Monday April 7, 2003

2003 Dressage at Equestrian Estates

Doss Turns Around her Weekend

Brooke Doss, from Charlotte, NC started out the weekend with a rocky test on her own gelding Westcott when he decided that a rough patch of sand in the arena was a dragon and that he wouldn’t go near it, even though they were competing in the Prix. St. George level Pan-American Games qualifying test. Luckily the next day Westcott redeemed himself by scoring 70.083% and placing third in the Intermediaire 1 qualifier, behind Tara Stegen and New Tango (71.083%) and Arlene Page and Wild One (70.667%).

Last year Westcott won the BLM I-2 Championships and in 2001 he was the BLM Prix St. George Champion. He was also ranked 13th in the US in 2002. Doss credits her work with Lars Peterson this season with helping her prepare for the selection trials, which she said has helped to solidify Westcott’s presentation in the small tour.

It was with Marcy Wright’s 8-year-old KWPN gelding Nambe (Pinnocchio x Amelusiana) that Doss really excelled this weekend, however, winning 2nd level test with the second-highest score of the entire show, a 76.8%.

Nambe, who was imported by Wright and started by Manfred Lewis, spent about a year relaxing at Wright’s farm in Tryon, NC before Doss put him back into work and started showing him last year. The pair won the BLM Championship for First level in 2001 and have been steadily improving since then.

“In July he was coming off a break, had no muscle and was weak behind,” said Doss. “His natural gaits are wonderful but he had no strength to maintain the connection. He was really loose in his movement so it was hard to stabilize him for several months. We nicknamed him Gumbi!”

Developing the horse carefully and with patience in all three gaits, Doss focused on the basics to bring Nambe back into form. “He loves his work when he’s confident,” said Doss. “He can get easily frustrated but as soon he can handle it and understands, he really gets into it. I’m looking forward to feeling him develop in the future.”

Doss’ parents, Ann and Bill, spent the weekend visiting from North Carolina and acting as their daughter’s support team. “It’s a special weekend because they’re here,” said Brooke.

She also mentioned that Wright is a supportive owner whose commitment to her horse is encouraging. “She supports us as a team and gives us time to take things slowly before going further,” she said. “She’s very patient.”

Her partnership with Nambe is important to Doss, and she noted that a comment from judge Lilo Fore was especially meaningful to her. “She said, ‘I appreciate this horse’s confidence in you as a rider,’” said Doss. “That recognition of our partnership by a judge of her caliber means a lot to me.”

Doss felt that Nambe’s overall connection and throughness had improved and that she was able to maintain this better than ever. “That enhanced his medium trot and canter and his ability to carry it over his back and stay solid into his stride,” she said. “Also, he was enthusiastic throughout the test and that he stayed consistent in this kind of environment was encouraging.”