Compiègne, France – After two days of strong performances at the 2019 FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ France, The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team comprised of Katherine Bateson-Chandler, Heather Blitz, Shelly Francis, Nick Wagman, and led by U.S. Dressage Development Coach Charlotte Bredahl as Chef d’ Equipe for the Compiègne CDIO5*, finished third out of seven international teams with 51 points. Great Britain won the Nations Cup with 24 points, followed by Sweden in second on 27 points.
“We are thrilled with how this team has performed. They all rode very well and it is always a lot more pressure to be part of a team. It is a great way to start out our competition season in Europe,” said Charlotte Bredahl, Chef d’ Equipe and U.S. Dressage Development Coach. “Thank you to The Dutta Corporation, US Equestrian, USET Foundation, and all of our horse owners, personal coaches, grooms, and all other supporters.”
Riding as anchor, Shelly Francis (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Danilo, Patricia Stempel’s 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding, led the team to a podium finish earning a 71.478% for an individual top-10 placing in the Grand Prix. They continued their time in Compiègne with Sunday’s Freestyle, producing a beautiful ride that was awarded a 79.610% for third place.
Katherine Bateson-Chandler (Wellington, Fla.) and Alcazar, Jane Clark’s 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, produced a solid Grand Prix test earning a score of 70.196% on the first day of competition. The duo later showcased lovely work in the extended trot – but an unfortunate mistake in the temp changes to earn a 70.043%.
Heather Blitz (Wellington, Fla.) and Semper Fidelis, Rowan O’Riley’s 13-year-old Oldenburg mare, was the first U.S. pair to go in the Grand Prix. Presenting a calm and collective ride, Blitz and Semper Fidelis were awarded a 67.435%. The pair closed-out their weekend with the Freestyle, finishing on a final score of 69.830%.
Nick Wagman (San Diego, Calif.) and Don John, Beverly Gepfer’s 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, earned a 69.783% in the Grand Prix. Wagman’s Grand Prix Special test was precise and focused, earning them a final score of 71.404%, a personal best.
U.S. Dressage European Young Rider Tour
Compiègne CDI-Y proved to be a successful outing for U.S. Dressage European Young Riders Tour athletes Ben Ebeling, Callie Jones, and Kayla Kadlubek. The Tour, led by U.S. Dressage Youth Coach George Williams, is linked to the Discover Dressage™ USEF/USDF Emerging Athlete Program, and an opportunity for the athletes to gain experience in a team competition format abroad. With Williams at the helm, all three Tour athletes finished in the top five in the CDI-Y Individual Test.
Ben Ebeling (Moorpark, Calif.) and Illuster van de Kampert, Nuvolari Holdings, LLC’s 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, earned a 68.333% in the Prix St. Georges and 64.069% in the Individual Test. Ebeling and direct reserve horse Behlinger, the 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Amy Roberts Ebeling, Ann Romney, and Elizabeth Meyer, earned a 68.039% in the Prix St. Georges, a 70.049% in the Individual for the highest placed U.S. rider, and a 66.692% in the Freestyle.
Callie Jones (Henderson, Ky.) and Don Philippo, her 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding, produced three confident tests earning a 71.225% in the Prix St. Georges, a 69.559% in the Individual Test, and 73.042% in the Freestyle for a third place finish.
Kayla Kadlubek (Fairfax Station, Va.) and Perfect Step, Dressage4kids, Inc.’s 18-year-old Hanoverian gelding, rode three consistent tests earning a 68.039% in the Prix St. Georges, a 69.559% in the Individual, and 69.692% in the Freestyle.
The Tour concludes with the CDIO-Y Hagen, June 11-16, 2019.
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The USEF International High Performance Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, USOC, and USEF sponsors and members.