Lars Petersen (DEN) and Mariett won yet another Grand Prix Freestyle at the 2015 CDI Wellington, this time in the CDI 5* competition on Friday night 6 February 2015. Petersen and Mariett scored a 79.175% for victory. Steffen Peters (USA) and Legolas placed second with a 76.200% and Mikala Gundersen (DEN) and My Lady came in third scoring a 75.725%, all riding in front of a completely packed crowd.
Nearly a personal best for the duo, Petersen and Mariett produced a test that was flawless and fluid, a routine result for the pair's performances so far in 2015. "Tonight was a very good feeling. I think Mariett actually liked that the atmosphere was so big and she knows when people are watching. I thought this was one of my best freestyles on her ever," commented Petersen.
Legolas was excited in the electric atmosphere and Peters commented on what it was like to try and keep the gelding relaxed, soft, and together, "Tonight his energy was a little bit more controlled than yesterday, which was the goal, and that is a good thing. This is good experience for him. If we qualify for the World Cup, that arena will be (even) bigger and more difficult than this one."
The pair has a breadth of international experience, competing for the United States at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in France, but the atmosphere was a factor for "Legolas" this weekend. "One thing with him being 13 is that there is certainly no lack of energy, and I doubt by the time he's 18 that will change," laughed Peters.
Gundersen, who has been hot on the heels of her Danish teammate Petersen this entire season, was pleased with her continued improvement on My Lady so far. "I love going down the centerline. It is my favorite part of the test. She gets so big and once she hears that music start to play, it just gets her going. The further we get down the centerline, the passage just continues to get bigger and bigger, and she's always so on it when the music starts," said Gundersen when describing how it feels to enter the ring on a Friday night.
Judge at C, Lilo Fore, was truly excited about the entire class of Grand Prix Freestyles tonight and was eager to express to the riders how impressed the judges were with the quality of performances displayed. "I think the horses in this class were absolutely top quality and also I think some of the music which these horses now have is very exciting," she commented. "When you're sitting in the judge's stand and you're tapping your foot and going with the music, you can only imagine what the audience is doing. I think that is a really good sign and the horses we saw tonight were absolutely exceptional. When you think about the entire class, nearly everyone was above a 70% and that is a wonderful step in the right direction for the sport here."
As with the new tradition of each "Friday Night Stars" event in Wellington, several awards were given throughout the night to top performing pairs and to the owners of these winners. The Best Horse Owner Award was awarded to Sarah Schmidt. The Best Horse Owner Award in the Prix St. Georges class was awarded to Mr. and Mrs. Bechtolsheimer, owners of class winner, Unique, ridden by their daughter, Laura Tomlinson for Great Britain. The Best Horse Owner Award for the Grand Prix Freestyle was awarded to Marcia Pepper for the third consecutive freestyle competition in a row. The High Score Award for the Grand Prix Freestyle was also given to Petersen for his incredible 79.175% aboard Mariett.
Koschel Wins Grand Prix Kur 3
Earlier in the day, Christoph Koschel (GER) and Rostropowitsch NRW finished first on a 75.100% in the Grand Prix Freestyle CDI 3*. The duo put together a lovely test during the horse's first competition ever in the United States.
The horse arrived in Florida in mid-January and suffered an untimely spider-bite upon his arrival, which led to Koschel giving him a few more weeks off than previously planned. "When I came into the stable, it looked awful to be honest. It has healed great and we've been taking very good care of it, so he is good to go now," Koschel explained.
As for their test, "Rusty" put together a lovely freestyle considering the pair hadn't had much time to practice the routine. "He may have lacked a little bit of conditioning this week from being out for the spider bite, but I'm happy with the test," said Koschel. "We had a few mistakes in the canter tour, a small mistake in our one-tempis, but he was very nice and in front of the leg the entire time. I really liked the ride."
The delay to the start of their season will not affect the rest of their plans at circuit, and Koschel will bring "Rusty" back in two weeks for the CDI 4*/3*. The horse is a staple in Koschel's string of competitive mounts, which he attests to the horse's incredible personality. "He's a very sweet horse, a bit like a big dog to be honest, which you wouldn't normally expect from a Grand Prix horse. The kids play with him in the stall when he lies down. He is just so well-behaved," he related.
Crowd favorite, the young Juan Matute, Jr. (ESP), placed second in the class aboard his longtime mount Don Diego. The pair earned a 72.375% in their second CDI Grand Prix Freestyle of the 2015 season. "I really enjoyed it. It is always so much fun. This is our second freestyle, and I think we've done great. I have another routine in the works, but we're going to stick with this one at the moment and improve on it," he said.
At only 17 years old, Matute is gaining valuable experience this season competing at the Grand Prix level. The switch from Prix St. Georges to Grand Prix is a large jump for many riders, and Matute feels that he is beginning to feel confident at the new level. He explained, "It's a bit intimidating sitting up here next to some of the best, like Mr. Koschel, but like I said, it's a challenge and I enjoy it. It is always so fun. I have five CDI horses here, and we have a great season to look forward to."
As for the partnership he has with Don Diego, Matute says the gelding has taught him everything he knows and they have an established relationship that gives him confidence in the ring. "I did my first CDI as a junior on him in 2012, and we've grown up together and gotten to where we have," Matute said. "I feel like we've built this relationship that now when I go into the ring, I feel such a strong connection with him and I trust in him, and he trusts in me. We have a special magic that just helps to make everything flow."
-- GDF press release, edited by Eurodressage
Photos © Sue Stickle
Related Links
Lars Petersen and Marriett Rise to the Top in 2015 CDI Wellington 5* Grand Prix
Peters and Rosamunde Draw the Crowds to 2015 CDI Wellington Grand Prix 3*
All Horses Pass Trot Up at 2015 CDI 5* Wellington
Eurodressage On the Scene at the 2015 CDI 5* in Wellington