Karen Pavicic of Surrey, British Columbia, had an impressive showing at the CDI 3* Thunderbird Touch of Class Dressage Show, held June 9-14, at the prestigious Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, BC, Canada. Eight riders in total lined up for the Grand Prix, whereas 10 riders competed in the small tour at Langley.
Partnered with Don Daiquiri (by Don Cardinale x Rubinstein I), the 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding she co-owns with Jayne Essig, Pavicic earned two personal best scores throughout the week. The first came during her victory in the Grand Prix after achieving a final score of 71.120%. The duo improved on this score in the Grand Prix Special, scoring 72.451% and adding another win to their record.
“Don Daiquiri was amazing,” said Pavicic, who is a declared rider for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games coming up in August. “He feels in the best shape of his life and it would be an honour to fulfill a lifelong dream to represent Canada at the Olympic Games. The support and enthusiasm in Langley was truly overwhelming. I would like to thank everyone for welcoming us back home. It was a wonderful feeling to be able to perform in front of a hometown crowd.”
Fellow Canadian, Joni Lynn Peters of Armstrong, BC, also saw success at Thunderbird, taking second place on a score of 68.200% in the Grand Prix with Travolta (by Ferro x Landwind II), her 16-year-old Canadian Warmblood gelding. Peters followed up with a third place finish in the Grand Prix Special with 67.137% with Travolta.
Only one rider contested the Grand Prix Kur to Music, Marcia Doyle on Ariadne, after both Pavicic and Appleby withdrew from riding the freestyle. Doyle and the 12-year old Canadian warmblood mare Ariadne (by Rubignon x Weltmeyer) scored 65.350% for victory.
Photo © Cara Grimshaw
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