The third day of competition at the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions featured exciting action in four divisions, including the first national champion title of the show won in the Adequan®/USEF Para Dressage National Championship and the first of the young and developing horse classes with the Markel/USEF Seven-Year-Old Dressage National Championship.

Photo – Codi Harrison and Katholt’s Bossco. (©SusanJStickle.com)

USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship

The grand prix contenders started the day off in the Grand Prix Arena at HITS Chicago at Lamplight Equestrian Center, completing the FEI Grand Prix Test. Codi Harrison (Wellington, Fla.) and her own Katholt’s Bossco, a 2007 Danish Warmblood gelding, took a decisive lead after the first test of the division, earning a 72.477%.

Class Results

Current Overall Standings:

• Codi Harrison and Katholt’s Bossco
• Emily Miles and Java Dulce
• Lehua Custer and F.J. Ramzes

From the Mixed Zone:

Walk us through your test today.

Codi Harrison: I was thrilled. He went in there, he felt better than ever. We kept the warmup quick and short and to the point, but I think he felt great. He went in there and was ready and knew his job. The piaffe felt great today and I’m super happy with him.

Talk about your partnership with Bossco.

CH: I found him in Denmark at Blue Horse. I got him to be my Young Riders horse, and then I worked for Lars for five years and together he helped me teach Bossco the Grand Prix. We went from Young Riders to U25 and now we’re here in the senior Grand Prix.

This is your first trip back to FOC since you won the Brentina Cup several years ago. How does it feel to be back?

CH: It’s nice. I think I like this show! It’s so nice and refreshing to be out of Wellington, and even though it’s hot here, the climate is so hot in Florida so that’s no problem for him. A new and exciting environment is great for him to get a little more energy, a little more extra oomph.

Describe Bossco’s personality.

CH: He’s a big puppy dog. You could put your grandma on him. He’s super sweet. Even his rider from when he was a young horse, who started and trained him, said that he’d never put a foot wrong, and he’s still that way to this day—other than during awards. He’s been such a blessing to have in that he’s super safe. He allowed me to become competent in the ring, and now I have a lot of young horses and even though they’re hot and fresh, it was so nice to learn on one that was so steady and came out the same every time. He’s really given me a lot of confidence and miles in the show ring.

Full Schedule and Results

2023 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions Livestream

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