Dressage National Championship presented by Dressage Today
Rider / Horse / Owner / Total Score
1. Codi Harrison / Katholt’s Bossco / Codi Harrison / 71.941
2. Molly Paris / Countess / Molly Paris / 69.147
3. Kerrigan Gluch / HGF Brio / Hampton Green Farm / 68.147
4. Claire Manhard / Wilfonia / Claire Manhard / 67.088
5. Kerrigan Gluch / Bolero CXLVIII / Hampton Green Farm / 66.059
6. Jannike Gray / Giraldillo Cen / 65.353
Results: Young Rider Team Test for the
Rider / Horse / Owner / Total Score
1. Callie Jones / Don Philippo / Callie Jones / 72.255
2. Veronica West / Nobleman / Veronica West / 70.196
3. Nicole Scarpino / Lambada 224 / Nicole Scarpino / 69.559
4. Kayla Kadlubek / Perfect Step / Kayla Kadlubek / 68.578
5. Lexy Donaldson / Power Play / Lexy Donaldson / 67.402
6. Kayla Kadlubek / Freewill / Kayla Kadlubek / 66.569
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