Lars Petersen and Mariett are making a habit of winning top honors at the International Horse Sport (IHS) show grounds. This time, the pair clinched the Grand Prix at the 2013 CDI-W Loxahatchee held at Equestrian Estates with a 73.745%. Just two weeks ago, they were double winners in the same venue at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W
, collecting first place in both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle.
Denmark's Petersen and Mariett, a 15-year-old bay Danish Warmblood mare owned by Marcia Pepper, also earned fifth place finishes in the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Freestyle at the World Dressage Masters CDI5* Palm Beach Jan. 23-27.
"It's been a good season," Petersen said. "The mare is getting better and better. She's really coming along. She can be a woman with an opinion sometimes but I really enjoy riding her now."
Mariett's owner, Marcia Pepper, said she was euphoric. "The winning never gets old," Pepper said. She added that the next step was showing at the Global Dressage Wellington CDI5* April 4-7. "After that, we are hoping to have the horse assessed and possibly doing the Danish Championships," she said.
Running true to form, Shelly Francis and Doktor claimed second place in the Grand Prix with a 69.021%. Francis also notched two second-place finishes in the Grand Prix and Freestyle at the Dressage Derby. Doktor, who has been improving steadily throughout the season, is a 10-year-old bay gelding owned by Patricia Stempel.
Canada's Diane Creech and Devon L took the third place slot with a 67.681%. Creech and Devon L, a 13-year-old chestnut Hanoverian gelding owned by Douglas W. Leatherdale, took second place in both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle at Wellington Classic Dressage's Sunshine Challenge CDI3* Jan. 23-27.
Susan Jaccoma and Wadamur scored a 66.532% to capture the fourth place ribbon. Just last weekend, she and Wadamur, her own 13-year-old bay Hanoverian gelding, placed second in the Grand Prix Special at the WEF Dressage Classic CDI3*.
Canada's David Marcus rode Don Kontes to score a 65.468% and secure the fifth slot. Marcus, and Don Kontes, a 13-year-old dark bay Swedish Warmblood gelding owned by Deborah Kinzinger, were third in the Grand Prix at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W.
Janne Rumbough in her first CDI Grand Prix, took home sixth riding her own Junior, an 11-year-old gray P.R.E. gelding, with a 63.362%. Rumbough, an adult amateur, moved up the ranks with Junior to compete against the professionals today.
"He's not really ready for it because he just started the Grand Prix, but where are you going to get five incredible judges to give an opinion so you can go home and work on it," she asked. "It's just the most wonderful learning experience for him and me." She added that her goal is to go to Devon and this show provides her the chance to help her reach her goal.
Marta Renilla of Spain took home seventh place with a 61.957% in her first outing in the South Florida show circuit this season aboard Presumido, a 10-year-old gray P.R.E. stallion. Renilla traveled from Tomball, TX, a suburb of Houston, to also compete against the top performance riders at the show.
"I know it's a big trip here but I want to see what it's like to compete with the best riders," Renilla said. "I want to see where I stand. For me, competition makes me ride better. That's what I want to see-exactly where I am."
Top scorer for the day was Canada's Chris Sander earning a 77.237% aboard Lyric in Third Level Test 1. "He went in and did his job," she said. She added that last month was the first time the duo had shown at that level and credited her trainer, Lars Petersen, with her performance today. "He is the only reason the horse is going so well," she said.
She explained that she came to the Champions Cup because the showgrounds are beautiful, the judges are world-class and the atmosphere is welcoming. "I love this show," Sander said.
In the FEI Prix St. Georges class, Shelly Francis took the lead aboard Danilo with a 71.360%. "I liked it," she said. "We had a bauble or two but I liked it."
Second place went to 15-year-old Juan Matute, Jr., riding Gasper and earning a 68.640%. Matute said that competing against such a talented group of professionals was inspiring. "It's quite a feeling," he said. "They are riders. Really, really tough riders."
Photos © Sue Stickle
Related Links
Scores 2013 CDI-W Loxahatchee
Marcus, Brooks, Konyot Head-to-Head at Final 2013 North American World Cup League Qualifer