Competition during the 2024 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions at HITS Chicago’s Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Illinois, ended on a high note on Thursday, August 22, with the FEI Intermediate I Freestyle test. The action-packed week features top dressage duos from across the country. As the excitement of the day crescendoed, it was U.S. Olympic team silver medalist and Pan American team gold medalist Sabine Schut-Kery and Sonnenberg’s Jersey that delivered the final winning performance.
As the penultimate combination to head down centerline, Schut-Kery and Sonnenberg’s Jersey delivered an energetic and captivating ride from their entrance to the final halt and salute. Judge at E Sandra Hotz, judge at H Michael Osinski, judge at C Gary Rockwell, judge at M Kristi Wysocki, and judge at B Kari McClain rewarded the pair especially for the striking extended trot, as well as the canter half passes, resulting in a 72.905%.
“What I was super happy with is that I was expecting the horse, on day three, to be a little more tired, but he was super fresh, almost the freshest,” shared Schut-Kery of the 10-year-old KWPN stallion (Vivaldi x Olympic Ferro) owned by Sonnenberg Farm, LLC. “I’m sure the music contributed a little to it, but it also tells me that he has built a lot of strength. I could feel him still enjoying his job and being excited to work with me, and he was mentally still engaged. It was really fun for me to do that today and to see him so happy.”
Schut-Kery first began her partnership with “Jersey” exactly one year ago in the developing FEI Prix St Georges classes at the 2023 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions. While there were obvious signs of excellence even then, now as a more solidified partnership, the pair continue to find more success.
“Last year he had already proven to be a special horse, not only because of his tremendous talent, but he truly has a heart of gold,” expressed Schut-Kery. “He’s really a great showman. I really appreciate his work ethic and his fine, fine character, and of course, his quality. I’m really excited about our partnership and where that takes us in the future.”
In addition to being a winner in the ring, Jersey is also a breeding stallion. To showcase his talents, a video was made demonstrating his exceptional movement and appeal. The lively music that accompanied that video so suited the flashy black beauty that Schut-Kery wanted to use it for her freestyle. With the genius of the Rave Horse Productions team, they orchestrated the music to complement Jersey’s every step.
“I think it’s really my favorite music,” said Schut-Kery. “I love riding to it because it just fits Jersey’s personality and his presence and charisma in the ring. I really think it fits him perfectly. You can see how the music enhances everything and builds toward the bigger movements or quiets for softer movements. Rave Horse Productions did all of that. They do a fantastic job.”
While it has been a week filled with blue ribbons for Schut-Kery, it is not an unfamiliar story for her, as she is a regular competitor not only at the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions, but also during the Dressage at Lamplight spring and summer series.
“The facilities are just fantastic,” she commented. “It’s always such a pleasure and an honor to ride at HITS Chicago and in the HITS series. The footing is so amazing, as is the stabling, which are the two most key elements, so it’s a really nice show series.”
Olivia LaGoy-Weltz and Fade to Black, a nine-year-old Hanoverian mare (Fantastic x St. Moritz) owned by Mary McPhail, were close behind in second place with a score of 71.705%. Lauren Chumley completed the top three, also just breaking the 70% barrier, with a score of 70.140% aboard her own Leeloo Dallas, an eight-year-old KWPN mare (Gaspard de la Nuit DG x Negro).
Earlier in the day, Amy Bradley and her homebred Quileute CCW, claimed the top spot in the FEI Grand Prix Special. Bradley piloted the 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Quaterback x Gluckspilz) to a final score of 66.064%.
“I have to say I was probably the happiest with the final centerline because yesterday we had some issues with that, especially the piaffe at X,” explained Bradley. “Today felt a lot better. He’s such a trier so he really tries to stay with me as much as he can. I’ve done all the training on him, so it has been really rewarding when we have a good show, and today was great. I’m really glad to have this journey with him.
“It’s funny because I actually grew up outside of Chicago, so when I first started riding dressage, I used to show here all those years ago,” she continued. “It’s really amazing all the improvements they have made over the years from when I first started showing here. It’s such a beautiful showgrounds. The flowers, the footing, all just makes it feel very special here.”
In the young horse classes, Petra Warlimont started the day off with a win in the FEI Five Year Old Preliminary test. She piloted her own Deambulo PWD, the five-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Don Martillo x Tannenhof’s Fahrenheit), to the impressive high score of 81.200%. The pair received top marks across the board to best the competitive field of 13 other horse-and-rider combinations.
In the USEF Four Year Old test, Willy Arts continued his winning week, this time scoring an unbelievable 90.800% with Pharoah DG, the four-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion (Koning DG x Parcival) owned by DG Bar Ranch. With beautiful, supple gaits throughout, the pair claimed the blue-ribbon honors ahead of 13 other remarkable entries.
Dutch rider Charell Garcia finished in second with MW Virtuous, Jennifer Vanover’s four-year-old Oldenburg stallion (Valverde NRW x Royal Prince), also achieving a monumental score of 89.200%. Michele Bondy completed the top three with Sonnenberg’s Paris, the four-year-old KWPN gelding (Vivino x Fürstenball OLD) owned by Sonnenberg Farm, LLC, on a score of 81.600%.
The 2024 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions continues on Friday, August 22, highlighted by the junior and young rider classes, while competition runs through Sunday, August 25. For complete results, visit https://equestrian-hub.com/show/192059.
