What is your favorite thing about
the horse you’re competing?
Francisco, aka Fred, has a big personality and
he’s an overachiever, which can get him in
trouble sometimes. My great friend bred him,
and I have had the pleasure developed him
from a 3-year-old to now so that really makes
me proud. We are working on the Grand Prix
for next year and I pray he doesn’t decide to
show the judges how well he does 1-tempi
changes during our tests!
Is there anything you and your horse
have been working on that you’re
especially excited to showcase?
This is his first year doing the freestyle and he’s
finally getting the idea that it’s not a test and
sometimes things change because I didn’t like
how it rode. He doesn’t like change much, so it’s
something we work on and he is getting better
about being spontaneous.
What is one goal you have for yourself
going into the championships?
Of course we all would like to win, but I
would like to have a cleaner test and place
higher than I did last year. I placed seventh
last year and was 1 percentage point out of
first. It was a fabulous class and anyone could
have won; Fred decided to do his halt before
X when we entered, it was a costly mistake
and we had to settle for seventh. I hope to not
do that this year!
What do you like to do
when you’re not riding?
I own exotic cats—Savannah cats, to be exact.
I take them with me to the shows and I’ve
trained them to do tricks and walk on leashes.
My biggest one, Peyton, was a hit last year at
the show so I’m sure people are hoping he will
be back.
OPEN/PROFESSIONALS
MERRIE VELDEN
Region 7 – Fresno, CA – PSG Open Ch & Int I Open FS
US DRESSAGE FINALS • 2026