Klassic Kur -- Individual freestyle design

Vegas has once again hosted the World Cup, marking only the third time in its 22 year history that this competition has been held on American soil. Seventeen riders from ten countries were invited to show in the Grand Prix. From there, only twelve would advance to the Freestyle Finals where the scores from the kur alone determined the outcome. Those who did not advance competed In the Grand Prix Freestyle B class.

The 12,000 who attended this premiere international event saw three Klassic Kur freestyles. In the Grand Prix B, Canada's Evi Strasser and Quantum Tyme put in a fine performance to African based music. The canter work featured tempis on a diagonal line, directly connected to 1.5 pirouette, followed by an extension. Her canter music was "Circle of Life" from The Lion King. In the Grand Prix Freestyle Final, Courtney King and Idocus delighted everyone with a walk down Broadway, strutting to tunes from Fiddler on the Roof, Cats, & Gypsy. They even took a side trip down the Yellow Brick Road, passaging to the Wizard of Oz. Their canter was highlight by several very difficult sequences including a broken line of twos directly connected to ones. Excellent musical interpretation and strong execution earned this pair a 79% in the artistic, and an overall 73.20% to bring them into sixth place. Going last for the evening was Steffen Peters and Floriano. The steady, 17 year, Westfalian gelding did not disappoint his fans and earned a 77.80% to take home the Bronze.

Klassic Kur freestyles were a common occurrence in the victory lane during the 2006 season. Most notably were Steffen Peters and Floriano topping the bill at the USET Foundation Festival of Championships held at its home in Gladstone, New Jersey. The pair danced to a medley of rock tunes featuring "Don't Stop" by Fleetwood Mac, "Give A Little Bit" by Supertramp and "Imagine" by John Lennon. The well-balanced choreography included an extended canter quickly followed by piaffe, as well as other difficult transitions. This duo went on to have a great showing in Europe, finishing off with a sixth place freestyle finish in the World Equestrian Games. Guenter Seidel and Aragon were second in the Grand Prix at Gladstone, which also gave them the opportunity to represent the United States at the WEG.

In the Intermediare championships Pan American Gold Medalist Jan Ebeling and his new mount Rafalca took third, and Katherine Poulin-Neff and Brilliant Too earned the Intermediate Reserve Championship title. Kate and her 15.1 dynamo "Zuel", named after the Ghostbusters character, performed to an energetic, horn-based program that perfectly exemplified the pair. Their strong performance dripped with personality, and when they flashed their final salute, the crowd roared its approval and left no doubt that this diminutive but mighty team had stolen the show.

Amanda Harlan and Liberté had a strong showing at North American Young Rider Championship, finishing the last day with a Silver Medal in the Freestyle. On their heels were Caroline Roffman and Bulgari coming in to take the Freestyle Bronze. Cesar Parra and Galant du Serein took home the blue ribbon from the 2006 Dressage at Devon freestyle competition.

In other notable news, Klassic Kur's Terry Ciotti Gallo joined six-time Olympian Robert Dover, O judge Axel Steiner, and fellow designer Marlene Whitaker on a freestyle symposium panel. The informative, weekend-long national symposium was held at the beautiful Kentucky Horse Park. Terry also volunteered her time for the fifth annual Challenge of the Americas, selecting and editing the music for five of the evening's seven presentations. This spirited but friendly competition of pas de deux and quadrilles raised over $200,000 for breast cancer research. Terry is "proud to be part of such a worthwhile cause."

