Wayne, Ill. – Aug. 28, 2021 – Competition at Lamplight Equestrian Center continued Saturday, Aug. 28, with three new division champions being crowned as part of the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions. Despite the challenging heat throughout the week, horse-and-rider combinations put forth their best efforts in the final division tests on Saturday to vie for their respective championship honors.
USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ National Championship
In the USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ National Championship, Chase Shipka and Gladstone Zee T, her own 10-year-old KWPN gelding, started out strong by leading the division after their Intermediate II performance, earning a score of 70.411% to be worth 40% of their overall placing. The pair returned for the Grand Prix 16-25 test on Friday, once again snagging the blue ribbon with a 69.948%, this time worth 45% of overall standings. The final leg of the division, the Grand Prix Freestyle on Saturday afternoon, gave riders one last shot at points contributing 15% to their overall score. Once again coming out on top of the leaderboard, Shipka and Gladstone Zee T earned 69.82% to secure an overall total of 70.114%. Shipka was thrilled to claim the top honors in the championship in her last year of the Under 25 division. Next year, she noted, she will look forward to competing in open Grand Prix and developing their skills as a team.
Finishing with the division’s reserve championship was McKayla Hohmann and Numberto, a 20-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Elisabeth Austin. The duo maintained their second place standing throughout the week, earning a 66.97% in their Intermediate II test, a 66.486% in their Grand Prix 16-25, and a 68.445% in the Grand Prix Freestyle. With a total score of 66.973%, they were able to take home the reserve championship honors.
Rosemary Julian-Simoes and Rankrado, a 17-year-old German Sport Horse gelding owned by Rankrado LLC, finished in third place at the conclusion of the division. The pair earned a 66.705% for their Intermediate II test, a 65.332% in their Grand Prix 16-25, and a 67.105% in their Freestyle to take home a total of 66.147%.
USEF Junior Dressage National Championship
Earlier in the day, the Junior riders took to the ring for their final Individual Tests in hopes of taking home the gold. In the end, leader from the previous day Kat Fuqua and Dreamgirl, her own 13-year-old KWPN mare, could not be overtaken, and the pair took home the division championship with a total score of 69.793%. The pair rode a consistent Team Test on Friday, climbing to the top of the leaderboard with a score of 70.959% worth 50% of their overall result. Combined with their Individual Test score of 68.627%, Fuqua and Dreamgirl held a tight grip on their lead to be crowned the new victors.
Lexie Kment and Montagny Van Der Heide, a 17-year-old Trakehner gelding owned by Lauren Van Norman, took home the Junior reserve championship with a total score of 69.766%. The pair was hot on Fuqua’s heels after Friday’s Team Test that earned them a 70.807%, but were unable to overcome them Saturday after posting a slightly lower score of 68.725% in the Individual Test. Kment and Montagny Van Der Heide recently helped USA’s Region 4 team take home team gold at the North American Youth Championships (NAYC) in Traverse City, Michigan. Kment has also seen frequent success at the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions, earning the USEF Children Dressage National Championship title two years in a row in 2019 and 2020 aboard Manatee. Dressage is a family affair for the Kment family, as she often shares the stage with her sister Kylee Kment, who finished sixth in the division on Saturday.
Devon Pomeroy and Royal Dark Chocolate, her own 13-year-old Oldenburg mare, rounded out the top three with a score of 69.682%. Pomeroy and Royal Dark Chocolate, a Dressage4Kids program donated horse previously ridden by Paradressage rider Angela Peavy, earned a Team Test score of 70.050%, and an Individual Test score of 69.313% to finish with the yellow ribbon.
USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship
Closing out competition for the day at Lamplight Equestrian Center, riders in the USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship took to the ring for their final test of the division, the Intermediate I Freestyle. After consistent performances throughout the week and a standout performance in the Freestyle on Saturday, it was Dawn White-O’Connor of San Diego, California, and Hudson M, a 9-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Four Winds Farm, who earned the division title.
Starting with a Prix St. Georges score of 74.117% worth 40% of their overall result, White O’Connor and Hudson M went on to score a 75.97% in their Intermediate I test the following day. Returning for their final Intermediate I Freestyle performance worth the remaining 15% of their total, the pair completed an impressive choreography borrowed from Four Winds Farm owner and fellow rider, Akiko Yamazaki. Being awarded a 76.355%, the pair once again took a strong lead and claimed the championship honors.
Lindsey Holleger and MW Ave Maria, an 8-year-old Oldenburg mare owned by Jennifer Vanover, finished with the reserve championship. After a Prix St. Georges performance that earned them a 73.087%, they also earned a score of 73.087% in the Intermediate I test. The pair’s consistency paid off in the end, landing them a score of 74.66% in the Intermediate I Freestyle and maintaining their second place podium position.
