From Big-Eyed Baby Horse To Performance Pro: Day 2 At The Dressage Championships

PUBLISHED

August 25, 2017
5:11 pm

WORDS BY

Lisa Slade

Wayne, Ill.—Aug. 25

Friday played host to both the second day of the Markel/USEF Young and Developing Horse Dressage Championships while the U.S. Dressage Festival Of Champions kicked off for its first tests.

Andrea Woodard came from Florida with her own Ravenna, an Oldenburg (Sir Donnerhall—Romanze, Blue Hors Romanov) bred by Germany’s Britta Luebbers, to top the FEI 6-Year-Old Preliminary test with an overall score of 7.9. The mare’s highest score, an 8.5, came for her trot.

Andrea Woodard and Ravenna topped the FEI 6-Year-Old Preliminary test. Photo by Lisa Slade.

Woodard, who was born in the United States but then based in Denmark for most of her life with her family, moved to Florida about two years ago, bringing Ravenna with her.

“I went out and wanted to find my next horse,” said Woodard of finding the mare she bought in Germany as a 3-year-old. “I found her as a little tiny baby horse with big eyes popping out of her face and a cute little nose. I fell in love with her, but you never know what they’ll develop into. But she was a beautiful type, and that’s what I fell for. Fortunately she’s developed even better than I ever imagined.”

Woodard earned her Danish Master Rider certification when she was living overseas, and she’s now based in Wellington.

“Since I had citizenship, I always felt it would be fun to come over and see what it’s like [in the United States],” she said. “We chose Florida because Denmark has really bad weather. We wanted palm trees and sun and horses and maybe some drinks, and that’s what we got.”

The Developing Grand Prix Championships horses also did their Intermediaire II test today, with Cesar Parra and Fashion Designer OLD topping the class.

For the U.S. Dressage Festival Of Champions, Abby Fodor topped the FEI Children’s Team test on former reiner and Quarter Horse-Haflinger Slip And Slide (67.88%), and Isabel Linder won the FEI Junior Team test on former jumper Elvis (70.99%).

Check out some highlights from the day:

Andrea Woodard and Ravenna topped the FEI 6-Year-Old Preliminary test, with the mare earning an 8.5 for her trot. Photo by Lisa Slade.

Werner Van Den Brande piloted Flyby FLF to second in the 6-Year-Old Preliminary test. Photo by Lisa Slade.

Cyndi Jackson and Sir Amour earned sixth in the FEI 6-Year-Old Preliminary test. Photo by Lisa Slade.

Angela Jackson rode Jackson TF into fourth (7.36) in the first test for the 6-year-old championship. Photo by Lisa Slade.

Michael Bragdell and Finery picked up third (7.60) in the FEI 6-Year-Old Preliminary test. Photo by Lisa Slade.

Isabel Linder and the 18-hand Elvis topped the FEI Junior Team test with a score of 70.99 percent. Photo by Lisa Slade.

In the first test for the U.S. Dressage Festival Of Champions Children’s Championship, Abby Fodor topped the class with former reining horse Slip And Slide. Photo by Lisa Slade.