Countess Lends A Hand To Molly Paris At The Festival Of Champions
Gladstone, N.J.—May 18
The jump from the Young Rider division to the Grand Prix ring can be an intimidating one for a young dressage rider. But having an experienced partner can make all the difference, and because of that Molly Paris is thankful to have Countess by her side.
The 21-year-old rider earned several medals as a junior at the 2014 Adequan FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (Ky.) with her mount Diamant Sky, and she purchased Countess 2½ years ago to help her make it to the Grand Prix. The 15-year-old Danish Warmblood mare previously campaigned at Grand Prix with Canadian team rider Brittany Fraser.
“We’ve just been getting better and better,” said Paris, of Charlotte, N.C. “She takes my hand and goes, ‘Come on human! I’ve gotcha!’ She’s teaching me a lot. She’s the sweetest mare. I could not love her more; she’s amazing.”
As the last rider of the day at The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions, Paris laid down a solid 67.07 percent to top the FEI Intermediaire II 16-25, to lead the USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ Dressage National Championship.
Author: Kimberly Loushin // Original Source: Chronicle of the Horse