The second international dressage competition of the 2017 season commenced today at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), featuring both Small Tour and Large Tour competition in the George H. Morris Arena. Alexandra Duncan (CAN) and Vitall championed the FEI Grand Prix presented by Adequan®, earning a 65.600% to capture the win. Competition continues tomorrow, beginning at 8:00 a.m. and highlighting the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle presented by Adequan® at 4:20 p.m. in the George H. Morris Arena, followed by the Gladiator Polo™ “Battle for South Carolina” presented by Coca-Cola® at 8:00 p.m.
Duncan (a Horse-Canada.com blogger) and her own Vitall, a 2002 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Ferro x Jarelle x Aram) entered the CDI ring today for the first time together in two years after the horse suffered an injury to his splint bone, which resulted in a lengthy surgery and rehabilitation.
“It felt good to be back,” commented Duncan. “I was pretty happy with him today. We had a few small mistakes. Today he had some highlights in the passage, the two tempis were nice. I was pleased with the extended trot as well. Just the overall feel he gave in there today was great. He was really present and with me.”
Duncan, now based in Loxahatchee, FL, purchased the gelding when he was a five-year-old from Germany. The pair will continue on with competition in hopes of representing Canada at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 next September here at TIEC.
Duncan and Vitall will be back to contest competition on Sunday in FEI Grand Prix Special, as they decided to forgo the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle this weekend. “We will go into that class with a positive attitude, and work on tidying up the mistakes we’ve made today. My main goal is to go in and have fun with him,” she concluded.
Molly Paris (USA) and her own Countess, a 2002 Danish Warmblood mare (Don x Compeed x Solos) finished in second place with a score of 64.360%, ahead of Elizabeth Austin (USA) and Steeped In Luck, a 2003 Irish Draught stallion (Mount Diamond Flag x Steeple View) owned by Keith Douglas, who collected third place on a score of 63.680%.
Emily Miles (USA) and Floretienne, a 2009 Oldenburg gelding (Flortestan I x Tamarinde) owned by Leslie Waterman, took the top spot in the FEI Prix St. Georges presented by Adequan® after receiving a score of 69.000%. Jessica Jo Tate (USA) and Summersby, a 2007 Hanoverian mare (Sir Donnerhall x St. Pr. Hauptsutbuch Roxanne) owned by Joseph Tate, captured second place with a 68.526%, while Kelly Layne (AUS) guided her own Fritz San Tino, a 2006 Rhinelander gelding by Fürst Piccolo, to third place, receiving a 68.447%.
FEI CPEDI 3*
The first ever FEI CPEDI 3* competition kicked off today at TIEC, welcoming riders from around North America for their first experience at the venue. The FEI CPEDI 3*, which is also running in conjunction with the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships sponsored by Deloitte.
Today’s competition saw riders from all five grades contest team competition. The Grade I Team Test victory was earned by Margaret McIntosh (USA), aboard her own Heros, a 2004 Danish Warmblood mare (Blue Hors Hertug x Lotus x Lucky Light), with a score of 70.476%. Second place went to Winona Hartvikson (CAN), and Ultimo, a 2007 PRE gelding (Invasor iii x Gala xxi x Teodoro), receiving a score of 69.226%. Third place was captured by Roxanne Trunnell and NTEC Daytona Beach, a 2002 Westphalian mare (Don Bedo x Weindame) with a score of 68.571%.
Placing first in the Para-Grade II Team Test was Laurietta Oakleaf (USA) aboard Niekele Fan Busenitz, a 2004 Friesian stallion (Sape 381 x Wemke H x Fetse 349), earning a 69.899%. Coming in second to Oakleaf in the Para-Grade II Team Test was Jason Surnoski (CAN) aboard Bella de la Noche, a Warmblood mare, receiving a score of 63.838%. Third place was awarded Sharon Buffitt (CAN) and Elektra II, a 2005 Canadian Warmblood gelding (Radjah z x Nikita x Rastar) owned by Buffitt, with a score of 63.838%.
Rebecca Hart (USA) clinched the win in the Para-Grade III Team Test, riding Rowan O’Riley’s El Corona Texel, a 2009 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Wynton x Urieta Texel), as the pair finished on a 68.039% for their first score of the week.
Hart commented, “I’m super excited about this horse, El Carona Texel. We are a very new combination, as we’ve only been together for a month! This is our first show together, so I’m super happy with how we are starting out! I’m really excited for this partnership. He’s got some great talent and I cant thank his owner, Rowan, enough for giving me this opportunity.”
Hart, a three time Paralympian, has her eyes set on the FEI World Equestrian Games™ in 2018 at TIEC, as well as the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
Riley Garrett (USA) was awarded second place in the Para-Grade III Team Test, with Piston, a 2003 Canadian Warmblood owned by Garrett, on a score of 67.941%. Third place saw Meghan Benge (USA) and Zoey, a 2007 Welsh mare (The Key x Kurbaums Future), collect third place on a 61.863%.
The Grade IV Para-Team Test was won by Angela Peavy (USA) aboard her own Lancelot Warrior, a 2002 Hanoverian gelding (Londonderry x Waroness x Warkant) owned by Rebecca Reno, with an impressive score of 70.583%. Peavy also captured second place aboard her new mount Royal Dark Chocolate, a 2008 Oldenberg mare, also owned by Reno, with a 69.875%. Michele Bandinu (USA) rounded out the third place with a 66.750% aboard his own Soulman 13, a 2009 Oldenburg gelding (Swarvoski x Lovestory vii).
Katie Jackson (USA) and Royal Dancer, a 2005 Westphalian gelding owned by Kai Handt, finished with a win in the Para Grade V Team-Test with a score of 67.093%. Second place was awarded to Mary Jordan (USA) piloting Rubicon 75, a 2005 Oldenburg gelding (Royal Hit x Edelkarin x Absinthe) on a score of 66.318%.
Competition continues tomorrow, Saturday, September 16, with a full schedule of classes including Para Individual Championship CPEDI 3* tests, while the FEI CDI 3* classes will highlight the FEI Intermediaire I and FEI Grand Freestyle, each presented by Adequan®. To learn more about Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), please visit www.tryon.com.
FEI Grand Prix CDI-W presented by Adequan®
1. Alexandra Duncan (CAN), Vitall 65.600%
2. Molly Paris (USA), Countess 64.360%
3. Elizabeth Austin (USA), Steeped In Luck 63.680%
4. Kim Gentry (AUS), Leonardo 63.340%
5. JJ Tate (USA), Cayman V 63.140%
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