Per the initiatives of the Copa USPRE (United States P.R.E. Association) established in 2014, the Champions and Reserve Champions of the annual Copa will constitute the coming year’s USPRE Dressage Team. These FEI pairs will be followed throughout the year on their progress in the show ring, with the ultimate goal of developing the best of these pairs into High-Performance partnerships at the Grand Prix level. This first year’s team is an impressive group. Read their introductions below!

Allison Brock and Os-Nervi
Os-Nervi is a 1999 PRE Stallion bred in Spain by Yeguada Burgues. He was competed through Grand Prix by Luis Lucio before being purchased by Claudine Kundrun of Wellington, Florida. Claudine enjoys riding Os-Nervi herself, but in 2014, she decided to continue his Grand Prix career with professional trainer Allison Brock, with great success. The pair posted national scores to 74% at the Grand Prix test, were Region 1 Grand Prix Champions and USDF USPRE All Breeds Champions, as well as the Grand Prix level winner of the Copa USPRE, with an average of well over 70%. In January, Allison and Os-Nervi performed an exhibition freestyle during the USPRE-sponsored Grand Prix Freestyles to the delight of a large Wellington crowd and will continue to represent USPRE at competitions this coming year.

Janne Rumbough and Junior
Janne Rumbough and her Junior (2002), this year’s runner-up winners in the Copa USPRE at Grand Prix, are a well-known pair on the Florida Winter circuit. In 2014, they were Reserve Champions at AA Grand Prix, Champions at AA Grand Prix Freestyle at the United States Dressage Federation National Championships in Kentucky, and USPRE All Breeds Champions in the Adult Amateur Division. And they aren’t stopping there. Janne and Junior continue to be very competitive in the CDIs in Florida this winter, and they proudly represent USPRE. Says Janne: “I have ridden Junior from the beginning and through all the levels, not missing one level to Grand Prix! We are working on getting even stronger and more consistent for better scores! I am so lucky to have enjoyed riding my Junior and being on the Copa USPRE dressage Team!”

Stacey Hastings and Police

Police is a 2007 stallion bred and owned by Coves Darden Farm in South Carolina, who has garnered national attention recently as the 2014 National Champion at the Fourth Level Freestyle at the USDF National Championships in Kentucky. At Prix St. George, Police is the highest averaging PRE in the country, winner of the 2014 Copa USPRE at Small Tour, and winner of the 2014 USDF All Breeds Award at Prix St. George for USPRE with scores averaging above 67% in the national circuits. Stacey, a professional trainer from North Carolina, plans to continue Police’s training and move him forward as he is ready.

Jacqueline Cuddy and Malcarat
Malcarat is a 2004 gelding bred in Spain by Francisco Moline Androver. This pair was a close Reserve in the USPRE All Breeds awards and Copa USPRE. Of her horse, professional rider Jacqueline Cuddy says:

“Having fallen in love with the PRE breed, my husband, Liam and I went to Spain in search of ‘the one’, that special horse in September 2012. We traveled across Spain looking, but I knew as soon as I saw Malcarat! He was standing on the crossties when I felt excitement. I knew he was quirky, not everybody’s ride, but we fit perfectly together. Within 5 minutes of riding him, I wanted to take him home. With the fantastic coaching from Belinda Nairn, we have quickly moved up through the levels from the Third Level and are now training for the Grand Prix. We look forward to competing at this level in 2015. We are thrilled to be part of the USPRE Dressage team.”

Nicole Harrington and Fetichin

Fetichin is a 2001 PRE Stallion bred by Andreu Batles and owned by Pamela Nelson of Hidden Pond Farm. This pair is no stranger to the awards at USPRE, having been a consistent All Breeds winner throughout the levels of training. Now competing at the Small Tour, Fetechin and professional rider Nicole Harrington have achieved very competitive scores. Nicole’s thoughts: “I met Fetichin when he was three, and a short time after, started him under saddle for owner Pamela Nelson of Hidden Pond Farm. We have progressed up the levels over the years, earning many high-percentage awards against all breeds, and are currently schooling the Grand Prix. We are thrilled to be a part of the US PRE dressage team and look forward to 2015.”

Nicholas Fyffe and Fiero HGF
Fiero HGF is a 2008 PRE Stallion sired by Grandioso III and bred by Hampton Green Farm. He is owned by his Australian professional rider, Nicholas Fyffe, a resident of Canada and regular Global Dressage Festival competitor in Wellington, Florida. Nicholas was selected to start Fiero HGF as a 3-year-old by his original owner, Robert Dover. A strong partnership immediately developed, and they have since scored over 70% with wins at all levels, from 3-year-old material classes to the Intermediare I this winter. Nicholas is now the owner of Fiero HGF, and under Robert’s guidance, they are developing Fiero HGF for the international Grand Prix stage.

Felicitas Von Neumann-Cosel and Aragon GAF

The breeder of Aragon GAF (2009), Cynthia Roberts of Glen Aryn Farm, sent the stallion to professional trainer Felicitas Von Neumann-Cosel in training as a 3-year-old. He competed successfully in the 4-year-old classes and 2014 in the FEI 5-year-old level. Felicitas: “I am excited about this young horse to compete in the 6-year-old classes next year. Cynthia and Craig Roberts are committed to training the horse to become a Grand Prix. He has great potential, and I think he is a wonderful representation of the breed. It was lovely that he won the COPA USPRE award to show that he is on the right track.”

Andrea Landis and Brioso HGF
Brioso HGF is a 2009 PRE Gelding bred by Hampton Green Farm, owned by rider Andrea Landis of Lansing, MI. The pair were 2014 Copa USPRE Reserve Champions in the FEI 5 Year Old Division. Andrea says about her horse: “I met Brioso HGF as an unbroke three-year-old while teaching at Hampton Green Farm. I had the incredible good fortune to purchase Brioso HGF from his breeder, Kimberly Boyer. I felt like I had won the lottery!

To have a young horse to train with a willing, inquisitive temperament, excellent conformation and movement, and impeccably bred was a dream come true. Brioso HGF is by Bolero CXLVIII- an FEI stallion training with Dani Dockx out of Quintera- a full sister to Grandioso. Nicholas Fyffe has been my coach for the past two years, helping us lay the groundwork to compete at the Grand Prix level. In the meantime, I am enjoying the journey with my amazing and talented partner.”

Susan Treabess and Kamiakin
Kamiakin is a 9-year-old PRE Stallion owned in partnership by Susan Treabess and Katheryn and Scott Hill of the Netherlands. He has won many USPRE High Point Awards and last year was the first PRE to be named to a US Team for a World Games. In addition, he has won many high point awards, including the 2014 IALHA Horse of the Year and 2013 CDS HOY High Point Stallion (Tambu Trophy).

He is currently schooling all of the Grand Prix and, in 2015, will be showing the Small Tour. Susan Treabess is a two-time United States Para Equestrian Team member representing the USA at the World Equestrian Games in 2014 and 2010. She has her bronze and silver medals and is halfway to her gold. She lives in Winters, California, where she owns and operates Winterhaven Dressage and Horsemanship and specializes in developing horses and riders from training level to FEI.