WDM Freestyle
In her third attempt at claiming victory in the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach, Vilhelmson-Silfven was victorious on the strength of a powerful Freestyle performance. A floor plan choreographed to The Who for the 2012 London Olympic Games perfectly highlighted Don Auriello's gaits and attitude, helping them to achieve a career best score.
"It's such an honor to ride a horse like Don Auriello, he was great," said Vilhelmson-Silfven. "It was a great crowd; great people. Everything fell on the right place."
Sweden's Patrik Kittel and Watermill Scandic HBC were forced to settle for second behind compatriot Vilhelmson-Silfven as they score 82.525% on Saturday night. The winners from the WDM Nürnberger Grand Prix performed an exuberant test set the music of Billy Idol.
Peters (San Diego, CA) produced an upbeat fun Freestyle with Four Winds Farm's 11-year-old Westphalian gelding Legolas 92. The test composed to
![Steffen Peters and Legolas 92 (Shannon Brinkman)](/images/articles/3945/wdm13brinkman1-26fsb-6822.jpg)
Steffen Peters and Legolas 92 (Shannon Brinkman)
"This was a huge step-up for sure, first time in the limelight," said three-time Olympian Peters. "The atmosphere was a lot for him. To finish with an 80% here is amazing."
Peters has been a frequent competitor at the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach and always enjoys the experience.
"It's a wonderful event; it's always an honor to ride here the World Dressage Masters."
For the second day in a row Heather Blitz (Wellington, FL) and her own Paragon finished in fourth place and as the second highest-placing American. The 10-year-old Danish Warmblood showcased his signature extensions in both the trot and canter to score 74.9%. The Pan American Games Team Gold and Individual Silver medalists also added difficulty to their Freestyle by executing two-time changes on the circle which they did immaculately.
Finishing in seventh-place on a score of 68.575% was Adrienne Lyle (Ketchum, ID) and Parry and Peggy Thomas' 13-year-old Oldenberg gelding Wizard.
WDM Grand Prix Special
![Jim Koford & Rhett (Shannon Brinkman)](/images/articles/3944/koford.jpg)
Jim Koford & Rhett (Shannon Brinkman)
Koford (Raleigh, NC) showed added consistency in Saturday's test to improve his mark by nearly a percentage point over the Grand Prix test. The pair would have further challenged the winners but a loss of rythym in the piaffe by Shirley McQuillan's 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding held their scores back.
"He was so with me today. It was a win-win," said Koford of Rhett. "I came out with a grin and he came out with a grin."
Finishing third in the WDM Grand Prix Special were Canadian veterans Jacqueline Brooks and D-Niro with a score of 66.833%.