Sabine Schut-Kery and Jojoba de Massa Win 2025 U.S. Small Tour Championship

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2025 U.S. Dressage Championships

-- USEF press release, edited by Eurodressage - Photos © US Equestrian

American Olympian Sabine Schut-Kery and Akiko Yamazaki's Jojoba de Massa became the winners of the small tour division at the 2025 U.S. Dressage Championships in Wayne, ILL, on 18 - 21 August 2025.

As the winners of all three rounds - the Prix St Georges, Intermediaire I and Inter I Kur to Music - Schut-Kery and the 11-year old Portuguese Sport Horse Jojoba de Massa (by Bon Bravour x Rieto x Xaqiero) dominated the "SEF Intermediaire I Championship" at the Festival of Champions at Lamplight equestrian center.

Jojoba's Golden Hattrick

With a 72.235% in the PSG, a 71.412% in the Inter I and 74.150% in the Kur, they finished with a winning overall score of 72.151%. For Schut-Kery, the freestyle was more than just a victory, it was about building trust with her relatively new partner.

“I was really touched by how [Jojoba] gained confidence with me and trusted me to be his pilot,” she reflected. “It’s important to me that he lets me ride him, that he waits, and is relaxed so I can guide him. Over these three days, he really showed me that rideability.”

At home, Jojoba, who is called a “gentle giant” by Schut-Kery, is as sweet as he is powerful.

“He’s a big boy, but he’s the sweetest. You’d never know he’s a stallion,” she said. “When you go to his stall, he’s the kind of horse that just makes you want to wrap your arms around him. He’s the kind that brings out the little girl in you, reminding you why you started with horses in the first place.”

Schut-Kery was also quick to emphasize that this championship was a team effort.

“When the hard work pays off like it did this week, it’s a fabulous moment to thank your whole team,” she said. “The biggest thank you goes to Akiko Yamazaki for giving me the ride on this special soul, and to my close team -- Christine Traurig, my assistant Sophia Chavonelle, Erica Furkis, our farriers, vets, Tom Meyers, my husband who’s always by my side, and Marie Medosi and Taylor Kincaid for the music. It’s not the Oscars, but this belongs to them just as much as it belongs to me and the horse. Dressage may look like an individual sport, but there is a big team behind it, and I’m really, really grateful for that.”

For Schut-Kery this is the second, consecutive small tour champion's title. In 2024 she won on Sonnenberg Farm's KWPN stallion Jersey.

Silver for Sprieser

Lauren Sprieser (Marshall, Va.) and C. Cadeau, a 2016 Danish Warmblood gelding (by St. Schufro x Richman) owned by the Elvis Syndicate LLC, placed second in the freestyle with a 72.135%, finishing as overall reserve champions on a combined score of 70.572%. She was third in the Prix St Georges (70.235%) and second in the Inter I (70.353%).

The freestyle marked a breakthrough moment for Sprieser. “I have been finding new and creative ways to do that freestyle wrong since it arrived in my inbox and today, we did it almost perfectly right. And that’s a first, which is very exciting,” she said with a smile.

Lauren reminisced, "I grew up 45 minutes from Lamplight. In 1996, 11 year old me got eliminated from Intro A because the school horse I showed jumped out of the ring. ⁣ Thirty years later, I’ve become Reserve National Champion (and, really, being second to Sabine is basically winning) on the horse I’ve been waiting my whole career for, and I’ve not even begun to tap his extraordinary potential. ⁣"

Sprieser reflected on her partnership with the 9-year-old gelding, fondly known as ‘Cadeau.’ “He is everything I have ever wanted in a horse and more. He has heart forever, and he came into my life when I was sad. He has been the best thing that has ever happened to me, and his team of owners are the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

Cadeau’s larger-than-life personality also shines at home. “There is no bigger fan on the planet of Cadeau than Cadeau,” she laughed. “He is very social. He’s quite the prankster with his toys and he’s the most energetic but also sensible horse I’ve ever owned. When I sat on him for the first time, the sun shone, and the angels sang. I didn’t know dressage could feel the way it does when I am in the saddle with him.”

Bronze for Bortuzzo

Elizabeth Bortuzzo (Frenchtown, N.J.) and Vincent, a 2017 Oldenburg gelding (by Vivaldi out of Poetin VI (by Sandro Hit x Brentano II)) owned by Bortuzzo and Mark Paul, earned third place overall in the national championship standings with an average score of 70.062%.

Bortuzzo and Vincent took a strong start in the Prix St Georges with a second place on 70.647% and a third in the Intermediaire I with 70.294%. In the Kur to Music the pair dropped to 11th place out of 13 starters (67.815%), but their total average kept them in third place and gave them the bronze medal.

"Although today’s freestyle didn’t quite go to plan (we were jumping with the music, instead of dancing to it), I couldn’t be prouder of this 8-year old," said Elizabeth. "I’m soooo looking forward to redirecting all of our extra newfound energy into improved throughness, engagement and collection over the winter."

Vincent used to be known as Blue Hors Viconte, a licensed stallion bred by Klaus Tuchen. Bortuzzo acquired the stallion in the early spring of 2024.