"Royal Canadian Mounties", cowboys, painted horses, and even Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly from the movie Chicago were there. The crowd hooped and hollered. Could this possibly be dressage? You bet! Teams from USA, Canada, and a conglomerate of international riders vied for top honors at the fifth annual fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Each team presented a pas de deux weighted at 40% of the score and a quadrille weighted at 60%. Canada drew first round and set the standard with a pas de deux score of 88% from the panel of distinguished official and celebrity judges. Not to be outdone, Team International dazzled the audience by entering with beautifully painted horses, and riders with face make-up in corresponding colors. They danced to movie music with space themes, and gave all who attended an out of this world experience. But the team that took home Tiffany's Pas de Deux Cup was Betsy Steiner (alias Roxie Hart) and New York Times best selling writer Tami Hoag (alias Velma Kelly) riding Tami's two horses Feliki and Coco Chanel. They worked tightly together in a well-choreographed freestyle to the music from Chicago. As they hit the lyric, "And this we did in absolute unison," they perfectly executed side-by-side single tempi changes that had the audience on its feet. They were rewarded with a score of 98%.

Half time entertainment was even spectacular. Leslie Morse and USA team coach and Olympic Gold Medalist Klaus Balkenhol rode Leslie's stallions Kingston and Tip Top to rousing patriotic music. Featuring passage tours to the Navy and Marine corp anthems, the crowd stood while singing and clapping along. Having horse and rider teams of this caliber in the ring together provided a real thrill for all.

Mexico, Columbia, Germany, Holland, and USA all had a representative on the Morgan Stanley sponsored Team International, which kicked off the highlight of the evening's event--the quadrille. Team International performed well-executed half-passes in two lines of three. Starting from opposite corners of the arena, they joined together in a perfectly straight line between B and E, nailed a 180 degree pinwheel, and continued out in half- pass. Their precision throughout their choreography astounded judges and audience alike, and they earned the score which would ultimately give them Tiffany's Quadrille Cup. Their "Circle of Life" program to music from the Lion King was remarkable, but would it be enough to win the overall?

Following Team International, spectators were entertained by a delightful display of Canadian humor. Preceding Team Canada's quadrille, children wearing Maple leaf shirts ran in front of the crowd cheering and waving small Canadian flags. Then Canadian ambassadors tried to "bribe" the judges by giving them gifts of shirts and flags. Next grooms and well-wishers dressed as Royal Canadian Mounted Police marched in, surrounded the arena, and stood on-guard while the team danced their wonderful six-women quadrille to Karen Robinson's score of music by Canadian artists.

Last, and certainly not least, was Purina Mill's Team USA. Donned in Cowboys hats, sequenced bandanas and bling belts, the team presented a Country music program that set the place abaze with hooting and hollering fans. Entering to a live version of John Denver's "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" whose vocals invited everyone to clap their hands, they then trotted to "Walking in Memphis" and polished off the program passaging to "Achy Breaky Heart". But the song that brought the house down was the canter "Save A Horse Ride A Cowboy". One set of celebrity judges rewarded the team with a perfect 10 for entertainment value. The scores were tight among the three quadrilles, but the combination of pas de deux and quadrilles scores placed the American team as the overall winners.

The evening's entertainment was the end result of months of work. Mary Ross, who lost her mother to breast cancer, first organized the event in 2002. Starting as a luncheon centered around the exhibition of a Pas de Trois, it has grown to an impressive seven-ride, stadium-filled spectacular that raised over $220,000 in 2006 alone. Many dedicated riders have generously donated their time to make this all happen (see all names at http://www.barnbook.com/challenge.html), but special recognition should go to the talent who not only made this possible originally, but also has continued through the five year venture. They are riders Betsy Steiner, Patrick Burssens, Lynda Alicki, choreographer Beth Zimski and music specialist Terry Gallo. This year, Beth choreographed the quadrilles for both Team USA and the winning Team International, and Terry designed the music programs for four of the seven rides including Team USA, Team International, Chicago, and the patriotic showcase.

