Dressage-News

LEXINGTON, Kentucky, Nov. 7, 2019–Adiah HP, the spectacular part Friesian, part Dutch Warmblood dressage fan favorite ridden by James Koford, became an all-American celebrity in the nation’s capital on the mare’s way to Kentucky in pursuit of a third straight U.S. Dressage Finals championship.

Adiah, bred and owned by Jon and Sherry Koella at their Hidden Promise Sport Horse farm in Dandrige, a community of fewer than 3,000 people in northeastern Tennessee, grabs attention wherever she shows.

The 12-year-old mare (Nico x Anton), described in the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) database as a Friesen, presented an exhibition ride at the Washington International Horse Show, a premier jumper and hunter show that attracts competitors from the world. A video of the ride can be seen here, courtesy of Jump Media.

Jim Koford has been popular for years as an enthusiastic and fun-loving rider whether in official international events or entertainment events that have been the main act of night time attractions at drinking and eating establishments during the winter-long equestrian circuit in Wellington, Florida.

Since March, 2018 Adiah has started 17 times at Grand Prix, 10 times at Wellington’s highly competitive Global Dressage Ferstival and placing in the top three on seven occasions.

Jim and Adiah are one of 345 competitors from across the United States in Lexington for the U.S. Dressage Finals. Open and adult amateur competitors from Training Level to Grand Prix earned invitations from participating in nine regional championships to vie for national titles and $100,000 in prize money.