News & Horses:
Found 21 results
Horses
News Articles
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
From Ocala to Segovia: Santiago HGF Podiums in Final Qualifier for ANCCE PRE Team
With the FEI WBFSH World Breeding Dressage Championships for Young Horses in Verden firmly in sight (04-09 August), the final CDIYH qualifying event for the ANCCE PRE Team selection took place from June 16-18 at the Centro Ecuestre de Castilla y León (CECYL) in Segovia, Spain. The competition represented the last opportunity for owners, breeders and riders to secure the scores required for selection to the Spanish PRE Team heading to Verden this August. FROM OCALA TO SEGOVIA Following a successful spring campaign in the United States, including strong performances at the CDI Ocala and CDI TerraNova, Santiago HGF made the journey from Florida to Spain for this mandatory selection event. The five-year-old stallion, bred by Hampton Green Farm and ridden by Antonio Crespín, faced a highly competitive field of 12 horses, the largest and most competitive age group of the show. Judged by an international panel consisting of Juan Carlos Campos, Knut Danzberg, and Hans Voser, two of whom will officiate at the World Championships in Verden next month, Santiago HGF delivered another solid performance. The son of Grandioso III x Joyero XXIV finished third in the preliminary test with a score of 77.200% and fifth place in the final with 73.800%. CECYL( Centro Ecuestre de Castilla y León) in Segovia holds a special place in Hampton Green Farm’s history. In 2018, José Daniel Martín Dockx competed there with Mejorano HGF, another son of Grandioso III, obtaining the qualifying scores required for the FEI World Championships in the seven-year-old division. A year later, the pair returned to compete at Intermedia A/B level. The farm also has fond memories of Campanero HGF, who contested the selection process for the five-year-old division at the same venue in 2019. ROAD TO VERDEN The 2026 season has been demanding for young dressage horses, with an intensive calendar and a highly competitive selection process requiring consistency throughout the year. The qualification pathway in Spain included CDI in Jerez de la Frontera, Vejer de la Frontera, Murcia, Medina Sidonia, Madrid, and finally Segovia, where participation was mandatory for horses seeking selection to the ANCCE Team. With the final qualifier now complete, all eyes turn to ANCCE, which is expected to announce its team selection in the coming days.
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.
Ten Years of Grandioso’s Legacy
Following the social media tren, this year marks a decade of the Grandioso era (2016–2026). In 2016, Grandioso III and José Daniel Martín Dockx competed at the CDIO5* Aachen and later represented Spain at the Olympic Games in Rio. Today, the story continues at Hampton Green Farm, where a new generation of riders; including Kerrigan Gluch and Antonio Crespin; are developing the stallion’s offspring, carrying his influence into the future of the breed such as Ferro HGF, Santiago HFG One of the most importants offsprings of Grandioso has been Mejorano HGF. This horse was trained by José Daniel Martin Dockx from 6 years old up to GP (2019) . Mejorano HGF represented Spain at the World Championships of Young horses in 2018 at the 7 years old class. In 2019, Kerrigan Took the reins of the horses and started her GP campaign in 2020. Fast Forward, in 2023, Kerrigan represented United States with our US-home bred PRE horse Mejorano HGF at the CDIO5* Nations Cup in Rotterdam. On the freestyle she scored: 75.350 ending up at 7th place.
