Twenty days to go until the opening ceremony of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. One of the first events will be dressage. I was fortunate to attend the 2010 Collecting Gaits Festival of Dressage Champions held last month at the USET headquarters in Gladstone, New Jersey. It was the ‘best of the best’ of American Dressage and as a selection trial for Grand Prix Dressage for WEG, the stage was set for some keen competition.
Here are a few photos from the event.
Head Study of Strauss at the Jog
Strauss was ridden by Cyndi Jackson of Glendale, AZ.
Bulgari 5 at the Jog
Bulgari 5 and Caroline Roffman of Wellington, FL
Cesar Para and Olympia
Cesar Para and Olympia are ‘local talent’ hailing from Whitehouse Station, NJ. The pair went on to take the Intermediaire Championship.
Cabana Boy & Chris Hickey
Chris Hickey & Cabana Boy are based in Colora, MD.
Cesar Para's Victory Lap!
Winner of the Intermediaire Championship: CESAR PARRA & OLYMPIA
Reserve Champion Kassie Barteau
Reserve Intermediaire Champion Kassandra Barteau & Toscano. Kassie and her mother, Yvonne, were both competing in the trials.
Well unfortunately I will not be going to Kentucky for the games and will have to enjoy them vicariously; but I am most grateful that I was able to watch such amazing horses and riders at the Festival of Dressage Champions. Good Luck in Kentucky and go team USA!
