January 23, 2007

2006/2007 Brings A New Facility and a New Baby for Chrissa Hoffmann
By Jeannie Blancq Putney

More New Males in Chrissa’s Life

Adding to her list of boys, she and her trainer Alex Gerding found her next international hopeful, Spezial Bryere a four-year-old Hanoverian gelding, by Slibovitz. Alex found “Bryere” in January of 2006 and Chrissa flew to Germany in March to try him. “He was one of many that I rode, but his movement and temperament made him stand out among the rest. Alex knows my style of riding, and I trusted him to find me the right horse. Bryere is the neatest horse that I have ever owned. His impeccable conformation makes his job so easy for him; he is super light in the hand and a dream to ride!”

“His outstanding rhythm and rideability make him a future star in the dressage sense”, comments Alex Gerding. Chrissa and Alex hope to have “Bryere” compete in the FEI five-year-old class in 2007.

The Amazing Harry Callahan Continues to Impress

Harry Callahan is still making headline news. He finished first in the USDF All Breeds Awards for the American Saddle Horse Association (ASHA) in the Open FEI division, with an average of 64%. He won three out of his six Prix St. Georges (PSG) classes in 2006 with winning scores up to 68%, beating many top warmbloods in the Region 2 area.

He was awarded FEI high-point champion at the Indy Dressage Classic in June, and Reserve High-Point Champion at the Kentucky Dressage Association show in May.

Harry has become so well known that he even has his own website, americansaddlebreddressage.com and an entire fan club cheering him on. Chrissa started training Harry at age five and has brought him up through the levels herself. Her plan is to have Harry compete I-2 this year and Grand Prix in 2008. “We are hoping to have Harry be the first successful American Saddlebred in the world competing at Grand Prix in the 60% range.” If he makes it, this will be Chrissa’s third horse she has brought to the Grand Prix level.