Willy Arts says that doesn’t put a lot of pressure on himself to end up in the ribbons, and yet, he has been a recurring character in the victory laps at the U.S. Dressage Festival Of Champions in Wayne, Illinois.

“If you’ve done this for many years, then you don’t put your hopes up too high,” the Dutch-born rider said. “You just go and say, ‘OK, as long as I survive and everything goes well, then I’m happy.’ “

Things went a little more than “well” on Friday with Makanabria DG (Rock Forever I—Gamebria DG, Belissimo M), owned by DG Bar Ranch, when the Dutch Warmblood mare took the Markel/USEF Young Horse 7-Year-Old Championship title after placing second in the FEI 7-year-old final test with a 72.75%. Laura Brandt and Ikon won the class with 73.10%.

“Overall, I was not expecting to win or to be there,” Arts said. “I would have been happy with her if she put in two rides like this.”

“Makana” claimed the championship ribbon with a combined score of 73.42%, while Brandt won reserve champion (73.19%) and Elizabeth Bortuzzo and Viconte took third (72.87%).

Brandt hadn’t competed in a national championship in 15 years, but gained more confidence in Ikon over their two days of competition. By Friday’s test, she felt she could give him a more sure ride. She’s owned the stallion since he was just 6 weeks old and said he was initially meant to be an investment, but he had something special that she wanted to develop into her partner.

“You know, they all have nice gaits, but that’s what sets him apart—he just has awesome character,” Brandt said.

Chris Hickey And Saskatoon OMF Win With ‘Quiet Test’

Judges saw the first of the two-part Markel/USEF Young Horse 6-Year-Old Championship on Friday, when Chris Hickey and British Hanoverian gelding Saskatoon OMF (San Amour I—Dolce Nera, Don Frederico), owned by Cecelia Stewart, won the preliminary test with an 83.80%. Charell Garcia followed in second on MW Mercury with an 82.00% and Taryn Anderson and Figardo took third with 80.80%.

“My goal was today to have a quiet test, but with enough power,” Hickey said. “I needed to come in and show suppleness and relaxation, but you can have collection and go forward in mediums and proper trot work that was safe.”

In Sunday’s final test, he hopes to show a different side of the gelding that he’s been developing from a weanling.

“This was a Toyota Camry day, but not a Maserati day,” he said. “Sunday, he needs to be a Maserati, but with keeping that rideability.”

‘She’s Made To Do This’

In the Markel/USEF Developing Grand Prix Championship, 10 competitors tackled the Intermediaire II test. Nora Batchelder and 9-year-old Oldenburg mare Nova (Grand Galaxy Win T—Romanova, Romanov Blue Hors), owned by Carol Glover, were the first in the ring and set the bar with a 69.16%, which proved unbeatable. Hannah Bressler Jaques and Jim placed second (66.76%) and Jane Karol and Vioretta took third (66.61%).

Batchelder has been developing the young mare for three years and Nova has continued to meet her high expectations. The rider said that when she met the horse, “It was pretty much love at first sight with her.”

“She’s the most talented horse I’ve ever ridden,” Batchelder said. “She’s amazing, and it’s such a privilege to ride a horse that is so capable—she’s made to do this.”

Other Championship Winners:

Virginia Woodcock clinched the Adequan/USEF Junior Championship on her Danish Warmblood mare Mollegardens Sans-Souci (Sir Donnerhall I—Sascha, Sam Sam) with a combined score of 70.70%, while Justine Boyer and Campanero HGF earned reserve champion (67.36%).

Grace Christianson and her American Warmblood mare, FHF Roulee (Routinier—FHF Marelee Dubois, Cancellaresca), won the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals, 13 and under. They scored a 90.00% while Ryder Mosqueda and Atlantico XLVI took second (83.00%) and Adeline Shelton and Thumper earned third (80%).

See complete results here.