Jody Schloss Sweeps Grade I at the Perrigo CPEDI3*

Jody Schloss of Toronto, ON, made a clean sweep of the Grade 1 division at the CPEDI3* Para Dressage competition held from March 10 to 13, 2022, in Wellington, FL. The Perrigo CPEDI3* presented by Adequan®, Fair Sky Farm, Mission Control, and Nutrena was held during week nine of the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF).

Schloss started the competition by scoring personal bests in both the FEI Para Team test and the FEI Para Individual Championship test in the Grade I division where all movements are performed at the walk. Riding Lieutenant Lobin, or “Lobin” for short, Schloss earned a score of 70.953% in Friday’s Team test and followed that up with a 73.095% on Saturday in the Individual Championship test where they received impressive scores from the three-member panel of judges. In both tests, Schloss won over U.S. Paralympian Sydney Collier riding All In One.

Schloss, 49, attributed her high scores to two major changes to her program.

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“I have had some significant changes that have helped us to progress,” she explained. “I have had a lot of trouble with my perception of knowing where I am in space. As a result, I have been taking vision therapy and practising daily. It is great that now I can see my progress!

“I have also been able to borrow a saddle for this show,” continued Schloss which came as a result of her recent Pliance Saddle System Assessment which measures pressure points on the horse’s back when the rider is mounted. “The saddle helped with my position which helped me feel the mistakes, and correct them easily. These changes helped me to ride to my personal best!”

In Sunday’s Freestyle competition, where riders choreograph required movements to the music of their choice, Schloss scored 73.023% to again take victory over Collier who earned 71.045%.

“The freestyle we are riding is completely suited to him,” said Schloss of the program designed by Karen Robinson of Applause Dressage, based in Vancouver, BC. “I chose the music from the musical Chicago because it completely reminds me of Lobin. He is very slick and smooth and reminds me of jazz. He loves his music, and it’s a really fun freestyle to ride!”

Schloss has been partnered with Lieutenant Lobin since 2015 and the pair has represented Canada at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, NC, as well as the recent Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, where they placed 11th individually.

“From the beginning, I fell in love with him because of his funny, loving personality,” said Schloss of her 18-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding (Lobster x Fanal Prydsholm). “He has a beautiful, long walk stride that is very impressive. At first, I found it hard to sit to his beautiful walk but now I love showing him off!”

As a Canadian, Schloss appreciates the opportunity to travel to Florida in the winter for competition, especially in the horse-centric Village of Wellington.

“Being from Toronto, what I like best about competing in Wellington, Florida, in the winter is the weather,” she said. “In addition, I love being in a place where it’s normal if you wear your riding clothes out in public. I also love that at the cross walks, there is a button for people walking and a button for people on horseback.

“I would like to thank the many people who have made competing internationally on my beautiful horse, Lobin, possible for me,” concluded Schloss of her successful weekend. “First and foremost, I have to thank my incredible coach, Karis Van Essen. I could not have done this without her. She rides and prepares Lobin beautifully for me and she is also a physiotherapist, so she helps me physically as well. Thank you to Clive Milkins and everyone from Equestrian Canada for all your support and to Kate Ballard who performed the saddle assessment and allowed me to borrow the saddle. Also, a special thank you to Taylor and Melinda.”

For more information on the Perrigo CPEDI3* presented by Adequan®, Fair Sky Farm, Mission Control, and Nutrena, held during week nine of the AGDF, visit gdf.coth.com.