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Friday, November 16, 2007

Dressage Dreams Fulfilled at Del Mar Classic CDI
By Kathy Beal

Ashley Schempp Has NAYRC Dressage Championships in Sight

Young Rider Ashley Schempp spent the weekend working toward her dream of competing at the NAYRC as part of the Region 7 team. This is her her last year of eligibility and she’s off to a good start having swept all three the CDI Young Rider classes at Del Mar. Her scores in the high 60s led with a healthy margin. Schempp’s 13-year-old Mowgli is a Dutch Warmblood by Investment out of Zolite. Her goal has always been to continue competing in the Young Riders through age 21.

Schempp moved from Northern California to San Diego in 2004 for college and to train with Steffen Peters during her remaining Young Rider years. She and Mowgli were members of Region 7’s Silver Medal NAYRC team in 2005. An injury in 2006 precluded him from that year. “He was not ready last year for the YR qualifying season, so we qualified later for the Festival of Champions in Gladstone last summer we were reserve YR champions,” she said.

Schempp averaged over 68 percent for the weekend, that was not the case. “I was especially excited that he felt so good and energetic this weekend. He has a week off with the fires, then the air quality the next week limited our training sessions. But this weekend, he felt like he could do three more tests a day!” Schempp received the high praises of CDI judge, Jenny Loriston Clarke who commented on the harmony and fluidity of her Saturday YR Individual Prix St. George ride.

CDI/FEI Young Rider Individual- Prix St. George
1. Ashley Schempp and Mowgli 67.850
2. Jaclyn Meinen and Rivaal 58.30
3. Chritine Stephenson and Charly 285 57.00