United States Equestrian Federation, Inc.
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NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 23, 2006

USEF Announces Short List for 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games Dressage Team

Lexington, KY – The USEF announced today the short list of horse-and-rider combinations for the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games Dressage Team.

Steffen Peters, of San Diego, CA, riding Floriano, a 16-year-old Westphalian gelding, owned by Stephen Browning and Laurelyn Browning

Guenter Seidel, of Cardiff, CA, riding Aragon, a 14-year-old Bavarian Warmblood gelding, owned by Richard and Jane Brown

Debbie McDonald, of Hailey, ID, riding Brentina, a 15-year-old Hanoverian mare, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Parry Thomas

Leslie Morse, of Beverly Hills, CA, riding Tip Top, a 12-year-old Swedish Warmblood stallion, owned by Leslie Morse; and Kingston, a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion, owned by Leslie Morse

Arlene “Tuny” Page, of Wellington, FL, riding Wild One, a 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding, owned by Arlene Page

Catherine Haddad, based in Vecta, Germany, riding Maximus, a 12-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding, owned by the Janet Schneider Trust

Two alternate riders were also named:

Heather Blitz, of Palm City, FL, riding Arabella, a 10-year-old Danish Warmblood mare, owned by Denise Arroyo

Suzanne Dansby Phelps, of Atlanta, GA, riding Cooper, a 14-year-old Holsteiner gelding, owned by Suzanne Dansby Phelps

The official U.S. Dressage Team for the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games will be announced on August 14, the week prior to the commencement of the competition in Aachen, Germany. The Games will be held from August 20 to September 3, 2006, with the dressage competition taking place August 22-26.

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Steffen Peters and Floriano Win Collecting Gaits Farm / USEF National Grand Prix Championship / World Equestrian Games Selection Trials at USET Foundation Dressage Festival of Champions presented by Paul Miller, Inc. at Gladstone

Officiating Sunday for the USEF Grand Prix Freestyle were the four USA “I” judges:
Hilda Gurney (E)
Anne Gribbons (C)
Janet Foy (M)
Jessica Ransehousen (B).
The foreign judge and president of the ground jury, Uwe Mechlem “O” of Germany officiated at (H).

GLADSTONE, NJ – June 18, 2006 – Steffen Peters, of San Diego, California, riding Floriano (Floristan x Wichita), a 16-year-old chestnut Westphalian gelding owned by Laurelyn Browning, dominated all three rounds of competition in the Collecting Gaits Farm / USEF National Grand Prix Championship / World Equestrian Games Selection Trials and clinched the title today with a commanding score of 83.250% in the USEF Grand Prix Freestyle. Peters’ hat-trick of victories included the USEF Grand Prix (74.5%) and the Grand Prix Special (77.24%), weighted 45% and 35% respectively. Combined with his score today that counted for 20%, Peters and Floriano earned the overall total of 77.209%. The triple win weekend also resulted in Peters and Floriano finishing as the first-placed rider/horse combination in the World Equestrian Games (WEG) Selection Trials, and they will be members of the United States dressage team that will compete at the WEG in Aachen, Germany (August 20 through September 3).

The Collecting Gaits Farm / USEF National Grand Prix Championship / World Equestrian Games Selection Trials were held June 15-18 at the USET Foundation Dressage Festival of Champions presented by Paul Miller, Inc. at Gladstone, New Jersey. The 12 highest-ranked Grand Prix horse/rider combinations qualified from across the nation to compete.

Peters’ acknowledged that coming into the competition, based on his recent shows, he did not expect the clean sweep. “I obviously felt very good after the Grand Prix, but I learned that you never want to be too confident. I went into the Special risking a lot and riding as if I hadn’t won the Grand Prix,” he revealed. “Today, it obviously felt good. There was a little bit more of a difference between Guenter [Seidel] and Leslie [Morse] so I came in a little bit more relaxed, that’s for sure. I was so very happy that Floriano had so much energy and that he felt 100% healthy. With a 16-year-old horse, that’s obviously a priority.” Relishing his undefeated three days of competition, Peters grinned, “Nobody ever camped on Mt. Everest; but, in the meantime I’m going to enjoy the view.” (Steffen and Floriano are pictured at the right. Susan J. Stickle Photo.)

Terri Gallo of Klassic Kur created the music for Peters’ freestyle, which includes instrumentals of “Can’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow” and John Lennon’s “Imagine.” Peters created the choreography after the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, where he was an alternate on the team. “It was recorded in a studio, it’s very customized,” he explained. “There’s no room for error. Every single second has to be exactly where it needs to be. Some freestyles have a little bit more room for improvisation, this one doesn’t. That makes it very difficult and it becomes very obvious when you’re not with the music. But today every single movement changed when the music changed.” Peters noted that his horse’s rhythm was right with the music most of the ride and that he did not have to do any improvising during the test.

