Wayne, IL- The 2012 USEF National Dressage Championships came to a conclusion Sunday at the Lamplight Equestrian Center with champions crowned across three divisions. Intermittent rain could not dampen spirits as final competition was held in the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals presented by Dressage Today, the Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championships and the USEF National Developing Horse Prix St. Georges Dressage Championship presented by The Dutta Corp. and Performance Sales International. In the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals presented by Dressage Today Genay Vaughn clinched her first equitation National Title riding in the 14-18 division. Alice Tarjan and Somer Hit claimed the final Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championship of the weekend; winning the six-year-old division. In the final championship class of the weekend Caroline Roffman and Her Highness O earned a decisive victory in the Developing Horse division.

USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals presented by Dressage Today

Elk Grove, CA's Vaughn claimed top honors in the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals presented by Dressage Today 14-18 division after demonstrating a strong foundation in equitation. The 18-year-old has already claimed third place in the Young Rider

Genay Vaughn (PhelpsPhoto.com)

Championship at the USEF Dressage Festival of Champions and a Team Silver medal at the Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North in 2012 and added another accolade to her impressive junior and young rider career.

Vaughn is a firm believer in having a solid base in equitation and its importance for succeeding at the top levels.

"Equitation is really important. It's nice to get feedback on whether you're effective while looking pretty, which is the whole base of the sport."

Vaughn had added difficulty on her quest to winning the Gold medal in that she had only ridden Kaye-Eileen Willard's Anakin a total of four times. However, the pair quickly forged a partnership and found little difficulty in the pattern that called for leg yields and three changes of lead across the diagonal.

"I like the trot-canter-trot across the diagonal and the halt. It was really fun, he was great. I had nothing to worry about."

Placing second and earning the Silver medal was 16-year-old Rachel Robinson. The Orlando, FL resident gave Vaughn a run for her money in the Championship displaying effective aids and a strong position.

Robinson has just recently imported the rangy 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood, Ucarius. Due to his size and ground covering gaits, Robinson had a few reservations heading into Sunday's pattern. The pair will continue to solidify their partnership and have big aspirations for 2013.

"I was a little worried about the lead changes across the diagonal, because he's such a big guy," said Robinson. "We're going to start doing juniors together next year."

Earning third place honors was 17-year-old Molly Mead of Charleston, SC.

Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championships

Tarjan (Oldwick, NJ) and her own Somer Hit (Sandro Hit-Rhussia by Rotspun) proved to be at the top of the class of the 11 horse field in the Six-Year-Old Championship claiming victory on an overall score of 8.05. They were the only six-year-old combination to end the competition with a score above 8.

Alice Tarjan and Somer Hit (PhelpsPhoto.com)

The Hanoverian stallion was lacking some of the brilliance from Friday's Preliminary Test, but still scored 7.8, 7.9 and 8.0 for his walk, trot and canter as well as 7.6 for submission and a general impression mark of 7.9 to score 7.83 for Sunday's performance.

"I was really pleased we got through it," said Tarjan. "He was a little flat compared to Friday, but I'm thrilled."

Tarjan, who also collected Reserve Champion honors in the five-year-old division, understands that it is very important to get horses early and train them from the very beginning. She is also very pragmatic about when Somer Hit will move into the Developing Horse ranks.

"I thought the only way to get a good horse was to buy a foal, so I went and bought a foal," said Tarjan. "We'll see how it goes; we always say we'll take it one day at a time."

Somer Hit also collected the Highest U.S. Bred Horse award.

Cesar Parra (White House Station, NJ) and Michael Davis' Simply Nymphenburg (Sir Donnerhail I-Wendy by Weltmeyer) improved on their performance from Friday to collect the top score (7.86) in the Final Test on their way to Reserve Champion honors. They scored 7.6, 8.0 and 8.2 for their walk, trot and canter gaits and 7.5 on submission and 8.0 for their general impression.

Parra first saw the Hanoverian gelding in Germany just after Christmas last year and knew he was something special.

"I love my horse; he's absolutely a wonderful horse. I saw him and he was so elastic... we are always working towards FEI."

Parra also believes that programs such as the Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Programs are extremely beneficial to U.S. riders and horses.

"I really think the programs are fantastic, we are very lucky to have them," said Parra.  "It's the only way we can keep competing against the Europeans."

The pair finished the championships on a final score of 7.796.

Placing third was Roberta Carleton (Salisbury, CT) and Kir Royal (Kopenick-Ronja by Rotspon). The Warmblood gelding earned a championship score of 7.672.

All three top place finishers benefitted from the 2012 Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Program, taking part in Observation Events, Selection Trials and Training Sessions.

