Tag Archives: Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3*

Lyle and Wizard Golden in Freestyle Competition at Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3*

Adrienne Lyle and Wizard (SusanJStickle.com)

Konyot and Calecto V Third

Wellington, Fla. – The Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3* sponsored by Stillpoint Farm, held in conjunction with the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, came to a conclusion on  Friday evening in front of a packed house with riders vying for Individual medals in Freestyle competition. Small Tour and Big Tour combinations went head-to-head, with the Ground Jury of Anne Gribbons, Gabriel Armando, Cesar Torrente, Lorraine MacDonald, and Bo Jena judging all competitors to determine Individual honors. The U.S. had strong representation in the Grand Prix with four of the six entries flying the American flag, while in the Small Tour two up-and-coming combinations represented the United States.

For the third consecutive day Adrienne Lyle and Wizard could not be beaten as they posted a score of 75.8% in the Grand Prix Freestyle to earn the Gold medal. The competition for the top spots on Friday were incredibly close with the top three all finishing within one point of each other. Lyle’s teammate from the winning USA I Nations Cup team, Tina Konyot, joined her on the podium, finishing in third place. Splitting the American podium finishes was Juan Matute Jr. of Spain with Don Diego Ymas in the Intermediaire I Freestyle Test on a score of 75.325%.

Lyle (Ketchum, Idaho) and Peggy Thomas’ 15-year-old Oldenburg gelding had the crowd’s full attention throughout their performance set to some of the most popular music from the 1970s. Throughout the test, Wizard’s ground covering and expressive gaits were on display and the maturity the impressive gelding has developed over the past 12 months shown through as he remained rideable during the entirety of the test.

The pair showed brilliant work on Friday night, particularly in their rhythmic piaffe and, passage as well as introducing added difficulty by completing double pirouettes. The pair looked on track to score in the high 70s until a bobble in the one-time changes and stumble during their final extended trot.

“I was thrilled with my Freestyle; he can be a bit spicy, especially in the Freestyle,” said Lyle. “I think he was the most rideable he’s ever been in a Freestyle (tonight).”

Lyle always enjoys riding her Freestyle and believes Wizard rises to the occasion as the crowd gets involved with the music.

“I really like my music. Everyone gets into it and is whooping and hollering and he feeds on it, so do. It’s really fun.”

Tina Konyot and Calecto V (SusanJStickle.com)
Tina Konyot and Calecto V (SusanJStickle.com)

Finishing in third place on 75.2%, Konyot (Palm City, Fla.) and her own 16-year-old Danish Warmblood stallion proved why they have been among the top U.S. Grand Prix combinations for the last four years with another solid performance on Friday night. Riding to their trademark music which includes KT Tunstall’s “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” and Beyonce’s “Crazy in Love” they added levels of difficulty throughout the test as they executed one time changes on a half circle as well extended canter into piaffe and piaffe pirouettes.

“I think this is the first time I have been thrilled to be third, I usually like to win but I’m very excited to be third tonight, this was so exciting,” said Konyot. “To see all these people here to watch dressage was incredible.”

Shelly Francis (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Patricia Stempl’s Doktor produced a solid effort on Friday night in the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle to score 73.4% and finish in fourth place. The 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding has continued to improve in his second year at the Grand Prix level and in their test set to an upbeat soundtrack showed immense potential for the future.

Leading off the Grand Prix Freestyle on Friday was Catherine Haddad-Staller (Califon, N.J.) and her own Mane Stream Hotmail. The 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding demonstrated solid piaffe and passage to score 69.8% and finish in eighth place for their up-tempo test.

Silva Martin (Unionville, Pa.) closed out her debut U.S. Nations Cup performance with a ninth place finish in Friday’s Freestyle, riding the Rosa Cha W Syndicate’s Rosa Cha W to a score of 69.325% in the Intermediaire I Freestyle. The 10-year-old Warmblood mare showcased athletic trot work, with Martin increasing the technicality of the canter work to include flying changes on a circle, two-time changes, and solid pirouettes. Martin and Rosa Cha were awarded a 69.325% for their test that was set to current Top-40 hits.

Shawna Harding (Aiken, S.C.) led-off the U.S. effort on Friday evening performing an up-tempo Intermediaire I Freestyle with Tonya Rowe’s Rigo. The pair executed a near flawless test to a compellation of hits from the 1970s which featured an enhanced level of difficulty including the 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding performing two-time changes on the centerline. They finished the Freestyle in 11th place with a score of 68.7%.

Watch the Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3* sponsored by Stillpoint Farm live and find Video-on-Demand on USEFNetwork.com presented by SmartPak here: http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2014AGDF/.

To learn more about the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, visit: http://www.globaldressagefestival.com/.

