News & Horses:
Found 21 results
Horses
News Articles
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.
HGF & Kerrigan part ways after 15 years
Kerrigan Gluch is leaving Hampton Green Farm in Ocala, Florida after 15 years competing the stable’s P.R.E. horses. Kerrigan, aged 29 and originally from Michigan, has competed HGF horses on both sides of the Atlantic. Kimberly van Kampen, the owner of the stable, said Saturday: “Kerrigan is a wonderful person who has been a part of Hampton Green Farm for 15 years. She has treated my horses like they were her own, and she has always been a most trusted friend and accomplished rider. “We support her in any decision she makes for this next chapter in life and look forward to her successes. It’s been a real joy to have been her sponsor all these years.” Kerrigan became the first American to be selected on a pure Spanish horse, Mejorano, for an official USA team for Europe that paid off with a personal best score in the CDIO4* Nations Cup of the Netherlands Grand Prix Freestyle in 2024. She told DRESSAGE-NEWS.com: “The past 15 years with HGF have been truly special. I’ve had the opportunity to grow through the levels, developing not only as a rider but as a professional, while working with some incredible horses and people who have shaped me along the way. I am especially grateful for the unique experiences and travels this journey has given me. I will always value these opportunities. “I am deeply thankful for all the support Kim has given me and will always recognize the significant role she has played in my career. “As I look ahead, I’m excited to take some time to be with family and explore new opportunities. I strongly believe that everything happens for a reason, and I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next.” Hampton Green hired Jose Daniel Martin Dockx of Spain as the in-house trainer, and he moved to Ocala. The rider competed Hampton Green’s Grandioso, the sire of Mejorano, at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics as well as the 2014 World Equestrian Games and the 2013 and 2015 European Championships. Credit: Dressage News
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.
New Mares Join the HGF Breeding Program
At Hampton Green Farm, broodmares are our backbone of the breeding program. With the goal of continuously improving the quality, diversity, and athletic potential of its PRE horses bred in the United States, HGF has expanded its broodmare program with the addition of several carefully selected mares from distinguished P.RE Breeders. Among the most notable additions is Carol de Susaeta (2022), a mare with exceptionalpedigree, by Poeta de Susaeta out of Sal de Susaeta by Digital. This lineage combines some of the most respected genetics in modern PRE breeding with Cacique IX and Oficial XXIX. The farm has also incorporated Naveganta FSR (2021), by Malagueño LXXXIII out of Indiscreta FSR by Joyero XXIV, reinforcing lines known for their quality of movement and rideability. Alongside her arrives Orgullosa FSR (2022), by Lucero CXLVII and out of Opositora IX by Selecto VI, another mare bringing strong genetic bases. Completing this group are two mares from the respected Nadales breeding lines: Financiera Nadales (2020) and Fandanguera Nadales (2020), both daughters of Egoísta A, out of Ajolí Nadales and Bodeguera Nadales respectively, both by Grandioso de Nadales. With these additions, Hampton Green Farm continues to invest in the future of U.S.-bred PRE horses, combining some of the most influential bloodlines of the breed with its established stallion base.
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.
Perfect Guests: The Budweiser Clydesdales.
Known for the Budweiser Beer commercials, Clydesdale horses are mammoth creatures that possess unique beauty. The renowned Budweiser Clydesdales marched down Western Avenue in downtown Muskegon Thursday, on Nov. 11 for a Veterans Day celebration. Hampton Green Farm was proud to welcome the Budweiser Clydesdales that week. These gentle giants were the perfect guests and we were very honored to have them at home. Horses chosen for the Budweiser Clydesdale hitch must be at least three years of age, stand approximately 18 hands — or six feet — at the shoulder, weigh an average of 2,000 pounds, bay in color, have four white legs, and a blaze of white on the face and black mane and tail.
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
From Michigan to the World Stage: HGF Horses in FEI Championships Summer 2018
Two Michigan-bred PRE horses from Hampton Green Farm will represent the USA and Spain this summer in FEI Championship shows. Mejorano HGF, a son of two-time Olympian Grandioso III, has been selected to represent Spain in the World Championships of Young Horses in the 7 Year Old Division. A rigourous qualifying agenda beginning in January of this year was established by ANCCE, the national PRE breed association which represents Spain in the Championships. Among the best horses from the best stud farms in Spain, American-bred Mejorano HGF, ridden by Jose Daniel Martin Dockx, topped the 7 Year Old ranking and was subsequently selected by team trainer Jurgen Koschel for his spot in the 2 horse quota for the division. On the other end of the spectrum, long-time schoolmaster Idolo Americano (Idilio x Escapada) has found a new career in the hands of Sophia Schults of Saint Joseph, Michigan. In two years, 17 year old Sophia has taken Idolo from FEI Junior to FEI Young Riders and has now qualified for the FEI North American Youth Championships for Region 3. Both Championships will be held the first week of August, in Ermelo, Netherlands and North Salem, New York respectively. HGF is a breeder of PRE horses for dressage and has consistently produced internationally relevant competitors. Our accomplishments include: 2 Olympics--London and Rio 1 World Equestrian Games--Normandy 7 Nations Cups in Aachen and Wellington, for both US teams and Spain 3 National Champions or Reserve (Spain and US) 3 FEI North American Championships, with Individual Medals 1 World Championships for Young Horses HGF has an exceptional line-up of young sale horses in training with international potential. For more information, contact Maria Lithander at hamptongreenfarm@aol.com.
