Kozel, Irving, Blitz, Kristiansen Win Their Grand Prix on Last Weekend of 2019 Global Dressage Festival

Shows

2019 CDI Wellington

Competition at the final week of the 2019 Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) continued on Thursday, March 28. Jessica Kozel and Jill Irving won the two 4* Grand Prix classes, while on Wednesday Heather Blitz took out the victory in the 3* Grand Prix. AGDF will conclude for the season on Sunday, March 31.

Hard Work Pays Off for Kozel

Jessica Kozel (USA) and Denzello won the Grand Prix CDI4* (for freestyle). The pair rode to a personal best score of 69.239%. “I was really happy with the canter tour in general,” said Kozel of her ride on the 16-year-old Hanoverian gelding by DeNiro owned by Jeevraj Grewal. “I was happy with my changes. He can get a little hot in those, and I was afraid that those might go either way. He just kind of found himself, and that was my highlight.”

Kozel rehabbed Denzello over the last two years from what was thought to be a career-ending soft tissue injury. The horse was previously competed internationally by Lisa Wilcox. “I’ve known him for the last ten years, and I managed him as a groom for many, many years. I did my first Grand Prix ever on him in the national ring [last year] with the hope to work towards the international ring this season,” continued Kozel. “We’ve done that, and I am just really proud of him.”

“I thought it was a little surreal. I didn’t think it was for us,” said Kozel about her experience when she got the first place ribbon. “That was our best grand prix yet, and I was really happy with a 69.239%. When she walked up to me with the blue ribbon I was like, ‘Is that for me?’ Not that she would be joking, but I just would have never expected it in a million years. It was really an honor to not only have our best ride yet, but to be able to put it together in these circumstances and at a show of this caliber.”

Jill Irving to Victory Despite Broken Rib

In the Grand Prix CDI4* (for special), Jill Irving (CAN) and Degas 12 won with a score of 69.935%. “He was on his game and was very, very focused on the grand prix,” said Irving of her 17-year-old Hanoverian gelding by De Niro. “We had a really bad fall in the presentation at the last show and I got hurt, so I was so grateful that he was just amazing and fired up but relaxed.

“I thought his piaffe-passage was really good. It was a great way to end the season, especially when you think of last week,” continued Irving. “He wasn’t thinking presentation, he was thinking of doing his job.”

Irving spoke to her improvement over the years and what it takes to be a successful athlete. “I think with improvement we’re expecting it quickly,” shared Irving. “What I am doing now goes back to training and showing last year at this time. I would say it’s not an overnight thing. I mean, we’ve been doing this since 2013. I’m starting to use my seat more and give with my hands. I’m consistently seeming to go clean now, where as last year I wasn’t going clean all the time. That’s what had been costing me these scores.

“The improvement is the consistency as an athlete, which is the most difficult thing. Ask any athlete, ask Tiger Woods, it’s hard to be consistent. The best are consistent, and that’s what we’re all trying to achieve,” concluded Irving.

Blitz and Semper Fidelis Log First 3* CDI Grand Prix Victory

Heather Blitz (USA) and Semper Fidelis won the Grand Prix (for the Freestyle) CDI3*. The pair rode to a score of 70.609%. “I was really happy with her in general, just her general focus,” said Blitz of the 13-year-old Oldenburg mare by Sir Donnerhall owned by Rowan O’Riley. “I think that all the horses at the show this whole day are high strung and reacting to the really windy conditions. I think that’s a wonderful attribute that she has that [the wind] doesn’t affect her.

“I think the highlight was the passage, which she does really well anyway. The rhythm was really good in it. Her trot half passes are always lovely, and her canter zig zags I got more distance from the centerline this time,” continued Blitz. “Her work ethic, her scope, and her elasticity and freedom of gaits is amazing.”

Blitz is looking forward to her freestyle ride on Friday night. “I love how the music matches her. When you hear the music and see the horse, they match so well. I think it’s really moving. I’m really looking forward to the piaffe-pirouettes and just riding to the music, which not only do I love but it just matches her so well,” concluded Blitz.

On Thursday Signe Kirk Kristiansen (DEN) and Her Highness O, her 16-year-old Hanoverian mare by Hohenstein, rode to a score of 68.652% to win the Grand Prix CDI3* (for special).