Kevin Kohmann and A Cappella Hit Their High Notes and Win The Horse of Course High Score Award at Week Three of AGDF

Kevin Kohmann receiving the Horse of Course High Score Award from Horse of Course rider Shelly Francis.

Wellington, FL - Three victories in two days at the most prestigious dressage competition in North America earned Kevin Kohmann and A Cappella the Horse of Course High Score Award for Week 3, January 25-29, of the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida. Kohmann and Judy McGaughan’s 17-hand bay Oldenburg mare (Soprano x Argentina x Argentinus) delivered robust wins in Friday’s FEI 7 Year Old Preliminary Technical and Saturday’s Third Level and FEI 7 Year Old Final tests, and posted an astronomical 81.400% in the weekend’s opening FEI 7 Year Old Prelim Assessment.

“That was the first time we rode that test together,” Kohmann said about their high score. “It was the first ride of the morning and windy, and she was as good as ever: quiet, calm and with me. She’s a beautiful mare and we’re a good team at the show.”

A Cappella, who is for sale, has consistently proven her worth as a superb partner not only for Kohmann, who has ridden her since 2014, but also for her 76 year-old owner, who homebred the mare in Maryland, where she personally continues the development of her training. “Yes,” he said, “Judy still rides her own horses! Last year Ella (as she’s known at the barn) qualified for the FEI Six Year-Olds and now we’re doing the FEI Seven-Year Old test and aiming for the Developing Prix St. George.”

“She’s so special and has an ‘edge.’ I’d love to see her go to a trainer or good amateur rider. She deserves to be showing and has the potential to go all the way,” said McGaughan, a former foxhunter and eventer who started riding under master horseman Major Jeremy Beal before studying dressage with (among others) two-time WEG veteran Oded Shimoni.

McGaughan paired Kohmann with her bold and versatile mare, who evented as a four- and five-year-old (“so she loves to jump as much as trail ride”) because “he really loves the babies, as do I. When they’re young, they’re like little sponges who are willing to learn something new every day.”

Kohmann, who rides and trains from Diamante Farm, had equally high praise for High Score Award sponsors Beth and Marty Haist, founders and proprietors of The Horse of Course. “’Of course’ I can’t thank them enough for this award! In fact, I’m wearing a shirt right now that I got at The Horse of Course. They are the only place on the show grounds with a men’s department!”

The Horse of Course, based in Claremore, Oklahoma, recognizes high score horses and riders at AGDF weekly through March 27, and has a mobile boutique onsite where riders like Kevin can find top fashion and brands for men and women, including KEP Italia, Ronner, IAGO, Dobert, LotusRomeo, EGO7, Micklem, Style Stock, Passier, Pikeur, Neue Schule, König and Grand Prix, as well as customized saddle and bit fitting. Learn more about its quality tack and apparel, and mobile boutique on Facebook, Instagram, and www.thehorseofcourse.com, or call 888-494-6773.