Albion's sponsored rider, Guenter Seidel, had a fantastic start to the year at CDI-W Burbank last weekend (24-26 February 2012) with two new successful partnerships.

Guenter has had long-standing success with the U.S. Dressage Team (WEG Team Silver, 2002; WEG Team Bronze, 2006; three times Olympic Team Bronze, 1996, 2000, 2004) and hopes that his new partnership with Marie Meyers' Fandango will result in 2012 Olympic selection. The 14 year old bay gelding's (Feinbrand x St. Urgard x Figaro) performance at Burbank last weekend proved his potential.

CDI-W Burbank was the first West Coast Qualifier for the 2012 Olympic Games Dressage Team selection. In the CDI Grand Prix section, Guenter and Fandango were placed 3rd in the Grand Prix, with an impressive score of 70.17%, and 4th in the Grand Prix Special with 65.80%.

Guenter, who trains with Klaus Balkenhol, also had a victorious Small Tour competition at Burbank with another of his new rides, Feodora. Owned by Lara Schleining, the beautiful 12 year old bay mare stole the show, winning the PSG with 69.24% and coming 2nd in the Intermediare I with 67.87%.

Congratulations to Guenter and the team! Albion wishes him all the best with his target of Olympic selection this summer.

Brits on Top Form...

Three cheers for the GBR Eventing team who won gold in the CIC3* and the Dressage team who finished 2nd in the Nations Cup in Aachen, Germany (13-17th July 2011).

Six of Albion's sponsored riders took part in the event, producing wonderful performances which exceeded all expectations.

In the Eventing:

William Fox-Pitt finished clear in both the cross-country and show jumping earning him an Individual 3rd.

Albion's sponsored riders dominated the Dressage leaderboard:

Hans Peter Minderhoud won the Grand Prix Kur to Music CDI riding Nadine, closely followed by Laura Bechtolsheimer and Andretti H in 2nd place on a score of 74.975 and Anabel Balkenhol in 4th position with Rubins Royal.

Hans Peter and Vivaldi finished 4th in both the Prix St Georges and Intermediaire I.  Hans Peter continued with his success to claim 3rd place with Nadine in the Grand Prix CDI with Laura B and Andretti H hot on his heels in 4th position with a mere 0.447 difference between them.  Not far behind was Beli Balkenhol lying in 7th position with Rubins Royal.

Laura B and Mistral Hojris claimed 2nd place in the Grand Prix CDIO on an impressive score of 80.596.  The combination continued to stay on top form, finishing 4th in both the Grand Prix Special CDIO and the Grand Prix Kur to Music CDIO. 

Hans Peter and Tango came 11th with a score of 74.075 in the Grand Prix Kur to Music CDIO and 12th in both the Grand Prix CDIO and Grand Prix Special CDIO. 

Guenter Seidel and UII gained 17th position in the Grand Prix CDIO and finished 19th in the Grand Prix Special CDIO.

Emile Faurie and Elmegardens Marquis performed well, scoring 70.725 in the Grand Prix Kur to Music CDIO to land them in 14th.  The pair also claimed 14th position in the Grand Prix Special CDIO and were placed 27th in the Grand Prix CDIO. 

Massive congratulations to all of our sponsored riders. 

Click here to see the full list of results.

The U.S. Dressage Team for CHIO Aachen 2011 was announced today.

Albion's sponsored rider Guenter Seidel (Cardiff, CA) will be riding Dick and Jane Brown's 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood UII, by Jazz x.

Albion would like to wish Guenter every success in the forthcoming event which takes place from the 8th - 17th July 2011.

Click here to view full team.

Albion's sponsored rider Guenter Seidel is back in the saddle and producing fabulous scores in Burbank, finishing 2nd in the Prix St George on Sundayboy with a score of 73.596 and 2nd in the Grand Prix on U II with a score of 65.830.

Albion is glad to see that Guenter has fully recovered from his accident and wish him all the best for the season ahead.

Click here for the full results.