José Daniel Martin Dockx Will continue as the PRE Team Dressage Coach
ANCCE is pleased to announce that Daniel Martin Dockx will continue as the PRE Young Horse Dressage Team coach throughout the 2026 season. This fact reiterates our commitment to continue growing together and moving forward towards the highest possible international level. Since 2020, José Daniel Martín Dockx has been responsible for the coordination and training of riders within ANCCE’s Annual Dressage Sport Plan, working with both adult horses and young prospects to optimize their competitive performance. In addition, since 2021, he has served as Head Coach of the PRE Team for the World Championships for Young Horses, a role that has been instrumental in the growth of its international prestige. With the pathway that we have built together, we confirm that Martin Dockx will continue with us in 2026. The circumstance offers continuity for this solid and coherent project based on long-term efforts. Our sights on the Dressage World Breeding Championships for Young Horses, in Verden from the 4th to the 9th of August this year. This venue summons the world's best young horses competing in the 5, 6, and 7-year-old Dressage categories. The event has become key to showcase the projection of international Dressage talents. We would like to express our most sincere gratitude to breeder Kimberly Van Kampen for her steadfast commitment, constant support for PREs, and her trust in this joint project. Her involvement has been vital in enabling us to continue moving forward with enthusiasm and ambition in this line of work. Likewise, this announcement is also an invitation for breeders and riders to start preparing their 5 to 7-year-old horses as we continue to see future PRE Horses excel on the international stage once again this year. In due course, the specific regulations and key dates for the PRE Dressage Team clinics will be announced. These regulations will provide detailed information regarding how the program works and the steps to follow for this new season. Source ANCCE/USPRE LINK : https://www.usprea.com/en/news/daniel-martin-dockx-will-continue-as-the-2026-pre-team-dressage-coach Link: https://www.ancce.es/en/ver-noticia12/3163/daniel-martin-dockx-continua-como-seleccionador-del-equipo-pre-de-doma-clasica-2026/ Link : https://www.eurodressage.com/2026/01/16/jose-daniel-martin-dockx-continues-2026-pre-team-dressage-coach
TEAM PRE Guidelines for Verden Announced
ANCCE and USPRE released the qualification guidelines for riders aiming to compete at the WBFSH World Championships for Young Horses in Verden 2026. American riders with PRE horses have two possible pathways: joining the Spanish ANCCE team through international CDI results and the Segovia selection event, or qualifying through the U.S. system via USEF ranking lists and qualifying competitions. A. Spanish ANCCE Team Qualification (via RFHE) Horses must first obtain the RFHE required minimum FEI scores of 75% for 5 and 6 year olds, and 70% for 7 years old, at TWO international CDIs in their home countries. Horses must then compete at the CDI in Segovia in June with all other prospects, where the final team selection will take place. From that point, horse and rider are considered part of the Spanish team and are required to follow all schedules and regulations as the other representatives of Spain. Full requirements posted here: https://www.ancce.es/concursos/doma-clasica/caballos-jovenes B. US ANCCE Team Qualification (via USEF) Athlete/Horse combinations must obtain the minimum requirements as outlined in the Selection Procedures posted on the USEF website (see link below) for consideration to be selected to represent the U.S. For U.S. qualifications, 5- and 6-year-old combinations must earn a minimum overall average of 8.2 on their respective USEF FEI World Breeding Championship ranking list. In addition, the Athlete/ Horse combinations must compete in the Preliminary and Final tests in combination at a minimum of two CDIYH or USEF Qualifying Competitions in USEF Qualifying Classes. Seven-Year-Old combinations must earn a minimum overall average of 77.500% on the USEF FEI World Breeding Championship Seven-Year-old ranking list. In addition, the Athlete/Horse combinations must compete in the Preliminary and Final tests in combination at a minimum of two CDI-YH or USEF Qualifying Competitions in USEF Qualifying Classes. Athlete/Horse combinations must apply to USEF for consideration to be selected to represent the U.S. The quota distribution for each age category for the U.S. is two (2) per division. U.S. bred horses (defined as a horse foaled in the United States) will take priority if MERs are met. Applicants are subject to the requirements set forth in the complete USEF Selection Procedures which are posted on the USEF website here: https://www.usef.org/forms-pubs/jdcLB5pi8NY/2025-fei-world-breeding-championships Source USPRE/ANCCE LINK : https://usprea.com/en/news/qualifications-for-participation-in-the-wbfsh-world-championship-of-young-horses-for-american-riders-of-pre-horses
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.
