Hemmingway Impresses in the Six-Year-Old Division at the 2014 Markel/USEF Young & Developing Horse Dressage National Championships

The 2014 Markel/USEF Young & Developing Horse Dressage National Championships presented by HorseShow.com continued on Friday with promising Six-Year-Olds and Developing Prix St. Georges Horses showcasing their talents in front of the judging panel of Hilda Gurney, Natalie Lamping, and Mike Osinski in Lamplight Equestrian Centers' Championship Arena. In the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Six-Year-Old National Championships presented by HorseShow.com, Hemmingway impressed the judges to surge to the head of the field. Six-Year-Old competition got the day started in the Championship Arena, as 14 entries performed the FEI Six-Year-Old Preliminary Test. Friday's scores will count for 40% of the total championship score.

Angela Jackson (Henderson, Ky.) and Theresa Schnell's Hemmingway (Hofrat x SPS Alsonara/Archipel) proved to be popular winners on Thursday morning. The Oldenburg stallion demonstrated outstanding, expressive gaits to earn an 8.1, 8.0, and 8.6 for his trot, walk, and canter, respectively.

Hemmingway was not only rewarded for his movement, but also his rideability and potential for the future. For his submission, the stallion scored an 8.6, for which Gurney commented, "Such harmony; such scope. It's what we want to see in dressage." The judging panel also awarded a mark of 8.6 for general impression. Hemmingway scored an 8.38 on Friday to lead the field heading into Sunday's class.

Earning second-place honors on Friday were Heather Blitz (Medfield, Ma.) and Oak Hill Ranch's Ripline (Blue Horse Hotline x Riviera/Blue Horse Cavan DH) with a score of 8.30. The Danish stallion earned an 8.0 for his trot and an 8.3 for the walk. The stallion was rewarded for his canter with an impressive 8.5. He received an 8.3 for submission and an 8.4 for general impression.

Riding to third place was Dr. Cesar Parra (White House Station, N.J.) and Michael and Sarah Davis' Fiderhit OLD (Fidertanz x Fleur/Sandro Hit) with a score of 8.14. The Oldenburg gelding scored 8.5, 7.9, and 7.9 for the trot, walk, and canter, respectively. He also received scores of 8.0 and 8.4 for submission and general impression.

The Six-Year-Old Championship comes to a conclusion on Sunday as competitors will earn the remaining 60% of their score in the FEI Six-Year-Old Final Test.