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Whidbey Equestrian Center Summer Dressage

Alyssa Pitts and Jil Sander won all of their classes in Jil Sander's Prix St Georges debut with scores of 68.6% and 67.8%.

Alyssa Pitts and Avery won all of their classes in Avery's debut at Second Level with high scores of 72.6% and 71.9%. They also scored 74% in Avery's First Level class as well.

Alfredo Hernandez Clinic

AP Dressage and Cedar Meadow Farm hosted a clinic with Alfredo Hernandez. Here is a short clip of Jil Sander and Alyssa Pitts working with Alfredo.

YoungStar Spotlight Winner

Alyssa Pitts has been chosen as a YoungStar Spotlight winner! This fantastic honor has been bestowed upon Alyssa by DressageTrainingOnline.com.

Here is information from the press release: "Alamo, California, USA - June 21, 2010 - DressageTrainingOnline.com, announced the first ever YoungSt(a)r Spotlight grant, back in October 2009. This educational tour grants monies to a minimum of 6 chosen Young Dressage Horse enthusiasts! The monies will be spent on airfare, lodging, transportation and attendance to a prearranged hosted trip to Germany centered around the 2010 Bundeschampionate. Directly in line with those dates will be a private tour going to visit top young horse trainers, riders and breeders. Additional exclusive small forums and discussions with many of the world's most knowledgeable and successful in this specific area will be additional pieces to this tour. Educational segments led by DTO feature partner trainer, Dr. Ulf Moeller, head trainer of the famed PSI sporthorses, Michael Klimke, Ingo Pape and numerous FEI judges, well versed in young horse evaluation. To walk away with a grounded understanding of what to look for and how to develop outstanding young dressage horses is the focus of this program. The tour will be led primarily by the USA's official USEF Young Dressage Horse Coach and Trainer Scott Hassler, who has trained and developed over 25 horses to the Grand Prix level and Reisa Bonetti, Founder of DressageTrainingOnline.com, who has sponsored the grant as an opportunity to lend a hand toward the education and success of the USA in the future development and success of up and coming grand prix horses. "The educational tour developed out of the obvious need for further learning around "proper" development of the young horse. They are so different mentally and physically from an older more confirmed horse. I see so much struggling from the majority of owners of young horses, dreams that may not come true and mixed messages from the competitive young horse community in America. I saw a real need for better more in depth information, coming from those who have been there, done that..., so I decided to throw my hat into the ring for making a difference in that area of our Dressage Community." Says founder of DressageTrainingOnline, Reisa Bonetti. "This tour is sure to be so valuable to the participants, if each of the attendees are able to positively affect a handful of horses, it is a success! The plan is to be able to grow the monies needed for increased tour attendance and provide this grant on an annual basis." The winners were chosen based on their experience with developing young dressage horses, their proven dedication and passion around making this a focus of their career and nominations and references submitted to DressageTrainingOnline.com from their supporters. DTO is making the first time announcement of the following individuals as recipients of the first annual YoungSt(a)r Spotlight: Jamee Amundson of Colorado, Alyssa Pitts of Oregon, Kelly Krambs of California, Benjamin Pfabe of Virginia, Brandi Benedict of Virginia, Lauren Ball Tisdale of Ohio and our 2 runners up are Lisa Pembleton of Florida and Linda Shultz of Kentucky. Congratulations to all of our winners! Follow DressageTrainingOnline.com, online, on facebook , twitter and through our newsletter. You may continue to follow the spotlight of more tour details, watch a filmed documentary of the tour as well as viewing the 2011 tour details, by visiting DressageTrainingOnline.com's, Community Connection."

USEF Elite Rider Clinic

Alyssa Pitts and Jil Sander have been invited to ride in the USEF Elite Rider clinic with Morten Thomsen at Arroyo del Mar in San Diego, CA. Morten Thomsen is the new team coach for the US team.
USEF Talent Search

Alyssa Pitts and Jil Sander were invited to ride in the USEF Talent Search with Debbie McDonald at Epona Farms in Thousand Oaks, CA.

Here is an excerpt from an article on Eurodressage.com explaining the USEF Talent Search: "Historically, the United States has had great success on the international stage, however, as USEF Dressage Technical Advisor Anne Gribbons explained, "Of everything we do right now, the Developing Clinics are probably the most important thing as they are all about the future and developing new Team members and new horses. We need to create depth in our Teams, because we have some great horses at the top, but we need more coming in after them and we want to be able to have more choices." "I think where we have lacked a little bit in the past is not really trying to develop future combinations for the United States," McDonald added, "as some of our top horse and rider combinations are getting older, we are starting to realize that we need to be thinking about the future, which is why the Developing Clinics were created." She elaborated on one area of particular interest, saying, "The Talent Search, especially, is about finding people who might not be on a list or have gone to championship, but who are very promising and discovering them, giving them a path to follow, a plan for future, and if they don't have sponsors, finding them a way to go ahead and continue on that path." "The program was designed to find future Olympians to represent the United States," noted McDonald."