Follow the U.S. Dressage Team here: http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/USDressageTeam/.

By Helen Murray

USA I Proves Unbeatable at Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3*

Silva Martin and Rosa Cha W (SusanJStickle.com)

USA II Finishes Fourth

Wellington, Fla. – The USA I team proved to be unstoppable on Thursday as they won the Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3* sponsored by Stillpoint Farm, the only Nations Cup held in North America, by a nine point margin. Held as part of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, the team competition was held over two rounds hosting both Big and Small Tour competitors. The USA I team composed of Adrienne Lyle, Tina Konyot, Silva Martin, and Shawna Harding finished the Nations Cup on a score of 423.543 to earn the Gold medal. Canada I earned the Silver medal on a total of 414.488 with Spain occupying the Bronze medal podium on a score of 412.632. While Catherine Haddad-Staller, Shelly Francis, Ashley Wimmer, and Justin Hardin led USA II to a two-day total of 412.053.

The Ground Jury of Anne Gribbons, Gabriel Armando, Cesar Torrente, Lorraine MacDonald, and Bo Jena judged Small Tour combinations, performing the FEI Intermediaire I Test, and saw the Big Tour competitors ride the FEI Grand Prix Special Test (all Big Tour combinations were awarded an added 1.5% to their scores for team classification).

USA I Team

Martin (Unionville, Pa.), making her U.S. Nations Cup debut this week, led off the USA I effort on Thursday with the ever-improving Rosa Cha W to score 67.211%. The Rosa Cha W Syndicate’s 10-year-old Warmblood produced an expressive effort to finish the Intermediaire I in ninth place.

“This is my first time riding on an American team and I’m very excited,” said Martin of her first Nations Cup experience riding for the United States. “I didn’t feel too much pressure; we had a really great support team. I felt very comfortable because everyone made me feel comfortable.”

Harding (Aiken, S.C.) and Tonya Rowe’s Rigo were the second and final Small Tour Combination for USA I finishing the Intermediaire in 10th place. A few bobbles throughout the test meant the 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding scored 66.816% keeping the pair from landing higher up the leaderboard.

Adrienne Lyle and Wizard (SusanJStickle.com)
Adrienne Lyle and Wizard (SusanJStickle.com)

For the second consecutive day, Lyle (Ketchum, Idaho) and Peggy Thomas’ Wizard topped the Grand Prix field, leading USA I to victory. The 15-year-old Oldenburg produced fluid, accurate trot work and, with the exception of a few miscommunications, an expressive canter tour to score 71.059% and with the Big Tour bonus contributed a score of 72.559% to USA I.

Konyot (Palm City, Fla.) and her own 16-year-old Danish Warmblood stallion, Calecto V, contributed the final score of 70.971% to USA I. The U.S. team veterans demonstrated their trademark trot tour but mistakes in the flying changes kept their score under 70% as the pair finished in fourth place in the Grand Prix Special on a score of 69.471%.

“All of us are friends and to compete together at our home Nations Cup is special,” said Konyot who has represented the U.S. at the 2012 Olympic Games, 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and numerous European competitions. “To compete among old friends and see these young riders coming up is very exciting.”

U.S. Chef d’Equipe Robert Dover was extremely pleased with all the U.S. riders and intends to keep having the United States represented in Nations Cup competition throughout the year.

“It is wonderful that we have this Nations Cup in America,” said Dover. “I had not only the hope but the expectation we would win. I was very proud of all our riders and look forward to the next Nations Cup competitions.”

USA II Team

Wimmer (Winston Salem, N.C.) was the first rider of the day from the USA II riding her own Somerhall to 20th place in Thursday’s Small Tour competition. Wimmer expertly guided the nine-year-old Oldenburg through bouts of spookiness throughout the test to score 63.026%.

The final Small Tour for the U.S. and the USA II team were Hardin (Long Valley, N.J.) and Judith Cardella’s 11-year-old KWPN gelding Wyatt Star. The Nations Cup veterans incurred mistakes in the pirouette and flying changes resulting in a score of 64.553% to finish in 17th place.

Haddad-Staller (Califon, N.J.) and her own Mane Stream Hotmail contributed a score of 68.578% for their Grand Prix Special performance to help the USA II team land in fourth place. The 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding had two small bobbles but demonstrated great potential for the future as the scored 67.078% to finish the test in 6th place.

Shelly Francis and Doktor (SusanJStickle.com)
Shelly Francis and Doktor (SusanJStickle.com)

Francis (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Patricia Stempel’s 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Doktor, showed improvement from their work on Wednesday to score 70.569% and finish in second place in the FEI Grand Prix Special Test. With the additional 1.5% awarded for the Grand Prix Special, the pair contributed a score of 72.069% to the USA II total.

