The USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Program kicked off 2006 with the first of three official Selection Trials at the CDI Three-Star/Y Cincinnati and Spring Classic I & II, held May 13–15 at Paxton Farm in Batavia, OH. This USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Central Selection Trial for the FEI World Breeding Championships showcased the region’s most promising dressage prospects in their quest to qualify for Verden.

In a new format this year, the Selection Trial competition is comprised of two tests for each age division (Five- and Six-Year-Old): the Preliminary Test and the Finale Test. Held over two days, the Preliminary Test counts 40% towards the overall results, with the Finale Test being the determining factor at 60% of the total. In addition, all horses must have pre-qualified by earning a score of at least 6.8 in a previous Young Horse test in order to contest the Trial, thereby raising the bar for all entrants.

On Day One, the Five-Year-Old Preliminary Test was won by Wolkenwand, a chestnut Hanoverian gelding ridden and owned by Anthea Kin of Mounds, OK, with a score of 7.74. Second was the dark brown Dutch Warmblood stallion Theoden, with a score of 7.22, ridden by Jennifer Conour for owner Phoebe Crane of Whitestown, IN. Angela Hecker-Jackson rode Twilight, a bay Dutch Warmblood mare owned by Barbara Jo Rubin of Troy, IL, to third with a score of 6.82.

With a score of 7.18, the Six-Year-Old division was won by Dark Dream, a black Rhinelander gelding ridden by Natalie Hamilton-Hinnemann and owned by Lisa Alexander of Greenfield, MN. Second was the bay Dutch Warmblood mare Savanna, with a score of 6.84. Savanna is owned and ridden by Katie Stanton of Westfield, IN, who graduated from the top ranks of the five-year-old division last year.

The Finale Test on Day Two yielded similar results, except for the unfortunate scratch of five-year-old Wolkenwand. Stepping up to win the class was Conour and Theoden with a test score of 7.3, thereby finishing with an overall combined average score of 7.27 to claim the Five-Year-Old Selection Trial Championship. The Reserve Championship was taken by Twilight and Hecker-Jackson with 7.2 for the test and an overall score of 7.05.

In the Six-Year-Old division, placings mirrored the first day as Dark Dream and Hamilton-Hinnemann claimed the Selection Trial Championship with a Finale Test score of 7.3, yielding a 7.25 overall. Stanton and her Savanna improved upon their first ride with a 7.1 test to win the reserve championship with a 6.98 overall score.

Complete CDI and national competition results are available by visiting www.dressageshowinfo.com/Paxton.htm. For more information regarding the USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Program, please visit www.usef.org/content/equestrianSports/disciplines/international/2004-YH-Program.php.
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