2005 – A VERY GOOD YEAR

The World Cup freestyle of Debbie McDonald highlighted Klassic Kur’s string of 2005 successes, by first winning the US Grand Prix Freestyle Championship and then going on to represent the US at the World Cup. Capturing the attention of the globe and the adoration of all in Vegas, Debbie and Brentina passaged, piaffed, strutted and shimmied to the music of Aretha Franklin, the Commodore’s "BrickHouse", and the Supreme’s "Ain’t No Mountain High Enough", to set a precedent in the use of lyric and the use of the pure forms of rock, soul and blues. They’re efforts earned them the Bronze Medal and a heavy dose of R-E-S-P-E-C-T in the process. Also in Vegas showing their freestyles for the big event were Guenter Seidel and Aragon for the US, Cesar Parra and Galant du Serein for Columbia, and Evi Strasser and Quantum Tyme for Canada.

Steffen Peters and Floriano continued on an upward rise all year, first showing in Vegas, then leading Team USA to a Bronze Medal at Aachen. Individually they not only led the team but also made it through to the Freestyle round, earning a 75.15% and a ninth place finish. Their year’s total has earned them Fifth (74.65% average) for the USDF Grand Prix Musical Freestyle Award. Meanwhile, barnmate Marlando won all three legs of the small tour at the Festival of Champions held in Gladstone, nailing down the title by garnering a 77.525% in the freestyle, and eventually perching himself on top of the USDF year end awards with a First Place Intermediate Freestyle Championship (average score 76.667%).

George Williams and Rocher were yet another pair of KK clients with a string of successes. Rocher proved that even after a lay-up of over a year to recover from an injury, she still had the magic to win the triple crown of Grand Prix, Special and Freestyle in Gladstone. She then went on to represent the US in Aachen, also making it through to the final Freestyle round. Continuing upward still, she performed a slam-dunk at Devon, beating her previous record-setting score, and boosting it up to a new all-time Devon high with a 77.850% to win the freestyle. Her efforts for the year have placed her Fourth for the USDF Grand Prix Musical Freestyle Award. Accompanying her is barnmate Marnix who earned twelfth in the awards with a year’s average of 71.275%.

In total, Klassic Kur clients hold 6 of the top 13 Grand Prix USDF year end freestyle awards, including Komo and his new partner Charlotte Bredahl Baker, Suzanne Dansby-Phelps and Cooper, and Cesar Parra and Galant du Serein. One of our favorite awards, however, goes to the small but mighty Fjord stallion Ronaldo and rider Andrea Manos who earned sixth place in the USDF First Level Musical Freestyle Award, proving that what you need for dressage is not a big body, but a big heart.

Klassic Kur was committed to more than aiding its riders in their pursuits, however. In 2005, it sponsored both the FEI and the USDF Freestyle classes for Region 3. It also continued its long-time association with Mary Ross, organizer of this year’s Challenge of the Americas. The indefatigable Mrs. Ross, choreographer Beth Zimski, Klassic Kur owner Terry Ciotti Gallo (who developed the musical programs for most of the event), the group of dedicated volunteers, and all the riders who gave their time to represent teams from the USA, Canada, and Latin America, together raised $150,000 for breast cancer research. Terry also served as the chair for the USDF Freestyle Committee and helped develop the new, weekend-long, freestyle curriculum for the L Program.

Debbie McDonald and Brentina had continued success with their World Cup winning freestyle to Gershwin music. They kicked off 2004 with a 83.325% kür performance to convincing win the US Freestyle Championship crown; they polished their season off with an Olympic Team Bronze and overall fourth place finish. Guenter Seidel and the one-two punch of Nikolaus 7 and Aragon left everyone guessing as to which horse would go to Athens. Reliable and steady, Nikolaus took third at US Freestyle Championships, and fourth at Dortmund (76.975%) with his now well-known Latin program. The two remained neck and neck, but Nikolaus was edged out in the US Championships and Olympic Selection Trial's overall placing, when he received a 77.125% in the freestyle, but barn-mate Aragon came in with a magnificent 78.425%. This placed Aragon second in the freestyle and solidified an overall second place for the Trials. The surprising combination of Steffen Peters and his newcomer Floriano, accompanied by a medley of Fleetwood Mac and Supertramp, scored a 75.725% at the Trials, placing them fourth in the kür and in the all around. The Trials also saw the last performance of Steffen's long time partner Grandeur. In their swan song, the team received a 73.6% for their Riverdance program, which they made famous both nationally and internationally. Also entertaining the sold-out crowd of 4000 with their music by the group Bond were Carol Plough and Komo (68.255%).

