Holzer and Morse Trade Off In Palm Beach Dressage Derby

Ashley Holzer's had a heck of a season in Florida this spring, winning so many championship coolers that she might need to buy some new horses to fill them.

But it was truly a battle of the titans at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI in Loxahatchee, Fla., March 3-5 when Leslie Morse flew in from California to show both of her Grand Prix stallions after a six-month hiatus.

The big class of the weekend--and it was big--was the CDI Grand Prix on Saturday. With 37 horses, it might hold a record for the largest CDI Grand Prix in the United States.

"It was a huge Grand Prix with some very fine horses," said O-rated judge Axel Steiner. "The top group was very competitive and fairly even."

And either Holzer or Morse rode four of those top five.

Holzer rode her veteran, Dutch Warmblood stallion Imperioso (Cocktail--Bonita) and Diane Fellows' Dutch Riding Horse stallion Gambol (Gabor--Arella). "Peri" was her Olympic mount when she rode for Canada in the 2004 Athens Olympics and is only improving at 16.

"Peri knows his job--it doesn't make him nervous," said Holzer. "Experience counts for a lot."

Their combined experience at Grand Prix meant that Holzer could ride an errorless test, which was what it took to boost them to the top of the scoreboard (70.37%).

"Ashley's really come into her own," said Steiner. "I've judged her for 20 years, and she's a serious competitor. She rode a very steady test with no mistakes."

And steady and consistent is what's put Holzer in first place time and time again this spring with all her horses. Not only did she win the Grand Prix with Peri, but she also won the Grand Prix Special with Gambol and all three small-tour classes with Pop Art.

"I'm consistent because I'm not really riding to chase anything," said Holzer, who splits her time between Wellington, Fla., and New York, N.Y. "I ride systematically and let the horse get comfortable in the ring."

Another key to their repeated wins is her experience at Grand Prix.

"I've ridden hundreds of Grand Prix tests lately," she said. "You have to learn from your mistakes, find a tactic that works best for you, and then stick with it. I've ridden seven to 10 horses a day for years."

Holzer's confidence came in handy during the Grand Prix Special, when a difficult warm-up distracted Gambol. Ponies were gathering for the children's lead line demonstration, and their whinnies filled the air.

Gambol couldn't help but answer their calls during his test, but the smile never left Holzer's face as she calmly directed him into piaffe, focusing his attention back on her.

Getting Back In The Game
And continuing to get show experience is exactly what Morse believes will put her on top of her game. She hasn't shown either of her stallions since competing in Aachen (Germany) last August.

"The horses traveled so much last year, they deserved a break," said Morse. So she schooled them at home in Beverly Hills, Calif., and brought them to Florida in mid-February, fresh for the new season.

Kingston might have been a bit too fresh. "He needs to go to shows," said Morse. "I need to keep him in the ring."

The immense, Dutch Warmblood stallion (Voltaire--Gisnette) loves an audience, but all his down time left him a little distracted in the arena.