In addition to the Athens Olympics, Peters was a member of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics Bronze Medal Team and has participated on two U.S. teams at the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO Aachen (2004 and 2005).

Seidel Named Reserve Champion and WEG Team Member

Guenter Seidel, of Cardiff, California, and Aragon (Abydos x La Sabina), a 14-year-old gray Bavarian warmblood gelding owned by Richard and Jane Brown, earned 77.600% in the USEF Grand Prix Freestyle today for fourth place, but combined with their second-placed finishes in the USEF Grand Prix (71.583%) and the USEF Grand Prix Special (73.320%), the duo earned an overall total score of 73.394% and were named the Reserve Champions in the Collecting Gaits Farm / USEF National Grand Prix Championship / World Equestrian Games Selection Trials. As the second-highest placed rider/horse in the competition, Seidel and Aragon have also been named to the U.S. dressage team for the WEG.

Seidel’s freestyle featured music from “Evita” created by Terri Gallo of Klassic Kur. There were obvious errors, such as rearing slightly in the piaffe; but, Seidel acknowledged that he was happy with the test. The championship/trials was only the second time Seidel and Aragon had exhibited their kur. He plans to make adjustments in the choreography before the WEG. “A few little things, just in the timing – a few small little changes,” he said. Seidel said he spoke with Gallo immediately after the competition and had already decided to, “. . .take a few beats out after the first pirouette; but, it will mostly stay the same.” Seidel admitted that he had expected Aragon to perform better overall in the competition. “He’s doing well,” Seidel said, but noted, “He’s not as good here as I expected him to be; but, it was good enough. I know he can do better than this, so I’m hoping he’ll peak in a month when we’re in Europe.”

Leslie Morse, of Beverly Hills, California, and her 12-year-old bay Swedish warmblood stallion Tip Top 962 (Master 850 x Horsia) claimed second place today in the USEF Grand Prix Freestyle with a score of 79.100%. Morse tied for second with Seidel in the USEF Grand Prix (71.583%) and finished third in the USEF Grand Prix Special (72.00%), which combined with today’s placing put them in third place overall in the championship/trials with a total of 73.232%.

Morse was riding her newly re-designed freestyle for the first time. “The choreography I absolutely love. The decision to make the changes was very smart. Yes, it was very risky; but, I love my music and I knew actually in my heart, this is the right thing to do,” Morse said. “The changes had to be made so why not start now and perfect that? I have two months to get really comfortable and secure with it; but, I think this is going to be my freestyle.” Morse explained that she kept the music for her walk, trot, and canter tours that she has been using for some time, but re-cut it. “I knew the music was good so it didn’t matter where I was in the ring. It was amazing that right up until the end I was right on. In the end I got a little bit behind. Overall it worked out great – I could hear it and feel it and it worked. It just goes with him.”

Arlene “Tuny” Page, of Wellington, Florida, with her 10-year-old bay Hanoverian gelding Wild One (Wanderer x Graefin) placed third in today’s freestyle with a score of 77.950%. The duo produced a fluid, elegant, bobble-free test to rockin’ American oldies – the same freestyle that they exhibited at the 2006 World Cup Dressage Final in The Netherlands. Page and Wild One placed fourth in the USEF Grand Prix (70.792%) and fifth in the USEF Grand Prix Special (69.360%). With today’s score added, the duo completed the championship/trials in the fourth place slot, earning an overall total of 71.722%.

Marilyn Adams, USEF Director of Dressage, explained that the top two horse/rider combinations from the trials (Peters and Seidel) will compete at the WEG and can only be removed from the team because of documented injury or illness to the rider or horse. Four additional rider/horse combinations will be named to the Short List. The final team of four who will represent that United States at the WEG will be named on August 15.

Riders under consideration for the Short List include three combinations that did not compete in the Selection Trials. These athletes submitted Letters of Special Consideration in order to be considered as part of the Short List; they are Leslie Morse and Kingston; Debbie McDonald with Brentina, who were members of the 2004 Athens Olympics Bronze Medal Team, won the 2003 Dressage World Cup Final, and were members of the 2002 World Equestrian Games Silver Medal Team; and Catherine Haddad with her horse Maximus, a duo that has been competing successfully in Europe.

