Steffen Peters and "Legolas" made their international competition debut a winning one. (Jennifer M. Keeler)

Burbank, CA - West Coast riders began their journeys toward qualification for the Olympic Games today in Burbank, CA as part of the Mid-Winter Dressage Fair CDI-W/Y/J. Contesting the FEI Grand Prix Test, a very competitive field of eleven international riders and horses impressed the FEI judges Jean-Michele Roudier (5* FRA), Linda Zang (5* USA), Cara Whitham (5* CAN), Eddy de Wolff (4* NED), and Jayne Ayers (4* USA).

"I was thrilled with the Grand Prix class today," said Zang, President of the Ground Jury. "It's always wonderful to come to California and see such talented riders and horses." Emerging the victor was Steffen Peters riding Four Winds Farm's ten-year-old Westfalen gelding "Legolas" (Laomedon x Furstin) to an impressive score of 71.000%. Despite this test being the pair's FEI competition debut, Peters was impressed with Legolas' effort. "He's such a kind horse and he did everything I asked, so I couldn't ask for more," said Peters. A close second was the veteran pair Jan Ebeling and Rafalca (14-year-old bay Oldenburg mare [Argentinius x Ratine] owned by Amy Ebeling) with a score of 70.426%, with Guenter Seidel riding new mount Fandango (16-year-old bay Oldenburg gelding [by Fein Brandt]) placing third with 70.170% for owner Toyon Farm.

In the small tour, Seidel debuted another new mount in Lara Schleining's "Feodora", riding the 12-year-old bay mare to the blue ribbon with a score of 69.237%. Earning second-place honors was Australia's Emma Weinert riding her 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare "Velvet MD" (Polansky x Papaya) with 68.789%. Jan Ebeling earned another top three placing and score of 68.132% with Deborah Harlan's "Rosenzauber 8" (11-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare [Rotspon x Shining Sun]).

In the CDI Young Rider division, Brandi Roenick rode her own 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare "Pretty Lady" (Iglesias x Ivonne) to a winning score of 66.974% in the Team Test, followed by Mackinzie Pooley earning 63.991+% with Deena Smith's "Brigadier" (12-year-old Oldenburg gelding [Batido x Lady Deco]) and Amelia Child and "Veto" in third with 63.991% (10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding [Monte Cristo x Urka], owned by Stahl Child Dresage).

Complete results are available at this link http://www.cornerstonedressage.com/show_results.asp. In addition, videos of the CDI Grand Prix rides are available on the Cornerstone's designated YouTube channel, available at this link: http://www.youtube.com/user/DressageCornerstone/videos.