Dressage in the Rockies I, II and III Wrap Up
Wednesday, August 6, 2014 | Mary Phelps
Parker, CO – Horses and riders descended on the Colorado Horse Park for Dressage at the Rockies I, II and III, held Aug. 1-3. The three days of competition included classes from Training Level through Grand Prix. Also featured were a Breed Show and the $250 Add Back Rising Star Challenge for 4-, 5- and 6-year-old horses. Dressage in the Rockies received overwhelmingly positive reviews from competitors, who enjoyed the top-notch footing, comfortable stabling and beautiful summer weather at the Colorado Horse Park. The show was managed by Glenda McElroy of Cornerstone Event Management.
Jessica Greer and White Sun, owned by Kim Lampert of Longmont, CO, won Sunday’s Prix St. Georges Open and were the FEI High Percentage Champions that day. White Sun is a 14-year-old Hanoverian mare by Weltmeyer.
Jessica Greer: “I was really happy with her because she was nervous but kept it together. She’s like a Corvette. She’s so fun, sensitive and light. But that can also turn into being hot at times. The more relaxed you are, the more she’ll be with you and do whatever you want.”
“I’ve been coming here since I was 13, and now I’m 30. So it’s been 17 years and I’ve seen a lot of improvements. The new footing is great. They’ve really raised the bar and made it a great place to show. I’ve had all my firsts here: my first awards ceremony, my first Grand Prix, my first everything. I love it here. It’s like my second home.”
Taminy Marshall of Corrales, NM, and her own Alleluiah won the Masters division of the Grand Prix on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Alleluiah is an 18-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding by Amiral 764.
Taminy Marshall: “His breeders offered him to me for $1,000 because he didn’t pass the vet exam. He has bad sidebone on both front feet and his conformation isn’t good. Anyone that was paying serious money and investing time wouldn’t take the chance with him. One trainer I worked with said, ‘Let’s just give him a chance, and we’ll see what he can do.’ Another trainer told me, ‘You’re wasting your money and your time.'”
“I’ve had him since he was 3, and I got my USDF Gold Medal on him last year. Every year, we say, ‘Let’s see what he can do.’ He’s got wedge pads and bar shoes, and that seems to have protected him. His best quality is that he’s got a huge heart and never says no. I’ve ridden him at every single level, and I’ve done the training mostly myself, with a zillion lessons and a lot of clinics. Allen Swafford helped tune us up in the last three weeks – I really admire his style and the way he gets things done.”
“The Colorado Horse Park is my favorite place to go of all because it’s so roomy and beautiful. You can get good pictures here because the backdrop is fantastic. It’s been a beautiful weekend with nice weather and great footing.”
Taminy Marshall of Corrales, NM, and her own Alleluiah won the Masters division of the Grand Prix on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Alleluiah is an 18-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding by Amiral 764.
Taminy Marshall: “His breeders offered him to me for $1,000 because he didn’t pass the vet exam. He has bad sidebone on both front feet and his conformation isn’t good. Anyone that was paying serious money and investing time wouldn’t take the chance with him. One trainer I worked with said, ‘Let’s just give him a chance, and we’ll see what he can do.’ Another trainer told me, ‘You’re wasting your money and your time.'”
“I’ve had him since he was 3, and I got my USDF Gold Medal on him last year. Every year, we say, ‘Let’s see what he can do.’ He’s got wedge pads and bar shoes, and that seems to have protected him. His best quality is that he’s got a huge heart and never says no. I’ve ridden him at every single level, and I’ve done the training mostly myself, with a zillion lessons and a lot of clinics. Allen Swafford helped tune us up in the last three weeks – I really admire his style and the way he gets things done.”
“The Colorado Horse Park is my favorite place to go of all because it’s so roomy and beautiful. You can get good pictures here because the backdrop is fantastic. It’s been a beautiful weekend with nice weather and great footing.”
Alexandra McKelvy and Simply Amazing won the Junior/Young Rider division of First Level Test 1 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Simply Amazing is a 15-year-old Welsh mare owned by Wendy McKelvy of Parker, CO.
Alexandra McKelvy: “It’s really fun doing this, whether or not I do well. I’ve been really happy because she’s been a lot more forward than she usually is. I’ve been riding her for about five years. I’m working on keeping her more round and not breaking into the canter.”
“I really like it at the Colorado Horse Park. I am from Parker and do most of my shows here.”
Suzie Halle of Cherry Hills Village, CO, and her own Tennyson-ISF won the Amateur/Junior/Young Rider division of the Grand Prix on Friday and Sunday. Tennyson-ISF is a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Contango.
Suzie Halle: “Tennyson is just my dream. He’s so smart, and he’s made everything so easy and such a pleasure. He came to me as a Training Level horse from Iron Spring Farm, and we’ve been training together all the way up. I ride with Maureen Sterling, who’s absolutely wonderful. This year is our Grand Prix debut, and I was really happy with our improvement from Friday to Sunday.”
“This is my show of choice. I just love the new footing, and the whole facility is fantastic. I love it when Cornerstone runs the shows because they run such a tight ship.”
Ann Edelman of Denver, CO, and her own Boucheron won the Amateur/Junior/Young Rider division of the Grand Prix on Saturday. Boucheron is a 14-year-old Danish Warmblood mare by Bernstein Las Marismas.
Ann Edelman: “This horse is the niece of the schoolmaster that I had, which is pretty cool. I bought her when she was a weanling in Denmark. I train with Grant and Sharon Schneidman, and Grant had found the original horse for me. We moved up all the levels together, and this is our first show at Grand Prix. She’s a big powerful mare. We’ve been very successful together. She’s not an easy ride, and I really have to step up myself as a rider. I’m a lawyer, a general counsel for a health insurance company, so I stay pretty busy.”
“The footing is unbeatable here, and the facilities are prime. I never worry about my horse getting hurt. I always know what I’m going to have with the stabling. The whole horse park is safe, it’s lovely, and they’re always trying to improve it. You know you’re going to have a good experience when you come here.”
Primavera Tempesta, an Oldenburg filly by Benidetto, scored 82 percent in the 2014 Fillies division. That was the highest score awarded by judge Hilda Gurney during Saturday’s Breed Show. Ruth Ann Olsen of Elbert, CO, is the owner and breeder.
Nadine Horning of Laurel, MT, and her own Tuesdays Girl won the Rising Star 4-year-old class with a score of 70.714 percent. Tuesdays Girl is a Thoroughbred mare by Monday Thru Friday.
Nadine Horning: “I bought ‘Gracie’ as a yearling, and she turned four this April. She’s six months under saddle, so this was her first show. She’s my first mare, and she has an opinion, so that’s been a challenge. But here, she just accepted everything wonderfully. I didn’t know what to expect because she can be nervous, and she’s just gotten better and better. It’s been fun. The facility’s great. It’s just beautiful here and the show staff is wonderful.”
Shannon Dahmer of Aurora, CO, and The King of Rock N Roll won the Rising Star 5-year-old class with a score of 72.297 percent. The King of Rock N Roll, a Dutch Warmblood gelding by Presley, is owned by Dahmer.
Marianne Campano of Peyton, CO, and her own Degas were High Percentage Champions in the FEI Junior/Amateur division on Sunday and Reserve Champions in that division on Friday and Saturday. Degas is a 21-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Dederick.
Vivian McHugh and Kulberg’s Joran, owned by Marie Monroe of Littleton, CO, were High Percentage Reserve Champions in the Lower Level Junior/Young Rider division on Friday. Kulberg’s Joran is a 17-year-old New Forest Pony gelding by Molenaar’s Golden King.
Click here to view full results and High Percentage Champions.
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