“Andrina Calder and HerzPrinz, pictured here competing at Red Hills Horse Trials in March, claimed an impressive victory at the Beaulieu North American Classic.” Photo by: Brant Gamma

Only 14 years of age, Calder won the Young Rider Open Preliminary division at the Beaulieu North American Classic with a total of 29.9 penalty points riding HerzPrinz, her 10-year-old American Trakehner gelding. Sitting in second position following the opening phase of dressage, Calder posted a clear stadium jumping round and only added .4 time penalties to her score after being one second over the tight time allowed on cross-country. Only one horse-rider combination was able to complete the challenging course set by Captain Mark Phillips within the time allowed.

“It was my first time competing here,” said Calder, who was up against 14 other entries in her division, open to riders aged 21 and under. “I was very happy with my dressage test, as always there were a few things that I wanted to fix, but overall, it went really well. I had a clear stadium round, and then cross-country was so much fun! It is very hilly so the time was tough to make, but my horse was awesome!”

In preparatory events leading up to the Beaulieu North American Classic, Calder won the Junior/Young Rider Open Preliminary division at the Rocking Horse Spring Horse Trials held March 29-30 in Altoona, FL. She added no additional penalties to her original dressage score of 33 penalty points to easily claim the victory.

One week earlier, March 21-23, she placed third at the Poplar Place Farm Horse Trials in Hamilton, GA, with a score of 43.00 penalty points and was second in the Preliminary division with a score of 45.70 penalties at Red Hills Horse Trials held March 7-9 in Tallahassee, FL. At only 14 years of age, Calder is limited to competing at the preliminary level until the age of 16 under International Equestrian Federation (FEI) rules.

Calder trains with well-known United States Equestrian Team member, Darren Chiacchia, who successfully represented his country at the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain. Chiacchia, who operates Independence Farm, divides the year between his facilities in Ocala, FL, and Buffalo, NY.

“The future looks bright,” says Chiacchia, who has coached Calder for the past four years. “Her sense of feel has really developed, and she is much more aware of things such as how much the horse is using his back. We are trying to take her dressage to the next level.”

Calder began riding as a seven-year-old by having weekly lessons and attending summer riding camp. In a few short year, she has made an impressive mark on the international eventing scene by winning the CCIY* division with HerzPrinz at the 2002 Bromont International Three Day Event held in Bromont, QC. A grade nine student, Calder is a member of the 2003 Talent Squad, a means of recognizing athletes with the potential to become future members of the Canadian Equestrian Team.

Calder has also attracted the attention of Tide laundry detergent who has sponsored her athletic efforts for the past two years. Based on their association, Tide is now supporting the eventing industry through product sponsorship at selected events where Calder is competing.