Lucky Strike, 2019 U.S. Small Tour Champion, Finds New Home in Wellington

Dressage

U.S.A.

Lucky Strike, a 14-year old Hanoverian who was the 2019 U.S. Small Tour Champion, has found a new home in Wellington, Florida.

Lucky Strike is by Lord Laurie out of Heidi (by His Highness x Argentan x Woermann). He is bred by Monika Hartwich.

Decorated Young and PSG Horse

First competed in Germany in the riding horse tests by Pia Schneiders, Lucky Strike sold to Endel Ots in the U.S.A. as a youngster.

In 2015 they made their international debut in the 5-year old young horses classes at the Global Dressage Festival in Wellington and won both tests. They were selected to represent the U.S.A. at the World Young Horse Championships in Verden, where they finished 11th in the 5-year old final.

In 2016 they repeated that feat and returned to the World YH Championships in Ermelo, where they landed 12th place in the 6-year old consolation final. They won the 2016 U.S. Young Horse Championships for 6-year olds.

In 2017 they were the reserve champions at U.S. Developing Prix St Georges Horse Championship and in 2018 won the U.S. Developing Prix St Georges Horse Championships.

They returned to the CDI ring in 2019 in Wellington at small tour level and clinched a spot on the U.S. team for the 2019 Pan American Games. They didn't make it to Lima though as Lucky Strike sustained injuries during the team transport to Miami and was kept home. Instead the pair went on to win the 2019 U.S. Small Tour Championship in August 2019.

After an almost four year absence from the competition ring, Lucky Strike returned to the international arena in April 2023 to compete in one more small tour CDI in Ocala.

Sold as a Schoolmaster

Lucky Strike has been sold as an FEI level schoolmaster to Wellington based Emily Michiko-Smith

On 21 May 2024 she shared on Facebook, "this horse stole my heart right away and gave me some of the best dance moves I’ve ever felt! Not only is he very talented and impeccably educated with a legacy behind him thanks to Endel Ots, he is a huge love bug and so emotive on the ground! I couldn’t be more thrilled to start this journey with you Lucky."

Born and raised in California, the 24-year old Smith runs her own training and sales stable in Wellington. She has competed in one CDI in her career, so far. In April 2021 she rode Paula Matute's former ride, Hanoverian gelding Firmamento (by Don Crusador), in the small tour at the CDI Rancho Murieta. Nationally she has competed up to Prix St Georges level. This year she showed Marne Martin-Tucker's Senzation (by Sezuan x Jazz Time) in one Fourth level class in February at the 2024 Global Dressage Festival.