YourDressage
October 2018
Competitors from the first five years of the US Dressage Finals presented by AdequanÂŽ share their experiences
A United States Dressage Federation Publication
Welcome to Your Wonderful World of Dressage YourDressage is compiled by the United States Dressage Federation, written by participants from throughout the dressage community. The articles in this publication are submitted by people like you to share and be shared by all. Experience their stories as they navigate through the wonderful world of dressage and become friends with your dressage community. It’s YourDressage, be part of it! If you would like to submit your story see the last page of this publication.
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What to See Inside Departments YOUNG & INSPIRED: Dreams Do Become Reality Raegan McCool only dreamed of going to NAYC, but it became a reality this year. covering ground: Go with the Flo Shannon Klepper and her daughter Annie didn't let a hurricane prevent them from enjoying the FEI World Equestrian Games. Heard ARound the Arena: Dressage Competitions There were several large dressage competitions that happened recently. We checked out social media for the FEI World Equestrian Games, Dressage at Devon, and the Great American/ USDF Regional Dressage Championships. GMO SPOTLIGHT: Eastern Iowa Dressage and Eventing, Association, Inc. (EIDA) Take a look at this group member organization. USDF flashback: Lazelle Knocke Knocke received the 2002 USDF Lifetime Achievement Award. She made her mark on dressage by her volunteer involvement with USDF on a national scale, serving as vice president and then president.
Cover story The Finals' First Five Years, Part III - The Competitors
Jennifer Keeler takes a retrospective look at the first five years of the US Dressage Finals presented by AdequanÂŽ. In this final part she talks with two competitors who have made the Finals a goal for the end of their competition year. Cover photo by SusanJStickle.com October 2018 Z YOURDRESSAGE
YOUNG & INSPIRED
Dreams Do Become Reality By Raegan McCool
I
started riding when I was three years old, with a passion that is still with me today. I rode in 4-H until the age of thirteen– just two short years ago. My experience there was successful, with many championships in a variety of classes on my grade quarter horse, Onyx. My riding mentor, at the time, introduced me to Forrest Hill Farm (FHF), in Lafayette, when I traveled with her to a lesson. She graciously allowed me to share that lesson and it was the beginning of a journey I never could have imagined. After continuing with my own lessons at the farm, Jennifer and Margaret Kaiser offered me the opportunity to join their internship program, in the fall of 2016. It was a big step out of the box to invite such a young rider to full-time service. That was the start of my dressage career and the beginning of many wonderful opportunities. Last summer, I showed Jen-
nifer and Margaret’s FHF Mercedeswood at Training and First Level. We qualified for the Great American Insurance Group/ USDF Region 2 Dressage Championships, placing 6th at Training Level and 8th at First Level. That was an amazing accomplishment at that point, never dreaming what this summer would bring. In April of this year, I didn’t know if I would even be showing Third Level. Jen and Peg allowed me to start training on their successful mare, FHF Racharee. She is not an easy ride and makes you work for what you want, but when you get it right, she’s beautiful. I couldn’t ask for a better teacher to take me up the levels. I’m so grateful to Margaret and Jennifer for allowing me to ride her. Little did I know, my mom and Jennifer had already declared my intent for NAYC, with the hopes of getting my name recognized. The end of May came around, and I rode the team and individual tests; scoring above 65% on both tests, I suddenly
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YOUNG & INSPIRED
found myself on track to have a shot for the team. Two months later, I was qualified and accepted to the Junior North American Youth Championships (NAYC) team! Dreams do come true! On our way to Old Salem Farm, I was still in shock, trying to really grasp all that had happened from last fall to now. When we arrived, our jaws were immediately dropping over the beautiful barns, arenas, and landscapes. Nerves were at an all-time high on Wednesday, at the Junior jog. Racharee was held after the first inspection, but passed after a second jog. Thursday was our team test, which went extremely well. I couldn’t have asked Rae to be better. Saturday was the big test, the individual test. I was nervous, to say the least. Going in, looking at all the judges, knowing my family and friends were watching online, and my family that was there watching just gave me more focus. I’ve always been nervous before a test, but as soon October 2018 Z YOURDRESSAGE
YOUNG & INSPIRED
USDF Store as I went in the ring it was all focus. Going through the movements, thinking about being precise, conservative, and riding the cleanest test I possibly could. Coming down the centerline, I knew we did it. I was on cloud nine. Rae was amazing. After we halted and saluted, the tears came rushing down. I could not have been happier. We made it, we did it, and placed in the top 10 individually—7th, to be exact. A year ago, showing Training and First Level, I never would have dreamed we would get this far, but we did. I am so thankful for the chance to participate in an FEI event and learn how to better prepare for international showing. This show also brought together riders from our region to meet, work together and encourage each other. Our chefs were amazing – helping me along in my first large riding event. Finally, I can’t thank Jennifer, Margaret, and my parents enough for all their teaching, support, and opportunities.
