Kim Stordahl's 2011 CDI Del Mar "Dressage Affaire" is a Hit

Shows

2011 CDI Del Mar

One of the sport's favorite shows for riders and spectators, Kim Stordahl's California Dressage Affair CDI, was filled to capacity with well over 250 horses from California, Oregon, Arizona and Colorado. With the bleachers down near the dressage court, this show makes audience members feel like they are a part of each ride -- adding to the overall excitement of such a competition.

After a few technical glitches with computers were ironed out, all of the 4 rings ran on time starting at 7:30 a.m. and finishing up around 6:00 p.m..

Guenter Seidel Is Back in the Saddle

It was good to see Guenter back in competition after his riding accident in June of last year. Watching his performances you'd never know he'd suffered such a serious fracture. "It feels really good to be back showing, I'm a little sore but that will work it's self out over time," said Guenter when asked how it feels to be back in the ring.

Seidel's first ride of the show was in the Prix St. Georges, on Sundayboy, a 17 hand, 12-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Richard and Jane Brown. The pair were impressive, as Gunter rode the powerful gelding to a commanding 74.47% win. Seidel was obviously happy with the gelding, saying, "Sundayboy was super today. I'm very pleased with his performance and he will only get better throughout the season."

Guenter Seidel on U II When asked what his plans are for Sundayboy, Gunter replied, "I plan on showing him in the small tour for awhile. He's doing all of the Grand Prix movements at home but I want to focus on building his strength and confidence in the movements."

Next, Guenter rode UII, the 17.2 hand, 10-year-old Dutch warmblood gelding by Jazz, in the FEI Grand Prix on Friday. The chesnut gelding appeared tense and a bit rusty with several mistakes in the piaffe. This did not deter the spectators as they showed their enthusiasm for having the U.S. Olympian back in the arena by cheering him both before and after his ride. By Sunday, the pair had worked out the kinks and were back in the swing of things, winning the Freestyle, Grand Prix with a score of 71.90% before a sell-out crowd.

"He was a little spooky in the arena on Friday but it's been awhile since he's been in a show environment," Seidel said about his rides. "Today he felt more relaxed. Overall I'm very happy with him."

Mares Power in the Small Tour

In a large field of competitors, the hotly contested PSG CDI, the first part of the Intermediere I CDI, had some talented horses with some very nice moments. There were a lot of mistakes across the board and at the end of the day it was the precision to the details of the test that made the difference.

Jan Ebeling on Rosenzauber Jan Ebling and his two mares, Sandrina, a 13-year-old Oldenburg mare owned by Ann Romney, and Rosenzauber, a black Hanovarian mare by Rotspon and owned by Deborah Harlan, put in two very nice performances. The beautiful Sandrina floated from movement to movement to win the class with a 67.675%. Jan and Rosenzauber claimed 4th with a 66.535%.

Niki Zamora aboard Ramsgate D, a 13-year-old, 16.1 hand KWPN gelding owned by Sharolyn Naftel, was a close second with a score of 67.456%. While Ramsgate appeared tense at times, the pair more than made up for with a beautifully executed test. Niki was spot on in her transition points and her tempi changes were exceptionally straight. Overall it was a nicely ridden test.

Niki remarked that she feels strongly about paying attention to the geometry of each test, "It's really important to practice not just the movements of a test but to also work on the accuracy of the test. That way when I come to a show, I can then really focus on the movements."

Brian Hafner, who placed third with 67.193% in the Prix St. George on Friday, had a few unfortunate mistakes in the 3 tempies in an otherwise super ride on Lombardo LHF, a 16.3 hand 12 year old Hannoverian gelding by Londonberry.

By Saturday in the Intermediaire I, Jan's mares would shift positions, with Rosenzauber in her first Intermediaire I CDI winning the class with a 68.64% and Sandrina taking third with a 67.763%. Brian and Lombardo LHF placed second with 68.246%. This was Brian and Lombardo LHF's first Open CDI together.

Young Riders Battle it Out

Although it's just the beginning of the season, the Young Riders Class is shaping up to be very competitive with riders MacKinzie Pooley, Brandi Roenick, Catherine Chamberlain, and Jaclyn Pepper all capable of winning every time they enter the arena.

Catherine Chamberlain on Verdicci On Friday, David Wightman's Young Rider Mackinzie Pooley won the CDI FEI Young Rider Team Test with a 67.289% aboard Jonkara, a 20-year-old black Oldenburg mare, owned by Mackinzie. MacKinzie's experience helped her win as her mare was a bit on the muscle and Mackinzie had to really settle in and ride.

Commenting on the pair's performance, David said, "those two have a very special bond. Jonkara is a young rider's horse of a lifetime. Mackinzie had to go in there today and take the lead with the mare, settle her down. Other day's it's Jonkara that takes the lead. I'm very proud of her she stayed focused and calm and it paid off."

Mackinzie commented that "Jonkara doesn't like this indoor arena, she gets really hot, but today she trusted me and she listened to me." Mackinzie went on to place forth in the Young Rider Individual test with a 63.237% and to win the Young Rider Freestyle on Sunday with a score of 67.05%.

Brandi Roenick who came in second in the Young Riders Team Test, took first for the Young Rider Individual Test aboard Pretty Lady, a 16 hand 14 year-old KWPN mare by Iglesias, with a 64.895%. Catherine Chamberlain aboard Verdicci, a 9 year-old 16.2 hand bay gelding by Krack C, took third in the Team with a 65.0% and third for the Individual with a 64.658% and had a very nice ride in the Freestyle for second place with 65.70.