Third Place Finish at 2018 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions
Monday, August 27, 2018

Wayne, IL - Heather Blitz and Praestemarkens Quatero held on to the lead from day one and maintained their form to win the USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship. Blitz (Wellington, FL) and her nine-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding had an up-tempo freestyle that clinched the win in the national championship.  Jennifer Baumert (Wellington, FL) and Handsome, Betsy Juliano LLC’s 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding, were the reserve champions, followed by Jodie Kelly-Baxley (Destin, FL) and Caymus, Beth Godwin’s 11-year-old KWPN gelding, placed third.

All of the top-three finishers in this division are members of the USEF Development Program supported by The Red Husky Foundation.

Overall Results

• Heather Blitz and Praestemarkens Quatero – 73.336%
• Jennifer Baumert and Handsome – 72.794%
• Jodie Kelly-Baxley and Caymus – 70.689%

Results: FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle

• Jennifer Baumert and Handsome – 75.530%
• Heather Blitz and Praestemarkens Quatero – 74.045%
• Nick Wagman and Ferano – 73.915%
• Jodie Kelly-Baxley and Caymus - 71.130% (6th place)

Moving up from sixth place in the Prix St. Georges into third, Jodie and Caymus earned a score of 71.912% in Thursday's Intermediate I class.  Over the course of the week, they earned a 69.147% in the Prix St. Georges, a 71.912% in the Intermediate I and finished the week off with a 71.130% in their Freestyle, contributing to their combined total of 70.689%.

Jodie stated, “I really need to give a shout-out to The Red Husky Foundation because I am a new member of the Development Program and it really has made a huge difference in me being able to be here and accomplish what I have accomplished. And then, my coaches, Anne Gribbons and Toine Hoefs, have been with me every step of the way. Anne really held my hand through today and it means a lot.”

Headed Home
Sunday, December 17, 2017

Wellington, FL - Following the National Championships, Caymus and I received an invitation to the 2017 Development Program Training & Evaluation Session with Debbie McDonald, USEF Development Program Coach, to be held at Betsy Juliano's Havensafe Farm this weekend.

It was truly an honor and privilege to participate in such a prestigious weekend. A huge thank you to my coaches, Anne Gribbons and Toine Hoefs for always having me prepared for whatever pops up on my agenda. Thank you also to Debbie McDonald and Gary Rockwell for your guidance and suggestions on how to still improve everything even more. It was fun to have additional, educated eyes give me such positive feedback and the nod that I am on the right track.

I am feeling so grateful for the village that keeps me going. Ready to be home and have some family/holiday time before it is back to Wellington again for season!