USA II Chef d’Equipe Debbie McDonald was extremely pleased with all four combinations efforts over the two days of Nations Cup competition and believes they all gained valuable experience.

“A lot of horses made little mistakes but I’m still pleased. Both Grand Pix rides were quite beautiful; everything improved over yesterday,” said McDonald. “The team spirit was unbelievable. For some of them this was their first team experience and they all handled it well all week.”

Individual medals will be awarded in Friday’s Intermediaire I and Grand Prix Freestyles.

Watch the Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3* sponsored by Stillpoint Farm live and find Video-on-Demand on USEFNetwork.com presented by SmartPak here: http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2014AGDF/.

To learn more about the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, visit: http://www.globaldressagefestival.com/.

Follow the U.S. Dressage Team here: http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/USDressageTeam/.

By Helen Murray

United States Poised for Podium Finishes at Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3*

Adrienne Lyle and Wizard (SusanJStickle.com)

USA I Leads and USA II Third at Half-Way Mark

Wellington, Fla. – Following the first day of competition at the Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3* sponsored by Stillpoint Farm, the U.S. teams stand in first and third places, on totals of 212.802, and 206.853, respectively. Splitting the two American teams is Spain in second place on a total of 206.895. The Ground Jury of Anne Gribbons, Gabriel Armando, Cesar Torrente, Lorraine MacDonald, and Bo Jena judged Small Tour combinations, performing the FEI Prix St. Georges, in the morning, and saw 12 Big Tour competitors ride the FEI Grand Prix Test during the afternoon session.

Both U.S. teams are represented by two Large Tour and two Small Tour pairs in the Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3* sponsored by Stillpoint. All Large Tour combinations will receive an added 1.5% to their score to count toward Team classification.

USA I Team

Adrienne Lyle (Ketchum, Idaho) rode her 2012 Olympic Games veteran, Wizard, for USA Team I in the Grand Prix and demonstrated how much he has matured in the last 18 months. Peggy Thomas’ 15-year-old gelding showcased his expressive and ground-covering gaits to score 71.6% to be the top finisher in the Grand Prix and, with the 1.5% adjustment, the veteran pair aided their team with a score of 73.1%.

“I was really happy with him today; I think he’s getting really consistent,” said Lyle of Wizard. After having competed as an individual in London she is enjoying riding as part of a team in Wellington. “This is the first time I’ve ridden in a team atmosphere. I went to the Olympics as an individual, but the team atmosphere is really special. There’s a lot more pressure, but it’s fun.”

The final combination of the afternoon for USA I were 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and London Olympic Games veterans, Tina Konyot and Calecto V contributing a score of 71.36% to the team effort. Konyot (Palm City, Fla.) and her 16-year-old Danish Warmblood stallion produced a second-place effort in the Grand Prix, scoring 69.86% after incurring bobbles in the one-and-two-time changes.

Leading off the day for USA I Team were Silva Martin (Unionville, Pa.) and the Rosa Cha W Syndicate’s Rosa Cha W in their U.S. team debut. The 10-year-old Warmblood mare presented consistent trot work and an athletic canter tour to score 66.632% and finish the FEI Prix St. Georges Test in 12th place.

Shawna Harding and Rigo (SusanJStickle.com)
Shawna Harding and Rigo (SusanJStickle.com)

Shawna Harding and Tonya Rowe’s 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding Rigo completed USA I Team’s Small Tour performances scoring 68.342%. The international veterans were rewarded for their expressive trot tour and accurate canter which was highlighted by their flying changes to complete the Prix St. Georges in fourth place.

“I’m very pleased with everyone and very proud,” said U.S. Dressage Chef d’Equipe Robert Dover. “This was very positive for all our riders and for what they’re moving towards. They all rode terrifically, and are evolving terrifically.”

USA II Team

The first USA II competitors in the Big Tour, Catherine Haddad-Staller (Califon, N.J.) rode her own Mane Stream Hotmail to a score of 68.66% in the FEI Grand Prix Test and contributed a 70.16% to their team’s score with the bonus for Big Tour combinations. The athletic 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding finished the Grand Prix in fifth place.

Shelly Francis (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Patricia Stempel’s Doktor showcased the experience they gained competing in Europe in the summer of 2013 to add 71.14% to the USA II team score on Wednesday. With the exception of inconsistency in the piaffe, the 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding produced an expressive, polished effort to finish the Grand Prix in third place on a score of 69.640%.

Shelly Francis and Doktor (SusanJStickle.com)
Shelly Francis and Doktor (SusanJStickle.com)

“Doktor is coming into his second season competing at Grand Prix. I’m really happy with him; he can get a little hot but he’s getting much more consistent. He’s starting to know his job more and more,” said Francis who is enjoying the whole team experience. “We all do get together and root for each other; it’s fun.”

