In Grade Ia Jody Schloss of Canada and Inspector Rebus maintained her lead from the Team Test with a 70.583% on Saturday's Individual Test. Just behind Jody was the Fresian stallion Niekele fan Busenitz with Laurietta Oakleaf in the irons scoring a 65.083%. Laurietta moved from a
![Laurietta Oakleaf (USA)and Niekele Van Busenitz (Lindsay Y McCall for the United States Para-Equestrian Association.)](/images/articles/2566/145.jpg)
Laurietta Oakleaf (USA)and Niekele Van Busenitz (Lindsay Y McCall for the United States Para-Equestrian Association.)
After achieving a top score on NTEC Jabriel on Thursday, United States Grade Ib rider Jonathan Wentz captured the blue aboard NTEC Richter Scale with a 69.275%. "Richter was awesome," expressed Jonathan. "I was hit hard during the first day of competition due to a lack of energy in my test. So I went flat out during the Individual Test and it payed off. In the Freestyle Test I plan on throttling it back a little bit and creating more impulsion with forward movement."
He continued, "My other ride, NTEC Jabriel is a completely different horse from Richter. Richter takes all of my energy and NTEC Jabriel could fly forward in an instant. He requires absolute precision to keep him on the verticle and supple. I am looking forward to competing with both horses next week and I hope to break the 70% mark all three days."
Just on the heels of Jonathan was Canada rider Ashley Gowanlock with new mount Ferdonia 2. In 2011, fellow teammate and owner of Ferdonia 2, Lauren Barwick was riding Ferdonia 2 but the mount seemed perfect for Ashley who has graciously accepted the excellent Oldenburg for 2012 competition.
Lauren Barwick continues with her chestnut mare dominating Grade II for two days. The pair achieved consistent scores above 70% with a 70.159% in the Team Test competition and a 71.667% in the Individual Test. As a Team Canada member Lauren continues to contribute to Canada's lead in the Gold Coast Dressage Opener CPEDI3*. However, USA Grade II rider Dr. Dale Dedrick and her Hanoverian Bonifatius followed for second and are definitely a duo to watch out for. In third for Grade II was 2008 Paralympian Rebecca Hart and Lord Ludger, owned by Jessica Ransehousen. Rebecca brought two mounts to Florida in hopes of gaining more mileage, earning top scores for the team, and to sharpen her relationship and communication with both horses. Rebecca explained, "Both horses are relatively new mounts this year. I have been very proud of Lord Ludger this weekend and I am especially pleased with Hugh Knows. We have been working on adjusting from the leg cue to utilizing the whip as the cue and Hugh has been great. He was a little tense in the Individual Test so I think we just need a little more mileage to increase our communication."
Hugh Knows, owned by Jacqueline Mars, began as an eventer with Karen'O Connor. From Karen to junior Jess Brumfield Hugh has consistently achieved excellent scores. With his new job as Rebecca Hart's mount Rebecca has been working to attain top results and consistency over the next two weeks.
She continued, "I feel very lucky to be able to work with these newer horses under our team coach who is also my personal coach, Missy Ransehousen. We have a really good relationship where we can bounce things off each other to figure out what is going to get the best results. I also feel lucky to have such a support system because without them I could not do this. I am very thankful to Jessica (Ransehousen) who own Lord Ludger, Jacqueline Mars, and everyone who believes in our discipline.
Grade II continued with Mexico rider Fernanda Otheguy in fifth aboard Katherine Butler's Welsh pony, It's Mister Merlot. Behind Fernanda was new Grade II rider, Margaret McIntosh and Idalgo, owned by Janis Smith. As a brand new para-equestrian Margaret had a wonderful test earning her a qualifying score for the 2012 USEF Paralympic Selection Trials. Elizabeth Pigott and Whitney's Willow fell in behind Margaret. Elizabeth noted, "I just started riding this horse in May and I am working on getting to know my horse more and building a relationship so he trusts me more. In the short time he has come a very long way." Rounding out the Grade II competition was Charlotte Bathlon and Sportsfield Twist.
In Grade III Eleanor Brimmer captured the blue with her 12 year old Holsteiner gelding, Carino H. Eleanor imported Carino H in summer 2011 and within a short time period they are continuing to improve their performances at each show.
Finishing the CPEDI3* were the Grade IV para-equestrian dressage riders. James Dwyer and Orlando from Ireland once again secured the top placing with a 70.753%. Behind James was Mary Jordan with her home-bred mare P. Sparrow Socks.
With consistent test results in each of the five grades, riders enter into Sunday's Freestyle competition at the Gold Coast Dressage Opener CPEDI3*. Following the Freestyle competition will be the presentation of awards.
