Scores and Temperatures in the Seventies- A Perfect Ending for the Zada WEF Dressage Classic CDI

The Zada Enterprises, LLC WEF Dressage Classic CDI never missed a beat as the show wrapped up today with 5 hours of musical freestyle performances that served as the grand finale for four days of  fantastic dressage. Spectators lingered after the last musical freestyle of the afternoon as if hoping for an encore, but today’s performances would be hard to repeat.  In the biggie, the $2500 CDI Grand Prix Freestyle, six-time Olympian, Robert Dover held on to the top spot, riding Jane Forbes Clark’s FBW Kennedy to a  winning score of  76.950%.  “He was a little tense,” explained Dover, “He made those little mistakes at the beginning and end of the ride. But he is getting real confident and we had a great Grand Prix earlier this week and overall we have had a really great, great season.”  

Second in the Grand Prix Freestyle went to Leslie Morse and TipTop 962 who had the spectator’s cheering before she completed her final salute.  Morse and her dynamic stallion finished just shy of Dover with a score of 76.450%. Third place went to another of the show’s superstars, Ashley Holzer on Imperioso with a score of 74.525%.  Fourth went to Canadian teammate, Shannon Dueck on Korona with a score of 73.225%, followed by still another Canadian team member, Evi Strasser on Quantum Tyme with a score of 73.050%.  American, George Williams riding Marnix took the sixth place spot with a score of 70.925%.

Dover and Morse also topped the leader boards in the $1500 CDI Grand Prix. Again, Robert Dover and FBW Kennedy were the winners with a commanding score of 74.875%. This time their score left them a little breathing room, with Leslie Morse and Kingston finishing second with a score of 72.542% and Morse on Tip Top 962 finishing third with a score of 69.333%.

Other Grand Prix stars over the weekend included Michael Barisone and Neruda who won the $1250 CDI Grand Prix Special with a score of 68.960%.  Catherine Morelli and her Dutch gelding, BeSe enjoyed dual Grand Prix victories this weekend.  The pair won the $1000 Grand Prix Special with a score of 66.200% and $1000 Open Grand Prix with a score of 65.000%. Morelli was very pleased with the wins as this is BeSe’s first season competing at the Grand Prix.

The Intermediaire division of the WEF Dressage Classic was also very competitive and the best of the best vied for the top placings. Leading the pack was Olympian, Michelle Gibson riding Elite European Sport Horse’s, Lex Barker to a big win in the $1000 CDI Intermediaire-I with a score of 71.300%. In the $1250 Intermediaire-II, Canadian, Ashley Holzer took the blue riding Gambol to a score of 67.805%.  Yvonne Losos de Muniz of the Dominican Republic won the $1000 Intermediaire-I riding Bernstein Las Marismas, her 9-year-old Hanoverian gelding with a score of 64.750%. Oded Shimoni took the victory in the other $1000 Intermediaire-I class riding Wasmut to a score of 68.250%. And in the today’s $2000 CDI Intermediaire Freestyle the winner was again Ashley Holzer, this time riding Pop Art to a score of 74.475%.

Holzer and Pop Art were also the victors in the $1000 CDI Prix St. Georges with a decisive score of 71.350%. And Holzer won the $1000 Open Prix St. Georges riding her other gelding, Jornello to a score of 67.125%.  Silke Rembacz riding Sheila Buchbinder’s DaCapo also won a $1000 Open Prix St. George class with a score of 65.500%.

The Fourth Level division was also hotly contended and Lars Petersen riding Melissa Taylor Yee’s Dacardo racked up two victories, winning the Fourth Level Test One with a 70.233% and the Fourth Level Test Two with a 70.465%.  The pair also won the High Score Fourth Level Championship for the show, with Catherine Morelli and Sitni finishing Res. Champion with a score of 70.233%.  Meanwhile, John Zopatti riding Mitchell and Julia Vysniauskas riding Papillion had their own head to head competition in the division. These two tied for third place in both the Fourth Level Test One Class with scores of 69.767% and again in the Fourth Level Test Two class with scores of 69.032%.  At last on Sunday, Zopatti was able to inch ahead and win the Fourth Level Test Three class with a score of 68.043%. Vysniauskas finished second with a score of 66.739%. Both good natured competitors seemed relieved to finally break their tied scores!

