Adrienne Lyle (USA) and Harmony’s Duval braved the rain in the prize giving ceremony after dancing to victory in the Grand Prix which kicked off Tryon Spring Dressage CDI 3*. The pair earned a personal best score of 75.130% to top a field of 14.
Ashley Holzer (USA) and Havanna 145, a 2007 Hanoverian mare (Hochadel x Rodgau) owned by Diane Fellows, garnered a score of 72.478% to be awarded second place, while Jill Irving (CAN) and her own Degas 12, a 2002 Hanoverian gelding (De Niro x Regazonni), rounded out the podium on a total score of 70.978%. Competition continues tomorrow featuring the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle presented by Adequan®.
For Lyle and the 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Rosseau x Riverman) owned by Duval Partners LLC, today’s clean test was “a big deal” and full-circle from their first National Grand Prix competition at TIEC exactly a year ago, she explained.
“At this show a year ago we did our first National Grand Prix, so he’s only been in Grand Prix competition for a year. It’s always been about getting him [to] focus,” she elaborated, “and not get flustered and get through a test without mistakes, so this is a really big accomplishment.”
“He hasn’t shown that many places in his life, and we’ve only been at [Global Dressage Festival] all season, so this is new for him. I love this showgrounds – it’s maybe my favorite showgrounds in the world to show – but it’s great for the horses to get to come to a new place and ride in a new stadium with atmosphere like this. It’s really fun.”
Her young mount showed great composure despite several rain delays through the day, and “is always ready to go,” she revealed. “He’s a horse that I get out several times before his test, tack-walking and hand-walking a lot, so he’s in and out a lot through the day. [Today] we had to wait a bit, but that’s just part of the game. The good thing about him is he’s always ready to go – he has endless energy. So when we throw the tack on, he’s ready for it, no matter when that is.”
Lyle called Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) at Tryon Resort the ideal stepping stone for her next challenge with Harmony’s Duval: taking on Europe. “I wanted to come to this CDI to get one more show in before we go to Europe this summer. I think this is a really good stepping stone to get him some exposure and solidify him a little bit more. He got a grant to go to Europe this summer from the USDF that will help fund him there,” Lyle continued. “He was US bred and born, so he’s never been out of the country. He’s a really wonderful horse – we’ve had him since before he was saddle-broke, so it’s a fun culmination of many years of work with him.”
Before Europe, Harmony’s Duval will take on the Grand Prix Special CDI 3* on Sunday, which Lyle predicted will feature his strongest work: “We’re on to the Special on Sunday, which is always a really strong test for him. His piaffe and passage work is always a highlight for him, so I’m really, really excited about him,” she concluded.
In the Under 25 Intermediate II 1, Canada bookended the podium with Naima Moreira Laliberte (CAN) and I Do Kiss, a 2006 Swedish Warmblood stallion (French Kiss x Donnerfly) owned by KML S.A.R.L., receiving a score of 68.412% to take first. Reserve honors belonged to Anna Weniger (USA) aboard Don Derrick, earning a 63.353% with the 2004 Dutch Riding Horse gelding (Don Ruto x Libertino I) owned by Dawn Weniger. Third place went to Camille Carier Bergeron (CAN) aboard Gilles Bergeron’s Acoeur, a 2007 German Sport Horse gelding, with a score of 63.206%.
The Junior Rider Team CDIJ NAYC/USEF Qualifier saw Camille Molten (USA) score 67.697% to win aboard her own Heros, a 2004 Danish Warmblood mare (Blue Hors Hertugx Lucky Light). Reserve went to Sophia Holloway (USA) aboard Neptune NF, her own 2009 Andalusian gelding, with a score of 62.883%. Lunalee Barboza (USA) and her own Donatus, a 2003 Wrtbrg gelding (Dark Dream x Davina) received third place on a score of 61.909%.
-- GDF press release - Photo © Sue Stickle
Related Link
Scores: 2019 CDI Tryon