Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation® is pleased to announce the United States representatives to the FEI/WBFSH World Breeding Championship for Young Horses in Dressage, to be held August 3-6, 2006 in Verden, Germany.

The results of all three USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Selection Trials were tallied and horses from each age group (five-and six-year-olds) with an average score of at least 7.5 from the two weighted, selection trial classes were ranked to form the USEF/Markel Young Horse Short List. The 2006 Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Central Selection Trial was held May 12-14 in Batavia, OH; the 2006 Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Western Selection Trial was held May 26-28 in Flintridge, CA; and the 2006 Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Eastern Selection Trial was held June 2-4 in Raleigh, NC.

The United States is allowed two horses in each age division to compete in the World Breeding Championship. The following horses and riders have accepted the invitation to compete:

• Big Tyme is a five-year-old bay, Belgian Warmblood gelding (Saros – Elvira by Wenderkreis), bred in Belgium by Worfthoeve 3. He is owned and ridden by Marisa Festerling of Newbury Park, CA. Big Tyme qualified at the Western Selection Trial in Flintridge, CA.

• Unitas is a five-year-old bay, Dutch Warmblood gelding (Niagara – Nellyzora by Harald), bred in the Netherlands. He is owned and ridden by Teresa Butta-Stanton of Glen Burnie, MD. Unitas qualified at the Eastern Selection Trial in Raleigh, NC.

• Currency DC is a six-year-old dark bay, Oldenburg gelding (Clintino – Cinderella by Classiker), bred in Germany. He is owned by Tim Dutta, Inc. out of Thornwood, NY and ridden by Susan Dutta of Wellington, FL. Currency DC qualified at the Eastern Selection Trial in Raleigh, NC

• Brigadier is a six-year-old dark bay, Oldenburg gelding (Batido – Lady Deco by Art Deco), bred in the United States by Page Hinds-Athan out of Kansas. He is owned by Deena Smith of Olathe, KS and ridden by David Wightman of Murrieta, CA. Brigadier qualified at the Western Selection Trial in Flintridge, CA.

The U.S. team of Young Horses will be assisted by Scott Hassler as Chef d’Equipe. Hassler is also the USEF Young Horse Dressage Coach.

For more information about the USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Program, please visit the USEF website at http://www.usef.org/content/equestrianSports/disciplines/international/2004-YH-Program.php or contact Jennifer Keeler, National Director of Dressage at [email protected] or at (859) 225-2024.
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