Wendy Christoff Wins Grand Prix at CDI 3* YJ Golden State Dressage Festival

Ottawa, Ontario—For the second year in a row Delta, BC, native Wendy Christoff won the Grand Prix at the CDI 3* YJ Golden State Dressage Festival, held April 9–11, in Rancho Murieta, CA, USA.

Riding Pfalstaff, her 16-year-old Hanoverian gelding sired by Palladium, Christoff scored 67.064% in the Grand Prix test, which earned the pair their fourth qualifying score for the World Equestrian Games, which will be held in Lexington, KY, September 25–October 10, 2010.

The duo then performed a wonderful Grand Prix Special test to earn 67.250% for their second victory.

“The interesting thing is that it was my goal was to qualify. I never really thought about what would happen if I did. I am very excited and the Rancho Murieta show was one of those shows that you always dream about,” said Christoff, who has competed in five shows over 10 weeks on the US West Coast this year. “I felt in control of the tests and took my time to make each movement happen instead of the test getting away from me — especially in the Special. That test comes at the rider so fast and the flow is difficult for me to master, but this weekend I felt I had control of the test.”

In the advanced division, Joni Lynn Peters of Armstrong, BC, rode her 10-year-old Canadian Warmblood gelding sired by Ferro, Travolta, to a second place finish in the Prix St. Georges, scoring 65.733%. In sixth place was Rochelle Kilberg of Surrey, BC, riding Rudy, Ben Vermeulen’s nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding sired by Rotspon. Travolta and Peters also finished second in the Intermediaire I class with 65.421%, while Rudy and Kilburg earned another sixth place finish.

Kilberg and Rudy finished in second place in the Intermediaire II Freestyle, scoring 66.250%.

The international judging panel included Linda Zang (FEI O—USA), Mariette Withages (FEI O¬¬¬—BEL), Elizabeth McMullen (FEI O—CAN), Bernard Maurel (FEI O—FRA) and Mercedes Campdera Alatorre (FEI I—MEX).