In a tough Training Level Open Championship class, it would take a score higher than 70% just to place in the top six, but two promising U.S.-bred youngsters were up for the challenge. In the experienced hands of Martin Kuhn of New Berlin, IL. (Region 4), the five-year-old KWPN gelding Jameson SW (Chippendale x Dulcinea BF by Don Primero, bred and owned by Martin Kuhn and Kathryn Fleming-Kuhn) earned an impressive score of 74.483% to win his first Finals title. Despite frigid conditions, Kuhn was happy his mount maintained his composure for a top performance. “My boy was definitely feeling his oats a little bit, but he stayed with me the whole time,” Kuhn noted. “The first diagonal produced a rather buoyant trot but I was pleased with that and he carried it right through.” (Read more about the Kuhns in the Why I Love the Finals series on YourDressage.org HERE).

Photo – Training Level Open Champions Martin Kuhn & Jameson SW. (Susan J. Stickle)

Despite being only four years old, the young Oldenburg mare Royal Heiress (Rock Solid x Hermes by Hofrat) earned 73.678% and Reserve honors for owner/breeder Robert Jackson, and rider Angela Jackson of Henderson, Ky. (Region 2) was also pleased. “I rode her sire and her uncle, so this is little bit of a family affair for me too,” she explained. “Despite being only four, she has a really good temperament. We took her out to longe a little this morning, took her back to her stall for a nap, and then she went out and did her job.”

Watch the winning ride plus an interview with both riders on YourDressage.org HERE.

Watch archived streaming videos of Championship classes on the USEF Network HERE. Championship competition resumes Sunday – follow the action through updates on the USDF Facebook page and the US Dressage Finals website, as well as watch live online streaming on the USEF Network. To learn more about the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®, download competition information, review day sheets and results, and read daily news releases, visit the official event website at www.usdressagefinals.com.