Saturday, April 9, 2005

2005 Dressage at Equestrian Estates

Jan Brons Tops off Successful Season with High Point Award on Sandro Wein

With four top young horses which competed successfully throughout the Dressage in Florida show season, Jan Brons was his own biggest competitor at the final dressage show of the Palm Beach Derby Series, Dressage at Equestrian Estates, in Loxahatchee, Florida, April 1-3. It seemed every time one would look over the four arenas in full swing throughout the entire weekend, there would be Brons, riding on a different horse. It was on Cherise Gaspar’s 4-year-old Oldenburg, Sandro Wein, by Sandro Hit, Brons set the high point score Friday, in First Level Test 1 with a 76.667%. While many of the scores at all levels were over the 70% mark, no one could topple Sandro Wein’s position, and Gaspar went home with the beautiful Crystal Trophy sponsored by Forge Hill Sculpture.

Gaspar who is from Lexington, Kentucky, and also involved in the thoroughbred industry, saw the horse in Germany at his farm, when she went to attend an auction but he was not for sale. After several days of getting to know his owners, they gave in, “I think it was because they were excited to have him living in Lexington.”

“He is a very talented and smart horse with 3 very nice gaits.” commented Brons, “and I’m glad that all 4 of the young horses did so well during this season.” Elizabeth Schaffner’s 5-year-old KWPN gelding Tornado was the High Point winner at the Derby Kick-Off, as well as a Champion at the Zada Enterprises LLC Florida Dressage Classic. Up to Date, Peter Ruig’s 4-year-old KWPN gelding by Flemming H was First Level Champion at Wellington, and Joli Burrell’s Fino, the elegant 5-year-old Rheinlander gelding by Fidermark, won at second level at all the shows they entered.

But Brons is not just seen in the lower level classes. He recently purchased Jourdan, the handsome black Dutch Warmblood gelding by Elmshorn he has been competing in the Intermediaire II, and Grand Prix, all winter for previous owner and client Karen McKean. Brons will be relocating for the summer, moving to Nashville, Tennessee, where he will continue to develop his young talent with the USEF/Markel Young Horse Championships in Lexington, Kentucky as one of his goals.

Related Links
HorsesDaily 'On the Scene" at Dressage at Equestrian Estates
Jan Brons Sets the Standard at the 2005 Derby Kickoff