Adrienne Lyle and Wizard returned to the stadium spotlight and danced away with the win in the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle during the Global Dressage Festival (GDF) at the $120,000 5* West Palm Beach, presented by Diamante Farms on Friday evening. Their score of 77.275% placed them well above the competition and earned prize money totaling $25,200.
Ashley Holzer of Canada on Breaking Dawn was second with 74.000% and collectd $15,360. Anja Plonzke of Germany on Le Mont d'Or, received 73.600% and $12,000 for third.
Lyle, 27, an assistant trainer for Debbie McDonald at Peggy and Parry Thomas' River Grove Farm, has the daily riding and training of Wizard (Weltmeyer-Pica, Classiker) and is very pleased with the way her charge is progressing.
"This was a personal best for us," said Lyle. "We have scored a 74%, we will take a 77%. In the last two weeks since I've been back riding him he has felt like a different kind of horse. He's got the range of motion and power but is expressive and relaxed and feels fresh in the ring. I think with just a little bit more experience, getting him more relaxed in there, we will be brilliant. He sure doesn't feel at all limited. It feels like we can do each movement for a 10."
Holzer was also pleased with Breaking Dawn's performance. "The horse is just phenomenal. I have ridden enough horses to know I have a good one. The more I pushed the more he gave. I am really thrilled," said Holzer. "I've been careful, knowing how long the season is at this level of competition, not to push him. I go in each time and am happy with what he can give. With someone like Adrienne getting a 77%, I want to push, but know I can't. I'm careful to let his strength build for August with confidence. He has been eager all season. I cannot ask for more. He's blown away my expectations."
Spectators were also treated to a spectacular Freestyle Opening Ceremony with a laser light show, a DJ, and silk dancers.
Pierre St Jacques And Lucky Tiger Are Tops
Pierre St Jacques and his mount Lucky Tiger won the FEI Olympic Grand Prix Special on Friday. St Jacques, who hails from Anthony, FL, took the blue ribbon with a score of 67.311% at the Stadium show grounds of the Global Dressage Festival. (GDF) David Marcus, of Campbellville, Ontario, was second with Chrevi's Capital scoring 67.022% and Christopher Hickey was third aboard Douglas Hilltop with 65.378%.
Lucky Tiger, a 1995 Danish Warmblood gelding, is both owned and ridden by St Jacques. They have been a team since 2000 when St Jacques found Lucky Tiger in Denmark as a five-year-old.
"I have had him since he was five-years-old and now he's 17, so he's been a very good horse for me. He is very special to me," said St Jacques. "I was really happy with him today. He was a little bit tired, the heat got to him a little bit. I made a couple mistakes in the one tempis because he was a little bit tired and not in front of my leg enough, but overall I was really, really pleased with him."
St Jacques took some time off from showing to spend time with his family. His wife, Samantha, had a baby boy, Stirling Keaton, which had an effect on this show season.
"My horse is getting better as the season gets older," said St Jacques. "He had the summer off because my wife was having a baby and he hadn't had a break for a long time. I brought him back at the beginning of the season and it's taken this long to get him back into show condition."
St Jacques and Lucky Tiger were members of the Gold Medal Winning US Dressage Team at the 2003 Pan American Games.
Marcus, who was second with Chrevi's Capital, was pleased with their test despite a few errors. "Overall I was very happy with his ride today," said Marcus. "It was not his best ride and I had some mistakes in the changes, but I think the potential for him is really great. This is his first season and each time out we sort out one issue after the next and he just keeps getting better and better."
Photos © Sue Stickle
Related Links
Scores 2012 CDI Wellington
Adrienne Lyle And Wizard Are Magical at $120,000 5* CDI at 2012 Global Dressage Festival