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Official Statement on Santiago HGF
Following an outstanding spring season in the United States, highlighted by impressive performances at the CDI Ocala and CDI TerraNova, and culminating at the CDI Segovia, Santiago HGF, ridden by Antonio Crespín, earned his selection for the 2026 FEI WBFSH Dressage World Breeding Championship for Young Horses. In recent days, Santiago HGF suffered an incident that required veterinary attention. Although he was progressing well, as a precautionary measure he was referred to a veterinary hospital in Belgium to verify that everything was evolving as expected and to undergo a comprehensive examination. Following the necessary diagnostic tests and the assessment of the veterinary team, the decision was made to withdraw him from competition. From the very beginning, the horse's health and welfare have been our absolute priority. Kim Van Kampen commented: “Of course we’re disappointed but we are also experienced horse people and things go this way sometimes. In this case we had a choice to make and we chose the safest option for the horse. We don’t want to show a horse that is not 100%. We stand with the Spanish team and wish them the best of luck and a wonderful week in Verden” We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone involved, especially the veterinary team, for their professionalism, dedication, and outstanding care. Finally, we would like to wish the very best of luck to all the members of the P.R.E team who will represent Spain at the 2026 FEI WBFSH Dressage World Breeding Championship for Young Horses. Tras una brillante temporada primaveral en Estados Unidos con los concursos internacionales de Ocala y Terranova, finalizando en el CDI de Segovia, Santiago HGF montado por Antonio Crespín logró su clasificación para el Campeonato del Mundo de Caballos Jóvenes 2026. En los últimos días, Santiago HGF ha sufrido un percance que ha requerido atención veterinaria. Como medida de precaución y con el objetivo de confirmar que todo evolucionaba correctamente, fue trasladado a un hospital veterinario en Bélgica para una valoración exhaustiva. Tras las correspondientes pruebas y la evaluación del equipo médico, se concluyó que la mejor decisión es retirar al caballo de la competición. La salud y el bienestar del caballo han sido, desde el primer momento, la prioridad absoluta. Kim Van Kampen comenta : “Por supuesto, estamos decepcionados, pero también somos personas con experiencia en el mundo del caballo y sabemos que, a veces, estas cosas ocurren. En esta ocasión teníamos que tomar una decisión y elegimos la opción más segura para el caballo. No queremos presentar a un caballo que no esté al 100 %. Apoyamos al equipo español y les deseamos toda la suerte y una magnífica semana en Verden.» Queremos expresar nuestro más sincero agradecimiento a todas las personas involucradas, así como a todo el equipo veterinario por su profesionalidad, dedicación y excelente atención. Desde aquí, deseamos mucha suerte a todos los integrantes del equipo P.R.E que representarán a España en el Campeonato del Mundo de Caballos Jóvenes 2026
American-Bred Santiago HGF Leaves Ocala for First Euro Tour
Santiago HGF, a 2021 PRE Stallion by Grandioso III, is making the long journey from his home in Ocala to Segovia, Spain, just outside of Madrid. Santi is currently qualified in the FEI 5 Year Old division for Spain for the Selection Trials for the World Championship of Young Horses. As a member of the World Breeding Federation of Sport Horses, ANCCE, the PRE Studbook, establishes the qualifications for their representation at the World Championships, held later in the summer in Germany. Young horses across Spain, as in other European countries, have been vying since January for the minimum scores to qualify for the team. Final selection will be made following the CDI in Segovia, June 16-18, and upon health and soundness verifications. Hampton Green Farm rider Antonio Crespin Lopez and Santi debuted this Spring in Ocala and Terranova at the international FEI 5 Year Old level, achieving high scores over 80% at both shows, which made Santi now the second US-bred horse to ever qualify for Young Horse team selection trials in Spain--the first being Santi's half-brother Mejorano HGF (also by Grandioso III) who competed for Spain in the FEI 7 Year Old Division at Ermelo in 2018 with Jose Daniel Martin Dockx. Santi will now compete alongside top 5 year old representatives from the most prestigious breeding farms in Spain. Santiago HGF was born in Michigan and is a son of two-time Olympic mount Grandioso. He is out of a daughter of Joyero XXIV, an Elite stallion from of the Ganaderia Francisco Santiago in Malaga. Hampton Green Farm's owner Kimberly Van Kampen named the horse in remembrance of the generosity of the mare's breeder to her during her visit to his farm. Prior to starting his dressage career, Santi was Champion Stallion at Fiesta Ocala at Ibericon 2025, and Stallion of the Year for USPRE in 2025.
