Local trainer and rider Jim Koford claimed numerous high placings at Sandhills, including second and fourth place in the Grand Prix on Petit Ribot and Fellipe, respectively, both owned by Peg Arnone of Las Vegas, NV.

Koford’s schedule was packed all weekend with rides from Second level to Grand Prix level on nine different horses. He also had at least twenty students competing, though he said when he looked around he knew many times more competitors that he is either currently working with or who have worked with him in the past.

In addition to his dressage students, Koford is much sought after as a trainer for eventers, because he has competed in eventing too. In addition to most of the three-star competitions in the US he has completed the Rolex Kentucky CCI****.

This year the FEI created new tests for the three and four-star levels. “Since they changed the dressage tests in eventing, a lot more eventer riders have come to me for training,” he said, pointing out that “Dressage is not an end in itself…it is [also] an essential ingredient to successful jumping.”

By Amber Heintzberger for DressageDaily.com