World Equestrian Center – Ocala played host to back-to-back rated shows Dressage I (March 8-10) and Dressage II (March 11-12) as well as the 2023 Florida Youth Dressage Championships. Sponsored by Hampton Green Farm and Discover Dressage, the show held classes from Training Level to FEI Grand Prix and served as an official qualifying competition for the 2023 Great American/USDF Regional Championships.
After a Covid-induced pause of two years, the Florida Youth Dressage Championships (FYDC) returned in 2023 with healthy entries. This was the first time that the Championships, created in 2013, were held at WEC – Ocala. The show is more than just a competition and gave the 20 participants — all aspiring young dressage riders — a rounded, enriching experience and the chance to show in a championship atmosphere. Events were held throughout the week to boost camaraderie and sportsmanship, including a meet-and-greet with Anna Marek and former Florida Youth Dressage Championship rider Kerrigan Gluch.
Entrants in the Junior and Pony divisions competed in two straight tests (the team and individual tests), each one comprising 40% of the final mark, and then a freestyle to music (20%). For the Young Rider, Children and Under-25 divisions, it was a 50/50 weighting of two straight tests, with no freestyle.
Galloping in a new category, Justine claimed for the second time in her career this title. With our home-bred 10-year-old Campanero HGF ( Camaron IX out of Quintera XII by Adelante), her scores were 70.455%, 69.485% and 68.013%. Justine not only won the junior title, but also the overall youth champion title (highest Score)
“This show is especially fun because I get to compete with other junior riders and get to know them, and maybe in the future we will get to be teammates at North American Youth Championships,” said Boyer, who came out on top of the nine combinations in the Junior division.
“Showing here at WEC is definitely amazing. We’ve worked a lot to get Campanero to not be so spooky, and this is the show where he really outdid himself and wasn’t spooky, so it was really nice. We’ve been together for four years working up toward juniors. It’s been interesting to get to ride an advanced horse at a young age,” added Boyer, who has won all six international tests she has entered with Campanero since they began competing at CDIs in September 2022.
Thank you all the Team of HGF for making this possible, but specially Maria Lithander for endless support, teaching and guidance .
Hampton Green farm - Sponsored Program
