Fifteen-year-old stallion – who is ‘finally growing up’ – impresses at Adequan Global Dressage Festival

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Kate Shoemaker and Solitaer 40 scored 74.146% in the CPEDI3* FEI Para Individual Grade IV class
USA para dressage team rider Kate Shoemaker says Solitaer 40 is finally growing up.
(Image credit: @SusanJStickle.com)

USA’s Paralympic bronze-medal team member Kate Shoemaker and Solitaer 40, who she owns with Craig and Deena Shoemaker, took a second victory at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in the CPEDI3* FEI para individual Grade IV class with an overall percentage of 74.146%.

“I feel like he’s finally growing up,” she said of the 15-year-old Hanoverian stallion by Sandro Hit, out of a De Niro mare. “It’s been really cool this week. He walked off the trailer and just walked nicely next to me, which he has not done ever. I think he’s just really starting to look at me and say, ‘Okay we can do this together,’ and it’s the most incredible feeling.”

Sarah Eakin
Sarah Eakin
Freelance journalist

Sarah Eakin is an international equestrian journalist who writes for publications on both sides of the Atlantic, including Horse & Hound, The Independent and The Daily Telegraph in the UK. A former Pony Club team member for dressage, showjumping and eventing, Sarah’s mother trained National Hunt horses and she and her three brothers also played polo. Formerly married to a US professional polo player, Sarah is currently based in Wellington, Florida.