Tuesday, Septeber 13, 2005

USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Championships Final Presents the Horses For the Future

Brigadeer and David Wightman Highest American Bred 5-Year-Old

Deena Smith of Olath, Kansas was with her horse Brigadier when he was born at the home of his breeder Page Hinds-Athan. Sired by Batido, the legendary stallion earned the 1995 USET Pan American Silver Medal with Guenter Seidel, then placed high in the Intermediaire rankings with Kathleen Raine in 1998, and went on to earn the NAYRC Bronze Medal with Nicole Perry. Raine’s husband David Wightman, in the irons of the Oldenburg gelding out of an Art Deco mare, Lady Deco, impressed the judges to a third place win, and the highest scoring American bred horse.

A willing horse with an energetic walk which earned him a 7.9, he showed the judges a good trot with clear rhythm, but the judges wanted to see more swing through the back. Nonetheless they were impressed with his aptitude, and gave him a 7.5. His canter work while active did not always maintain balance, the biggest challenge for 5 year olds, yet still he scored an impressive 7.5.