Pan American Games qualifying heats up on the West Coast as the top four riders in today's CDI Intermediaire I test earned scores over 70% from judges Jean Michel Roudier (5* FRA), Cara Whitham (5* CAN), and Jeanne McDonald (4* USA) at the Festival of the Horse CDI-W/Y/J in Burbank, CA.
Ultimately, Steffen Peters and Weltino's Magic continued to impress both the judges and the audience, earning the namesake of "super horse" from the judges and a dominant score of 77.237%.
"It was really amazing. Everything in the test was so fluent, like from another world!" said judge Jean Michel Roudier. "There is no weakness with this horse, and he has such a nice harmony with the rider. It's wonderful to see."
As a reward for the win, Peters was presented with a Prestige saddle by Prestige Italia's Roberto Rasia and LA Saddlery's Tabitha Knaub and Renee Connolly.
In the big tour, it was Shannon Peters' time to shine as she claimed the win for the CDI Grand Prix Special with Four Winds Farm's Odyssey (64.208%).
"The feeling he gives me is so amazing," said Peters. "He always tries so hard, and gets better and better with each test. That's all I can ask for."
For the Young Rider division, Mackinzie Pooley rode "Jonkara" to a winning score of 66.053% in the Individual Test, while Rison Naness and Kingsley topped the Junior field with 61.228%.
Related Links
Scores 2011 CDI-W Burbank
Ebeling and Rafalca Win Grand Prix at 2011 CDI-W Burbank
