Roosendaal, The Netherlands –Steffen Peters and Legolas 92 took the win today in the Grand Prix at CDI4* Roosendaal. The accomplished combination won the qualifier for the Grand Prix Special against 20 entries with a score of 76.820%.  Peters and Legolas 92 edged out their compatriots Laura Graves and Verdades, who earned a score of 75.800%. Guenter Seidel and Zero Gravity finished in eighth with a score of 70.640% to round out the U.S. contingent. 

“I am extremely happy with Legolas. It's a wonderful start, and it is exciting to be here with the rest of our group who have started off with strong performances as well. I will immediately begin to focus on the [Grand Prix] Special with Legolas but I’m super happy with how relaxed he was today,” said Peters.

Never an easy feat, Graves (Geneva, Fla.) and her own Verdades were the first combination down the centerline. They put in a harmonious test and exemplified super half-passes in the trot. They also had nice piaffe movements, which has continued to improve show-to-show. She and the 2002 KWPN gelding held the lead through 14 combinations. Then, Peters and Legolas 92 entered the ring.

Peters (San Diego, Calif.), with Four Winds Farm Legolas 92, did not disappoint in their test. He and the 2002 Westfalen gelding demonstrated lovely thoroughness throughout the test with excellent piaffe and passage work. 

Seidel (Cardiff, Calif.) and James and Charlotte Mashburn's Zero Gravity had a good test with nice one- and two-tempi changes. He and the 2004 Dutch Warmblood gelding also showed improved piaffe and passage work.

All three combinations advance to the Grand Prix Special on Saturday, beginning at 10:00 a.m. ET. Peters will compete with Rosamunde in the Grand Prix, the qualifier for Sunday’s Freestyle, tomorrow beginning at 5:00 a.m. ET. View the live results.