Laura Graves claimed another victory in the Grand Prix CDI-W during the seventh week of competition at the 2017 Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, FL. 2016 Olympic bronze medalists Graves (USA) and Verdades, a 2002 Dutch Warmblood gelding (by Florett As x Goya) ended the day with another win and a score of 80.240%.
“It feels much more secure. It’s nice to know that what happened at the 5* wasn’t a one-hit-wonder,” Graves said of her second 80% score in the Grand Prix. “It’s still pretty awesome. It’s a really, really exciting way for us to go in to the big things we have planned.”
Of her ride, Graves continued, “His ride-ability was really super. I was happy with my zig-zags. I feel like we covered a lot of ground in both directions. The pirouettes were really on; I was really happy with my final centerline. I think we ran out of a little steam. It was warm, and they were running a couple of minutes behind. He just doesn’t ever say ‘no,’ so he tried his best.”
Placing second and third to Graves in in the Grand Prix CDI-W were 2016 Olympic teammates and bronze medalists, Steffen Peters (USA) and Kasey Perry-Glass (USA). Peters and Rosamunde, a 2007 Rhinelander mare (by Rock Forever x Fidermark) owned by Four Winds Farm, took second place with a score of 74.820%.
“I still had a little more energy than I wanted,” said Peters about his ride with Rosamunde, “but it was so much better than two weeks ago. I’m super happy with her. She did awesome trot half-passes, beautiful extensions, the piaffe and passage transitions were better. She is just so much fun to ride. She’s so beautiful in the bridle (and) always goes. Most of the time we have to say, ‘Hey wait, not that much!’ So it was a beautiful step ahead, and I thought that showing here in this arena a bunch of times would help her. Certainly, that worked out as planned.”
“Apparently, our tattoos have been working!” joked Peters of the Olympic Rings tattoos that the USA Olympic Dressage Team members recently got together. “It’s nice to be here with the two teammates.”
Kasey Perry-Glass (USA) and Goerklintgaards Dublet, a 2003 Danish Warmblood gelding (Diamond Hit x La Costa x Olympic Ferro) owned by Diane Perry, came in third with a 73.200%.
“I feel like it’s all still changing, and it’s going to change a lot because this is only his second year,” said Perry-Glass, of her progress with Dublet. “Two weeks ago, I felt like I was coming out and he was a little bit more amped to be in there. This week we finally found that relaxation in the ring, to where we can eventually add more power and consistency to it.”
Peters and Bailarino Capture Prix St Georges on Wednesday
Week seven kicked off on Wednesday, February 22, at the 2017 Global Dressage Festival with another victory for Steffen Peters (USA) and Bailarino in the Prix St. Georges CDI 1*. A little rain didn’t stop 2016 Olympic Bronze Medalist Steffen Peters and Bailarino, a 2008 Oldenburg gelding (by Breitling x De Niro) owned by Four Winds Farm, from earning a score of 72.149% and the top placing in the Prix St. Georges held in the Van Kampen Covered Arena.
Commenting on his ride, Peters said, “He was a bit distracted coming in because the second he left the warm-up arena, he left all of his buddies behind. The ride started out pretty good, and then throughout the test he got a bit more distracted. That’s when we missed one four-tempi and the rest of the test was clean, just not as forward as he could go. Certainly, a good score, and of course I’m still happy with him.”
Peters also highlighted his goals for the remainder of the week with Bailarino, as they will be competing in the Intermediate I and Intermediate I Freestyle classes.
“It would be great if we could keep this placing,” said Peters. “I know that last week Adrienne (Lyle) did a wonderful job, (and) team Canada was very strong today, so it would be foolish to rely on this score. But he (Bailarino) is going to take a nice day off tomorrow, we are going to walk, and then Friday is another day!”
Placing second and third to Peters was husband and wife duo Jaimey and Tina Irwin (CAN). Jaimey and Donegal V, a 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding (by Johnson x Gribaldi) earned second place with a score of 70.482%. Tina and Laurencio, a 2007 Oldenburg gelding (by Laurentio x Donerhall) were awarded third place with a score of 69.781%.
Press release by Carly Weilminster, edited by Eurodressage - Photos © Sue Stickle
Related Link
Scores 2017 CDI-W Wellington