With a hat trick of wins and two runner-up placings under his belt at the 2013 CDI Estes Park on 16 - 18 August 2013, California based U.S. rider Brian Hafner feels that making the long haul trek across America with his two horses, California Chablis and Lombardo, proved to be a very worthwhile experience.
His small tour horse California Chablis (by Chopard out of Vroni) won the Prix St Georges with 66.895% and went on to claim two seconds in the Intermediate I and Intermediate I Kur posting scores of 68.447 and 68.425%.
"I needed to go to another CDI in order to get another score for California Chablis. Although not close Estes Park was supposed to be a nice show in a beautiful area," Brian told Eurodressage about his motivation to travel all the way to Colorado to pick up scores.
The younger one of his two horses, California Chablis was entering his second ever CDI and Brian had high hopes but didn’t want to put too much pressure on him. "However, because we needed that qualifying score, it left us little room for errors. Going into the Prix St Georges I knew we had our work cut out for us but couldn’t have been happier with his performance as he topped a field of 16 horse and rider combinations with a score of 66.8%. The Intermediaire I was also very successful day two as we rode to a second place finish of a field of 15 with another respectable score. Finally, the freestyle, which would prove to be a great first attempt as we had never ridden it at a show, was a success as we finished 2nd among a group of 10 freestyles."
Despite several mistakes, Brian feels that there is, for sure, more room for improvement but doesn't think he could have asked for more out of a horse that only began his FEI Career this year. The former U25 rider also did the Grand Prix with his more experienced horse Lombardo and was fairly happy with his ride. "I knew there were a few weak points in our performance that I could improve on before the Freestyle on Sunday. I was pretty happy with a score of 66%," Hafner explained.
With 68.800% in the Kur, Brian knew going into the freestyle that he wanted to ride a clean test on his Grand Prix 14 year-old Hanoverian gelding and improve on the piaffe, which he feels is always a work in progress. "I felt that after the freestyle I had accomplished that goal but still know that I can make a few adjustments to allow for a higher scoring Freestyle."
Born in Minnesota, Brian was raised with horses but didn’t really get into a particular discipline until there was a dressage barn built down the street. "I rode several different types of horses and even rode in 4-H, but it wasn’t until I was 12 years old that I got into dressage competitively."
Very blessed that the 4-year old horse Lombardo LHF he purchased with the help of his mom progressed into such a successful and highly competitive dressage horse, Brian lists the apex of their career together winning the Brentina cup in 2012. "Right now though I am just so pleased with both horses but my recent highlight would have to be winning the PSG out of a large group of horse and rider combinations at California Chablis' second CDI."
Hafner and Lombardo LHF climbed the levels together as a duo. "I learned so much about bringing a young horse up through the ranks and into the FEI arena with this horse. I have been able to compete with Lombardo in the Young Riders as well as the Brentina Cup and now in the Grand Prix and I have an undeniably strong connection with him as we have been competing together for 10 years. I feel like he has been a once in a lifetime horse that I have grown with, made mistakes along the way, as well as define myself as a rider and trainer."
Brian's small tour horse California Chablis is a 14 year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Julie Young, a hunter/jumper trainer. The horse was reintroduced into the competitive dressage scene this April when the pair competed at Prix St Georges level for the first time.
"He has been an incredibly rewarding horse as he is sensitive and fairly opinionated in a way that challenges me to constantly think of ways to train which are not directly demanding of the horse, but instead ways that I work with him to develop his training to his unbelievable talent and ability," said Hafner. "I have grown quite fond of the connection I have with him as well, as I feel he now truly enjoys the work being asked of him."
A professional dressage rider for 5 years, Brian has also recently taken up jumping and is currently working together with a hunter/jumper trainer on a fairly new sales/importing business.
"I studied and got a bachelors degree in business which helps a lot with getting the new venture off the ground. Aside from that, I train dressage clients out of Sonoma County and I am in the process of moving to a brand new facility and working with Chablis's owner, Julie Young. We have a barn that offers top level riding and training for both hunter/jumper and dressage as well as an import and sales business."
Employing a version of cross training for both mental and physical fitness, Brian says that both Lombardo and Chablis, along with his other training horses, enjoy trail rides, occasional jumping and different variations of cross training. "I feel it keeps the horses well rounded and mentally interested in what the next day of training has to offer."
Set to continue to better his riding career and set to reach new goals for both himself and his training clients, Brian is looking forward to what his new business develops into in the future with business partner and friend, Julie Young.
by Sarah Warne for Eurodressage
Photos © Sue Stickle - Foy
Related Links
Scores: 2013 CDI Estes Park
Roffman and Hafner Score National Titles on Final Day of 2012 U.S. Championships
USEF Developing Dressage Clinics Wrap Up for the Spring Season
