Sunday February 9, 2003

First Florida Pan Am Qualifiers at Wellington Dressage

Jan Brons and Josien dominated the Pan Am Selection Trial held at the Wellington Dressage show in Florida, January 30 through February 2. The pair scored 69.083% to win the USET Prix St. Georges on Thursday over a field of 19 horses, and they earned 70% for victory in the USET Intermediaire I on Friday, topping 17 entries. “She was softer and prettier, more power, more horse today,” said Brons after the I-I. “She did a lot of good things in the Prix St. Georges — her pirouettes were prettier yesterday than they were today. The whole ride I had a wonderful time with her — it had a really great feel about it. Today too — it was a little steadier, a little more elegant.”

George Williams aboard Marnix and Tara Stegan riding New Tango were hot on Josien’s heels in both qualifiers. In the Prix St. Georges, Williams scored 68.33% for second place just edging out Stegan who scored 68%. In the I-I, they traded places — Stegan was second with 68.33% and Williams received 67.417%.

All three judges presiding — Janet Brown, Natalie Lamping, and Jessica Ransehousen — placed Brons and Josien in the top slot both days. “Jan Brons did a very good job with that mare, Josien,” said Ransehousen. “Very forward and light. The I-I was better.”

Brown concurred, “Very elastic and forward — sometimes she gets a little short in the neck. She was more relaxed the second day. It’s a lovely horse and very harmonious. He’s a lovely rider and the horse is a super athlete.”

Lamping observed, “In the first test he was trying to fix the problem and some other issues and then he got back on the same page on the I-I.”