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Covering Ground
Go with the Flo By Shannon Klepper
T
he opportunity for my young, dressage-obsessed daughter and myself to attend the FEI World Equestrian Games™ (WEG), in our own country, was something that couldn’t be denied. I purchased our tickets months in advance and managed to secure a much coveted hotel room, only thirty minutes away in Spartanburg, SC. Although I wasn’t excited about making the trek in each day, after hearing stories of spectators staying up to two hours away, I felt I certainly couldn’t complain. The days leading up to our departure were filled with impending doom ,from Hurricane Florence lurking about, but we opted to just go for it. WEG, after all, only happens once every four years! We decided to drive from Ohio, knowing that we could turn around and come home if necessary and not be at the mercy of the airlines. Shannon with her daughter Annie
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Covering Ground
Excited to finally arrive at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), there were signs directing spectator traffic to use an alternative exit further up the highway. Once we reached that exit, we were directed to an offsite parking area, five miles away from the venue. As the dressage competition was held in the first days of WEG, I knew there could be some presumably unexpected glitches, and the parking situation looked like it might be one of them. This “parking lot F” was a massive, rolling field, already packed with cars from every possible state. After paying the $20 daily parking fee, we were guided to rows of parking that weren’t terribly consistent. There had been a light rain that day and the field was already filled with thick, red clay mud. Luckily, we secured a higher parking spot, after witnessing two vehicles get stuck. The thought occurred to mewhat on earth is going to happen Annie with Laura Graves
when 500,000 people and a tropical storm arrive? As it would happen, the following day’s parking was much more organized. I was told by one of the volunteers that Mark Bellissimo himself came to the parking lot to come up with a new parking solution. Once parked, we made the long, muddy trek up to the shuttle buses. The line was incredibly long, but moved surprisingly quickly, thanks to an ample supply of chartered buses arriving one directly after another. The air conditioned buses drove us back the five miles to the entrance of TIEC and dropped us off right at the security checkpoint. Security was thorough, but not as intense as we were anticipating. Thank goodness, because I had forgotten to pack our belongings in a clear plastic bag, as was mandated on our tickets. At every point, there appeared to be plenty of staff and volunteers - those that Annie and I encountered personally were incredibly cheery and helpful. This is important to note, because
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Covering Ground
I must add that it was hot- incredibly hot- and I’m not sure I would’ve been as cheerful in that heat and humidity! One of the first areas we encountered was the WEG Super Store. It was air conditioned, so we lingered there an extra few minutes, and so happy we did because Annie happened upon none other than Laura Graves! She was doing a little shopping and graciously posed for a photo with Annie. We’ve had the joy of meeting Laura on several occasions, and she’s always been so lovely and humble. She is an excellent ambassador and role model for the youth of our sport. The area just outside of the WEG Super Store opened up to the massive amount of independent vendors - each in their little white tents. Aside from the fact that most spectators love to shop at these large events, this was especially interesting to us in that we are typically a vendor ourAnnie at the dressage arena
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Covering Ground
