Wayne, Illinois – Solaris Hit, ridden and owned by Rebecca Knollman, of Maineville, Ohio, was the winning horse in the Five-Year-Old Markel/USEF Young Horse Central States Selection Trials at Lamplight Dressage. The pair finished the two days of competition with a total score of 78.08.

“I am just so happy. It was a real dream to come here and do well,” Knollman said of her win. “I’m just so lucky to have this horse. This is the best horse I’ve ever had. I’m also very thankful to Markel for supporting this program and that I had Scott Hassler here helping me and had the support of family and friends.” Hassler was on hand to help all the riders and horses competing in the young horse program.

Knollman, who owns and operates Knollwood Dressage in Waynesville, Ohio, found Solaris Hit at the Verden Elite Auction in Europe and called home to her husband to warn him of her plan to buy. He approved and the she brought the then four-year-old home from Europe. “She has a super temperament and is very rideable,” Knollman said of the mare. The pair showed last year in the four-year-old classes but Knollman feels 2007 will be an even better showing season. “I’ve worked very hard since last year to improve and strengthen her. And I feel that this year she’s much stronger and will be more ready as a five-year-old.”

Because she has a two-year-old daughter who keeps her “very busy,” Knollman doesn’t travel to Florida for the winter like many other northern riders and trainers. Hence, she brings clinicians in to her barn to help with her riding and training. She spends her time teaching and training and is particularly focused on the development of young horses. “I really like the Markel/USEF Young Horse program. I think it’s a great program and my focus is to bring more young horses up through it. Some to sell and some to keep that will hopefully be FEI horses one day.”