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Monday, June 23, 2008

Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions 2008

Junior Rider Brandi Roenick First USEF National Dressage Champion to be Crowned in 2008

The USEF National Junior Dressage Championship got the morning started, and the Individual Test proved more challenging than the team test, including difficult canter serpentine work and a number of flying changes. Three-tenths of a percent separated Mackinzie Pooley and Brandi Roenick after Saturday's class and both put in16-year-old professional efforts again on Sunday. But by the end of the morning, Roenick prevailed as the most consistent of the group with a two-day average of 68.075%. “We are connected when I sit in the saddle,” said Roenick. “I know how to loosen her up when she gets tense. It's special to know that you have a really deep connection with your horses. “I'm feeling really, really good. I feel confident for the NAJC in Colorado. She put a lot of effort in today. I'm really proud of her. She's not the easiest to ride, you need to know her well. I've only been riding her since March of 2007.”

Second after the first day of competition, Roenick and her chestnut mare Pretty Lady made the difficult FEI Junior Test look easy. They put in an excellent performance highlighted by quality changes and very obedient transitions. The mare broke to canter in the first extended trot which was the only blemish in a lovely test which scored 68.15%.

“Even with the break in the extended trot I'm happier with my ride today. It's a better test, it has harder movements in it,” said Roenick. Two days of consistency prevailed and Roenick took home her first USEF Junior National Dressage Championship.

“I wasn't expecting to come here until about a week before the show and I saw that I was in the top 12,” said Roenick. “I was really excited to come here. Coming in ranked first it made me more nervous. But I feel like it is a blessing to be here.” The 13-year-old Scottsdale, AZ rider has high hopes to continue through the ranks with the 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare. She rides with her mother, Tracey Roenick and Debbie McDonald.

The leaders after Saturday's competition, Mackinzie Pooley and Jonkara rode last of the nine Juniors which made for an exciting finish. The mare was relaxed produced beautiful changes and canter extensions, but Pooley admitted she never knows exactly what to expect from her mare. “My test wasn't as good (as yesterday). I lost a lot of impulsion,” said Pooley. “It was a different day today and things went differently but the canter work was really good. We've tried everything to make her more consistent. I know her much better than last year but she usually warms up really well and its not until you take all the stuff off when the horse before you is in the ring and she either changes or stays the same.”

The 15-year-old Californian scored 66.405% for a two-day average of 67.350% and the Reserve National Championship. Third in Sunday's portion of the competition was Ashlyn DeGroot and 17-year-old Dutch Warmblood Jasper. The pair had a lovely test, despite an unscheduled flying change toward the end of their ride. They scored 65.500% in Sunday's portion of the competition to move up into the third position overall on a two day score of 64.450%.
Photos by Christina Beal

Results - FEI Junior Individual Test

Judge at E: Natalie Lamping, at H: Janet Foy, at C: Linda Zang, at M: Anne Gribbons, at B, Uwe Mechlem