The first half of the2015 Nations Cup CDIO3* competition in Wellington Florida began on Wednesday 25 March 2015 with Team 1 of the USA leading the way after their overall performance in the Prix St. Georges and the Grand Prix classes. The team composed of Allison Brock, Kimberly Herslow, Olivia La-Goy Weltz, and Laura Graves reached a total score of 223.304 for the first portion of the competition.
The Nations Cup CDIO3* will continue on Thursday 26 March with competition in the Grand Prix Special for the Big Tour pairs and the Intermediaire-1 for Small Tour entries, after which the team medals will be awarded. Canada Team 1 currently sits in second place, while USA Team 2 is in third.
USA Team 1 Takes Expected Lead
USA Team 1 put in a dominant performance to handily take the lead in the Nations Cup CDIO3* after the Prix St. Georges and Grand Prix classes. The team, which is composed of two Big Tour combinations and two Small Tour pairs, performed spectacularly. Not a single member of Team 1 scored below a 70.000% overall.
Chef d'Equipe for Team 1, Robert Dover, was thrilled with the performance of the team as a unit and the statement they made about the resurgence of dressage in the United States. "First of all I'm so proud of all of our American riders. They have made everyone so proud," he said. "The riders themselves came to this arena to do a job, and they will continue to go on doing that job until the end of the competition. They showed why we are ready to be ranked among the best nations in the world."
Laura Graves and Verdades put in another solid performance, giving them another great prep test for their World Cup Finals debut in April. Verdades is becoming incredibly consistent at the Grand Prix level. Graves, who went last in the class as the team's anchor rider, felt that their late ride time was to their advantage. "I like going last, especially when its hot like this and the class is at this point in the day I think its an advantage for us," she remarked. "I'm so lucky to be on a team with three other women who are equals and incredible competitors. I'm really very proud to be a part of this team."
As the pair has major international plans ahead of them, Graves hopes to remove all of the kinks from their routine now so that they can get the most out their performances. "We're still green at this. Hopefully by the end of this year, which will be our second full year riding Grand Prix, I think we will be able to ride a bit more confidently," she noted.
Allison Brock and Rosevelt had the second-highest score, just behind Graves in the Grand Prix, with another very stellar test from the young stallion. Brock has taken her time with Rosevelt, as he is very sensitive and reactive. "He got a little hot in the warm-up with some of the commotion, but he came back to me and I was just trying to gauge with the heat how much time I needed. I wanted to take a horse in that still had gas, but wasn't too reactive. I think we did a good job feeling that out," said Brock. "My goal was to go and have a really clean test and for the most part he was very honest, and he went for it. He was with me, and I'm really pleased with him."
The first to go for Team USA, Olivia La-Goy Weltz felt some pressure before leading off, but said that "Lono" made some great improvements and it was the most extravagant test, movement-wise, he has shown so far this season. "We did have a few uncharacteristic bobbles in the test, but he was still fabulous and continued to settle as the test went on, which is great to know that he is progressing to where he can do that," she remarked.
Kimberly Herslow, who continues to search for the perfect warm-up routine with Rosmarin when the weather is hot, felt that considering the time the pair had to warm-up today, their test went very well. "We both tend to lose a little bit of focus in the heat because its hard to push for the max in that, but I'm really happy with how he went considering last time it was this hot, I couldn't create power," she remarked. "I don't feel like we're maxed out at all, and I am really happy with where we are. I know he has a lot more to give still and we'll keep building off that."
CDIO Wellington Debuts
Kasey Perry and Goerklintgaards Dublet, members of USA Team 2 in Perry's debut international team competition, impressed in the Prix St. Georges class scoring a 73.816% to lead that class. "Dublet" came in very hot to the test, but Perry rode beautifully to keep the talented gelding composed.
"It is so comforting to be on a team when something like that happens because there are so many people around you, and it really calms your nerves," she said. "Right when I went down the centerline though, I felt him check-in with me, and I knew that I had his attention and we were good to go. He never missed a beat, and he was with me the entire time."
For LaGoy-Weltz, Brock, and Perry, this is their first international team competition, and all three felt that the team environment changed not only their attitudes about the competition, but their mentality and focus.
"You feel the pressure. You're learning the process and wanting to do well for everyone else, that's what makes it a team thing," said LaGoy-Weltz. Graves, who has participated in team competition before, was quick to express her pride in being named to this specific team with her fellow competitors. She expressed, "(It's great) being with my teammates in the barn all day and feeling like we're all in this for the same reason, and we love our horses. Having such a strong team has shown what everyone is working towards and that we are growing the depth in our sport."
Wilcox Wins the Prix St Georges 1*
Lisa Wilcox (USA) and Galant, a 2006 Belgian Warmblood gelding, topped the Prix St. Georges CDI 1* class with a score of 69.868%. Diane Creech (CAN) and Diana C followed in second receiving a 69.368%, and Mary Rollins (USA) aboard Royal Prinz was third with 68.553%.
Wilcox, who has been steadily improving aboard the fiery chestnut gelding all season, was thrilled with their performance in the first class of Small Tour competition this week. They were the first to go in the large class, meaning they led from start to finish. "The early bird gets the worm as they say. Its cooler and when you feel the temperature now, during the day, there are advantages to going early. It was helpful for us this morning," she remarked. "I was really happy with him. We've been going through a phase where he's almost too light. He was wonderful, and we're at a great point in our development."
Wilcox and Galant have had success in Wellington before as they took home wins in the Prix St. Georges and Intermediaire-1 last year, but this was their first CDI win so far in 2015. "We've had him since he was four, and he's nine now so it has been a real journey. The development between he and I and the amount of trust we have in our relationship is immense. He's very horse shy, and things that we would find difficult in the past have greatly improved this season," said Wilcox. "I've seen so much growth in him this year alone, and I have noticed that I can keep his focus and the relationship between the two of us has really been built upon."
Galant, who is a typically nervous horse, has truly settled for Wilcox in the warm-up and as a result, in the ring, which is why she feels their improvement has been so consistent this season. "I always felt like I had to choreograph my warm-up to what other horses in the ring were doing because he would get nervous when he felt his space was being invaded," she explained. "The best thing for him and for us was to get out and do it this season and constantly feel surrounded by it. He finally, at some point, just let go and even though it's still there, it's manageable and that's been a huge turning point for us."
Current Team Standings for the Nations Cup CDIO3*
1. USA Team 1: 223.304
2. Canada Team 1: 216.664
3. USA Team 2: 209.980
4. Canada Team 2: 209.264
5. Germany: 208.910
6. Guatemala: 196.000
7. Colombia: 195.184
8. Australia: 186.921
Photos © Sue Stickle
Related Links
Scores: 2015 CDIO Wellington
Wellington Ready for Second Leg of 2015 FEI Nations' Cup Dressage
Lisa Wilcox Tops Intermediaire I at 2014 CDIO Wellington
