Wayne, Ill.—Aug. 28 

After two tests and two days of competition in the Markel/USEF Developing Grand Prix Championship, Jane Karol and Sunshine Tour came out on top in the Markel/USEF Developing Grand Prix Championship with an overall score of 66.91 percent. They placed second in the Intermediaire II on Friday and then won the USEF Developing Grand Prix test today with a 68.75 percent.  

“It’s surreal feeling. It’s wonderful, incredible,” said Karol. “We all work so hard, and when something like that happens, it’s wonderful. I did think we had a chance [to win], but I also knew there were wonderful horses and riders competing alongside us. She was so wonderful today that we did. She was really with me; she was listening.”

Jane Karol and Sunshine Tour. Photo by Lisa Slade.

In the same division, Holger Bechtloff and Clapton JP were named reserve champions (66.04%) after placing second (66.50%) in today’s class. 

“Today’s ride was very much the same as [our previous ride],” said Bechtloff. “We are in the funny stage where we’re either under-reacting or over-reacting. We need a certain quickness for certain things and then more relaxation for other things. We don’t have this on or off switch really down yet. We are really electric in moments and then a split second behind other moments. But as a 9-year-old, I’m very happy with him. He tries his heart out.”

Holger Bechtloff and Clapton JP. Photo by Lisa Slade.

Markel/USEF 6-Year-Old Championship

After returning from the Longines FEI/WBFSH World Breeding Dressage Championships in the Netherlands and winning the FEI 6-Year-Old Preliminary test on Friday, Lucky Strike and Endel Ots came out on top in the 6-Year-Old Final test and earned the overall championship. The judging panel gave the gelding a 9 for submission.

“It’s a little hotter today, and I thought he stayed with me really well, and he was very with me for the lead changes,” said Ots. “I thought he was a super boy. The judges liked the most his ability to stay with me and for the rideability. The highlight was how much he stayed with me and worked for me.” 

Endel Ots and Lucky Strike. Photo by Lisa Slade.

Cesar Parra and Don Cesar finished second overall with their 8.40, including a high score of 8.9 for trot and 8.8 for the horse’s walk. Parra was also reserve champion in the Developing Prix St. Georges with Fashion Designer OLD yesterday.

“Like Endel said, it was a little hotter today, and I felt it a little myself,” he said. “I was very happy with the scores, and the comments the judges had. They were very encouraging, and to have the trot get 8.9—it’s really, really exciting. I’m very honored to have two horses finish as reserve champions in the United States. It’s a testament to the whole team.”

Cesar Parra and Don Cesar. Photo by Lisa Slade.

USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship 

Julie Lee Barton and Bonnaroo won the pony title on a combined score of 66.22 percent after winning today’s FEI Pony Individual test (67.43%). 

“ ‘Bonnie’ was really fantastic today,” said Barton. “She was really rideable, which isn’t always the case—a lot of times she gets tense and hot, and it makes it hard to get corrections without her over-reacting. Today and yesterday she was so rideable and so relaxed. I’m so pleased with her.”

Julie Lee Barton and Bonnaroo. Photo by Lisa Slade.

Hannah Irons took reserve on Bohdjan (66.17%) and third in the division on My Lucky Charm. She survived one moment of bolting from the very experienced “Bobo”—this is his fourth time doing the FEI Pony division at the Festival Of Champions—in their test to place third today. 

“Bobo was really awesome today,” she said. “He went out there and really tried hard. He got pretty excited about being here again. In the middle of an extension, he decided to run away. But he came back, and I’m proud of him for getting through the test. He’s a really amazing pony, and I’m thankful to be here with him.”

Hannah Irons and Bohdjan. Photo by Lisa Slade.

USEF Young Adult “Brentina Cup” National Championship

Anna Buffini finished first and second aboard Sundayboy and Wilton II, respectively, with scores of 71.11 percent and 68.98 percent. She also earned first and second in today’s Intermediaire II test with nearly the same scores, 70.97 percent and 70.47 percent, on both horses. 

“It’s fun because my dad is huge into goal setting, and we set a goal last year when I got Wilton to win the Under-25, and to have it come true is a dream come true,” she said. “Sundayboy, he was really with me today. We’re just best friends. 

“Wilton I’m so proud of,” she continued. “He can be such a bigger sometimes, and he tried so hard today. Even though there were were mistakes, he never stopped trying and never gave up.” 

Anna Buffini and Sundayboy. Photo by Lisa Slade.

USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals, 14-18

With a score of 87.00 percent, Allison Hopkins topped the class on Royal Falcon. The most difficult movement the 14-18 division had to execute was three trot changes across the diagonal. 

“Before going in, he tends to get a little nervous,” said Hopkins, 18. “But once we started the pattern, he started to settle in. I felt like he was really on my aids and listening to me. He didn’t get too excited. On the diagonal, he really wants to extend, but he didn’t do that.” 

Allison Hopkins and Royal Falcon. Photo by Lisa Slade.

Madison Luna, riding her own Stella Luna, earned a score of 85.00 percent for the reserve championship.

“I was super worried about my pattern, and I was worried that was totally the end of it,” she said. “It could have been better. I was almost unprepared thinking, oh, it’s first level, it’s easy, and then being caught off my game a little bit. But she was listening.” 

USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals, 13 And Under

Averi Allen, 12, earned a score of 83.00 percent on her borrowed mount Celtic Grace. Their pattern included leg-yields and lengthened canter. 

“I just worked on sitting up tall and deep and being confident,” she said. “I thought I did pretty well.”

Averi Allen and Celtic Grace. Photo by Lisa Slade.

Ella Angelo, 13, finished second riding her own Here-be Seren Gwyn, a former hunter pony. 

“The dressage is a new thing for her,” she said. “I’ve had her since December, and I’ve been training her. I thought picking up the canter on centerline was hard for her since that was her hard lead. I was pretty proud of her she did it.”

See full results from the day’s classes, or the Chronicle’s coverage from yesterday’s championship divisions.