Michelle Gibson and Don Angelo Win 2008 USEF National Intermediaire I Championship at Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions

Michelle Gibson and Don Angelo won the 2008 USEF National Intermediaire I Championship. PHOTO CREDIT: Terri Miller.

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WELLINGTON, FL - July 2, 2008 - It was a resounding victory for Michelle Gibson and Don Angelo as the talented duo made a clean sweep of the small tour classes June 27-29 at the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions and were named the 2008 USEF National Intermediaire I Champions.

Gibson and the eight-year-old Oldenburg stallion owned by Terri Kane traveled from their base at Diamante Farms in Wellington, FL, to the Oaks Blenheim show grounds in San Juan Capistrano, CA, to compete in the national championship classes as one of the top 12 combinations in the United States.

Gibson and Don Angelo were ranked #2 in the nation coming into the competition, but they placed #1 in every class in the championship to claim the title. The duo won the Prix St. Georges on Friday, scoring 70.50%, which counted for 35% of the overall result. They were back in the ring on Saturday for the Intermediaire I and again topped the roster with a score of 72.55%, which counted 45% of the final result. Securing the hat-trick, Gibson and Don Angelo performed a stunning I-I Freestyle to a jazz-themed track created by Karen Robinson on Sunday, earning an impressive 76.40%, which counted 25% towards the overall score. The combined overall final result for Gibson and Don Angelo was an impressive 72.898%.

Gibson was thrilled with Don Angelo and the championship win. "I am so excited," beamed Gibson. "It's been great. I'm elated!"

Commenting on her three rides, Gibson said, "In the Prix St. Georges, he was really good and super steady. We had good pirouettes, really nice changes, and good extensions. His lateral work is always very nice. He's got beautiful crossover and the test was mistake-free. In the I-I, he had more energy and really stepped up to the plate. He realized people were watching him, which he likes. We had fantastic canter pirouettes, beautiful changes, and the lateral work was good, and again, the test was mistake-free. In the freestyle, I could not have asked more from him. I am so proud of him. He's only eight years old!"

Gibson and Don Angelo, a 16.2-hand, dark bay stallion by Don Larino out of Elektina, a Rubinstein mare, have been partnered for two-and-a-half years and can now add the 2008 USEF National Intermediaire I Championship to their growing list of credentials. The duo won the 2007 USEF National Developing Horse Dressage Championship in Lexington, KY.

"We're beyond excited!" enthused owner Terri Kane, who attended the championship with her daughter, Devon Kane, the 2007 NAYRC Individual Gold Medalist. "Michelle has just done so well with Don Angelo and built his confidence. There was a huge crowd for the championships and actually the people excited him in a positive way. To win this championship is just a wonderful feeling."

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