Karen Lipp and Infinity, her own 8-year-old KWPN gelding, finished in third place. The pair rode to a score of 69.087% for fourth place in their Prix St. Georges test, and moved up to third with a score of 70.881% in their Intermediate I. They improved once again in their Freestyle, this time being awarded a 71.305% to keep the third place ribbon.
U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions competition will conclude Sunday, Aug. 29, with the USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship, the Children Dressage National Championship, and the Dressage Seat Medal Final 14-18.
FROM THE WINNERS CIRCLE
Chase Shipka – USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ National Champion
On her championship win:
“It’s overwhelming! I’m just so happy that this was the result of this weekend. I didn’t come here expecting this, I just wanted to do my best and for him to do his best, so I’m very excited.”
On her freestyle:
“My freestyle today could have gone better, but overall I was happy with it. Technically it was excellent, I was just a little fast so I missed some of my music, which is where I think we lost points. But he was tired and I was tired. It’s hot out there, so I’m ecstatic.”
On Gladstone Zee T:
“I have had him since he was seven, when I got him he had been doing Prix St. Georges 7-year-old classes in Europe. We have learned the Grand Prix together which I think is really special. He’s only 10 now, so we have a few more years together.”
On her future plans:
“We are going to move onto the senior Grand Prix next year. I turn 25 on September 3rd, so I think this is our last U25 competition together. Improvement wise he is only ten so we still have a lot to work on, but he shows great talent for the Grand Prix so I’m excited to move forward with that.”
McKayla Hohmann – USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ National Reserve Champion
On her ride:
“He was amazing. We had a little mixup with the music in the beginning but we were fine, and he always has his game face on. He’s ready, he knows what he’s here to do, and he gets really excited to go horse show. I unfortunately was ahead of my music by quite a bit, but I couldn’t be happier with him. It’s been a long, hot week, and they’re all a little tired, but when they give it their all, that’s all you can ask.”
Rosie Julian-Simoes – USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ National Championship Third Place
On her ride:
“He had a lot of power today, he was mentally very hot, but did feel a little tired. I too was ahead of my music a bit and I think that’s just because he was so eager, which did cause a few technical problems, but overall I was really happy with him. You can’t ask for more after a long format and hot days this week.”
Kat Fuqua – USEF Junior Dressage National Champion
On her championship win:
“I haven’t even really fully taken it in yet. This is my first win at a dressage championship, it’s so exciting.”
On Dreamgirl:
“We imported Dreamgirl from Holland about a year-and-a-half ago. Last year, I did the Children [division] with her and she was third overall. She is just the sweetest horse ever. I can ride her bareback and she is just the best. Now, we have been doing the Juniors. I think our partnership has really grown. I think two weeks ago at NAYC was when we really clicked.”
On her ride:
“Yesterday I was really happy it was just a solid test. I didn’t have any major mistakes. Today, I think I stepped it up a little bit because I was more comfortable so I rode with a little more power. I think I improved today.”
Lexie Kment – USEF Junior Dressage National Reserve Champion
On her test:
“My test yesterday was really good. I think one of our highlights was our medium canter, that I learned from NAYC a couple of weeks ago that is a strong suit of ours. I really went for it and had fun today. Our trot was a little more realized. It was a little slower but we had a better [ride] throughout I thought.”
Devon Pomeroy – USEF Junior Dressage National Championship Third Place
On her test:
“I was very, very pleased with my test. Both days the consistency for me and my horse is a big thing. Making sure it’s brilliant, and has enough power but also that everything is clean, consistent, and quiet, so I was really, really happy. From yesterday to today I was able to add a little bit more, especially in the trot work, and I was super pleased with how relaxed she stayed in this awesome environment.”
On Royal Dark Chocolate:
“She is a Dressage4Kids donated horse. She was Annie Peavy’s horse before she was donated. She definitely has much more showing experience than I do. I think it definitely helps both of our confidence in the show ring, me knowing she knows her job and she is able to teach me a lot too. It’s both of us teaching each other at the same time.”
Dawn White-O’Connor – USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Champion
On winning the national championship:
“It’s good! I won in the Developing division with Bailarino a couple years ago. My test was so so, I was not totally on the music to start so I was playing catch up then getting behind it most of the time. It was a little rockier than it could have been but I’ve only ridden it a few times. I think the other tests were better because I’m better at riding them, and probably spend more time working on those two patterns. I’m more comfortable with those and so is he. The freestyle we definitely have not worked on as much so we probably have to be better at that in the future.”
On Hudson M:
“I’ve had him for just over a year-and-a-half. He is the best horse, I could probably talk about him all day. I think everyone gets sick of me constantly showing them videos of what he’s doing. He’s a really incredibly special horse. Even if he wasn’t as talented as he is, he’s just got the best personality and he’s one of the most fun horses to be around. He’s good about everything so he’s one of a kind I think.”