Iberian Showcase Young Horse Challenge
February 02, Ocala (Florida) World Equestrian Center Dressage and Hampton Green Farm announce WEC’s first Iberian Showcase Weekend, March 11-13th. In addition to the national dressage show (Ocala Dressage I), special events have been planned for owners, riders and enthusiasts of Iberian (Spanish and Portuguese) horses. The weekend will kick off with a cocktail reception on Friday Night for all exhibitors, sponsored by Hampton Green Farm, including special guests and a presentation of training and riding by the HGF staff and horses and others. Throughout the weekend, the show management will host the Iberian Showcase Young Horse Challenge during the following normal USEF classes: FEI 5 Year Old (Preliminary) FEI 5 Year Old (Final) FEI 6 Year Old (Preliminary) FEI 6 Year Old (Final) Prix St. George (combination of two scores) Directives: —The Challenge is open to Iberian horses only, documented by breed association papers. —All classes will take place during the regular open show schedule (see Prizelist), and will be judged by USEF judges. —Preliminary scores and Final scores for the FEI Young Horse classes will be totaled to determine winners. —The Prix St. George Challenge will be open to Iberian breed horses 10 years old and younger. —Winner of the PSG Challenge will be determined by the total of two scores during the weekend. —First three places in each division to be pinned. Awards ceremony on Sunday afternoon. All horses and riders must be present. Prize money will be awarded: $1000.00 Champion 5 Year Old $1000.00 Champion 6 Year Old $1000.00 Champion Prix St. George Mark your calendar and make your plans now for the Iberian Event of the winter season in Ocala, Florida.
HGF US-Bred PREs Take Silver and Bronze at SICAB, World Championship of PRE Horses
Two of Hampton Green Farm's Michigan-bred young horses took home medals from SICAB 2018--the World Championship of PRE Horses--from the Finals of the Copa ANCCE. Competing against the highest ranking PRE horses in the country of Spain following a year of qualification, Mejorano HGF attained a Silver Medal and Campanero HGF the Bronze in the 7 Year Old and 5 Year Old Divisions respectively. Both horses represent the bloodlines that characterize the output of HGF, primarily the lines of Olympic stallion Grandioso III from Yeguada Marin Garcia. Trained and competed by Jose Daniel Martin Dockx, Mejorano HGF is completing an outstanding year in which they formed part of the first all-PRE team to represent Spain in the World Championship of Young Horses in Ermelo, Netherlands, in August. Campanero HGF was long-listed for the same event, and has maintained his standing among a very competitive field of 5 year olds in Spain. For information about sales horses at HGF Michigan, please contact HGF at hamptongreenfarm@aol.com
Daniel Martin Dockx and Oxido Place Fourth in the Spanish Young Horse Championships
At the end of September in Toledo, Spain, HGF's Oxido and Daniel Martin Dockx competed in the Spanish National Young Horse Championships in the 7-9 Years Category, what is known in the US as the Developing Horse Prix St. George. The pair placed Third in the First Qualifier, Fourth in the PSG, and Third again in the Kur, with a final placing of Fourth overall. Additionally, they were Copa ANCCE Champions, highest placed PRE in the 7-9 years category where there were 22 horses, the top 3 positions filled by warmbloods. Oxido is a new horse for Hampton Green Farm, purchased in March 2014. The 2006 gray stallion is by Iberis (Camacho Benitez) and was bred by the Hermanos Mojarro Zamora studfarm. Oxido is designated Young Recommended Breeding Stock for Dressage Performance by the parent studbook, ANCCE, and with former rider Antonio Blanco Prieto was selected for the 2013 ANCCE Team, after obtaining the highest marks for a 6 Year Old in the PSJC series in 2012.
