Dottie Morkis

It was a grey day as the Fesitval festivities began in Wellington for the USEF Dressage National Championships for the grand Prix and Intermediare 1. Travelling from across the large United States were the elite group of horses and riders who will congregate over the rest of the week to vie for the top honors in American Dressage. I arrived in time for the jog to see new faces and several the great American riders who have graced our sport, helping the growth by sharing their knowledge, and also continuing to bring equine talent to the top. As a high school horse crazy girl in Milton, Mass, I cleaned stalls for Dottie Morkis in exchange for riding lessons. It was with her I first heard about dressage. Dottie would travel with her thoroughbred Roger to the only 2-3 shows in New England each year to compete. With her horse Monocco she won the first Dressage madal for the United States at the Montral Olympics. Have a great go today everyone, excited to be here!