The USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Program continued this past weekend with the second of three official Selection Trials at Dressage at Flintridge, held May 27–29, at the beautiful Flintridge Riding Club in La Canada Flintridge, CA. This USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Western Selection Trial for the FEI World Breeding Championships showcased the Western 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 the first day of Selection Trial competition, the Five-Year-Old Preliminary Test was won by Grand Makana, a chestnut Hanoverian gelding ridden by Laurie Doyle of Escondido, CA, and owned by Joan Cvengros of San Juan Capistrano, CA, with a score of 7.82. Second was the dark bay Oldenburg gelding, Brigadier (7.62), ridden by David Wightman of Murrieta, CA, for Deena Smith of Olathe, KS. Wightman also rode his own bay Dutch Warmblood gelding, Typhoon, to a close third with a score of 7.60.

The six-year-old division was won by Luminence, a grey Oldenburg gelding owned by Mary Contakos of Moorpark, CA, and ridden to a score of 7.70 by Hilda Gurney. Second was the brown Danish Warmblood gelding, Asterios, (6.68) owned and ridden by Charlotte Jorst of Reno, NV. Immediately following in third with a score of 6.66 was Oxsana, a grey American Holsteiner mare ridden by Carrie Rollins of Villa Park, CA, for owner Barbara Haney of San Juan Capistrano, CA.

The Finale Test on Day Two provided some upsets in placings for both age divisions. However, Doyle and Grand Makana sealed the Five-Year-Old Western Selection Trial Championship with a test score of 7.84 for an overall score of 7.832. Stepping up to claim the reserve championship was Typhoon, overtaking his stablemate, Brigadier, with a test score of 7.74 and a resulting 7.684 average overall.

In the six-year-old division, Luminence and Gurney continued to dominate the division with a solid test score of 7.64, resulting in 7.664 overall to win the Six-Year-Old Western Selection Trial Championship. Rollins and Oxsana improved from the Preliminary Test to score a 6.78 in the Finale, thereby clinching the reserve championship with a 6.732 overall, with Asterios placing third.

Complete results are available by visiting www.cornerstonedressage.com. For more information regarding the USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Program, please visit www.usef.org/content/equestrianSports/disciplines/international/2004-YH-Program.php.~~~