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Saturday, June 21, 2008

Dressage Olympic Selection Trials Set to Begin2008 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions Kicks Off in San Juan Capistrano
By Kathy Beal for DressageDaily.com 

The 2008 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions kicked off on Friday in San Juan Capistrano, California. This year's national championships also serves as the Dressage Olympic Selection Trials. America's top Grand Prix riders and horses have met to engage in the long awaited head-to-head competition for a coveted spot on the 2008 U.S. Olympic Dressage Team.

Twelve Grand Prix horses jogged for the Selection Trials ground jury, and both riders and horses looked fit and ready to take on the challenges before them. They were followed by the country’s top FEI Young Riders and Junior Riders. The inspection began at 3 p.m. under sunny and warm skies with the temperature in the high 80s.

Despite the moderate heat, a positive attitude permeated the small group of riders, their supporters, show officials and volunteers. Southern Californian and Olympian Steffen Peters remarked, “If we can’t take these temperatures, we would definitely have difficulty in Hong Kong’s heat and humidity.” Young Rider Kassie Barteau, who had traveled forty four hours from Illinois with her three young rider horses: Gabriella, Sheffield, and Raymeister, said, “It is hotter here than at home, but it is not as humid. So it is basically the same.”

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