Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Michelle Folden and Grande Crimson Win USEF/Markel Young Dressage Horse Selection Trials for Central USA

In a small but impressive field of 6-year-olds, the judges at the 2006 USEF/Markel Young Horse Central Selection Trial at the Paxton Farm CDI in Ohio were pleased with all entries presented before them, noting qualities in each horse which could make them “a horse for the future.”

But it was Andrea Driscoll’s Grande Crimson, a registered Canadian Warmblood mare by the Hanoverian stallion Rio Grande which “enchanted” them the most, winning the blue cooler and top honors in the first leg of three Young Horse Selection Trials for the FEI World Championships for Young Horses, and the USEF/Markel National Young Horse Championships. Rider/Trainer Michelle Folden was joined by her family for the Mother’s Day weekend show in Batavia, Ohio, but she admits her owner didn’t know about the venture.

“I knew she was a special horse, and wanted to prove it not just for myself, but to the judges as well.” said the attractive young mother of two boys.

“I was putting enough pressure on myself coming here, and didn’t want to disappoint her if it did not go well, but surprise her if it did. She is a wonderful owner and client, and now we can all go to Kentucky in September and have a great time!”