Emily Miles, Alice Tarjan and Endel Ots Lead After Opening Day of Markel/USEF Young & Developing Horse Dressage National Championships

Wayne, Ill. – Aug. 23, 2018 – Competition for the Markel/USEF Young & Developing Horse Dressage National Championships began in the Dunham Ring on Thursday, Aug. 23, at the Lamplight Equestrian Center. Emily Miles, Alice Tarjan and Endel Ots topped the leaderboard in their respective young horse classes.

Emily Miles and Sole Mio
Emily Miles and Sole Mio

In the USEF 4-Year-Old Test, it was Miles riding Sole Mio, owned by Leslie Waterman, who impressed the judges to secure the victory. The 4-year-old Hanoverian stallion (Stanford–Donna-Rafaela, Donnerschwee) was bred in Germany by ZG Wencek.

Winning Ride: Alice Tarjan and Fairouz 5 Year Old Preliminary Test

Want to know what a 10 trot looks like? Fairouz (Frazoslis x Diva) and Alice Tarjan score an overall 8.78 to give them the lead of the Markel Horse/USEF Young Horse Five-Year-Old Dressage National Championship at #FestivalofChampions!“The best thing about her is she’s got a natural rhythm especially in the trot. She’s like a metronome, you can’t knock her out of the rhythm.”

Posted by USA Dressage on Thursday, August 23, 2018

The stallion’s test highlight was his expressive trot, which helped him move into the lead when it earned him a score of 9. His ground-covering walk received a score of 8.5, his canter a 7.9 and submission an 8.2. Sole Mio’s impression earned him an 8.5, and his total score of 8.42 remained undefeated after the final three horses went down centerline.

Anna Keenan and Davos CF
Anna Keenan and Davos CF

Anna Keenan and Davos CF, owned and bred in the U.S. by Nancy Holowesko, earned second place in the class with a total score of 8.26. The 4-year-old Oldenburg stallion (Dante Weltino–Rosalea, Rubenstein I) was awarded a score of 9 for his expressive and ground-covering walk and a score of 8.1 for his elastic trot. Davos CF earned scores of 8 for both his canter and submission, and was given a score of 8.2 for his overall impression to take second place.

Sarah Lockman and Jupiter
Sarah Lockman and Jupiter

To complete the top three, Sarah Lockman rode the 4-year-old KWPN gelding Jupiter, owned by Gerry Ibanez, to a score of 8.22. Jupiter (Jazz–Twinkle R, Freestyle), bred in Belgium by Stpeteroj De Begijnoeve, earned high marks of 8.5 in both his walk and canter, impressing the judges with clear and powerful energy. With a score of 8.2 for overall impression, Lockman rode away proud of Jupiter with the third place ribbon.

Tarjan and Fairouz (Frazoslis–Diva, Don Frederico) took the lead in the USEF 5-Year-Old Preliminary Test on Wednesday, accumulating impressive scores from the judges to take the first place prize. Fairouz, the 5-year-old Oldenburg mare owned by Tarjan and bred in Germany by Bramall/Dusche Gbr, received a phenomenal score of 10 for her expressive trot as well as an 8 for the canter.

Winning Ride: Alice Tarjan and Fairouz 5 Year Old Preliminary Test

Want to know what a 10 trot looks like? Fairouz (Frazoslis x Diva) and Alice Tarjan score an overall 8.78 to give them the lead of the Markel Horse/USEF Young Horse Five-Year-Old Dressage National Championship at #FestivalofChampions!“The best thing about her is she’s got a natural rhythm especially in the trot. She’s like a metronome, you can’t knock her out of the rhythm.”

Posted by USA Dressage on Thursday, August 23, 2018

Fairouz was awarded a total score of 8.78, putting her comfortably in first place. The pair are returning to the Lamplight Equestrian Center for the second consecutive year as Fairouz won the reserve championship in the Markel/USEF Young Horse 4-Year-Old Dressage National Championship in 2017.

Alice Tarjan and Fairouz

Just behind Tarjan and Fairouz, Michael Bragdell and SenSation HW (Sunday–Donata, Dancier) took second place with a total score of 8.7. The 5-year-old Westphalian gelding, bred in Germany by Alfons Bergjohann and owned by Carol McPhee, was given the highest score of 10 for his trot that seemed to “defy gravity” with great cadence and connection. SenSation HW also received high marks of 8.3 for the canter and 8.6 for submission.