On her partnership with Hudson M:
“I spend a lot of time with him and at this point I know him pretty well. In Florida I have less horses there than I do at home so I spent all day with him, cleaning his stall, walking him and doing his turnout. I had five horses there so I pretty much did everything with them. I like these kind of shows because I only have one horse and get to spend all day with that one or two horses. I like that part of it. He pretty much does anything he wants. He loves to go on trails, he does pretty much whatever he feels like.”
Lindsey Holleger – USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Reserve Champion
On her test:
“It was pretty good. I got a little ahead of the music so I had to improvise at the end, but I was pretty proud of him at the end. It was his first big arena ever and she’s only 8 years-old. She did the Developing Prix St. Georges last year. She was great there, she got second the last day. That arena down there is a different story, she’s a lot more electric. I was curious how she’d handle it and she handled it really well. I’m really proud of her.”
Karen Lipp – USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship Third Place
On her test:
“I got ahead of my music as well. I’m the old lady here, I struggled with the heat today so he took care of me. He’s a young horse and I’ve only done freestyles with him a few times. He went in there and tried really hard so I give him all the credit.”
RESULTS
USEF Junior Dressage National Championship
Place / Rider / Horse / Owner / Team Test Score / Individual Test Score / Total Score
1. Kat Fuqua / Dreamgirl / Kat Fuqua / 70.959 / 68.627 / 69.793
2. Lexie Kment / Montagny Von Der Heide / Lauren Van Norman / 70.807 / 68.725 / 69.766
3. Devon Pomeroy / Royal Dark Chocolate / Devon Pomeroy / 70.050 / 69.313 / 69.682
4. Julia McDonald / Lehndorff Van De Vogelzang / Julia McDonald / 70.757 / 67.254 / 69.006
5. Beatrix Leffingwell / Nymphenburg’s Sylvester / Beatrix Leffingwell / 68.888 / 67.695 / 68.292
6. Kylee Kment / Honor / Jami Kment / 67.221 / 68.087 / 67.654
7. Ella Fruchterman / Holt’s Le’mans / Ella & Todd Fruchterman / 67.625 / 67.548 / 67.587
8. Nicole Ellsworth / Rower Be / Elizabeth Keadle / 64.039 / 67.941 / 65.990
9. Allison Berger / Mejicano CXV / Allison & Marianne Berger / 62.171 / 65.98 / 64.076
10. Tiggy Gates / Shadow’s Dream / Tiggy Gates / 63.939 / 62.499 / 63.219
11. Reese Wyman / Samurai / Reese Wyman / 63.030 / 61.274 / 62.152
USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ National Championship
Place / Rider / Horse / Owner / I2 Score / Grand Prix 16-25 / Grand Prix Freestyle / Total Score
1. Chase Shipka / Gladstone Zee T / Chase Shipka / 70.411 / 69.948 / 69.82 / 70.114
2. McKayla Hohmann / Numberto / Elisabeth Austin / 66.97 / 66.486 / 68.445 / 66.973
3. Rosemary Julian-Simoes / Rankrado / Randrado LLC / 66.705 / 65.332 / 67.105 / 66/147
3. Callie Jones / Don Philippo / Callie Jones / 64.97 / 65.153 / 67.665 / 65.457
4. Emily Smith / Dublin / Emily Smith / 62.911 / 64/23 / 65.68 / 63.92
5. McKenna Holliday / First Law / McKenna Holliday / 63.293 / 60.384 / 63.93 / 62.08
6. Emily Smith / Quantum Jazz / Emily Smith / 57.97 / 62.461 / 56.535 / 59.776
USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship
Place / Rider / Horse / Owner / PSG Score / I1 Score / I1 Freestyle Score
1. Dawn White-O’Connor / Hudson M / Four Winds Farm / 74.117 / 75.97 / 76.355
2. Lindsey Holleger / MW Ave Maria / Jennifer Vanover / 73.087 / 73.087 / 74.66
3. Karen Lipp / Infinity / Karen Lipp / 69.087 / 70.881 / 71.305
4. Mette Rosencrantz / Chrevi’s Ramour / Mette Rosencrantz / 69.029 / 69.44 / 68.825
5. Stephen Birchall / D’amore / Joyce Ryder & Stephen Birchall / 69.235 / 68.117 / 68.43 6. Martin Kuhn / Venivici / Elizabeth Cronin / 68.44 / 68.44 / 67.855
6. Laura Decesari / Flower-Power / Pamela Farthing / 67.587 / 68.264 / 70.19
7. Taryn Hartnett / Edward / 67.146 / 65.028 / 67.65
8. Kimberly Herslow / Elvis Hi / Ailene Cascio & Kimberly Herslow / 63.499 / 67.646 / 68.635