Wednesday June 8, 2005

Royal Prince Reigns Again in the USEF/Markel Eastern Selection Trial at CDI Raleigh

Susan Dutta and Currency DC Dominate 5-year old Division

In the Championship for five-year-olds, six horses competed in the test that asks for the equivalent training of a high first level test.

The highlight of the weekend for Susan Dutta was taking home the Championship for five-year-old horses riding Currency DC, by Clintino out of Cinderella, an Oldenburg gelding that she purchased from her husband Tim’s business partner, Guido Klatte. Their overall score of 8.0 was tied with Hokan Thorn on Donegal, (Davignport x Guadalupe), but since she also won on Friday, the championship was hers.

The judges commented that both horses have the quality to compete at the world championships, but that they are very different types. “This horse and Hokan’s horse are like the difference between blondes and brunettes,” they said.

“He used to be very naughty,” said Dutta of the handsome bay gelding, “but now he is the sanest horse in my stable.” This was only the second show for the young gelding, who also competed at Sandhills Dressage in Pinehurst, NC. “He has just settled into himself,” she said. “He has a lovely character; he’s sweet in the barn and nice to ride and he learns very fast.”