2003 Festival of Champions

Californian Kristina Harrison-Naness Wins National Intermediaire Championship To Cement Place on Pan American Dressage Squad

For Californian Kristina Harrison-Naness, "what more could you ask for than to win" the USET Intermediaire Dressage Championship, a feat she accomplished June 22 on her Kantor (Ferro-Fleur 1). That moved her to the head of the list of candidates for the U. S's squad bound for this summer's Pan American Games in the Dominican Republic.

The woman who quit college to pursue dressage full time completed the last of the Games' selection trials with an overall score of 69.843 percent after her 72.450 percent victory in the freestyle. "It's a dream come true," said Harrison-Naness, a rookie at the Festival.

The trials seemed more like a nightmare to reserve champion Carol Lavell of Florida and her Much Ado (Quattro-Varla) after the Vermont-born woman struggled to get a 70.675 percent for second in the freestyle. A glitch in the music and then a loud crash from a nearby vehicle startled her high energy gelding. It took all her strength and determination to control the bay Dutch-bred. At one point, "I thought of giving up," she admitted. She had lost her stirrup the day before in the Special when the leather became detached but she managed to ride to victory, albeit leaning to one side.

They will be joined on the squad by Jan Ebeling of California, who must decide between his third place horse, Feleciano (Florestan 1-Barette), who had 69.240 percent, and Liberte (Flemming-Evelina), who earned fourth with a 69.525 percent. Also in line is Pierre St. Jacques of New Hampshire, who had 68.236 percent for fifth on Lucky Tiger (Lucky Light-Teike DH). Last year's champion, Susan Dutta of Florida, and West Side Lady DC (Westbury-Lomba) were named as alternates.

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