Donida Farm Dressage Derby

Alyssa Pitts and Jil Sander won both of their Fourth Level, Test 3 classes with a 70% and a 69%.

Alyssa Pitts and Avery swept all of their First Level classes with scores of 75%, 74%, 73.7%, and 73.4%, scoring the four highest scores of the show.

Alfredo Hernandez Clinic

AP Dressage is excited to host a clinic with Piaffe/Passage specialist, Alfredo Hernandez. We are lucky to have Alfredo come to the Northwest...Alfredo has worked with many of California's top trainers including Leslie Morse, Hilda Gurney, Tracey Lert, Sandy Howard, Tracey Hill, and recently, he has caught the attention of Steffen Peters. Alfredo has a gift with horses, and horses of all levels are welcome from green to Grand Prix. Please contact Alyssa Pitts for more information. (360) 453-7196. There are some riding slots still available, and auditors are welcome.

Here is an example of Alfredo Hernandez working with a horse in a clinic in California:

AP Dressage Moves to Cedar Meadow Farm

Alyssa Pitts and AP Dressage have moved to Cedar Meadow Farm in Snohomish, Washington. Alyssa is very sad to leave all of her friends in California, and she will really miss everyone in the horse world in California. It has been a tough decision process, but she is also excited to be back home in Washington, and she hopes to have as much fun in Washington as she has had in California. She is now accepting new students and horses in training as well as offering boarding at Cedar Meadow Farm.
Denville-Kanani

Alyssa Pitts and Bruce Keeler and Harvey van Dyke's VaVoom MRR won three out of their four Third Level classes with high scores of 67% and 66%. This was VaVoom MRR's first show, and he turned a lot of heads.
CDS Championships

Alyssa Pitts and Ziva were Reserve Champions in the Cal Bred Futurity, placed 4th in the Open Futurity, and were 8th in the CDS Training Level (despite having a longside of letters blow down during their test!).

Alyssa Pitts and Jil Sander placed 6th in the USDF Third Level, 9th in the CDS Third Level, and placed 2nd in their Third Level warm-up class.

Alyssa Pitts and Avery placed third in their Training Level warm-up class with a 70%.

Laura Langford and Paulette placed 9th in the CDS Amateur Third Level.

Woodside Dressage

Alyssa Pitts and Ziva were the overall show High Point with a score of 75%! Alyssa and Ziva were also the Woodside Series Training Level Champions, scoring 73.2%. They won all three of their First Level classes with high scores of 75% and 73%.

Alyssa Pitts and Jil Sander were the Woodside Series Champions for Third Level, and they also won their Fourth Level class as well.

Alyssa Pitts and Avery were Woodside Series Reserve Champion at Training Level, only 1 overall point behind Ziva, with a 72.8%.

Laura Langford and Paulette were the Woodside Series Third Level Amateur Champions.

Alyssa Pitts and Ziva. Photograph by Debbie Hansen.
Yarra Yarra

Alyssa Pitts and Avery won their Training Level class with a 72.8%.
CDS Regional Adult Amateur Championship & SFP Annual Show

Congratulations to Laura Langford and Paulette, CDS RAAC Reserve Champion at Third Level! They also won two of their Third Level classes.

Alyssa Pitts and Avery swept all of their Training Level classes on their way to winning the Jeanine Merrill Memorial Trophy. They scored 77%, 76.8%, 76%, and 74%.

Alyssa Pitts and Ziva placed second to Avery in all of their classes except one, scoring 73.6%, 69.6%, 69.6%, and 68.8%.

Allison Walewski and Enigma placed 3rd in the CDS RAAC Second Level.

Laura Langford and Paulette. Photograph by Alyssa Pitts.
Alyssa Pitts and Avery. Photograph by Colvin Pitts.
Woodside Dressage

Alyssa Pitts and Jil Sander won Jil Sander's debut at Fourth Level with a 66.9%. They also won one of their Third Level classes, scoring 69.7% and 65.9%.