Michael Bragdell and SenSation HW

In third place, Rebecca Rigdon riding Iquem (Charmeur–Tres Bien Sijgje, Moreno) scored a total of 8.5. The 5-year-old KWPN mare, owned by Rigdon and bred in the Netherlands by A. De Baere, received a score of 9 for her canter and 8.7 for her trot to contribute to her total score.

Rebecca Rigdon and Iquem

Ots of Wellington, Florida, rode Max Ots’ 8-year-old Hanoverian gelding Lucky Strike (Lord Laurie–Heidi, His Highness) to the blue ribbon in the Prix St. Georges for the Markel/USEF Developing Horse Prix St. Georges Dressage National Championship with a score of 72.794 percent.

Endel Ots and Lucky Strike

Bred in Germany by Monika Hartwich, Lucky Strike has had a successful career so far, representing the U.S. at the Longines FEI/WBFSH World Breeding Dressage Championships in the Netherlands and clinching the 6-Year-Old Dressage National Championship in 2016. In 2017, the pair received the reserve championship in the Developing Prix St. Georges division and their goal is to earn the top tricolor this year at the Lamplight Equestrian Center.

Christopher Hickey and Straight Horse Zackonik
Christopher Hickey and Straight Horse Zackonik

Also from Wellington, Florida, Christopher Hickey placed second in the class aboard Straight Horse Zackonik, an 8-year-old Danish Warmblood mare bred in Denmark by Straight Horse. Owned by Cecelia Stewart, Straight Horse Zackonik (Blue Hors Zack–Romanik, Blue Hors Romanov) received a score of 71.863 percent.

Rounding out the top three was Heather McCarthy of Prairie Grove, Illinois, and Sandi Chohany’s Au Revoir (Ampere–Lara, Liberty M), a 7-year-old Oldenburg gelding. The gelding, bred in Germany by Harm Oncken, earned a score of 69.167 percent.

Heather McCarthy and Au Revoir

The Markel/USEF Young Horse 4-Year-Old Dressage National Championship will wrap-up on Saturday, Aug. 23, after their class at 8 a.m. The Markel/USEF Young Horse 5-Year-Old
Dressage National Championship will follow at 11:15 a.m. At 3:05 p.m., the Markel/USEF Developing Horse Prix St. Georges National Championship will compete in their final test before the championship is crowned.

FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE

Emily Miles – USEF 4-Year-Old Test winner

On her test:
“I was super happy with him today. The trot work is usually his highlight and it definitely was today too. He had a couple of little bobbles when I got a little too greedy in my lengthening trot. I think the judges liked how supple and fluid he can be. The canter work felt a bit lazy but still, he kept it with me really well. It’s super because he had enough energy going around but he was relaxed and focused on me so I was really proud of him.”

Emily Miles and Sole Mio
Emily Miles and Sole Mio

On the benefits of the championships:
“I was extremely blessed to have Wake Up and go through the championships with him. It’s beyond special to have another one coming up. It’s not about winning these championships with the 4-year-olds, but I do think it gives good guidelines and comparison. Every rider who rides a 4-year-old should be streaming these to see what a good expectation for their horse is. I think these championships are a good roadmap for how a horse should be going for their age.”

On her thoughts on the judges’ scoring:
“I thought the scoring was right on. I’m going to try to bring out the best walk so I can bump that score up a little bit. I felt the canter wasn’t our best, but I thought the judging was absolutely what I would have expected for that test. I was very happy with it.”

Emily Miles and Sole Mio
Emily Miles and Sole Mio

Anna Keenan – USEF 4-Year-Old Test second place

On her test:
“I was really proud of Davos. I had a lot of horse when I went into my ride but he let me ride him and he didn’t look at anything. I was really proud of him. I could improve on a few things, like my transitions, but overall I was really happy.”

On the benefits of the championships:
“This is my first time at these championships but in my journey, I’ve learned a lot about the training scale and the importance of connection, the rhythm and being fair to the horses. I look forward to coming back next year.”

Anna Keenan and Davos CF
Anna Keenan and Davos CF

On her thoughts on the judges’ scoring:
“The judging seemed spot on and the comments were positive. Anything constructive was followed up by something positive. I was really pleased with my overall scores and I will work hard to improve for Saturday.”

Sarah Lockman – USEF 4-Year-Old Test third place

On her test:
“I’m super happy with Jupiter, we are a new combination — since March. We’re still trying to figure each other out with the right combination of energy and focus in the ring. Today, he showed a lot of focus for a 4-year-old who hasn’t really been exposed to a lot of big venues. His highlight is generally his canter and walk. He had really smooth transitions. His trot is nice, but we are definitely working to improve his strength and balance. I was very happy with him and I hope to have a repeat with just a few little tweaks on Saturday.”

