The tenth edition of the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan® was packed with fabulous moments!
Absolute Dream Makes Seamless Transition to Intermediate II
Jennifer Truett and Absolute Dream, last year’s Intermediate I Open Champions, seamlessly stepped up their game this year to secure the Intermediate II Open Champion title, edging out formidable competitor Michael Bragdell aboard Vallos Dreaming Marong. The Intermediate II was the sole class the USDF Region 2-based duo contested this year.
Read the full report on Jennifer and Absolute Dream in Absolute Dream Lives Up to His Name for Jennifer Truett on Opening Day of 2023 US Dressage Finals Presented by Adequan®
Mason Brings Home the Hardware
Heather Mason, of New Jersey (USDF Region 8), contested ten championship classes this year, taking home the Champion title in seven of them. Aboard her own Shmoky Quartz, she took home the Second Level and Second Level Freestyle Open Championships, as well as the Third Level and Third Level Freestyle Open Championships, while her own Manskript SCF finished in the top ten of all four of his contested classes, including the Third Level Open (third place), Third Level Freestyle Open (second place), Fourth Level Open (first place), and Fourth Level Freestyle Open (seventh place).
Heather and RTF Lincoln danced their way to both the Grand Prix Open and Grand Prix Freestyle Open champion titles, capping off an incredible career for the 18-year-old Oldenburg gelding, who Mason announced would retire following his performance in the Grand Prix Open on Friday.
Heather Mason’s rides were covered in Heather Mason Successfully Defends Grand Prix Title on Friday Night at 2023 US Dressage Finals Presented by Adequan® and Heather Mason’s RTF Lincoln Retires At The Top with Freestyle Victory at 2023 US Dressage Finals Presented by Adequan®
Youngest Rider to Compete at Finals Rides Her Way to Top Five Placing
Since introducing the Junior/Young Rider division for Training through Fourth Levels at the 2021 US Dressage Finals, the division has drawn young hopefuls from across the country who are no longer required to compete in the open divisions. This year, the youngest competitor to date took her first trip down the centerline of champions. At just 11 years old, Grace Christianson, aboard the nine-year-old American Warmblood mare FHF Roulee, finished fifth in the Training Level Junior/Young Rider Championship, earning a 69.133% from the judging panel, consisting of Natalie Lamping (C), Sarah Geikie (H), and Teresa Stewart (B).
Young Rider Cale Artz Holds Her Own In Competitive Third Level Freestyle Open Class
With just 4.042% separating first from tenth in a competitive Third Level Freestyle Open class, 17-year-old Cale Artz held her own aboard her own 11-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding, Boston SWB, earning 68.225% from the combined panel of Debbie Rodriguez (Judge at C), Natalie Lamping (Judge at E), and Teresa Stewart (Judge at M), to finish the class in ninth place.
Bonnie Canter Dances Her Way to Victory
Bonnie Canter’s name certainly sounds like it was made for dressage. Contesting four classes at this year’s edition of the US Dressage Finals, Bonnie’s trips down the centerline resulted in three Champion titles and one Reserve Champion title. The Adult Amateur from Melrose, Florida, rode her own five-year-old mare, Super Susie, in both the First and Second Level Adult Amateur Championships, earning first place in both, with scores of 70.635% and 73.657%, respectively. She also rode her own seven-year-old Vitali to a first-place finish in the Fourth Level Adult Amateur Championship and a second-place finish in the Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur Championship, earning over 70% in both of those tests as well.
Read more about Bonnie’s rides in Bonnie Canter Delivers Double Win on Day Two at the 2023 US Dressage Finals Presented by Adequan®
Chanca Dazzles in the Adult Amateur Grand Prix
Anartz Chanca and 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding Dazzle danced their way to Champion titles in the Adult Amateur Grand Prix and Adult Amateur Grand Prix Freestyle, earning both the Calaveras County Perpetual Trophy and the George W. Wagner Jr. Perpetual Trophy.
Read more about Anartz’s rides in Anartz Chanca Dazzles with a Double on Day Three at 2023 US Dressage Finals Presented by Adequan®
Full results of the 2023 US Dressage Finals can be found on HorseShowOffice.com.
There were so many other amazing stories at the 2023 US Dressage Finals. What was your favorite moment? Leave us a comment or e-mail us at yourdressage@gmail.com for your chance to be featured!
