Lexington, Ky. – Nov. 10, 2018 – Despite the low temperatures that stayed under 36-degrees the entire day at the Kentucky Horse Park, Florida-resident, Janne Rumbough bundled up to ride away with the Grand Prix Freestyle Adult Amateur championship ribbon. The 74-year-old rider scored 64.467 percent with her Mary Poppins-themed music aboard her 15-year-old PRE gelding Armas Zumbel.
This marks the second time Rumbough has won this division at US Dressage Finals. In 2014, she claimed the tricolor with Junior, her homebred-PRE she trained from Training Level up to Grand Prix with the help of her trainer, Mikala Münter Gundersen.
The Danish-born rider is a fixture in the Wellington community as a founder of the dressage circuit decades ago and became a U.S. citizen about 22 years ago. Her farm, MTICA, which stands for ‘More Than I Can Afford’, is her year-round base. She has owned Armas Zumbel for three years and has enjoyed developing him into a Grand Prix mount, which they debuted earlier this year. The pair earned multiple top placings in the CDI-amateur divisions at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival over the winter season.
Kristin Herzing of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, earned her second reserve championship tricolor of the weekend after she placed second in both the Grand Prix Adult Amateur Championship and the Grand Prix Freestyle Adult Amateur Championship. This marks her fourth year competing Gentleman, her 20-year-old Hanoverian gelding, at the US Dressage Finals and they earned a 63.142 percent in their freestyle. She purchased the chestnut gelding as a green 5-year-old and the pair have gained experience up through the levels together.
Making the trip from Basking Ridge, New Jersey, Alexandra Krossen and Damani, a 13-year-old Hanoverian mare owned by Heather Mason, placed third with a 61.708 percent.
Results: Grand Prix Freestyle Adult Amateur Championship
Rider / Horse / Owner / Total Score
1. Janne Rumbough / Armas Zumbel / Janne Rumbough / 64.467
2. Kristin Herzing / Gentleman / Kristin Herzing / 63.142
3. Alexandra Krossen / Damani / Heather Mason / 61.708
4. Michelle Baker / Collingwood / Michelle Baker / 60.367
5. Courtney Varney / Edykts Enchanres / Courtney Varney / 58.392
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Janne Rumbough – Grand Prix Freestyle Adult Amateur Champion
On her ride:
“He was pretty cold because we are from Florida. At the beginning of the test, he wanted to go back to Florida! I had to make up for that error. I know my music very well and I know my choreography. I know his strong points so knew I needed to make those great. I’m very proud of him because coming from 95 to the coldness here was a bit of a shock. He was pretty tense but I got through it. I just always have so much fun. It’s wonderful because it was really composed for him. It’s my lucky day.”
On her year with Armas Zumbel:
“We just made the Grand Prix this year, and he has done very well at the [Adequan Global Dressage Festival]. We got invited to do an exhibition at the [FEI World Equestrian Games] but it got canceled because of the hurricane. His freestyle music I made for that. I think I’m going to change the music though because I have some music that suits him a little bit better from the Sound of Music — he has done very well with the Sound of Music in the Intermediate I. This atmosphere is a little more electric because everything in Florida is flat and here he has so much to look at.”
On winning the division’s championship again:
“I’m so proud because four years ago I won this championship with Junior, who was homebred and I rode all the way to the top. It’s special to come back and win again on a different horse. I’ve had him for 3 years. He was not a Grand Prix horse when I got him. I love the Finals because you can see people from all over the country. Everyone is so friendly. It’s a very special show. I just have had a wonderful time here and I’m so grateful I could make it here, even at my age. I braid and do everything with him so it’s fun.”
Kristin Herzing – Grand Prix Freestyle Adult Amateur Reserve Champion
On Gentleman:
“We’ve been together for 15 years. I bought him as a green broke 5-year-old. We did everything together, from our first recognized show — First Level to Grand Prix. I’m the only person who has ever shown him. I got all three of my medals on him. I’ll have him forever. It’s a great partnership.”
On her freestyle:
“He was a little grumpy. It was later in the day and I think he thought he was done for the day. We’ve been together for so long. We are like a married couple. He felt pretty solid in his half passes. He was opinionated in his tempis and he put the ‘free’ in freestyles. Six minutes of fame so you have to make the best of it. My music is very powerful. It’s a bit opposite of him because he is more of a nervous type. I think it makes him come out of his shell a little bit. I’ve used the same music for 4 years. We have been working on getting better a little bit each year. That’s what I strive for.”
On competing at the US Dressage Finals:
“I got to shake hands with George Williams and Debbie McDonald today so it’s the best day of my life other than my wedding day! I try to make the finals my goal each year. It’s like the Olympics for amateurs.”
