Young Horses Show Their Potential in Final Day at 2013 CDI-W Loxahatchee

Shows

2013 CDI-W Loxahatchee

The Sunday class offerings at the 2013 CDI-W Loxahatchee attracted a number of promising young horses whose riders hoped to give them experience in preparation for a move up the ranks. Local and international competitors alike persevered through windy weather to put in strong performances at Equestrian Estates in Loxahatchee.

Evi Strasser and daughter Tanya Strasser-Shostak both rode 9-year-old horses to wins in the Freestyle classes. Strasser started the day off by scoring 69.042% aboard Rigaudon Tyme to take the honors in the Intermediaire 1 Freestyle CDI1*, and Strasser-Shostak followed up on her mother's effort with a score of 64.208% on Deluxe Tyme in the Young Rider Freestyle.

"I was very happy with it," Strasser said of her ride. "He was trying very hard. It's getting better and better."

"We're going to do a couple more small tour events in the middle of the season and continue training him to the Grand Prix level," she added. "This is just a way to go out in the ring and get confident. Once we know that he's not worried about the ring any more, that he's consistent in it, then we'll go up. That's the plan."

Strasser-Shostak was pleased with Deluxe Tyme's effort in his first freestyle competition. "I was happy that he dealt with the music well," she commented. "I was disappointed that I missed the changes, but I hope I can get them better by the next show."

George Williams on Riccidoff Strasser-Shostak just recently took over the ride on Deluxe Tyme from her mother. "I've only ridden him for probably three and a half weeks, so it's kind of a really big rush!" she said. "I want to continue getting him used to the ring. Two shows ago, he was just terrified of everything, so I'd say he came a long way already. I just want to get some mileage on him and then see how things go from there!"

Several other riders mentioned their hopes for the future with their talented young horses. "We are going all the way," said Hans Werner Dressler, who scored 60.500% with Lotario to win the national Fourth Level Test of Choice. "This was his second show - we just had one show at First Level before this." Lotario has already more than paid back on his owner's investment: Dressler purchased the stunning gray gelding from Shelly Francis for just one dollar.

Gabriel Meyer on Drum Major The national Third Level Test 3 pitted Maya Markowski on Diego against Chris Sanders on Lyric, and the two combinations battled it out for the win, each earning high scores from the judges. Sanders edged Markowski to take first, scoring 70.577% to Markowski's 69.167%.

"He's really sweet to ride and tries so hard," Sanders said of the 7-year-old Lyric. "Last year we did First Level, when he was 6. I did my first Third Level a month ago. He doesn't have that much show experience yet - we're just trying to get him out and see what he's like."

Markowski was happy with her performance with Diego, although disappointed that she went off course at one point. "He was good! Except for my Alzheimer's," she laughed. She plans to compete Diego at the Prix St. Georges level in Canada this year.

Marta Renilla on Wec's Misitico National First Level Test 3 winner Gabriel Meyer was thrilled with the 6-year-old Drum Major, who earned a 10 for his walk en route to a score of 76.774%. "He's just a young boy - he just turned 6, and this is his first real season," Meyer said. "He's a wonderful, wonderful horse and it's all about the miles at this point."

Also scoring high were Holger Bechtloff and Clapton JP, who achieved an impressive 82.600% in the Young Horse Test for 6-Year-Olds. "My ride was great," Bechtloff said. "The horse always performs very, very well. He is so smart, intelligent and willing. We are hopefully going to the 6-year-old championship," he added.