Nicole Acosta rode the American Warmblood Cali to a 69.042% AA Third Level victory. Cali is a palomino gelding by the cremello stallion Limet Hurry and also carries Akhal-Teke blood, so his coat shimmers.

Photo – Nicole Acosta and Cali captured the AA Third Level title with a 69.042% performance. They will now aim for Prix St. Georges level. (Sue Stickle Photography)

“It was a really fun test,” said Acosta, who only started dressage when she bought the now 15-year-old, and they have been learning the ropes together. “He’s so obedient and always there for you. We are hoping to do Prix St. Georges next year.”

Originally from Costa Rica, Acosta now lives in Texas. Cali is boarded at Black Star Sport Horses, and they train with USDF gold medalist Lisa Blackmon.

Passion and Effort

“The family feel the barn gives you pushes you and is why I am where I am today,” added Acosta. “We wanted to give all our passion and efforts and put our hearts into this.”

Competition concludes on Sunday, November 10, with the final 10 championship titles to be decided. The full digital show program is available here. Follow the action via the USDF Facebook page and the US Dressage Finals website, plus live online streaming of all the action from the Alltech Arena on USEF Network. To learn more about the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan® and read daily news, visit the official US Dressage Finals event website. Start times and results can be found on www.horseshowoffice.com.