Santa Rosa, CA - U.S. veteran National Champion FEI junior rider Riana Porter contested the California Dressage Society Regional Championship show at Rancho Murieta, California with honors of Grand Champion Horse of the Year (HOY) Open Division on Kathy VanCamp's five year old Oldenburg Dax (Paquita x Donnerschlag) this weekend. The Fairwind Farm bred youngster proved to be a fierce competitor with 21-year-old Riana Porter at the reins to compete in the First Level competition, dominating the class with a 73.378% in Friday's first half amongst a field of 18. By Saturday's second half, Dax continued to maintain the lead with a score of 78.306% and finished first place overall with a combined score of 75.842%. To capture the Grand Champion title, they performed the winning freestyle with a score of 74.667% for their crowd-pleasing performance to a Michael Bublé medley.
"Dax is just 5 and it's his first season out and about, off the property competing but he trusts me to take care of him and he's really with me every step of the way. Thankfully we had stalls that faced the main arenas so Dax could see everything and get used to the hustle and bustle of such a large show. He was awarded two 10's for his walk which was definitely one of the highlights of the weekend. Riding him and all the support we have from the VanCamp's, Sue Curry Shaffer, Fairwind Farm, JRD Saddlery, friends and family (especially my sister, Rissa) is amazing. It was also nice to make one final victory lap as a Young Rider in the Great American/USDF YR/YR First Level Region 7 before aging out with a 73.710% win", said Porter.