Vaquero HGF Tops the 6 Year Old PREs at the Spanish Young Horse Championships
Last weekend in Segovia, Spain, Hampton Green’s homebred Vaquero (Cuatrero IV x Idilio II) finished the weekend as the top-ranked PRE in the Six Year Old Division, and 7th overall in a class noted for its exceptional quality of horses of both Iberian and Northern European breeding. Three consistent rides over three days produced scores of 75.8, 70.4, and 73.6, for a total accumulated score of 328,600 for rider Daniel Martin Dockx and Vaquero, whom Daniel has trained since the horse had three years. Three other top-quality PREs followed close behind Vaquero in the rankings: ANCCE Luna CCL, bred by Yeguada Vistabella; Vetusto JV I, bred by Caballeria Esteve-Agrapur; and ANCCE Isleno FS, product of the Yeguada Arroyomonte. The Six Year Old Division was won by Jordi Domingo on Mango Statesman, a Sandro Hit son of the Hannoverian registry. Full results may be seen at http://www.secretariasecuestres.com/archivos/web/contenidos/pdf/1310_DCTOEspCJ_Acumulados_1.pdf Vaquero was also first in the Copa ANCCE for the weekend, tied with ANCCE Luna. The Copa ANCCE is the High Point Series sponsored by the breed association ANCCE for PRE horses competing at dressage in Spain. For this competition, only from days 2 and 3 were applied to the Copa ANCCE ranking. To date, Vaquero HGF maintains a solid first place ranking with ANCCE in the run-up to SICAB in December. In 2012, Vaquero and Daniel were also the top finishing PRE in the National Five Year Old Division at the Young Horse Championships in Zaragoza. See Vaquero's test from Day 1 in the Video Menu above.
Spanish National Championships 2012
The Spanish National Championships will be held in Zaragoza on 5-15 October. HGF will compete in the 5 Year Old Division in the Young Horse Championship with Vaquero HGF (Cuatrero x Encina x Idilio). Live coverage on-line at .
Competition Photos from the Spanish National Young Horse Championships 2012
Daniel Martin Dockx and Vaquero HGF, Top Nationally-Ranked 5 Year Old PRE in Spain Pictures credits:TopIberian.com
US-Born VAQUERO HGF Tops 5 Year Old PREs at Spanish National Young Horse Championships
Hampton Green Farm is proud to announce that Michigan-born Vaquero HGF, ridden by Daniel Martin Dockx, topped all PREs in the Five Year Old Division of the Spanish National Young Horse Championships, held last week in Zaragoza, Spain. Additionally, Vaquero HGF was the only PRE to place in the top ten for the division. The Spanish National Young Horse Trials, this year hosted at Feria de Ecuzar, brought out more than 150 young horses in the four divisions (4 Years, 5 Years, 6 Years, and Developing Horse 7-9 Years). There were 60 horses in the 5 Year Old Division, roughly divided equally between PREs and warmblood horses. Qualifiers for the finals were held at rated shows throughout the year, and this year's championship field presented the finest exemplars of the best studfarms in Spain, as well as many high-quality imported German stock. Vaquero HGF is by Cuatrero IV, out of Encina HGF (by Idilio II). Vaquero's sire was imported from the Yeguada Marin Garcia and is closely related to Grandioso III. Vaquero's dam, like Vaquero, was bred at HGF's Michigan location. As a three year old, Vaquero was selected by Courtney King-Dye as a future prospect, however, following her injury, Vaquero was sent to Spain to be started by Daniel. The pair had a very respectful showing at the 2011 Four Year Old National Championships (finishing in the top 10 horses, and top 5 PREs). Competition photos to be posted as we get them. Final classifications athttp://www.topiberian.com/shows/2012/ecuzar/docs/caballos-jovenes/medallero.pdf
HGF-bred Young Horses Compete in Wellington 2012
Two HGF-bred young horses were actively competed in Wellington this past season, and both with stand-out results. Mary Magee's Infanta HGF (Idilio x Candela), ridden by Mica Mabragana, was a multiple First Place winner of her Training Level classes, USPRE High Point winner at the Florida Classic Dressage Show (she was also the High Point winner for the show) and the Palm Beach Derby, and Reserve Champion Training Level High Point for the Global Dressage Festival National Circuit (9 shows). Robert Dover's HGF Fiero (Grandioso x Ibiza), ridden by Nicholas Fyffe, was the USPRE High Point winner for the national show at the Nation's Cup, with a 71.6% and First Place at Training Level. He was also the overall High Point winner for that show. Fiero turns 4 in July. Congratulations to riders and owners!
