RANCHO MURIETA, CA (Sept. 23, 2023) —In the $1,000 CDS HOY Grand Prix Freestyle Open sponsored by Parker Equine Insurance on Saturday evening before a captive crowd, Christian Hartung of Vacaville, Ca, made the first day of Autumn memorable winning the Championship with a a 72.375% in a class of seven, with the 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding Desario owned by Christiane Noelting—a title the pair also won at the 2022 CDS Annual Show. “He embraced the atmosphere—with all the people and the clapping. He really liked that, so he presented himself well,” said Hartung, clearly pleased with Desario’s performance.
Hartung was also awarded the Lt. Col. Hans Moeller Perpetual Trophy (for the second year running), as well as the Keen Memorial Perpetual Trophy. Donated in 1989 by Hilda Gurney, the trophy is the Gold Medal that she and KEEN won at the Pan American Games. “I’m happy that we defended it here in Northern California. This is my home,” said Hartung. “I’m just really happy with the horse at the moment.”
A 68.113% score earned Chelsey L. Sibley of Sonora, Calif., second place in the Grand Prix Freestyle with her 13-year-old bay Dutch Warmblood stallion Finale.
Months of planning made the festive CDS dressage evening in the GGT Footing Arena a treat for competitors to spectators—from a catered dinner buffet to exhibitions like the Painted Ladies drill team galloping with American Flags to God Bless America, to the vocal talent of Grand Prix Rider/Trainer Ana Gilmour singing the National Anthem (yes, she has music credentials), to special awards and more.
Before the program began, CDS president Joan Williams announced an award sworn to secrecy for Terri Miller. Show manager, Glenda McElroy explained, “Terri has gone above and beyond what a normal photographer would do for a horse show. She has been our official photographer for over 30 years and she’s just done a fabulous job. Terri is an internationally renowned photographer. We’re lucky to have her at the CDS.”
At the break in the CDS Grand Prix freestyle competition, a vaulting exhibition featuring Mary McCormick and vaulters Emily Rose and Emma Milito kept spectators in their seats. For sure, the Pas de Deux performed by Willy Arts and Ashlyn Dodge on two 6-year-old chestnut mares Makanabria DG and Maebria DG as they rode to Coming to America is already an “I was there moment” from CDS 56th Annual Show.
Walking to the show office as Saturday evening wrapped, up Connecticut based Judge Sarah Geikie remarked, “Top quality event, top competition, top management. The entertainment tonight was amazing. It was super fun judging the freestyles!” office.
Earlier on Saturday (Day 3), Ellie Hardesty of Encinitas, Ca., won the USEF Adult Amateur Equitation Regional Championship sponsored by Big Dee’s Tack and Vet Supply, with a score of 82.000% on her 5-year-old black Hanoverian gelding Barrington in a class of five. Hardesty talked about its significance.
“Yesterday, we won the Training Level Adult Amateur USDF. Then, today . . You don’t do equitation classes that often at shows. We kind of get wrapped up in doing technical tests. I wanted to do this class to kind of challenge myself. It can be a little nerve wracking riding in that big arena with a young horse. But, “Barry" held it together and we had fun. I really focused on myself and tried to present a good picture” explained Hardesty, who trains with Nick Wagman in Rancho Santa Fe.
Her achievements with Barry at CDS’ Annual Show are meaningful. “He came into my life exactly a year ago. His breeder and owner at the time, offered me the opportunity to start riding him, when my horse Gio, was hurt, then ended up passing away.” Barry’s now her own. “He’s a sweet guy, like a big puppy dog. He’s 17.2. Loves water. Loves any kind of toys in his stall.” What Hardesty loves, beyond this horse, keeps CDS front and center.
“I run horse shows at Del Mar Horse Park and Galway. That’s really my passion. I think it came from my parents,” she explained. “Both my parents are part of the USEF, USDF. He’s a steward, a TD, and a show manager. My mom is a TD and a judge. She rode and competed through the ‘80s and ‘90s, and had me. I got into Pony Club and I drifted right into dressage. I have a big social media presence. I’m a big promoter of CDS,” added Hardesty.
Second place award in the USEF Adult Amateur Equitation Regional Championship on Day 3 went to Karen J. Nocket of Placerville, Ca., who scored 80.000% on her 6-year-old Dutch Warmblood Margaux, a 16.2 hand chestnut mare.
The 56th Annual California Dressage Society Championship Show takes place this year Sept. 21-24, 2023 at Murieta Equestrian Center, in Rancho Murieta, California together with Great American Insurance Group/ USDF Region 7 Dressage Championships and qualifier for the 2023 US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan.
For full results from today’s classes and tomorrow’s schedule, visit our website at www.california-dressage.org.
