Rotterdam, The Netherlands – Continuing competition in the final of three designated observation events that will help determine the 2016 U.S. Olympic Dressage Team, U.S. athletes rose to the occasion on day one of CDI3* competition at CHIO Rotterdam. Steffen Peters led the way for the four Americans, winning the Grand Prix with Rosamunde. Allison Brock and Rosevelt also put in a solid effort, placing third. The U.S. was also represented by Shelly Francis, Arlene “Tuny” Page, and Guenter Seidel. 

Peters (San Diego, Calif.) and Four Winds Farm’s Rosamunde were an image of harmony throughout their test that was highlighted by beautiful extensions and piaffe-passage work, earning a winning score of 75.920%. Entering the ring as the final U.S. combination of the class, Brock (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Claudine and Fritz Kundrun’s Rosevelt put together a consistent and expressive test to score a 73.860%, placing them third. Emmelie Scholtens (NED) and Apache earned a second-place finish on a score of 75.780%.

Also securing top-ten finishes were Page (Wellington, Fla.) and her own Woodstock in ninth on a score of 70.000%, and Francis (Loxahatchee, Fla.) with Patricia Stempel’s Danilo in 10th on a score of 69.580%. Guenter Seidel (Cardiff, Calif.) and James and Charlotte Mashburn's Zero Gravity scored 66.340%, placing them 22nd.

Complete CDI3* Grand Prix Results

CDI3* competition will continue on Saturday with Page, Peters, and Brock competing in the Grand Prix Special and Seidel and Francis in the Grand Prix Freestyle.

In the CDIO5*, The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team, led by Chef d’Equipe Robert Dover, sits in second after day one’s Grand Prix. On Saturday, competition will conclude with Laura Graves and Kasey Perry-Glass contesting the Grand Prix Special and Francis and Peters representing the U.S. in the Grand Prix Freestyle. The CDIO5* Grand Prix Freestyle can be watched live on FEITV.org. For further livestream information, visit chio.nl/live. 

Further information regarding the U.S. Olympic Dressage Team selection process can be found on USEF.org. All nominations to the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team are subject to approval by the United States Olympic Committee.

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