In addition to excellent open and FEI competition across a variety of levels, Dressage at Flintridge will host the Markel/USEF Young Horse Western Selection Trial for the FEI/WBFSH World Breeding Championships in Verden, Germany. As one of only three nationwide Selection Trials to select representatives to represent the U.S. at the World Championships in August, these classes will showcase some of the best young dressage horse talent the country has to offer, including the elegant "Sanceo" (San Remo x Rivera by Ramiro's Son II, owned by Alice Homble-Heitman). To be presented by longtime partner Sabine Schut-Kery, the now six-year-old Hanoverian stallion will seek to defend his Selection Trial division championship, which he won at Flintridge in the five-year-old division last year.
Fresh off wins at last weekend's CDI in Woodside, CA, Mette Rosencrantz will be looking to secure an invitation to next month's USEF Festival of Champions in the Intermediaire I division with Anne Solbraekke's Danish Warmblood gelding "Mosegaards Rico", but will have to contend with California Dressage Society Champion Rebecca Rigdon riding her own Holsteiner mare "Solei", as well as the experienced Barbi Breen-Gurley on "Vindicator". In the CDI Young Rider division, competition will be downright fierce as twelve horse/rider combinations will fight for the blue ribbons, including Brandi Roenick. With her exciting new partner in Pan American Gold Medal-winning "Weltino's Magic" (Westphalian gelding owned by Jen Hlavacek), Roenick will seek valuable scores to possibly qualify the pair to represent the U.S. at this fall's FEI Young Rider World Cup in Germany.
Adding to the show festivities will be a pizza party on Thursday afternoon (sponsored by the Hanoverian Verband), as well as a wine and cheese welcome reception on Friday sponsored by the innovative online competition and clinic website, HorseShow.com. On Saturday night, the highlight of the weekend will be Flintridge's annual tradition: this year's "Red, White & Blue Musical Evening" will feature musical freestyles, special exhibitions, live music, great food, and fun for all ages.
Dressage at Flintridge CDI*/Y/J is an official qualifying competition for the FEI/WBFSH World Breeding Championships, in addition to the USEF Festival of Champions (Pony Rider, Junior, Young Rider, Brentina Cup, and Intermediare I divisions); FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships; Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program; and the USEF Developing Horse division (sponsored by Dutta & PSI). In addition, a myriad of special awards will be presented, including Markel High-Point coolers and Flintridge Riding Club perpetual trophies.
General admission to Dressage at Flintridge is free. For a complete time schedule, results, and press releases for each day of competition, visit www.cornerstonedressage.com.