Mule Earns Invitation to US Dressage Finals
A mule has made it to the US Dressage Finals in Kentucky. Laura Hermanson has been training and working with mules for over 10 years. “I have enormous passion for these incredible equines and believe anything is possible with them,” said Laura. “This has been proven true!”
Laura and Heart B Dyna competed throughout the year at three star sanctioned shows earning scores up to 75% and qualifying for both the CDS state and USDF regional championships.
“We had an incredible time at the championships educating people about mules and being able to ride along side Olympians!” said Laura.
The US Dressage Finals invites the top two equines at each level from every region throughout the country as well as a wildcard based on scores. It all comes together for an incredible showcase of the best Dressage horses in the US.
Dyna and Laura received an invitation to this years finals. This is the first time in history a mule has been invited to the USDF Finals.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to expose people to mules on a huge national platform,” said
Laura.
The 2014 US Dressage Finals was held November 6-9, 2014, in Lexington, Ky., at the Kentucky Horse Park. This head-to-head competition showcases competitors in adult amateur and open divisions, at Training Level through Grand Prix.
Laura is currently showing two other mules in the USDF. CR Moxi J is owned by John Magee of Washington, D.C. and is showing First Level. CR Moxi J was the 2012 USDF National All-Breeds Award Champion at Training Level and qualified and competed at the CDS and USDF Regional Championship for three years.
BB Magee is owned by Susan Magee of Washington D.C., and was USDF All-Breeds Award Champion at Training Level in 2013, earning scores up to 78 percent. She is currently showing First Level and has qualified and competed at the CDS and USDF Championships for two years.
Dyna was the AMA Year End High Point All Around Mule in 2009, Reserve World Champion English Mule in Bishop in 2013, and is currently competing in reining, cutting and cow working.
Laura has lived in Argentina ridng mules, worked for several summers packing mules for Yosemite National Park and Rock Creek Pack Station in Sierra Nevadas and most recently got back from a trip riding mules in the jungles of Columbia. She came form a classically trained Dressage background and grew up riding hunter/jumpers.
Laura scored a 66.6% and a 63.4% in the USEF Training level Test Three AA/Open class on Heart B Dyna for a total of 65%. She scored a 70.6%, 66.6%, 64.6% for a total percentage of 67.267 in the US Dressage Finals Training Level Championship Open class with Dyna.
Follow the link to see Laura and Dyna's ride at the finals:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hn6pSo6ZNZQ&feature=youtu.be