The 2021 Global Dressage Festival (GDF) continued competition during week 3 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL, on Thursday, January 28, with a red, white, and blue victory for Steffen Peters (USA) and Suppenkasper.
Peters and Suppenkasper, Akiko Yamazaki and Four Wind Farm’s 2008 KWPN gelding by Spielberg, have notched 16 wins in a row now, concluding their first Wellington Grand Prix performance of the year with a 76.761% in windy conditions.
"Rode a Little More Conservatively"
“We had a nice ride this morning,” Peters began. “Usually I work him twice on competition days. He felt great so I did exactly 22 minutes of work at 9:00 am, and 25 minutes in the warm-up today before the test, because sometimes the longer I work him, the hotter he gets. Remembering last year when I went into this ring, he was a firecracker, and the first test we did wasn’t as good. I rode a little bit with that mindset today, and rode a little more conservatively, and he surprised me. I think I could’ve ridden him a little more, but it’s a good start with a clean test, and I’m very happy with him. Usually the wind and cold air bothers him too, so he’s growing up.”
Peters and the gelding took part of the spring off, enjoying California and the break from competition. “I think for both of us it was great to take a break,” he admitted. “I was pretty bummed that the World Cup didn’t happen last year, as that’s always such a highlight riding in front of an American crowd. But then you accept it, and for both of us it was good to take it easy. I enjoyed biking and boating, and Mopsie certainly took it easy in April and May, and then in June we picked it up again a little bit.”
Peters continued, “If you look at the world, there’s nothing good about COVID because we’ve lost so many people, and there is so much tragedy, but I think it really opened up my eyes. When I wake up in the morning and I can take a deep breath, I can appreciate those things. I wake up with more gratitude every single day, and I think that shows a little bit in the riding. If I have a ride that didn’t go that well, it’s not as significant now.”
Up in the Air
Peters’ plans for the Florida season are solidified, but the rest of the year is still up in the air. “Knowing he was so good today,” concluded Peters, “we are just going to do the five-star at the end of February, and then the Nations’ Cup. I really trust our federation, and I know that they will make the right decision when it comes to going to Europe, and for hopefully competing in Tokyo. I go day by day, and at the moment it doesn’t make sense to go to Europe, for obvious reasons, and I would be perfectly happy if we do the quarantine in the United States as planned, and then fly from here to Tokyo. That would be a good plan, but first I have to make the team.”
Canada’s Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu on All In, Brittany Fraser and Marc-Andre Beaulieu’s 2005 KWPN gelding by Tango, edged into the second-place position after a strong performance, earning a 71.891%. Third place was awarded to the USA’s Katherine Bateson Chandler and Alcazar, Jane Forbes Clark’s 2005 KWPN gelding by Contango, receiving a 70.913%.
Parra Wins Prix St Georges 3*
Germany’s Michael Klimke and Astro, Harmony Sporthorses’ 2013 Hanoverian gelding by Astrix, captured second place with a 69.676%. Marc Stanuschewski (GER) and Graciella, European Equestrian Transfer Group’s 2010 Oldenburg mare by Sir Donnerhall II OLD, were awarded third place with 66.794%.
Ebeling Scores First Senior GP Victory
In the Grand Prix 3* the USA’s Benjamin Ebeling earned first place with a 71.804%, riding Illuster Van de Kampert, the 2008 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Spielberg, owned by Amy Roberts Ebeling and Nuvolari Holdings, LLC.
Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén took second with Lövsta Stuteri AB’s 2009 Holsteiner gelding by De Chirico, Devanto, with a 69.022%. Third place went to Susan Dutta (USA) and Don Design DC, Susan and Tim Dutta’s 2010 Hanoverian gelding by Der Designer, with 68.609%.
Photos © Sue Stickle
Related Link
Scores: 2021 CDI Wellington