2005 Dressage at Devon

Leah Wilson is a Force to be Reckoned with

Canadian Leah Wilson once again proved her worth in the Young Rider Inidividual Test on Satuday taking both first and second place on her two horses, Dostoevsky with a 67.000 % and Amusant with a 66.417 %. Wilson seems to be unstoppable this weekend as she continues to dominate the field of nine young riders. All nine young riders had to qualify to compete at Dressage At Devon, so the competition has been tough.

Eight other good riders and seven other good horses might be intimidating to most, but not to Wilson. She kept her cool on both rides to win with ease. Wilson has traveled all the way from Ontario, Canada to be here this weekend, and she is making it well worth the drive.

Wilson has an impeccable seat and leg on both of her horses, which is so nice to see in a developing rider. Wilson is also very skilled at riding different types of horses to the best of their abilities. Amusant, a 10-year-old Hannoverian gelding (x Alabaster) and 11-year-old Russian warm blood gelding, Dostoevsky (unknown lineage) seem to be quite different in riding style and Wilson handles the quick change wonderfully. Keep this girl’s name in your mind, there’s a lot more of this rider to be seen in the future.

Taking the third place slot for the day was young Kassandra Barteau of Gilberts, Illinois aboard the ever-lovely 10-year-old Hannoverian mare, Gabriella (x Grosso Z). The pair finished the ride to earn a 63. %. Kassandra and Gabriella were members of the Gold Medal winning team at the North American Young Rider Championships this past August in Lexington, Virginia.

by Stacy Gormley

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