The USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Program continued this past weekend with the third of three official Selection Trials at CDI Three-Star/Y Raleigh and Capital Dressage Classic, held June 3–5 in Raleigh, NC. This USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Eastern Selection Trial for the FEI World Breeding Championships showcased the Eastern 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 Currency DC, a dark bay Oldenburg gelding ridden by Susan Dutta and owned by Tim Dutta, Inc., of Thornwood, NY, with a score of 8.6. Second was the bay Hanoverian gelding, Donegal, (7.56) ridden by Hokan Thorn of Quinque, VA, for Joanne Balling of Barboursville, VA. Claudia Tarlov of Colchester, CT, rode her own grey Dutch Warmblood gelding Taptoe to third with a score of 7.30.

Sir Sinclair won the day in the six-year-old division. The bay Dutch Warmblood stallion owned by Iron Spring Farm, Inc., of Coatesville, PA, was ridden to a score of 8.50 by Dorie Addy-Crow. Second was the dark bay Hanoverian stallion, Royal Prince, (8.1) owned by Hilltop Farm, Inc., in Colora, MD, and ridden by Susanne Hassler. Following in third with a score of 7.34 was Golden Choice DC, a chestnut Hanoverian mare ridden by Susan Dutta for Tim Dutta, Inc.

The Finale Test on Day 2 secured the Five-Year-Old Eastern Selection Trial Championship for Currency DC and Susan Dutta, with a test score of 8.0 yielding an overall average of 8.24. Claiming the reserve championship was Donegal and Thorn, with a test score of 7.90 and a resulting 7.764 average overall. Stepping up for third was Jan Brons and Tornado, a chestnut Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Elizabeth Schaffner of Aquebogue, NY, with a score of 7.8 for 7.584 overall.

In the six-year-old division, Royal Prince and Hassler overtook the lead with a Finale Test score of 8.9, resulting in 8.58 overall to win the Six-Year-Old Eastern Selection Trial Championship. Addy-Crow and Sir Sinclair finished a very close second with an 8.4, clinching the reserve championship with a 8.44 overall, with Susan Dutta and Golden Choice DC placing third with 7.4 and 7.376 overall.

The official USEF/Markel Young Horse Short List has now been ranked and is posted on the USEF website. From this list, invitations for U.S. representatives to the World Breeding Championships will be determined. For complete Selection Trial results and Short List information, please visit the USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Program page at www.usef.org/content/equestrianSports/disciplines/international/2004-YH-Program.php.


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