2002 Dressage at Devon

Catherine Malone Dominates Young Riders Team Test at Devon

In the wake of the American silver medal winning Grand Prix Dressage team lays a mixed group of North American Young Riders with the ambition, talent and drive to become America's hope and future for the dressage world. At 2002 Dressage at Devon, a select group of 11 young riders from the United States and Canada presented itself but rode tests of varying quality.

Winner of the Young Rider Team Championship test was Catherine Malone aboard the Danish gelding Kashmir. The very balanced trotting Kashmir provided a good rhythm for his rider to perform the FEI exercises, but at the end of the test, the engagement and brilliance got lost in the muddy footing. Although Malone and Kashmir were quite correct in their exercises, the combination needed more impulsion and collection to really excel. Nevertheless, the duo received 66.496% and claimed the blue ribbon and trophy.

In second position were Dawn Sapanero and her Danish star Muchacho. Was it not for the programme error they made, the combination would definitely have been the number one of the class. Muchacho is a very impressive, muscled dressage horse with three lovely basic gaits and a wonderful conformation throughout the test, although the dark bay sometimes tended to go deep. Sapanero and Muchacho scored 64.786%.

Michael Shondel and his chestnut Hanoverian Wallaby were good for the third spot. Trained by Dr. Cesar Parra, Shondel rode his strong Wallaby to a 63.675% score. Wallaby is a very large mover, but his balance tends to get lost in his "greatness". In his test, he occassionally pushed away his back losing power from behind. "This is my last year as a young rider. I want to start riding the Intermediaire I and move up to Grand Prix, even though I have one more young rider to go," an ambitous Shondel explained.

by Astrid Appels

Related Links
Scores Young Riders Team Championship Test
Back to the 2002 Devon Performance Pages