halt, salute: USEF Para-Dressage National Championship & WEG Qualifier 2014

New Jersey had several days of lovely weather for the opening of the US Para-Dressage Championships, but of course, my work and my own equine obligations interfered earlier in the week, so I was stuck coming for the rainy day. All the morning horses sloshed their way through their tests, and there was mud splattered over every horse's belly, even after the sun peeked out.

Rebecca Hart preparing to enter for her freestyle

Rebecca Hart was again the undisputed overall champion. Her mare Schroeter's Romani was beautifully over the back in all her work and supple in the bridle. She is also a lovely moving mare. What separates Hart's good riding from the top riders internationally is a more energetic picture. Similar remarks—both strengths and weaknesses—apply to Margaret McIntosh, who was the overall reserve champion.

Rebecca Hart & Schroeter's Romani (Grade II)


Rebecca Hart and Margaret McIntosh with their awards coolers

President of the Ground Jury Kristi Wysoki at the prize-giving

Hart finished on a final score from the three days of 74.642% with 76.917% in the kur. McIntosh scored a 73.500% for her Grade Ia freestyle, finishing behind Roxanne Trunnell's 74.00% in that class, but it was enough to give her an overall score of 71.582%. Trunnell was ranked third overall with Nice Touch also on a final score of 71.582%.

Margaret McIntosh & Rio Rio (Grade Ia)

Roxanne Trunnel & Nice Touch (Grade Ia)

Derrick Perkins & NTEC Hans (Grade Ia freestyle, 60.435%)

Roxanne Trunnell & NTEC Royal Dancer (Grade Ia freestyle, 70.652%)

Judge at M, Adrienne Pot, dressed very stylishly.

Kim Decker & Dasher's Destiny (Grade Ia freestyle, 64.130%)

Heather Blitz, coach of Angela Peavy, chatting with Derrick Perkins

Sydney Collier & NTEC Cuplee (Grade Ib freestyle, 71.389%)

Sydney Collier was the only rider in the Grade Ib division, though she showed two different horses. Her 71.389% overall score on NTEC Cuplee put her in fourth across the grades, leaving her in a good place for WEG team contention.

Sydney Collier & Willi Wesley (Grade Ib freestyle, 66.667%)

Mary Jordan & Sebastian warming up

The winner in the Grade IV division was Susan Treabess with the stallion Kamiakin. They showed by far the most powerful test of the class and Treabess maintained the best connection through the bridle. Unfortunately her test was interrupted by a major resistance in a simple change of lead on the short diagonal. Still, the rest of the work was enough to give them the winning score of 73.00% for the test and the Grade IV championship.

Susan Treabess & Kamiakin (Grade IV freestyle, 73.500%)

One of the more disappointing aspects of the grade IV class was the required simple changes. I don't remember even one that dropped cleanly into five(ish) steps of walk before immediately stepping back into canter.

Holly Bergay & NTEC Royal Dancer (Grade IV freestyle, 68.250%)

Mary Jordan and Sebastian (Grade IV freestyle, 71.083%)

Susan Treabess & Kamiakin (Grade IV)

Elizabeth Traband & Ucari (Grade IV freestyle, 70.500%)

In the Grade III division, Angela Peavy dominated, though she won the freestyle and the overall championship on different horses. To music, Ozzy Cooper reigned supreme with 74.333%. Peavy rode a test that hit her music beautifully. Her overall score with Lancelot Warrior was 70.442. Her two bright bays could almost be twins, with their similar colouring and way of going; Peavy rides both horses nicely up in the frame, though both could use to reach more through their topline into the bridle.

Angela Peavy & Lancelot Warrior (Grade III)

Angela Peavy & Ozzy Cooper (Grade III)

Angela Peavy & Lancelot Warrior (Grade III)

Kate Shoemaker & Pacifec M (Grade III freestyle, 73.500)

Kate Shoemaker & Arpeggio (Grade III freestyle 69.333)

Eleanor Brimmer's London Swing is an eye-catching uphill mover, but did not score higher as the horse was often braced above the bit (the bracing is not so evident in the picture below), even when the exercises were otherwise of good quality.

Eleanor Brimmer & London Swing (Grade III freestyle, 66.833)

Pamela Hardin & Freemont (Grade III freestyle, 64.167%)

Pamela Hardin & GM Major Soho (Grade III freestyle, 66.333%)

Ashleigh Flores-Simmons & Verite SF (Grade II freestyle, 70.333%)

Ashleigh Flores-Simmons rode one of my favourite freestyles of the day. Her ride Verite is the typical high-stepping Dutch type, and Flores-Simmons chose music with a nice strong beat that matched well her horse's way of going. She also had her transitions perfectly timed to the music.