First time showing at international level with the 8-year old talented Hanoverian gelding Rosmarin (by Rosentanz x Weltmeyer x Ludendorff), American Kimberly Herslow was delighted with her debut performance at small tour level at the 2013 Palm Beach Dressage Derby in Loxahatchee, Florida, on 1 - 3 March 2013.
"I am so incredibly thrilled to be showing in Florida this season," the 42-year old Kim told Eurodressage.
Finishing first in the Prix St Georges with 70.789%, second in the Intermediaire I with 70.868%, and winning the kur with 71.650%% Kimberley knows that the result is thanks to all of her faithful supporters. "I owe a huge part of this opportunity to my sponsor Composecure, Michele Logan and John Herslow, my father," she explained. "Also my assistant back home, Catherine Mahon, who is keeping going my clients and horses I train at home."
Owner of a 52-acre farm in Stockton, NJ, Kim focuses her training on quality for both the horse and rider and acknowledged that she is lucky to have found a quality horse to match. "I found ‘Reno’ as a 3 year old in Germany at Johannes Westendarp's and fell in love. He has an amazing personality and we are truly connected to each other in our trust and communication."
Knowing immediately that Reno would be the "one", Kim was offered the opportunity to find a youngster by clients, Robert and Lisa Fritschy, and she is excited that their investment is proving a success! "I knew he was the one when I sat on him, even in the first few minutes," she said. "It was like an immediate bond that was very obvious, and even his trainer noticed! It was meant to be and timing is everything!!"
Bred by Josef Brinkemöller and bought by Westendarp as a foal, Rosmarin proved his talent from the start and qualified for the 2008 Bundeschampionate in Warendorf by finishing in bronze medal position at the 2008 Hanoverian Riding Horse Championships in Verden. Sire Rosentanz is a premium Hanoverian (by Rohdiamant x Sao Paulo) who became the price highlight at the 2003 Hanoverian Stallion Licensing Auction, selling for 200,000 euro to Denmark. Now gelded Rosentanz is proving the perfect match for the junior rider daughter of Danish owner Lone Boegh Henriksen, who still has frozen semen available.
As all good things take time Kim confirmed the couple did have their challenges along the way. "Reno went through a weird phase when he was five years old. His canter got really weird and disconnected. It took patience and confidence to get through it and by the time he was six, we had worked through it and built up the strength for collection," she said. "He was a slow bloomer but it was worth the wait!!"
Bringing Reno to her home over 4 years ago, Kim was patient in training him herself, so was able to give him the time he needed to develop. "He is over 17 hands and has a long body so it took him a while to figure out how to use it. The talent was so easy to see, we just had to be patient and not push too hard too soon."
If Reno were human, Kim is certain he would be a gorgeous, well groomed man that is always in a great mood! "He would say "Let's go to the show" and he just loves to bring his presence into the ring," she laughed.
Gradually Kim began to show her giant gentleman and it became more apparent what a star he really was as time went on. "He won almost every time we went out and I loved to watch him develop into the athlete I knew he could be."
Started in the Developing Prix St Georges Horse class last year as a 7 year old, Rosmarin had only just started learning changes and pirouettes, and still produced some outstanding results. "He was very green, but still he finished as 1st alternate with a 70% average. He then showed the regular Prix St Georges for the first time at Devon and finished in 2nd place with a 69.51% out of a huge class. I think we are ready to make our mark here in Florida, and we have begun! Now we just need mileage in the ring at this level."
With a dream to train in Europe possibly in 2014, Kim admires Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin and thinks they make an amazing team. "I have trained with a few different trainers on an as needed basis. I started working a few times with Lars Petersen this past year and decided to come and train with him in Florida for the season. We work together nicely and he has been such a great help for us."
Set to qualify for the National and Developing PSG Horse championships for 2013, Kim hopes to be at Grand Prix level by next Florida season, but knows that there is only one man who can be sure if that will happen. "Reno will be able to tell us what he is ready for! If it takes longer, then so be it."
by Sarah Warne for Eurodressage
Photos © Sue Stickle
Related Links
Scores 2013 CDI-W Loxahatchee
Petersen and Herslow Collect Second Win at 2013 Palm Beach Dressage Derby
Petersen and Herslow Win Big on Day One of the 2013 Palm Beach Dressage Derby