USDF/ABIC Region 3 Championships

Florida Stars Are Numerous

John Zopatti of Wellington, Fl. Upset Cleveland's sweep in the I -I freestyle championship with a terrific ride (71.7%) on Christina Hewett's 8-year old Swedish gelding Guardian (Trofe / Gazelle).

The ride, designed by Denmark's Lis Christianson, featured extra canter pirouettes and two-tempi's through the corners to a honky-tonk piano medley. The pair also won a large FEI warmup class in both horse and rider's debut at Intermediare II (69%).

"He's so dependable," Zopatti said of Guardian. "He's exactly the same in the show ring as he is at home. I haven't shown him much this year, because we've been schooling for the Grand Prix."

Zopatti also rode a show stopper, Mitchell, that paralyzed the warmup area. "The most beautiful mover I've ever seen!" Was the type of comment the 8-year old Dutch gelding evoked. Zopatti works with Danish trainer Bent Jenson, who enjoyed his first ABIC Championship this year since his newly acquired U.S. citizenship.

Jensen danced to the top of the fourth level freestyle class (68.2%) aboard his 7-year old Holsteiner stallion Columbo (Carpaccio / Fabelhaft) with another lively Lis Christianson musical medley.

Jensen also won the open training level championship (76.4%) with his 4-year old Rubinstein I stallion Rockefeller in only the horse's third show.

Jensen bought the horse at auction in Denmark as a weanling. In just as many outings, he earned his qualifying scores, claimed the ABIC title, Oldenburg approval and provisional approval from the International Sporthorse Registry.

Jensen trainee Suzanne LaPorte, 16, of Loxahatchee, Fl. won the fourth level junior/young rider championships (65.8%) with her 9-year old Danish gelding Wittus (Weltloewe / Fleur).

Fans had to be clever to catch Carol Lavell and Much Ado in their one class early Friday morning. Lavell, of Loxahatchee Fl., made a brief appearance to claim the open fourth level championship (70%) with her 8-year old Dutch gelding (Quatro / Varla) posting a four point margin over the 16-horse class.