José Daniel Martín Dockx Joins HGF
Hampton Green Farm is proud to announce the return of Olympic rider José Daniel Martín Dockx, who will join HGF as Head Trainer and Technical Director. Dockx will relocate to Ocala, where he will be based full-time in December to lead a new project focused on developing young horses through the Grand Prix level and expanding the international presence of HGF horses. “Our successes in Europe ten years ago and our collaboration with Dani and the Spanish team concluded naturally with the retirement of Grandioso,” said Kimberly Van Kampen, founder of Hampton Green Farm. “Since then, our focus has been on developing youth riders here at home, including my daughter, from early levels to successful U25 tours for Kerrigan and Sophia, who are now young Adult Grand Prix competitors. Meanwhile, we have continued to grow our breeding program in Ocala, producing competitive young horses and promising Grand Prix prospects. These horses will greatly benefit from Dani’s unique ability to develop them for international competition. We have high expectations for this next chapter and are thrilled to renew our partnership with him.” José Daniel Martín Dockx added, “I have reached an agreement with Hampton Green Farm, where I was previously involved, to start a new project—not as a rider, but as a trainer and technical director. I am very excited to return to this farm with which we achieved so many successes. It is a major change for my family and me as we relocate to Ocala, Florida, but it is a project I am passionate about and approach with great motivation. I hope it will bring successes beyond our borders and allow me to continue contributing my experience to the Spanish horse, achieving great accomplishments with this stable once again. The excitement and motivation have given us the strength for this change, which I am confident will bring many wonderful things in the future.” A new chapter begins — and we couldn’t be more excited! This new project represents the next step in Hampton Green Farm’s commitment to excellence, its breeding program, international growth, and the promotion of the PRE horse on U.S. soil. LINK PRESS : https://www.ecuestre.es/app/deporte/doma-clasica/el-sueno-americano-de-daniel-martin-dockx?fbclid=IwY2xjawQbxnFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEewSwScrKwGerGa1VCb0MOtT8xVc_9B9PxF8Lt5MYS2J6Rw8g2xMjQ9omtcWA_aem_UCFDH56PxYE5jFq65JUPtA LINK PRESS: https://eurodressage.com/2025/09/10/jose-daniel-martin-dockx-moves-usa-head-hampton-green-farm?fbclid=IwY2xjawQbxm1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEecT_CbWdHhYz1OTZS3XVIhWuKlD_ELTI387r3mT1Z6jRQx0OGG82bVCN8Dnc_aem_GlKNZv227dJByWDLjyZXvg
Kerrigan Gluch Travels to Spain
HGF rider Kerrigan Gluch traveled to Spain to gain experience with the PRE Team selection process for the World Championships for Young Horses. She went to Segovia, more precisely, Centro Ecuestre de Castilla y León and observed how horses are evaluated and selected. José Daniel Martin Dockx was on scene. During those days they had a CDIYH, the last selection towards the big championships.
Alvaro Gómez Pavon joins Hampton Green Farm
HGF is pleased to announce an addition to its riding staff. Alvaro Gomez Pavon joins the team as an Assistant Trainer, as of Nov. 2023. Alvaro was born in Ecija (Sevilla), Spain. He began his riding education working for Juan Manuel Muñoz, with continued training with Jordi Domingo and Claudio Castillo. He has trained young horses from novice level upwards , and has prepared and showed youngsters in competitions and championships in both Spain and Northern Europe. Alvaro runs his own dressage stable along with his partner and wife, Olympic rider Giovanna Pass , Sucandi in Ocala, Florida.
Vaquero HGF Steps Down from Sport.
Life has its stages. On Sunday, March 13 2022, Kerrigan closed a beautiful stage of her riding career with Vaquero HGF as this combination said a final goodbye to the competition arenas. Vaquero HGF made his last strides in the competition ring at the national level Grand Prix Special at WEC, OCALA . There is always a horse that marks your life and sports career, and for Kerrigan Gluch, that horse has been Vaquero HGF. Her evolution, from Young Riders to Grand Prix, has been a journey full of all of the joys and sorrows necessary to achieve success. Retiring your first important equine partner is always bittersweet—but Vaquero’s career and success began quite a while before he partnered with Kerrigan. This is his story: Bred in Michigan for Success around the World. Bred in the beautiful state of Michigan, Vaquero HGF has the bloodlines of two of Hampton Green’s most well-loved stallions—Idilio II on the dam side, with Cuatrero IV (Marin Garcia) for his sire. Originally selected by Courtney King-Dye as a future prospect, owner Kimberly Van Kampen was forced to make other plans for Vaquero following Courtney’s untimely departure from the sport. At 3 years old, Vaquero was sent to Spain for his early training, and to see how this American product would do in competition against the best young horses in that country. In the hands of Daniel Martin Dockx, Vaquero became an elite young horse prospect for Spain. He made his national debut as a four year old, finishing in the top 10 at the National Young Horse Championships and among the top five of PRE breed. In 2013, he campaigned at the five year old levels and again finished the National Young Horse Championships in the top 10, and in the top 3 PREs in the country. His last year of young horse competition at 6 years, Vaquero finished 6th nationally, and the highest ranked PRE in the country. The year ended with a bronze medal at SICAB, which is particularly notable in that he is the first PRE horse bred in United States to win a medal in the prestigious PRE World Championships. The Growth of a New Partnership Vaquero HGF and Kerrigan Gluch began their partnership in 2015. Together they achieved many successes representing the colors of American Flag in both the US and Europe. Gluch and Vaquero were one of the most dynamic and successful dressage combinations in the Young Rider level in US. The pair made numerous appearances at the international level, more precisely a total of 36 entries. On February 20, 2015, Kerrigan faced the center line for the first time with Vaquero in Wellington, Florida . As an 8-year-old, under the training of Oded Shimoni, Kerrigan and Vaquero HGF won the Bronze Medal at NAJYRC and went on to become the USEF Reserve Young Rider National Champion. Their successes continued and in 2016, this duo was selected for the European Tour. They concluded their Euro Tour in the ribbons at the Young Riders Nations Cup in Hagen (Future Champions), Germany, the only PRE among the best warmbloods and young riders in Europe. In 2018, with the help of Robert Dover, they debuted in the U25 level with scores up to 68%. Two years later, at their peak of their level, Kerrigan Gluch and Vaquero HGF took home the runner up Champion of the USEF Brentina Cup. Following his success at U25, Vaquero never showed the same enthusiasm for the Big Tour. After several national starts, rider and owner decided that the horse had given enough and deserved to have a say in his own future. After an early rigorous start in the young horse circuits of Spain, Vaquero became the great companion of battles for a young rider on the long road to Grand Prix . This horse not only taught her the way but allowed her to fulfill her dream of representing the United States on foreign land. At 16 years old, Vaquero has nothing more to prove. On March 13, Kerrigan and Vaquero took their final salute together at X. Still 100% sound and able to enjoy pleasure rides with his special girl, Vaquero will be rewarded with a peaceful retirement at the farm of his birth. Thank you Vaquero HGF for all these years…
Grandioso Stallion Services
Hampton Green Farm's Grandioso is one of the most successful and celebrated PRE sporthorses in history, and is now available for breeding in the United States and Europe. Very few dressage horses have had the longevity and success of Grandioso during his years on the Spanish National Dressage Team with rider Jose Daniel Martin Dockx. Grandioso's accomplishments include: 2 Olympic Games, London and Rio de Janerio 2 National Grand Prix Dressage Champions of Spain 2 European Championships, Denmark and Germany The World Equestrian Games in Normandy 4 Consecutive Years in the Nations Cup at CHIO Aachen Highest Scoring Iberian Horse in History at CHIO Aachen First Iberian Horse to win an International Grand Prix in North America Ranked as high as #22 in the FEI World Rankings 14 International Grand Prix Wins: 22 International Grand Prix finishes in top 3 ANCCE-Qualified Stallion Grandioso's bloodlines from Albero II and Sevillano IX, of the Yeguada Marin Garcia, are recognized as improvers for movement and functionality in Spain. His sire is foundation stallion Adelante of the Yeguada Militar. This combination has produced the aptitude and fortitude needed for a PRE horse to compete in the very top levels of international horse sport. ......Grandioso...a Legend in Sport, soon to be a Legend in Breeding. In the US, fresh cooled semen available. In Europe, frozen semen only. For 2017 only, introductory breeding fee of $2250.00 or E2000.00. For more information and to review a contract, contact Hampton Green Farm at hamptongreenfarm@aol.com
Grandioso III Formally Retired in Spain and US.
