The Adequan Global Dressage Festival might have been staged in Wellington, Florida, but last weekend’s winners circle was dominated by California dressage riders at this hub for international dressage. Most of them warmed up for this year at Desert Dressage at the Desert International Horse Park late last year. Super to see them continuing what they started here. The following is excerpted from reports from Jennifer Wood Media. All photos by the wonderful Susan Stickle.
The USA’s Steffen Peters and Suppenkasper welcomed a victory in the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI5*, presented by CaptiveOne Advisors, in the first “Friday Night Stars” competition of the season.
Peters and Suppenkasper, Akiko Yamazaki and Four Winds Farm’s 2008 KWPN gelding by Spielberg, danced under the lights at Equestrian Village to a score of 80.995%.
“There were lots of things that were great,” began Peters. “The piaffe felt really good, great half-passes, the pirouette felt good. To me, one of the highlights of ‘Mopsie’ now, that used to be so difficult, is the collected walk. I used to have to hide that a little bit in the corner, but now I’m doing it on the diagonal because I can really show the relaxation. That might look like a boring movement, but to me it’s huge. Of course, I risked a little bit much in that one extension, so he broke; one little fumble. The rest felt great.”
Despite having no general attendance, the night still had its usual buzz of excitement, and Suppenkasper handled the atmosphere like a pro. Peters rode to a slightly different floor plan than normal, and despite some miscommunication, still pulled off the +80%.
“The floor plan was different this time,” he said. “I do the extended walk 20 meters and then another 20 meters collected walk across the diagonal. So, the half-passes are going the opposite way. I think that was slightly confusing to the judges. There was a little miscommunication before, but it was my fault. I should have been clearer about it.”
“One thing you don’t want to do, you don’t want to confuse the judges. And I did,” he said with a smile.
The pair have finished competing at AGDF, and they will resume their training with the hope of making it onto the final USA Dressage shortlist. Peters concluded, “We decided to bubble wrap him from here and preserve him and head back to California next week.”
Guenter Seidel and Leatherdale Farms’ Equirelle were third with a 75.560%, behind Yvonne Losos de Muniz and Aquamarijn on a 77.070.
Spectacular Sabine & Sanceo
Saturday saw a second victory for the USA’s Sabine Schut-Kery and Sanceo, this time in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI5*, presented by Palm Beach Equine Clinic. Schut-Kery and Sanceo, Alice Womble’s 2006 Hanoverian stallion by San Remo, marked their highest Grand Prix Special score to date, earning a 77.468%, more than four points higher than second place finisher Lindsay Kellock (CAN).
“I feel so much joy and have happy tears,” began Schut-Kery. “It’s very emotional. Aside from those feelings, to ride the test, you are focused in there of course, but it’s also joyful. It’s an amazing feeling to have an animal like that to respond to you in there with such small aids and cues. That amazing feeling is still there for me after 30-plus years, how we can communicate with an animal like that.”
The personal best score for the pair comes after a successful win on Thursday in the Grand Prix CDI5*, and Schut-Kery noted her appreciation for the team that supports the duo and has helped them get to this point.
“During the awards,” Schut-Kery explained, “I thought, ‘My gosh, there are so many people on my team, and I want to thank the ones behind me that keep a horse at that level.’ The coaches, vets, farriers, grooms, and the owners of course. When you have such a nice ride, one that you’ve been working up to, those are the things that go through your head.”
Schut-Kery noted that though Thursday welcomed a victory, it wasn’t her favorite performance, and she was happy that she was able to stick to her plan to really ace the Grand Prix Special. She said, “How many times in your life do you have a plan and you hope you can stick to it, but it doesn’t go right? This really feels like it all went to plan today. My goal was the Special. I did it a week before in the National show to prepare because we had been out of the ring since November, so today was nice. Thursday was a little disappointing on my part as a rider, so it’s nice that today it worked out so well. It’s one of those special moments, and I know that I will always have to work hard for it, but it’s a moment of joy.”
Ben For The Win!
Continuing what has been a year-plus hot streak, Benjamin Ebeling and Illuster Van De Kampert topped competitive field in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI3*, presented by Hygain Feeds.
Ebeling and Illuster Van De Kampert, Amy Roberts Ebeling and Nuvolari Holdings, LLC’s 2008 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Spielberg, earned a 75.170%, almost five full points ahead of the second place score.
“It’s really a testament to my coaches and the team behind me,” expressed Ebeling. “For me, it’s really important to give thanks to them. They help me so much day to day, and I wouldn’t be here without them.”
The high score was also a personal best for Ebeling and the gelding, their second of the week after placing first in Friday’s FEI Grand Prix CDI3* with a 73.326%. “Today was the most comfortable that Illuster has felt in that arena,” said Ebeling. “Of course, it’s a big atmosphere for any horse, but he’s naturally a hot horse. The arena can be a bit of a challenge for him. Every time we go in there he’s settling down and for me mentally, that’s a big win.”
He continued, “Today his strength was definitely in the canter work. The first trot half-pass I was very happy with, and that last centerline is always so fun to ride too.”
The pair made their senior international Grand Prix debut at AGDF this season after competing in the Under 25 division. They have notched several top placings since, with the day’s Special marking their third big tour win.
Proving that hard work pays off, the team also has several eyes on them as they are coached by Ebeling’s father, Olympian Jan Ebeling, Japanese dressage team coach Christoph Koschel, and also receive help from retired five-star judge Gary Rockwell and former USA dressage team coach Robert Dover.
Ebeling explained, “Usually I’m talking to Robert Dover the night before a test, and one thing that he’s always telling me is maintaining a good connection with power and collection. It’s something that we talk about often, and I really feel like I brought that into the arena today.”
Ebeling explained, “Usually I’m talking to Robert Dover the night before a test, and one thing that he’s always telling me is maintaining a good connection with power and collection. It’s something that we talk about often, and I really feel like I brought that into the arena today.”
Second place in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI3* was awarded to Susan Dutta (USA) on Don Design DC, Susan and Tim Dutta’s 2010 Hanoverian gelding by Der Designer with 70.893%.
Californians filled the next three spots on the impressive leaderboard. Anna Buffini (USA) on FRH Davinia la Douce, her own 2007 Hanoverian mare by Don Frederico, took third place honors with 70.702%.
Nick Wagman (USA) on Ferano, Elizabeth Keadle’s 2010 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Scandic were fourth. Mette Rosencrantz (USA) on Dzeko, Cory Walkey, Mette Rosencrantz, and Robin Cathey’s 2006 Oldenburg stallion by Dimaggio, were fifth. And, Sarah Lockman (USA) on First Apple, Summit Farm’s 2010 KWPN stallion by Vivaldi, were sixth.
The Lövsta Future Challenge/Young Horse Grand Prix Series sported a win for Jennifer Hoffman (USA) and Rondoro Noblesse, Wolfgang Himsl and Hoffman’s 2011 Austrian Warmblood Stallion by Rosengold, on 72.720%.
Thank you Jennifer Woods Media & Adequan Global Dressage Festival for the reports!