“Again I’m very, very happy with Ravel,” said Peters. “Every single second there was relaxation and suppleness. It went so well I just trusted him a little too much in that last piaffe, but I’m just beside myself.”
Owned by Aikiko Yamazaki, Ravel has been undefeated in 2008 and doesn’t look to be in danger of breaking his streak. Peters will ride a new freestyle tomorrow with Ravel, he hopes that his winning roll will continue.
“He’s just there where I want him for tomorrow,” said Peters. “He was very relaxed today and this is the first time I will try the new freestyle at a show. I’ve tried it many times at home of course. But this will be the very first time at a show.”
Peters felt the pressure for the first time throughout this championship, as Courtney King-Dye and Harmony’s Mythilus put in their best performance yet to slip right behind Peters on a score of 75.20%. The New Milford, CT rider held nothing back and the 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding delivered.
“Myth was a little tired, sleepy tired, this morning,” said King-Dye. “The heart that horse has, I had tears coming down my face after the test and then when they announced the score. Myth just has a heart of gold. He pushes through anything that he’s feeling, he wants to be so good. I stayed on course and was able to get a good score.”
Owned by Harmony’s Amateur Sport Foundation, Harmony’s Mythilus’ dynamite performance seems to continue to improve.
“I guessed that this week would be better than last week,” said King-Dye. “Last week I was a little conservative. I couldn’t let his neck out and trust that I could go for it in the extensions. Today I could and I could go for it more and trust that I was not in the passenger’s seat but in the driver’s seat.”
Peters said that this was the first time ever that two American horses had scored 75% or better in a Grand Prix.
Debbie McDonald and veteran Brentina proved that they are as consistently brilliant as always. The 17-year-old mare owned by Peggy and Parry Thomas delivered another stellar effort for a score of 73.042% to finish third by a wide margin. McDonald had a couple small mistakes in the test which she took responsibility for.
“I think the piaffe passage tour was great,” said McDonald. “I made mistakes personally myself where I shouldn’t have. So I’m a little mad at myself but I couldn’t be happier with her. She feels so fit and so clear. Its just amazing.”
Tomorrow’s Freestyle Test counts for 10% of the final score and Ravel leads Brentina and Mythilus in the overall standings.
Two horses were withdrawn before the start of today’s competition. Michael Barisone withdrew Neruda from the remainder of the USEF Selection Trials for Dressage upon the recommendation of the USEF Dressage Veterinary panel. He will still be considered in the selection process and will be ranked according to the selection procedures based on the average of his qualifying scores in the Grand Prix and the Freestyle.
McDonald has withdrawn her second mount Felix from the remainder of the USEF Selection Process due to a minor injury and therefore will not be participating in the remainder of the USEF Selection Trials for Dressage.
Gibson and Harding Continue Close Contest in the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Intermediaire Dressage Championship
The top three placings did not change in the USEF National Intermediaire I Dressage Championship. Michelle Gibson continued to demonstrate the strength of the developing side of the U.S dressage program by reinforcing her lead with Don Angelo with an impressive test and a score of 72.55%.
“I really rode what I felt was there,” said Gibson. “He felt a little tired in the warm up and he came in the ring and had a little more energy. I was really happy how he responded to the crowd, gives him a little lift.”
The Wellington, FL pair have a sparkling resume including the 2007 USEF National Developing Horse Dressage Championship for 7-9 year olds. The now 8-year-old Oldenburg stallion showed maturity beyond his years through out the test today and stayed ahead of his arch rival (and reserve champion in the Developing Horse Championship last year): Come On III.
“I can always take a little risk in the canter. In the canter extension, 9 times out of 10 I’m going for it,” said Gibson.
Come On III, ridden by Shawna Harding, is more experienced than the lightly shown Don Angelo having won 10 classes in Florida this winter. He is incredibly consistent and Harding and Gibson are very good friends and help each other regularly, despite the fact that they are fierce competitors
“You’re on your own when you are in the ring,” said Shawna. “But it is fantastic support, Michelle helps me out, gives me tips.”
Harding and Come On III made a mistake in yesterday’s test that Harding thinks cost her the lead. She still doesn’t have her halt and rein back as good as she knows it can be.
“The halt rein back wasn’t as solid as it can be,” said Harding about today’s test. “He took six steps back instead of five. That might have been some rider error too as I was thinking about yesterday. His trot work was ultra-solid. His canter pirouettes are improving every time he goes in the ring. But the mistakes can happen, whoever is better on the day is going to walk away with it.
Come On III’s effort earned him a score 71.0% and Harding can always count on him to try his hardest.