One of the dressage world's most beloved PREs was retired in grand style, in the two countries that claim a part of him as their own. In November, at SICAB--the annual PRE Horse convention in Sevilla, Spain--Grandioso's Farewell was a highlight of the Saturday evening Espectaculo. Six friends and colleagues of rider Jose Daniel Martin Dockx were part of the ceremony, mounted on PRE horses, including Jose Mena, Samuel Oliva, Antonio Blanco, and others. An emotional video presentation compiled by ANCCE highlighted the stunning 5 year international career of the horse for the Spanish Dressage Team, which included 2 Olympics, a World Games, 2 European Championships, 3 Aachen Nations Cups, and 2 National Championships. Martin Dockx and Grandioso's final ride in Spain was the new Kur designed by Marlene Whitaker for the Olympic year: The Impossible Dream with themes from Man of La Mancha. Following the ride, the tearful removal of the saddle was done in the presence of owner Kimberly Van Kampen, breeder Javier Marin Fidalgo, and Head Groom Mohamad Mahmoud. After this, rider, groom and horse, made a final pass around the arena to an ovation of gratitude from the Spanish audience. At the beginning of January, Grandioso said a final good-bye to the country of his birth, and traveled back to the United State, where he had competed for 7 years prior and where he will live out a pampered retirement. He was flown into Miami, and taken first to the quarantine stabling at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, to begin to prepare for his American farewell at the annual USPRE week at the end of January. This ceremony was equally moving and unforgettable. Grandioso's story includes a significant start to his career in the United States, where he was earmarked as an up-and-coming superstar in the hands of Courtney King Dye. The pair had finished Fifth in the USEF Festival of Champions in 2009 at the Small Tour, and were preparing for their first international Grand Prix in 2010 when a tragic accident sidelined the riding career of King Dye. Although the horse eventually returned to Spain to initiate his Grand Prix career, he was always followed and loved by the American dressage community, especially the PRE breeders and owners who felt that Grandioso was an inspiration for all that a well-bred, well-trained PRE sport horse could acheive. Grandioso's US Farewell happened during the USPRE-sponsored Friday Night Freestyles under the lights. Jose Daniel Martin Dockx performed the new Kur again, showing a horse in top form with outstanding piaffe, passage, extended trots, half-passes and pirouettes. Grandioso appeared thrilled to perform again for an electric audience that filled the VIP tents and stands at the International Arena. Following the ride, USPRE presented Grandioso with a most unique cooler, adorned with all of the titles and championships of his career. There was an audible gasp of "No" when the saddle was removed. Dr. Jane Bistline of the USPRE Board of Directors presented the cooler, and the horse made a final walk in hand to say good-bye to a second country that also loved him. Since January, Grandioso has completed the required 6 weeks of CEM Stallion Quarantine, and is now residing back at Hampton Green Farm in Wellington. He will travel at the end of the spring to the Michigan farm to begin a new career: as a Qualified improver stallion to the US PRE herd. Videos of the ceremonies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ap718r5XfyE http://www.topiberian.com/index.php/2013-08-27-14-59-08/news/dressage/88955:video-de-la-despedida-de-grandioso-en-el-sicab-2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UttAVUtIy8 Related Articles: http://www.dressage-news.com/2017/01/28/grandioso-olympic-championship-mount-for-spain-farewelled-at-floridas-global-dressage-festival/ http://dressageheadlines.com/articles/dressage/grandioso-iii’s-prominence-daniel-martin-dockx-developing-spanish-horse http://horsesdaily.com/article/not-dry-eye-hampton-green-farms-grandioso-retires http://www.eqcompetitions.com/sicab-rendira-un-homenaje-de-despedida-a-grandioso/
Rio and the Last Grand Prix
Grandioso III with Jose Daniel Martin Dockx scored 70.8 in the final Grand Prix of their career together, at the 2016 Rio Olympics, for the country of Spain. Following an injury in February this year that threatened to end his career, Grandioso recovered and made a strong comeback at the final Olympic qualifier in Aachen. Shortly after, Grandioso and Dani were named to the Olympic Team for Spain and traveled to Brazil with teammates Beatrice Ferrar-Salat with Delgado, Severo Jurado with Lorenzo, Claudio Castillo with Alcaide, and Borja Carrascosa with Wonder. As a team, Spain was unable to advance to the Grand Prix Special, and so the Grand Prix in Rio became not only one of Grandioso's greatest achievements—his second Olympics—but also his final ride down the centerline. Earning a respectable score close to 71%, Grandioso was one of only 7 (out of 60) horses to compete at both London and Rio, and one of the oldest horses in the Games. Much has been written about our decision to retire Grandioso following the Rio Olympics. We reprint the Dressage-News article which came out during the week of the Olympic Games: GRANDIOSO, AMERICAN-OWNED SPANISH TEAM HORSE, TO RETIRE AFTER SECOND OLYMPICS By KENNETH J. BRADDICK RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 10, 2016–Grandioso was ridden for the Spanish team in his second Olympic Games Wednesday, the final competition for the17-year-old PRE stallion owned byAmerica’s Kim Boyer. Grandioso with Jose Daniel Martin Dockx who has been his rider for more than five years competed for the Spanish team at the Olympics in London in 2012, the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy and the European Championships in 2013 and 2014. “Dani” and Grandioso scored 71.014 per cent for the team. The pair were selected forthe team after Grandioso recovered from an injury that was feared would knock them out of contention. Kimberly Boyer, who lives in Wellington, Florida on her Hampton Green Farm, was at these Olympics, as she was in London four years ago and at Grandioso’s other championships, to witness the final competition ride. “Four years ago when we were called up as the reserve to join the Spanish Olympic team in London many people thought Grandioso was just a little Andalusian, a pony with a limited future,” Kim told dressage-news.com. “Instead, his name defined his career: London Olympics, two European Championships, the World Equestrian Games , two Spanish national Grand Prix Champion titles, FEI rankings in the top 25 for two years and now the Rio Olympics. “At 17, Dani and I feel we have asked enough from him and what more can he accomplish. “Personally, this