Nicholas Fyffe and Lorraine Stubbs to Headline at the Lendon Youth Dressage Festival Midwest
The final plans for the 2013 Lendon Youth Dressage Festival Midwest have been finalized, and this year's speakers bring the world of High Performance Dressage to the youth riders attending the show. The Saturday evening dinner for the riders and their families will kick-off the weekend with speaker Nicholas Fyffe. Nicholas was born in Australia to a family of racehorse trainers. From his youth he excelled at both riding and gymnastics. As a young adult, he decided to dedicate his life to the pursuit of the ideals of Dressage. Nicholas has lived and trained in Germany under top international riders including Martina Hannover Sternberg, Ulla Salzgeber, Hubertus Schmidt, and Catherine Haddad. He was a member of the Australian Dressage Team, winner ofthe 2007 Tri-Nations Cup in South Africa, and long-listed for the Olympic Games in Beijing. Nicholas has qualified multiple horses for the World Young Horse Championships and during his years as manager of Suntori Park in Sydney, Australia, Nicholas won multiple Australian Championships up through the FEI levels. In 2010, Nicholas relocated to Wellington, Florida, to be an assistant trainer for Oded Shimoni. Now in partnership with Canadian Olympian David Marcus, Nicholas continues to ride and train at Stillpoint Farm in Wellington, and in Campbellville, Ontario. Nicholas is a rising star, having competed successfully in the Wellington circuit in the past few years at both national and international levels, and is the current trainer of Robert Dover's Fiero HGF, a 4 year old PRE stallion by Grandioso III. Nicholas is busy giving clinics around the country and in Canada, and we are grateful he is taking time to help out at LYDFM. Nicholas will also be the Dressage Commentator on Sunday morning during the Dressage Test component of the show. He will be sitting with our judge, Lorraine Stubbs, and providing each rider with a short review of their ride. Lorraine Stubbs, Canadian Olympian, 4* Judge and author, will provide a lecture to the riders at the conclusion of the Equitation classes, and just prior to the awards ceremony. For more about Lorraine, see http://www.hamptongreenfarm.com/PRE-horses-lendon-youth-dressage-festival-update-2013-judging-panel-led-by-lorraine-stubbs-of-canada-en-289.html. LYDFM 2013 is shaping up to be an exciting and highly educational experience for all of our riders! Registration is now open. See the Prize List and Entry Form provided above on our Home Page.
Four Year Old Vaquero HGF Finishes in Top Five PREs at Spanish National Young Horse Championships
This past weekend in Almeria Spain, Vaquero HGF competed in his second horse show with notable results. He and his rider Daniel Martin Dockx placed in the top five PREs nationally at the Four Year Old Level, and in the top ten for the Four Year Old Championship overall. The first class of the competition had close to 60 horses and was divided into two days. Following the Preliminary Test, fifteen horses would move on to the Finals. Vaquero placed 13th with a score of 6.9. In the Final Test, Vaquero moved up significantly to 7th place with a score of 72.6, giving him a cumulative score of 248.7 and a 9th place overall, and 5th of the PRE Horses nationally at that level. Vaquero is a 2007 gray PRE colt by Cuatrero IV out of Encina HGF (Idilio), born at HGF in Fruitport, Michigan. In late 2010 as a three year old, Vaquero and his pasture mate, Conquero HGF, traveled to Spain to be in training with Daniel Martin. Conquero has yet to be shown. Both horses will continue their training with Daniel at Hipica Dana. Video of the ride and the rest of the Championship can be seen at TopIberian:http://www.topiberian.com/index.php?option=com_seyret[&]Itemid=67[&]task=videodirectlink[&]id=5315[&]lang=es
Lendon Gray Clinic in Spain
For three days last week, US Olympian and veteran trainer Lendon Gray worked with HGF rider Dani Marten and the HGF horses. Additionally, Lendon schooled Spanish Junior Rider Eva Maria Sanchez Calvache on her mare, as well as Danish Dressage journalist Charlotte Mogenson (www.horse2rider.eu). Dani is preparing two horses for the Spanish National Championships--four year old Vaquero for the Young Horse Trials next weekend, and Grandioso III for the Grand Prix, October 7-9. Below are some highlights from the clinic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ajaVBc04Vg
Where Are They Now?: Icono HGF, Genio HGF and Martin and Jasmine Schaudt
