HOW TO BUY, BREED, TRAIN, OR STEAL (JUST KIDDING) TOP DRESSAGE HORSES FOR THE USA At the London Olympics, it became obvious that US dressage is outhorsed. Industry leaders offer suggestions for changing that. BY AMBER HEINTZBERGER PROMISING TALENT: Young stars make the future of American dressage look bright. Tis is Rosmarin, co-owned by Kiroli Enterprises LLC and rider Kimberly Herslow (NJ), who won the Prix St. Georges at April’s Wellington (FL) Nations Cup CDIO3*. SUSANJSTICKLE.COM 44 July/August 2013 t USDF CONNECTION he United States has had a number of world-class dressage horses in its ranks, among them Gifted, Brentina, and Ravel. But the equine talent pool currently available to top riders in this country Tleaves us at a disadvantage on the international stage. Dressage in America has reached a defning moment in the wake of the past two Olympic Games, in which the US team failed to garner a medal. Te team was disqualifed in Hong Kong 2008 after an illegal substance found in one of the three team horses forced his elimination, and the US placed sixth in London 2012. Following a run of Olympic team bronzes—Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, and Athens 2004—the past two Games have been a setback. Team USA’s performance in London clearly exposed our weakness against such dressage powerhouses as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Germany. Te sparse avail- ability of horses measuring up to the new international standard was not news to then-United States Equestrian Federation national dressage technical advisor Anne Grib- bons, Chuluota, FL, who is now a selector for one of the programs she created, the USEF Developing Program, cur- rently helmed by Olympian Debbie McDonald. Gribbons eagerly ofers up ideas to improve the future chances of US dressage competitors and how they can get the best horses possible to ride. “From my time as coach, I felt that we had more good riders than good horses available,” says Gribbons. “most of MORE LIKE THESE, PLEASE: Te famed dressage duo Brentina and our riders weren’t sitting on horses that could go out and Olympian Debbie McDonald, who trained the mare to Grand Prix be competitive. It took only a couple of years, but Europe Generally speaking, there are three ways to acquire world- has left us behind. It’s tough at the top; you have to have the class horses: purchase “made” talent (typically from Europe), skills, and your horse has to be really awesome.” buy promising youngsters here or abroad, or breed them our- USEF national dressage young-horse coach Scott Has- selves. McDonald explains the many factors involved. sler, Chesapeake City, MD, says that building equine depth “i have always had to bring my own horses up and had is a complex situation that requires both money and luck. the opportunity to have some amazing horses and mentors “i think you can still buy a good Prix St. Georges horse along the way,” she says. “We are losing the great mentors and take it to Grand Prix, but we also have to fnd good young of the world! We need to have riders with pipelines full of horses,” Hassler says. “Te word is quality, quality, quality. Af- young horses. Tey also need depth of knowledge to help ter you fnd the horse, you have to fnd the right chemistry them develop these horses, but that also takes money and between horse and rider. Tere are so many variables.” sponsorship, of which there is not as much as we all would love to see. Tere are some riders that have the funds to buy They Don’t Grow on Trees already ‘going and showing’ horses; that takes someone re- With the legendary mare Brentina, Debbie McDonald rep- ally knowing what to look for and knowing what they can resented the US around the globe, winning the 2005 FEI produce. I do think that we have some lovely horses being World Cup Dressage Final and leading Team USA to bronze bred here in the US, but I would love to see more of the at the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2006 FEI World breeders doing what is done in Europe and getting those Equestrian Games. In 2010 McDonald, of Hailey, ID, was horses to the best possible riders for both their reputation appointed the USEF national dressage developing coach, and the horses.” her role to help identify and nurture future US equine dres- Te well-known US dressage patron Akiko Yamazaki, who has purchased mounts for Olympian Stefen Peters SHARON FIBELKORN sage stars for the international arena. USDF CONNECTION t July/August 2013 45 be exposed to more international-level competition, even if it doesn’t mean standing on the podium every time.” In Yamazaki’s opinion, the relationship and training ap- proach of Debbie McDonald and her student Adrienne Lyle represent the ideal