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Thursday, May 31, 2007

Dressage at Flintridge Highlights Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Western Selection Trial

Dirk Glitz and Sancette Capture Six-Year-Old Division - Experience Pays Off With Bundeschampionat Rider

In the Six Year Old division, Dirk Glitz and Sancette (Hanoverian gelding) narrowly beat Lars Holmberg on his Danish stallion, Mix Max (Milan x Bajaczo xx).

Glitz says that even the first video he saw of Sancette, he told business partner and FEI trainer Gwen Blake, “This is one of the nicest horses I’ve seen in a long time.” Glitz moved to the U.S. in 2001, but in his native Germany, rode many times in the Bundeschampionat, the German Young Horse Championships from which so many top sport stars have emerged. Glitz smiles, “And Sancette just keeps improving.”

Working with USEF Young Horse Dressage Coach Scott Hassler has confirmed his feel and made him feel even more positive about the horse. “It is great to see the Young Horse program develops in the United States, “says Glitz, and adds that he hopes it develops into more of an organization, “because Scott cannot be everywhere all the time, just by himself!”

McCool Photo: Dirk Glitz and Sancette with judging panel, Anne Gribbons, Jayne Ayers, and Janet Foy

Lars Holmberg first saw Mix Max as a 2 ½ year old in Denmark, and told breeder Joergen Olsen that if the young horse did not pass the stallion approvals, he would buy him.

“But then,” laughs Lars, “he passed—and I knew I had to buy him anyway!”

Lars says that it is Mix Max’ rideability and temperament that make it worthwhile to keep him a stallion. “He is always so nice to deal with, and with lots of energy, always ready to go. It’s great!”

Mix Max only did the 30 days test, so to gain final approval, the Danish Verband has certain requirements, and the Young Horse program fit in very well, explains Holmberg, “So we decided to see if the horse could do them.” Holmberg credits Scott Hassler with giving them the encouragement to keep going. “Scott has a wonderful eye, and it has been so good to have him come out here for the big shows.”

Complete results
The Road to the Young Horse Championships - Short List to Date for Verden