Kim Hyeok Wins 2022 Korean Dressage Championship

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2022 South Korean Dressage Championships

With dressage in full development in South Korea, the 2022 Korean Dressage Championships were held at Prix St Georges level and Kim Hyeok was crowned National Champion of 2022.

The 2022 (South) Korean Dressage Championships were held at the Sang-Ju Equestrian Centre and the highest level, the Prix St Georges, was contested over one round. Three national judges - Lee Jun Geon (at C), Jung Hyun-A (at E) , and Lee Mi Kyung (at M) - officiated for this class.

No less than 32 pairs contested the Prix St Georges, but the top 10 was dominated by a group of riders with international experience, having travelled to Europe to source horses, train and compete there. Several familiar horses appeared in the line-up too.

The winner of the class and gold medallist was Kim Hyeo, who already won team silver and individual bronze at the 2018 Asian Games after preparing himself with Benjamin Werndl in Aubenhausen (GER) in 2017. Aboard his long-time partner Degas K, a 15-year old Hanoverian by De Niro x Walt Disney, he scored 68.284% for the victory.

The silver medal went to Kim Kyunsub, who is another familiar face on the Asian dressage scene. Kim began his career as an eventing rider and first represented Korea at the 2002 Asian Games in eventing. He became a team gold medalist in dressage at the 2010 and 2014 Asian Games. His uncle, Kim Hyung-Chil, died tragically at the 2006 Asian Games falling on the cross country course. Between 2015 and 2018 Kim switched to show jumping but at the 2018 Asian Games he was back on a dressage horse and got team silver at the 2018 Asian Games. It was his last international show in his career, so far. At the 2022 Korean Dressage Championships he ended up with silver, riding First Hit to a 66.568% score.

The bronze went to scene newcomer, the 20-year old Hyun Woo Do aboard the 13-year old Hanoverian gelding Duisenberg (by Desperados x Weltmeyer). The big chestnut gelding was formerly competed at international Grand Prix level by German Jessica Süss before selling to Korea. Do is based at the Hwaseong equestrian club and trains with Kim Hyeok as well as with Süss via Facetime. The rookies won bronze at the national championship on a score of 66.274%.

Results - 2022 Korean Dressage Championships

Prix St Georges (top 15 only)

1. Kim Hyeok - Degas k - 68.284%
2. Kim Kyunsub - First hit - 66.568%
3. Do Hyun Woo - Duisenburg - 66.274%
4. Nam Dong Heon - First Edition - 66.225%
5. Lee Soo-Jin - Edson - 65.686%
6. Shin Chang Moo - Hyrano - 64.754
7. Kim Dong Seon - DKS lord Nunes - 64.411
8. Hwang Young-Shik - Shane - 63.823
9. Lee Kyu-eon - Civaldi - 63.480
10. Choi In Ho - Accent - 63.235%
11. Lee Myung Seok - Rubin princess - 62.058%
12. Lee Seok - Quirina - 61.813%
13. Kim Ju-hee - Crespo - 61.372%
14. Choi Su-Jong - Diamond Folds - 61.372%
15. Yoo Chang Hyun - DSK cap amour - 61.372%