little horse has changed my life forever in ways I can’t describe.He has given me experiences I would never have had without him and I have learned so much about our sport, about the world and about myself from the privilege of being the ‘owner’ of Grandioso.” Grandioso (Adelante x Sevillano IX) was ridden by Courtney King-Dye to Intermediate 2 but after her career-ending injury Kim waited a year before giving the ride to “Dani.” He competed Grandioso in the horse’s first CDI Grand Prix more than five years ago. Dani and Grandioso was one of only seven combinations competing in Rio that had been in the London Games in 2012. Kim is a major supporter of American dressage youth programs, a partner in the group that owns and operates the Global Dressage Festival as well as the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington and heads up the U.S. Equestrian Federation Owners Task Force aimed at connecting riders and owners and has long been active in the U.S. PRE organization as well as a breeder of Pura Raza Española horses. Grandioso, she said, will be retired to the Hampton Green Farm in Fruitport, Michigan but will go to Florida with Kim “if he wants to make the trip with us.”
Grandioso Reappears Fit and Strong at Aachen CHIO
Following a four-month recovery and rehabilitation for a torn tendon sheath, Grandioso reappeared in the showring at CHIO Aachen with results to reassure all that the horse is still a team asset for Rio. In February, on the way to a CDI in Jerez, Grandioso suffered an injury in transit that required minor surgery in March, to repair a a small tear to the "manica"--the synovial membrane that surrounds the tendon structure. His prognosis for competing by summer was very good according to the surgeon, and each step taken along the way to recovery, including aqua-training at Dos Lunas Dressage facility and meticulous interval training under saddle, produced promising results. At the end of the rehabilitation period and back in full work in late May, Grandioso appeared stronger, fresher and even more elastic than before the injury. However, the horse needed to demonstrate his soundness and willingness to compete in one of the Olympic qualifiers designated by Spain. By the time Dani felt the horse was ready to go back in the ring, CHIO Aachen--the world's most prestigious horse show--was the only chance left to prove that Grandioso was ready to go to Rio. Luis Lucio, technical trainer of the Spanish Dressage Team, entered Dani and Grandioso in the 4* Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special, leaving the 5* Nations Cup team spots for those horses who had competed throughout the year. At CHIO 2016, Dani and Grandioso made a solid comeback--placing in the ribbons in both classes with outstanding results that trended upward from the first to second test --71.5 and 8th place in the Grand Prix; 72.1 and 5th place in the Grand Prix Special--easily demonstrating the horse's quality and fitness for an even bigger arena. Photos taken from the below articles covering the event. Our thanks to the photographers. http://www.dressage-news.com/?p=37175 http://www.topiberian.com/index.php/2013-08-27-14-59-08/news/dressage/88471:jornada-de-debut-de-los-binomios-espanoles-en-aachen-2016-grandioso-el-mejor http://www.topiberian.com/index.php/2013-08-27-14-59-08/news/dressage/88475:dani-martin-dockx-y-grandioso-hgf-y-claudio-castilla-y-alcaide-buenos-resultaods-en-el-gpe-del-cdi4
2015 in Review
HGF 2015: What a year it’s been! Spanish Reserve National Champion, Small Tour--Oxido NAJYRC Bronze Medal Individual Young Rider Freestyle--Vaquero HGF NAJYRC Gold Medal Junior Team--Iliado HGF NAJYRC Fourth Place Junior Individual--Iliado HGF USEF Reserve National Champion, Young Rider--Vaquero HGF CHIO Hagen Team Bronze Medal--Grandioso European Championship Team Fourth Place--Grandioso 5 International Grand Prix wins--Grandioso In 2015, the PRE horses of Hampton Green Farm have distinguished themselves in national championships on both sides of the Atlantic. Competing against the best horses of all breeds in Spain, the United States and Europe, Hampton Green Farm horses and riders have continued to prove that the PRE horse is relevant in high performance dressage. Youth Riders Kerrigan Gluch and Alexandra Meghi of Canada both brought home medals from the North American Junior Young Rider Championships, individually and in team contests. Iliado HGF was the highest FEI-ranked international horse in Canada for 2015, and 8 year old stallion Vaquero HGF, with Kerrigan, went on to become USEF Reserve National Young Rider Champions, in their first year competing at the Young Rider (Prix St. George) level. Jose Daniel Martin Dockx campaigned three horses for HGF in 2015, with resounding success. Ten year old Bolero debuted at Grand Prix, with respectable international scores in his first year, taking third place in the Freestyle at CDI Madrid, scoring over 70%, and ending the year with a national win in Sotogrande. At the Spanish National Dressage Championships, 9 year old Oxido was Reserve Champion of Spain at the Small Tour. Grandioso and Dani captured 5 CDI Grand Prix wins in 2015, including a big win in Wellington in January. They were an integral part of the effort to secure an Olympic berth for Spain at the European Championships in Aachen, with a stunning team finish of 4th place. And they finished the year with a satisfying sweep of the Madrid Horse Week Grand Prix, with scores that came close to their all-time highs. In Michigan in 2015, HGF’s breeding program produced 5 top-quality foals from sires Grandioso and Faralay II (of Ketcham Ranch). HGF riding staff, led by Maria Lithander, worked diligently over the summer preparing an exciting group of young horses for sales prospects in 2016. A full brother to Nicholas Fyffe’s Fiero HGF--4 year old Mejorano HGF, by Grandioso—was started in the summer and then traveled in the fall to Spain to begin training with Dani in Mijas. Six mares were covered for 2016 foals, by sires Camaron IX, Cuatrero IV, and Armas Charneco. Revision was held at HGF in the fall, and 3 year old Conocido HGF received outstanding marks from the ANCCE vet, with marks of 9 for movement and overall impression. HGF sponsored youth initiatives in 2015 through Lendon Gray’s Dressage4Kids foundation. The Winter Intensive Training (WIT) program was held at HGF in Wellington again, with 15 young riders who spent three months training with Lendon and others, and competing in the Florida circuit. HGF was also a sponsor of the Robert Dover Horsemastership Week in Wellington in January, hosting an 80s-themed fundraiser that brought out over 200 people and raised close to $5000.00 for the program. We also were title sponsors of the Florida International Youth Dressage