Gladstone, NJ – Newlywed sweethearts Shannon and Steffen Peters wowed fans with their strong, smooth performances Wednesday, finishing side by side in first and second place respectively, during the first phase of the 2005 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Intermediaire I Dressage Championship, presented by Paul Miller Auto Group, Inc. Shannon rode Luxor (1993 Dutch Warmblood gelding) to a final score of 71.85% in the USEF Prix St. Georges, just a few tenths of a point ahead of 1996 Olympic Team Bronze medalist and 2004 Olympic alternate Steffen, who was awarded a 71.50% on Marlando (1999 Dutch Warmblood gelding).

“He settled in and it felt great,” said Shannon of her ride with Luxor. The Michigan native who now makes her home in San Diego had never before competed in a national championship—and was thrilled to be sharing the experience, along with her first trip to Gladstone, New Jersey, with the love of her life—her coach, Steffen Peters.

“I thought his ride was incredible,” she said of Steffen, wiping away tears and smiling. “Everything was very fluid and supple. It was amazing.”

“It goes both ways,” Steffen added. “She has a great way with horses. It’s really about great teamwork and that’s what makes it fun.”

That teamwork produced an equally noteworthy ride from Steffen and Marlando. “He was much more relaxed than usual today,” Steffen continued. “I could actually ride him a little. Usually, I have to slow him down and hold him back. When he’s relaxed, we have fun.”

Newcomer Jane Hannigan, of Harvard, Massachusetts, rounded out the top three, riding Maksymilian (1994 KWPN Dutch Warmblood gelding) to a 69.60%. “I’m really lucky to be here,” she beamed. “I’m nobody from Massachusetts and I don’t even have a coach. When I qualified, I said ‘I’m going to Gladstone!’ just like somebody would say ‘I’m going to Disney World!’”

So far, the hit-and-miss weather is holding steady in New Jersey, with light showers making way for a few rays of sunshine. Wednesday’s competition, the USEF Prix St. Georges, will account for 35% of each rider’s final Championship score. The next leg of the competition, the USEF Intermediaire I, will account for 45% of the overall score and will start at 10:00 a.m. on Friday. This will be followed by the USEF Intermediaire I Freestyle at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, which will account for the final 20% of the overall score.

Results for USEF Prix St. Georges, June 16, 2005
First of three classes in the 2005 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Intermediaire I Dressage Championship, Presented by Paul Miller Auto Group, Inc.

1. Shannon Peters of San Diego, CA, riding Luxor (1993 Dutch Warmblood gelding), 71.85%
2. Steffen Peters of San Diego, CA, riding Marlando (1999 Dutch Warmblood gelding), 71.50%
3. Jane Hannigan of Harvard, MA, riding Maksymilian (1994 KWPN Dutch Warmblood gelding), 69.60%
4. Heather Bender of Loxahatchee, FL, riding Winwood (1995 Hanoverian gelding), 67.80%
5. Charlotte Bredahl Baker of Solvang, CA, riding Eskada (1997 Dutch Warmblood gelding), 67.80%
6. Melissa Taylor Yee of Wellington, FL, riding Schumacker Solyst (1994 KWPN Dutch Warmblood gelding), 67.15%
7. Jennifer Schrader of Roy, WA, riding HS Wistar (1996 Hungarian stallion), 66.05%
8. Betsy Steiner of Wellington, FL, riding Diamore (1996 Danish mare), 65.90%
9. Silke Rembacz of Flemington, NJ, riding Millenium (1994 Dutch Warmblood gelding), 65.85%
10. Anne Gribbons of Brentwood, NJ, riding Alazan (1995 Swedish Warmblood gelding), 63.70%
11. Alison Sader Larson of Shoreview, MN, riding Legretto (1997 Hanoverian gelding), 62.80%
12. Lindsay Koffler of Lexington, KY, riding Alfredo (1991 Hanoverian gelding), 61.30%