Horses for the Future - The FEI Young Horse Classes

The young horse division at Dressage at Devon has taken hold, with quality horses, and experienced international judging. Stephen Clarke who has judged the World Championships for Young Horses, was the spokesperson for his fellow judges in the final two classes of the show, the FEI Young Horse Tests for 5 and 6-year olds. As is done in the World Championship class, commentary is made following each ride, which is both educational and entertaining for both the audience and riders.

A true treat for the judging panel was the winner of the six-year-old division, Oleander, a KWPN chestnut stallion by Jazz out of Farah, ridden by Adam Lastowka, and owned by Alan and Barbara Friedman. The spitting image of his sire, Jazz, the popular young stallion by Cocktail who just competed in the 2002 World Equestrian Games, he demonstrated to the judges, he was a "True international type, with an ability to express himself in an athletic way." Said Clarke. "He also has the ability to flex his joints to produce movement through the shoulders."

While he may have shied while approaching the judges' box in the tricky early evening light, this was not penalized, as the point of the young horse classes is to give them a chance to show their potential for the future in the upper levels. Lastowka who also won the fourth level class of the day on Macho, and his partner Roel Theunissen operate Wadsworth Farm in Danvers, Massachusetts, which is owned by Lynn O'Connell, Dov Glucksman and Roel Theunissen.

Winning the 5-year old division was Rosabella a Hannoverian mare by Rohdiamant out of Westminster, ridden by Kim Barteau and owned by Rebecca Hopfner. In her first test, she showed "all the good qualities one looks for in a horse for the future, with a fantastic walk." Said Stephen Clarke. Ernst Bachiner added that she demonstrated super balance especially in the canter.

Related Links
2002 Dressage at Devon
wadsworthfarmdressage.com
Results 5-year-old
Results 6-year-old