2010 Fourth Level Open
7.12.10
The 2010 competition season was shorter than expected due to Kristin's husband's deployment, but the pair had an enjoyable and successful debut at Fourth Level Open at USDF Competitions in Sunland Park, NM and Parker, CO, earning scores up to 64% and Grand Champion of Amigos de Dressage Fourth Level Open! Kristin plans on riding Fourth Level and debut at Prix St. Georges Open next year in USDF Region 5. Kristin earned her USDF Bronze Medal this year, and half of the scores for her Silver Medal; she hopes to complete her silver medal on Dylan next year.
2009 Show Season- Third Level
8.05.09
While Kristin was wrapping up her student teaching in her Master's program, she and Dylan attended three USDF competitions at Third Level; Copper Creek Dressage (Williamston, MI) in May and June, and Waterloo Dressage (Grass Lake, MI) in June. At both Copper Creek shows, Dylan earned Grand Champion at Third Level Adult Amateur. At Waterloo Dressage, there were some tough judges but they turned out a nice Fourth Level Test 1, earning a score equivalent to what they'd been earning at Third Level that weekend. On top of winning two Grand Champion awards this spring, another accomplishment at the short 2009 show season was earning scores up to 71% at Third Level.
Relocation
Kristin has moved to El Paso, TX to join her husband, and has brought Dylan with her. Look for the pair at 2010 USDF shows in Region 5!.
Dressage at Waterloo UPDATE
9.01.08
On August 23 & 24, Kristin and Dylan made their debut at 2nd level at the 2008 Dressage at Waterloo Summer Finale II. Having only been in regular training since this spring, they turned out four respectable tests. On Saturday, they faced a judge who favored warmbloods and scored tough. After a few minor glitches in their first test, the pair were able to raise their score by nearly 10% in their afternoon ride. They earned a fifth place in the morning and a fourth in the afternoon. On Sunday, they rode under a different judge who judged more fairly and scored a 61% despite a couple small mistakes and placed fourth. Under the same judge that afternoon, the pair rode a nearly perfect test and scored a 63%, winning the class. Now armed with the judges' feedback, Kristin and Dylan will continue to work at improving their performance for next year. Overall the weekend was successful and left Kristin wondering what they might have been able to accomplish if they had had the whole summer to compete at 2nd level.
Dressage at Waterloo
8.23.08 - 8.24.08
Kristin and Dylan will be competing at Dressage at Waterloo August 22-24. This will be the only dressage competition they go to this year, as Kristin is enrolled in an intense masters program at the University of Michigan. The pair will make their debut at 2nd level. Watch for results and photos from the show to be posted on the website following the show.
Fiesta Midwest
06.08.08
On June 5-8, Dylan participated in the first annual Fiesta Midwest in Wilmington, OH. Though he could not be judged by the spanish judge until he has been revised, Dylan had much success competing under the American judge. After a long morning of morphology classes, in which both Kristin and Dylan are novices, Dylan shined in the performance classes including English, Hunter, and Dressage. The results of these classes can be seen on Dylan's shows/results page. In addition to the competition, Kristin and Dylan rode in a clinic with trainer and performer Laura Amandis, who praised the pair's abilities and competence. With Laura's expertise, Dylan successfully performed flying lead changes- not too bad for his first real attempts! To round out the excitement of the weekend, world-renowned equestrian photographer Bob Langrish did a photo shoot of Dylan at the scenic Robert's Arena. The photos can be viewed in Dylan's photo gallery.