E-Mail This Page

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

West Coast Riders Unveil Olympic Hopefuls at Cornerstone Events L.A. Winter Dressage 2008
By Kathy Beal and Lynndee Kemmet for DressageDaily.com

Guenter Seidel and Robin Shine in Intermediaire Competition at L.A. Winter Dressage

In Intermediaire competition, it was Guenter Seidel and Robin, a 13-year-old, 18.1 hand Hanoverian, that led the pack. The horse only arrived from Germany last October. Seidel was encouraged by his win in the I-2 with a 66.829 percent saying that Robin is gaining more rideability and confidence at each show. His beautiful trot half passes and canter pirouettes scored very well.

Although Robin knows most of the Grand Prix movements, Seidel plans to continue with his schooling and let “the horse tell me when he is ready to show the Grand Prix.” His steady up-and-comer is U-II, a seven-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Jazz. Seidel and U-II earned a winning 66.80 percent in Fourth Level test three. U-II is owned by Dick and Jane Brown and was purchased as a three year old in Holland. Seidel has steadily brought him along since then with the long-term goal of making the U.S. team for the 2010 World Equestrian Games.

“I am so happy with how he is working. Klaus was beside himself about U-II’s progress when we worked last week. Although he does not like this arena when there are two rings set up and the banners on the wall are so close, he did many things beautifully in the test. He scored a 10 on his working pirouette left. I can’t ask for more than that! He is really coming along,” Seidel said.