Craig Stanley rode the 5-year-old U.S.-bred "Caliente DG" to victory in the opening round of the Markel/USEF Western Dressage Selection Trial on the first day of competition at the Dressage at Flintridge CDI*/Y/J. (Jennifer M. Keeler)

Burbank, CA - A small but talented group of young horses contested the opening round of the Markel/USEF Western Dressage Selection Trial, part of the Dressage at Flintridge CDI*/Y/J in La Cañada-Flintridge, CA.  Judges Lilo Fore (4* USA), Lois Yukins (4* USA), and Jane Weatherwax (4* USA) liked what they saw.  "We were very impressed with the quality of these horses," noted Yukins. 

In the Five-Year-Old Preliminary Test, Craig Stanley rode Brenda Linman's U.S.-bred Dutch Warmblood mare "Caliente DG" (OO Seven x Satina by Contango, bred by DG Bar Breeders Inc.) to victory with a score of 8.40.  Following closely in second with 8.12 was "Regalo", an Oldenburg gelding (Rosario x Dandielle by Nandino, bred in Germany by U. Henschke) ridden by Lientje Schueller for owner Pinky Roberts.  In the Six-Year-Olds, multiple young horse division winner and defending Selection Trial Champion "Sanceo" was uncontested in his pursuit of yet another title.  The elegant Hanoverian stallion (San Remo x Rivera by Ramiro's Son II, owned by Alice Homble-Heitman) was expertly presented by Sabine Schut-Kery to an impressive score of 8.70.  For both age groups, these initial scores will count towards 40% of overall Selection Trial rankings when combined with tomorrow's Final Test scores.

Fresh off wins at last weekend's CDI in Woodside, CA, Mette Rosencrantz continued her winning ways in today's Prix St. Georges class.  By earning a score of 69.123% and the blue ribbon with Anne Solbraekke's Danish Warmblood gelding "Mosegaards Rico" (Robin x Maritza by Diamant), Rosencrantz hopes to be well on her way to the USEF Festival of Champions in Gladstone, NJ next month.  Finishing second with 66.184% was "Vindicator" (Dutch Warmblood gelding by OO Seven), owned and ridden by Barbi Breen-Gurley.

In the hotly-contested CDI Young Rider division, Brandi Roenick (USA) rode Steffen Peters' Pan American Gold Medal-winning partner "Weltino's Magic" (Westphalian gelding Weltino x Diva by Diamond Boy, owned by Jen Hlavacek) to a winning score of 70.658% in the Team Test, followed by Laura Price (USA) earning 68.728% with Joan Cvengros' "Grand Makana" (12-year-old Hanoverian gelding [Goodman x Waidwerk]).  Meanwhile, Cassidy Gallman (USA) topped the field of CDI Junior Riders by riding "Woden" (1998 Hanoverian gelding, Weltmeyer x Derby by Ankum) to a score of 63.514%, with Becca Hess (USA) and Rebecca Raede's Swedish gelding "Ramazotti 75" (by Master) placing second with 61.982%.

Following a full day of competition, exhibitors enjoyed a lovely wine and cheese reception 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.

Complete results are available at this link http://www.cornerstonedressage.com/show_results.asp.