Hafner Scores Brentina Cup
By Staff Report June 18, 2012Brian Hafner of Penngrove, CA, claimed the National Young Adult Brentina Cup Dressage Championship at the Festival of Champions in Gladstone, NJ, on June 17. The event marked the 23-year-old’s first National Championship.
He closed the deal Sunday riding his own and Rebecca Hafner’s Lombardo LHF to a score of 69.860% in the FEI Young Rider Grand Prix Test to finish the championship on an average of 70.264%.
Brian Hafner and Lombardo won their first National Championship lthe Brentina Cup, in Gladstone, NJ. (Photo by Susan J. Stickle)
The day before he eeked out an early lead, topping the field by half a percentage point in the USEF Brentina Cup Test, with a 70.667%. It is Hafner’s first National Championship.
He has had Lombardo, a 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding, since the horse was four and they have come up the ranks together. They came to Gladstone on top of the National Brentina Cup Ranking List and delivered on expectations. “It’s been such a long road, even this past year competing and qualifying has been a dream come true,” he said.
“There’s just small mistakes that need cleaning up, so there’s potential to be better. Overall I’m really happy how solid he’s been and at this competition. He’s been so steady for both tests,” Hafner added. “I’m fortunate to have such a great horse. Once we get everything a little more polished he’s going to be a great horse.”
The Young Adult Brentina Cup program is intended to assist and encourage U.S. Young Riders making the transition to the Grand Prix level. All the competitors are gaining valuable experience this weekend getting the chance to ride at the USEF Dressage Festival of Champions and performing the movements required at the senior level.
Returning for her third foray at the Brentina Cup, Heather Ann Beachem (Alpharetta, GA) and Windsong scored a personal best on Sunday, 67.651%, placing third in the class and earning Reserve Champion honors. In 2011, Beachem rode the now 16-year-old Hanoverian gelding to third place.
“I came here three-years ago and didn’t do so great. Each year it has gotten better,” Beachem said. “He loves the piaffe, he likes the ones. He’s a special little horse.”
Mary Cameron Rollins (Wellington, FL) and Rose Noir 2 placed third in the National Championship on an average of 68.374. Rollins and the 15-year-old Oldenburg mare scored 69.209% in Sunday’s test to place second in the class.
Caroline Roffman and Pie, Intermediaire I winners at the USEF Festival of Champions. (Photo by Susan J. Stickle)
Meanwhile, 2011 Young Adult Brentina Cup winner Caroline Roffman (Wellington, FL) this year earned the National Intermediaire I title.
Roffman and Pie narrowly missed sweeping the three tests of Intermediaire I Championship; placing third in Sunday’s Freestyle but scored a decisive victory in the National Championship. Their score of 73.925% counted for the remaining 15% of her championship average of 74.535%.
The 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding was competing in only his second Freestyle and Roffman felt he picked-up for her on Sunday in the test set to the music of Britney Spears and Katy Perry.
“It’s his second Freestyle ever and it’s the first time I’ve done that particular one, so probably not the best preparation today. He was better than I was today and if you’re both not going to be on then it’s better he’s the good one. So how could I be upset.”
David Blake (Encinitas, CA) finished second in both the Freestyle and the Intermediaire Championship with Teresa Simmons’ Royal Prinz, earning 75.225% today and finishing on an overall total of 72.353%. The 11-year-old Oldenburg stallion performed a powerful test in the Dick and Jane Brown Arena set to the song “Rock Opera.”
“We pushed it a bit and had some fun. He usually livens up with the music. He was very good,” Blake said, adding, “Obviously you would like to win but second is pretty good.”
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