From Ross Creech, USDF
Lexington, KY (December 12, 2019) - The United States Dressage Federation™ (USDF) would like to congratulate the eleven-year-old, 18.0 hand, Dutch Warmblood gelding, Suppenkasper, owned by Akiko Yamazaki’s Four Winds Farm LLC, and ridden by Steffen Peters of San Diego, California, for being named 2019 Adequan®/USDF Grand Prix Horse of the Year. Suppenkasper's median score of 75.696 percent made him the top horse in the United States competing at this level and the recipient of USDF’s highest honor.
Suppenkasper was recognized at the 2019 Adequan®/USDF Salute Gala and Annual Awards Banquet with a commemorative personalized plaque, an embroidered cooler, and a gift certificate provided by Dressage Extensions. Also, Suppenkasper is the recipient of the Colonel Thackeray Award and will have his name engraved on a silver trophy to be on permanent display in the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame, housed at the USDF National Education Center, located at the Kentucky Horse Park.
“USDF is thrilled to be able to recognize this extraordinary horse for his many accomplishments during the 2019 competition season. We also congratulate Akiko Yamazaki, Four Winds Farm, Steffen Peters, and the entire Suppenkasper team,” stated USDF Executive Director Stephan Hienzsch.
Suppenkasper, a KWPN gelding, affectionately known around the barn as “Mopsie,” was bred in the Netherlands and purchased in 2017 for Steffen as a team prospect for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. And Mopsie is no small ride. “He’s 18.2h,” says Steffen.
Steffen speaks highly of his four-hooved star. “He’s one of the kindest horses I’ve ever met and ever had the chance to ride,” Steffen says. “He’s such a gentle soul.”
When the two finish their daily morning ride, Steffen takes off Mopsie’s bridle and saddle. “Mopsie stands there completely on his own, waiting for his cookies. Sometimes he opens the lid of the bucket and has his treat,” says Steffen.
Over the last two years, the pair has created quite a bond. “He’s an amazing horse with so much energy, but on the flipside, he’s a little puppy dog. Or, rather, a large puppy dog,” laughs Steffen. “When I call his name, he comes running. He’s just one of those horses that appreciates interactions with humans so much.”
“He’s such an energetic horse,” says Steffen. “So you have to be really careful in the warm-up that you don’t overdo it, because then he gets too excited.”
For more information about the Adequan®/USDF Horse of the Year awards or to access a list of past and current recipients, visit the USDF website at www.usdf.org, or contact the USDF office at usdressage@usdf.org.
Additional information from:
“Steffen Peters and Suppenkasper Have Tokyo on Their Minds.” May 31, 2019. USET Newsletter.
Lexington, KY (December 12, 2019) - The United States Dressage Federation™ (USDF) would like to congratulate the eleven-year-old, 18.0 hand, Dutch Warmblood gelding, Suppenkasper, owned by Akiko Yamazaki’s Four Winds Farm LLC, and ridden by Steffen Peters of San Diego, California, for being named 2019 Adequan®/USDF Grand Prix Horse of the Year. Suppenkasper's median score of 75.696 percent made him the top horse in the United States competing at this level and the recipient of USDF’s highest honor.
Suppenkasper was recognized at the 2019 Adequan®/USDF Salute Gala and Annual Awards Banquet with a commemorative personalized plaque, an embroidered cooler, and a gift certificate provided by Dressage Extensions. Also, Suppenkasper is the recipient of the Colonel Thackeray Award and will have his name engraved on a silver trophy to be on permanent display in the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame, housed at the USDF National Education Center, located at the Kentucky Horse Park.
“USDF is thrilled to be able to recognize this extraordinary horse for his many accomplishments during the 2019 competition season. We also congratulate Akiko Yamazaki, Four Winds Farm, Steffen Peters, and the entire Suppenkasper team,” stated USDF Executive Director Stephan Hienzsch.
Suppenkasper, a KWPN gelding, affectionately known around the barn as “Mopsie,” was bred in the Netherlands and purchased in 2017 for Steffen as a team prospect for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. And Mopsie is no small ride. “He’s 18.2h,” says Steffen.
Steffen speaks highly of his four-hooved star. “He’s one of the kindest horses I’ve ever met and ever had the chance to ride,” Steffen says. “He’s such a gentle soul.”
When the two finish their daily morning ride, Steffen takes off Mopsie’s bridle and saddle. “Mopsie stands there completely on his own, waiting for his cookies. Sometimes he opens the lid of the bucket and has his treat,” says Steffen.
Over the last two years, the pair has created quite a bond. “He’s an amazing horse with so much energy, but on the flipside, he’s a little puppy dog. Or, rather, a large puppy dog,” laughs Steffen. “When I call his name, he comes running. He’s just one of those horses that appreciates interactions with humans so much.”
“He’s such an energetic horse,” says Steffen. “So you have to be really careful in the warm-up that you don’t overdo it, because then he gets too excited.”
For more information about the Adequan®/USDF Horse of the Year awards or to access a list of past and current recipients, visit the USDF website at www.usdf.org, or contact the USDF office at usdressage@usdf.org.
Additional information from:
“Steffen Peters and Suppenkasper Have Tokyo on Their Minds.” May 31, 2019. USET Newsletter.
