Leading team U.S. on his European debut at the 2014 CDIO Rotterdam in The Netherlands, American Brian Hafner was the top performance on the U.S. Team in the Nations' Cup, outperforming team mates and seasoned competitors Catherine Haddad and Susan Dutta. Aboard his Hanoverian gelding Lombardo (by Londonderry x Werther) he finished 11th in the Grand Prix and 12th in the Grand Prix kur.
“Rotterdam was a great show and it was my first time on an international team so that was a great experience,” Brian told Eurodressage. “The group of riders we had at the show were great and we all had a fun time!”
With 69.020% in the Grand Prix and 70.425% in the kur, Brian felt his 15-year-old Lombardo performed really well. He credit the bay gelding's amazing temperament for handling the atmosphere so well.
“I could not have asked him to put in a better performance both days for our first time in that kind of environment," he added.
“Extremely happy” to come over to Europe and be in the top 12 and the leading American rider at his first European show, Brian knows that with horses you can never expect to get a certain result. Still, he explained that when you can go out and perform well it is always a good feeling.
“Both Susie and Catherine have horses that are younger and a little greener at the big tour," he said. "They both showed some real quality in the arena but had some unfortunate mistakes.”
Very excited about the rest of his European tour, Brian made the journey from Sky Ridge Ranch in Sonoma, California, with just, but is very open to going back to the US with more than just one horse!
“I am now training in Voerde, Germany, with Johann Hinnemann and I will return to California in August," he explained. "I am looking at the show schedule now and may ride one or two more CDIs while I am here but the main reason I am here is for training.”
Hafner was the 2012 American Under 25 Champion and has made a flawless transition to the senior division. His main goal for 2014 is to continue developing Lombardo as a Grand Prix horse and hopefully get one or two more horses to start training up the levels.
“Long term I would love to continue to represent the US on an international level and be a top level trainer," he said about his goals.
by Sarah Warne - Photos © Astrid Appels
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