Ocala, FL – International dressage competition continued at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) on Saturday, March 8, 2025, during the WEC March Dressage CDI4* presented by Hampton Green Farms. In the Intermediate 1 CDI1* Benjamin Albright (USA) and DSP Dominy, owned by The DSPD Group, added expression to their test and rose to the top for victory.
Originally from Frederick, MD, Albright worked for Scott and Susanne Hassler and Kim Barteau among other professionals before starting his own business in 2014. He moved his business, Albright Dressage, to Conroe, TX, in 2018. This is his first winter season in Ocala, FL, and he brought 16 horses to WEC – Ocala. “We love it here, so we’re trying to figure out how to keep coming!” he remarked.
When a young rider client came to Albright’s barn with DSP Dominy and realized she had too much horse, the original intent was to sell. However, once Albright started riding “Dominy” and saw his potential, he put a group together to purchase the 13-year-old Bavarian Warmblood chestnut stallion by Diamond Hit x Pour Plaisir 2. The pair competed in their first CDI together a year ago in Katy, TX, and this was their second FEI competition.
“Now a group of my clients and supporters own him together with me,” said Albright. “We’re using this level as a year to get to know each other. I haven’t competed with him very much, so we’re trying to see what we have in the ring. Then we will try to get him into the grand prix after this season.”
Albright and Dominy won the I1 class with a personal best score of 67.324% after Albright took the judges’ remarks into consideration following Friday’s Prix St. Georges class, which they won with a score of 66.764%.
“Yesterday was a really quiet, easy test,” admitted Albright. “A few of the judges came up to me afterward and told me that they wanted to see a little bit more power and expression, in the trot work especially, today. That’s what we tried to do, so I guess they tried to reward it. I’m happy with it.
“For me, I’d rather score a little bit lower and show really nice harmony,” he went on to explain. “When you start adding power, it really is a fine line between what’s tension and what’s really harmonious. I’m always a little bit reserved when I’m in the show ring, and I want to show pretty, harmonious riding. I feel like it’s right on the line when it’s something like today, but I was happy with how we stayed harmonious and added a little bit of expression.”
Albright described Dominy’s personality as “typical chestnut,” in that he is “sensitive, quirky, and super reactive.” He added, “He requires a super soft touch and patience in everything that he’s learning. I’m happy to have a horse like him. At home, he’s quiet and reserved. Then he comes out here and he likes showing. It’s fun to be on a horse that likes showing. I haven’t shown at this level for a little while. For me, it has to be fun. If you feel like you’re making the horse do it, I’m just not into it. It’s nice to be on a horse like this who wants to be here too.”
Second place in the Intermediate 1 CDI1* went to Jaron Verheij (NED) and Sixtus MK, a nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Silberschmied x Quaterback) owned by Myra Flanagan, who had a personal best score of 66.441%. Jessica Howington (USA) and her own MW Marcario, and eight-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Morricone I x San Amour I, were third with a score of 64.706%.
CDI competition concludes on Sunday, March 9, with the final classes for Children’s and Junior riders as well as the Intermediate A CDI2*. International dressage returns to WEC – Ocala on April 9-13, 2025, with CDI4* competition as well as USEF/USDF-rated classes.