In determining the four riders to add to the Short List, the Dressage Selectors will look at several criteria including the Selection Trials results. “We had a wonderful competition here and they can also look at the qualifying competitions coming into these Selection Trials,” noted Adams. Another special consideration is made for a rider/horse combination that has contributed to a team medal at the World Championships, Olympic Games or placed in the top six at a World Cup Finals. The Selectors Committee will approve the Short List by June 26.

Procedures allow for the Short-Listed riders to go to Europe, starting June 19 if they choose, and to train and compete there until August at competitions the committee has approved. The top two are allowed to ride in a national competition or in a final CDI 3* at Verden, Germany, and then go on to the World Equestrian Games.

The U.S. coach, Klaus Balkenhol, who is based in Germany, will train and assess the combinations as the WEG approaches. “Klaus will work with the athletes and watch the horses and make his determination as to the best plan for each combination,” explained Adams. “It’s a good plan because the athletes can go over when they’re comfortable.”

Steffen Peters said that his plan to prepare for the WEG would be to follow the recommendations made by Adams and Balkenhol; but, noted that Floriano could go straight to Aachen as he did in 2005 for the CHIO. “He’s been in the show ring many times. I feel pretty confident that we could do that but if Klaus and Marilyn decide that I should do another show, I’ll do so,” Peters stated. His plan is to return to California on June 20, rest his horse for a week, train lightly for two weeks, and travel to Verden if required. He expects to be in Europe by approximately July 20. “If we don’t need to do Verden, then I would like to be in Europe about two weeks prior to the World Games,” Peters said.

Seidel explained that he and Aragon would return to California and that his preparation plan was similar to the one Peters had mapped out.

Morse said that she has not committed to a plan yet, but that because her mount is a stallion she has to factor in the 58-day quarantine restrictions traveling to Europe. “Tip Top will be staying in this area, and I will go home for a short break,” said the Californian. “He deserves some trail rides. I’ll come back and we’ll count back the 58 days and give us some extra leeway.”

Page also agreed that her plans would be similar to Peters’. “There are two bosses here that I won’t outright defer to; but, I certainly will take in their comments and consideration and make a plan,” she stated, referring to Adams and Balkenhol. “My horse is younger and he needs to develop strength, so he needs a little bit of mileage in the ring, unlike some of the more experienced horses. So for my horse it might make a little more sense to go a little bit earlier. I certainly plan on doing Verden.”

Coach Balkenhol attended the Collecting Gaits Farm / USEF National Grand Prix Championship / World Equestrian Games Selection Trials at Gladstone and commented (in German) on the athletes and the competition. Gil Merrick, USEF Director of Dressage Sport Programs, acted as his translator. Balkenhol acknowledged that he was encouraged by this weekend about the team the U.S. would send to Aachen. He said that the riders improved day by day and that it’s obvious that they don’t have enough competitions here in the states to get the experience they need. He was pleased with all of the horses in the freestyle today and said that the riders that are in contention to be placed on the team showed some difficult technical movements and performed them very well. They have a number of weeks before the World Championships and can work at home to get ready for that. Balkenhol said the riders at Gladstone are world-class. They have experience and they know what they need to do in the next weeks to be ready for the WEG. Balkenhol pointed out that they have a way for everyone to stay in communication during these next weeks so if any small problems show up, they can handle them and everybody will be in great shape for the World Equestrian Games.

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Michelle Gibson and Lex Barker Win Collecting Gaits Farm / USEF National Intermediaire I Championship at USET Foundation Dressage Festival of Champions presented by Paul Miller, Inc. at Gladstone

GLADSTONE, NJ – June 18, 2006 – Michelle Gibson, 37, of Wellington, Florida, riding Lex Barker, a nine-year-old chestnut Hanoverian gelding (Longchamp x Wilhelmine) owned by Elite European Sport Horses won the USEF Intermediaire I Freestyle today with a score of 78.700%, making a clean sweep of three rounds of competition in the Collecting Gaits Farm / USEF National Intermediaire I Championship to undisputedly earn the title. Gibson won the Prix St. Georges (71.550%) and the Intermediaire I (72.550%), which were weighted 35% and 45% respectively. The kur counted for 20%, which resulted in a total score of 73.431%.

Gibson chose music from the movie soundtrack of Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Marlene Whitaker created the track for Gibson and helped with the choreography. Gibson had two criteria for her musical selection, “I just was desperately looking for music that hasn’t been done a million times over and I wanted to find music to fit him.” The big orchestral tones of the track suited the huge 17.2-hand chestnut’s expressive and expansive gaits. (Michelle and Lex Barker are pictured at the left. Susan J. Stickle Photo.)

