Source:  News Release

Ots and Karol Named Champions on Final Day of the 2016 Markel/USEF Young & Developing Horse Dressage National Championships

Wayne, Ill. - The final two division titles of the 2016 Markel/USEF Young & Developing Horse Dressage National Championships were determined today as competition came to an end at the Lamplight Equestrian Center. Endel Ots and Lucky Strike earned the Markel/USEF Six-Year-Old National Championship title, their first national championship, following the FEI Six-Year-Old Final Test. Jane Karol and Sunshine Tour won the Markel/USEF Developing Horse Grand Prix National Championship following the USEF Developing Horse Grand Prix Test. Today's tests counted 60% towards their overall score. The remaining 40% came from Friday's preliminary tests.  

Markel/USEF Six-Year-Old National Championship 

The judges remained pleased with the growth of the young horses. However, they ultimately awarded Endel Ots (Wellington, Fla.) and Lucky Strike the Markel/USEF Six-Year-Old National Championship. They had a superb preliminary test on Friday for a score of 8.64. He and Max Ots' Hanoverian gelding had a clean final test. Lucky Strike stayed present with Endel the entire test, and the judges saw the commitment of their partnership. However, they wanted more engagement, overall. They earned a score of 8.50 for an overall score of 8.60.
  

	Endel Ots and Lucky Strike (SusanJStickle.com)

 
"I am so thankful for Christine Traurig's help; it has been invaluable. I absolutely could not have done it without her. She has been above and beyond supportive. Coming to clinics in Florida and then helping me here. I showed here when I was 15 years-old, so there's people I have known over 10 years so it's really nice to come to Lamplight and be on these show grounds," said Endel Ots. 

Fresh off winning the Reserve National Championship on Saturday, Parra (White House Station, N.J.) earned the Markel/USEF Six-Year-Old Reserve National Championship with Don Cesar on Sunday. His own Westphalian gelding had excellent walk work to earn a score of 8.28 in the preliminary test for second place in the division. They had nice pirouettes but lacked definition in the trot work during the final test. The judges gave them a score of 8.540 for an overall score of 8.436. 

"I was happy with him today. It was a little hotter today, but I was happy with the scores. The comments were very encouraging. It is exciting; I am very honored to have two horses that are Reserve Champions. I think it is a testament to the whole team. I am in great company with two amazing riders [Michael Bragdell and Endel Ots] and their horses," said Parra.  

Michael Bragdell (Colora, Md.) and Sternlicht Hilltop, Hilltop Farm Inc.'s Hanoverian stallion, placed third with an overall score of 8.028. They had a consistent first round test for a score of 7.98. The Hanoverian stallion stepped up for Bragdell for a much more flowing final test to earn a score of 8.06.  

Complete Markel/USEF Six-Year-Old National Championship results 

Markel/USEF Developing Horse Grand Prix National Championship 

Jane Karol (Concord, Mass.) and her own Sunshine Tour had a more relaxed, expressive test on Sunday for a score of 68.750%. With more power and balance in the movements, they earned the 2016 Markel/USEF Developing Horse Grand Prix National Championship with an overall score of 66.917%. On Friday, tension got the best of the 2007 Oldenburg mare, but the combination held it together for a score of 64.167 in the first round test. This is the first National Championship for the combination, as they earned the 2013 Six-Year-Old Reserve National Championship title. 

	Jane Karol and Sunshine Tour (SusanJStickle.com)

"This is surreal. There were wonderful horses and riders here, but I thought she could do this, and she was great today. She was with me; she was listening, and I got wonderful help right before from Scott Hassler and Margaret Freeman helping me on how to go into certain movements. Thankfully, I listened," said Karol.  

Holger Bechtloff (Wellington, Fla.) and Clapton JP earned the 2016 Markel/USEF Developing Horse Grand Prix Reserve National Championship title with an overall score of 66.040%. He and Peggy Mills' 2007 KWPN gelding lacked rhythm in Friday's first round test but still had a pleasing performance for a score of 65.351%. On Sunday, the gelding came to the arena eager to please for an improvement in the final test for a score of 66.500%. 

"We are kind of in a funny stage of underreacting or overreacting. His quickness could be detrimental. We are a little electric at moments and just a split second behind, but overall for where he is, I am very happy with him. He tries his heart out," said Bechtloff.  

Petra Warlimont (Evergreen, Colo.) placed third with an overall score of 63.749%. She and Highschool MCF, Susan Alvey's 2006 Hanoverian gelding, placed fourth in the first round test with a score of 64.875%, improving in the final test for a score of 64.875.  

Complete Markel/USEF Developing Horse Grand Prix National Champions...

More information about the Markel/USEF Young & Developing Horse Dressage National Championships can be found at USEF.org. 

The USEF International High Performance Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, USOC, and USEF Sponsors and Members.

Lyle, Hartung, and Stanley Claim First Set of Titles in the 2016 Markel/USEF Young & Developing Horse Dressage National Championships

Wayne, Ill. - The first set of champions were determined at the 2016 Markel/USEF Young & Developing Horse Dressage National Championships today. Adrienne Lyle and Horizon maintained their lead to win the Markel/USEF Developing Horse Prix St. Georges National Championship. Christian Hartung and Desario, who received record marks, claimed the Markel/USEF Five-Year-Old National Championship, and Craig Stanley and Habanero CWS overtook Justine Wilson and Hero BHS for the Markel/USEF Four-Year-Old Championship title. Today's tests counted 60% towards their overall score with the remaining 40% derived from Thursday's first round tests.  