selves. Our family business is Annie’s Equestrienne Apparel, and we made the decision to come to WEG as spectators, rather than setting up shop. As this was anticipated to be such a huge event, we weren’t sure what we’d be getting ourselves into, and at nearly $10,000 for even the smallest space (not including travel, food, or lodging), it was a risk we weren’t willing to take. Some of our vendor friends mentioned that they were initially told they’d be in an air conditioned building, but apparently there just wasn’t enough time to get it completed. It would’ve been nice to have all of the shopping in a climate controlled area, to get a break from the heat. I know I would’ve shopped more, and I’m certain sales overall would’ve increased dramatically. Annie and I eagerly made our way to the dressage arena. The stadium was colossal and adorned with flags from all the various participating countries. By now, everyone is well aware
of the final scores/results, and has been able to view the winning rides thanks to YouTube, Facebook, etc. However, there was something extraordinary about seeing all this firsthand. It is difficult to describe the incredible sense of pride and emotion felt by experiencing WEG in our home country. I cannot even imagine how much more magnified it must have been to actually compete and represent your own country. Annie and I are so proud to have witnessed and cheered on the entire US team. Moreover, we truly watched dressage “herstory” being made! There were so many incredible rides by incredible women, and Laura Graves winning the silver medal was beyond fantastic! In one of the few sports where men and women compete side by side, how cool is it that my daughter was able to witness such girl-power?! Annie and I made the decision to drive home early, to avoid any potential wrath of Flo. We were disappointed we were going
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much more of a disappointment and setback to have this year’s WEG cancelled. In the end, WEG was still just a horse show. Yes, Florence was a major bummer, which no one could control, but TIEC was lightning fast in their responsiveness to other problems that occurred. I can only speak of our experience, but I hope that readers can take away an appreciation for all of the good, that far outweighed the bad. While it was great to see the best equestrians in the world compete, what was absolutely awe-inspiring was the feeling of a truly global community. Sharing the love of dressage with fans from all over the world was an experience Annie and I will never forget.
Podcast Alert
PODCAST
to miss the freestyles, but that obviously worked out just fine as they ended up being cancelled. We recently received notification that we’d be reimbursed a portion of our tickets, which was an unexpected surprise. I would be remiss in not mentioning the obvious controversy surrounding the preparedness of the venue. Unfortunately, I feel it overshadowed the magnitude of this event. Was it perfect? No, but I have a suspicion that even if everything would’ve been completed as planned, there would still have been some inevitable glitches. This shouldn’t be surprising with such a Herculean event. In my opinion, Mark Bellissimo and his team at TIEC deserve major props for hosting WEG, and doing the best they could in such a short amount of time. Dressage and other disciplines are sadly declining, and we desperately need industry leaders to find innovative ways to work together to turn that around. In my opinion, it would have been
© John Borys Photography
USDF Salutes all of our Championship Competitors!
www.usdf.org
USDF Breeders Championship Series
For a WEG wrap up listen to podcast #484 at usdf.podbean.com
October 2018 Z YOURDRESSAGE
The Finals' First Five Years Part III - The Competitors by Jennifer Keeler
Cecilia Cox riding Winnie Too at the US Dressage Finals in 2017. SusanJStickle.com photo
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As we look towards this year’s US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®, it’s hard to believe how quickly the years have flown by! So to celebrate, YourDressage is reaching out to competitors, officials and volunteers to share their experiences and favorite memories from the first five years of this unique event. This month we spoke with two competitors from opposite sides of the country who have made the long journey to Lexington every single year since the Finals’ inception in 2013.
