Virginia Yarur Ready (CHI) and her own Finn concluded the final day of competition at the 2016 CDI Wellington with a win in the Intermediaire I Freestyle. Yarur Ready and Finn scored a 71.550% for first place, while Michael Klimke (GER) and Royal Dancer collected second place with a 70.975%. Tina Irwin (CAN) and Fancy That finished just behind Klimke with a 70.275% for third place.
Yarur Ready and Finn finished just outside of the ribbons in the Prix St. Georges class on Thursday, but found themselves in a competitive position in the Intermediaire I class on Friday, where the duo took second place with a 70.237%.
“I feel very good about my test, and my horse felt very good. He rode very well and I made a few little mistakes, but I’m happy with it,” she said.
The pair has an established partnership and has performed well to this point in the season. Yarur Ready and Finn also represented their home nation of Chile at the 2015 Pan American Games hosted in Toronto this past summer. The duo finished in a combined 12th place, which included both Large and Small Tour scores.
“I’ve been riding him for seven years now, and I know him very well. He’s a very experienced horse and is complete,” she continued. “When we make mistakes it’s because of me, not him.”
The gentle 2005 Rhinelander gelding has a workman-like personality and always brings his best to the ring for Yarur Ready and through the course of the year, the pair has become much more confident in their Small Tour performances.
“My plan is to continue training while we’re here with my coach Yvonne Losos de Muñiz for the rest of circuit, and we have plans for the future. This year is a year that we’re going to try to go to the Grand Prix. I have to learn it,” she smiled. “With Finn, I’m doing the Prix St. Georges, but want to move to the Grand Prix in the next year. I have other horses too that will be able to reach that level also.”
Mette Rosencrantz (USA) and her own Marron placed first in the Consolation Grand Prix, winning with a score of 67.200%. Lauren Sprieser (USA) and Ellegria earned second place honors, receiving a 63.367%, while Kim Gentry (AUS) rode Leonardo to third, scoring a 62.333%.
Text by Carly Weilminster, edited by Eurodressage
Photos © Sue Stickle
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