Susan Treabess and Kamiakin at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Photo (C) SusanJStickle.com

Rancho Murieta, CA - June 13, 2015 - The Golden State Dressage Classic CPEDI3* kicked off on Friday with the Para-Equestrian Dressage Team Tests followed by Saturday's Individual Tests. Eleven horse and rider combinations competed in Grades Ia, Ib, II, III, and IV in Rancho Murieta, CA. It was a warm day Friday for riders and horses with the thermostat reaching over 100 degrees fahrenheit, but the Murieta Equestrian Center offered both a covered warm-up and competition arena for the riders allowing them to focus on the competition. Saturday, June 13, continued with the Individual Tests resulting in the United States earning the Team blue over Canada. U.S. Grade IV rider and 2010 and 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) athlete Susan Treabess (Winters, CA) and Kamiakin excelled over the two days earning a 70.079% in the Team Test followed by a 69.563% in the Individual Test. Grade III rider Lara Oles (Heber City, Utah) and her new mount Bella also earned commendable scores over both days. Ashleigh Flores-Simmons (USA) and her partner Binero earned first place both days on Binero in Grade II and Cambry Kaylor (USA) and Markgaards Donnewind traded blue for red against Laurietta Oakleaf (USA) in Grade Ib. 2014 WEG athlete Roxanne Trunnell had leading scores over both days in Grade Ia with Royal Dancer and NTEC Daytona Beach in Grade Ia finishing the Individual Test on Royal Dancer with a 72.319%. Scheduled June 11-14, 2015, the Golden State Dressage Classic features top international dressage competition. Para-Dressage riders will continue competing with the Freestyle Test on Sunday, June 14. The FEI Ground Jury includes Carlos Lopes (POR) 5*, Anne Prain (FRA) 5*, and David Schmutz (USA) 4*. Although this CPEDI3* is not a qualifier for the 2016 Rio Paralympics they are FEI shows where riders may earn their FEI Certificate of Capability. U.S. Team riders led by U.S. Chef d'Equipe Kai Handt included Susan Treabess and Kamiakin (Grade IV), Kate Shoemaker and Pacific M (Grade III), Laurietta Oakleaf and Niekele Fan Busenitz (Grade Ib), and Roxie Trunnell and Royal Dancer (Grade Ia).

Grade IV rider and 2010 and 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. athlete,  Susan Treabess (Winters, CA) had a top performance in the Team Test earning a 70.079%. The duo of Treabess and the 2005 Pura Raza Espanol Stallion Kamiakin have been competing in able-bodied and para-dressage competitions all year and have had numerous successes along the way. Treabess is looking forward to Sunday's Freestyle competition.

Treabess noted, "I'm absolutely thrilled with my rides and even more so with Kam. He's really come on in the months since the WEG and I'm so happy it translated to the ring. He's maturing to a point where he's confident and powerful and he's really become a great partner. Our next steps are to show him Prix St Georges and Intermediaire I throughout the summer to confirm him at FEI. I'm so excited about him, he's a blast to ride and a cool horse to be around. His future is bright."

Grade III rider Lara Oles (USA) of Heber City, Utah and her new partner Bella, a Canadian Sport Horse, earned the blue both days with a 68.991% in the Team Test followed by a top score in the Individual Test. Kate Shoemaker (Glendale, AZ) earned the second place with her own Pacifec M followed by Canadians Tristiana Allwood and Rufus and Sara Cummings and West Bay in 4th place both days.

Lara Oles commented, "The past two days have been like a dream come true.  This is our first CDI and Bella has been amazing.  After we won the Grade lll Team Test, I cried when they played the National Anthem; I was so overwhelmed.  I feel like everything that has ever happened in my life has led me to this one defining moment.  The past three years since I started competing in Para Dressage have been my happiest yet. I look forward to the future with my Team  including Annie Sweet ,my trainer,  my "manager" husband, Dan Oles, and my extraordinary Canadian Warmblood mare, Bella.  Thank you to all my sponsors, I couldn't be here without them."

