Dressage rider Caroline Roffman kicked off the New Year by competing in and winning the Young Rider Grand Prix on Lux Stensvang at the Wellington Classic Dressage Challenge I Show. Roffman, who was named the 2010 FEI Rising Star by the International Equestrian Federation, won the FEI or Equivalent Test of Choice Open on Lux with a score of 68.605%
and also rode Pie to the win in the FEI or Equivalent Test of Choice Open with a 72.105%.
“It was only mine and Lux’s second time riding the Young Rider Grand Prix,” Roffman said. “I purchased Lux, who is nine-years-old, from Blue Horse Stud in Denmark through my trainer Lars Petersen. He is a Danish gelding by Lobster, and I’ve owned him for about a year and a half. We rode the Young Rider Grand Prix for the first time at the Wellington Classic Dressage Holiday Challenge in December, and it went really well. But I was also really nervous. So nervous, in fact, I forgot to salute at the end! But at this past show, our second time showing the Young Rider Grand Prix, things went much smoother and our scores are steadily improving.”
Roffman added that she enjoys setting and accomplishing goals, which included tackling the Grand Prix. “Lux and I are trying to figure out the Grand Prix together which makes for some interesting challenges,” she said. “But it was so much fun at the show and just being able to do that level was amazing. All I can do is smile. Charlotte Bredhal Baker was the judge and she wrote some lovely comments and Lux won the class with a 68 – another reason to smile.”
Roffman also found success with her horse Pie, adding that is has been a long and challenging road with the horse. “I have had Pie since he was four years old and he is eight now,” Roffman said. “I trained him myself and he qualified for the Six-Year-Old Championships but wasn’t able to attend due to a lameness that we couldn’t diagnose. He had a year-and-a-half off and was basically semi-retired. Then Dr. Bill Patterson of Palm Beach Equine took a look at him and we discovered the source of the issue. We sent Pie to Rood and Riddle in Kentucky to top surgeon Dr. Scott A. Hopper. Pie underwent surgery, and after four months of stall rest I started bringing him back slowly. Now he is going strong and winning FEI level classes!”
The Wellington Classic Dressage Challenge I Show was Pie’s first time back in the show ring in two years and Roffman said competing and winning the Prix St. Georges with him was a great feeling. “It was his first time back in the show arena since he was six,” she said. “I never thought he would be back riding, let alone showing. He is a great horse, a Hanoverian by Worldly, who I also got through Lars.”
Roffman, who is based out of Wellington, Florida, had a whirlwind and successful 2010 and said she is looking forward to a strong showing in 2011. “I have so many great horses to show and I am really looking forward to it,” she said. “I have set many goals for myself and my horses and I plan on working hard and accomplishing them.”
Photo © Sharon Packer
-- USEF press release
Related Links
Scores 2011 CDN Wellington Dressage Challenge I
Caroline Roffman Honored by HRH Princess Haya at FEI Awards Ceremony in Taipei
Dressage Riders Gal and Roffman Honoured at 2010 FEI Awards
