Dressage trainer Todd Flettrich and his mount, Otto, owned by Cherry Knoll Farm, made their competitive debut in the United States this weekend at the New England Dressage Association's (NEDA) Fall Festival, held September 9-13, in Saugerties, NY. After spending three months in Germany training with Olympic Gold medalist Hubertus Schmidt, Flettrich and Otto returned to Cherry Knoll Farm's Pennsylvania location just one week prior to the Saugerties competition, and went on to win the CDI Grand Prix Special with excellent marks.

Scoring an overall 67.917% for their victory in the grand prix special, Flettrich and Otto proved that their partnership has grown. "It is the best test that I have done with him," Flettrich smiled. "There are a few little things that we still need to work out, and we certainly have room for improvement, but I think that we have made great progress."

"Otto's piaffe and passage were super in the test," Flettrich noted. "I thought that he had absolutely good tension in the ring and I think that we will make a very good team."

The pair's victory is particularly impressive since Flettrich and Otto arrived from Germany just one week before returning to competition. Otto went through quarantine and was just settling in at his Pennsylvania home when he was shipped to New York for the show. Despite a little jetlag, the talented horse and rider returned from Germany ready to win, and their summer of preparation paid off.

Flettrich and Otto will now return to Pennsylvania as they prepare for Dressage at Devon, held September 22-27, at the renowned Devon show grounds. Leading up to Dressage at Devon Flettrich plans to prepare for the musical grand prix freestyle and hopes to qualify for the class with Otto.

Todd Flettrich is based in Wellington, FL, has earned his United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Silver and Gold medals, and is a graduate of the USDF 'L' Judge Program. Flettrich competed at the North American Young Riders Championships (NAYRC) four times and won the Individual Gold medal and Team Silver in 1991. Flettrich served as Region 1 Coach and Chef d'Equipe at NAYRC from 1988 through 1994. His student, Catherine Malone, won the Individual Gold in 2005. Flettrich's current mounts are owned by Cherry Knoll Farm. For more information, call Todd Flettrich at (484) 459-2749.