Compiegne, France – Eight international teams took to the arena in Compiegne Saturday as day one of the CDIO5* got underway. Team medals will be awarded based on the results of today’s Grand Prix tests and Sunday’s Grand Prix Special and Freestyle tests. The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team, led by Chef d’Equipe Robert Dover, took a commanding lead following strong performances from Allison Brock, Shelly Francis, Laura Graves, and Kasey Perry-Glass. They lead on a total of 226.800. Sweden is currently in second on 215.040, while France sits in third with 213.660. The competition is a designated observation event as part of the selection process for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Dressage Team.

In their second Nations Cup appearance, Perry-Glass (Wellington, Fla.) and Diane Perry’s Goerklintgaard’s Dublet continued to show maturity and poise with a superb test, scoring a personal best and posting the highest scoring Grand Prix test of the day with a 77.440%. Having moved up to the Grand Prix level this winter, the pair executed an accurate test that earned 8s and 9s for their one-and-two-tempi changes and final centerline.

Anchoring the U.S. team was Graves (Geneva, Fla.) and her own Verdades, who produced a score of 75.440%. The pair earned high marks for their signature expression in the extended gaits, two-tempi changes, and half-passes, but had an uncharacteristic mistake in the one-tempi changes. Graves placed second behind teammate Perry-Glass.

Entering the arena second in the order for the U.S., Brock (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Claudine and Fritz Kundrun’s Rosevelt, performed an expressive and fluid test, scoring 73.920%, good for sixth place. Producing a very consistent test, the pair showcased beautiful extension and cadence at the trot and in the half-passes.

The veteran pair of Francis (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Patricia Stempel’s Doktor were the pathfinders for the U.S. and set the tone for polished performances from the American contingent. The pair showcased excellent piaffe-passage work to score 71.120%, placing them ninth in the Grand Prix.

Medals will be awarded following Sunday’s competition with Francis and Perry-Glass contesting the Grand Prix Freestyle Brock and Graves competing in the Grand Prix Special.

Complete Grand Prix Results

Provisional Team Standings

Continuing to gain valuable experience in their European debuts, the trio of USEF Dressage Young Rider European Tour participants completed their CDI-Y Individual Tests. Lauren Asher (San Diego, Calif.) with her own De Noir 3 were the highest placing Americans in 18th, scoring 66.228% in a test that earned high marks for the medium and collected trot and extended walk. Barbara “Bebe” Davis and Michael Davis’ Feivel Mousekewitz scored 63.816%, putting them in 24th place. Rounding out the U.S. representatives, Kerrigan Gluch (Wellington, Fla.) and Hampton Green Farm’s Vaquero HGF scored 60.263%, placing them 31st.

Asher will move forward to Sunday’s CDI-Y Freestyle.

Complete Individual Test results

Watch the competition live at compiegne-equestre.com/live

Find out more about CDI Compiegne

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