Tuesday, May 17, 2005

Jane Cleveland and Kavalier Share Winner Circle with Lindsay Koffler and Alfredo

If there was ever a good example as to how a dedicated dressage rider can ride successfully and have another life, it was clearly demonstrated at the Paxton Farm CDI*** in the FEI Prix St George/Intermediaire division, with the top two placed riders Jane Cleveland and Lindsay Koffler.

Cleveland gets up each morning before the sun to ride her first horse at 6:30, so she can be in her office by 8:30 where she works as a real estate investment advisor for the Turner Family, founders of the Dollar General Stores. It doesn’t hurt that part of the real estate planning includes Green Pastures Farm, in Nashville, Tennessee, where Cleveland rides and trains, but she puts in a full day in a suit and heels, before getting back to the stables to ride her second horse. Cleveland who can only manage to come to Florida for a few key shows, trains with Jan Brons, and has arranged for him to spend the summer based out of her Nashville location.

Even though she is truly an amateur rider, Cleveland gave up her amateur status, as she prefers to challenge her efforts and her two talented horses Kavalier and Enigma, riding in the Open and FEI classes. At the Paxton Farm CDI*** held May 14-15, 2005, the challenge paid off, as Cleveland and her beautiful grey Trakehner gelding, Kavalier (by Amatcho out of Kandice by Erzsand) won the Intermediaire I (67.250) , and Intermediaire Freestyle (69.833). One of the pioneers for the United States, Cleveland and Kavalier were the highest placed American with Kavalier at the 2002 World Young Dressage Horse Championships in Verden, placing 10th in the toughest International arena for young horses.

For Lindsay Koffler, a full time college student, exams came first, taking up most of her time leading up to the show, which was also why she was not quite ready to present her musical freestyle on Sunday. Koffler, who is from Lexington, Kentucky, also began her internship at Spindle Top Hall, located directly across from the Kentucky Horse Park.

Although at 21 years old, Koffler could still compete again at the North American Young Riders’ Championships, she like Cleveland prefers a bigger challenge, and has moved her talented and sensitive Hannoverian, Alfredo (by Akzent I) into the Prix St George/Intermediaire I arena.

Koffler, who has been training with George Williams “whenever we can get together”, led the victory gallop for the Prix St George Class, winning it with a 67.167%.

On The Scene at the Paxton Farm CDI*** - For results, photos, and coverage as it grows.