January 21, 2012 Gold Coast Dressage Opener CPEDI3* Wellington, FL
Judges: Carlos Lopes (POR), Hanneke Gerritsen (NED), and Marc Urban (BEL)
Results: Placing, Name, Name of Horse, Total Score
Grade 1a
1. Jody Schloss, Inspector Rebus, 70.583 (CAN)
2. Laurietta Oakleaf, Niekele fan Busenitz, 65.083 (USA)
3. Kim Decker, Dasher's Destiny, 63.833 (USA)
4. Alexander Mitchell, Guiness Maskell, 62.917 (BER)
5. NTEC Manchada, Mina Chinju 60.833 (JPN)
6. Robyn Andrews, Ravallo Son, 59.000 (CAN)
7. Robyn Andrews, Fancianna, 56.000 (CAN)
Grade 1b
1. Jonathan Wentz, NTEC Richter Scale, 69.275 (USA)
2. Ashley Gownlock, Fredonia 2, 68.986 (CAN)
3. Jonathan Wentz, NTEC Jabriel, 68.551 (USA)
4. Katja Karjalainen, Hidden Creek Jones, 64.783 (FIN)
5. Jaana Kivimaki, Sarona, 61.232 (FIN)
Grade II
1. Lauren Barwick, Off to Paris, 70.159 (CAN)
2. Dale Dedrick, Bonifatius, 67.381 (USA)
3. Rebecca Hart, Lord Ludger, 66.349 (USA)
4. Fernanda Otheguy, It's Mr. Mister Merlot, 64.683 (MEX)
5. Rebecca Hart, Hugh Knows, 62.619 (USA)
6. Margret McIntosh, Idalgo, 62.063 (USA)
7. Elizabeth Pigott, Whitney's Willow, 61.508 (USA)
8. Charlotte Bathlon, Sportsfield Twist, 58.730 (USA)
Grade III
1. Eleanor Brimmer, Carino H, 59.556 (USA)
Grade IV
1. James Dwyer, Orlando, 70.753 (IRE)
2. Mary Jordan, P Sparrow Socks, 64.624 (USA)
3. Lynne Pool, Vasco E, 64.086 (CAN)
4. Lynee Pool, Fisbee, 63.925 (CAN)
5. Madison Lawson, McGuire, 63.925 (CAN)
6. Mary Jordan, Sebastian, 62.742 (USA)
January 19, 2012 Gold Coast Dressage Opener CPEDI3* Wellington, FL
Judges: Carlos Lopes (POR), Hanneke Gerritsen (NED), and Marc Urban (BEL)
Results: Placing, Name, Name of Horse, Total Score
Grade 1a
1. Jody Schloss, Inspector Rebus, 67.157 (CAN)
2. Laurietta Oakleaf, Niekele fan Busenitz, 63.529 (USA)
3. Robyn Andrews, Fancianna, 62.745 (CAN)
4. Kim Decker, Dasher's Destiny, 62.157 (USA)
5. Alexander Mitchell, Guiness Maskell, 61.863 (BER)
6. Robyn Andrews, Ravallo Son, 61.471 (CAN)
7. NTEC Manchada, Mina Chinju 56.275 (JPN)
Grade 1a
1. Ashley Gownlock, Fredonia 2, 70.985 (CAN)
2. Jonathan Wentz, NTEC Jabriel, 69.381 (USA)
3. Jonathan Wentz, NTEC Richter Scale, 66.212 (USA)
4. Jaana Kivimaki, Sarona, 63.636 (FIN)
5. Katja Karjalainen, Hidden Creek Jones, 63.409 (FIN)
Grade II
1. Lauren Barwick, Off to Paris, 71.667 (CAN)
2. Dale Dedrick, Bonifatius, 69.318 (USA)
3. Rebecca Hart, Lord Ludger, 69.048 (USA)
4. Rebecca Hart, Hugh Knows, 65.714 (USA)
5. Fernanda Otheguy, It's Mister Merlot, 64.921 (MEX)
6. Elizabeth Pigott, Whitney's Willow, 63.651 (USA)
7. Margret McIntosh, Idalgo, 61.905 (USA)
8. Charlotte Bathlon, Sportsfield Twist, 57.460 (USA)
Grade III
1. Eleanor Brimmer, Carino H, 57.531 (USA)
Grade IV
1. James Dwyer, Orlando, 68.750 (IRE)
2. Lynne Pool, Vasco E, 64.427 (CAN)
3. Lynee Pool, Fisbee, 63.958 (CAN)
4. Madison Lawson, McGuire, 63.958 (CAN)
5. Mary Jordan, Sebastian, 63.333 (USA)
6. Mary Jordan, P Sparrow Socks, 62.135 (USA)
For more information about the Gold Coast Dressage Opener please visit www.gcdafl.org or contact Noreen O'Sullivan (561) 714-9026.