In Intermediate competition, Steffen and Marlando (76.15%) not only placed second at the US Championships, swaying to the melodic music of Rondo Veneziano, but they also won the USDF Intermediate Freestyle Horse of the Year with an average score of 76.3%. Following on Marlando's heels at Championships were third place freestylers Michael Shondell and Wallaby who shook the house with a 50's Rock & Roll theme, and earned a 71.875%. USDF HOY forth place freestyle honors went to Cesar Parra and Pik L, who averaged a 74.25%.

Klassic Kur's Young Riders did well too. Jodie Kelly and Weltkaar rebounded to win the individual bronze at the North American Young Rider Championships by putting in strong performances in their individual and freestyle tests, while Lara Schleining and Luzelma, along with teammate Amanda Bobbett and Blizzard, helped bring home the team Bronze Medal for Region 6. And in other international news, 2003 Pan American Games Individual Bronze Medalists Yvonne Losos de Muñiz and Inatana of the Dominican Republic capped off a three week CDI at Vejer de la Frontera with their difficult and energetic freestyle to rock violin music. Tallying a 72.23% in the freestyle, they secured second place.

The biggest headliner was the World Cup competition, where the title was based solely on the freestyle. The entire American team displayed Klassic Kur designs, placing Debbie McDonald and Brentina, Guenter Seidel and Nikolaus 7, and George Williams and Rocher in first, third and fifth respectively. That was only the beginning however. After a shaky round in the Special at Aachen, Debbie and her wonderful mare came back to earn an 82.02% in the freestyle and finish third overall, while teammates Steffen Peters and Grandeur started slowly in the Grand Prix, but came back with a strong Special, plus a 75.22% in the freestyle to finish tenth. Guenter continued his successful European tour by displaying the talents of his mount Aragon at the Hardenberg Klassika, earning third in the freestyle with a 74.55%, as well as a first place freestyle victory at CDI Fritzens with Jane & Dick Brown's Nikolaus (76.66%). Returning to North America, Debbie, Brentina, Guenter and Nikolaus took first and second in the freestyle at the Royal Horse Show Dressage Invitational in Canada. Also internationally, Yvonne Losos de Muniz and Inatana represented the Dominican Republic at the Pan American Games, and secured third place with her strong showing in the Prix St George and the Freestyle.

Nationally, Michael Barisone and Safir were the first place, Grand Prix crowd-pleasers at CDI Raleigh and, back on home turf, George Williams and Rocher took the Grand Prix freestyle crown at Dressage at Devon, while Cesar Parra and Pik L brought home the Intermediate Freestyle title. Our Young Riders also had a fine showing at NAYRC, where Region 7's John Murrey and Festival took home the bronze, and Region 3's Michael Shondel and Wallaby and Jodie Kelly and Weltkaar took fourth and sixth respectively.

Klassic Kur would like to thank all its clients who have helped make 2003 another successful year. You are all champions!

Dressage at Devon provided a wonderful backdrop for George Williams and Rocher who again won the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Freestyle. This will make it two years in a row that the pair have significantly overtaken the field. Showing both artistic and technical confidence, they scored a fantastic 75.1% to become the king and queen of the kur. Michael Barisone and Safir also had a good showing in the Grand Prix Freestyle with a 69.475% score, to secure fourth position. In the Intermediate division Cesar Parra and his Pan Am Games mount Pik L won the Prix St George and Intermediate, then put a cherry on top of the sundae by winning the Intermediate Freestyle with a 72.333%.

