The inaugural day of competition at the 2014 CDI-W Burbank on Friday 21 February 2014 was deemed a resounding success. This World Cup qualifier is being held at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank, CA. Despite flu-like symptoms which sent him to the doctor on Thursday morning, Steffen Peters was back in the saddle to be the star of the show in both large and small tour CDI classes.
Aboard the 12-year old Westfalian gelding Legolas (by Laomedon x Florestan II), he had a commanding ride in the Grand Prix to impress the judging panel and earn a winning score of 76.540% over fellow Olympian Guenter Seidel and the 14-year old Westfalian mare Wylea (by Weinberg x Saluut) with 71.960%.
"His trot work, half passes, and piaffe/passage are just incredible," said FEI Foreign Judge Jean-Michel Roudier (5* FRA) of Peters and Legolas. "Also, he is so right in the riding and so good in the training, therefore that is also rewarded." President of the Ground Jury Gary Rockwell (5* USA) agreed. "I think Guenter's horse was the best I've seen her, but Legolas has also improved since I last saw him at the Festival of Champions last fall," he explained. "In some components of the test, such as the extensions, I've seen him ride a little conservatively in the past, but I think today he was asking for more and as a result he got more points from me than before for those elements."
Nineteen horse and rider combinations contested the Prix St. Georges where Peters also triumphed aboard the 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Aristo (by Olivi x Krack C). Despite being first down centerline, Peters' score of 72.632% remained unchallenged for the duration of the class. Finishing in second was Elizabeth Ball riding the Dutch Warmblood gelding Avanti (by Tuchinski x Naturel) on a score of 68.947%.
"We saw a lot of quality horses and riders, including some 'newbies' to the CDI ring who did a great job," said FEI judge Cara Whitham (5* CAN). "But Steffen started out strong and set the standard for the rest of the class." Even though Aristo was making his international competition debut in the Equidome, Peters wasn't surprised by his mount's winning performance. "He's a really really good guy who tries very hard for you," he explained. "He's a 'steady Eddie', but the energy is there when you need it. He's so young still, and is an exciting horse to have in the barn."
In the Young Rider division, Anna Buffini sizzled aboard her 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Sundayboy (by Kennedy x Zevenaar), earning a score of 71.491% over Catherine Chamberlain with Verdicci (by Krack C x Jackson) with 69.474%. Rounding out the CDI, Oregon's Emily Park claimed both first- and second-place honors in the Junior Team Test with her two mounts: Tracy Roenick's 17-year old Dutch mare Pretty Lady (by Iglesias x Sit This One Out xx) and her own 14-year old Westfalian mare Riva Dee (by Rheingau x Potsdam) scores of 64.279% and 61.847%, respectively.
Related Link
Scores 2014 CDI-W Burbank