Ashley Wimmer (Winston Salem, N.C.) and her own nine-year-old Oldenburg mare Somerhall led off the USA II Team effort in Small Tour competition. The pair scored 63.658% in their first team appearance for a pleasant test to finish the day in 22nd place.

Justin Hardin (Long Valley, N.J.) and Judith Cardella’s Wyatt Star were the final U.S. combination down centerline for the U.S. in Small Tour competition, scoring 65.553% for USA II. The often enthusiastic 11-year-old KWPN gelding performed an obedient, consistent test that was only marred by mistakes in the flying changes to finish in 17th place individually.

Debbie McDonald is serving as Chef d’Equipe for USA II and was pleased with the effort from all four members of her team.

“I was incredibly happy with them; this is an incredibly different experience than riding as an individual,” said McDonald. “This is a really good team; they had a couple bobbles but this is a young team and there’s more to come.”

Team medals will be determined on Thursday with the final 50% of Nations Cup scores being earned in the FEI Intermediaire I Test and the FEI Grand Prix Special Test.

Watch the Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3* sponsored by Stillpoint Farm live and find Video-on-Demand on USEFNetwork.com presented by SmartPak here: http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2014AGDF/.

To learn more about the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, visit: http://www.globaldressagefestival.com/.

Follow the U.S. Dressage Team here: http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/USDressageTeam/.

By Helen Murray

US Teams Eye Podium Finishes at Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3*

The U.S. Teams (USEF Archive)

Lexington, Ky. – Top U.S. combinations and rising stars will be on display this week at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Fla., as two American teams are set to contest the Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3* sponsored by Stillpoint Farm. Nine teams from seven countries will line up in North America’s only Nations Cup competition that is set to host both Big and Small Tour combinations.

Team medals will be determined by the top three scores from the FEI Grand Prix Test and FEI Prix St. Georges Test for each team, combined with the team’s best three scores from the FEI Grand Prix Special Test and FEI Intermediaire I Test. Additionally, a 1.5% bonus will be added to the team results for each Grand Prix/Grand Prix Special rider per team.

Individual medals will be awarded to the riders with the highest scores in the Freestyle tests (Grand Prix or Intermediaire I).

USA I Team will be composed of two 2012 Olympic Games’ veterans in Tina Konyot and Adrienne Lyle riding in Big Tour competition, while Shawna Harding and Silva Martin look to secure top results in the Small Tour. Additionally, USA I Team has been designated to earn points for the U.S. in the FEI Nations Cup Final standings.

Konyot (Palm City, Fla.) brings her 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and London veteran, Calecto V, to the Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3* sponsored by Stillpoint Farm. They come off a second-place finish in the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI4* during Week Five of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. Lyle (Ketchum, Idaho) will also ride her Olympic partner, Peggy Thomas’ Wizard. They enter the Nations Cup on strong form following a win in the Grand Prix Special CDI4* at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival Week Five.

Harding (Aiken, S.C.) is also no stranger to international competition, having represented the U.S. at the 2012 Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Finals in s’Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands. In Wellington she will ride Tonya Rowe’s Rigo, the winner of the 2010 USEF National Developing Horse Dressage Championship. Martin (Unionville, Pa.) makes her U.S. team debut with the Rosa Cha W Syndicate’s Rosa Cha W, looking to showcase the form that earned them a third-place finish at the 2013 Markel/USEF Developing Prix St. Georges Horse Dressage National Championship presented by HorseShow.com.

USA Team II will also be composed of two Grand Prix combinations, Shelly Francis and Catherine Haddad-Staller, and two Small Tour competitors, Justin Hardin and Ashley Wimmer. Francis (Loxahatchee, Fla.) made her U.S. team debut in 1998 at the FEI World Equestrian Games and has continued to be an international presence. This week she will ride Patricia Stempel’s Doktor, who she completed a European tour with in the summer of 2013, including being a member of the U.S. third-place effort at CDIO3*Aachen and a second-place finish at CDIO3* Hickstead. Haddad-Staller (Califon, N.J.) also has a wealth of international experience, having spent 20 years based in Germany. In Wellington she will ride her own Mane Stream Hotmail, with whom she won the FEI Grand Prix Open classes during Weeks One and Five at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival.

Hardin (Long Valley, N.J.) and Judith Cardella’s Wyatt Star make their second start in Wellington Nations Cup competition. They will look to display the form that helped them to the Silver medal podium in last year’s team event. Wimmer (Winston Salem, N.C.) and her own Somerhall make their team debut at the Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3* sponsored by Stillpoint Farm and look to utilize the experience gained at the 2013 Markel/USEF Developing Prix St. Georges Horse Dressage National Championships presented by HorseShow.com.