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
Nicholas Fyffe Clinic at HGF Fruitport, July 26-28
Nicholas Fyffe returns to HGF for a 3-day clinic, organized by Andrea Landis, and featuring:5 EDAP riders8 Professionals and Adult Amateurs6 HGF-bred Horses9 Iberian horses6 Warmbloodsand 1 Pony2 open spots, $250/rideContact Andrea Landis at andreadressage1@hotmail.comAuditors Welcome: $20.00 per day, Lunch ProvidedPhoto Credits: Betsy Bougie and Frieze Frame, Inc.
Training Blog by Andrea Landis
HGF is pleased to introduce Andrea Landis, our Working Student Instructor this past summer at HGF and new owner of Brioso HGF--3 year old bay gelding by Bolero CXLVIII out of Quintera. Andrea's life is very full: she is a mother of twin boys under 2, a part-time Dressage Instructor, and full-time Physicians Assistant from Ada, Michigan. She is a long-time student of Christine Traurig and has trained a number of her own young horses to FEI levels. During this summer with the working students, Andrea has become introduced to the PREs at Hampton Green and, like so many professionals who now own HGF horses, has found the breed to be anything but the stereotype that she imagined. Since so many of our clients are starting young horses, we thought Andrea's experiences and thoughts about training her own young PRE might be helpful. Andrea has agreed to put her training experiences down in the form of a blog which we will feature on our website. Her first entry is fresh off the printer and featured here. For more information about Andrea, you can find her on the HGForum on Facebook or call the office at HGF. It Was Love at First Sight Kim hired me last spring to instruct the HGF working students two days a week for six weeks. I was thrilled with the opportunity to be a part of such a reputable farm and to work with Lendon Gray, and the three lovely young ladies I was going to be teaching. I planned out my 6 weeks of teaching and was going to go on my merry way! Wrong… 8:00am first day on the job, there’s Brioso standing in his stall, my life was changed. A total string bean, it looked like both of his front legs came out of the same hole from his chest, they were that close together! All legs, with a big bony shoulder, long neck, well angled, yes, bony hips, and this tail that most would kill for. The first thing out of my mouth.… that doesn’t look like an “Andalusian”. Oops, maybe not the best thing to say at a PRE breeding farm. The image I had in my head and the stereotype of what most Americans think of when you talk about Iberian horses, was absolutely nothing like this stunning bright bay, leggy 3 year old standing in front of me. That day Jasmin Shaudt, wife of Martin Shaudt from Germany, and fellow PRE lover, was there with her mom to look at young horses. Jasmine competed two Hampton Green bred 5 years olds last year with amazing scores, and was looking to add a few more Spanish horses to their farm. Brioso was the first out to be shown. Kim asked me to lunge him a little for Jasmin, in a halter. Sure… an unbroken 3 year old who has just brought in from being out in the pasture all winter. I was floored to see him trot and canter around, with big reaching, balanced gaits, perfect as you please. I knew he had been lunged a bit the summer before, but this young guy was a total pro! I jokingly said to Kim, that I may come in the night to steal him!! But in reality Brioso stole my heart, and changed to course of my riding career. So over the next 6 weeks I managed to sell my current horse, and with the help of Kim, was able to work out an agreement to purchase Brioso. In the past few months we have gone from learning voice commands on the lunge line, to breaking under saddle, and now Brioso and I are cruising around the indoor arena and out in the open fields. His canter is so huge, it literally takes 6 strides to get down the long side. He is brave and so eager to learn. He is the horse that talks to me every time I walk down the barn isle, gallops up to me whinnying when I get him from the field. I hope to continue writing about our journey, and showing pictures and short video clips of our training along the way. My dream has always been to buy a young horse and train him up through the levels of dressage, and someday if all the stars align, compete at the Grand Prix level. I think I have found a four legged partner that seems to be up for the challenge! So with the help of Kim Boyer, Christine Traurig and Lendon Gray, hopefully you will see Brioso and I in the FEI ring… in oh maybe 4 or 5 years :) One of the most valuable training tips I can offer thus far is: Train voice commands on the lunge line. Start this as soon as you start lunging and repeat before every ride for the first few months the horse is under saddle. Simple noises and words that you repeat every time you ask for a change of gait (walk, trot, canter, clucks, kissing, whoa.) repeat the process until the horse gets it, with lots of praises when they respond. Not only is lunging valuable to help the horse learn overall obedience, a steady rhythm, and contact with the bit, but also how to balance in transitions without the weight of