Championships in March, and were pleased to see European youth rider participation for the first time in 2015. In June, HGF hosted the Michigan Emerging Dressage Athlete Clinic and the Lendon Youth Dressage Festival in Fruitport, bringing out the largest group of aspiring dressage riders to date for these events. In 2015 HGF continued to open its doors for local non-profits, with over 15 charities hosting events on our grounds in both Michigan and Florida. We have found that “a day with the horses” is a successful draw for raising awareness and funding for many worthwhile charitable organizations, and that helping with these events has become the high points of our calendar. HGF-bred horses received top honors with their riders/owners in 2015, including USDF All Breeds winners, Copa USPRE winners and USPRE Dressage Team members, a USEF Silver Stirrup winner, and a member of a national developing list. So another busy year comes to a close….with an even more exciting year ahead with the prospects of the Olympics in Rio. Four HGF horses will be competing with young riders in the Florida shows starting in January, and Dani will continue to develop Bolero and Oxido for the Grand Prix. A group of young HGF-bred horses will make the trip from Fruitport to the south of Spain in 2016 to begin our newest project of young prospects, and several more will be started here in the States for various purposes. Grandioso, in his final year of competition, will participate in select clinics and shows during the year at the direction of the RFHE for hopeful participation on the Spanish Team. HGF is more than locations and more than horses. Its is a community of hard-working and dedicated people who make all of this happen with success. We could not be who we are without our team. Our hats off to this wonderful family we call HGF: Joan, Jim, Martin, Norma, Francisco, Luis, Jaime, Gilberto, Dani, Mohamed, Kerrigan, Maria, Remi, Katja, and Sara. Our collective Best Wishes to all our friends for an exciting and rewarding 2016!
European Championships 2015: Spain Earns Olympic Berth
In a nail-biting European Championships full of surprises, Spain's national dressage team, which included HGF's Grandioso III, secured for themselves a place in Rio with an overall Fourth Place finish in Aachen, Germany. There are many stories about this European Championships, written about in all of the major news outlets--the final and unexpected outcome among the top 3 teams, and the controversy surrounding the retirement of Totilas, the elimination of two top horses, a broken collarbone, some contested judging, and so on and so on.... But there were other stories that were written mainly in the non-English dressage news--in Spanish, Swedish, French, Danish and Russian--for each it's the story of the Team Competition, the race which would determine who (besides Germany, Netherlands, Britain, USA and Australia) would send a team to Rio next year. It's safe to say that the pressure for those teams who were still vying for an Olympic spot was 10 times greater than that of the top 3. And the results that emerged at the last minute turned out to be unpredicted by even the best analysts. The sense of pressure produced mistakes in virtually every test--the clean test was the exception even among the very top riders at this European Championship. The tests were not held in the usual Deutsche Bank stadium, but in the main stadium where jumping is normally held. This in itself was an issue for many horses who found the huge extended lawn which surrounded the arena and then the far-away walls of stands to be isolating and intimidating. The heat was another factor, particularly on Wed afternoon and all day on Thursday, which then broke to cold rain for Saturday and Sunday. Many pairs with high rankings and averages dropped into the 60s due to tension in the horses which produced errors and surprises. This was the case at all the levels, not the least for the highest ranked horses. Daniel and Grandioso did their Grand Prix on the first day, and scored a conservative but high-ranking 71.3%, which had them individually in 7th place after the first day, and, with Norte's results, the team in a tentative 5th place. We needed good rides and no surprises from our two warmbloods to keep ourselves in one of the three coveted places. There was lots of bad news for a few of our rivals, and some really good luck for at least one team, but for us it was the value of all the effort of the team that produced our results in the end. Following a brilliant ride by Morgan Barbencon with Painted Black (who is retiring after this show), by 7 pm we knew that we had clinched the Olympic qualification with a preliminary Fifth place, going with only the first three scores from Norte, Grandioso and PB. By this time, those countries that made us the most nervous, Denmark and Belgium, were out of contention, and we believed we had little to no chance to pass Sweden with strong scores from Tinne Wilhemsen and Patrick Kittle. Our security in the rankings allowed Bea to ride without pressure, but she was taking nothing for granted. Her career high score of over 77% clinched a stunning finish of Fourth Place for Spain! Spain's last minute surge took many by surprise, as did strong performances by Russia and France, who came within hairs of each other. Daniel and Grandioso ranked 21st in the Grand Prix and went on to finish 26th of the best horses in all of Europe following the GP Special. All of us at HGF are so pleased to have been a part of the experience of this European Championships. This show was particularly difficult due to many things--the pressure of what was at stake, the lower than normal scores generally across the board, the electric atmosphere in the arena, the distracting scandals and the irresponsible "news" reporting during the thick of the competition. However, now that the smoke has cleared, what is evident is the strength of the team spirit in Spain, which held together through the ups and downs. In his own right at the age of 16, Grandioso continues to be a groundbreaker for the PRE horse: the first to win a CDI at Grand Prix in the US, a multiple winner of CDIs in Spain and Europe, two-time National Champion of Spain, the highest scoring PRE in the history of Aachen CHIO, and a team member consistently since London 2012 helping Spain achieve many medals in the nations cups and high placings as a country in world championships. As of September, 2015, Grandioso remains the highest ranked Iberian horse in the world, a position he has held unchallenged since this time in 2013. What the next year will bring is anyone's guess...Dani and Grandioso will continue to train with hopes to maintain their relevance to Spain as their final competition year together approaches.
