Lexington, KY—An outstanding field of five and six-year-old horses held audiences captive at the Kentucky Horse Park over the weekend. September 10th through 12th, horses and riders from across the nation gathered for the 2004 USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage National Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park. Nineteen five-year-olds and 15 six-year-olds, including a record 12 United States-bred horses, vied for the prize—the Dr. Edgar Hotz Memorial Trophy, which commemorates the top young horses in the country.

Lars Baekgaard rode Revolution (Royal Diamond – Fuela by Furioso II) to the six-year-old division title, with a winning score of 7.48. The German-bred black Oldenburg gelding is owned by Dr. Mary Hughes of Moorestown, New Jersey. A mere two-hundredths of a point behind, Rykaard (Kimberley – Milonia by Caruso), a bay Dutch Warmblood gelding bred in the Netherlands, claimed reserve champion with a score of 7.46. Owner and rider Ashley Fornell of Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, received the award for highest-placed amateur rider in the division.

Winning the silver cup for highest-placed United States-bred horse in the six-year-old division was Raison d’Etre (Regulus – Little Doozie by Uzi), bred in Kentucky by Dreamtime Farm, Inc. Ridden by owner Elly Schobel of Williston, South Carolina, the chestnut American Warmblood gelding earned a score of 7.22 for a top five placing in the overall division Championship.

In the five-year-old division, an awe-inspiring and dominating performance from Royal Prince (Rohdiamant – Piri Piri by Prince Thatch) captured not only the Championship honors, but also the highest score of the day—an impressive 9.14. Ridden to victory by Susanne Owen Hassler, the German-bred dark bay Hanoverian stallion is owned by Hilltop Farm, Inc. of Colora, Maryland. In July, Royal Prince represented the United States in the FEI World Breeding Championships in Verden, Germany, capturing fourth place and the highest finish ever by an American-owned horse.

Winning the five-year-old reserve championship with a score of 8.26 was Sir Sinclair (Lord Sinclair I – Krishna by Flemmingh). The bay Dutch Warmblood stallion, bred in the Netherlands, was ridden by Dorie Addy-Crow and is owned by Iron Spring Farm, Inc. of Coatesville, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Katie Stanton of Carmel, Indiana, earned the award for highest-placed amateur rider in the five-year-old division, on her own bay Dutch Warmblood mare Savanna (Jazz – Wanna by Doruto, bred in the Netherlands) with a score of 7.44 and an overall fifth-place finish. With a score of 7.46, the award for highest-placed U.S.-bred horse and fourth-place overall went to Saint Simmon (Rafurstinels- Katouchels by Goodtimes), ridden by Emilee Reed. The bay Dutch Warmblood gelding was bred by Kim Jackson & Hunters Run Stables, and is owned by Lisa Blackmon of Valley View, Texas.
Horses were judged by international officials Axel Steiner (O-USA), Jayne Ayers (I-USA), and Gary Rockwell (C-USA).

The 2004 USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage National Championships were hosted by MSEDA Dressage at the Park and were sponsored by Markel Insurance.

Complete results from the Championships will be posted on the Federation website: http://www.usef.org/content/equestrianSports/disciplines/international/2004-YH-Program.php.


For more information, contact Sarah Lane, Public Relations Manager, at (859) 225-6974 or e-mail [email protected]

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