The Oldenburg bred Fashion Designer OLD is ready to defend his title of 2013 U.S. Young Horse Champion next week at the 2014 National Young Horse Championships which will take place at the Lamplight Equestrian Center on 20 - 24 August 2014. The now 6-year old Fashion Designer will be joined by Oldenburg stall mate and peer Fiderhit OLD.
Fashion Designer OLD is a 6-year-old gelding by Faustinus and out of a DeNiro mare, and is the top ranked horse in the 2014 U.S. 6-year old Young Horse Ranking List. Ridden by Nadine Burberl and owned by Martin Sosnoff and Dr. Cesar Parra, Fashion Designer has been competing on the American young horse circuit alongside Fiderhit OLD, a 6-year-old mare by Fidertanz x Sandro Hit, owned by Michael and Sarah Davis, who is placed second on the ranking.
The German born Buberl steered Fashion Designer OLD to a number one spot on the Ranking List for the 2014 Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage
National Championship, averaging a strong score of 8.616 points. They
were closely followed by Cesar Parra and Fiderhit OLD in second place
with an overall average of 8.544.
"Fashion Designer is a wonderful horse," Buberl told Eurodressage. "His character and abilities make him a pleasure to work with. To prepare for the upcoming USA National Young Horse Championships we have been working on many transitions, suppleness, changes and all while keeping him happy; especially keeping the horse interested and challenged with every workout. This means mixing up training work with just nice rides outside and having many chances to be a regular horse. It is wonderful at Cesar Parra’s Piaffe-Performance Farm because we have the time and opportunity to really bond with the horses we are showing."
"Fiderhit has really developed tremendously the past year," Cesar added. "We got great tips from U.S. young horse trainer Scott Hassler in Florida during the winter as well as from the Oldenburg Verband representative Thomas Rhinow. I have taken my time with her at home and think she progressed well. I'm excited for what it is to come as she really has FEI level potential."
Both Fashion Designer and Fiderhit were supposed to travel to Verden, Germany, for the 2014 World Championships for young dressage horses, but in the end it was decided not to make the journey as the World Championships were on 7 - 10 August and the U.S. Championships only three weeks later, giving these youngsters not enough time to recuperate from the strenous event and flight.
"We looked at what was best for the horse we decided not to put them through the stress of the international travel," said Parra. "This now gives us the chance to participate in the great show at Lamplight."
Buberl, who keeps herself fit by doing cross training with running, cycling, and working out, has admitted it doesn't feel like she's defending a title in Wayne, but is still sharp to do her best at the show.
"It is a new year and Fashion Designer is one year older. The 6-year old class is a different test with different movements. I do feel the regular stress one feels when riding any dressage test. I just have to keep my focus and pretend we are riding in the arena at home is the same relaxed professional atmosphere. I know that if I stay secure it helps Fashion Designer to stay secure in me and himself," she said.
The 15 highest scoring horses in the U.S.A. are eligible to compete at the 2014 U.S. Young Horse Championships in Wayne, ILL, next week. The qualifying period for the Nationals began 1 January 2014 and ended 28 July 2014.
Photos © Mary Phelps - Astrid Appels
Related Links
Qualified Pairs for the 2014 U.S. Young Dressage Horse Championships
Rebellienne, Fashion Designer, Vitalis Win 2013 U.S. Young Dressage Horse Championships