Under glorious spring skies and set within the breathtaking vista of the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park, the 2016 CDI 3 San Juan Capistrano got underway Thursday 31 March 2016 and as the final event of the California season this international dressage showcase drew the largest classes of the year across all CDI divisions as Olympic Team hopefuls begin their final countdown to Rio de Janeiro.
Leading the field of 18 horse/rider combinations both literally and figuratively in the CDI Grand Prix was U.S. Team veteran Steffen Peters of San Diego riding Four Winds Farm’s young superstar Rosamunde, a 2007 Rhinelander mare by Rock Forever x Fidermark. Despite an unlucky draw as the first ride down centerline, the pair showed why they are currently ranked #2 on the USEF Ranking List for the 2016 Olympic Games as their score of 74.120% easily stood atop the leaderboard for the duration of the class and earned the unanimous win under all five judges ahead of Kathleen Raine and Breanna (Hanoverian mare Brentano II x Weltmeyer), who earned 70.880% in their 2016 West Coast CDI debut.
"There are so many times that I’m near the end of the class, it’s only fair that sometimes I should have to go first,” laughed Peters. “I was delighted with her. There were some little things that I wanted to polish in order to earn extra points with her, and we accomplished that today. The walk can sometimes be a little tense but it was better, and standing still is not always her most patient thing to do, but she was perfect for all three halts today. It’s those little things that all add up and help keep her pointed in the right direction if she is considered for Rio.”
Peters was two-for-two in his CDI classes as he claimed victory in the Prix St. Georges this time aboard the stunning eight-year-old Bailarino (by Breitling W x De Niro,) who he also rode to two small tour wins in the Oldenburg gelding’s international debut just two weeks ago. Peters’ score of 72.421% couldn’t be touched as the only competitor in the division to score over 70%. Australia’s Emma Weinert O’Rourke with her 12-year-old black KWPN stallion Zidane (by Rhodium x Falco) also improved upon their
international debut in Del Mar to post 68.395%, good enough for second
place and a new personal best CDI score.
“Bailarino’s a horse that needs to be motivated in the show arena, but I felt like the expression that I was looking for from him came much easier today as opposed to Del Mar,” Peters explained. “He did a really strong walk tour which I think is one of his strengths, and very nice pirouettes. But I think his best asset is his connection: he’s just so beautiful and light in the bridle, honest into the contact, and so controlled and consistent – it makes him a very fun horse to ride.”
In the Young Rider division, Lauren Asher and her Hanoverian gelding De Noir (Hanoverian gelding De Niro x Matcho AA) continued their winning ways in the CDI Young Rider Team Prix St. Georges test with a score of 68.553%. After earning their first international victory together in January, the elegant pair have quickly become accustomed to leading the honor round as they move one step closer to securing a spot on the Region 7 NAYRC Team this summer. Taking reserve honours was Rachel Robinson aboard her new mount Indira (12-year-old Westfalian mare Insterburg x Danny de Vito) with 66.096%.
Another familiar face in the winner’s circle is Veronica West and her own black Hanoverian gelding Nobleman (by Natiello XX x Wenzel II), who claimed yet another Junior Team Test victory with 66.757% over Christian Simonson with Herzkonig (Hanoverian gelding, by His Highness x Weltmeyer) on 65.676%.
by Jennifer Keeler - edited by Eurodressage
Photo © Terri Miller
Related Link
Scores 2016 CDI San Juan Capistrano