When Louise Labrucherie decided not to compete at the 1999 North American Young Riders' Championships, it was uncertain whether she would make an NAYRC-come back or not.
But the 21-year-old from Santa Rosa, California, proved otherwise by blowing away all competition at the 2000 North American Young Riders' Championships, hosted by High Prairie Farms in Parker, Colorado. In all three tests the combination reigned supreme, never scoring below 67%.
"Picone needed a year to get more solid and comfortable in the arena," Louise said. Taking one year to prepare her horse for the 2000 edition of this international Young Riders' competition, Labrucherie made a wise decision.
One year ago Labrucherie profiled Picone in an interview for the Junior Riders website. At High Prairie Farms, Picone was the most astonishing quadruped on the entry list. The 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding is by Prince Orac xx out of Wodena by Wolfsburg and is a solid mover in all three basic gaits. With his extremely elegant front leg and impulsive hindquarters, Picone is a picture-perfect of the dressage horse.
Labrucherie purchased Picone in Nurnberg, Germany, and shipped him to California in January 1999. "He was so attractive. He has a special look in his eye and his movement was definitely superior to theothers," Labrucherie explained why she fell in love with him.