She Did It ! Kassie Barteau and GP Raymeister Won Young Rider Gold

For Kassie Barteau who has won almost every major USDF award, and the USEF Young Rider National Dressage Championships the last three years in a row, there has always been the one that got away until today. The last ride of the day, and her last ride as a Young Rider Kassie Barteau and Ginna Frantz's breeding stallion GP Raymeister put in a delightful focused and happy freestyle to the music from The Man From Snowy River, created by her mother Yvonne, to win Young Rider Individual Gold at the Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships with a 73%. The Silver went to her teammate from Region 2 Kristen Becker and Ramses, and Californian Brian Hafner and Lombardo LHF got the Bronze who both scored 69.600 in a tie breaker. It was a nail biter today and the blustery wind caused a few baubles, and one very unfortunate accident sending Young Rider Meagan Davis to the hospital.

"From the minute I got on him at the barn I felt him with me." said Barteau. "Sometime I feel I have to create the feeling with him, but not today." The windy weather was for some their undoing and for others it just enhanced the performance of their horses after six days on site at the Kentucky Horse Park, future home of the 2010 Alltech/FEI World Equestrian Games which will be held next year September 25 - October 10.

“My horse finally calmed down and relaxed.” said Barteau. “Even though it was windy and things were blowing around, he was really focused on me.  This was the best he’s felt all weekend.  He was totally with me.  That was the best Young Riders’ test I’ve ever done.  It felt really great.”

Barteau thanked Raymeister’s owner, Ginna Frantz  the owner of Grand Prix Equestrian in Maple Park , Illinois, home of KYB Dressage. Her mom Yvonne could not be with her for the magic moment. Barteau’s husband Kim was with Kassie this weekend. They take turns; Yvonne went to the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage National Championships where Kassie won the Young Rider National Championships...again. This weekend Kim Barteau was on duty while Yvonne stayed home managing their full barn and training facility.

Kassie gave a special thanks to her trainer for the past two years. Cathy Morelli for helping her improves as a rider. Morelli who trains in Bedminster, New Jersey and Wellington, Florida adores working with Barteau. “She is an amazing young horsewoman and person. It is a total pleasure to work with. Her talent and feel are exceptional and I have never seen a harder working person. She cares for all her horses herself, and rides about ten a day when in Illinois. “I really owe so much to her.” said Barteau. “She gave up an important family function this weekend to come here to help me and I really appreciate her being here. It made all the difference.”

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