Kate Fleming-Kuhn of Star West Dressage in New Berlin, IL, continued her sparkling run of form from the Regionals with her own eight-year-old gelding Franzsis HSR (by Franziskus x Sandro Hit). They topped the leaderboard in the Prix St. Georges Open even though she described him as “a bit of an imp” at home. Their 70.931% was the only score over 70% in the class of 15 starters, and it also secured them the Miki Christophersen Perpetual Trophy, presented by USDF Region 4.

Photo – Kate Fleming-Kuhn and Franzsis HSR produced the only plus-70% score to capture the Prix St. Georges Championship. (Sue Stickle Photography)

“Today he was really on my aids,” affirmed Fleming-Kuhn. “We’ve been working throughout the summer to continue to increase his degree of engagement, and I really felt like today that came together. That’s exciting for what the future holds for him. The dream is always to make it to big tour, and he has the stuff for that – no doubt.”

Becoming Partners

Franzsis was bred in the U.S. by Anita Nardine at Hidden Springs Ranch, and Fleming-Kuhn bought him at two weeks old after seeing him “move like a cat” in his foal video. She has produced him herself throughout his career, and he has a great record at Finals in recent years, having been a champion in 2022 and a reserve champion in 2023.

“I’ve never ridden a horse with his athleticism and sensitivity, so it’s been a learning process to be the best partner to him and to access his energy and his concentration within that sensitivity,” she explained.

“He’s a bit of a playboy; he’s a sweet horse, but he has a lot of personality and can be a handful on the ground – he’s notorious for going to turnout on his hind legs, but he’s wonderful to ride,” added Fleming-Kuhn who named “Franzie” after both his sire Fraziskus and her grandfather Francis.

“It All Clicked Today”

RESULTS

Competition resumes on Friday, November 8, with nine championship titles up for grabs from Training Level to Grand Prix. The full digital show program is available here. Follow the action via the USDF Facebook page and the US Dressage Finals website, plus live online streaming of all the action from the Alltech Arena on USEF Network. To learn more about the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan® and read daily news releases, visit the official US Dressage Finals event website. Start times and results can be found on www.horseshowoffice.com.