Friday June 6, 2003

CDI-W Competition Returns to Raleigh's Capital Dressage Classic

After a year as a non-CDI competition due to a date conflict, the CDI is back in Raleigh, NC, this year from May 30-June 1. Competitors and organizers alike are relieved to have the show back on track. Organizer Janine Malone isn’t satisfied that all of the kinks have been worked out, but she is excited that the conflict has been resolved and is looking forward to the future of the show. With plans for a new covered arena at the Hunt Horse Complex it can only get bigger and better.

As the East Coast Final for five- and six-year-old horses, Raleigh was a special occasion on the spring calendar. A qualifier for the World Breeders Young Horse Championships in Verden, Germany this August, the show attracted a top selection of young horses and their riders. Judges included “O” rated Stephen Clarke and Linda Zang, with Zang giving commentaries following each ride.

Winner of the five-year-old horse section with an impressive score of 8.4, Joe Sandven of Fletcher, NC rode his own Rachmaninoff, a Hannoverian gelding by Rubinstein that he purchased in Verden last year. The gelding’s half sister Red Romance, also by Rubinstein, placed second on 8.2 with rider Susan Dutta.

Taking wins in the Grand Prix and small tour classes as well, Dutta went home with a collection of blue ribbons and Swarovski crystal jewelry as well as the coveted Diamond Stud award, a diamond set in onyx lapel pin. Dutta expressed her delight at winning the awards and gratification to the sponsors.

While Dutta hopes to compete in the Pan-American Games with West Side Lady, her small tour star, Sandven is aiming for Verden and says that he hopes to finish in the top five. “The horse is brilliant on his own,” said Sandven. “We’re just getting started.”

Jules Anderson rode Bill and Holly Hains’ six-year-old Hannoverian gelding Fabrice S, by Fabriano out of an Emmerthal mare, to victory with a score of 7.8. The big bay gelding improved exponentially over the weekend and both rider and owners were thrilled with his performance. They are not sure whether they will make the trip to Verden, but the Hains do have big plans for Fabrice S. Holly rode him to third place in last year’s ABIC/USDF regional championships for First level. Having competed up to third level herself, eventually she hopes that he will be her Grand Prix horse.

By Amber Heintzberger

Related Links
Horsesdaily Scoresource: 2003 CDI-W Raleigh
Who's Who: Susan Dutta