We had the pleasure to visit Icono and Genio this summer at Martin and Jasmine Schaudt's barn in Stuttgart, Germany. This has been a big summer for Icono, who has been showing in the FEI Five Year Old Classes with Jasmine and achieving top placings in each showing. In three separate shows from July through September, three panels of judges have placed Jasmine and Icono in First or Second place, with scores up to 8.2% in classes of over 20 horses, including former Four Year Old and Five Year Old champions of the Trakhener and German Young Horse circuits. Jasmine, wife of German Gold Medalist Martin Schaudt, is the rider and trainer of both Icono HGF (Idilio II x Escapada) and Genio HGF (Grandioso III x Ibiza), two five year old PREs purchased by Martin in 2006 in Michigan when both horses were still at their dam's sides. Martin is known for his passion for young horses, and in 2006-7 was riding and training the sires of his horses, Idilio and Grandioso, at Hampton Green Farm. Genio is a full brother to Robert Dover's 2008 Fiero HGF and has not been shown yet. Icono and Genio are Jasmine's first experience with PREs. Jasmine is best known as the former owner and rider of Girasol, Nadine Capellmann's Olympic-hopeful mare and half-sibling to Totilas, with whom she obtained scores to 70% in German national Grand Prix classes. About competing in a Young Horse Class in Germany with a PRE, Jasmine laughs: "When I first enter the ring on Icono, I get a lot of comments like 'how exotic...'. But when he starts to move, the smiles freeze!" After three shows with top results, it looks like their success is becoming a trend. Jasmine and Martin are planning to keep both young horses for the time being, with the goal of training them to Grand Prix.
Megan Levine and Rhomann are the HGF Young Horse/Young Rider Champions at the Lendon Youth Dressage Festival Midwest.
In this first year of the LYDF Midwest, several new awards were sponsored by various organizations. To encourage young riders to be trainers as well as riders, HGF chose to present it's Champion ribbon to the highest scoring pair where the horse was started by the rider. We were pleased to see that there were several pairs who fit the criteria this year, but our winner was 20 year old Megan Levine on Rhomann. Megan has an impressive record already with training young horses....Here is her story: I have known Rhomann since he was first born. I began taking lessons at Rowe stables in Okemos, MI the week he was born. He is by the stallion Rhoquest (by Art Deco) and out of a brood mare, both owned by my instructor Tracy Rowe McEwan, and I had the pleasure of watching him grow up during my time there taking lessons on my mare. The year I turned 17, I was getting ready to show my first Prix St. Georges on an appaloosa mare that I trained from the time she was green broke. Tracy needed to down sized her number of personal horses, and seeing my dedication and hard work with my other horse, she offered me first pick of her two young horses. I chose to purchase Rho from her and since he had just turned 3, we promptly got to work with him. With some help from the local cowboy we got him started and the process went very smoothly. From the beginning of his training he has had a wonderful attitude and personality with a willingness to work and to learn. As well as comfortable, forward gaits. I have done all of his training, with weekly lessons and instruction at Rowe stable. He turned 6 this May and we are working on 3rd level at home. Today at my lesson we actually did our first flying lead change. He is a sensitive horse and has been very trainable and rideable because he likes to be kept busy. The more I keep him thinking the more fun he is to ride. This trait of his has made him very enjoyable to train because he catches on to movements quickly and once he understands it, I barely have to ask him from then on to produce that movement and he will perform with out a hesitation at the slightest cue. We do still have our challenges, Rhomann is built with a high set neck, and it takes a great deal of effort on his part to maintain the reaching stretching contact desired at the lower levels of dressage. This is improving though and is something that I work very diligently in our rides to maintain. I plan to continue riding and training with Tracy Rowe McEwan and work up the levels with him, and hope to eventually compete him at Grand Prix. Like most young dressage enthusiasts this is my goal. If this is met he will be the second horse I have trained to FEI. I have brought my appaloosa mare from a out of control barrel racing reject, to schooling Grand Prix in my 7 years riding at Rowe Stables. I have loved every second of my journey with him this far and hope to have many more years with him. Congratulations Megan and Rhomann!