model of how the next generation of in- ternational riders could develop in the US. “Tey purchased young, unproven horses and developed them into Olympic horses over two generations of riders,” Yamazaki says. (Brentina was purchased as a three-year- old, and McDonald helped Lyle to develop Peggy Tomas’s Wizard, on whom Lyle made the 2012 US Olympic team.) “Te key here is that Adrienne has had the beneft of a men- tor in every respect that is required of becoming a world- class rider, from training, to strategy on competitions, to CAREFULLY TAUGHT: Olympian Debbie McDonald (left) mentored having that support team that makes it all possible.” student Adrienne Lyle, who with mount Wizard competed in the 2012 For Yamazaki’s thoughts on the challenges and rewards Olympics of dressage sponsorship, see “Funding World-Class Ambi- including Ravel and Legolas 92, says: “i personally feel that tions: An Owner’s Perspective” on page 50. the best way for the US to obtain world-class horses is for the riders to become world-class. Without world-class Producing Future Champions riders, there are no world-class horses. You may purchase Hassler points out that the world is at breeders’ fngertips: a horse that is already a successful international competi- Tey can go online and see what’s out there and raise their tor, but if the rider has no such experience, it will be a very standards; and thanks to frozen semen, they have access to steep hill to climb. i frmly believe that the riders need to top stallions anywhere in the world. Premier Equestrian announces Master’s Blend Footing. This blend of textiles and cushioning agents creates an ideal surface; cushion, rebound and shear strength. Master’s Blend is a premium quality footing at an affordable price. PremierEquestrian.com | 800 .611.6109 DRESSAGE ARENAS • FOOTING • HORSE JUMPS • BARN & STABLE COURTESY OF ADRIENNE LYLE 46 July/August 2013 t USDF CONNECTION McDonald believes that American sport-horse breed- ers can and possibly already have bred world-class horses. Often riders and owners concern themselves with how to track down the best horses in Europe and then convince the owners to sell, but McDonald believes that this is not neces- sarily the best approach. “We need to be much more self-sufcient and not think we need to rely on Europe for it all,” mcDonald says. “We can do this, but it is going to take a greater communication between the American breeders and top riders. Breeders need to realize that not every horse they breed is world- class; and when a top rider tries to be honest with them, they cannot take that as a personal attack. We have great riders that need great young horses, and this is what we need to keep fghting for.” Gribbons would like to see elite auctions developed here in the US so that breeders can sell prequalifed and selected young stock to serious buyers. “in europe, there are at least thirty [elite sport-horse] auctions every year,” gribbons says. “it’s just pathetic that we don’t even have one selected, elite auction with vetted horses, where it’s a big party for people to buy great horses.” DREAM HORSES: Every sport-horse breeder hopes to produce a world- Assessing a young horse’s potential for future stardom class foal. Richelieu MF (Rotspon – Divine Dream MF, Don Principe) is a talent, says Gribbons, not necessarily a skill that can be enjoys the sunshine at Marydell Farm (NC). 63-93% of Competitive Horses Have Gastric Health Issues* Platinum Gastric Support™ is the only equine supplement that contains Fermaid Ease® 187** • Helps maintain overall condition by supporting a healthy appetite and digestion • Supports a healthy level of gastric acid in the stomach • Helps maintain a healthy epithelium (lining) of the stomach • Includes a daily probiotic to support the balance of intestinal microfora for healthy digestive function Keep horses focused and willing to perform with this new approach to equine gastric health. Call 1-800-553-2400 or visit PlatinumPerformance.com. * Based on studies of non-racing and racing performance horses ** Only available from Platinum Performance ©2012 Platinum Performance, inc. AMBER HEINTZBERGER USDF CONNECTION t July/August 2013 47 learned. “Some people just see a young horse and can tell “Money Makes Medals” whether it could make a star later. Some of our riders have fter the 2012 London Olympic Games, British an exquisite eye; others, while excellent riders, don’t have a Prime Minister David Cameron gave a wrap- clue,” she says. “if you have the talent to train a good horse, Aup interview during which he reviewed the it is worth paying someone who can tell you what you are success of the British athletes and the effect of the looking at before you hand over the money.