Tag Archives: Katie Poag

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage

Poag Guides Zonnekoning to FEI Grand Prix Win at Tryon FEI CDI 3*

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Katie Poag and Zonnekoning. Photos ©SusanJStickle.

Mill Spring, NC – April 21, 2017 – The first international dressage competition of the 2017 season commenced at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), featuring both Small Tour and Large Tour competition in the George H. Morris Arena. The highlight class, the FEI Grand Prix presented by Adequan®, was championed by Katie Poag (USA) aboard Zonnekoning, who earned a 68.840% to take the win. P. J. Rizvi (USA) and Breaking Dawn finished in second place with a score of 68.222%, ahead of Arlene “Tuny” Page (USA) and Dr. House 2, who collected third place on a score of 68.100%.

Poag and Zonnekoning narrowly edged Rizvi and her veteran mount, Breaking Dawn, after performing a consistent and relaxed test in the main arena. After spending their winter season in Wellington, FL, perfecting the movements of the Grand Prix test, the pair displayed a strong connection, ultimately leading to their win and a personal best score.

“I thought it went very well today. It was a fairly consistent test for us. Our trot work, as we’ve moved through the levels, has been our strongest piece and I felt like we were able to really clean up the canter work today,” said Poag. “I was very pleased. I think we can all desire and want more, but it was a great performance today.”

The pair collected several strong finishes during their winter season and has built on their foundation of strength and confidence since the conclusion of the winter circuit. With improvements to several areas of their test, Poag was beaming with their final result.

“Our flying changes went a lot better today than they did during our last outing. The piaffe and passage tour is the strongest it has been too,” she continued. “I thought that it was accurate and where he needed to be today. He was listening to me and I felt like that was shown throughout the test.”

P. J. Rizvi and Breaking Dawn

Poag and Zonnekoning will contest the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI 3* presented by Adequan® to conclude Large Tour competition. Poag selected the music herself and has built the choreography around the pair’s strengths.

“I really enjoy our choreography for our freestyle. We get to be creative and really highlight the movements where we excel. I’m looking forward to tomorrow and I really enjoy the music that we have.”

A native of Greensboro, NC, Poag, who now bases her business in South Carolina, commented on the convenience of having an FEI CDI competition in the Carolinas’ region. She commented, “We really enjoy coming here. We were here last year for the first CDI in April and then returned in September for the second CDI just to school around. I’m looking forward to coming here more and it feels like it’s in my backyard. I’m from North Carolina and now we live in South Carolina, so I’m familiar with this area. It feels like we’re home.”

Heather Blitz (USA) and Praestemarkens Quatero, a 2009 Danish Warmblood gelding (Quarterback x Rohdiamant) owned by Blitz, took a commanding win in the FEI Prix St. Georges presented by Adequan® after receiving a score of 72.974%. Jessica Jo Tate (USA) and Montana captured second place with a 69.237%, while Natalie Pai (USA) guided her own Fritz San Tino to third place, receiving a 68.605%.

For more information, please visit www.tryon.com.

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage

Victory for Rizvi and Poag in AGDF 10 FEI Grand Prix Specials

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P. J. Rizvi and Breaking Dawn. Photo Credit: ©SusanJStickle.

Wellington, FL – March 18, 2017 – Week ten at the 2017 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, FL continued on Saturday, March 18 with wins for P. J. Rizvi (USA) in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI 3*, presented by The Dutta Corp., and Katie Poag (USA) in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI 4*, presented by Havensafe Farm.

P. J. Rizvi (USA) and Breaking Dawn, a 2001 KWPN gelding (Akribori x Eveline x L. Ronald) owned by Rizvi, climbed to the top of the leader board in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI 3*, presented by The Dutta Corp, earning a score of 70.588%.

This was the pair’s first time competing together in the FEI Grand Prix Special.

“It was one of those ‘let’s just give it a whirl’ moments,” said Rizvi. “I’ve just been doing the freestyle, but it was time to do the Special, and I’m so proud of him. He felt forward, and with the length of the test it felt like even at the end, I still had a lot of horse under me. I’m just so amazed; he’s like 16 going on six and is such a joy to ride.”

In regard to her future with “Edward”, Rizvi commented, “I think we are going to try to go to Europe this summer. He is super healthy, and I think that now is the time that we want to move forward and try to show this summer instead of waiting for a whole year until next season.”

Second place in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI 3*, presented by The Dutta Corp, was awarded to Anna Marek (USA) and Dee Clair, a 2008 KWPN mare (Sir Sinclair x Rolls Royce) owned by Diane Morrison, the pair earned a 67.216%. Third place went to Christopher Hickey (USA) and Ronaldo, a 2006 Danish Warmblood gelding (Blue Hors Romanov x Trostruplunds Scarlet x Blue Hors Don Schufro) owned by Cecelia Stewart, with 66.333%.

Katie Poag and her own Zonnekoning, a 2004 Dutch Warmblood stallion (Florett As x Maraba), captured a victory in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI 4*, presented by Havensafe Farm. Their score was 67.941%.

Katie Poag and Zonnekonig

“I thought the ride went pretty well,” said Poag. “I thought the trot work was the strongest part of it, as it usually is. The canter is still a bit challenging, (and) our flying changes are coming along. I was pleased with the overall feeling of the ride. Our goal is to keep climbing and moving up, and I think he has a tremendous amount of talent and can continue to do that. It’s just a matter of coming to these competitions and getting more experience. I’m very excited about the future and how much more I think he can bring to the table.”

Second place in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI 4* went to Arlene Page (USA) and Dr. House 2, 2005 Oldenburg gelding (Don Schufro x Rinerfa JS x Krack C) owned by Page, scoring 67.451%.

Earlier in the day, Jennifer Baumert (USA) and Handsome, a 2005 Hanoverian gelding (Hochadel x Wyona x Weltmeyer) owned by Elizabeth Juliano, earned a score of 74.875% and a victory in the FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle CDI 3*, presented by CaptiveOne.

Second place went to Catherine Malone (USA) and Dilona, a 2008 KWPN mare (Lord Leatherdale x Vajda x Kennedy) owned by Iron Spring Farm, with 73.458%. Third place in the FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle CDI 3* was awarded to Anna Marek and Einstein JP, a 2009 KWPN gelding, owned by Lorna Donahue, scoring 71.750%.

For more information and to see a full list of results, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.