76 SIDELINES OCTOBER 2011
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
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By Jan Westmark-Allan
Dressage rider Dominique Cassavetis experienced the
highlight of her career this summer as part of the Junior
Gold medal winning team at the North American Junior and
Young Rider Dressage Championships in Lexington. “The
win at the Junior and Young Riders Championship was
thrilling, there is no other way to describe it,” Dominique
said.
Dominique, now 18, started riding at seven when her
parents rescued a Mustang. “His name was Nacho and he
was a barrel racer and I loved riding him and taking care
of him. He died a month ago at the age of 32,” Dominique
said. She added that she started riding dressage when she
was 12 and although she was young for such a demanding
sport, she fell in love with it.
Dominique has been in the winner’s circle many times
during her dressage career, but said competing at the
Junior and Young Rider Dressage Championships was a
whole new level of competition. “The atmosphere was like
an Olympic event and when I stood on the podium and
looked around, I couldn’t believe it. My teammates were
Julia Burtt and Kya Endresen and it was a pleasure riding
with them.”
Dominique has her sights set on the Olympics, a goal
she would be thrilled to achieve. “Even if I don’t get there,
I will continue to work as if I am going. I love the sport of
dressage and can’t think of anything else I would rather
do.”
Sidelines:
What horse did you ride at the Junior and
Young Rider Championships?
DC:
I rode my mare My Charming Princess. She was as
excited as I was with the win. When Charming stepped
into that arena, she knew she was special. After winning
the Gold medal with the team, we went on to place seventh
in our individual and sixth in our freestyle. It was only the
second time we had performed freestyle so it was very
exciting.
Sidelines:
Who do you train with?
DC:
I ride at Piaffe-Performance and I started when I
was 14. I began as a working student and had four main
trainers, Katie Riley, Nadine Buberl, Maggie McGuire and
Dr. Cesar Parra. When my parents thought it was time
for me to get my own horse, Dr. Parra went to Germany
and purchased My Charming Princess from Claudi Arnold.
Charming is a 13 year old Oldenburg mare.
Sidelines:
What do you like about your trainers?
DC:
Katie and Cesar are very similar in their
techniques. They are both passionate for the sport and
have very high standards and expectations. I have been
able to continue my training while graduating high school
early. I have become very disciplined and organized
and I credit them with my success. I enjoy the level of
professionalism that Dr. Parra brings to the sport. He is
very demanding. We always have to be dressed properly,
even in the practice ring. Everyone can tell who Dr. Parra’s
riders are and I am honored to be a part of his team.
Sidelines:
What other accomplishments have you had
Five Questions for Dominique Cassavetis
with Charming Princess?
DC:
I won frst place this year in Connecticut with my freestyle
and it was the frst time Charming and I ever performed it. I scored
a 71%, which was a very good score. And of course the honor
of making the team for Region 1 and then bringing home the
Gold from Kentucky is too good to put into words. I enjoy every
performance, and so far this year has been great. I just hope that
I have made Dr. Parra proud.
Sidelines:
What are your riding goals?
DC:
Under the direction of Dr. Parra and Katie, I believe I will
continue to excel in this sport. I have a lot of support from all
the riders at Piaffe-Performance; they have become my second
family. My parents are also very supportive and have made a lot
of sacrifces so that I can have a fne horse and train in one of the
best stables. This winter I hope to join the other riders in Florida
for the frst time and continue training throughout the winter. I
believe that I will continue to improve and grow in the sport of
dressage.
Dominique and My Charming Princess compete at the North
American Junior and Young Rider Dressage Championships in
Lexington
Photo by Sue Stickle