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Friday, February 23, 2007

Lauren Sammis and Hyperion Farm's Sagacious HF Win Prix St. Georges on First Day of Zada Florida Dressage Classic
by Chrissy Lane for PMG

The first day of the 2007 Zada Florida Dressage Classic kicked off with a win by Lauren Sammis and Sagacious HF in the first section of the FEI Prix St. Georges $1,000 class.

Sammis, who has been paired with the coming 8-year-old KWPN (Welt Hit II x Cocktail) for about a year, winters in Wellington and spends the summers in South Orange, NJ. She noted that while her ride today was for practice, the next three shows will count as qualifiers for Gladstone and the Pan American Games.

photo: susanjstickle.com

“This is a practice test for me, so I got to ride the transitions, the canter, the corners, and he really just stayed with me all the time. I think he was really obedient and right now. I thought it was really, really rideable,” she commented.

She continued, “I will try (to qualify for the Pan Ams). There are a lot of really good horses going for it, and the process itself will be fun. I think he’s a really good representative for the team because he’s a young horse, he really shows that he could be a grand prix horse…he makes it look so easy.”

The pair recently competed in Cosequin Wellington Dressage and placed third with a 70 percent in the Intermediaire I. Although he was only competing at training level when she started with him, they have quickly progressed through the ranks and their success could be the product of a close relationship.

“I love him. I think that there really is a bond. He offers me a lot. People have known the horse before and they watch him now, and they say, ‘You can tell he just adores you,’ Sammis explained. “I feel so lucky and so blessed just to be able to ride the horse. He has a good time, and I think it’s a really great pair. We’re both lucky.” Sagacious HF is owned by Al and Judy Guden's Hyperion Farm, located in Wellington, Florida.

In Section B of the Prix St. Georges division, Melissa Taylor and her own Schumaker earned a 67.250 percent for the win. Schumaker is a 16. 3 hand 13-year-old Danish gelding by Schwadroneur out of Patricia Solyst by Ragtime. Melissa Jackson and the chestnut Wellington 248 finished second with a 66.00 percent, and Canadian Simone Williams and Wunder Ein rounded out the top three with a 65.667.

Denielle Gallagher, who is a student and assistant trainer for Canada’s Ashley Holzer, was also successful today, earning first place in the Intermediaire II test with a 65.854 percent. Gallagher rode Gallaway’s Abrikos, to the victory.

In the Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur, Junior and Young Rider division, Lisa Dufresne and Caballero 37 took the win with a 65.550 percent. Susan Michalek and Look No Further earned second place, and Monica Burssens and Putphry-Inshala were third.

The Zada Florida Dressage Classic, sponsored by Zada Enterprises, LLC, will continue on Friday with more dressage action. Friday’s highlights include grand prix and Intermediaire I tests.