Competition gets underway at 8:30am ET Wednesday with the FEI Prix St. Georges Test.

Watch the Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3* sponsored by Stillpoint Farm live and find Video-on-Demand on USEFNetwork.com presented by SmartPak here: http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2014AGDF/.

To learn more about the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, visit: http://www.globaldressagefestival.com/.

Follow the U.S. Dressage Team here: http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/USDressageTeam/.

By Helen Murray

USEF Names Teams for Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3*

Lexington, KY – The United States will field two dressage teams for Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3* sponsored by Stillpoint Farm to be held February 18-21, 2014, in conjunction with the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Fla. The U.S. teams will be composed of two Grand Prix combinations and two Prix St. Georges competitors.

USA I Team

USA I Team will be composed of the following four combinations.

Grand Prix

Tina Konyot (Palm City, Fla.) will ride her own Calecto V.
Calecto V is a 1998 Danish Warmblood stallion.

Konyot was first named to the U.S. team short list in 2004 Olympic Games and has become a fixture in team competitions. In 2010, Konyot and Calecto V represented the U.S. at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Ky., helping the team to a fourth-place finish. The pair maintained its form and traveled to London for the 2012 Olympic Games, earning a sixth-place finish with the U.S. team. At the 2013 Aachen CDIO5*, Konyot and Calecto V aided the U.S. team to an impressive third-place finish.

Adrienne Lyle (Ketchum, Idaho) will ride Peggy Thomas’ Wizard.
Wizard is a 1999 Oldenburg gelding.

Lyle has made a name for herself in the world of dressage as assistant trainer to U.S. team veteran Debbie McDonald at the Thomas family’s River Grove Farm. She has spent the last eight years developing a strong partnership with Wizard, including winning the USEF Young Adult “Brentina” Cup Dressage Championship in 2008. The pair represented the U.S. for the first time on one of the grandest stages, competing as an individual at the 2012 Olympic Games.

Prix St. Georges

Shawna Harding (Aiken, S.C.) will ride her Tonya Rowe’s Rigo.
Rigo is a 2001 Hanoverian gelding.

Harding first represented the U.S. at the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Finals in 2012 with Come On III. That summer, the pair finished 10th in the National Grand Prix Dressage Championship at the USEF Dressage Festival of Champions. Harding has also found success on the Small Tour with Rigo, including winning the 2010 USEF National Developing Horse Dressage Championship.

Silva Martin (Unionville, Pa.) will ride the Rosa Cha W Syndicate’s Rosa Cha W.
Rosa Cha W is 2004 Warmblood mare.

German-born and trained Martin moved to the U.S. in 2007, relocating after having spent time in Australia. Known for developing young horses, Martin and Aesthete were named to the 2011 Developing Horse/Rider list. Bringing Rosa Cha W up the levels, Martin guided the Warmblood mare to a third-place finish in the 2013 Markel/USEF Developing Prix St. Georges Horse Dressage National Championships presented by HorseShow.com and the pair received a 2013 USEF Dressage Developing Training Grant.

USA II Team

USA II Team will be composed of the following four combinations.

Grand Prix

Shelly Francis (Loxahatchee, Fla.) will ride Patricia Stempel’s Doktor.
Doktor is a 2003 Oldenburg gelding.

Francis made her U.S. team debut at the 1998 FEI World Equestrian Games in The Hague, The Netherlands with Pikant. With Doktor she helped the U.S. team to a win at the WEF Wellington Dressage Nations Cup CDIO3* presented by Stillpoint Farm in April 2012. The pair repeated the feat in 2013, once again receiving first-place honors with the U.S. team. Francis and Doktor traveled to Europe over the summer, aiding the U.S. team to a third-place finish at the Aachen CDIO3*. The pair scored another top result with the U.S. team, finishing in second-place at the Hickstead CDIO3* in August.

Catherine Haddad-Staller (Califon, N.J.) will ride her own Mane Stream Hotmail.
Mane Stream Hotmail is a 2002 Oldenburg gelding.

Haddad-Staller has twice been named a reserve rider for U.S. teams, first for the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games and then the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. After basing herself in Germany for 20 years, Haddad-Staller returned to the U.S. in October 2012. Since her return, she has collected many top finishes up and down the East Coast at many of the United States’ most prestigious CDI competitions.

Prix St. Georges

Justin Hardin (Long Valley, N.J.) will ride Judith Cardella’s Wyatt Star.
Wyatt Star is a 2003 KWPN gelding.

