HITS Culpeper once again transformed its grounds into a stage for dressage competition as the 2026 HITS Commonwealth Park Dressage Show welcomed equestrian athletes for a weekend devoted to the art of horse and rider harmony. Over two days of tests on June 20-21, the event presented riders of varying levels of experience, including world-renowned U.S. eventing Olympian William Coleman, who delivered a series of strong performances down the HITS Culpeper centerline.
As recent champions of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*, Coleman and Diabolo demonstrated their dressage talent with a powerful ride in the USEF Third Level Test 1- Open Division on Saturday, June 20. Harnessing the strength of the 14-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Diarado x Aljano 2) owned by LLC Diabolo Group, Coleman successfully obtained high marks of 8.0 for their collected canter, medium canter, and collected trot from judge at C Brian MacMahon. Ultimately, the combination’s efforts culminated in a score of 71.757%.
Making a second salute at X, Coleman seized the second-place standings with Very Dignified, an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare (Dignified van’t Zorgvliet x Ricardo) owned by Elizabeth Lendrum, with a score of 69.730%. Shannon Macdonald and Augustus RR, her own 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Aurion x Rocadero), completed the top three with a score of 61.216%.
A true family affair, Coleman’s wife, Kathryn, also made successful trips down centerline in the USEF First Level Test 3 – Open Division. On Saturday morning, it was her ride aboard IPS Just Wait, a 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Simone Garcia, that stole the spotlight. The pair showcased particularly strong canter work by scoring a 9.0 on the lengthening canter and working canter. With impressive movement scores throughout, they posted a final mark of 73.611% from judge at C Sara Schmitt.
Kathleen Kelly and Aiko Fan De Veldhof, a 10-year-old Friesian gelding (Wimer 461 x Harmen 424) owned by Veronica Haber, followed in second with a score of 64.861%. Stephanie Miller and Gene, her own 11-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, completed the top three with a score of 57.778%.
While the fun-filled weekend marked the only dressage show at HITS Culpeper in 2026, competitors can look forward to more opportunities in 2027. For complete results, please click HERE.
