Dressage Day 1 Recap at Aspen Farms and USEA Area VII Championships

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2023
Aspen Farms Horse Trials, Yelm, WA

Nearly 300 competitors from throughout the region contested dressage on day one of Aspen Farms Horse Trials and USEA Area VII Championships at Aspen Farms in Yelm, WA, which features eleven Championship divisions from Beginner Novice level through Intermediate. Competitors qualified for Championships by placing first through fifth at a qualifying horse trials leading up to the show.

Just two riders are contesting the Tin Men Supply Advanced this year–the only Advanced division offered in Washington State. Karen O’Neal and Clooney 14 (pictured above), owned by Annika Asling, claimed the overnight lead on a score of 30.5, followed by Sophie Click and Tarantino 54 on 33.6.

“He’s quite green at the Advanced test,” said Karen. “He’s learning–he’s just not confirmed enough to really show him off at this level yet. But he was very good; very obedient. He’s becoming more and more fun to ride.”

When asked about facing the Advanced cross-country course designed by Morgan Rowsell tomorrow, Karen considered that “this is Clooney’s first Advanced, and I haven’t ridden Advanced in a while myself. Our last Intermediate and Three-Star we did we were feeling very confident and rideable–no problems. So I think it is time to push myself and him. I’m still feeling a little nervous (the jumps are big!), but I feel ready. As long as I get out there and do a good job on course, I think he’ll be there for me.”

Karen also has a handy lead in the Open Preliminary division aboard Hooligan, owned Linda Parry, on a score of 20. Marc Grandia and Levino, owned by Full Gallop Syndicate, LLC are second with 25, and Nicole Aden and Truckee Bash are third with 25.5.

In the Area VII Open Intermediate Championship, Kelsey Horn and her gelding Cleared For Take Off have secured the early lead on 31.1.

“I’m really happy with our test,” Kelsey said. “Particularly because I felt like my horse was more of a willing partner. Dressage is not his favorite phase. Today he seemed more present with me in the test during the movements. It felt more fun.”

Kelsey is also looking forward to jumping.

“I feel comfortable with the cross-country in particular,” she said. “He’s one of those cross-country machines. I trust him a lot out there. I’m going to go out there for a double clear. For show jumping, we are ready, we are prepared–it’s just a matter of getting it right in the moment.”

Rachel Brickman and Finally DG are leading the Open Intermediate on 20.2. Devin Robel and Gillou are second on 28.2 and Sophie Click and Quidproquo are third on 32.5.

Rachel was thrilled with her gelding’s effort and rideability during their dressage test.

“He was great today,” she said. “He warmed up quite well. He got out in the ring and was really game to do his job. He was consistent and stayed forward, which has been our Achilles heel. It was the best test he has put in to date!”

In the Area VII Open Preliminary Championship, 15-year-old Harper Padgett and her gelding Captivate took the early lead on a score of 23.3. Harper is also fourth in the division on Cooley Starship. Patience O’Neal and Zena, owned by Hanni Sreenan are second, and Todd Trewin and Cooley High Society are third.

“I thought he was really good today,” Harper said after Captivate’s dressage test. “I focused on making him forward throughout the test to get a good swing in his back.”

In the Area VII Open Training Championship, Mary Burke and her Hanoverian gelding Valentino scored 21.2 to take the lead in a small but competitive division: all seven competitors scored below 30. Reese Blinks and Lowmax are second on 22.6 and Hayden Brown and Cooley Merrywell Mint are third on 24.1.

Mary said she “was pleased that [Valentino] was relaxed but forward-thinking in the test. We’ve been working hard on having a harmonious connection throughout, and we were able to achieve that today.”

After walking the cross-country course, Mary shared: “I think it’s a course he will do well in. He likes an open flowing course, and I think that’s what this offers.”

In the Area VII Junior Training Championship, Simone Clark and Indio BMW, owned by Laura Clark, scored 20.7 to earn the overnight lead. Maddie Kelly and Favoloso, owned by Adison LoPiccolo, are second and Kate Wallace and Global Monmore, owned by Kimberley Collins, are third.

“Indio is my mom’s horse,” said Simone. “I don’t get to ride him at shows very often, but she has been lending him to me this summer. He’s so so good at dressage, and tries his hardest for you. He’s just a pleasure to ride.”

Lauren Smith and her gelding Escapade are the overnight leaders in the Area VII Training Rider Championship. Shruti Bona and Freesela, owned by Hope Cochran, are second and Abigail Coy and Irish Kreme are third.

Lauren is extremely happy with the progress of her 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, whom she bought out of a field with no eventing experience.

“He and I did our first Beginner Novice early this year,” she said. “To be at Training Championships now is incredible. His nickname is Spooky Scotty, because he’s afraid of everything! But for whatever reason, when he gets out into the eventing world he hones in and the spookiness goes away–he taps into some bravery.”

She is looking forward to taking on cross-country tomorrow, as it is their favorite phase. “He’s a cross-country machine! With his spookiness he looks at things, but it seems to go to the wayside on course. He is super awesome to ride.”

Show jumping will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, and cross-country will begin at 9 a.m.

DAY 1 SCORES:

The complete scores for all divisions are available on Startbox Scoring, here: https://eventing.startboxscoring.com/eventsr/aspen/ht0923/

You can follow along with additional show coverage on Instagram @AspenFarmsHorseTrials or on the Aspen Farms Horse Trials Facebook page.

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Photos courtesy of Cortney Drake Photography. Video Reel courtesy of STF Video Productions.