Martin Kuhn with Ronin by Blue Hors Romanov x Sir Donnerhall son, who was bred in the U.S. by Marcia Boeing. ©John Borys

At the GAIG/USDF Region 2 Championships held in Wayne, IL, the husband-wife team of Martin Kuhn and Kathryn Fleming-Kuhn scooped up five Regional titles between them, earning them a prime position at the US Dressage Finals   .Three of Fleming-Kuhn’s victories came courtesy of consistently high-scoring tests on her own Franzsis HSR (Franziskus x Sandro Hit), and her fourth on the five-year-old Vholt. Both horses were bought at just two weeks old.

The couple own and operate Star West Dressage in Berlin, Illinois, and also have multiple students and horses they train. “We like to buy U.S.-bred foals,” Kate noted. “I like to get them before they’re inspected because that’s when I can afford them. We have a lovely set-up for raising young horses and then we start and develop them.”

Fleming-Kuhn and Franzsis topped the Championship classes at Fourth Level, Fourth Level Freestyle, and Prix St. Georges, all with scores over 70% — the best being 75.85% in the Fourth Level Freestyle to music.

No Expectations Brings Big Results

Kate Fleming- Kuhn with her own Franzsis HSR (Franziskus x Sandro Hit)

“Franzsis blew me away because he’s only seven,” said Fleming-Kuhn, who is based in New Berlin, IL. “I really came in with no expectation — particularly at Prix St. Georges, as that was only his third one. I wasn’t even sure I was going to do it, and when I decided he was good to go, my goal was just to get a wildcard score. It was a super competitive class [with 19 combinations], and the other horses have so much more experience at that level.

“He’s an amazing partner, but he has so much natural fire and a lot of sensitivities, so the journey with him has been about getting enough relaxation in the test. That’s come a long way this year,” added Fleming-Kuhn, who rode Franzsis at the 2022 Finals at Second and Third Levels and finished fourth twice.

Her other Regional Champion accolade came at Second Level Freestyle where the five-year-old Vholt (by Vitalis x Romanov, bred by Mo Swanson) led the charge with 73.5%. He also picked up the reserve champion spot in the Freestyle class at the level.

“He’s also a tremendous athlete and a super mover,” enthused Fleming-Kuhn. “He’s young, and I’m still getting the right dosage of how much energy I’m going to put in. It’s about riding the balance so there is enough relaxation in the test.

Husband Martin Kuhn Raises the Bar With Ronin

Martin Kuhn with Ronin by Blue Hors Romanov x Sir Donnerhall son, who was bred in the U.S. by Marcia Boeing

Not to be outdone, Martin Kuhn led the Intermediate II piloting his wife’s 10-year-old gelding Ronin to 70.074%. The Blue Hors Romanov x Sir Donnerhall son, who was bred in the U.S. by Marcia Boeing, won the open Prix St. Georges Championship at the 2022 Finals. The horse is having a dream career and has won a Regional title at every single level he has contested so far, all under Kuhn’s guidance. The couple has participated in every edition since its inception apart from one — 2015 — when their son was born.

Working Towards USDF Finals in November

From now until Finals after the Regional Championships held in Illinois  in September, the Kuhns have gone back into training mode aiming to develop “more engagement and expression between now and then” .

They will be bringing five of their own horses to compete and five additional horses for students taking up a full row of stabling at The Kentucky Horse Park. and prepare their students for the final goal of the year for American Dressage.

The 2023 US Dressage Finals will be held November 9-12 in Lexington, KY, at the Kentucky Horse Park and is a national championship competition that showcases the Adult Amateur and Open divisions. Classes run at Training Level through Grand Prix, plus divisions for Junior/Young Riders at Training Level through Fourth Level. There is $120,000 in prize money up for grabs over the four days.

Learn more at US Dressage Finals Official Site