Triple Play for Ashley Holzer, World Cup Victory for Lars Petersen at 2013 CDI-W Devon

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2013 CDI-W Devon

Fresh off the heels of victory in the Saugerties series, Toronto native Ashley Holzer took top spot in three of four classes on two different mounts at the renowned 2013 Dressage at Devon CDI-W. Danish born Lars Petersen captured the World Cup victory by winning Saturday night's celebrated Devon Freestyle class.

Holzer, currently residing in New York, opened Devon in a big way capturing first place with 72% in the Grand Prix for Special, coming in well ahead of her competition on Jewel's Adelante, Elaine Cordia-Van Reesema's 13-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding sired by Don Schufro. The pair has developed a strong partnership in their short time together with a string of first place finishes in their last few competitions.

Later that same day, Holzer had her second triumph dancing under the lights with Breaking Dawn, P.J. Rizvi's 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding sired by Akribori, in the Grand Prix for Freestyle earning a score of 72.830%.

"I was extremely pleased with both Jewel's Adelante and Breaking Dawn. They both delivered outstanding performances to win their tests. Jewel's just finished an exceptional event at the NEDA show in Saugerties last week so coming here so quickly after it and producing at that level again is a testament to his capabilities," commented Holzer. He's really a joy to ride down the center line."

Judge Axel Steiner congratulates Lars Petersen on Mariett for winning the Devon freestyle

When asked what it takes to successfully show in back to back competitions, Holzer commented, "It takes a great deal planning to handle tight show schedules without hitting fatigue levels that impact your tests. You need to plan properly to ensure that you continue enjoy the competitions. Knowing your horse, making sure you are prepared for each class, knowing the schedule well enough that you anticipate additional time to prep onsite if you need to, shipping early to know the rings in advance especially if your horse is running tense or nervous, and having downtime in-between, if that's what your horse needs. We went home between Saugerties and Devon so Pop Art could get his pasture time; he loves it, it's important to him mentally. Understanding what your horse needs physically and mentally is extremely important and that takes time and experience both in the ring as well as on the road."

Wellington based Lars Petersen, who will be swapping his Danish nationality for an American one soon, dominated the World Cup qualifying kur to music on Marcia Pepper's 15-year old Danish warmblood mare Mariett (by Come Back II x Sidney). The duo scored a winning 76.975% to edge out Holzer by a fraction of a point. Holzer and Breaking Dawn went on to take second place in the Grand Prix Freestyle on a final score of 76.525%.

In Sunday's finale, Holzer teamed up again with Jewel's Adelante for the Grand Prix Special where the duo earned another first place finish, this time with a final score of 73.708%. Lane and Caravella took fourth place with 68.458%.

Ashley Holzer on Breaking Dawn

"It was incredible here at Devon. I was very pleased with both my horses' performances this weekend," said Holzer. "I'm so happy for Brittany, Jill, Lindsay and Jacqueline too. We're a team, and it's a wonderful positive experience working and showing with them. You don't win these classes by yourself; it takes a huge support team, and especially owners who give you the room to work with their horses to get the best out of them at every performance. They support their riders and horses in so many ways; we couldn't do it without them. I'm so thankful for the awesome team we have, they make each show an encouraging and fun atmosphere and I always show best when I'm having fun."

Brittany Fraser of New Glasgow, NS and All In, her eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding sired by Tango, continued their recent successes by taking second place in both the Prix St Georges with 71.754% and the Intermediaire 1 on 71.228%. In the small tour Kim Herslow swept the board three times aboard her unlimited 8-year old Hanoverian Rosmarin (by Rosentanz x Weltmeyer), scoring winning marks of 72.763% in the Prix St Georges, 73.684% in the Intermediaire I and 75.275% in the Inter I Kur.