There was a strong Canadian dressage contingent competing under the bright lights of Wollman Rink in New York City, NY, as riders vied for top honours during the Central Park Horse Show.
Karen Pavicic of South Surrey, BC, put in a phenomenal performance on Saturday, September 24 in the $75,000 CDI4* US Open FEI Grand Prix Freestyle. Riding Don Daiquiri (Don Cardinale x Rubinstein I), the 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding she co-owns with Jayne Essig, Pavicic earned a final score of 70.325% to finish fourth. With a high score of 77.051%, the win went to Ireland’s Judy Reynolds and Vancouver K, while Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven and Paridon Magi took second and Denmark’s Mikala Gundersen and My Lady earned third.
“The Central Park Horse Show is one of a kind, and not for every horse,” said Pavicic. “I am so fortunate that Don Daiquiri has developed into such a reliable and honest horse. The past two years have provided us incredible opportunities and it was a true honour to be able to compete for the third time in NYC. There is simply nothing else like it! I was very pleased with our Grand Prix test on Friday afternoon, however, Saturday under the lights proved more challenging. Despite this, Don D always tries his absolute best and I am so proud of all of our accomplishments. I am so grateful for this wonderful horse, a huge thanks to all who make this possible!”
Finishing just behind Pavicic was fellow Canadian Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu of New Glasgow, NS, riding All In (Tango x Damiro). She and the 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by her father, Craig Fraser scored 68.625%. Evi Strasser of Ste-Adele, QC, claimed sixth aboard Renaissance Tyme (Royal Diamond x Dream of Heidelberg I), her 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding with a mark of 67.152%.
A day earlier Fraser-Beaulieu claimed third in the $10,000 CDI4* US Open FEI Grand Prix. She and All In wowed the crowd and the judges to earn 71.060%. The win once again went to Reynolds with Vilhelmson-Silfven finishing second.
“Riding in Central Park was such an amazing experience,” explained Fraser-Beaulieu. “Looking up and seeing the back drop of the sky scrapers was very surreal. My Grand Prix was my best test to date and I am so happy with All In dealing with all the atmosphere.”
Pavicic finished fifth in the Grand Prix, scoring 69.380%, one spot ahead of Strasser who earned sixth with a 66.180%.
For more information about the Central Park Horse Show, or for complete results visit cphs.coth.com.
Central Park Horse Show – Canadian Results
CDI4* FEI Grand Prix Freestyle
Place / Rider / Horse / Score
4th / Karen Pavicic / Don Daiquiri / 70.325%
5th / Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu / All In / 68.625%
6th / Evi Strasser / Reniassance Tyme / 67.152%
CDI4* FEI Grand Prix
Place / Rider / Horse / Score
3rd / Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu / All In / 71.060%
5th / Karen Pavicic / Don Daiquiri / 69.380%
6th / Evi Strasser / Renassiance Tyme / 66.180%
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