Against all odds and predictions they finally made it! 10 year old US Saddlebred Harry Callahan competes with trainer and rider Chrissa Hoffmann at the highest level of dressage performance, the Grand Prixes level, with scores up to 65% and victories over multiple warmbloods. Getting there was actually simple: an individualized training program that pays close attention to conformational strength and weakness, and the feel to make the strengths better without hammering on the challenges. Dressage is an art, not craftsmanship, and these two have proven it in a fairy tale way, writing history by making "Harry" the only competitive Grand Prixes level Saddlebred in the world!

Mission completed for Caryn Vesperman and her incredibly solid and reliable working mount, imported Hannoverian mare Salope. After receiving their silver medal in 2007, the pair accomplished their dream goal to receive the highest decoration for a dressage rider given through the USDF, the gold medal! In only three shows Caryn mastered an unbelievable quest and earned two 60% scores in only two Intermediare II starts, and in only three Grand Prixes appearances she earned two scores above 60%, with a high score of 65.1%.

Caryn is one of the most loyal and consistent clients hosting Alex Gerding clinics - by now over 6 years - on a bi monthly basis. Her tenacious pursuit for perfection, her dedication, her ability to listen and execute given instructions even when riding alone, as well as her tolerance to take any criticism as a positive training tool, make her a top example of what an adult amateur should be about - the sky is not the limit!

German native Gundi Younger and her 10 year old mare Renatino are breaking through into new levels competing at the Intermediare I level with scores over 69%. The couple is completely self made from scratch and an excellent example for the outcome of a firm belief in the German training system and determined work toward the most rewarding finish line, the Grand Prixes. Gundi, being a true amateur herself, was able to teach her horse tempi changes, a super passage, and improved extensions to unbelievable quality with only some clinics on a regular basis. The ultimate goal is to compete at Grand Prixes levels on a self made horse and is by now only a couple more months and training sessions away - another USDF gold medalist is in the making.

Renatino is the 2008 California Dressage Society Horse of the Year and A/A Prix St George Champion.

"Andy Feller, professional trainer residing in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and her imported Hanoverian Petrocelli (by Prince Thatch, dam by Cavalier - Cardinal XX) are heading toward the highest FEI levels. After growing nicely together since Fall 2006, they are now harvesting the fruit from unconditional commitment to each other. There are definitely times when "Pedro" is absolutely more than just technically difficult to ride. Andy is a very rare unique rider that has the gift of thinking about how to structure her training according to the daily issues, never losing sight of the big picture - training through Grand Prixes. Currently competing in Prix St Georges and Intermediare I (scores up to 66.5 %), and there is more to come!!" - Alex Gerding

Gail Tasch and her 15 year old Danish warmblood "Galant" are frequent participants at Alex Gerding clinics hosted by Silvermine Farm in Eau Claire,WI. Gail is a determined, focused rider. No instruction is too hard or too demanding for her. With Galant she has a horse that never quits working, and has a heart like a diamond plus super fundamental training. The only way to make it to Grand Prixes: goal oriented, constructive instruction translated by the student and horse combination in dedicated work! With respective scores of 69.375 % and 69.167 % in Grand Prixes, they earned their gold medal - a true reward for realizing an amateur's dream.

Gail comments, "Everytime Alex comes for clinics I make great strides of improvement. With his help I was able to win the Gold Medal in my first year at Grand Prix. Alex is dedicated to teaching and can solve any problem. Most importantly he gives riders confidence that they can achieve their goals."

8 year old American Saddlebred "Harry Callahan" (owned by Linda Cawthon) and Chrissa Hoffmann are showing their first season at the Prix St. Georges level with scores up to 68.7%. Out of 5 starts they won 3 times in classes with up to 12 competitors. The couple earned two FEI Highpoint Champion awards, at the Kentucky Horse Park and the Indy Dressage Classic.With this amazing and impressive performance, Harry and Chrissa qualified for the most prestigious Devon horse show.

"Here is another horse doing extremely well, trained after the German training scale and schooled with the correct classical approach. A proof that dressage is not dependent on breed or conformation, but a tool to make simply the best from the horse you have. It is the most rewarding experience for me as a trainer and coach to be part of a team that stands up for commitment, believes in hard work, and the unconditional love for a little guy that could rock the world!!" - Alex Gerding

"Chrissa Hoffmann and imported Baden-Wuerttemberg gelding "Kalman Kahilie" by Kalman, owned by Peggy Randolph, made their debut in Grand Prixes! Neither Chrissa or "Kallie" had shown on this level before. With hard, yet sensitive and intelligent training, and super work ethic from these two, it has been a pleasure to support and direct the incredible journey of this very promising pair."

"Considering that the horse had shown in Germany only up to Intermediare I several years ago, and in the US only up to fourth level before he came to Chrissa, and that the rider recently recovered from serious surgery, with a result of competing in the 60% range in GRAND PRIXES with only 6 months of training...this is a story of success that exemplifies what true horsemanship, professionalism, and working reality is all about; nothing is impossible and dreams will come true." - Alex Gerding

By August 2005, after competing at three shows total, Chrissa has been decorated by the US Dressage Federation with the gold medal and four scores above 60% from four different judges!

Chrissa Hoffmann is sponsored by Neddy's Riding Apparel and Kentucky Performance Products. Find out more about Chrissa at www.cfhdressage.com.

photo by www.Bobtarr.com

"Former eventrider Barbara Center from Madison, WI gave her debut in the amateur division of the Prixes St Georges. She rode the 9 year old Hanoverian gelding "Welttaenzer", previously owned, trained and successfully shown to PSG by Meg Williams. Although this was the first appearance by Barb in a "dressage only" show, the couple achieved a 60% score and won their class. This is a very impressive result knowing that the technical skills and the way of performance in the PSG is quite different compared to the event dressage, and that there are many new movements that you don't even touch in eventing." - Alex Gerding

Barb works consistently with alex and improved the dressage level of her event horse with excellent success, and is now specializing in dressage as an amateur, starting at FEI levels with the purchase of "Taz" in November 2004.

photo by Xpress Foto

Chrissa Hoffmann and "Chiral", Paxton Farm CDI in Batavia Ohio, 2004. Chrissa and Chiral won 1st place at both Paxton and KDA, their first time competing at I1.

Chiral, a Swedish Warmblood, finished 5th in the country in 2004 for USDF all Breeds Awards, Intermediare 1.

USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medalist Lynn Jendrowski is pictured left with her 10 year old Oldenburg gelding "Shapiro". After an intensive wintercamp at Ashanti Farm with trainer Bruno Gruber providing consistent help on a daily basis for the length of four months, Shapiro and Lynn are competing at Grand Prixes in 2005. They have earned their USDF gold medal and scored 66.375% for their Grand Prixes freestyle. Congratulations to Lynn for turning Shapiro into the diamond he deserves to be, and for accomplishing the crown of dressage: a self-made Grand Prixes horse!

Alex Gerding comments, "Shapiro was among the first handpicked imports for my valuable clients. He was bred by Paul Schockemoehle and was imported at age 8. Shapiro is a very impressive mover with the talent to make his way to grand prixes, but requires an experienced rider with a lot of technique, knowledge, feel and love for the horse. I'm very proud and happy that Shapiro found this rider in Lynn Jendrowski, and they both will have successful careers."

Chrissa Hoffmann of Louisville, Kentucky and her Dutch Warmblood mare "Arabella" won 2 out of 3 PSG tests and received the High Point award for PSG, with scores up to 64.5% at Mid-Ohio Dressage July 13, 2003. Arabella won her first ever Intermediare 1 with a 64.5% from Gary Rockwell.