the rider. This will make your job as the trainer much easier during the first several rides. Some horses do not instinctively know that when you squeeze or kick with your legs it means to go. As was pointed out to me by Brioso the first time I rode him under saddle (while under the watchful eye of Lendon Gray…..!) I was squeezing and kicking (as nicely as I could because this was my new baby) but he had no idea what language I was speaking. I could barely go past the walk because he was so confused with all my efforts. After spending some more time on the lunge line training voice commands, he could make the correlation between the voice and me using my legs (along with a helpful person on the ground with a lunge whip). Now with the voice commands I can use minimal leg aids, and just a kiss he picks up the canter, cluck and he trots. He does the transitions easily and with confidence under saddle. No loss of balance of rushing into the canter! Over the next several months I hope to write about our training experiences. Christine Traurig is coming at the end of September to help me, so I am sure there will be lots of things to share! Read in PDF format
Where Are They Now: Carmen HGF
Hampton Green Farm distinguishes itself as a breeder of PRE horses for sport, as opposed to a breeder of morphology horses. Nevertheless, our breeding stallions have morphology distinctions and awards, even championships, and our offspring are revised and competed in morphology competitions with high marks in both Spain and the United States. (See http://hamptongreenfarms.com/PRE-horses-awards-en-84.html) Carmen HGF (Camaron IX x Escapada) is one example. Purchased in 2008 by Richard and Melanie James of Christchurch, New Zealand, they recently had the opportunity to have her evaluated by Spanish officials. Here is their update: "Very recently we've had a very well respected ex college of judges category A ANCCE judge visit NZ to do a judging tour. We were nervous for a while as he seemed to be being quite hard on our locally bred horses and was less than impressed with most of what he saw. You will be pleased to know though that Carmen blew everyone away with her movement and scored the highest marks across the country with 25 points. This was against a top class calificado stallion from Spain, and a recently imported show quality amazing mare from Spain, who also has very good movement. The judge scored her walk and trot as excellent, both 9's! The judge also liked her morphology very much, and overall she either came second or third in the country at around 106-7 points (just checking our calcs as the other imported mare had very close marks to her). The next highest mark was the top horse, the calificado stallion, who got some amazing scores, but Carmen was not beaten on movement. The judge was very impressed with her and told us he thought she was the mare of the future. We were stoked and very humbled all at once. We knew she was special, but we were surprised at how much she impressed him, as Dr Rodriguez has very high standards especially re morphology and particularly breed type. We are just annoyed we didn't capture any video of her trotting out as she just flew in her trot that day. Rich could hardly keep up with her but she stayed with him and floated beautifully. So I hope this news will be exciting for you, knowing you have bred a very special top quality PRE who in theory could compete with the best at SICAB (along with the many top quality competitive horses you have also bred). You probably wish now you didn't sell her. We are so grateful to you for allowing us to bring her to NZ. She will have always been special to us whatever happened. It is clear that she will be key to helping us develop the PRE in NZ, as we had hoped." Back, Loins - 9 Croup, Tail - 8 Forelimbs, Limb Alignment - 7.5 Hindlimbs, Limb Alignment - 8.75 Height, Overall Impression - 8 Breed Fidelity - 8 Walk - 9 Trot - 9 Canter - 7 Overall Total 107.25
Summer News at HGF
June is here and HGF Michigan is ready! Spring cleaning is wrapping up just in time for the arrival of our students for their summer program and the last shipment of horses from Florida. Friends from around the country-- and the world-- have planned their summer trips to Fruitport to attend the special events and see the young stock. Four of six 2012 foals are on the ground and Mare Manager Sandy Talbot says they are a strong and lively group. Joan is busy attending to the final plans for over 14 special events to be held at HGF, not least of which is the Lendon Youth Dressage Festival Midwest and the concurrent Emerging Dressage Athlete Clinic in July. Mark your calendars for these important summer dates: Dressage Shows: June 7-10 Fritzens Schindlhof June 22-24 Traverse City June 21-24 Rotterdam July 4-8 Aachen July 10-11 EDAP at HGF July 12 LYDF Midwest August 2-9 London Olympic Games Clinics at HGF*: June 22-23 Lendon Gray June 13-14 Lendon Gray July TBA Lendon Gray TBA Courtney King-Dye *Contact the office if you are interested in riding in any of these clincs. Dressage4Kids Dinner with Robert Dover and Lendon Gray (Open to Public): Wednesday, July 11--6.00 pm $20.00 per person (All proceeds benefit Dressage4Kids) RSVP--231-865-6000
