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Friday, November 16, 2007

Dressage Dreams Fulfilled at Del Mar Classic CDI
By Kathy Beal

Grand Prix Dressage Comes Closer For Erin Broddert and Gambol

Erin Broddaert and her lovely stallion Gambol won Sunday’s Intermediere II Open class. “This is my first show with Gambol who was shown extensively by Canada’s Ashley Holzer,” she said. Although the horse is experienced internationally, having shown in the Pan Am Games and at the World Equestrian Games under Holzer, Broddaert and he are new partners. Delighted with their win on Sunday, she commented that, “he and I did much better today. He knows his job, and today, I made fewer mistakes. Showing I-II was a good way for me to begin with him at shows.”

Broddaert’s dream of riding at Grand Prix led her to purchase the gorgeous 13-year-old NRSP stallion last February. Gambol is by Gabor and out of Arella.. “I wanted a good teacher, and he is great! Sue Blinks found him for me.” Broddaert’s goal is to compete at Grand Prix in the spring of 2008 with Gambol. “I have wanted to ride at the Grand Prix Level, the highest level of an equestrian sport, for as long as I can remember. I had ridden jumpers for years, but when I realized the jumps at the Grand Prix level were just too big for me, I decided to focus once again on dressage with the aim of Grand Prix. I had always enjoyed dressage during my youth in pony club. When the other kids wanted more cross country and jumping lessons, I wanted more dressage,” she said.

Boddeart began riding as a Pony Clubber in Fallbrook, Calif. There she progressed through the rigors of the program culminating with a rating as a Graduate A. She now gives back to the U.S. Pony Club program as a regular instructor and as a National Examiner which allows her to rate riders through the C-3 and H B Level.

Intermediere II - Open
1. Erin Boddaert and Gambol 58.211
2. Marti Foster and Rodek 56.667
3. Tina Caldwell and Markant 53.740
4. Megan O’Brien and Van Gogh 50.65