Haflinger Highlights

The Kentucky Horse Park was bustling with activity.  Hundreds of horse trailers from all over our region came rolling in carrying some of the top quality dressage horses in USDF Region 2 — a 7-state area.  The competition was going to be fierce at this show!

The first day consisted of Materiale and Halter classes.  A Materiale class is a ridden class, in a group, where the horse is judged on conformation and movement.  The rider is not judged in Materiale classes.  Avanti entered the ring first, accompanied by 2 absolutely gorgeous imported German warmbloods, both professionally trained and ridden.  This was Avanti’s first Materiale class — I had no idea what to expect, especially with his ringmates looking so poised and moving so nicely.  As the announcer called out the movements the judges wished to see, each horse and rider complied diligently.  Finally, the class was over and the wait began.  They called out the 3rd place winner — it wasn’t Avanti.  Yay.  That means we got at least a 2nd place.  But they called the 2nd place winner and it still wasn’t Avanti.  The crowd fell silent — our little Haflinger guy had beaten 2 mighty fine looking (and VERY expensive) European warmbloods with a great score!  We were so, so proud!

All-Tell (Teddy) also won his Materiale class, scoring a 75% — which is considered very, very good.  At the conclusion of the Materiale and Halter classes, they assembled all of the horses who had scored highest from a group of classes (I’m still a little confused about how horses were chosen for the championship round) and were born in the U.S.A. to award a ‘Born in the USA’ champion.  Teddy won!  He earned a beautiful blanket with his championship information embroidered on it.

We were the only Haflingers in the Materiale competition and it turned out to be a good, good day for our boys! 

Avanti continued on into the halter classes, where the judging is solely on conformation.  He walked away with the honor of Reserve Champion in a field of gorgeous stallions.  Go Avanti!

Congratulations Avanti and Teddy on their continued exceptional performances!

Avanti during his halter class judging.

Avanti and All-Tell Continue Their Winning Streaks at the Kentucky Dressage Association Annual Show

Avanti sporting his Reserve Champion ribbon.

©2007 Deer Haven Farm of Kentucky, Inc.

Teddy showing off his Born in the USA ribbon and blanket.

Avanti at the trot during his halter class.  All 4 feet off the ground and the judges noticed!