2007 Palm Beach Dressage Derby

America’s Future Dressage Team Meets Today’s Dressage Team Coach
By Lyndee Kemmet for HorsesDaily.com

Six future dressage stars presented themselves to U.S. Dressage Team Coach Klaus Balkenhol during The Palm Beach Dressage Derby. The six were competitors in Mary Phelps's Palm Beach Derby Leadline Class. Although some were not even yet two years old, Balkenhol could clearly see their potential.

“I think this is the future of the American dressage riders. They are really, really great – wonderful,” he said. These potential future dressage team members included 21-month-old Autumn Bernava, most probably the youngest of the bunch. But she certainly wasn’t on the smallest horse. She rode in on a 12-year-old Belgian draft named Molly. “She’s as special as they come,” said Autumn’s mother, Melanie Bernava. When asked how long young Autumn had been riding her father, Mike, replied, “since she was in the womb.”

Victoria (Tory) Bayer/Rosenthal is 33 months old. Victoria is a veteran, this being her 3rd year riding in the PhelpsPhotos Derby Leadline class.

She is love with Yeager (Pan's Atomic Particle) a 4 year old American Shetland Pony owned by Johnny Robb. Yeager is a 9 time National Champion in halter, leadline, driving and costume class!

He is also successfully competing in dressage at Intro and now training level. Tory loves riding and recently had Mom (Dr. Andrea Bayer) called to her pre-school because she had to go see "Yeager". Pony emergencies happen! She was lead by Dad, Steve Rosenthal and Mom this year.

Class sponsor, DressageDaily's Mary Phelps, official Derby Photographer, encouraged Charlotte Ann Page to join the class, even though she is now above leadline doing walk trot classes. "I asked Charlotte if she would please help support our class by entering, and she said she 'would consider it'." said Phelps. "I reminded her the time was at 11:00 AM, and Charlotte replied; 'Would you please write that down for me?'"

Charlotte's mother Arlene Page went on to top off her big weekend with a second plave in the Grand Prix Freestyle, after her Grand Prix win on Saturday. Dad, David Page looked on proudly. "But we did catch Tuny handing Klaus some cash before the class began when she found out we had the USEF Dressage coach to judge." said Phelps with a chuckle.

Three-year-old India Howley is a rather opinionated young rider. She would only compete if allowed to decorate her riding helmet. So her mom, Trudi Howley, gave in and let her paste horse stickers all over her helmet. And little Victoria Rosenthal may be only two, but she’s a show veteran. She’s been competing since before she turned age one.

Balkenhol seemed to enjoy being judge, but could decide who was best so they all got blue ribbons. “This is a wonderful picture with all the parents of the children here and all the people very happy That’s dressage, you know, when people are happy and can see nice horses and nice ponies. This is super. It’s a wonderful idea.”