Riding the kur in today’s class was only the third time for Gibson to perform it in the ring. Gibson characterized her freestyle as a technically challenging pattern. “I have steep half-passes in there. I’ve got pirouettes on the centerline into two tempis,” she pointed out. “I’ve got the trot zig-zags that are pretty step. I haven’t looked at my test, I don’t know what the judges thought about it, but I didn’t exactly think it was easy!” she laughed.

Both the soundtrack and music flowed with smooth transitions both in the audio and the video presentation of the freestyle. The elegant duo used the entire arena to advantage in a bobble-free ride. Gibson said she rode the kur as planned and did not have to improvise in the ring. “Much to my surprise it went along really smoothly,” she quipped, noting that only at one point did she get slightly ahead of her music. “I was very close to being on the music. It worked out just fine. It’s a miracle. I’m sure Marlene was biting her nails!”

Gibson noted that Lex Barker is not affected either way about music playing or not while he performs. “He’s good in the ring, so whether there’s music playing or not he comes up and has a little bit of spark to him,” she explained.

Gibson noted that the Collecting Gaits Farm / USEF National Intermediaire I Championship was Lex Barker’s last competition at the Prix St. Georges and Intermediaire level. “We’ll spend the summer working on the Grand Prix and see when that takes us to,” she emphasized.

Gibson is not currently training with a specific coach but credits Grand Prix rider Nancy Later of Wellington as her eyes on the ground.

Poulin-Neff Earns Reserve Champion Title

Kate Poulin-Neff, 26, of Newbury, Ohio, riding Brilliant Too (Brilliant x Blue Brigetta) placed second in the USEF Intermediaire Freestyle today with a score of 75.500%. In the USEF Prix St. Georges, Poulin-Neff earned 69.100% for third place and in the USEF Intermediaire I, she garnered 69.00% for fourth place. Her overall total was 70.268%, making her the Reserve Champion in the 2006 Collecting Gaits Farm / USEF National Intermediaire I Championship.

Terry Gallo of Klassic Kur created Poulin-Neff’s musical track. The trot music is entitled “Winner’s Circle,” the walk tour music is from “Annie,” and the canter music is “Alexander’s Ragtime Band.” The upbeat, energetic and clever track suited the pair to a T. “It’s the first time I had a professional freestyle done for me,” noted Poulin-Neff, and complimented Gallo, “She was wonderful.”

Brilliant Too is a 10-year-old Dutch warmblood/Thoroughbred gelding owned by Sharon Poulin that was bred at the family farm and has been Poulin-Neff’s mount since she first began his under-saddle training as a three-year-old. The diminutive Brilliant Too is 15.1 hands, and suits the 5’ 5” Poulin-Neff. “He’s the perfect size for me,” she said. “He has a lot of substance. My leg doesn’t go below his stomach. He has nice gaits and impulsion. I have never had a comment from a judge that his size is a problem.”

Though Poulin-Neff has competed at Gladstone numerous times as a young rider, the 2006 USET Foundation Dressage Festival of Champions presented by Paul Miller, Inc. is her first competition at this level at Gladstone and only her fifth Prix St. Georges/I-I competition. “I had to come here with no expectations whatsoever,” Poulin-Neff said. “Just to make it here was an accomplishment. I was just wanted to come out and not make big mistakes and do the job.”

Poulin-Neff is the daughter of 1992 Olympic Team Bronze Medalist Michael Poulin and Grand Prix rider/trainer Sharon Poulin, who are based in DeLeon Springs, Florida. Poulin-Neff is a full-time professional and trains on her own in Ohio, but with Brilliant Too, she credits her mother for having put in the lion’s share of help. “My mom coaches me 95% of the time. She comes up to Ohio once a month because I show once a month.” Her husband, Matthew Neff, a builder/developer (and non-horseman), has learned to help her as well and she uses videotapes to study her riding.

Poulin-Neff is considering moving Brilliant Too up to Grand Prix. “It would be nice to show him Grand Prix some day and if that happens that’s wonderful,” said Poulin-Neff. “We’ll just see what happens. He does all the Grand Prix movements. I don’t have plans any time soon to show the Grand Prix. I would only do it if I felt like he was confident to go out there and keep scoring well.”

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FEI Junior Freestyle Test

As the sole competitor in the FEI Junior Freestyle Test, Julie McKean, 18, of Camden, Maine, riding her Trahkener gelding Stavinsky earned 67.95% today and claimed her third blue ribbon at Gladstone during the USET Foundation Festival of Champions.

