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News Articles
Hampton Green Farm Names Dani Martin as New Rider for Grandioso III
Hampton Green Farm is happy to announce that beginning in 2011, Grandioso III will be campaigned by Daniel Martin Dockx for Spain. Over a period of months when it became clear that Courtney King-Dye, Grandioso's partner since 2008, would not be able to ride him in 2011, many very good options for the horse were entertained. HGF would like to thank those US riders who showed an interest in him and we were encouraged by the positive response from many qualified competitors.When all factors were taken together, HGF, in collaboration with Courtney, decided that the current environment in Spain and Europe offered the best opportunities to Grandioso and we were happy to place the horse with long-time HGF friend and rider Daniel Martin Dockx. Dani's success with Encanto over the past two years has brought much attention to HGF in Spain and we know that he will represent Spain, and our farm, with the highest quality of work. We look forward to working with Spanish National Trainer Jan Bemelmens in this transition and we are excited to be a part of a place and a program that has produced so many excellent PRE competitors over the years. "I think it's the right decision to send Grandioso to Spain. He needs to show GPthis year, and he's green, so even if I'm ready to ride (which is doubtfulunfortunately) I won't be ready to train a green GP horse. Grandioso is a greathorse ( not for a PRE, for ANY horse) and he can help Spain get a medal. Soalthough I'm sad to see him go, I am sure it's the right move for him. I can love him to bits here, or he can be a contender for the olympics. Hmmm, toughchoice! It will make me happy to see the latter. And I totally plan to have himback and go for the 2012 Team!" Courtney King-Dye
HGF's Encanto XI Debuts in the Grand Prix at Sunshine Tour
HGF's Encanto XI Debuts in the Grand Prix at Sunshine Tour Last weekend, HGF-bred Encanto XI did his first Grand Prix test in the Sunshine Tour CDI*** in Vejer, Spain. Rider Daniel Martin Dockx brought Encanto to Vejer for the purpose of schooling with Spanish Team Coach Jan Bemelmens, and the decision was made to enter the horse in the Inter II and Grand Prix the first weekend of the three week series. Due to the horse's young age, Dani Martin was given permission by the Ground Jury to only do the two tests. In the Inter II, Dani got his feet wet at International Big Tour competition, and the pair scored 64.45 with errors in a few of the movements. On Saturday, horse and rider appeared more comfortable in the Grand Prix. Opening the class as the first ride, they received 67.02% and finished 7th in a class of 27 horses. Encanto XI is a 2002 PRE stallion, son of Evento out of Cantora XVI. At four years old, Encanto was sent to Spain to begin his dressage training with Dani Martin, and the pair went on to 2009 Reserve National Developing Horse Champion, and 2010 Inter I Champion of Andalucia. Astrid Appels of www.eurodressage.com was there and said of the ride: Jose Daniel Martin Dockx brought five horses to the Sunshine Tour, four of them to compete. Aboard Kim Boyer's 9-year old PRE stallion Encanto XI (by Evento out of the late Cantora XVI) the charming pair placed seventh with 67.021%. The duo is one of the rising stars in Spain having became regional small tour champion and national reserve champion in the developing horse class in 2010. Encanto's youth and inexperience at Grand Prix level were still obvious in the test as he needed to have more strength to stay balanced in the piaffe. Nevertheless the lovely sit and expression were there. http://www.eurodressage.com/equestrian/2011/03/08/garcia-mena-and-norte-bring-dash-arena-2011-sunshine-tour See alsohttp://www.topiberian.com/index.php?option=com_content[&]view=article[&]id=2852%3Ajose-antonio-garcia-mena-y-norte-abren-el-gran-premio-con-un-exito[&]catid=74%3Aactualidad-internacional-[&]Itemid=819[&]lang=en