Denise Steele and her husband Ken imported Bon Chance two years ago from Germany, but shortly afterwards, disaster struck when the Belissimo M mare broke her coffin bone. Undeterred, they nursed the now 14-year-old mare back to full health through six months of stall rest and hand grazing before Denise climbed on board. At Finals, they stood Prix St. Georges AA champions, also picking up the Janine Westmoreland Malone Perpetual Trophy, presented by USDF, for their 70.882% test.

Photo – Despite breaking her coffin bone just after import two year ago, the Belissimo M daughter Bon Chance stepped up to hand the AA Prix St. Georges Championship to Denise Steele. (Sue Stickle Photography)

“It was probably my best ride ever on her,” enthused retiree Steele. “Everything felt super smooth. We call her ‘Honey Badger’ because nothing fazes her. I can take her in the hills on 800 acres and over bridges; I can do anything with her. She’s the most bombproof horse I’ve ever sat on in my life, but in the arena, she knows her job.”

Steele, a USDF gold medalist, splits her time between Virginia, North Carolina, and winters in Wellington, training with Vera Kessels and Susan Pape. She has competed the mare in international amateur small tour classes in 2024 and has her sights set on big tour.

Sunday’s classes conclude competition at the 2024 US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®. Catch up with all the action via the USDF Facebook page, the US Dressage Finals website, and USEF Network. Full results can be found on www.horseshowoffice.com. The dates for the 2025 US Dressage Finals will be announced shortly.