Day three of 2021 Global Dressage Festival continued on Saturday, January 16, with a second victory for Adrienne Lyle (USA) and Harmony’s Duval, this time in the Grand Prix Special 3*.
Lyle and the Duval Partners LLC’s 13-year-old KWPN gelding (by Rousseau) earned a 74.830% for their day’s performance. The pair landed three percentage points above second-place finisher Jennifer Williams, who earned a personal best score (72.192%) with Millione, an 18-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding by Milan owned by Millione Partners. Third place went to Susan Pape (GBR) on Eclectisch, Harmony Sporthorses’ 12-year-old KWPN stallion by Zenon, who received a 71.724% from judges.
"More Comfortable in his Own Skin"
“He felt much more comfortable in his own skin today,” said Lyle of the gelding. “I was really happy with him. He felt much softer in his back, and the connection through the ride was a lot better than in our test on Thursday. He was really able to show off some of his highlights today, and I’m thrilled with the overall performance.”
“He’s always had a lot of talent for the collected work,” she continued, “the piaffe, passage, pirouettes. When he’s nice and supple and happy like he was today, he really shows it off nicely. With him, we’re always trying to find ways to keep him relaxed mentally in his work. He tries very hard, and we always work to keep a very clear understanding between us about what I’m asking of him.”
After two successful competition weeks (AGDF 1 and competition at the AGDF venue in December) Lyle does not have a definitive plan as to when the pair will compete next, but intends to give Duval a chance to have a bit of fun. “He has done so well, and we won’t train super hard in between shows,” she said. “He gets to go home and have a little bit of fun!”
Marek and Felissirana Top Inter I 1*
Earlier in the day, Anna Marek (USA) bested the Intermediate I 1* riding Felissirana, Alise Carrico’s 11-year-old KWPN mare by Belissimo M. The duo rode to a score of 69.618%. Second place went to Luuk Mourits (NED) and Don’t Stop The Feeling, Harmony Sporthorses’ 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Don Primus, with a 68.324%. Jessica Howington (USA) closed out the top three aboard her own J’Adore, a nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Jazz, scoring a 67.029%.
Victory in the Intermediate A 3* went to Mikala Münter (USA) and her own 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding Skyfall, receiving a 67.529%.
In the Intermediate I Freestyle 3*, Kevin Kohmann (GER) marked his third victory of the week aboard Equitas LLC’s 11-year-old KWPN stallion Five Star (by Amazing Star), ending the week with a 76.855%. Second place was awarded to Joanne Vaughan (GEO) and Forbes 7, her own 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Fidertanz, received a 66.450%.
Related Links
Scores: 2021 CDI-W Wellington
Lagoy-Weltz and Lonoir Win Grand Prix for Kur at 2021 CDI-W Wellington
Lyle and Harmony's Duval Capture Grand Prix Win At First CDI of 2021 Wellington Season