Spain Takes Bronze at CDIO Hagen 2015
Spain took the Bronze Medal again this year at the Nations Cup held annually in Germany. Normally located at the prestigious Aachen showgrounds, this year's CDIO was moved to the private facility of Hof Kasselmann due to the upcoming European Championships being held at Aachen in August. Eight nations were invited to compete at what was also the German final qualifier for the ECs. Germany, as expected, took the Gold, with Denmark the Silver and, repeating their placement of 2014, Spain took home the Bronze. The Spanish team consisted of Beatrice Ferrer-Salat and Delgado, Daniel Martin Dockx with Grandioso, Jordi Domingo and Wonder, and Claudio Castillo with Alcaide. HGF's Grandioso and Daniel moved up in the Individual standings with every test, to finish at 11th placein the Kur, solidifying their place on the Spanish Team for the more important upcoming European Championships. Photo Credits: Lars Jehmiller
Daniel Martin Dockx and Oxido: Reserve National Small Tour Champions of Spain
Last weekend in Madrid were held the National Dressage Championships for Spain. HGF had originally planned to enter Bolero CXLVIII in this competition, but the horse developed back soreness during the CDI the weekend before and was unable to compete. At the last minute, Oxido--9 year old stallion by Iberis, purchased by HGF in 2014--was entered into the Small Tour (known as Criterium) Finals, having qualified only the weekend before in the national classes during the CDI Madrid. Oxido is not unknown in the show circuit in Spain. He was competed successfully in the FEI 5 and 6 Year Old levels by Antonio Blanco, and last year with Dani was fourth overall in the Young Horse PSG (Developing Horse level), and first ranked PRE at the level. He is designated JRR (Young Recommended Breeding Stock) for Dressage Conformation by the PRE Studbook, LG-ANCCE. The Campeonato, however, fielded many better-known and experienced pairs at the Small Tour--over 25 horses, including the famous Dragao, Manchego, Mango Statesman and more. Going back into the ring just a few days following the last show, and with no prior experience doing a Kur, Oxido gave three technically solid and expressive tests--earning marks that surprised all. In a coming-of-age experience for Oxido, the horse seemed to gain courage and confidence with every test. Over the three days, Dani and Oxido scored 71.447, 69.342, and 71.225, finishing overall in Second Place to Jose Mena on Dragao. Dani again found himself on the podium of a Spanish National contest, but this time with a new partner, Oxido, who now takes his place among the up and coming important horses for Spain. Our thanks to Lily Forado for the show pictures.
Grandioso Takes the Grand Prix and Special in Madrid
Grandioso and Dani Martin returned to the showring to win both the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Special at the Dressage Festival of Madrid CDI3*. With a score of 71.9, they topped a class of 25 pairs in the Grand Prix, followed by the win in the Special with 72.35. Bolero and Dani were also together in the ribbons for the Grand Prix Kur, with 70.3 and a third place. In the national classes Oxido won both the Prix St. George and the Intermediare I with scores to 69.9. The Madrid Festival continues next weekend with the Adult National Championships of Spain for Dressage. HGF will have only Oxido in the Small Tour Final. Grandioso is scheduled next to compete in Hagen in July for the CHIO Nations Cup. Bolero's show schedule TBA. Our many thanks to the following photographers for their photos: Elena D. Photograpy, TopIberian.com, Lily Forado
HGF and WEG 2014: New Records, New Standards
The rain and wind of Normandy did not dampen the thrill of being part of the World Equestrian Games 2014. For our team, Spain, and for our horse and rider, Jose Daniel Martin Dockx and Grandioso, the World Championships in France were a highly successful and unforgettable experience. The 2014 WEG hosted the strongest field of dressage horses in history. The top 15 horses scored a full 5 percentage points higher (in final individual score) than the top 15 in 2010. As our sport grows in popularity, our horses and riders are growing in skills and capability, and the 2014 WEG was a celebration of new levels of achievement. In the Team Competition, the top three teams were clearly defined prior to the games, and their final point tallies left them virtually untouchable. The only question was the order among themselves. The real drama—at least behind the scenes—was the placings for the next four positions: Spain, US, Denmark and Sweden were in a heated race. Predictions in the press put Spain and the United States behind the other two, and in most cases Spain coming in last, in spite of the results at Aachen where the Spanish took the bronze. When the first two days of team competition were done, 98 riders had entered the arena in Caen, representing the best pairs from 47 nations. In the end, it was Germany, Great Britain, and the Netherlands in the medals, with US taking fourth and close behind Spain in fifth, followed by Sweden and Denmark—with the fourth through sixth place teams scoring less than a point and a half apart. Strong rides from the three top riders for Spain boosted the team above many well-known combinations for the other countries, with a finish that seemed to take many by surprise. Jose Daniel Martin Dockx and Grandioso finished13th in the Grand Prix with 74.23, setting a World Games record for the highest Grand Prix