The 2025 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions continued this week at the HITS Chicago Lamplight Equestrian Center, featuring standout performances across several divisions. The competition included the conclusion of the Adequan®/USEF Para Dressage National Championships and the start of the Neue Schule/USEF Grand Prix, the Adequan®/USEF Brentina Cup, and the Markel/USEF Young and Developing Horse Championships.
Adequan®/USEF Grand Prix Para Dressage National Championship
Kate Shoemaker (Wellington, Fla.) and her 2016 Westphalian gelding, Supreme (Sezuan x Deja Vu), claimed the national title with a standout score of 74.425% in the FEI Para Grand Prix Freestyle. Though Shoemaker has owned Supreme for nearly five years, this was their first national title together.
“He’s only been with me full-time for about three weeks,” Shoemaker shared. “Every day has been about building trust. I feel like I’m living a fairy tale every time I ride him. He’s exceeded every expectation this week.”
The win marked a long-awaited achievement for Shoemaker. “For years, I came close but something would always go wrong. To finally win this title—it’s incredibly special.”
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Paralympic gold medalist Roxanne Trunnell (Wellington, Fla.) took the reserve championship with Rumour Has It, a 2012 U.S.-bred Hanoverian gelding owned by Simone van der Schalk. The pair earned 73.988%—an impressive feat in just their 17th ride together.
“This is still a new partnership,” Trunnell explained. “It was only our second time showing this freestyle, and I’m really happy with how it went.”
In third, Eleanor Brimmer (Wellington, Fla.) and her 2010 Hanoverian mare My Moment scored 70.810%. “Minni can get tense in the freestyle, so we picked soothing Enya music,” said Brimmer. “It created a spa-like atmosphere, and she was so relaxed all week. Now she’s going home for a well-earned vacation.”
Inaugural Adequan®/USEF Intermediaire I Para Dressage National Championship
The first-ever Adequan®/USEF Intermediaire I Para Dressage National Championship wrapped up Wednesday with a thrilling finish. The overall title was awarded to Sienna Busking (Owasso, Okla.) riding Divino, a 2000 Hanoverian gelding (De Niro x Hauptstutbusch Welle) owned by Roberta Clark. Their energetic freestyle—set to the Austin Powers soundtrack—secured the win after solid performances in Tests A and B.
“One of the highlights was riding with other para athletes,” said Busking. “That doesn’t happen in Oklahoma. It’s been inspiring.”
Divino, affectionately known as “D,” previously helped owner Clark earn her USDF gold medal before returning from retirement to start a new chapter as a para dressage mount. “He’s 25 and still full of life,” Busking said. “Being a pasture pony wasn’t for him—he loves having a job.”
Victoria Yu (Coatesville, Pa.) and Carrera GH, a 2005 Hanoverian mare (Contucci x MS Mocha RH) owned by Tami Glover, took the reserve championship. Competing in only her first year of para dressage, Yu was proud of their freestyle set to empowering songs like Fight Song and Girl on Fire.
“That freestyle means a lot,” Yu said. “After my stroke, it became my battle anthem.”
Third overall went to Elizabeth Welch (Summerville, S.C.) and Baltico BRH, a 2018 PRE gelding she imported from Spain. “He just turned 7, but he’s so mature and reliable,” said Welch, who choreographed her debut freestyle to cinematic music from Moana.
All three athletes praised the introduction of this new Intermediaire I division as a vital bridge for riders progressing toward Grand Prix.
Neue Schule/USEF Grand Prix Championship
Christian Simonson (Ventura, Calif.) and Indian Rock, a 2013 KWPN stallion (Apache x Crisjena) owned by Zen Elite Equestrian Center, impressed judges with expressive passage and collected canter work to win the FEI Grand Prix on 73.783%. This performance marks a promising start for the new duo.
Meagan Davis (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Toronto Lightfoot secured second with 67.565%, followed closely by Karen Lipp (Ball Ground, Ga.) and Infinity, who matched the score at 67.565% to claim third.
Adequan®/USEF Brentina Cup (U25 Championship)
Josh Albrecht (Oroville, Calif.) and Goldenboy Vinckenburgh, a 2011 KWPN gelding, topped the leaderboard in the FEI Intermediate II with 69.177%. The pair delivered standout pirouettes and strong extended movements to earn the win.
Just behind, Christian Simonson continued his strong form with Fleau de Baian, a 2010 Dutch Warmblood stallion, scoring 69.176%. Caroline Garren (Wellington, Fla.) and Quantaris followed in third with 66.353%.
Markel/USEF Young and Developing Horse Championships
In the 7-Year-Old Preliminary Test, Katie Duerrhammer (Greenwood Village, Colo.) and Rosebank VH, a 2018 Swedish Warmblood stallion (Revolution x Darling II VH), delivered a leading performance with a 78.518%, showcasing strong development and forward movement.
Kathryn Fleming-Kuhn (New Berlin, Ill.) and Vholt, her 2018 Oldenburg stallion (Vitalis x Rhiddle), placed second with 77.343%, while Christian Hartung and Velantis N took third at 76.365%.
As the Festival continues, riders and horses alike continue to shine across divisions, reflecting the depth of talent and passion in American dressage.
