Elizabeth Ball on Selten HW. © 2010 Ken Braddick/dressage-news.com

By KENNETH J. BRADDICK

WAYNE, Illinois, July 23–Selten HW, the U.S.-bred Sandro Hit gelding that has been a star since being acquired by Elizabeth Ball three years ago, lived up to his billing to win the preliminary test in the U.S. six-year-old championship Friday.

Elizabeth qualified but turned down the chance to go to the World Dressage Young Horse Championships in Verden, Germany next month so as to compete at these championships. The black, 17.2-hand (178cm), Hanoverian won as a four-year-old ridden by Michael Bragdell of Hilltop Farm in Colora, Maryland, then as a five-year-old when Elizabeth took over the ride just over a year ago.

Elizabeth, 46, of Carlsbad, California, and Selten received a score of 87.40 per cent from the three-judge panel made up of U.S. “O” judge Axel Steiner, Jane Ayers and Jane Weatherwax, both “S” judges.

Stacy Parvey-Larsson of Reddick, Florida, on the German-bred Belissimo M stallion Benidetto was an emotional runnerup on 82.80 per cent.

Stacy, who is five months pregnant, wiped away tears as she left the arena, “very, very happy” with the result. Alex Robertson, also of Reddick, Florida, on the Dutch-bred Zefier by Sir Sinclair placed third with 77.00 per cent.

Stacy Parvey-Larsson wiping away tears of joy after riding Benidetto to 2nd place in USA six-year-old preliminary test. © 2010 Ken Braddick/dressage-news.com

Elizabeth Ball said Selten was still going through growth spurts, but she was careful not to push him too hard so as to maintain his elasticity and gaits.

“Selten has shown himself to be great from the start, constantly a top, top horse,” she said. Aside from when being beaten in the preliminary test in the 2009 five-year-old final by fellow Californian Louise Koch, Selten has always been a champion.

Elizabeth, who is about 5 ft. 6 1/2 ins. (1.69m), said that Selten is “like a big gangly puppy” with big movement but he is narrow and she fits him well.

“He has so much range and power in each stride,” she said.

She said future plans are uncertain, whether she decides to move on to the developing horse championships for seven to nine year olds or skip a year because “if I decide to do something I want to do it well.” There are. she said, so many possibilities including possibly going to Europe within the next couple of years with her Grand Prix horses.

Guenter Seidel has been her longtime trainer but she works mostly alone, though Guenter “is always there for me to help and be a friend” as he has since returning home after his accident in Germany in which he broke his pelvis. She also has worked with Kyra Kyrklund whom she found to be amazingly helpful.

Complete six-year-old preliminary test results: