Lexington, KY – November 14, 2022 – Under a dusting of wintry snow, the Kentucky Horse Park played host to the fourth and final day of action in the 2022 US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan® on Sunday, November 13. The remaining 11 champions of the year were crowned at a show where competitors travel from all over the country to vie for the more than $120,000 in prize money.
Bridget Bursey's powerful, harmonious test on the “wild child” mare Forty Creek, which she bought for one dollar, vanquished all comers in the Fourth Level Freestyle Open. Two judges awarded the pair over 74%, and they finished on 72.989% to net the biggest win of their career to date.
“I'm super excited because ‘Stella' has had a couple of injuries and a baby,” said Bursey of the 12-year-old by UB40. “I started her at four, and she became mine when she was five – I got her for $1. She was a wild child, but we got along pretty well, so my clients decided she was best with me. I can't thank them enough because she's wonderful – my little rockstar.”
Bursey was due to compete in this class last year, but injury ruled them out just before the show. This year the mare, who was bred by Susen Shumaker, picked up two eights for music, to a score compiled by Hailey Guard of Guardian Dressage – who also owns Forty Creek's full sister.
“It was worth the wait; Stella's a fantastic horse,” added Bursey, who hails from Stillwater, Minnesota, and drove 14 hours to ride at Finals. “She's a diva, she likes things her way, and you have to do it that way; then you're good to go.”
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Source: Alice Collins for Jump Media, Press Release by USDF News
Photo by Susan J. Stickle Photography