score by a PRE. A 75.1 for Morgan Barbancon and Painted Black, and 72.4 for Jose Antonio Garcia Mena and Norte ensured that all three would move on to the Individual finals in the Grand Prix Special. In the Individual competition, Dani and Grandioso achieved a personal best in the Special, breaking the 74% mark for the first time in their career (74.09). An excellent score, just missing the top 15 for the Kur, the cut-off for which was 74.9. Individually, Dani and Grandioso finished 18th among the best 100 dressage horses from all the nations in the world—an exhilarating feeling for all of us at HGF, the fulfillment of many years of dreams. By all accounts, 2014 WEG was quite different from 2010 in Kentucky. While there was no Fuego Moment at this World Games—no "underdog" who enchanted the audience, causing them to leap to their feet in thunderous applause—there was also no disagreement with the scoring or final placements, nor was there booing from the specatators this year, which must have been a relief for the FEI management. It was all very orderly, but with many high points and stellar performances by veterans and newcomers alike. For PRE horses, the elite results gave even more credibility to the benefit of having these horses make up part of an international team, and we predict that very few countries will turn away a horse based on breed if that horse is capable of scoring over 72%. Following the Games, Grandioso returned home to Malaga, Spain for rest and time off. Soon he and Dani will begin to start preparing for the next big thing…..winter in sunny Florida. Photo Credits: Susan Stickle and Bob Langrish
HGF’s Grandioso is Highest Scoring PRE in Aachen History
The newly renovated Deutsche Bank Stadium was the focus of the dressage world for the Nations Cup at CHIO Aachen 2014. Nine countries fielded teams consisting of their top riders in the 5* competition. With the exception of one or two pairs, the starting roster for the Grand Prix included the top 40 horses and riders in the world. One FEI official was quoted to say that this competition hosted the highest level of dressage sport in history (by scores). Spain overcame the withdrawal of their fourth team member and the re-inspection of one of their horses to rise to the top of the field—taking the Bronze Medal for the Nations Cup based on strong scores by Jose Mena and PRE Norte (72.7), Morgan Barbancon and Painted Black (73.2) and Daniel Martin Dockx and Grandioso (74.6). Topped only by Germany and the Netherlands, the Spanish riders placed higher than teams from England, Denmark, Sweden, United States, Austria, and Belgium. It was a historic day for the Spanish, one in which all good things came together in one amazing moment. For HGF’s Grandioso and Dani, it was another career high score in the Grand Prix Special, 73.7, a test that is not as familiar to the pair but which is becoming progressively more secure with every performance. They easily qualified for the Kur, which is traditionally televised nationally on Sunday afternoon of the CHIO. Grandioso’s freestyle performance was energetic and brilliant, but not without errors. They scored 76.9 in a dead tie with America’s Laura Graves and Adrienne Lyle. Final placement of 12th overall, in a test in which the top 8 all scored over 80%, was the laurel for a weekend of intense pressure and world-class performance. Over the four days of competition, the temperatures had risen to over 90 degrees, and this undoubtedly played a factor in the overall standings as evidenced in the shifting placements throughout the weekend. It was also a weekend highlighted by the comback of Totilas, the fallibility of Valegro, and the rise of Bella Rose, not to mention the dramas within each federation as riders vied for their names to be included in the upcoming announcements of WEG national teams. But for us, the ultimate honor was when we realized, as the Spanish sporting news reported, that Grandioso and Dani now hold the record for the highest scoring PRE in Aachen history, in all three tests—the GP, GP Special, and the Kur. Unlike some of the great and more flashy pairs in PRE history, Dani and Grandioso have made a quiet progression, continuing to improve the strengths of their test, focused on a technical accuracy and fluidity that appear to be the reason behind the rising scores. With the World Equestrian Games now in focus, Grandioso has returned to Spain for a few weeks of light work and rest, hoping to repeat a top performance in Normandy in August. All of us who are part of this horse’s support team are thrilled with what he has accomplished, and how his success gives credence to all the PREs that are on their way to High Performance. For us, and for the PRE world, the beautiful looming edifice of the Deutsche Bank stadium is not only the Cathedral of Dressage, but it is the place where the “glass ceiling” was shattered….once and for all. Following the Grand Prix on Thursday, the German news reported that PREs could no longer be considered a lesser breed for the sport—as two of them proved in the most high-profile show outside of a world championship that PREs were as or more competitive than all but a handful of the most elite horses of Northern Europe. Grandioso's career continues to prove that breed, size and conformation are not dictated by the warmblood industry for success in the sport. A PRE with special gaits and a mind for the work, ridden by a sensitive and skillful rider, can rise to the top of any nation’s roster. This is the lesson from Aachen 2014.
