Announcer Brian O’Connor rechristened the Dick and Jane Brown Dressage Arena as the U.S.S. Gladstone after constant rain all but washed the competition away at the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions in Gladstone, N.J.
As the heavy rain poured down once again on the young riders early in the morning on Sunday, June 21, the ground jury met and decided they’d had enough. They canceled the remaining classes—the Grand Prix Special and the Intermediaire freestyle.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Our first priority is the safety of the horses,” said Janet Foy, president of the ground jury. “That’s ultimately the basis of our decision.”
The large tour and small tour championships were decided on the scores from the two tests they’d already completed. Leslie Morse took home the Grand Prix title with Tip Top and Katherine Bateson-Chandler captured the Intermediare I with Dea II.