Sarah Daehnert and Showhit Strut Their Stuff to Top Dressage at Lamplight Grand Prix :: HITS

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Sarah Daehnert and Showhit Strut Their Stuff to Top Dressage at Lamplight Grand Prix

Wayne, Ill. – July 3, 2022 – This weekend, Lamplight Equestrian Center welcomed top dressage riders to its world-class facility for Dressage at Lamplight. This unique event offers qualifying opportunities for 10 different national championships, as well as the 2022 Great American/USDF Regional Championships. It also allows riders to familiarize themselves and their horses with the grounds ahead of the 2022 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions, which is scheduled for August 22-28.

On Saturday, the Grand Prix class took center stage, with Sarah Daehnert and Showhit (Sunset Hit-Midtgardens Carmen) leading the way in the Open division with a score of 71.304%. This was only the pair’s fourth Grand Prix together for owner Robert Price. Highlights in the extended trot and piaffe, in addition to the 14-year-old Danish Warmblood’s stunning presence in the ring, helped them earn the winning title.

 
Sarah Daehnert and Showhit. Photo by: John Borys

“He was listening, and just he's super nice to ride in the show because he was very focused on me,” said Daehnert. “We have a really good bond, and he's a new Grand Prix horse, so it was very productive – the whole show and the atmosphere.”

Daehnert began riding Showhit three years ago when he was still a Small Tour horse, but has worked to develop his canter tour and improve his balance with the goal of competing in CDI events next year. The duo will continue to compete at Lamplight Equestrian Center this year in August and September as they continue to gain experience at the Grand Prix level.

 
Sarah Daehnert and Showhit. Photo by: John Borys

“I’ve always liked Lamplight; it’s a very good show,” commented Daehnert. “The footing was very good, so that’s great for the horses. There was no stress in the warm-up, and there is a big space to ride. There’s a good area to hand walk and graze. The stabling – the horses could see so much and have their heads out. [Showhit] was super happy.”

During Saturday’s Grand Prix, Christopher Palabe and Dow Jones 1 (Desparados-Enya, Erenworth) led the Adult Amateur division with a score of 66.630%. Palabe has been riding the 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding for 10 years and began competing at the Grand Prix level last year. He hopes to qualify for both the regional and national finals with his veteran partner, and was pleased with Dow Jones 1’s performance on Saturday after earnings 7s in the piaffe and passage.

 
Christopher Palabe and Dow Jones 1. Photo by: John Borys

“The piaffe and passage, when he’s on it that’s what he does very well,” noted Palabe. “The pirouette is coming along too. I feel like he’s on his way to becoming a very good Grand Prix horse!”

Palabe enjoyed showing at Lamplight, concluding, “The facility is great! The rings and the footing are very nice, and everything is so well maintained.”

The 2022 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions will take over Lamplight Equestrian Center August 22-28, showcasing the country’s best horse and rider combinations. Dressage at Lamplight will return September 24-26, 2022. For more information about these events click here.