Competing
with a Friesian in dressage is still the exception. Even though
Friesians are supposed to be perfect for all dressage movements
and figures, they are more often found in exhibitions or parades
only "to look good". Only a few people take the
effort to train their Friesian(s) in a proper way to build
up their muscles and to keep them exercised, which is necessary
to keep every horse healthy.
Success in a dressage competition
is the result of the daily proper training of the horse and
-of course- a lot of fun. Everytime we show our talented gelding
Rimer (born in 1997) in a dressage competition, people gather
around to see the ride. We have found many new friends, and
spectators as well as the judges always appreciate a good
ride, especially from a Friesian. We imported Rimer in November
2000 and he had been exclusively trained here in San Diego
by myself for only 10 months, until we showed him for the
first time in a dressage competition. Several other dressage
competitions followed and we ended up with exciting results.
We are only showing in USDF/AHSA
approved shows. We are proud members of USDF/AHSA/CDS and
DHJDA and I am listed and competing as a trainer in the open
class. We achieved 9 blue ribbons (first placement) in a row
and we had 3 High-Score-Open Championships in Palm Springs
with the top scores of 70.8% and 73.6%.
Therefor we received the
Training-Open-Championship-Award from the DHJDA for 2001 at
the Equestrian Gala at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Palm Springs,
CA. Thanks to Michael Cintas and Mary Voss for inviting us
to this event at this breathtaking location! As always, everything
was well organized by ECI and -like the competitions- just
perfect!
With all of those first
placements, Rimer additionally became the
Regional Champion - "2001 PHR/Silver Stirrup
Horse of the Year"
for the
(Region 7) for Training Level Dressage by the Performance
Horse Registry. The median of his top scores for 2001 in the
open class from different events was 71.2% and kept him on
the top of the list. Thanks to the National Equestrian Federation
of the United States and to Julie Moses!
Finally, Rimer also received
the Performance Certificate from the USDF, for successfully
passing the Training Level. Thanks to the always helpful and
supporting office members of USDF and CDS!
After our showbreak at the beginning of 2002, we showed Rimer
in May in First Level and received a very good score of 68.1%.
We also had an excellent season in 2002 which ended with our
participation as the only Friesian entry in the Open Futurity
Championships in Los Angeles, where we had to compete the
best of all 5-year old horses on a First Level in all of California,
trained by the best professional trainers. We received a median
score of 60% and placed 24th out of 70 entries. That was a
tough competition, as it always is amongst the best.
Thanks to everybody who
supported us during an amazing season!
If you have any questions
regarding dressage training, please call or email me.
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