Markel/USEF Developing Horse Prix St. Georges National Championship 

Adrienne Lyle (Ketchum, Idaho) and Horizon competed with purpose during the USEF Developing Horse Prix St. Georges Test to win the Markel/USEF Developing Horse Prix St. Georges National Championship. Yesterday, Parry Thomas, a longtime supporter of Lyle and her coach, Debbie McDonald, passed away. In honor of his influence, Lyle and Betsy Juliano's 2007 Oldenburg mare overcame the muddy, rainy conditions for an outstanding test. They earned a score of 74.020% for an overall score of 74.272%.  

	Adrienne Lyle and Horizon (SusanJStickle.com)

"Today's ride was special. He [Thomas] has been incredibly influential and a huge supporter of U.S. dressage," said Lyle. "He was excited about the competition and loving dressage up to the day he went. He was watching over us, and we rode for him today."  

Moving up from third place following the Developing FEI Prix St. Georges Test, Cesar Parra (White House Station, N.J) and Fashion Designer OLD captured the Markel/USEF Developing Horse Prix St. Georges Reserve National Championship with an overall score of 70.440%. The 2008 Oldenburg gelding gave Parra all that he had for an expressive test to earn a score of 70.294%. 

"I love the [young and developing horse] program; I think it is fantastic. What I have learned from this is it is an incentive to keep doing things the right way, in the right line because there are no shortcuts. If you try to rush the young horse in these classes without having the basics you won't be successful," said Parra following yesterday's Developing FEI Prix St. Georges Test. "We improved a lot from the last test, and I'm happy to be the Reserve Champion," said Parra following today's competition.  

Moving into third place overall was Nicholia Clarke (Temecula, Calif.) and Quincy, Jennifer Mason's 2008 Oldenburg gelding. They earned a score of 70.539% in the final test for an overall score of 70.429%. 

Complete Markel/USEF Developing Horse Prix St. Georges results 

Markel/USEF Five-Year-Old National Championship 

Hartung (Vacaville, Calif.) and Desario went from second alternates for these championships to the winners of Markel/USEF Five-Year-Old National Championship. With a spot open, he and Desario got the chance to exhibit their potential, and they did not disappoint. Hartung and Christiane Noelting's Oldenburg gelding mastered the FEI Five-Year-Old Test for a score of 8.920, giving them an overall score of 8.824. Desario demonstrated three clean gaits and quality trot work for personal high scores in the final test.   

	Christian Hartung and Demario (SusanJStickle.com

"Today's test went much different. It felt good going in. He could have pushed it a bit more going into the trot, but overall I was very happy with him," said Hartung. "I've been here [in the U.S.] 10 years and qualified a couple horses, but this is my first year here. The facility is amazing, and it's a great venue for this show. The young horse program has the right process and policy in place."  

Karin Persson (Bedford Hills, N.Y.) and her own Giuliano also produced a nice test to earn the Markel/USEF Five-Year-Old Reserve National Championship title with an overall score of 8.484. She and her KWPN gelding earned a score of 8.460 following a score of 8.520 during the preliminary test. "He has a super brain; if I ask him anything, he does it. It was a nice ride. I didn't feel a lack of power in the ring. They [the judges] loved the trot, and at the moment, it is the strongest, and that wasn't the case half a year ago," said Persson.  

Cyndi Jackson (Glendale, Ariz.) and Sir Amour, Schuttler Stables LLC.'s Hanoverian gelding, remained in third place after the final test. With lovely walk and center work, they earned a score of 8.420 for an overall score of 8.260.  

Complete Markel/USEF Five-Year-Old National Championship results 

Markel/USEF Four-Year-Old National Championship 

Stanley (Madera, Calif.) has been competing in these championships for three years. Now he has the Markel/USEF Four-Year-Old National Championship title. He and his own KWPN gelding Habanero CWS climbed from second place with a quality final test. They earned a score of 8.280 for an overall score of 8.256.  

	Craig Stanley and Habanero CWS (SusanJStickle.com)

"His canter felt really nice, and the trot was a little better than Thursday; it was energetic and more up in the frame. His walk was less rushed than Thursday. It's a surreal feeling; I never thought I would be in this position," said Stanley.  

Wilson (Beach Island, S.C.) struggled a bit in the final test, but her own KWPN stallion, Hero BHS, gave her just enough to earn the Markel/USEF Four-Year-Old Reserve National Championship title. They earned a score of 8.160 for an overall score of 8.208.  

"This [show] is a very special place; it really develops your eye towards what your goal is. You can see the schooling on the four-year-olds and six-year-olds and see where you are supposed to be in the next couple of years, so you really develop an eye for what's here," said Wilson following Thursday's USEF Four-Year-Old Test. "Today, I did not have the horse I am used to so it threw me off a little bit, but he is so talented. We have such a nice partnership, and he came back around for me and did just enough, so I am proud of him," added Wilson following Saturday's final test.  

J.T. Burnley (Fulton, Ky.) rebounded from the first round test to earn a score of 8.320 in the final test. He and Won Million, Anna Hopla's Hanoverian stallion placed third overall with a score of 7.920.  

Complete Markel/USEF Four-Year-Old National Championship results 

National Champions will be named in the Six-Year-Old and Developing Grand Prix divisions tomorrow. Watch the live stream on USEF Network. More information about the Markel/USEF Young & Developing Horse Dressage National Championships can be found at USEF.org.  

The USEF International High Performance Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, USOC, and USEF Sponsors and Members.