In Grade II, Ashleigh Flores-Simmons and new horse Danish Warmblood Binero, owned by Brie Simmons of Elk Grove, CA, earned the blue both days followed by Canadian Jennifer McKenzie with Lexington Star Brite. Flores-Simmons began her Para-Dressage journey on an Arabian and in three years is now aiming at the 2016 Paralympics with her high performance horse Binero.

Young Rider Cambry Kaylor (USA) and Markgaards Donnewind  earned the blue in Grade Ib on Friday. Markgaards Donnewind is a Danish Warmblood formerly shown by Denmark Para-Dressage rider Malene Hoj Sommerlund. Laurietta Oakleaf (USA) with Fresian Stallion Niekele Fan Busenitz, owned by Laura McGinnis of Loxahatchee, FL, took home first place in the Grade Ib Individual Test.

2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games rider Roxanne Trunnell earned outstanding scores with Royal Dancer, owned by  Julia Handy of Wylie, TX. and Trunnell's own Westphalian mare NTEC Daytona Beach in Grade Ia. Trunnell improved on her Team Test and scored a 72.319% with Royal Dancer.

Riders will have an opportunity on Sunday to showcase their Freestyles on the final day of the Golden State Dressage Classic CPEDI3*.


Results:

June 12, 2015
Golden State Dressage Classic CPEDI3* Rancho Murieta, CA
Team Test

Grade IV
1. Susan Treabess (USA) and Kamiakin  70.079%

Grade III
1. Lara Oles (USA) and Bella  68.991%
2. Kate Shoemaker (USA) and Pacifec M 67.412%
3. Tristiana Allwood (CAN) and Rufus 61.009%
4. Sarah Cummings (CAN) and West Bay 55.307%

Grade II
1.Ashleigh Flores-Simmons (USA) and Binero 67.206%
2.  Jennifer McKenzie (CAN) and Lexington Star Brite 64.216%

Grade Ib
1. Camby Kaylor (USA) and Markgaards Donnewind 62.400%
2. Laurietta Oakleaf (USA) and Niekele Fan Busenitz 61.933%

Grade Ia
1. Roxanne Trunnell (USA) Royal Dancer 68.913%
2. Roxanne Trunnell (USA) NTEC Daytona Beach 67.899%


June 13, 2015
Golden State Dressage Classic CPEDI3* Rancho Murieta, CA
Individual Test

Grade IV
1. Susan Treabess (USA) and Kamiakin 69.563%

Grade III
1. Lara Oles (USA) and Bella 66.870%
2. Kate Shoemaker (USA) and Pacifec M 65.447%
3. Tristiana Allwood (CAN) and Rufus 60.732%
4. Sarah Cummings (CAN) and West Bay 56.341%

Grade II
1. Ashleigh Flores-Simmons (USA) and Binero 68.857%
2. Jennifer McKenzie (CAN) and Lexington Star Brite 60.952%

Grade Ib
1. Laurietta Oakleaf (USA) and Niekele Fan Busenitz 63.391%
2. Camby Kaylor (USA) and Markgaards Donnewind 60.747%

Grade Ia
1. Roxanne Trunnell (USA) Royal Dancer 72.319%
2. Roxanne Trunnell (USA) NTEC Daytona Beach 67.681%

Following the Golden State Dressage Classic will be two USEF High Performance Events for Para-Dressage and Para-Driving. June 14-16, 2015, 8am-5pm is the  USEF High Performance West Coast Para Equestrian Dressage Symposium Develop the Coach Program for Coaches and Selected High Performance Riders in Rancho Murieta, CA. Clinicians: Kai Handt (USEF Chef D' Equipe in Para-Dressage), Carlos Lopes (5* FEI Para Equestrian Dressage Judge). Click here for more information.

On June 15-16, 2015 9:00 AM - USEF High Performance West Coast Para Equestrian Driving Clinic for Coaches and High Performance Drivers occurs. All levels welcome from Novice to Advanced and there is no fee. Those interested may borrow a horse and carriage or use their own. Clinicians include Hardy Zantke and Diane Kastama. USEF Para-Driving will be providing full tuition. Click here for more information.

For more information about the Golden State Dressage Classic CPEDI3* please visit http://www.goldenstatedressage.com or contact Connie Davenport at [email protected].