Sarah Lockman and Jupiter
Sarah Lockman and Jupiter

On the benefits of the championships:
“I think as a trainer and coach, as well as a competitor, it’s important for the U.S. to be watching the championships. Not every 4-year-old comes out moving like our three did today, but it’s a foundation and it’s a training scale and a goal. I think that it is awesome that [US Equestrian] provides coaching throughout the country. My goal is to create Grand Prix horses. I think that this championship is great to encourage riders and trainers that riding young horses is just as important as having a CDI horse.”

Alice Tarjan – USEF 5-Year-Old Test winner

On her test:
“It went well and I was really pleased. I’m kind of surprised because the quality of this class is super high. It wasn’t what I was expecting. [On Saturday], I want to maintain what we had today but we could be a little more technically correct.”

Alice Tarjan and Fairouz
Alice Tarjan and Fairouz

On her horse:
“She’s very rideable. She has a great natural rhythm, especially in the trot. The piaffe passage is really well started. She’s like a metronome, you can’t knock her out of the rhythm once she has started. She has a really good mind. She can be a little bit spooky but it’s rideable. I can just sit there and cruise around mostly.”

On the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage National Championships:
“The quality [of competition] this year is the highest I’ve seen. Typically, there may be like 20 6-year-olds that attend but this year there are a lot more. It’s by far the most competitive that I’ve ever seen. The scores are higher across the board and the quality of all the horses is great. I think it’s really great for our sport. I love developing young horses and training them up the levels. It’s very rewarding.”

On Lamplight Equestrian Center:
“It’s a beautiful showground. The first year I came, I didn’t know anyone but now it’s a lot of fun to come every year and catch-up with everybody. There are good judges, the footing is superb and the facilities are awesome. The showgrounds offer easy access to hotels and restaurants — whatever you need. It’s way better than a lot of other showgrounds.”

Michael Bragdell – USEF 5-Year-Old Test second place

On his test:
“I’m happy with how he was today. I think that the horse has developed really nicely over the last year and a half. I was super happy with the trot, obviously. I mean getting a 10 is great! It’s a great feeling when you get something like that. [On Saturday], I hope we maintain the same with maybe a little bit more relaxation in there. I’m happy with what I had today.”

Michael Bragdell and SenSation HW

On the Lamplight showgrounds:
“It’s a great environment for young horses to take that big step into a bigger show environment. It’s a beautiful facility and they do a fabulous job putting this all together. You truly feel like you made it to the top when you come here. I think a lot of riders get excited about coming here.”

Rebecca Rigdon – USEF 5-Year-Old Test third place

On her test:
“I was happy with my mare; she is quite green for her age and quite spicy at times. We were still on lunge lines at shows in January so she’s come a long way. There were highlights in the canter work and the trot work is developing. It felt better than it had ever felt in parts. The overall submission can be improved. She just needs some more experience. Overall, I’m really happy with her progression.”

On the importance of this show:
“Being from San Diego, I’ve been here for 10 days. We drove all of my horses. It’s such a good growing experience for my horses and I wouldn’t trade that for anything. I don’t care if I end up last. In the development for her future, I know it will make her more solid. Christine Traurig has done a super job creating a more cohesive and systematic training system for young horses.”

Endel Ots – Prix St. Georges winner

On his ride:
“I was very happy with my ride today. I think that the highlight was the trot work. Last year, I was traveling around a lot so it was a little difficult to focus on my riding and my horse. This year, I didn’t have any of that so I was really able to focus on my rides and improve everything. I was really happy with my horse. He had some good energy. It was super.”

Endel Ots and Lucky Strike

On his preparation:
“My trot work is really solid with Lucky so in the warm-up I try to focus a little bit more on the canter transitions and get him a little more connected in the snaffle rein. He has a lot of power and lot of go but sometimes he needs to wait a little bit more for me, so I try to do a lot of transitions to get control of that power. He’s so big. At home, I videotape my rides and send them to Christine [Traurig]. Robert [Dover] has come in to help me a little bit. I really try to get as much information from people as possible.”

On the championship:
“I think it’s really cool to have all of the divisions together. It’s fun for kids to come and watch the bigger divisions. It’s fun to compare everything and be around all of your peers and friends. This is a great facility to have it at as well.”