T
he finals are always an amazing experience, and it truly is a privilege to go,” said five-time Finals competitor Cecilia Cox. Call her crazy, but each year she has excitedly made the grueling 18-hour trek from San Antonio, TX, to the Kentucky Horse Park, and even though a recent move to New Mexico has left Cox with a house full of boxes still waiting to be unpacked, she’s hoping to once again make the trip with her American Warmblood mare, Winnie Too. “We do hope to be able to return to the Finals again this Cox and Winnie Too
year, even though it is a bit more challenging since we moved to a new region and we are just getting settled into our new home. We are not completely unpacked yet since much to our dismay we have had to gut the entire kitchen!” exclaimed Cox, who was a stay-at-home mom for her two daughters until they left for college, after which she became a certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist. “Thankfully Winnie and I were able to qualify for the Regional Championships before we left Texas. Because it was during the same qualifying period as Region 5 we didn’t have to re-qualify, so we are planning to
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compete in the Adult Amateur Prix St. Georges and Intermediate I as well as the Intermediate Freestyle.” Cox’s perseverance in getting to the Finals has paid off as she has placed in the top ten in at least one of her classes every year since first attending in 2013. One of her most exciting moments was when she and Winnie placed third in the Fourth Level Adult Amateur Freestyle, where the pair got to dance in the Alltech Arena to music they picked out together. Now she hopes to return once more for another dose of the magical Finals experience. “You get to ride with the best in the country and meet so many wonderful people,” Cox explained. “Every year I have been able to see old friends from around the country and make new ones. The atmosphere is truly different from any other show, and everyone is so happy to be there – myself included!” Cox and Winnie Too
Traveling to Lexington each year from the completely opposite direction is small animal veterinarian and Adult Amateur competitor Lucy Tidd of Poolesville, MD. “I love coming to the Kentucky Horse Park: it’s such an amazing facility, and it’s so much fun to be surrounded by so many super horses and riders,” she said. “I have always been so impressed by the strength of the Adult Amateur divisions at this show. They would give the professionals a run for their money!” Tidd doesn’t shy away from the strength of competition at the Finals, and in fact has risen to the challenge – in spades. To date, she’s placed in the top five of multiple divisions with three different horses, including her favorite memory of all - winning the Training and First Level Adult Amateur Championships on her KWPN gelding Ellert HB in 2013. “I almost didn’t come to the Finals that first year because I’d only made it into one class at Training Level. But I went ahead
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and came, and only found out after I arrived that they had been trying to reach me to let me know that a spot had become available at First Level too – I only found out two hours before the ride! I hadn’t schooled him at all as I’d arrived late the night before, but they fit my test into a ring break and somehow we managed to pull off the win. And then to come back the next day and win the Training Level Championship as well was too good to be true!” Now Tidd is hooked on the Finals, and this year she hopes to make the eight-hour drive with not just Ellert (who now competes at the FEI small tour level), but also three of his stablemates: KWPN mare Evita (Reserve Champion at Second Level in 2016 who will now step up to Fourth Level and Prix St. Georges) and two young horses in L’Amour Fou and Budweiser, who Tidd hopes will qualify at Regionals for their very first trip to Kentucky. Lucy Tidd riding Evitas in 2016
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Tidd will never forget the thrill of her unexpected success at the inaugural Finals. “It was surreal because never in a million years did I anticipate doing so well,” she remembered. “And now, coming back year after year, the show just gets better and better and the magic is just as memorable each and every time.” Don’t miss your chance to make your own memories at the 2018 US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®, being held November 8-11 at the Kentucky Horse Park. Learn more at the US Dressage Finals website HERE. Join us!
2018 Adequan®/USDF Annual Convention November 28-December 1 Salt Lake Marriott Downtown at City Creek Salt Lake City, UT
Click here to go to the 2017 US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan® Recap and Results • 2017 US Dressage Finals Results • Social Media Highlights • Regions Cup • Prepetual Trophies • High Score Breed Awards • 2017 Media Coverage
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Heard around the arena
What interesting or fun thing have you heard lately? Send it to us using #aroundthearena
There were several dressage competitions that happened recently. We first take a look at the World Equestrian Games.
October 2018 Z YOURDRESSAGE
Heard around the arena
What interesting or fun thing have you heard lately? Send it to us using #aroundthearena
Dressage at Devon is always a favorite place for dressage in the Fall.
October 2018 Z YOURDRESSAGE
Heard around the arena
What interesting or fun thing have you heard lately? Send it to us using #aroundthearena
The Great American/USDF Regional Dressage Championships are in full swing.
