Steffen Peters and Lombardi II Shine at the Festival of Champions
For the second consecutive year and the third time in his career, Steffen Peters was the recipient of the USET Foundation’s Equestrian Bowl for the National Dressage Championship. The USET Foundation presents the trophy annually to the winner of the National Grand Prix Championship. The Franklin Mint donated the elegant Equestrian Bowl to the USET in 1978 and the first recipient was Edith Master.
Peters was presented with the trophy at the 2007 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions, presented by Paul Miller Auto Group, which was held June 14-17 at USET Foundation headquarters in Gladstone, NJ. Peters won the 2007 USEF National Grand Prix Dressage Championship aboard Lombardi II, a 16-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Akiko Yamazaki, with an overall score of 72.084 percent after three rounds of competition.
“This is my third championship here. It’s always very, very special,” said Peters. “This arena has so much history. It’s always a great accomplishment to win here and certainly the girls (Courtney King and Kristina Harrison-Naness, 2nd and 3rd respectively) gave me a good run for the money, especially today. For Lombardi, never really knowing that he would be a Grand Prix horse, I just am so excited about it and so is Akiko Yamazaki, the owner. It’s just a really big thrill.”
Peters earned the National Grand Prix Championship previously in 1995 with Udon, his mount for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, and then won it again in 2006 with Floriano, his mount for the 2006 World Equestrian Games and the 2007 Rolex FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final.
This information was provided courtesy of Phelps Media Group, Inc.

Mary McKenzie Soars to Victory at June Classic II
The Oaks Blenheim June Classic II in San Juan Capistrano was a rough show for rider Mary McKenzie. Not only did she have a bad case of the flu, but she was kicked by a horse early in the week and had to ride sick and sore. But she battled on and ended her week by piloting her horse, Naomi, to victory in the $30,000 Oaks Blenheim June Classic II Grand Prix.
Just behind McKenzie was Canadian Jill Humphrey in second on Equistar’s Felix 380. Earlier in the week Jill took home a blue in the 1.45m Jumpers aboard Equistar’s Roland. Keri Kampsen rounded out the top three in the Grand Prix on Monarch International’s Ratina 79. The pair also had a win in the 1.45m Jumper Division.
Thirty horses and 25 riders took the field at the Oaks Blenheim Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park to compete in the $30,000 Grand Prix, presented by Merrill Lynch. The grandstands and grass areas were filled with fans excited to spend time together on Father’s Day watching the show. The class was designed to be a special treat for dads and included a family fun zone with games and bounce houses. In the VIP Sponsor tent Blenheim EquiSports hosted an Argentine BBQ with empanadas, chimmichuri sauce, grilled steak and chicken.
A few weeks later, Ashlee Bond got Fourth of July fireworks started early as she and her horses Southern Girl and Tommy Gun won first and second place during the $25,000 Oaks Blenheim Red, White & Blue Grand Prix on Sat. June 30.
Ashlee, who rides with Little Valley Farms based in Hidden Hills, competed against a total of 19 rider and horse combinations in the $25,000 Oaks Blenheim Red, White & Blue Grand Prix presented by the St. Regis Resort Monarch Beach. The patriotic Grand Prix also included a festive kid’s day with bounces houses, pony rides, and food/vendor booths.
Mary McKenzie and Naomi had to settle for third in the June 30 Grand Prix. They were followed by Veronica Tracy and Muscadet del la Saveniere, Kristin Russell and Ashtin’s Obsession, then Susie Hutchison on Play Boy and Samoan Chief, filling out the top seven slots.
The events were just a few of the many exciting classes held during recent Oaks Blenheim shows, produced by Blenheim EquiSports, one of the country’s largest equestrian management and promotion companies.
For information on upcoming shows call 949- 443-1841 or visit www.showpark.com.

LEG’s Trainer Incentive Program Heats up at Woodside
More than just the weather is heating up in Woodside. With the Woodside Circuit Opener completed, the Woodside Trainer Incentive competition is now in full swing. The winner of the 2007 Woodside Trainer Incentive Program will enjoy a week at the beautiful Marriott Maui Ocean Resort.
With only three shows left, trainer Beverly Jovais leads the pack with 163.5 points. Kelly Van Vleck is in second with 137 points and Diane Yeager is hot on her heels with 129 points. Jan Pearce with 126.5 points, and Hope Glynn with 111 points, round out the top five.
This is the fourth year in a row the Langer Equestrian Group, Inc. has awarded a week long vacation at a premier resort in Maui to professional horsemen. “I really wanted to offer a meaningful award to professionals,” says company president, Larry Langer. “I was a professional horseman for many years, and I personally know how hard trainers work.”
Nick Haness was awarded a trip to Maui as the professional rider on the winning team, the Castaways, in the Memorial Day Equitation Challenge (see Winners Circle, California Riding Magazine, July, 2007). A third trip will be awarded to the professional who accrues the most points in the Colorado Trainer Incentive Program, which is comprised of eight hunter/jumper shows held at the Colorado Horse Park. Standings for both the Woodside and Colorado program will be posted after the conclusion of the summer circuit.

The Winners Circle welcomes submissions and photos. E-mail them to rebecca@ridingmagazine.com.