Endel Ots and Lucky Strike Takes Early Lead in the USEF I-I Dressage National Championship

The U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions began Wednesday at the Lamplight Equestrian Center. Combinations from three divisions headed down centerline in the Kay Arena for the first test of their respective divisions. Early leaders in the USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship, USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ Dressage National Championship, and USEF Young Rider Dressage National Championship began their quest for a title, while five other divisions will begin on Thursday.

Endel Ots ans Lucky Strike (Photo: SusanJStickle.com)

USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship
Endel Ots (Wellington, Fla.) and Lucky Strike took the early lead in the USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship following the FEI Prix St. Georges Test. He and the nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Max Ots earned a score of 74.500 percent.

“The trot work was a really good highlight, and the canter pirouettes were really quite exceptional for him today, said Ots. “It was a nice feeling, and I was just really happy with my horse."Sara Hassler (Chesapeake, Md.) and Harmony’s Boitano, Leslie Malone’s 13-year-old KWPN gelding, placed second with a score of 71.206 percent, while Kristina Harrison (Burbank, Calif.) and Finley, her nine-year-old gelding, rounded out the top three with a score of 70.294 percent.

The FEI Prix St. Georges Test counts 40 percent towards their overall score. They will complete the FEI Intermediate I Test on Thursday, which will count 45 percent. The division will conclude on Saturday with the FEI Intermediate I Freestyle Test, counting 15 percent.

Complete division results