Hardin and Wyatt Star have developed a partnership over the years. At the 2012 Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 8 Dressage Championships, the pair won the Prix St. Georges Championship. In 2013, Hardin and Wyatt Star were members of the USA II Team at the Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3* presented by Stillpoint Farm, which earned second place. In the fall, the pair finished ninth in The Dutta Corp/USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship.

Ashley Wimmer (Winston Salem, N.C.) will ride her own Somerhall.
Somerhall is a 2005 Oldenburg mare.

Wimmer has brought Sommerhall up the levels, winning the Sotheby’s Stakes Small Tour FEI Prix St. Georges at the 2012 Pinehurst Fall Dressage Show. In 2013, the pair had a solid performance at the Markel/USEF Developing Prix St. Georges Horse Dressage National Championships presented by HorseShow.com. Wimmer and Sommerhall finished out the year in by winning the Sotheby’s Stakes Small Tour FEI Intermediate I and CBLM Finals FEI Intermediate I at the Col. Bengt Ljungquist Memorial Championships and NCDCTA Autumn Leaves Dressage Show.

To learn more about the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, visit: http://www.globaldressagefestival.com/.

Follow the U.S. Dressage Team here: http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/USDressageTeam/.

US Teams Finish 1-2 at Wellington Dressage Nations Cup

Kimberly Herslow and Rosmarin (SusanJStickle.com)

Wellington, FL – Ten teams of international dressage riders met on Friday for a chance to win the Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3* presented by Stillpoint Farm, America’s only CDIO3*. And though there was plenty of good competition, Team U.S.A. I (the U.S. was represented by two teams) was clearly the day’s best.

Total, seven horse/rider combinations earned scores of 70% or more. Three of them were on Team U.S.A. I. Leading the way were Kimberly Herslow and Kiroli Enterprises LLC’s Rosmarin. Their score of 72.079% was more than enough to win in the Prix St. Georges competition, and was the highest individual score of the day.

“It’s such a privilege to have a horse like Rosmarin,” said Herslow, “he gives me one-hundred and ten percent every time he goes into the ring and today was no exception. It was an honor to ride on this team and I’m so happy to have contributed.”

Team U.S.A. I also had contributions from Prix St. George pair Caroline Roffman and her own Her Highness O, and Grand Prix level riders Heather Blitz and Shelly Francis. Francis rode Patricia Stempel’s Doktor to a 70.213%, good for second place in the Grand Prix division, and Blitz rode her 2011 Pan American Games individual silver medalist Paragon to a 71.021%, good enough to win the Grand Prix competition.

“I’m very happy with how [Paragon] went today,” Blitz said after the competition was over, “it was one of my favorite tests, especially in the connection. He gets better in every test. He’s come a long way, but there’s still a lot left. [Today] was a great confidence builder and I’m excited to continue his training.”

Teams for the Wellington Dressage Nations Cup CDIO3* presented by Stillpoint Farm were made up of three or four horses and riders, not more than two of which could be Grand Prix combinations. The top three scores from each team were counted toward the final total. For each Grand Prix score in that top three, an extra 3 percentage points were added to the final team score (this format is the proposed format for the Pan American Games, and Friday’s Nations Cup was used as a test of that format). With the two highest Grand Prix scores counting toward their final score, Team U.S.A. I finished with a total combined score of 219.313, far and away the best team score of the competition.

Not to be too overshadowed though was second place finisher Team U.S.A. II. The team of Prix St. George riders Christopher Hickey and Justin Hardin, and Grand Prix riders Susan Dutta and Cesar Parra earned a total score of 208.675. For a minute, it looked like third place team Canada I (Canada was also represented by two teams) might take the runner up position, but a clutch 69.043% from Parra and Van the Man secured a second place finish for Team U.S.A. II.

“It’s always a privilege to ride on a team,” said Parra, after securing the second place finish. “My horse had a fantastic day and I was very pleased with our test.”

Rounding out the top five were teams Europe (Lars Petersen, Mikala Munter Gundersen, Katarin Stumpf, and Kevin Kohmann) in fourth place, and Spain (Carlos Munoz, Juan Matute, Juan Matute Jr., and Paula Matute) in fifth place.

Competitors return to the ring Saturday for a chance at individual honors. The top finisher will be crowned by combining his/her scores from the Freestyle, performed Saturday, and Sunday’s test of either the FEI Intermediaire I or the FEI Grand Prix Special.

On demand video of every ride from the Wellington Dressage Nations Cup CDIO3* is now available at USEFNetwork.com.

Links to individual scores can be found at http://www.usefnetwork.com/overlays/517.aspx.

Follow the 2013 U.S. Dressage Team here.

