Burbank, CA — R-E-S-P-E-C-T. That’s exactly what Debbie McDonald earned from officials, competitors and spectators alike as she rode Brentina to victory in the 2005 U.S. Grand Prix Freestyle Championship and U.S. League Final in Burbank, California this weekend. Strutting through a freestyle program to the sound of Aretha Franklin, Olympic Team Bronze medalist McDonald and Brentina earned the winning score of 77.975% and a standing ovation in defending her 2004 title.

Riding her stallion Kingston, Leslie Morse claimed the second World Cup spot by scoring a 75.775%. Using powerful music from “Pirates of the Caribbean,” Morse’s freestyle perfectly suited Kingston’s style and presence. Placing third in the League Final was Olympic Team Bronze medalist Guenter Seidel and Aragon. The pair finished with a 74.425%.
Top ranked Debbie McDonald, 2004 Olympic Team Bronze medalist, will join 2004 Olympic Team alternate Leslie Morse, in moving on to the 2005 FEI World Cup Dressage Final presented by Offield Farms, scheduled for April 20-24 in Las Vegas. Rounding out the Olympic repeat, the FEI has granted the United States two wild cards. Those will go to 2004 Olympic Team Bronze medalists Guenter Seidel and Robert Dover. Dover will be taking his Olympic horse, FBW Kennedy.

~~~For more information, please contact Sarah Lane, Public Relations Manager at (859) 225-6974 or via email at [email protected]. USEF press releases are available on our web site – www.usef.org.