Kimberly Herslow and Rosmarin (SusanJStickle.com)
Herslow and Rosmarin or "Reno" as he is known around the barn, had a spectacular week, ultimately championing the entire CDI1* with three wins. "I feel like we're in a new place, and we're getting consistent now. We used the last show to get back in the groove, and I feel like with this show we have made a good step in the training to get to where we need to be," said Herslow.
The duo didn't score below a 70.000% in any of the classes in the AGDF 7 Small Tour, receiving a 72.474% in the Prix St. Georges, a 73.789% in the Intermediaire 1, and an impressive 75.525% in the Intermediaire 1 Freestyle. Even with their incredibly consistent scores, Herslow still has a few movements she would like to fine-tune before the duo's next outing at the AGDF 9.
"I would like to make his pirouettes have a bit more power, and I know they can. They're certainly improving, and that's something that comes with time. Now that we've tapped into the fifth gear it's getting the strength to come along with that," she explained. "That is something I know that I can work on, which will of course carry over some more expression in the changes too."
"Reno", a 2005 Hanoverian gelding, adds an incredible amount of power and suppleness to the movements and is a very quick learner, helping to progress their training to the next level in the past year. "His extended trot is really a highlight. He really lifts himself and uses his hind end, which is fun to ride. He understands his body and how to use it," commented Herslow, when asked about a specific highlight in their tests. "He's a big, long horse, and I really took my time to build that so he not only was correct, but felt confident too."
Strength is always a key component in the success of an up-and-coming dressage star and Herslow has been very attentive to that, working on fitness and conditioning with "Reno" since arriving in Florida. "We have been tapping into over-drive now, which is where we have been trying to get to. It's not hard for him, it just needs more time, but he's already fitter than he was three weeks ago."
Herslow bought "Reno" as a three-year-old in Germany and has been his only rider since, bringing him up through the levels herself. "He tries so hard for me, and we have an awesome trust in each other. He understands that trust, and I get 110% from him in the ring every single time. My brain has to be in right place and when I am, he's right there with me," she said.
The pair is familiar with the AGDF circuit, having trained in Wellington for the past few years. "We started at the Third and Fourth levels down here four years ago and have been building up since," she explained. "It has always been about nailing down the basics because he is such a fast learner and tries so hard, and that is just what we will continue to do as we move up."
Together for more than seven years now, Herslow feels the relationship the duo has built helps to bring out the very best in "Reno" when he enters the ring. "He's such a willing horse, and he never says no to me. I've never had a horse that I've felt so connected too. He's so special in a lot of ways. He gets that and appreciates it," commented Herslow. "He's an awesome horse, and he's going to have a forever home with me."
As for the future, the pair plans to contest AGDF 9, AGDF 12 CDIO3*, and then hopefully earn a spot on the U.S. team for the 2015 Pan American Games to be held in Toronto, Canada this summer. "He'll stay Small Tour until after the Pan American Games, and then we will go from there," Herslow pointed out. "We've been working on the Grand Prix so he'll most likely move up after that, but he's only coming 10 now. He's young, and I want him to have him last as long as I can."
Final Results for FEI Intermediaire 1 Freestyle 1 CDI 1* presented by Mission Control:
Place, Rider, Nationality, Horse, Horse Information: Judge E%, Judge H%, Judge C%, Judge M%, Judge B%, Total%
1. Kimberly Herslow (USA), Rosmarin, 2005 Hanoverian gelding owned by rider, Rosentanz x Hauptstutbuch Wolkentaenzerin x Weltmeyer: 74.500%, 76.375%, 76.250%, 74.750%, 75.750%, 75.525%
2. Ayden Uhlir (USA), Sjapoer, 1999 Dutch Warmblood stallion owned by rider, Contango x Jenia x Wolfgang: 69.125%, 69.875%, 73.375%, 70.000%, 74.375%, 71.350%
3. Tina Irwin (CAN), Fancy That, 2006 Oldenburg gelding owned by Christine Faux, Donerschwee x Freiherr x Falaise: 68.750%, 73.125%, 71.875%, 68.875%, 72.875%, 71.000%
4. Silva Martin (USA), Rosa Cha W, 2006 Australian Warmblood mare, Redardez Moi x Jasmine W x Richmeed Medallion: 68.750%, 74.250%, 69.875%, 69.875%, 71.750%, 70.900%
5. Katharina Stumpf (AUT), For My Love, 2001 Hanoverian gelding owned by rider, For Feeling x Escudine x Escudo I: 68.875%, 72.250%, 70.875%, 70.500%, 71.000%, 70.700%
6. Kasey Perry (USA), Goerklintgaards Dublet, 2003 Danish Warmblood gelding owned by Diane Perry, Diamond Hit x La Costa x Olympic Ferro: 68.500%, 71.125%, 71.625%, 69.750%, 69.500%, 70.300%
7. Charlotte Jorst (USA), Kastels Adventure, 2005 Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Kastel Denmark, Special D x Sunette S x Mondriaan: 70.000%, 72.750%, 68.500%, 69.375%, 69.375%, 70.200%
8. Hannah Michaels (USA), Abacus, 2005 Dutch Warmblood stallion owned by Carol Cohen, Tuchinski x Tiane x Mooiman: 67.125%, 70.500%, 69.375%, 67.750%, 66.875%, 68.325%