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2004 World Championships for Young Dressage Horses
Susanne Hassler Shines on Royal Prince
July 13, 2004
IMAGES COPYRIGHTED - NO REPRODUCTION ALLOWED!
 Adding a small paragraph to the history of American
dressage were Susanne Owen Hassler and her Hanoverian
stallion Royal Prince. With fourth place at the 2004
World Championships for Young Dressage Horses, Susanne
Hassler has been the best scoring American ever at
this event.
With a wonderful ride in the finals and an even better
first qualifying round, Susanne Hassler earned every
single point she got from the judges' panel. In the
first round, Hassler scored 8.92 overall and placed
fifth. In the finals on Sunday, the pair moved up one
place with a 8.84 mark. Hassler made no major mistakes
in both her rides and Royal Prince, a Rohdiamant x
Prince Thatch xx offspring was very obedient to the
aids.
 Judge Jennie Loriston-Clarke described the combination
as "harmonious, elegant and in balance." In the canter
Royal Prince could be more uphill and show more engagement
from behind, in the trot he need to put more weight
and show more action behind so that he could show more
elasticity. The highlight gait was the walk which scored
9.5 for its good overtrack. Elegance and correctness
predominated in Hassler's rides, even though Royal
Prince could use a bit more pressure from the rider's
leg so that he becomes more uphill and engaged.
 "It's such a great experience to be here," Susanne
Hassler said. Her husband, Scott Hassler, who served
as chef d'equipe for the American Young Horse team
in Verden was also very pleased with his wifes achievements.
"A bronze medal would have been great for America,
but we're very happy with the fourth place. She (Susanne)
wanted to have great ride and she did," Scott said.
The 5-year old Royal Prince was purchased by Hilltop
Farm from Bernhard Schaerffer in the autum of 2003.
He's the perfect horse for a lady rider: elegant, sensitive
and abounding with talent.
Text
and photos copyrighted Astrid Appels/Eurodressage
- No reproduction allowed!
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