Charell Garcia earned another tricolor ribbon to take back to Maplewood Warmbloods thanks to a victory in the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage National Championship for 4-Year-Olds class with MW Verrazzano (Viva Gold x Weiss Schwarz), a 2021 U.S.-bred Oldenburg stallion owned by Jennifer Vanover. Garcia said that Vinny showed his good character early in his show career, handling windy, challenging weather at qualifying competitions with no trouble.

Photo – MW Verrazzano and Charell Garcia

“He just kept four feet on the ground and was just focused on his job,” said Garcia. “That’s how he is, both at the show and at home. He’s really trainable and really rideable. He gives you a secure feeling. And especially for a stallion, he’s kind of a puppy dog. He’s a really fun stallion to work with—he has that expression to him, but he has a mellow side to him as well.”

“Vinny” has two half-siblings competing in other young horse championships at this year’s FOC, all homebreds out of Weiss Schwarz (better known as “Weezer.”)

“The mom breeds really well-minded and willing horses,” said Garcia. “You can tell that they’re all from her, and they have the same expression. They all really have her brain and rideability.”

Ice Man Cometh

The reserve champion, VP Ice Man (Blue Hors Monte Carlo TC x Fine Amber), a 2021 Dutch Warmblood stallion owned by Valiente Partners LLC and ridden by Laura DeCesari (Tuscon, Ariz.) impressed the judges with his second go at the USEF 4-Year-Old test, earning impressive marks across the board including a 9.0 for the canter.

“I was first to go in the preliminary test, and I thought he felt amazing,” said DeCesari. “I kind of just let him go and went with him, and I think I let him get a little flat. My coach, David Wightman, told me, ‘Hey, be careful not to just throw him away during the whole test. You’ve got to keep a little contact.’ And that seemed to help with the second test. He kept a little bit more balance and engagement. But in his mindset, he was just so relaxed the whole ride and totally with me.”

DeCesari started working with Ice Man about a year and half ago.

On Her Side

“I found him in Holland as a 3-year-old and I started him myself,” she said. “I co-own him with Susan Arbuckle, and without her support, I wouldn’t have been able to get him. She’s an incredible person—she just cares about the horse and me. It’s an incredible feeling to have that on your side.”

One thing that has changed in Ice Man’s life since joining DeCesari’s stable is his name.

“My husband, Tyson Clark, who’s been his groom for the whole horse show and is my biggest supporter, is the one who named him,” she said. “He came with the name Rembrandt, and there are plenty of Rembrandt’s out there. We named him Ice Man because we love Top Gun, and because he’s so focused. My husband would always say that he has ice in his veins.”

Results

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