Village of Pennecamp resident Zane Weiss, left, and Ocala resident Eline Eckroth stand with Weiss’ horse, Ukon Rock, on Sunday at Oak Lake Farms. The horse won grand champion in the second level of The United States Dressage Federation Region 3 Championship on Oct. 14 and Oct. 15 in Ocala.
.Posted: Monday, October 24, 2011 8:00 am
Villager’s horse named grand champion at United States Dressage Federation Region 3 Championship in Ocala By KATIE BACKMAN, DAILY SUN The Villages Daily Sun
THE VILLAGES — Zane Weiss proudly adjusted Ukon Rock’s championship ribbons the 10-year-old horse won during a recent dressage competition.
The Village of Pennecamp resident owns Ukon Rock, a Dutch Warmblood, and she said she’s very proud to call him a champion. The horse competed in The United States Dressage Federation Region 3 Championship on Oct. 14 and Oct. 15 in Ocala.
Ukon Rock competed in the second and third levels out of a total of nine levels, which consist of training through grand prix competition classes. Ukon Rock and his trainer, Eline Eckroth, won the second level and was deemed the grand champion. They earned second place in the third level, which earned them the reserve champion title. Dressage is a French word for training, Weiss said. The purpose is to develop the horse’s natural athletic ability and willingness to work making him calm, supple and attentive to his rider, she added. Dressage is considered the art of equestrian sport and is used as the groundwork for other disciplines, she added.
In modern dressage competitions, the horse and rider are expected to perform a series of predetermined movements from memory. The horse has to demonstrate walk, trot and canter paces with smooth transitions from each pace, Weiss added.
Weiss knew her horse was talented when she bought him five years ago, but she didn’t expect to win the championship.
Weiss said Eckroth has been an excellent trainer because she has advanced Ukon Rock from first level to fourth level in just about a year, when usually it takes a year to advance each level.
“I’m very proud of Eline and Ukon. The two of them just match, they are like magic together,” Weiss said. “He’s a large horse and she’s a tall ride, and they fit together perfectly. My horse just adores her.”
Eckroth, of Ocala, said she was surprised and honored that she won champion and reserve champion titles in each level during the competition. Eckroth said this competition was her first championship win, but she expects continued improvement because Ukon Rock enjoys working and learning new techniques, Eckroth said.
“He’s a talented horse and he works hard to learn new things,” Eckroth said. “It was pretty awesome winning at the competition, it was definitely unexpected.”
Weiss has had a passion for horses and riding since she was involved in a pony club in her youth. Throughout her life, she has owned three horses. She adores Ukon Rock, whose shoulders stand taller than 6 feet, because he’s such a talented and loving horse.
“Whenever I tell anyone I have a horse, they have to come and see him,” Weiss said. “Sometimes people are scared of him because he’s so tall, but he’s a gentle giant. I love him and I love watching him advance with Eline.”
Katie Backman is a reporter with the Daily Sun. She can be reached at 753-1119, ext. 9264 or katie.backman@thevillagesmedia.com.
Award at the Gold Coast Fall Fling Sponsored by Custom Saddlery!Wellington, FL - Ukon Rock, a gorgeous American-bred Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Zane Weiss and ridden by trainer Eline Eckroth, rode away with the “Best Turned Out Horse” Award at the Gold Coast Fall Fling. Sponsored by Custom Saddlery, makers of handcrafted custom-fit dressage, jumping, and event saddles, the winner of the “Best Turned Out Horse” Award during the winter dressage season takes home a pair of DSB Dressage Boots from Custom Saddlery, designed to provide excellent protection as well as comfort for the horse.
