31st Annual Spring Dressage Show Recap
Perfect May Weather for Grand Prix to First Timers
Spokane Sport Horse’s Spring Dressage Show enjoyed great weather this weekend! Celebrating Mother’s Day on Sunday, it was great to see multiple families choosing to celebrate the best way many of us know how: by spending the weekend at a horse show, sharing our love of horses.
Jacquelyn Anderson-Druffel riding Scarlett. Photo courtesy of Big Shot Images. Click Photo for link.
Rider Highlights and Achievements
This May show featured many regulars, such as Montana’s Robert Chapeski, who has attended almost all 31 years, presenting his two horses at Prix St. Georges and Second Level. We also welcomed three first-time USDF Recognized Dressage Show competitors, including Wren McCormick, who was the Registered Arabian Reserve Champion with a score of 68%.
Alexis Johnson riding Bugatti Badger during their Third Level debut.
The Johnson Family had quite the Mother’s Day weekend! Alexis Johnson made her Third Level debut, while Kimberly Johnson took home the Musical Freestyle Cup Champion crown.
Selected by both judges, the Phyllis Greenman Good Seat Award was presented to Mackenzie Brown, who rode Ramona AK to the First Level High Point with a 69.8%. Annika Helinski took home the Junior Rider Good Seat Award, sponsored by Christine Jenkins.
Riding in front of both judges Maverick Wright showed two horses in the FEI Junior Individual Test. The crowd favorite seemed to be the expressive cremelo Lusitano Stallion, Quiero KD.
The Suitability Award, given to a horse in its first year of showing, went to Rhone, the Training Level High Point winner (averaging 71.3%), owned and ridden by Gail Redinger. Rhone is destined for success; Gail also competed this weekend in the Grand Prix with Don Ferro, a horse who won the Suitability Award himself as a youngster!
The Inland Empire Arabian Club sponsored championship and reserve ribbons for the Highest Scoring Registered Arabian, which Stevie Gaudreau took home aboard KR Vanity.
Congratulations to all competitors!
The Gears That Keep The Show Going
As a Level 3 Recognized Dressage Show providing significant qualification opportunities, we welcomed exceptional judges Michael Osinski and Teresa Stewart. Mike Osinski, fresh off the International Stage, was a treat to welcome back. Mike was Christel’s first clinician when she moved to WA 41 years ago. Getting to hear stories about his time judging the 2024 Paris Olympics was the highlight of Sunday for Cyra, who had the pleasure of scribing for him that day. We are wishing him well as the USA judge representative at the World Equestrian Games this summer in Aachen, Germany.
A show of this caliber requires a village. We owe a debt of gratitude to everyone involved this weekend. The heart of any show in this sport is its volunteers.
Judge Mike Osinski and Scribe Cyra.
Thank you our incredible volunteers:
Scorer: Karen Hammock, Lee Ellyn
Test Runners: Becky and Danielle (Mother and Daughter team) & Beth
Scribes: Stephanie, Lexi, Christel & Cyra
Ring Stewards: Chris, Stephanie, Lee Ellen
Show Management Staff:
Technical Delegate: Victoria Powers
Show Secretary: Mary Neal
Show Manager: Gail Mackie
Organizer: Christel Carlson
Sponsors
The Vivo Crew
Redinger Dressage
MDKJA Law Firm
DC Farms
Liberty Grove Farm
Riverwood Stables