October 2018 Z YOURDRESSAGE
GMO SPOTLIGHT
Tell us about your GMO. #GMOSpotlight
Eastern Iowa Dressage and Eventing Assoc., Inc. (EIDEA) Group Member Organizations (GMOs) are the foundation of USDF and integral in bringing dressage and dressage education to the masses. Stay connected with your local dressage community and support dressage at the local level by joining a GMO in your area today! USDF GMO Established: 1973 Locality: Region 4, Iowa Website: www.easterniowadressageandeventing.com How many members does your GMO have annually, on average? 44 members Tell us about your GMO. A group of early dressage enthusiasts in the 1960's, led by a passionate Iowa transplant and horsewoman from Maryland, named Betsy Coester, formed Winds Reach Dressage, which would eventually become the Eastern Iowa Dressage and Eventing Association (EIDEA). EIDEA, as it is currently known, was officially incorporated as a nonprofit in 2003 under the leadership of Amanda Johnson, then president. Between Betsy Coester's early days, when dressage was barely known in the US, and the present, EIDEA has hosted many internationally prominent clinicians and held fondly remembered recognized show series. Although many of the active barns in those days are now gone, the Coester's Winds Reach Farm remains under the leadership of Bill Coester, and continues to be a rich resource for our equestrian community. EIDEA was proud to have hosted the 2003 USDF Region 4 Adult Clinic with the late Walter Zettl, and to have been part of the ground force that brought the charity event, Catalpa Corners, into being. Our tagline is “Your hub for community and learning� and indeed, our particular focus as a GMO is not on com-
petition or awards, but on the enthusiastic study of our sport, in all its facets, and the enjoyment of friendship in the horse community. Does your GMO offer unique classes or activities that cater to youth, adult amateurs, or professionals? If so, please provide a brief description. EIDEA is pioneering the use of video conferencing for educational meetings. We use a free Google Suite app called "Hangouts" for both our monthly board meetings, and for two educational meetings in 2018. This allows remote members, who have difficulty attending meetings due to long driving distance or a farm to take care of after work, to participate in a live presentation by clicking on a link from the comfort of their homes. All they need is a device and wifi. On the flip side, Hangouts allows us to "bring in" top FEI professionals, potentially from anywhere in the world, to speak to us! We find that these hard working, busy professionals are often willing to share their expertise with us and help further dressage education in the US, and this format allows them to do so with no travel time and no time away from their busy training operations. We're excited about the possibilities with this format. What type of educational events does your GMO offer? We program a mixture of classroom presentations, live video conferences (Google October 2018 Z YOURDRESSAGE
YOUR CONNECTION TO DRESSAGE Hangouts), hands-on horse care, and riding demonstrations throughout the year. We publish our full year's programming ahead of time on our website, and print "barn posters" with dates, topics, and locations for the calendar year that hang in area barns, as a constant reminder of what's next! What type of “fun” events does your GMO offer? This year, we're about to host our first "Taste A Wine/ Ride-ATest", as a social event for members and the community, that also offers a low pressure opportunity for first time riders to present a test to a judge for feedback, in a supportive and fun atmosphere. Other past "fun" events included a January "Tack and Yack", where members would gather to clean and swap tack, and visit with each other. Kind of like a quilting circle, but horsey! Additional Comments The EIDEA equestrian com-
munity is made up of many small private barns that can be as much as three hours away from one another. Our group offers a great way to connect people, as well as a way to close that distance using the technology and social media available to us. Speaking of, please follow us on our Facebook page- we’d love to hear from you! Our GMO's stated mission is to provide innovative, high quality learning for dressage and eventing riders and enthusiasts in Eastern Iowa. By engaging our members in the pursuit of a deeper understanding of our equine partners, we foster a sense of community and shared purpose.
eTRAK Extra
Read an article about the GMO clubs that launched USDF in the November 2013 issue of USDF Connection
EDUCATION • COMPETITION • ACHIEVEMENT
© John Borys Photography
© John Borys Photography
Support dressage and connect with your local dressage community by joining a USDF Group Member Organization today!
Visit www.usdf.org for a list of GMOs in your area.