USEF National Developing Horse Prix St. Georges Dressage Championship presented by The Dutta Corp. and Performance Sales International

Roffman (Wellington, FL) rode to a decisive victory in the USEF National Developing Horse Prix St. Georges Dressage Championship presented by The Dutta Corp. and Performance Sales International by more than two and a half points on a final score of 72.579%. Roffman and Jennifer Lind's nine-year-old Hanoverian mare Her Highness O (Hohenstein De-SPS Wild Lady O by Weltmeyer) demonstrated a fluid trot-tour and solid changes Sunday to score a 73.333% in the USEF Developing Horse Test.

Caroline Roffman and Her Highness O  (PhelpsPhoto.com)

The 23-year-old Roffman has done all the work on the classy mare and has enjoyed seeing her progress over the last few years.

"It was really fun it came full circle. She was dropped off in Florida for me after having four or five foals. I didn't know what I had, but I thought she had potential," said Roffman. "It's great to be here two-to-three years later. What she lacks in talent she makes up in heart. I think she has great potential."

There are also high hopes that Her Highness O can pass on her potential and attributes to feature U.S. stars.

"I'm truly lucky to have her and I want to breed her through embryo transfer and have some American bred horses."

Roffman has ridden many horses at USEF National Dressage Championships and collected numerous accolades with horses that have progressed through the Young and Developing Horse programs. Along with business partner Endel Ots, who won reserve honors in the 2012 USEF Developing Horse Grand Prix Championship supported by Hilda Gurney and Carol Lavell, Roffman has plenty of rising talents in her barn.

"I'm really lucky because I can rest horses. All of the horses we have developed ourselves and it makes me proud of what we have done."

Placing second in the Championship was 2011's six-year-old winner, Emily Wagner (La Cygne, KS) and Wakeup (Wagnis-Maiden Montreal by Macho). The seven-year-old American Warmblood stallion owned by Wagner showed great potential for future successes at the highest level. A slight mistake kept them from breaking the 70% barrier, but they completed Sunday's test with a score of 69.461%.

"I was super happy with him. He was a little bit fresh and we had that little bobble on the five loop serpentine, but I can't blame him he's only seven."

Along with collecting second place honors, the pair also earned the Highest U.S. Bred award with a championship score of 69.905%.
Earning third place was Jessica Jo Tate (Wellington, FL) and Faberge (FlorestanI-Baroness by Brentano II) with the nine-year-old Westphalian gelding earning a championship score of 69.760%.

Wayne, IL- Champions were crowned in four divisions Saturday at the Lamplight Equestrian Center as the Developing Horse Grand Prix, Five-Year-Old , Four-Year-Old and 13 & Under equitation competition wrapped up. In the USEF Developing Horse Grand Prix Championship supported by Hilda Gurney and Carol Lavell, Lisa Wilcox and Pikko del Cerro HU proved unbeatable as they cruised to victory by a decisive margin. Claiming the 2012 Five-Year-Old title was Lientje Schueler and Regalo, while Michael Bragdell and Hemingway won the Four-Year-Old crown. In the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals presented by Dressage Today 13 & Under division Emma Patterson won the exciting equitation championship.

USEF Developing Horse Grand Prix Championship supported by Hilda Gurney and Carol Lavell

Wilcox (Loxahatchee, FL) and Pikko del Cerro HU (Pik L- Rohweena by Rohdiamant) repeated their winning effort from Thursday to clinch top honors in the inaugural championship. Horses Unlimited's nine-year-old Hanoverian stallion never looked in doubt of claiming his second Developing Horse National Championship title, he was the winner of the 2011 USEF National Developing Horse Prix St. Georges Dressage Championship

Lisa Wilcox and Pikko del Cerro HU (PhelpsPhoto.com)

presented by The Dutta Corp. and Performance Sales International, as he put forth a dominating effort on Saturday to score 71.084%.

Thursday's inconsistencies appeared a long way off as the stallion appeared much more settled in the USEF Developing Grand Prix Test, which counted for 60% of the championship total. Throughout the week the Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Program graduate and 2009's Six-Year-Old Champion demonstrated a great aptitude for the Grand Prix movements.

"Today he was relaxed and his head was a comfortable; he was a hundred percent with me," said Wilcox. "The passage-piaffe-passage was the highlight."

Wilcox and Horses Unlimited's Anne Sparks are firm believers in both the Young Horse and Developing Horse programs and their importance in the development of Pikko del Cerro HU.

"Because the programs were out there Anne did what the horse needed to do as a four-year-old and a five-year-old," said Wilcox. "[These programs] provide a lot of exposure that helps in their development."

The pair finished on a final score of 70.949% and additionally collected the Top U.S. Bred Horse award.