Grandioso III and Daniel Martin Dockx 2014 Champions of Spain
For the second time in their career, Grandioso and Daniel Martin Dockx have taken the National Title for Dressage in Spain. It’s been three years since the last time they’ve attended the National Championships for Dressage-- when they won the title in 2011, not long after Grandioso returned to Spain to be trained by Dani. This year, the Championship was required for all pairs aspiring for the Spanish Team for the World Equestrian Games, and the competition level was very high. As there was no clear favorite going into the show, the final results were a toss-up, only to be determined in the end by the sum of scores over three days. Everyone knew from the start that it would be a horse race between Dani with Grandioso, and his good friend Jose Mena with Norte, who has been enjoying a second career with Norte since his return last year to the show ring after a long period off. In the end, it was Dani and Grandioso that garnered slightly more points to win the Championship, but that’s not the whole story... In the Grand Prix, Grandioso was the clear favorite, topping the class with 73.9 and far in front of the other competitors. Dani rode a clean test with the expression, power, and confidence of a seasoned pair at this level. The Grand Prix Special was more of a challenge. Dani and Grandioso have only performed this test once before, in Herning last summer for the European Championships. (Prior to that, the Olympic GP Special was the official test.) Dani was very pleased with Grandioso who navigated the test with ease, with the exception of one miscommunication between horse and rider in which the horse cantered just before the trot half-pass. The score reflected their good ride—73.725—but was not enough to overtake last year's Champions, Jose and Norte, who dominated with a stronger, more confident ride, earning a spectacular 75.08%. In Spain, all three tests have equal weight toward the final point tally (unlike the US, where the Freestyle counts for only 15% of the overall totals), so the scores on the last day, and not necessarily the placement, would determine the outcome of the weekend. Jose and Norte had the ride of their career and posted a high score of 77.464. Dani and Grandioso, however, have achieved higher scores regularly in the international shows outside of Spain and so went into the Kur with confidence of a win. But it wasn’t their day. Grandioso was a little too fresh, cantering twice in the trot tour--errors that were very costly, and the pair took home the lowest score they’ve ever had with this Freestyle—75.179. A disappointing way to finish a weekend of top riding, but all part of the game. In the end, Dani and Grandioso’s totals edged out Jose and Norte by .05%--the strength of their Grand Prix carrying them to overall victory for the Championship. Jose and Norte took the Silver, with Morgan Barnbancon and her warmblood mare Vitana taking home the Bronze. Jose, displaying the very best of Spanish sportsmanship and graciousness, was the first to congratulate Dani and both friends rode the victory lap with smiles. Looking back on the weekend, one can only say that Spain has 2 National Champions this year—both high-level Spanish-bred PREs, ridden by riders who exemplify the top-quality horsemanship that Spain produces, with scores that will make them highly competitive on the world stage. Now that this is behind them, all of the Spanish riders and horses can focus on working together to represent Spain in the World Championship, coming up in two months. The next challenge for Dani and Jose is Aachen in July, one step further on the road to Normandy! Our thanks to the photographers: Ecuestreonline.com, TopIberian.com, Celeste Ribo
Grandioso Achieves Personal Best Grand Prix at 2013 European Championships
The 2013 FEI European Dressage Championships were hosted by Denmark and held during the week of August 20-27 at a sports complex outside of Herning. 14 countries fielded teams of 3 or 4 horses, and several more countries—including Spain—were represented by individual riders. Both of the Spanish pairs—Jose Daniel Martin Dockx with Grandioso and Jose Antonio Garcia Mena with Norte—achieved personal bests, representing Spain and the PRE breed with dignity and fine performances that placed both in the top 25 horses in Europe. But this outstanding achievement on their part was bittersweet, as the participation of Fuego and Juan Manuel Munoz was greatly missed as well as the opportunity to go to Herning as a team. Daniel and Grandioso were in top form for the Grand Prix. They scored a personal best of 72.204%, ranking 17th on the first day, in a field of 65 of the most competitive Dressage horses in the world. The Grand Prix Special was similarly ridden, receiving a conservative 71.220. In the end, Daniel and Grandioso finished the Championship ranked 22nd. These European Championships were sponsored by Blue Horse Stud and Performance Sales International (in addition to Ecco shoes), and the festivities, galas, stallion presentations, and marketing were strongly geared to the sponsors. This was truly a celebration of the horse and equestrian discipline as defined by Northern Europe. Dressage is alive and well in this part of the world, where the stands were full on the final day for the Kur, to see the Princess retire her lovely Digby, and to watch new world record scores be broken and reset with every class. We can only hope that the same attention will be made to the wonderful Iberian breeds if and when the Olympics come to Madrid in 2020… What an amazing year it has been for Daniel and Grandioso, who in their second year at international Grand Prix, are now ranked within the top 22 horses in the world, and are still maintaining an upward trend. Grandioso made the long trip home again and will now rest and relax until the end of the year, reward for a job well-done. Photo Credit: www.Dressage-News.com
Grandioso and Martin Dockx Finish in the Ribbons in the Kur Grand Prix at CHIO Aachen
Grandioso III and Daniel Martin Dockx were an unknown pair a year ago when they rode in their first Aachen CHIO. In 2012, their first year together at International Grand Prix, the CHIO Aachen was the occasion of their first 70% outside of Spain, and the rookie duo impressed many by finishing 15th in the Grand Prix Nations Cup on the first day of the competition. Now in 2013, following their role on the Spanish Team in the London Olympics and multiple Grand Prix victories since, Grandioso and Martin Dockx returned to Aachen to head a young Spanish delegation that was slated for this year's stand off in the "dressage cathedral" of Germany. A field of 8 nations and 37 riders, including the American A-team for the first time in several years, gathered together for a highly competitive preview of the European Championships. Grandioso and Martin Dockx started out strong in the Grand Prix test on Thursday with 71.447, tying for 12th place with Mikaela Lindh of Finland and Skovland's Mas Guapo. The test had errors in the two-tempis and a miscount in the zig-zag, and so there was room for improvement. On Saturday, the pair rode a stronger Grand Prix Special, with more confidence, expression and technical accuracy, but still one costly error--perhaps to be expected as this was their first time doing the old (pre-Olympic) Special. Their final score of 71.854 held their 12th place position above many higher-ranked and more veteran pairs from other countries, and winning them a coveted spot among the top 15 in the Grand Prix Kur.It was in the Kur where Grandioso and Martin Dockx showed the German dressage world that a new and ambitious Spanish horse and rider were on the horizon. Dancing effortlessly to the movie music from "Hemingway and Gellhorn", Martin Dockx demonstrated the strengths of the PRE horse in the most difficult movements--soft yet energetic piaffe, seamless transitions, floating passage, pirouettes on a dime, up-hill canter work and scopey trot tour including impressive airborne extensions. The Kur designed by Marlene Whitaker from North Carolina brought out the best in this horse and rider, and the judges agreed, awarding them 78.175%, a virtual tie with Anabel Balkenhol of Germany and USA's Steffen Peters. Grandioso finished in 8th place and continued to please the sold-out Deutsche Bank Stadium and national TV audience in the awards ceremonies that followed.