The Prix St. Georges Championship ran for almost five hours in the Walnut Arena at the 10th anniversary edition of the US Dressage Finals. It was the final competitor in the class, Lauren Chumley, who swept in and produced the only plus-70% score riding Leeloo Dallas to capture the winner’s blanket and sash . At seven years old, the mare was the equal youngest in the class of 21 starters.

Photo – Lauren Chumley and Leeloo Dallas produced the only plus-70% score to capture the Prix St. Georges Championship. (SusanJStickle.com)

“I had a super lucky draw spot, and my horse is awesome. She’s just a baby but she’s absolutely amazing,” enthused Chumley, who also rides in Eventing and was at a 1* just three days previously. “I rode her a little bit this morning then just warmed up for 15 minutes before the test and she felt super. I thought ‘Let’s go!’ and she went. She rocked on.”

Chumley bought Leeloo Dallas, who is by the Ravel son Gaspard De La Nuit DG and out of a Negro dam from a video when she was a foal. She was bred by Racheal Redman.

Born in the USA

“I bought her because she was little and black with four white socks, and I could afford her,” said Chumley, who trains with Michael Bragdell. “She is born, bred, and trained in America. All the horses out of her dam are so rideable. They’re easy, smart, and sensitive but not stupid.”

Has Chumley ever considered eventing Leeloo?

“I tried to jump her, and my coach was absolutely horrified,” she laughed. “She’s also not very good at it. But in dressage she’s had the best year ever. We went to Lamplight and did the FEI 7-year-olds, then won the Prix St. Georges at Regionals, and here we are.”

Top Contenders

The pair also won the Fourth Level Open Freestyle at Regionals, so will be top contenders in that class on Sunday. Looking further into the future, this pair are another planning to campaign on the Florida circuit and will contest the Intermediate 1 class, with developing grand prix the year after.

“She 100% has the ability for grand prix; most importantly she’s got the brain,” said Chumley. “She’s done Challenge of the Americas and the dance off at Dressage at Devon all covered in glitter — she’s just fantastic.”

Competition resumes on Friday, November 10, with nine championship titles up for grabs from Training Level to Grand Prix. Follow the action via the USDF Facebook page and the US Dressage Finals website, plus live online streaming on the USEF Network. To learn more about the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®, view results and start lists, and read daily news releases, visit the official US Dressage Finals event website.