Endel Ots Warms up Lucky Strike to head into a the CDI Prix St Georges to clinch back to back week wins at AGDF (Photo: Susan Sickle Photography)

With back-to-back CDI wins during the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF), Endel Ots and, Lucky Strike, now have their sights clearly set on making the US Team for the upcoming Pan Am Games this summer in Lima, Peru. In their latest performance during Week 10 of the AGDF in Wellington, FL, the team did it again by repeating a first place win in the FEI 1* Prix St. Georges, this time with a score of 72.941%. Ots says he was happy with the ride and encouraged by the judges’ comments. “They said if I just did a few things, I could get our score up much higher,” Ots shared.

Ots and his father, Max Ots have owned Lucky Strike, an eight year old Hanoverian gelding by Lord Laurie-Heidi X His Highness since he was three years old, and Ots has been the sole rider and trainer. Named the 2018 National Champion Developing St. Georges, Lucky Strike has just started his CDI career this season. “This is Lucky’s first year out in international small tour competitions, so for him to get where he is right now, I’m really happy with it,” Ots explains, “I want to keep the shows really fun for him. He really enjoys showing and really has a nice time,” he adds, “We’re going to work on a few things and make it even better.”

Ots goes on to explain that he has big plans for Lucky and has his sights set on making the US Team for the upcoming Pan Am Games. “We’ve represented the US in two World Breeding Championships, and it would be an absolute dream of mine to represent the US in future international high performance competitions,” he states. For now, he and Lucky are simply soaking up the recent wins. “I think I’m going to wait and see how the season finishes up, and I think it’s nice to give him a little bit of a break,” Ots smiles.

Originally from De Pere, Wisconsin, Ots, who now calls Wellington, Florida home, has been competing since a young age and has been enjoying international victories for the past several years. Known for his talent and ability to give a leg-up to younger riders, and bringing along impressive sales horses.

To learn more about EndelOts or to inquire about becoming part of the Ots team, please call (920) 562-5714, email endelots@gmail.com or visit www.EndelOtsDressage.com.