June 10—Gladstone, N.J.

Talent and ability are necessary qualities for a top Grand Prix horse, but ask Steffen Peters what he values even more, and he’ll say it’s the willingness to try.

That desire to try put Legolas on top in the Olympic Grand Prix Special, his second win in two days at the Olympic selection trials at the U.S. Equestrian Festival Dressage Festival Of Champions. It’s also something he shares with his champion stablemate Ravel.

June 9—Gladstone, N.J.

Brandi Roenick’s brand new partnership with small tour sensation Weltino’s Magic has garnered her plenty of attention lately, but it was an old friend who helped the 17-year-old from Scottsdale, Ariz., step into the spotlight in the U.S. National Young Rider championship.

June 9—Gladstone, N.J.

It was good to ride early on Day 1 of the U.S. Equestrian Federation Dressage Festival Of Champions, as Steffen Peters cantered into the lead out of his 8:18 a.m. slot aboard Legolas.

“It was a perfect spot for me to ride. I like to get it done early in the morning,” said Peters, 47. “I loved it. I got to watch all the others.”

Dear Rita,

As you have probably figured out by now, I am not doing any showing at the moment. I have not cantered down the centerline since last October at Devon, and I must admit it feels strange after YEARS of competing at least two to three times per month. But life is like canoeing a river—sometimes you can’t see the fork in the stream before you get to it, and then all of a sudden, the current has chosen for you.

Dear Rita,

The USEF Dressage Festival of Champions was a well-fought competition this year for our Pan American Games Selection Trials. I think this is the best team the United States has ever selected for the PAG. We can be very proud to send these horses and riders to Mexico next month: Steffen Peters with Weltino’s Magic, Heather Blitz with Paragon, Cesar Parra with Grandioso and Marisa Festerling with Big Tyme.