By Andrew Minnick

Parra Earns Second-Place Individual Honors at the Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3*

Cesar Parra and Van the Man (SusanJStickle.com)

Wellington, FL – Cesar Parra (Whitehouse Station, NJ) clinched second-place Individual honors today at the Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3* presented by Stillpoint Farm riding Michael and Sarah Davis’ Van the Man. The combination scored 74.375% in Friday’s FEI Grand Prix Freestyle Test and returned Sunday to earn a 72.208% in the FEI Grand Prix Special. The veteran pair finished with 146.583 to claim the runner-up position.

“I’m very excited to be able to take part in my first Nations Cup and to medal,” said Cesar Parra.  “I’m very grateful for the opportunity to represent my country. I’d like to thank my owners, wife, groom, and Katie Riley, my eyes on the ground.  This horse has improved so much.  I love him.”

Finishing in third for the U.S. was Caroline Roffman (Wellington, FL) and her own Her Highness O with an Individual total of 146.313. They scored 74.050% in the FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle and were awarded 72.263% for their FEI Intermediaire I Test on Sunday.

Earning top Individual honors in the Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3* presented by Stillpoint Farm was Christilot Boylen and Dio Mio of Canada. On Saturday the pair earned 75.500% in the FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle and 73.789% in the FEI Intermediaire I Test for a final of 149.289.

Links to individual scores can be found at http://www.usefnetwork.com/overlays/517.aspx.

Follow the 2013 U.S. Dressage Team here.

Parra Leads the Field of Americans in Pursuit of Individual Honors at the Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3*

Cesar Parra and Van the Man (SusanJStickle.com)

Wellington, FL – Cesar Parra (Whitehouse Station, NJ) is the top American after the second day of competition at the Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3* presented by Stillpoint Farm. Riding Michael and Sarah Davis’ Van the Man in the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDIO3*, Parra earned a 74.375% to win the class.

“I loved it. It was electric,” Parra said about his FEI Freestyle Test. “I want to thank the Davis family for believing in me and the horse.”

Finishing second in the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDIO3* were Shelly Francis (Loxahatchee, FL) and Patricia Stempel’s Doktor who received a 72.575%. Susan Dutta and Tim Dutta Inc.’s Currency DC (Wellington, FL) finished in third place with a 71.225%.

In the FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle CDIO3*, Caroline Roffman (Wellington, FL) was the top-placed American, finishing in second place with a 74.050% riding her own Her Highness O. Kimberly Herslow (Stockton, NJ) and Kiroli Enterprises LLC’s Rosmarin earned a third place finish with a score of 73.625%. Christilot Boylen of Canada won the class with a 75.500% aboard Dio Mio.

Caroline Roffman and Her Highness O (SusanJStickle.com)
Caroline Roffman and Her Highness O (SusanJStickle.com)

On Sunday, competitors return to The Stadium to vie for individual honors. The top finisher will be crowned by combining his/her scores from the Freestyle, performed Saturday, and Sunday’s test of either the FEI Intermediaire I for Small Tour riders or the FEI Grand Prix Special for Big Tour riders.

The top three heading into Sunday are Boylen (CAN) in first, Parra (USA) in second, and Roffman (USA) is third.

Links to individual scores can be found at http://www.usefnetwork.com/overlays/517.aspx.

Follow the 2013 U.S. Dressage Team here.

By Kathleen Landwehr

US Teams Ready for Action at Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3*

Heather Blitz and Paragon (SusanJStickle.com)

Lexington, KY – The focus of U.S. dressage this week will be firmly on The Stadium in Wellington, Florida for the Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3* presented by Stillpoint Farm. Held in conjunction with the 2013 Adequan Global Dressage Festival, America’s only CDIO will run April 11-14. The United States will look to secure a repeat victory after claiming top honors in 2012. The home nation will be represented by two teams; each composed of two Grand Prix (Big Tour) combinations and two Prix St. Georges (Small Tour) competitors.

A total of 10 teams composed of riders from the United States, Australia, Austria, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Germany and Venezuela will vie for top honors in Friday’s Nation Cup. This competition holds added significance as it is being used to test the proposed format for the 2015 Pan American Games. Team placings will be determined by the scores earned Friday, with Big Tour riders performing the FEI Grand Prix Test and Small Tour combinations riding the FEI Prix St. Georges Test. Those in Big Tour competition will receive a bonus of three percentage points for receiving 58% or higher in the FEI Grand Prix Test to be added to their team total.

On Saturday, competitors return to The Stadium to begin their quests for individual honors. The top finisher will be crowned by combining his/her scores from the Freestyle, performed Saturday, and Sunday’s test of either the FEI Intermediaire I for Small Tour riders or the FEI Grand Prix Special for Big Tour riders.

