By Jennifer Wood, for Jump Media/US Dressage Finals
November 14, 2023 – Lexington, KY – The 2023 US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan® wrapped up competition for its 10th anniversary on November 12, and 10 perpetual trophies were awarded to competitors in various divisions. The head-to-head competition, which brings together riders from across the United States, hosted the best national dressage competition of the year at the Kentucky Horse Park on November 9-12, 2023.
The Calaveras County Perpetual Trophy for the Grand Prix Freestyle Adult Amateur Champion, presented by Ova Stewart Pharo, was awarded to Anartz Chanca and Dazzle who won the class with 70.925% in their debut in this class at Finals.
Chanca and Dazzle were also awarded with the George W. Wagner Jr. Perpetual Trophy as the Grand Prix Adult Amateur Champion, presented by International Georgian Grande Horse Registry for the second year in row.
The Janine Westmoreland Malone Perpetual Trophy, presented by USDF was given to the Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur Champion, Amy Swerdlin riding her home-bred Fellowship CCW. They also took home the Verne Batchelder Memorial Trophy, presented by River House Hanoverians as the FEI Highest Scoring U.S.-bred Horse. Swerdlin bred Fellowship CCW, an eight-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Follow Me out of Limara herself.
The Jazzman Perpetual Trophy, presented by Donna Richardson went to Heather Mason and RTF Lincoln, who were the Grand Prix Freestyle Open Champions. The pair also received the Veronica Holt Perpetual Trophy, presented by USDF Region 5 and Friends as the Grand Prix Open Champions.
The Lloyd Landkamer Perpetual Trophy is given to the FEI highest scoring mare of the competition, given this year to Leeloo Dallas, ridden by Lauren Chumley. The pair also received the Miki Christophersen Perpetual Trophy, presented by USDF Region 4 as the Prix St. Georges Open Champions.
The Top Hat Perpetual Trophy, presented by Janet Foy went to the Highest Freestyle and Non-Freestyle Average Score at the Same Level, and was given to Heather Mason on Shmoky Quartz. The pair won all four of their classes together, including the Second Level Open (72.540%), Second Level Open Freestyle (75.316%), Third Level Open (71.750%), and Third Level Open Freestyle (71.992%).
Click HERE to see the movement scores, score frequency, and average scores in class for Shmoky Quartz’s winning freestyle!
The Regions Cup Perpetual Trophy and winner of the Le Mieux/US Dressage Finals Regions Cup was Region 3, who had an average score of 72.002%.
The team included:
- Sandor ASH, owned by Tyra Vernon and ridden by Hannah Catsulis in Training Level Junior/Young Rider
- Vitali, owned and ridden by Bonnie Canter in Fourth Level Adult Amateur
- Sandor ASH, owned by Tyra Vernon and ridden by Hannah Catsulis in Training Level Junior/Young Rider
- Fellowship CCW, owned and ridden by Amy Swerdlin in Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur
Full results for the LeMieux/US Dressage Finals Regions Cup can be found HERE.
When 19-year-old Bridgid Browne bought a foal — having never even handled a weanling in her life — little did she know that seven years later she would lift the Fourth Level Open Freestyle Championship title on her horse of a lifetime on her first trip to Finals.
“I love this mare with my whole heart,” enthused the 26-year-old of the 15.2-hand Karina Sandra TF, unable to contain the smile on her face. “I was refreshing the results over and over again because there were a lot of really competitive, good riders in there. It’s super special because I’ve done everything with her myself. It’s super rewarding.”
Click the button below to see full results from the 2023 US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®.
Full on-demand replays of the 2023 US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan® can be viewed on USEF Network.
Did you follow along with the United States Dressage Federation during the week on social media? Visit their USDF Facebook page to see photo galleries and more.
Want to read more about the week’s results? Visit the YourDressage 2023 Finals coverage page to learn the stories behind the wins.
Next year’s US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan® take place November 7-10, 2024. Mark your calendar!
