Friday, October 27, 2006

Washington International Horse Show Invitational Dressage Championship

Ashley Holzer and Pop Art Debut in the Grand Prix

Canada’s two-time Olympian Ashley Holzer of New York, New York, who won this class last year with her 2006 World Equestrian Games mount Gambol, debuted her new Grand Prix mount, Pop Art, and earned second place tonight. Rockwell awarded Holzer 66.875%, while Cunningham tallied the duo at 68.750% for a total of 67.813%. Pop Art is a nine-year-old Dutch gelding owned by Holzer and her father, Ian Nicoll. "This was the first time Pop Art has ever done the Grand Prix. He was a bit shocked," Holzer said. "He was scared of the setting, but he did so well for his first time. This horse is an incredible horse."

Suzanne Dansby-Phelps of Atlanta, Georgia, with her own Cooper took the third place ribbon. Judge Rockwell assessed the pair at 69.167%, the highest mark earned tonight, while Cunningham awarded 63.333%, for a total of 66.250%. Cooper is an 18.3-hand, 14-year-old chestnut Holsteiner gelding.

George Williams of Delaware, Ohio, rode Marnix to the fourth place slot. Judge Rockwell gave the duo 65.208% and Cunningham assessed the ride at 62.917%, giving Williams a total of 64.063%. Marnix is a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Charles and Joann Smith.

King said the class tonight was "fantastic" because of the caliber of her competitors. "I was so impressed with the quality of the horses and riders. I’ve never seen Cooper go in person – what an awesome horse and so well trained – and really nearly mistake-free tests," King noted, adding, "I always think Marnix is such an elastic and flamboyant horse. It was really fun to see the quality here and actually have the chance to watch it. And of course Ashley – she’s my hero. She can make anything work. For her horse’s first grand prix test, that was really exciting for me."