Alyssa Pitts and Ziva had a great first outing together, winning most of their Training Level classes with scores of 77%, 75%, 75%, 75%, and 69.6%

Alyssa Pitts debuted Sure Pik at Training Level, winning most of their Training Level classes with high scores of 78%, 75%, 72%, 72%, and 69.6%.

Elise Cutini and Solut won one of their Second Level classes and have qualified for the USDF Championships at Second Level.

Allison Walewski and Enigma won both of their Second Level classes.

Charlene Ku and Bear It All won several of their First Level classes.

Alyssa Pitts and Sure Pik. Photograph by Debbie Hanson.
Alyssa Pitts and Ziva. Photograph by Debbie Hansen.
Denville-Kanani

Laura Langford and Paulette scored 64%, completely their qualifications for the CDS Championships at Third Level.

Elise Cutini and Solut scored 64% in both of their Second Level classes and have qualified for the CDS Championships at Second Level.

Allison Walewski and Enigma picked up another qualifying score at Second Level as well.

Finckenburgh

It is with great sadness that I report the passing of my beloved Finckenburgh, better known as "Sam". Sam was my first FEI horse, and he was a superstar of a horse in every respect. Besides being a gifted athlete and a patient teacher, he was a true gentleman. Upon his import to the USA, he became Kristina Harrison-Naness' first top quality horse. I retired him 3 years ago, and he has enjoyed a lovely retirement in the green pastures of Washington state with my parents, Bonnie and Garry. They loved Sam dearly as well, and I know that he couldn't have had a better retirement.
Alyssa Pitts and Finckenburgh at Pebble Beach (2003)
Woodside Dressage

Alyssa Pitts and Avery had a fantastic show. Avery was reserve open high point with a 74%. He won both of his Training Level classes with a 74% and a 71.7%. He won his USEF 4 Year Old warm-up class with a 72.2%, and he was second in USEF 4 Year Old Qualifying class with a 79.2% All this in only his second show!

Alyssa Pitts and Jil Sander won two of their Third Level classes and placed 2nd in their other two classes. They scored 68%, 67%, 67%, and 65%.

Laura Langford earned her Bronze Medal! Congratulations! Laura and Paulette won one of their Third Level classes, and placed 2nd in their other Third Level classes with high scores of 65% and 64%.

Elise Cutini and Solut won all of their Second Level classes with high scores of 66% and 66%.

Allison Walewski and Enigma won all of their Second Level classes as well with a high score of 67%.

Charlene Ku and Bear It All won one of their First Level classes and placed 2nd in their other First Level classes.

Alyssa Pitts and Avery. Photo by Debbie Hanson.
Alyssa Pitts and Jil Sander. Photo by Megan Leonard.
Golden State Dressage

In Jil Sander's debut at Third Level, Alyssa Pitts and Jil Sander scored consistently in the mid 60s, placing 2nd in nearly all of their classes. They have qualified for the CDS Championships in one show!

Alyssa Pitts debuted Avery at Training Level and in the USEF 4 Year Old classes. He scored 75.2% in his USEF 4 Year Old test with the comment from the judge that "he has a bright future". He placed 2nd in several of his Training Level tests, and he wins the gold star of the show for behaving like a perfect gentleman while TWO horses bucked their riders off and got loose in the warm-up while he was preparing to enter his first test...what a good boy!

Megan Leonard and Regentanzer had a fantastic show placing 2nd in several of their Third Level tests with consistent scores in the mid 60s. Megan has earned her USDF Bronze Medal...congratulations Megan! Megan and Regentanzer also debuted at Fourth Level, scoring in the 60s and earning the Fourth Level scores for her USDF Silver Medal.

Brynna Quillin and Donnerhill debuted at Third Level where Brynna also earned her USDF Bronze Medal. Congratulations!

Renee Silva and Sifon had a fantastic show...their first together, and Renee's first time out at First Level. They had high scores of 66% and 65%.

Brynna Quillin and Donnerhill. Photo by Megan Leonard.
Denville-Kanani

Alyssa Pitts and Brynna Quillin's Donnerhill scored 67.9 and 67.5 in Donnerhill's Fourth Level debut, placing 2nd in both classes.

Megan Leonard and Regantanzer had an incredible debut at Third Level, winning their first class and placing second in their other class with scores of 66% and 65%! Congratulations and welcome back Megan and Regantanzer!

Diane Abraham and Uddevalla had a great start to the season, placing 2nd and 3rd in their First Level classes earning two qualifying scores.

USEF "r" Judging Program

Alyssa Pitts has been admitted to the USEF "r" Judging Program. Successful completion of this program results in becoming an official USEF licensed "r" judge...wish Alyssa luck!