Dressage at HITS Hudson Valley once again took center stage at the iconic venue in Saugerties, New York, for the HITS Hudson Valley Dressage June Show. With two elite days of competition and six arenas running tests from Training Level to Grand Prix, the action-packed event showcased a wide variety of dressage athletes from near and far. On Sunday, June 15, competition reached the pinnacle of excitement with a day full of freestyle tests. With 18 entries in total for the USDF Freestyle Test of Choice, it was the debut of Madison Rezaei (USA) and her horse Flip Flop, who stole the spotlight.
Rezaei and “Flip” are a new partnership, only working together for about six months, and the competition marked the flashy gelding’s first-ever freestyle. Even still, the pair reigned supreme by earning a stunning final score of 74.806%. Their test received high marks throughout from judge Willet Brown, particularly impressing in the leg yields for scores of 8.
“He went in there and acted like a professional,” enthused Rezaei of her six-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding (For Romance x Michellino). “I was super-duper proud of him.”
With Flip being on the younger side, Rezaei really wanted to focus on quality by ensuring this freestyle would be as rewarding as possible for her new mount. Constructed by Nicole Sweney, who drew inspiration from saxophone covers of pop songs, she choreographed a floor plan which allowed the duo to showcase their star power. Some of their music choices included “All the Right Moves” and “Good Life” by OneRepublic.
“It’s certainly a place we love to show,” expressed Rezaei of the HITS Hudson Valley facility. “It seems like every season we show up it’s sort of new and improved. The weather was beautiful, and it was a lovely weekend.”
With a goal to compete at the prestigious Great American Insurance Group (GAIG)/United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Region 8 Dressage Championships in September, also hosted at the world-class HITS venue, it was imperative for Rezaei and Flip to get acclimated to the more intense atmosphere. While it may have been their first time down centerline for a freestyle win, it appears that it will certainly not be their last.
Also breaking the coveted 70% barrier, Stacy Rose piloted Emmett Archer, her own six-year-old Friesian Cross gelding by Archer, to second-place honors on a final score of 72.528%. Roberta Haney and Best Man HW, her own 11-year-old Warmblood gelding by Bossanova, completed the top three with a score of 67.275%.
Dressage action at HITS Hudson Valley resumes on July 11 for HITS Hudson Valley Dressage July I and II. For complete results, please visit HorseShowOffice.com.