“He’s got a heart as big as his head,” said Harding who made the trip from Aiken, SC. “He doesn’t have a mean bone in his body, and he has a lot of personality. He does try very hard. He loves an audience and an atmosphere. He’s a really kind, nice horse.”
Peters got his day off to a successful start, with another third place finish in the Intermediaire I test with Montango. The energetic 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood was far more settled in the arena at The Oaks Blenheim facility today.
“Today was much better,” said Peters. “I was very, very happy with the fact that I could ride him with more expression. He was a lot more supple. It was fun today, yesterday was a lot of negotiation and a lot of hard work.”
Peters was pleased with Montango’s level of maturity. He came into the Championship ranked first in the nation, but after being disappointed with Friday’s effort, Peters changed his warm-up plan and found that it worked well.
“It was definitely one of his best Intermediaire I tests so far,” said Peters. “I worked him this morning at 6.30 this morning and we had a good 35-40 minute workout. Then I was back on for another 15 minutes before the class. That actually worked quite good. It was as good as I can expect from this horse at this moment.”
The USEF National Intermediaire I Dressage Championship continues tomorrow with the freestyle which counts for 25% of the final score.
Lyle Best in Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Young Adult “Brentina Cup” Dressage Championship
The USEF National Young Adult “Brentina Cup” Dressage Championship started the day off and yesterday’s winner Adrienne Lyle rode Wizard into the ring to start the division. The 23-year-old from Ketchum, ID rode another stellar effort on the 9-year-old Oldenburg gelding to take the early lead with a score of 68.683% and never looked back. Averaged with yesterday’s score from the USEF Brentina Cup Test, Lyle and Wizard finished with a two-day average of 68.265% ensuring a clear win in the Championship.
“I try not think about the pressure that much,” said Lyle after sweeping the class. “You try to go in and put in the best ride on that day. The other competitors have all been really great. Riding next to the Olympians has been really exciting.”
Owned by Peggy Thomas of River Grove Farm, Wizard has been making a prolific rise through the ranks. Peggy and Parry Thomas are also the owners of the class’s namesake, the legendary Brentina, who has been a cornerstone of the U.S. international dressage program for five years. Lyle works for the Thomas family and Debbie McDonald (Brentina’s rider) at their Idaho farm.
“Like with any owners you want to perform your best for them,” said Lyle. “But they understand that I’ve never competed at this level and the horse has never competed at this level. Its amazing and watching Debbie and Brentina – it is my dream to ride like her. I aspire to be like her some day so I hope this is a little stepping stone.”
Lyle originally went to spend the summer in her parents ski house with the hope of getting some lessons from McDonald, she ended up spending the summer as a working student. She went back to school for one more semester and then the Thomas family offered her a job.
“When they offered me a job and I jumped at the opportunity,” said Lyle. “I always wanted to be a trainer. Debbie’s so great, there is no pressure with her. She says to go out there and get it and have fun. We have a very open dialogue, we spend so much time together she’s kind of like my second mom.”
McDonald is lying second in the USEF Selection Trial for Dressage and the USEF National Grand Prix Dressage Championship but if she gets a ticket to Europe (and then to Hong Kong) this summer, Lyle will have to follow her success from afar.
“I’ll probably have to stay behind,” said McDonald. “We’ve got a barn full of young horses.”
Second to Lyle was Kelly Casey, a California rider, had another good test with Luzifer to finish on a score of 63.805% for today’s test ensuring she was not only second on the day but the reserve champion overall with a two-day score of 64.338%.
Luzifer, a 14-year-old Austrian Warmblood owned by Carla Hayes has tremendous presence in the arena and Casey knew it would come down to her and Lyle.
“I’m thrilled,” said Lyle. “We’ve battled it out all year. She’s got a super horse and a super rider. My horse was great. I’m really lucky.”
Twenty-three year old Casey thinks that the Brentina Cup program is a great way to not only build her resume but also hopes it will help her business.
“I hope to go on and do some large tour stuff,” said Casey. “I’m trying to build my business. I hope that this get me more noticed in my area and that more horses like Luzifer come my way.”
Casey has had Luzifer for under a year, but has developed a great relationship with the horse.
“I have personal goals,” said Casey. “His owner is really good about having me set goals. I had two clean rides. I tried not to have any expectations.”
The Brentina Cup is designed to bridge the gap for riders aged 20-25 from Young Riders to the Grand Prix level. It is difficult to qualify for the Championship but Casey feels like it needs to grow within the bounds of the riders.
“A smaller class with really competitive horses and riders is better than a bigger class with less quality,” said Casey. “Hopefully if can get the word out and get people really excited about the program we can keep it going and get it growing.”