Thursday September 15, 2005

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

The Six-Year-Old Division

The long awaited showdown between the two international young horse six-year-old stars at the 2005 USEF/Markel Young Horse Championships was not to be. Hilltop Farm’s Royal Prince who had traveled to Verden, Germany for the World Young Horse Championships in June was withdrawn from the national competition held at the Kentucky Horse Park, September 9-11, as he was dealing with some “physical discomfort”. It was decided that while there was nothing really serious which could be pinpointed, it was time for the stallion (by Rohdiamant out of Piri Piri by Prince Thatch xx) needed a break. In a statement on the Hilltop Farm website Royal Prince’s rider Susanne Hassler said “Training and developing young horses means always listening to and adapting to their physical needs. In this case, the timing of the Championships was too great an obstacle and we’ve had to let go of the dream of capturing the Championship title for a much larger purpose.”

But even without the appearance of Royal Prince, there was still a showdown between the polished and confirmed Iron Spring Farm’s stallion Sir Sinclair (by Lord Sinclair out of Krishna by Flemmingh) expertly presented this year by Belinda Nairn Wertman, and Joli Burrell’s exuberant Rhinelander chestnut gelding Fino (by Fidermark out of Watchtel by Worldchamp) ridden by the young horse master rider, Jan Brons. The judges and crowd who gathered for the afternoon class at the beautiful Kentucky Horse Park were treated to a full class of thirteen quality six-year olds, all presenting good quality. For some it was their day, and for others there would be another time to shine. Judge Anne Gribbons commented at the conclusion of both classes "In the end, the best riders on the best movers won."