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Saturday, June 17th

Steffen Peters Wins USEF Grand Prix Special

In round two, the Grand Prix Special, of the Collecting Gaits Farm / USEF National Grand Prix Championship / World Equestrian Games Selection Trials today, the identical three riders from round one (the Grand Prix on June 15) again finished at the top of the class of 12 competitors. Steffen Peters, of San Diego, California, riding Floriano owned by Laurelyn Browning, earned 77.240% in the USEF Grand Prix Special today to claim his second victory in this championship competition.

Guenter Seidel, of Cardiff, California, aboard Aragon owned by Richard and Jane Brown, earned second place with a score of 73.320%. Leslie Morse, of Beverly Hills, California, with her Tip Top 962 scored 72.00% for third.

It was a historic test for Peters in that it was the highest Grand Prix score he has ever earned in his career. Peters had noted after the Grand Prix on Thursday that his horse’s score of 74+ that day was most likely his pinnacle, but Floriano proved him wrong today. “I apologize very much for the lies,” quipped Peters, and then admitted that after today’s spectacular performance he broke down into tears leaving the arena. “The bottom line is I consider myself a pretty tough guy so when I come out of the ring crying – it was a pretty good test,” he said. “I was beside myself. It was one of those rides that you don’t have too many times in your life.”

Peters pointed to how expressive, clean, and supple his horse’s test was, especially for a 16-year-old. He also noted that Floriano did not show any tiredness from Friday’s performance or today’s humidity. Peters said it was great that his horse had proved him wrong about his top-scoring ability. “There was definitely more in there. It was so amazing to have him as loose and supple as I had him today; but, to also have the same amount of energy. He was a little bit more supple and that made all the difference today.” Peters acknowledged that he took the same risks today as he did in the Grand Prix, with the same successful results. “I felt very comfortable with the extensions and the expression in the passage.”

Peters credited his wife, Shannon, for helping him train. “She’s the main person who keeps an eye on me at home. She has a very good eye and knows how horses need to look in the international arena and that’s the standard we’re trying to maintain.” The U.S. Dressage Team Coach Klaus Balkenhol has also helped Peters this weekend.

Seidel said that Aragon stayed loose and relaxed, but had moments when he got behind his leg. “Overall it was fine,” Seidel said.

Morse was pleased with her test and blamed “rider error” for mistakes in her test. Morse was beaming as she came down the centerline at the end of the test and explained, “I was ecstatic. I couldn’t have asked for anything better.” Her stallion let out a powerful blow of air moments before the final halt, which both amused and pleased her. “It shows that he’s the kind of horse that at the end of the test he has a lot of gumption,” she said. “He was still right there and he was really happy to be in that arena. For him to do that at the end of the test shows that he was really happy to be there and that’s what you want in a grand prix horse.”

Morse, who recently returned from training with Balkenhol in Germany and competing in the 2006 World Cup Dressage Final in The Netherlands, acknowledged the USEF and the USET Foundation for their support in helping her gain European experience. “USEF and the Foundation have been so amazing in allowing us this opportunity,” she pointed out. “They’ve allowed me so much opportunity to get so much experience to bring into this important year.”

Peters commented on his assessment of how the U.S. might fare in the coming World Equestrian Games. “If we have three horses that can score between 73 and 75% – that can do some serious damage over there. That’s something we’re capable of doing and need to do against Denmark and Sweden who are in contention for third place.”

USEF Grand Prix Special Results:

JUDGES:|
E: Uwe Mechlem (GER)
H: Jessica Ransehousen (USA)
C: J.Foy (USA)
M: Hilda Gurney (USA)
B: Anne Gribbons (USA)

1. Steffen Peters, Floriano - 387 389 393 376 386 0 = 77.240

2. Guenter Seidel, Aragon - 360 383 372 359 359 0 = 73.320

3. Leslie Morse, Tip Top 962 - 359 355 373 356 357 0 = 72.000

4. Heather Blitz, Arabella - 349 346 359 348 349 0 = 70.040

5. Arlene Page, Wild One - 347 347 359 342 339 0 = 69.360

6. Susanne Dansby Phelps, Cooper - 347 332 345 341 351 7 = 68.640

7. GeorgeWilliams, Marnix - 336 337 346 333 335 0 = 67.480

8. Mette Rosencrantz, Basquewille - 320 328 332 329 328 0 = 65.480

9. Melissa Taylor, Succes - 327 328 332 322 306 0 = 64.600

10. Catherine Morelli, BeSe - 315 322 325 323 325 0 = 64.400

11. Donna Richardson, Jazzman - 326 300 338 325 319 0 = 64.320

12. Lisette Milner, Eminence - 313 318 320 320 332 0 = 64.120

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Steffen Peters and Floriano Win USEF Grand Prix at USET Foundation Dressage Festival of Champions presented by Paul Miller, Inc. at Gladstone