The Great American/United States Dressage Federation Region 5 championships were held Sept. 19 through Sept. 22 at the Colorado Horse Park in Parker, Colo. Region 5 is comprised of competitors from Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Arizona, West Texas, Eastern Montana and New Mexico. Those who qualify at this show will be eligible to compete at the U.S. Dressage finals in Kentucky ñ Nov. 7 through Nov. 10. Dressage is often described as ìballet on horseback,î especially at the upper levels when they are riding to music. Horses seem to fly through the tests, and the riders often make it look like they are just along for the ride, when actually they are communicating to the horse every second. Competitors showed in classes ranging from intro-level through Grand Prix and exhibited skills developed with their horses. Riders from all walks of life participate: adult amateurs, professionals and juniors/young riders. Inga Fuengerlings, a junior rider from Calhan, rode three tests on her horse, Milo. Fuengerlings is 16 years old this year, and Milo is age 17. Milo has been with her family since he was 2 years old. ìHe was a birthday present for my dad, but I ended up officially owning him,î Fuengerlings said. She focused during the show on gaining more experience in the show ring. ìI need to work on gaining more confidence in the show arena,î Fuengerlings said. ìAnd if I can do that, then I can help Milo better; therefore, he’ll perform better, and he’ll have more confidence as I help him through the movements. Milo had a week off earlier in the month because of a minor illness, and Fuengerlings said he was still tired during the championships because he hadnít been able to train as much.In July, Fuegerlings competed in the North American Junior/Young Rider championships in Kentucky.She said the junior/young rider tests are considered FÈdÈration Equestre Internationale level tests, which means they are designed for international competitors. ìIt’s designed for juniors to compete at a national or international level to gain experience,î Fuergerlings said. ìIt’s for the young riders to qualify Ö for competitions Ö designed to prepare them for international level competition at higher levels,î she said. Fuengerlings said she has always wanted to be a dressage rider, and has been riding since she could sit up. Both her parents, as well as Simone Ahern of Sun Prairie Stables in Falcon, Colo., trained her. She would like to apprentice with Ingrid Klimke in Germany and work on the Bereiter-Brief certification, with a goal to eventually become a professional trainer and competitor. Fuengerlings said she likes the discipline related to dressage. ìIt can benefit any horse because it can help their athletic ability, flexibility and their strength; and, communication of the aids can be a useful thing to have in any discipline,î she said. Her favorite part about showing is the preparation. ìIt’s fun when you get a really good feeling either warming up or in the tests when under pressure,î Fuengerlings said. ìMilo is right with me, and we can perform a movement exactly on the aids and at the right time.î