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USDF FLASHBACK
Lazelle Knocke Reprinted from the April 2017 USDF Connection magazine. Some of the most important people in American dressage aren’t famous riders or trainers. Instead, they make significant behind-the-scenes contributions that better our sport. Some do so through volunteer involvement with the USDF on a national scale, and the USDF honors these most influential and dedicated contributors with its Lifetime Achievement Award. The Lifetime Achievement Award was initiated in 2002, and one of the first two recipients that year was Lazelle Knocke. Knocke died in 2011 at the age of 94, but her contributions to the USDF and to US dressage live on. Let’s meet her now.
group of US dressage enthusiasts who helped to get things started back in the 1960s. She helped to establish the Maryland-based Potomac Valley Dressage Association and the Pennsylvania-based Delaware Valley Combined Training Association. “Then I said, now you have got to help me out,” Knocke told USDF Connection in 2003. “I want to get something going in Jersey.” That something was the Eastern States Dressage Association (now the Eastern States Dressage and Combined Training Association), founded in 1969. All three clubs would become charter group-member organizations (GMOs) of the USDF upon its establishment in 1973. And of course Knocke was there for that, too, answering Lowell Boomer’s call for regional dressage-club
A Life Filled with Firsts
Podcast Alert
Somebody has to be first in any endeavor. In Knocke’s case, that somebody was usually herself. The Readington, NJ, horsewoman was among the small
PODCAST
For more on Lazelle Knock, check out podcast 150 at usdf. podbean.com.
As USDF vice president in 1988. Knocke became president a year later.
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USDF FLASHBACK
Lazelle with Shining Armour
representatives to gather in Lincoln, NE, to found a national dressage organization. Knocke was tapped to serve as the USDF’s first president but declined, instead serving as vice president under Stephen Schwartz from 1973 to 1974. She was the USDF VP again from 1983 to 1988 (under Boomer), finally taking the presidential reins from 1989 to 1993. From 1976 to 1977, she served as an “Eastern representative”—that being a precursor position to today’s regional directors. “We only had three regions in those days—East, Middle, and West—because there weren’t enough clubs,” Knocke recalled. “Then, as more people got twenty-five folks together and made another club, we got enough people so we could have more regions. [USDF] was the fastestgrowing nonprofit organization in the US for many years.” As president, Knocke said, she discovered an effective strategy for getting things done: “If you can convince three or four other October 2018 Z YOURDRESSAGE
USDF FLASHBACK
Lazelle Knocke and trainer Gunnar Ostergaard
people that they thought of it first, they’ll take it and run with it.” Knocke, who was a US Equestrian and an FEI dressage judge, had the idea of establishing a USDF Judges Council, and she planted the seed with her vice president, the late Elizabeth Searle (who received the other USDF Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002). Searle, a fellow judge, was enthusiastic about the idea, and their efforts eventually became the USDF’s flagship L Education Program. Another program that commenced during Knocke’s presidency was instructor certification, which she called “one of the
more important things” that her administration accomplished. Although she was justifiably proud of the achievements, in interviews she was reluctant to take credit, saying that “things were just evolving anyway. I was just lucky that some of the ideas caught on quickly and came to the forefront.” One dream of Knocke’s that did not come to fruition was her desire for the establishment of regional dressage schools around the country, funded either by the USDF or by an independent benefactor. An aspect of her wish, however, has seen the light: her
Lazelle at Gladstone
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Lazelle with Lowell Boomer
hope that such a school would offer “some wonderful basic curriculum work that goes through the whole triangle of training.” Much “basic curriculum work” is now offered not only through the L and certification programs, but also to all USDF members via eTRAK, its online educational database. A former surgical nurse (who co-wrote the book Orthopedic Nursing with her husband, Dr. Frederick Knocke), Knocke was a lifelong rider, trainer, and instructor at her Hobby Horse Hill Farm in Readington. In 1996, she achieved another first in dressage: becoming the inaugural member of The Dressage Foundation’s Century Club (for riding a dressage test aboard a horse whose combined age with the rider is at least 100) with her horse Don Perignon. Knocke also served on The Dressage Foundation’s Board of Directors. All of us in US dressage owe our sport’s pioneers a debt of gratitude. We’ll always remember Lazelle Knocke for her contributions and her can-do spirit.
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YOUR CONNECTION TO DRESSAGE EDUCATION • COMPETITION • ACHIEVEMENT © John Borys Photography
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