Two freestyle blue ribbons went to Klassic Kur clients at Dressage at Stone Tavern. Michael Shondel and Wallaby came off their fine showing at the North American Young Rider Championships just a few weeks earlier to sweep the Young Rider division. Capping off their victories in the individual and team tests, the dynamic duo scored an impressive 71.375% in the freestyle to win the class and secure the crown. Their 50's style music had them trotting to the tune "Greased Lightening", as well as jitterbugging to some genuine blasts from the past. At the Grand Prix, James Armstrong and Gustaaf not only won their qualifying class, but also put in a solid 69.5 % freestyle performance to bring home a second title. Disco tunes, featuring the dance floor favorite "The Twilight Zone", highlighted their crowd-pleasing performance. Congrats to both gentlemen.

George Williams and Rocher had a fine showing at CDI Hickstead, home of this year's European Championship. Standing in 15th place after the first two rounds of competition, the pair scored a 73.590% on their freestyle, which placed them 11th in the class and raised them four places to 11th in the overall standings. Continuing her string of victories was Ulla Salzgeber, who not only won the Championships, but was first in the freestyle with a remarkable 85.44%

The 2003 North American Young Rider Championship (NAYRC) were held in Bromont, Canada from August 19 - 24. This premiere event for our up and coming riders is held as an Olympic-like competition of several sports and brings together young adults from several countries. Special congratulations go to Klassic Kur client John Murrey and Festival, who took home the bronze, Michael Shondel and Wallaby, who placed fourth, and Jodie Kelly and Weltkaar, who took sixth. We are proud of all our Young Riders, which also includes Danica Yates and Schmelze, Josh Davis and DaVinci, and Kelly Bennet and Lucarlos.

Klassic Kur clients both in the Europe and in U.S. continue their successful season. Debbie McDonald and Brentina again proved their international star quality, this time at CDIO Aachen, placing third at the Grand Prix, fifth in the Special, then coming back for a spectacular 82.02% freestyle performance. She was barely edged out by teammate Lisa Wilcox, who held a consistent second place throughout the competition and just squeaked passed Debbie by .37%. Also doing well were teammates Steffen Peters and Grandeur. Starting off in 19th place, they climbed back up into contention with a very strong Special, and finished off tenth in the freestyle with an impressive 75.22%. At CDI Hardenberg Klassika which was held earlier in June, Guenter Seidel rode his up and coming Grand Prix mount Aragon to a third place standing. This 74.55% freestyle was performed to music with a Caribbean flair, and featured Harry Belafonte's "The Banana Boat Song", known to most as "Day-O". The only thing missing were the Piña Coladas. At Weisbaden CDI, Guenter showed his World Cup mount Nikolaus 7 to a third place standing, earning a 73.34%. Back home at CDI Raleigh, Michael Barisone and Safir again wowed the crowds with their program Saturday Night Safir. The pair was having much too much fun as they discoed with the Bee Gees all the way to first place with a 70.575%. Maybe next time Michael will come out in a white suit and we can light the arena with a disco ball. Wouldn't that be something to see?

The preliminary round of the the 18th World Cup held in Goteborg, Sweden finished with the Americans in strong positions. The final places would be determined solely by the freestyles, however, so excitement and expectations for the team were high for the Sunday, March 29 showdown.

Ulla Salzgeber and Rusty scored an 82.19% on the kür, winning their third consecutive Cup and taking home the grand prize of a Volvo. Directly behind them with a 78.89%, was the team of Debbie McDonald and Brentina. This standing gives Debbie the distinction of being the first American to win an individual medal in international competition. She was joined in the winner's circle by her teammates Guenter Seidel and Nikolaus7 who placed fourth with a 75.72%, and by sixth place George Williams and Rocher (75.56%). Klassic Kur helped in the designs for all three Americans, and is very proud to be a part of the team effort to help put the U.S.A. in the forefront of world dressage.

The Cosequin/USDF Freestyle Horse of the Year Awards are given to the top three teams at first through fourth levels, and top six teams at Intermediate and Grand Prix. Of the possible 24 places, Klassic Kur clients reaped 10 of them, and nearly made a clean sweep of the Intermediate level.

