On day two of the 10th anniversary edition of the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan® on Friday, November 10, 2023, newly minted champions were made from the more than 330 horses at the Kentucky Horse Park. The marquee show offers a wealth of championship titles and more than $120,000 in prize money in head-to-head national competition, which runs through Sunday, November 12, 2023.

Photo – Bonnie Canter’s top score of 71.065% came in the Fourth Level Adult Amateur class, in which she rode Vitali. (SusanJStickle.com)

There has never been a more aptly named dressage rider than Bonnie Canter. The 65-year-old retiree romped her way to a double of Championship wins on her two horses, Vitali and Super Susie, both with over 70%.

Top Score

Her top score of 71.065% came in the Fourth Level Adult Amateur (AA) class, in which she rode the seven-year-old 15.2hh Hanoverian gelding Vitali, by the Vitalis son, Vilancio. The horse is no stranger to Finals, having won the Second Level AA Championship two years ago.

Since then, Canter and her husband have relocated from Texas to Florida. She added the five-year-old Super Susie to her string, and they led the lap of honor in the Second Level AA Championship.

“It’s such a build-up to Finals, and there are so many good horses in Region 3 so you just never know what’s going to happen on the day and how it’s going to play out — especially with three judges,” she said. “It’s been a lucky year. Vitali is seven, and he’s doing Fourth Level and Prix St. Georges this year. He’s just the best.”

Both horses were imported from Holland sight unseen and are now stabled at home in Melrose, Florida, just north of Ocala.

Work in Progress

“I chose Vitali because he was little and hot, and we had bought horses from the seller before,” she continued. “It was a work in progress to start with as he had just been gelded and he was a hot mess, but I’ve been working with [Spanish Olympic rider] Severo Jurado López — he’s my hero — since we got Vitali four years ago.

“Super Susie came from a young horse specialist, but she looked a great type on the video,” said Canter of the daughter of Secret out of a Voice dam. “She’s a really sensible type.

“We love being in Florida; the people are super nice and there are a lot of shows. My husband and I are retired, and we work on the farm and ride. It keeps us fit,” added Canter, whose journey to Lexington took 13 hours. “I want to keep riding until I can’t do it anymore. I’d love to get Vitali up to Grand Prix, and we’re sure he has the talent. He’s so little and handy, and it’s all fun for him.”

Competition resumes on Saturday with 13 championship titles up for grabs from First Level to the evening’s Open Grand Prix Freestyle. 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.