USA I Team

Heather Blitz, Shelly Francis, Caroline Roffman and Kimberly Herslow look to help USA I Team stand atop the podium in Nations Cup competition. Blitz (Wellington, FL) and Francis (Loxahatchee, FL) represent the home nation as they go head-to-head with other Big Tour competitors. Blitz rides her own 2011 Pan American Games Team Gold and Individual Silver medalist Paragon. The pair, who is competing in its second year at the Grand Prix level, has earned many top results over the last 12 months. Francis makes a return trip to CDIO Wellington, after representing the United States in 2012. She has moved her partner from last year’s competition, Patricia Stempel’s Doktor, up to Grand Prix this year and the pair has been earning competitive scores and gaining valuable experience throughout the Florida circuit.

Roffman (Wellington, FL) and Herslow (Stockton, NJ) round out the USA I Team in Small Tour competition. Roffman is no stranger to CDIO Wellington competition, having represented the U.S. at the Nations Cup in 2012. She will ride her own Her Highness O this week, who is her winning partner from the 2012 USEF National Developing Horse Prix St. Georges Dressage Championship presented by the Dutta Corp and Performance Sales International. Herslow will look to showcase the partnership she has built over the years with Kiroli Enterprises LLC’s Rosmarin. The pair stepped up to the Prix St. Georges level in May of 2012 and has been steadily improving.

USA II Team

The USA II Team also boasts a formidable line-up of Cesar Parra, Susan Dutta, Chris Hickey and Justin Hardin. Parra (Whitehouse Station, NJ) and Dutta (Wellington, FL) will represent the U.S. on the Big Tour. Parra, a member of the Gold medal-winning U.S. team at the 2011 Pan American Games, will ride Michael and Sarah Davis’ Van the Man. Dutta will ride Tim Dutta Inc.’s Currency DC.

Chris Hickey and Witness Hilltop (SusanJStickle.com)
Chris Hickey and Witness Hilltop (SusanJStickle.com)

Hickey (Colora, MD) and Hilltop Farm Inc.’s Witness Hilltop make their second Nations Cup appearance after helping the U.S. claim victory in 2012. The veteran pair will again compete in the Small Tour competition. Rounding out the USA II Team is Hardin (Long Valley, NJ) and Judith Cardella’s Wyatt Star. The pair who stepped up to the Prix St. Georges level in 2012 will look to showcase its improvement over the last 12 months.

Additional U.S. riders will participate in the Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3* presented by Stillpoint Farm on composite teams with competitors from other nations.

The USEFNetwork.com presented by SmartPak will live stream all the action of the Team competition on Friday. For the live stream, video, photos, news and more, visit: http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2013DressageNationsCup/.

To learn more about the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, visit: http://www.globaldressagefestival.com/.

Follow the 2013 U.S. Dressage Team here.

USEF Names Teams for 2013 Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3*

Lexington, KY – The United States will field two dressage teams for Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3* presented by Stillpoint Farm held April 11-14 in conjunction with the 2013 Adequan Global Dressage Festival. The U.S. teams will be composed of two Grand Prix combinations and two Prix St. Georges competitors.

USA I Team

USA I Team will be composed of the following four combinations.

Grand Prix

Heather Blitz (Wellington, FL) will ride her own Paragon.
Paragon is a 10-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding.

Shelly Francis (Loxahatchee, FL) will ride Patricia Stempel’s Doktor.
Doktor is a 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding.

Prix St. Georges

Caroline Roffman (Wellington, FL) will ride her own Her Highness O.
Her Highness O is a 10-year-old Hanoverian mare.

Kimberly Herslow (Stockton, NJ) will ride Kiroli Enterprises LLC’s Rosmarin.
Rosmarin is an eight-year-old Hanoverian gelding.

USA II Team

USA II Team will be composed of the following four combinations.

Grand Prix

Cesar Parra (Whitehouse Station, NJ) will ride Michael and Sarah Davis’ Van the Man.
Van the Man is an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding.

Susan Dutta (Wellington, FL) will ride Tim Dutta Inc’s Currency DC.
Currency DC is a 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding.

Prix St. Georges

Chris Hickey (Colora, MD) will ride Hilltop Farm Inc.’s Witness Hilltop.
Witness Hilltop is a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding.

Justin Hardin (Long Valley, NJ) will ride Judith Cardella’s Wyatt Star.
Wyatt Star is a 10-year-old KWPN gelding.

Additional U.S. riders may participate in the Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3* presented by Stillpoint Farm on composite teams with competitors from other nations.

To learn more about the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, visit: http://www.globaldressagefestival.com/.

Follow the 2013 U.S. Dressage Team here: http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2013Dressage.

For more information, contact Jenny Van Wieren-Page at (859) 225-6949 or by email JVanWieren@usef.org or Leah Oliveto at (859) 225-2053 or by email LOliveto@usef.org.