A Successful Week for PRE Horses at the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions 2024

At the HITS Chicago Lamplight Equestrian Center, sixteen national championships were held from August 19-25 during the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions 2024. Known as the United States Youth Championship, the Festival of Champions brought together the best riders in the country to compete for the coveted national titles. The event spanned seven days and featured the USEF Para Dressage National Championship alongside a full slate of championships focusing on youth equestrians and young and developing horses.

A new crop of national champions emerged from the exciting competition at HITS Chicago Lamplight Equestrian Center, including a total of eight PREs that competed in the show.

Justine Boyer & Campanero HGF
Justine Boyer, riding Campanero HGF (Camaron IX x Quintera XII), culminated her 2024 season on a high note. Competing against the best, Justine once again demonstrated that the PRE is highly competitive. Her streak of successes continued throughout the season, and this past weekend, she finished second in the team competition (67.475%) and third in the Individual Test (67.255%). Ultimately, she secured second place on the podium in the overall standings (67.366%).

Sophia Schults & Conocido HGF
The week kicked off with all horses passing the initial veterinary inspection for the Intermediate I USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ Dressage National Championship on Monday afternoon.

The championship requires riders to compete in three tests as part of their quest for the national title: Intermediate II (40%), Grand Prix 16-25 (45%), and Freestyle U25 (15%).

The U25 athletes began with the first of the three tests, performing their FEI Intermediate II Test on August 21st. Nine horse-and-rider combinations completed their tests, where Sophia Schults and Conocido HGF (Cosaco XI x Luz De Luna HGF) finished third with a score of 65.500%. In the following round, the U25 Grand Prix, she climbed to second place with a score of 66.385%. Finally, in the Freestyle Test, she placed fifth with a final score of 66.985%. After tallying the points, Sophia ended her first U25 season on the third step of the podium.

7-Year-Olds: Cantinero Los Encinos Just Misses Medals
Nicaraguan rider Jorge Rene Arauz rode Cantinero Los Encinos (Sarape MOR x Celto), with his performance improving throughout the event. Out of 13 participants, the Nicaraguan rider obtained fifth place in the preliminary test with a score of 70.832%. In the final, he climbed one position, finishing fourth with a score of 72.329%. In the overall standings, he secured fourth place with an overall score of 71.730. Being so close to the medals is a notable achievement, especially with a PRE horse competing against warmbloods.

Children’s Division
Twelve combinations competed in the Grand Prix Arena for the FEI Children Team Test and Individual Test of the USEF Children Dressage National Championship.

Ryder Mosqueda rode Atlantico XLVI (Alfarero XI x Jenson) to secure the silver position with an average score of 78.750%. In the Individual Test, they achieved fourth place with a remarkable 71.093%. Just missing the podium, the American rider placed fourth overall.

The victories of Campanero HGF and Conocido HGF, horses bred and developed in the United States, mark a significant milestone and demonstrate that the PRE is a competitive breed against warmbloods. In recent years, PRE breeding on American soil has reached a notable level, achieving significant success against strong competition from Central European horses.

With outstanding performances across all categories, the PRE has once again demonstrated its ability to compete at the highest level, securing leading positions. These achievements reaffirm the PRE as an exceptional breed, capable of shining on the most demanding stages.

Photo Credit: Susan Stickle, USA DRESSAGE (USDF) and Cantinero Los Encinos