The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) has named the eleven-year-old, 16.3 hand, Dutch Warmblood gelding Ravel (by Contango) the 2009 Grand Prix Horse of the Year.
Ravel's median score of 75.574 percent made him the top horse in the United States competing at this level and the recipient of USDF's highest honor. He is owned by Akiko Yamazaki of Woodside, California, and ridden by Steffen Peters of San Diego, California.
Ravel was recognized at the 2009 USDF Salute Gala and Annual Awards Banquet with a certificate, a commemorative personalized plaque, an embroidered cooler and $400 gift certificate provided by Dressage Extensions, and a gift certificate for Adequan joint therapy. Also, Ravel 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.
"We are thrilled to be able to recognize this extraordinary horse for his many accomplishments this competition season, and look forward to his future successes," stated USDF Executive Director Stephan Hienzsch.
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