Isabelle Leibler and Watson 108 National Young Rider Dressage Championships. Photo: SusanJStickle.com.
Leibler (Greenwich, CT) scored 68.700 on the 14-year-old Westphalian gelding, just behind Simona Aeberhard, representing Switzerland.
"The competition was absolutely amazing," Leibler said. "Watson and I rode another clean test, and I am so proud of the way he handled the whole week. Between the electric atmosphere, the crowds, and the bright concert hall, riding a clean kur in a place like the festhalle was one of the most
amazing feelings of my dressage career. As I came down the final centerline, I thought to myself that I would never forget this moment. Watson truly gave me his heart and soul this weekend, and for that I
owe him everything."
Leibler and Watson 108 were invited to represent the U.S. at the 2011 Finals after posting the highest average in the FEI Young Rider Freestyle Test at CDI-Y's during the qualifying period. This pair landed in Germany after a strong 2011 campaign that included winning a team Bronze medal and two Gold medals, individual and freestyle, at the Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Riders Championships presented by Gotham North. Additionally, they were crowned National Young Rider Dressage Champions at the 2011 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Championships.
The FEI Young Rider World Cup Dressage Final was held in conjunction with the Internationales Festhallen Reitturnier Frankfurt December 14-18 in Frankfurt, Germany. Fourteen horse-and-rider combinations from around the world competed.
Leibler placed 10th in Friday's Individual Test, allowing her to move on to Sunday's B Final.
For the complete results, visit: http://eventcontent.hippoonline.de/648/docs/erg21.pdf.
Keep up with Leibler's preparation and performance at the 2011 FEI Young Rider World Cup Dressage Final regularly visit: http://www.usefnetwork.com/blogs/equestrianUSA/read.aspx.
ENDS