Other High Score Champions of the show were First Level Champions, Jon Brons and Tornado (74.444%) and Reserve Champions, Linda Smith and Romme (74.074%). Jacqueline Brooks and Balmoral took Second Level High Score Champion honors (71.316%) and Reserve Champions were Barbara Ulbrich and Don Astaire (70.270%).

Third Level High Score Champions were Bill Warren and Romantic (70.889%) and Reserve Champions Jessica Kozel and Absolute Power (78.000%).

  Training Level Test 4

   (C) Roberto,

   1   Eiren Crawford                   Waverly                             69.615%

   2   Gary Lane                        Teutobod                            67.692%

   3   Jan Brons                         Sandro Wein                       66.923%

   4   Lisa Lewis                        Sirrano                              61.923%

   5   Kimberly Patterson               Blue Montana Sky                 56.538%

  Training Level Test 4, AA, JR, YR

   (C) Berrey,

   1   Lily C. Zilo                         Edil I                                  66.923%

   2   Carla Morrison                    Le Savant                           65.769%

   3   Margaret Simak                   Cappuccino                         65.385%

  First Level Test 4

   (C) Roberto,

   1   Ruth Hogan-Poulsen             Dream Lady                        71.944%

   2   Christopher Hickey              Principe                             70.000%

   3   Ariane Dierkes                   Dominant                            66.111%

   4   Barbara Gacek                   Sierra                                63.611%

   5   Carmen Eliza Franco            Phoenix                             54.444%

   6   Carolina Vargas                  Socrates                            49.722%

  First Level Test 4, AA, JR, YR

   (C) Berrey,

   1   Betsy Van Dyke                  Cantana                             69.722%

   2   Jennifer Fulmer                   Fatima                               64.444%

   3   Michelle Sheridan                Rouxletto                            57.778%

  Second Level Test 4

   (C) Roberto,

   1   Barbie Ulbrich                    Don Astaire                         66.863%

   2   Anneliese Vogt-Harber         Monte - R                           64.902%

   2   Charlotte Bayley                 Soltaire                              64.902%

   4   Bill McMullin                       Don Gondoso                      62.549%

   5   Bill McMullin                       Hochmond                          58.824%

  Second Level Test 4, AA, JR, YR

   (C) Berrey,

   1   Sarah Christy                     Madoc Prince Edward            62.549%

   2   Chris Curiger                     Helios                                58.824%

   3   Estela Vega                       Acapulco                           50.784%

  Fourth Level Test 3

   (C) Berrey,

   1   John Zopatti                      Mitchell                              68.043%

   2   Julia Vysniauskas               Papillion                             66.739%

   3   Ashley Holzer                    Aegis Ommen                      64.565%

   4   Cherri Reiber                     Faraon 31                           63.696%

   5   Anneliese Vogt-Harber         Alexis                               62.174%

   6   Kristy Truebenbachlund        Fabio                                61.304%

        Jennifer Schuck                  Just George                        58.261%

        Amanda Persons                Luck of the Irish                    55.652%

        Charlotte Bayley                 Playboy*                            55.435%

  Fourth Level Test 3, AA, JR, YR

   (C) Roberto,

   1   Michele Hall                       Riviera                               61.304%

   2   Kristy Truebenbachlund        Fabio                                59.565%

   3   Daniela Morgan                   Atache 4                            51.304%

   4   Cynthia Nichols                   Remember Me                      41.304%

 

  CDI Intermediaire - Freestyle

  (E) Clarke,  (H) McMullen,  (C) Buerchler-Keller,  (M) Steiner,  (B) Lamping

   1   Ashley Holzer                    Pop Art                              74.475%