Christopher Hickey – Prix St. Georges second place

On his test:
“I am very pleased with my horse. This is the first time that she has traveled long distance for a championship. She hasn’t been ready in the past even though I bought her when she was 4. I didn’t feel like she was ready to go to the national championship then. I’m really pleased with how she went today. She is a type of horse that is strong in the collected work but is weak in her extended trot. Today, she had a mistake in the threes, but she recovered well. She’s a horse that tries very hard. She is a wonderful mare. Every day she comes out and works very hard and gives it her all. She has a strong walk. For a young horse, she has super pirouettes. For me, she is a lot of fun to ride because I can sit there and equitate on her a little bit. She always helps improve my riding so I’m very appreciative to her.”

Christopher Hickey and Straight Horse Zackonik

On the Young Horse Development Program:
“I’ve been involved in the young horse program for many, many years. As a trainer and a competitor, it’s been fun to watch the quality of the horses and riders improve. Scott Hassler has put so many years of development into this program. It wouldn’t be where it is today without Scott. It’s really wonderful that Markel has stood in and supported this, when even in the early years there weren’t always enough horses. The scores have really improved overall. One of Robert Dover’s phrases all the time is, ‘Throw a party and people will come to it,’ and I think that is true in the divisions here. They are so much better than they used to be. It’s wonderful that this is the first year that all of the [Festival of Champions] championships and young horse championships are at one show. I think the concept of having all of this in one place for our sport as a whole is wonderful. We’re lucky to have Lamplight for being so central and it is run in such a high-quality way. It’s a great place for the spectators, sponsors and owners as well as horses and competitors. Thank you to Nina [Moore] and the whole team at Lamplight for doing it so well.”

Heather McCarthy – Prix St. Georges third place

On her ride with Au Revoir:
“I was very happy with my ride this morning. I was first to go, which is never a fun place to draw. My horse can get a little bit hot in the ring so my goal for today was to put in a clean test, which he did. He did not make one mistake. He is 7 and this is his first year doing this class. My goal for him was to be top 10 so he exceeded my expectations today. He was really with me and let me ride him. He has a lot of power and sometimes he can get a little ahead of himself in the collected trot. I think that some of our trot work got a little quick at times, but he let me ride him. I could not ask for anything more. He is such a character with a lot of personality and a lot of fire. I’m so excited for the future with him.”

Heather McCarthy and Au Revoir

On competing at Markel/USEF Developing Horse Dressage National Championships:
“This is my favorite week of the year. I don’t bring a lot of clients here so, for me, this week is all about focusing on me and my students who have qualified. I think it’s such a positive program. I love this show. I think that it’s the most educational show we have.”

Results: USEF 4-Year-Old Test for the Markel/USEF Young Horse 4-Year-Old Dressage National Championship
Rider / Horse / Owner / Total Score
1. Emily Miles / Sole Mio / Leslie Waterman / 84.200
2. Anna Keenan / Davos CF / Nancy Holowesko / 82.600
3. Sarah Lockman / Jupiter / Gerry Ibanez / 82.200
4. Alyssa Doverspike / Figaro / Kathleen Raine / 82.000
5. Rebecca Rigdon / Jagger / Rebecca Rigdon / 81.400
6. Kelsey Broecker / Caelius / Molly Huie / 80.800

Results: USEF 5-Year-Old Test for the Markel/USEF Young Horse 5-Year-Old Dressage National Championship
Rider / Horse / Owner / Total Score
1. Alice Tarjan / Fairouz / Alice Tarjan / 87.800
2. Michael Bragdell / SenSation HW / Carol McPhee / 87.000
3. Rebecca Rigdon / Iquem / Rebecca Rigdon / 85.000
4. Ali Potasky / Flash Dance / Kathy Priest / 82.400
5. Alice Tarjan / Serenade MF / Alice Tarjan / 81.600
6. Melissa Fladland / I’m All In / Melissa Fladland / 80.800

Results: Prix St. Georges for the Markel/USEF Developing Horse Prix St. Georges Dressage National Championship
Rider / Horse / Owner / Total Score
1. Endel Ots / Lucky Strike / Max Ots / 72.794
2. Christopher Hickey / Straight Horse Zackonik / Cecelia Stewart / 71.863
3. Heather McCarthy / Au Revoir / Sandi Chohany / 69.167
4. Jill Hardt / Fein Tanzer / Jill Hardt / 69.147
5. Michael Bragdell / Sternlicht Hilltop / Hilltop Farm, Inc. / 68.922
6. Melissa Jackson / Domani / Melissa Jackson / 68.725

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