Wednesday May 2, 2004

2004 Detroit Dressage

Trophy Filled Weekend for O'Neill and Bell

Wright's 4-year old mare Donnerlichten , 15.3, is trained by Wright and ridden at the shows by diminutive Laurie O'Neill, a Wright student who loves the mare because she "tries so hard." O'Neill said, "I get a little tense and she's a bit of a worrywart but we work that through. She's very reliable." The pair won the Training Open Championship with a 76.36%.

Ashley Bell , 14, rode her Hanoverian/thoroughbred cross bred Corgan to the Division Championship in Training JR/YR and JR/YR Grand Champion with a score of 74.17% which also earned her the Schreiber Corporation Junior/Young Rider Trophy. Bought in November, Corgan replaces Dudley, a "rough and ready eventing type," said Wright who is transforming the talented pair into dressage enthusiasts.