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Monday, March 26, 2007

California Dressage in the Spotlight - A Dressage Affaire to Remember
By Lita Dove for DressageDaily.com

USEF Qualifier Takes Place in Del Mar, California -
Leslie Morse and Tip Top Return to the Show Ring

The 4th annual Dressage Affaire took place March 15-18 under cool , overcast southern California skies, the rider smiles providing most of the sun during the day. As this is a qualifier for USET’s national championships and a qualifying show for the Pan-Am Games trials, many top riders elected to go to Del Mar.

2006 WEG Team member Leslie Morse was there with Tip Top, her Swedish stallion (by Master), for the Grand Prix action. “This is the first time I'm back in the ring in the last 8 months—since WEG,” she says thoughtfully. “I found…I still want to do this. That I love doing this sport, and believe I still can do it.” Leslie’s other FEI partner, the Dutch stallion Kingston (by Voltaire), was hurt nearly 11 months ago. Kingston is very special to Morse, and the injury really changed her daily routine and perspective. Although Kingston has been back in light work, the vets have just read the latest ultrasound and given her the go-ahead to start real work. Her face lights up. “Yes! The vets say he is 100 percent now.”

She admits that she is rusty in the show ring, and that she and Tip Top both have to get back to being in show groove. Morse will be headed for the League Final to be held March 30-April 4, where the winner will represent the USA at the Las vegas World Cup Final. The USET has asked the FEI for two wild cards, and they will be announced next Monday, April 2.

Photo: Amy McCool

USEF Grand Prix
(E) Gribbons, (C) Moritz, (M) Macartney,

• 1/ Guenter Seidel/ Aragon/ 69.861%
• 2/ Steffen Peters/ Lombardi 11/68.264%
• 3/Leslie Morse/ Tip Top 962/65.833%
• 4/ Mette Rosencrantz/ 64.653%
• 5/ Jeremy Steinberg/ Parocco/62.917%
• 6/ Mark Carter/ Nirvano/ 61.042%
• 7/ Jo Moran Minna/ 58.125%

USEF Grand Prix Special
(E) Macartney, (C) Gribbons, (M) Moritz,

• 1/ Leslie Morse/ Tip Top 962/67.933% 1
• 2/ Mette Rosencrantz/ Basquewille/64.800%
• 3/ Mark Carter/ Nirvano/ 62.200%
• 4/ Jo Moran/ Minna//60.400%