Earning Reserve Champion honors was Endel Ots (Wellington, FL) and Taunia Reed's Agastrofos (Briar 899-Hera by Nocturne 877) with a championship score of 67.812%. The 10-year-old Swedish Warmblood produced an expressive test highlighted by solid collection Saturday scoring 68.459%.

"He loves the piaffe and passage, the collected work is just so easy for him. He likes to go out and show, it's great to go in there and have extra gas," said Ots who believes the Championships are very important in assessing the aptitude of young and developing horses. "It's really cool to compete horses in the same age group and see how you stack-up."

Finishing third was Petra Warlimont (Hygiene, CO) and the 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding Rohmero (Romancero-Waldina by Walldorf) on an overall score of 63.961%.

Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championship

Schueler (San Diego, CA) and Regalo (Rosario-Dandiell by Nandino) were the clear winner of Saturday's Final Test scoring 8.16, which counted toward 60% of their overall score of 7.912. Pinky Robert's Oldenburg gelding received 7.5, 8.8 and 7.9 for their

Lientje Schueler and Regalo (PhelpsPhoto.com)

walk trot and canter as well as 8.4 for submission and 8.2 for general impression.

Last year's third place finisher as a four-year-old looked relaxed and happy in both championship classes which Schueler found to be very important.

"I didn't change much from the first day," said Schueler of her approach to Saturday's test. "I was very happy to hear from the judges that I had a harmonious ride and a happy horse. That is always my goal."

Schueler is a firm believer in the Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Program and thinks it's very important to keep a thorough record of the breeding.

"It's a great program and that helps keep track of the bloodlines."

Alice Tarjan and Elfenfeuer (Florencio I-Elfensonne by Sion) collected Reserve Champion honors with an overall score of 7.864 after scoring an 8.0 on Saturday. The Oldenburg mare owned by Tarjan scored 7.4, 7.9, 8.0 for the walk trot and canter. They also earned 8.5 and 8.2 for submission and general impression.

Tarjan was pleased with the mare she has only had for a year and her improved effort from the Preliminary Test.

"Today she was a little quieter, maybe a little behind the leg. But I'm thrilled with her she has come a long way."

Placing third was Patricia Becker (Wadsworth, IL) and the Oldenburg stallion Freedom (Feuri-Windjammer by Walk On Top) with an overall score of 7.612. The pair earned 7.9 for Final Test on the way to earning Top U.S. Bred award.

In the four-year-old championship, Bradgell (Colora, MD) and Hemmingway (Hofrat-SPS Alsonara by Archipel) scored a narrow win over to claim the National Title. Theresa Schnell's Oldenburg stallion was awarded 8.5, 8.0 and 8.0 for walk, trot and canter

Michael Bragdell and Hemingway (PhelpsPhoto.com)

respectively. Hemmingway's supreme gaits were rewarded highly in addition to earning an 8.3 for submission and 8.5 on general impression. The pair earned an overall total of 8.26.

"I knew it was going to be hot so I didn't do too much in the warm-up," said Bragdell of his preparation. "I felt I had a few bobbles in Thursday's Warm-Up [class] so I worked on those and had a nice fluid ride today. I kept telling myself to stay relaxed."

Placing second was Christopher Hickey (Colora, MD) and Qredit Hilltop (Quarterback-Dream Rubina by Dream of Glory). Judy Yancey's Oldenburg gelding earned high marks for his gaits including an 8.4 on the walk and 8.0 for his trot and canter. He also received 8.2 and 8.5 for submission and general impressions respectively.

"Today was the best test Qredit has ever done," said Hickey. "I knew I needed to bring up the submission scores. My goal was to have him be as steady as he could be in the contact."

Both Champion and Reserve horses are trained and stand at Hilltop Farm in Maryland and Hickey believes the Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Program is extremely important both in terms of breeding and development.

"This is an important step. As American breeders we want to keep supporting this program."

Anna Marek (Williston, FL) and AJ Stapleton's Dutch Warmblood mare Dilona (Lord Leatherdale-Vajda by Kennedy) collected third place honors with a score of 8.2.

USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals presented by Dressage Today

In the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals presented by Dressage Today 13 & Under division Patterson scored her first National Title. The Houston, TX resident demonstrated an effective lower leg in a very accurate effort.

"I've been working hard on keeping my seat centered," said the teenager who has been involved with the program for three years, but was competing in her first Medal Final.

Earning the Silver medal was Emumclaw, Washington's Madeline Joy who rode to the second-place honors on the strength of her effective and polished position.

The 13-year-old has been tweaking all aspects of her equitation in preparation for these Championships.

"I've been working really hard on everything [in the lead up]."

Tille Jones (Lincoln, NB) earned third place honors for her strong performance on Saturday.