Other winners of these national awards were:
Level Three: Heather Mason and Integrity - Reserve
Level Four: Tracey Lert and Luminary - Champions
Peggy Klump and Lemon Ice - Reserve
Grand Prix: Steffen Peters and Grandeur - Champions
George Williams and Rocher - Reserve

These national level winners did well regionally too, but we would like to also acknowledge those not mentioned above or who placed in more than one level at their regionals.

ABIC/USDF Regional Freestyle Competition
Grand Prix: Heather Mason and Integrity
Intermediate: Jami Kment and Contingent Fee
Angel Ozer and Loki
Level Four: June Brody and Heat Wave
Level Two: Heidi Flood and Brisby
Level One: Hadley Tolliver and Daveed
Region 8 held an Open Freestyle Championship, and out of the field, Bill Warren and Pongo (Level Four) emerged the winners. Bravo to all our clients who did so well!

The United States confirmed its position in the dressage world by winning the silver medal at the WEG in Jerez, Spain. Led by Debbie McDonald (74.64%), team members Lisa Wilcox (74.2%), Sue Blinks (72.24%), and Guenter Seidel (dropped score) accumulated 5527 points to come in just behind the Germans. The Spanish team provided a home-town treat by taking the bronze. Not only did Debbie, Lisa and Sue qualify to compete in the Special, but each also went on to the Freestyle, where Debbie and Brentina wowed the crowd with their all-Gershwin program. They opened with their signature double pirouette to single tempis, just one of the many highlights in the program, and scored a sensational 82.7%. The score created controversy though, for as the Madrid newspapers declared the next day, Debbie and Brentina should have placed first in the freestyle. That placement would have secured them an individual medal. The ever-gracious McDonald said, "I had the ride of a lifetime. Who could ask for more than that?" Klassic Kur is proud to have contributed to the freestyle success of this wonderful team.

George Williams and Rocher strutted their stuff to a mostly Madonna program, to become the undisputed winners of the Grand Prix Freestyle at Devon. Earning their highest marks to date of 75.375%, this dynamic duo had a complex canter pattern including 4 multiple pirouettes which went directly into or out of various other elements. Another highlight was their unusual collected walk to piaffe to extended walk sequence. Beautiful! The crowd gave a rousing response to James Armstrong and Gustaaf whose performance only lacked a mirrored ball above their disco dance arena. Passaging to The Twilight Zone and cantering to the Bee Gee's Night Fever, they partied their way into fourth place. At the Intermediate Freestyle, Cesar Parra and Adonis took a different approach, doing the rhumba, samba and cha-cha to earn their way to second. Taking fifth was amateur rider Emmy Adwers and Alibaba who used New Age music. Klassic Kur is delighted to have been able to match the right music to the different personalitites of each of these teams, and to be their dance partner.

Klasssic Kur clients took an amazing 1-2-3 placing at the inaugural Grand Prix Freestyle Championship and World Cup Finals held February 23 - 24 at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. The blue ribbon went home with Debbie McDonald and Brentina, who used "naught girl" music from Cabaret and Gypsy. In second and dancing their immensely popular "Lords of the Dance" program to Celtic music, was Steffen Peters and Grandeur. This placement earned them the right to represent the United States at the World Cup. While their overall standing (combined Grand Prix and GP Freestyle) was third , Guenter Seidel and Nikolaus 7 were brilliant in the kur. With difficult choreography that beautifully interpreted the music, they featured Hernando's Hideaway for Nikolaus' high-stepping passage.

Also held that weekend was an international judges' forum, conceived and hosted by Axel Steiner and Anne Gribbons. Klassic Kur's Terry Ciotti Gallo was invited to join them on the panel for this highest-attended forum to date, and give a lecture on the artistic elements of the freestyle. The ground-breaking format also had the judges under headsets, listening to the three panelists' comment during the actual competition. This structure was unique, exciting, and made possible through the cooperation of show manager Glenda McElroy and her wonderful staff of volunteers.