The Canadian team has on the first leg of the 2017 FEI Nations Cup series held at the 2017 Global Dressage Festival in CDIO 3* in Wellington, FL. This U.S. leg of the FEI Nations Cup series runs in a different format from the European instalments with big and small tour classes counting to determine the overall winner.
The Canadian team clinched the top of the podium with impressive performances in the Intermediaire I and the Grand Prix Special. This followed strong rides executed on Wednesday, when the Canadian team established an early lead.
Tina Irwin (CAN) and Laurencio, her 2007 Oldenburg gelding (by Laurentio x Donnerhall), took the spot on the top of the leaderboard once again in the Intermediaire CDIO 3 with a score of 73.237%.
Irwin commented, “I’m very lucky to have a horse like Laurencio. He’s very special. To have such amazing rideability quality-wise, and such a good temperament to go with it, it’s quite easy to ride him. He does a great job; I just sit on top and steer him. I’m pleased with our season, and I knew that he was a special horse right from the beginning. I’m happy to start to showcase that.”
“I think it’s a great experience to be having these Nations Cups,” continued Irwin, who felt this competition helps prepare riders and horses for championships. “It’s huge for us to get together as a country and have these experiences.”
The second-highest score in the Inter I was captured by Tina’s husband, Jaimey Irwin (CAN), and Donegal V, a 2008 KWPN gelding (by Johnson x Gribaldi) owned by Team Irwin Supporters Group. They recorded a 69.263%.
“Donegal has been doing extremely well this year,” said Irwin.” I’m very happy with his progress. He did a really good test yesterday; it was super except for his halt in the beginning, (when) he got a little excited. Today, the wind came and the tent was flapping and that got him really excited, so he wasn’t quite with me today, but he still tried. He has a lot of ability in there for the future, and I’m very happy with the way he’s going.”
Canadian team member Jill Irving rode her own Degas, a 2002 Hanoverian gelding (by De Niro x Regazonni), to a score of 69.588% in theGrand Prix Special.
Said Irving of her experience with Degas, “We did our job, and that was the goal. I love pressure, but I focus on what I need to do in the ring and Degas was ready to step up.”
Megan Lane and her mount Caravella, a 2001 KWPN mare (by Contango x Riverman) rode as the anchors for Canada in the Grand Prix Special and scored 70.176%.
“Having the pressure of being the anchor,” said Lane, “I try not to think about that and I just really wanted to have a good ride. I do well under pressure, so I’m privileged that I got to be in that spot. Coming out of it I was thrilled; I’m actually still shaking! I’m really happy with Caravella. I think she’s in a good spot. The piaffe passage work is always a highlight, and her canter half-passes are really nice to ride. Her changes, as you can probably see, they are a little difficult to sit because they’re so jumpy, but those are her highlights.”
Olivia LaGoy-Weltz (USA) spoke on behalf of the silver medal USA team, “For all of us, everyone that participates, a good, friendly competition pushes us all to be better and provides an opportunity to develop and move on. It’s such a great group of people that we have here in Wellington, so it’s fun in general getting to come together with your country-mates and be in that pressure situation. If you don’t get to practice those things, then you’re only getting to do them when you go to a WEG or an Olympics or a Pan Ams, and we could all use the mileage.”
Spain team member Juan Matute Guimon added, “We are all very thankful for Stillpoint Farm and the sponsors and organizers that make this possible for another year. In my case, I was very happy to also see the inauguration of the first U-25 CDIO competition. Unfortunately, today didn’t go so well for me, but overall I’m very happy with how the week is going. It’s all a positive experience. Even the bad days are better because you get to learn from your mistakes and analyze yourself. When you win and you’re always happy with your rides, you don’t always look at the little mistakes. I think the bad days are better to help you grow, as a rider, as a professional, and as an athlete.”
Blais-Tetrault Takes Highest Step of Podium at CDIO-U25 Wellington
The Nations Cup CDIO-U25 also continued with individual rides in the Short Grand Prix. Mathilde Blais Tetreault (CAN) and her own Utah, a 2001 KWPN gelding by Jazz, captured the gold, scoring 68.093%.
“I think that I went in there today with much more confidence,” said Tetreault of her test. “I thought that I was going to win, so I tried really hard and it worked out that I did! My center trots were good, my piaffe and passage was better, so overall it was pretty good."
"I didn’t really expect this because Utah and I are such a new combination,” she said. “I’m really happy that we have progressed.”
Second place and the silver medal went to Anna Buffini (USA) and her Sundayboy, a 1999 KWPN gelding (by Kennedy), with 68.093%.
“It’s always a blessing to come out here and be able to compete against such amazing competitors. I’m so proud of Mathilde and Molly too,” said Buffini of her fellow medal winners. “They came out here and fought their hearts out.
"My ride today was tough,” admitted Buffini. “It was a little tricky, and I felt that I didn’t quite ride at my best. I’m still proud that Sundayboy backed me up and was able to come out with second place.”
Molly Paris (USA) and her mount Countess,took the bronze and third place with 65.721%.
“Countess is awesome,” said Paris of the 2002 Danish Warmblood mare (Don Schufro x Solos Carex). “She comes out every day willing to give it her all and we’ve just been getting better and better. I couldn’t be happier with her.”
Judge at C, Evi Eisenhardt (GER) reflected on the rides, “I was astonished by the quality of rides we saw. These are the three riders with the highest quality of piaffe and passage. Sure, there were a few small mistakes, but the riding is at a higher level. Last year I judged the European U25 riders, and I think that this is close to them.”
by Carly Weilminster, edited by Eurodressage - Photos © Sue Stickle
Related Links
Scores 2017 CDIO Wellington
Team Canada the Lead in the 2017 CDIO Wellington Nations' Cup
USA A-Team Wins Under 25 Nations' Cup at 2017 CDIO Wellington
U.S. Teams Selected for 2017 CDIO Wellington
Canadian Team Announced for 2017 CDIO Wellington