Linda Houweling and Zaouira made their trip from British Columbia pay big dividends with their first CDI win in the Adult Amateur Intermediate I in the at the Pacific Coast CDI3* in Temecula, California. “It was very emotional hearing the Canadian National Anthem playing during the victory ceremony,” Houweling noted. As the mother of a former North American Young Riders medalist (Monica), she’d heard it from the sidelines before, but “for myself to be in it is something!” She and Zaouira have been together six years. Their 71.029% topped the leaderboard today, following yesterday’s runner-up ride in the Prix St. Georges. Yesterday’s Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur winners, Kasey Cannon and Diesel CF, were second with a 70.686% in the Intermediate I today.
After back surgery three years ago, Houweling wasn’t sure she’d be even riding the mare again — ever. Their Bach and Vivaldi freestyle was actually designed for one of Houweling’s trainers to use with Zaouira, who was sidelined herself by a blind splint in the interim.
“That’s why this is all so emotional,” said the rider and dressage supporter who lives in British Columbia and spends time training in Southern California. She works regularly with Shelly Lauder and Leslie Reid and spent three weeks with Johan Hinnemann prior to Pacific Coast Dressage. Along with the joy of being back in the saddle, Houweling was thrilled with their freestyle, which earned a 70.408%. Fluid trot and canter half-passes were favorite segments from a “generous” mare, said the rider. The ease and grace of their tests gave no hint of the struggles preceding their return.
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“I’ve never had a horse who is so complete in everything,” said Jennifer Hoffmann of Rondoro Noblesse, the Austrian stallion whose second small tour win at the Pacific Coast CDI3* contributed to a three-for-three weekend so far. Today’s 71.716% topped the Intermediate 1 division, followed by yesterday’s win in the Prix St. Georges. Hoffmann started the Rosengold son from scratch as a 6-year-old and he’s come far fast thanks to talent and, especially lately, temperament.
“He was a bit hot today, but his maturity is showing because I could still go in the ring and get things done,” Hoffmann explained. “He’s letting me ride him even when he’s jazzed up.” Windy, cool weather and youth soccer games within earshot added to the amped up atmosphere, but the stallion’s attentiveness is yet another sign that Grand Prix may be in the works later this year, Hoffmann said.
Rondoro’s two wins add to Hoffmann’s win of Friday’s CDI Grand Prix aboard Finesse. The pair will try to make it a four-for-four weekend for Jennifer and Jürgen Hoffmann’s German Dressage on Sunday in the CDI Grand Prix Special.
Daniela Groenke finished second and third in the CDI Intermediate 1, on Sambuca and Bardolino, respectively. The 13-year-old Hanoverian mare, Sambuca, is another hot one. So much so that Groenke usually brings a companion pony along to keep the mare at ease in the stable. However, new FEI rules complicated that strategy this time. Plan B was a large stuffed animal bunny to travel with and keep in her stall. “That seemed to help a little bit,” said Groenke, who also credited the spacious, bright FEI stabling at Galway Downs Equestrian Center and the venue’s calm, pleasant atmosphere. “She can be tense and nervous, but today she was really there for me.” Sambuco earned a 69.902%.
Sambuco’s stablemate, the 9-year-old Oldenburg Bardolino, was close behind with a 69.363%. He’s currently schooling Grand Prix but Groenke’s priority is building show experience, hence her gratitude for the Pacific Coast Dressage show’s arrival. She hails from Hope, Idaho, but winters in Southern California. “It’s my first time in Temecula, after hearing about it for a few years now. I love it and, knock on wood, we’ll be back,” Groenke said of plans to return in November for the Pacific Coast Dressage II.
The USDF Region 7 quest for North American Youth Championships is underway, and Dennesy Rogers and Channel are hot on the path. While a handful of planned contenders had dropped out of the division late in the game, Rogers carried the Region 7 flag well. “I think it was good for our first time doing this test,” she said of a 67.892%. “It was better than yesterday (in the YR team test), but I know there is room for improvement.” Having earned a bronze and silver medal in the Junior division at NAYC last year, she was happy to get her qualifying season off to a good start.
Presented by Adequan and enthusiastically supported by the West Coast dressage community, the inaugural Pacific Coast CDI and Open Dressage Show concludes tomorrow. Two rings of competition will see levels from Grand Prix Special to First Level.
For complete results visit www.horseshowoffice.com.
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