Grandioso Goes to Saumur
The last weekend in April we had the honor of competing in Saumur, France with a distinguished group of horses and riders from Spain and other countries. Grandioso is currently "pre-selected" for Olympic training, and this was the first show for the group outside of Spain this year. Although the weather was dire, the competition was intense--with a number of former Olympic and team horses re-establishing their dominance, and a top group of new pairs challenging the establishment. From the best horses, the rides were breathtaking, and the range of quality in the up and coming pairs was exciting for all who enjoy the sport. Spain had a particularly strong showing, topping all four of the Big Tour classes over the leading riders from the Netherlands. Daniel Martin Dockx and Grandioso were in the ribbons in both the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Special, with scores of 68.2 and 67.6, preserving their international Grand Prix average as they finish this first year of competition at the Grand Prix level. This is the second competition outside of Spain for the pair, and only their fifth time down the centerline at an international show since starting to work together last March. They travel next to Fritzens in June.
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!
HGF at Global Dressage Florida Classic
HGF at Global Dressage Florida Classic This second CDI of the series of 5 was the official Opening for the new Global Dressage Festival. Not until the very last minute on Wednesday night were all permits issued for occupancy on the shiny new buildings and grounds. 200 horses moved in the next morning for a three day show with close to 400 rides. The international Grand Prix fielded over 30 horses from 5 countries, with several of the judges making their first visit to South Florida. Over 600 people attended a sparkling evening of freestyles and 5 additional show sponsors from the Wellington dressage community signed on to be part of what appears to be a game-changing venue and series for our sport.Wednesday evening was the USPRE kick-off party. Normally held on move-in day, this year people had to make a special trip to come out the night before the show for the event--but the response was overwhelming. The Patron's Club was set for 350 people, and there was overflow of at least another 50 outside of the tent--never before has USPRE seen so much support and enthusiasm! A line-up of promising young PREs with top riders--from established US Team riders to Lendon Gray's hand-picked Emerging Dressage Athlete (EDAP) youth riders--rode to music or to the instruction of their trainers. This year's riders were: Endel Ott, Mica Mabragana, Rachel Chowanec, Emily Copeland, Lily Zilo, Chelsea Reed, Maddy Guthrie, Sophie Hoffman and Kerrigan Gluch. Tina Konyot and Lendon Gray taught demonstration riders and gave testimonials of their experiences and endorsements of PRE Horses.The show commenced on Thursday morning, and our attention turned to our HGF riders and their horses. As is our tradition, HGF horses were beautifully ridden and received top scores in their classes--Rachel Chowanec continued to gain experience in this first year of riding the Young Riders tests, improving her marks as she and Embrujado become more experienced at what is essentially the Prix St. George level. They took first and second in the national Team and Individual tests respectively with scores of 68.28 and 67.1. 15 year old Kerrigan Gluch of Michigan traveled down to Wellington with her parents Tina and Brent to represent the EDAP riders in the USPRE exhibit, and to do her first Wellington show as a bonus. Having only ridden Camaron three times in the EDAP clinic in December, Kerrigan proved what her trainer Laurie Moore says are her particular strengths--showmanship and test-riding! They showed third level all weekend and received three of Camaron's best scores at this level: 67.69, 67.94 and 68.415, just edging out Rachel for the Youth Rider High Point Award for USPRE.Mica Mabragana is continuing to live up to her press with exceptionally high marks on the young mare Infanta HGF (Candela x Idilio). Owner Mary Magee of Chicago was on hand to see the pair as they easily topped their Training Level classes with scores of 71.42, 72.00, and 77.85! The judges praised the mare's three excellent gaits and made special mention of the harmony between horse and rider (for which they received a 9 in collective marks from one judge). Mica and Infanta's score of 77.85 was not only the Open High Point score for USPRE, but was the High Score for the entire Florida Dressage Classic show--a fitting conclusion to a weekend sponsored by the United States PRE Association!
2012 HGF Calendar
2012 HGF Calendars, featuring the riders, horses and events of HGF are available for $20.00, and can be paid by credit card on-line. Go to "Pay My Bill" above, enter card information and amount, and type Calendar and your mailing address in the message box. Your information is secure. We will send you a calendar directly from the publisher.