USEF Coach Klaus Balkenhol Visits California

Shannon and Steffen both worked extensively with team coach Klaus Balkenhol on his recent visit to California. "Klaus had not seen Luxor in a while, and felt that our decision to aim for the Pan American Games and then start showing Grand Prix in the fall suited the horse ," says Shannon. "Luxor is a big horse, and he needed the time to develop the power and strength for the extensions."

Shannon's young horse, Flor de Selva, a 2000 Florestan gelding purchased at PSI by Laurelyn Browning, won his Second Level classes at the show and will show Third Level at Dressage Affaire in March."This is such a sensitive horse," says Shannon. "He tries 110% all the time."

Steffen's WEG horse, Floriano, ( Florestan, 1990, owned by Laurelyn Browning) "does not owe anyone anything. He had a wonderful year, 2006. He is in full work now and enjoying it. So long as he wants to produce this kind of work, he will show--we will let him tell us." The decision to try out for World Cup will be made closer to the League Finals.