Monday February 28, 2005

Young Horses Earn Top Scores at Mid-Winter Dressage Fair

By Charlene Strickland

Across the national levels, young equine stars secured high marks at the Mid-Winter Dressage Fair, Los Angeles Equestrian Center. Horses of the ages five, six, and seven excelled at First and Third Levels—all three ridden by their owners.

Typhoon won three First Level classes Friday and Saturday, for owner/rider David Wightman of Murrieta, California: Test 4 (73.056), Test 3 (72.857), and in his second Test 3, 66.857.

“He is by Havidoff,” said Wightman. “He has tremendous talent.”

When he first saw the youngster as a three-year-old in Holland, “He was probably the best-moving three-year-old I've ever seen,” recalled Wightman. But I thought he was too small—not big enough for me or Kathleen [Raine, his wife].”

Typhoon stands 16 hands as a five-year-old. At his first California show in January 2005, he earned the high score. Wightman added, “Last year we were in Germany five months, and I looked at horses every day. This horse is a rare find.”