Mette Rosencrantz and Finally
The pair placed 14th in the Grand Prix Friday afternoon, and Rosencrantz was pleased with today's winning ride down centerline at the International Horse Sport (IHS) Champions Park at Equestrian Estates in Loxahatchee, FL. She and Finally, owned by Finally Partners, LLC, scored a 67.875% for the win.
"I think I did a helluva good job!" she exclaimed. "Just one mistake in the ones. Otherwise, I could take anything else. The other day I had a problem from the warm-up to the ring, but today I thought 'I've got nothing to lose.' I think there's a lot of things I could do better, but it was a good test and I was really proud of him."
Evi Strasser, who came in second on Action Tyme with a 67.750%, exited the arena chuckling that she had trouble remembering the test but was pleased with her horse's performance. "He was amazing, like always, and he gave it his all," she said.
Strasser, from Ste-Adele, Quebec, and Action Tyme, a 13-year-old chestnut Oldenburg stallion, were seventh in Friday's Grand Prix.
Cheryl Meisner, also from Canada, came in third with a 65.000% aboard Tango, a 13-year-old bay KWPN gelding. The pair placed eighth in the Grand Prix on Friday. "There were a couple little mistakes in there," she said of today's test. "He was a little bit tired but I was happy."
Fellow countryman Lee Tubman of Dunnville, Ontario, was also happier with his ride on Delight. He placed fourth in the Special with a 64.313% after a disappointing 15th in Friday's Grand Prix. "It went better than yesterday," he said. "There were a couple small problems, but it definitely went better than yesterday." When asked why he thought there was improvement he answered, "Motivation. Mine and his."
USA's Barbara Strawson finished fifth aboard Amicelli, a 17-year-old chestnut Holsteiner gelding, scoring a 61.875%. The pair placed eighth in Friday's Grand Prix. Strawson smiled as she left the arena. "It's getting better every day and every time," she said.
In the FEI Young Rider Individual Test, Evi Strasser's daughter Tanya Strasser-Shostak came out the winner on Dancing Tyme, a 10-year old black Oldenburg gelding, with a 65.447%.
"He was really trying hard," she said. "He was better overall, I think, in the frame and in the rhythm. I think if we can keep going at this pace, I can hopefully get into the 67s and that would be nice to have as a result."
Mattie Zepernick from the U.S. cinched first place in the FEI Junior Individual Rider Test with a 65.553% aboard Wencenza. She smiled as she arranged the cooler she won emblazoned with the words "Palm Beach Dressage Derby" before the presentation ceremony.
"We are slowly and surely getting better," she explained. "I'm getting a better feel for having more expression in all my gaits and it comes from taking risks."
Sunday features crowd-pleasing freestyle dressage to wrap up the 30th anniversary of the Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W. Classes include FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle, Young Rider Freestyle, Junior Rider Freestyle and the Grand Prix Freestyle. As always, parking and admission are free at the beautiful showgrounds in Loxahatchee
Results
FEI Grand Prix Special
1. Mette Rosencrantz (USA)- Finally - 67.875%
2. Evi Strasser (CAN) - Action Tyme - 67.750%
3. Cheryl Meisner (CAN) - Tango - 65.000%
4. William Lee Tubman (CAN) - Delight - 64.313%
5. Barbara Strawson (USA) - Amicelli - 61.875%
FEI Intermediaire I
1. Caroline V. Roffman (USA)- Her Highness O- 71.211
2. Kimberly Herslow (USA)- Rosmarin - 70.868%
3. Silva Martin (USA) - Rosa Cha W - 69.158%
4. Justin Hardin (USA) -Wyatt Star - 68.158%
5. William Lee Tubman (CAN) - De Las Rosa - 68.132%
6. Susan Dutta (USA) - Lumberjack - 67.579%
7. George Williams (USA)- Cleopatra - 66.053%
8. Evi Strasser (CAN) - Rigaudon Tyme - 65.737%
9. Melissa Taylor -(USA) - Chicco Roslev - 65.026%
10. Pamela Goodrich (USA) -Wyvern - 64.447%
FEI Junior Rider Individual Test
1. Mattie Zepernick - Wencenza- 65.553%
2. Paula Matute (ESP) - Gasper - 64.974%
FEI Young Rider Individual Test
1. Tanya Strasser-Shostak (CAN) - Dancing Tyme - 65.447%
2. Ally Dunlop (CAN) - Danero - 62.283%
FEI Young Rider Grand Prix (16-25)
1. Ali Potasky (USA) - Lamborghini - 65.465%
2. Cassandra Hummert-Johnson (USA) - Plato Carlos - 63.628%
FEI Pony Individual Test
1. Hanna Benne (USA)- Helluva Dream Maker - 57.537%
2. Melanie Doughty (USA) - Command Performance - 55.122%