California's Steffen Peters and Legolas showed why they are favorites to lead the U.S. Dressage Team to France for the World Equestrian Games this summer by earning a unanimous victory from all five judges in today's Grand Prix Special at the 2014 CDI-W Burbank, CA.
Guenter Seidel and Wylea (by Weinberg x Saluut) threw down the gauntlet with a lovely performance in the challenging Grand Prix Special test on a score of 72.784%, but their score was ultimately good enough for only second. Last to go in the class, Peters had a solid performance highlighted by his 12-year-old Westfalen gelding's signature flamboyant expression in the piaffe and passage to earn a winning score of 75.255%.
"You don't see piaffe much better than this," noted FEI 5* (ret) judge Axel Steiner. Reflecting on progress made since Legolas made his international competition debut in Burbank two years ago, Peters was very pleased with his mount's performance and consistency. "For a long time the flying changes were very difficult for him, but he's come so far and now did two tests in a row this weekend without making any mistakes," he explained. "That's huge and hasn't happened before. He feels more confident about it, I feel more confident about it, and because of that we both feel more comfortable. That's what it's all about - going on to the next show with an increasingly confident feeling."
For a second day a large field of small tour riders entered the Equidome for the afternoon's Intermediaire I test, which turned into a hard-fought battle for the champion's sash. But once again Peters found the winner's circle with Carla Hayes' 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Aristo (by Olivi x Krack C), who earned 69.298% from the judging panel to narrowly edge out second-place finisher Elizabeth Ball riding the Dutch Warmblood gelding Avanti (by Tuchinski x Naturel) with a score of 68.991%.
"It was tough to place the class in the end," said FEI Foreign Judge Jean-Michel Roudier (5* FRA). "The top group of horses had wonderful highlights as well as some mistakes, but I saw a lot of potential there for the future."
In the CDI Under-25 division, veteran NAJYRC competitors began their transitions to the Grand Prix ranks by contesting the new Intermediate B test. Canada's Monica Houweling rode Rifradin (by Gribaldi x Formateur) to victory on a score of 66.032%, followed by Mackinzie Pooley (USA) aboard the 17-year-old Dutch gelding Partous (b yJuventus x Hemingway) with 64.365%.
Standings in the Young Rider division remained the same as the first day of competition as Anna Buffini topped the leaderboard in the Individual Test (72.281%) with her powerful 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Sundayboy (by Kennedy x Zevenaar). "I was very impressed with the winner today," said judge Gary Rockwell (FEI 5* USA). "It is an exceptional horse, and she rode very well and with a maturity for her age." Finishing second was Catherine Chamberlain aboard her Dutch Warmblood partner Verdicci (by Krack C x Jackson) with 69.693%.
Emily Park scored her second consecutive Junior division victory in as many days with Tracy Roenick's 17-year-old Dutch mare Pretty Lady (by Iglesias x Sit This One Out xx), this time in the Individual Test on a dominant score of 67.947%, followed by 60.079% for Bryce Quinto and Ramazotti (by Master x Bernstein).
Related Links
Scores 2014 CDI-W Burbank
Steffen Peters Sweeps the Board on First Day of 2014 CDI-W Burbank