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Sunday, June 22, 2008

Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions

Mackinzie Pooley and Jonkara Best of the Juniors

The Juniors followed the Young Riders into the ring at the Oaks Blenheim facility, and nine of them went to task for the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Junior Dressage Championship.

Local rider Mackinzie Pooley and Jonkara put in a dynamic performance as the third combination into the ring. From Coto de Caza, CA, Pooley is a veteran of the North American Junior/Young Riders’ Championships and hopes to return in 2008. Their score of 68.30% was good enough to keep them just ahead of Brandi Roenick, who came into the Championship ranked first of all the Juniors.

“My horse paid attention really well,” said Pooley. “I went for it in the mediums in the canter. Those are things that I can do well. Some places I was conservative. Everyday is different with my horse. Some days she’ll be awesome and some days she’ll be not so great.”

Roenick, from Scottsdale, AZ, rode the energetic chestnut mare Pretty Lady to an energetic performance to slip into second on an even 68%. “I put more effort in the medium and extended trots,” said Roenick. “She ‘s been breaking so I eased up a little bit so that I didn’t have a break. She’s a hot horse so I know that she’s always energetic. She’s not going to be lazy.”Roenick plans to continue riding the 11-year-old Dutch mare and has high hopes for their career. “I’d like to take her to Grand Prix,” said Roenick.

Catherine Chamberlin and Fashion rounded out the top three on a score of 63.950% The Chandler, AZ rider rode tactfully, knowing where she could take chances.

“Fashion paid attention really well and feel like he had fun,” said Chamberlin. “In some places I pushed on him and in some places I had to be a little bit more conservative. You just have to know your horse at that moment to know if you should go for it.”The Juniors return to the ring at 8:30 on Sunday morning for the second round.