USPRE hosted its final Dressage High Point Challenge of the Florida season last weekend at the Global Dressage Festival’s Nations Cup in Wellington, Florida. Members Paula Matute, Janne Rumbaugh and Rachel Chowanec took home the prizes for top scores at their respective levels, and a number of blue ribbons in the process.
Junior Rider Paula Matute made her International FEI debut aboard Deborah Williams’ Califa at the Small Tour as part of Team Spain with both her father and brother as fellow competitors, and her mother as Chef d’Equipe. All three Spanish team members competed in the Prix St. George and International I, but as scoring leader of the team Paula progressed to the Freestyle, with highly respectable marks over 66% both days. She earned special recognition by the Judges as FEI newcomer and received a Baccarat crystal statue to commerate this special weekend and her excellent performances.
In the National classes, seasoned Adult Amateur rider Janne Rumbaugh continues to dominate with top scores in both the national and FEI levels with JR’s 62.34% at Grand Prix and Afilado’s 71.190% at Second Level Test 3. Both of Janne’s mounts are by her own stallion Gaucho III.
In the Youth Division, Junior Kerrigan Gluch went head to head with friend and Young Rider Rachel Chowanec. While Kerrigan’s scores on Cuatrero IV topped both of her Junior Qualifying classes, the top distinction went to Rachel Chowanec for her high score of 64.872% at Third Level test 3 with Idolo Americano of Hampton Green Farm.
The Nations Cup wraps up the Florida High Point series, which brought out 12 horses and their riders over the five weeks. Now the Challenge moves to California and will be held at six shows throughout the state.
The USPRE Dressage High Point Challenge is a program for USPRE members which encourages dressage competition and rewards top performance. For more information, see https://www.usprea.com/dressage/uspre-high-point-program/.
Congratulations to all our Florida Competitors!