Maren Elise Fouché-Hanson Has a Double Programme at the 2020 U.S. Dressage Championships

Dressage

U.S.A.

Maren Elise Fouché-Hanson of Colbert, GA and In My Feelings are back for their second time at U.S. Dressage Championships for the Children division.

The 13-year old Hanson and her 25-year old American bred pony In My Feelings, who is amicably known as Drake, head to the Nationals at Lamlight equestrian centre in Wayne, ILL, ranked #1.

The pair made its international show debut in March at the Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, just before the Covid shutdown, winning both classes in a field of just two. She twice edged out Justine Boyer.

While in Europe the Children's division has been a thriving age category with already five European Children Championships hosted since 2015, in the U.S.A. the division for 12-14 year olds is still in its infancy.

Busy Schedule

Fouché-Hanson will have a busy schedule as she also competes in the dressage seat Medal Final, representing Region 3.

Maren has the benefit of being a working student for S-judge Sandy Osborn and has found help from Gary Rockwell in clinics and coaching in FL.

"Maren has worked very hard to make her way to the championships as a working student but Covid-19 stopped some of her paying jobs and she has been working at home instead," her mom explained. "She works as a groom and working student for both her eventing and dressage instructors and also worked as a movie extra or in small parts in films before Covid."

With the Help from Friends

She is generously sponsored by Bryan Austin and Tangled Oaks Farm at the last minute to be able to attend this year. She also just was paired this month with a donated horse from Dressage4Kids, Steiner Dressage, and Lendon Gray to be able to continue her journey in dressage. She will be riding the imported KWPN mare Estremadura MVH (by Sir Oldenburg x Metall) that is a half sister to Betsy Steiner's mare Swiss W.

The 2020 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions is set to begin at HITS Chicago at the Lamplight Equestrian Center with a stellar field of competitors. Fourteen national championships, hosting 175 combinations, will be held from August 18-23. No less than 175 talented combinations are ready to compete at the Festival.