Tina Konyot and Calecto V (Susan J. Stickle)
There were 55 entries that jogged for the CDI competition this morning, with Carlos Munoz taking home the prize for Best Turnout Award from Show Chic with Klouseau.
The judges for today's FEI Grand Prix were: Anne Gribbons at E, Janet Foy at H, Isabelle Judet at C, Ulrike Nivelle at M, and Bo Ahman at B.
Konyot and Calecto V, winners of the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle at the last CDI-W competition at the AGDF, won today's FEI Grand Prix with a score of 70.553%. Cesar Parra (USA) and Van the Man placed second with a score of 68.213%. Susan Dutta (USA) placed third with Currency DC on a score of 67.383%.
Konyot traveled from Palm City to Wellington this morning in order to compete, and felt that the early morning wake-up call may have had an effect on Calecto V, her and John Byrialsen's 15-year-old Danish Warmblood stallion (Come Back II x Rastell).
"I had a few little bobbles. It felt maybe just a slight bit tired, and it shouldn't be because the weather is lovely. I did wake him up at 4 am," she acknowledged with a smile. "He's been laying down sleeping; he had three naps today. He's a very laid-back guy! I was happy with it. I had some very nice things, but we could have just a little bit more energy in the package. Tomorrow is another day."
Konyot joked about Calecto's penchant for napping, "He doesn't just lay down. He's lays out flat, goes to sleep, snores. At the Olympics, they took videos of him. He starts running and whinnying in his sleep. You've never seen anything like it. That's just him."
The pair will compete in tomorrow night's FEI Grand Prix Freestyle and Konyot said she's sure Calecto will "be on his toes." She added, "He feels good and he's happy. He felt very good physically and in his body."
Konyot is looking forward to the evening, which will combine show jumping and dressage. "It should be a beautiful evening. Tomorrow night should be a lot of energy and electricity. That's very exciting and this is such a gorgeous showgrounds. It's very special to have it right here."
In addition to their class win, Konyot and Calecto were presented with the Champion Equine Insurance Dressage Style of Riding Award presented by Laura Whitlow of Champion Equine Insurance.
In the national divisions, Megan Glynn had a one-two finish in the FEI Prix St. Georges - AA class with Tyto (62.303%) and Everybody's Darling (61.908%). The high score of the day was Alix Szepesi on Primative Dancer, who did the First Level Test 2 in the USEF Test of Choice and received a 74.189%.
The Para-Equestrian competition begins tomorrow in the Van Kampen Covered Arena, along with a full schedule of competition in the National divisions in the Wellington Equestrian Realty Rings 1 and 2. The Para-Equestrian riders will compete tomorrow in five grades for their team scores. Their individual tests will run on Saturday, and the team and individual scores combined will determine the team placings. On Sunday, they will have their freestyle classes.