Friday February 20, 2004

Shondel On Top at Florida Dressage Classic

The largest class of the day was the Prix St. Georges. With 39 entries, management split the class into two sections. Heather Blitz of Folsom, Louisiana , riding Royal Blue Midnight owned by The Oak Hill Ranch won the PSG A section with her score of 67.50%.

Michael Shondel, 21, of Kinnelon , NJ , riding his own Wallaby won the PSG B section, scoring 69.250%. “It felt tenser than it looked obviously,” Shondel said. Wallaby is an 18-hand, chestnut Hanoverian gelding by Werther.

“He was excited. But he was more forward, more uphill, and more together than on previous rides.” Shondel said he rides Wallaby in the same way at home as he does at shows, so today's win was, “Just like riding every day for him.” Shondel was pleased with the overall performance. “It was good. There are still things I want to work on, but I was happy with it.” Officiating at the FEI ring were Janet Brown, Liselotte Fore and Natalie Lamping.

Two riders in the lower levels broke the 70 percentile today. Judge Carol Lavell awarded the highest score today to Jennifer Conour of Carmel , IN , who earned 75.556% in First Level Test 1 with Rumor, her six-year-old Dutch gelding. Simone Williams of Navon , Ontario , Canada , riding Siegfried, her four-year-old Dutch gelding, scored 71.364% in Training Level Test 1. Susan Roberto judged.