The inaugural Dressage4Kids Youth Challenge at Kingsview Partners Dressage at Devon was won by Sophie Rutherford riding Maximillian Versace, tops in a field of 17 on a rainy afternoon.
Sofie won the Dressage Seat Equitation class on 83 percent as well as the Junior Handler class, where she was marked at 86.5 percent, putting her 10 percent ahead of the second-place finisher, Pierson Fox on V’s Prince of Glory. Her scores were 81 percent and 78.700 for her equitation and junior handler efforts.
The third rider on the podium was Violet Gutberlet with SWS Encino (78 percent and 77 percent).
Open to riders from age 14 through 18, the Youth Challenge combined Dressage Seat Equitation, evaluating the rider’s position, balance, and effectiveness in the saddle, and Junior Handler, highlighting the competitor’s ability to safely and confidently present a horse from the ground. Scores from both phases determined the overall champion as the show wrapped up on Sunday.
The Youth Challenge offers a meaningful investment in the future of the sport, with a $5,000 prize awarded to the champion and additional awards presented through eighth place which included a $1,000 gift certificate toward , aa pair of custom boots from The Distinguished Rider, a $500 gift certificate from On the Verge Designs and a gift certificate for a Swarovski crystal customized helmet from International Riding Helmets (IRH), among many other bonuses.
Click here for equitation results; click here for junior handler results