Lexington, KY – US dressage Young Rider Kassandra Barteau placed ninth in the Individual test at the FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final for Young Riders in Frankfurt, Germany on Friday, December 18.

Riding GP Raymeister, a 10-year-old Holsteiner stallion owned by Grand Prix Equestrian and Ginna Frantz, the 21-year-old from Maple Park, IL is contesting her first FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final for Young Riders. She improved on her 10th place position in the Team test – to go forward to Saturday’s Freestyle with a score of 65.211%. The Freestyle is split into two groups and Barteau will ride Saturday evening in the ‘B Group’.

“Today's test was better than yesterday,” said Barteau after her ride. “But I had an unfortunate break in the trot extension and some unsteady pirouettes. I am very proud of Raymeister, he was relaxed and confident.”

Lotje Schoote won the Individual test with a score of 71.263%. Riding for The Netherlands, Schoote rode Torricelli in a very polished effort to take the top spot in an incredibly close competition between the top three riders.

Barteau, the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Young Rider Dressage Champion from 2008 and 2009, and the Gold Medalist in the Freestyle at the 2009 Adequan FEI North American Junior/Young Rider Championships, is one of the rising stars in the US Dressage program.

"This trip has been such a great learning experience,” said Barteau. “I am learning so much just by being here and seeing the best young riders in the world. I am thankful to have a great support team with me here in Germany and it has been an exciting opportunity."

ENDS

For more information about the FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final for Young Riders, please visit: www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsDisciplines/discipline/allDressage/wcYoungRiders.aspx.