Germans Koschel and Wandres Sweep Grand Prix Tests at 2021 CDI Wellington

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2021 CDI Wellington

Germans and personal friends Christoph Koschel and Frederic Wandres took the day’s lead in the Grand Prix 4* and 3* for freestyle during the third week of competition at the 2021 Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Florida.

**Koschel Wins 4* GP for Kur**

Koschel and Eaton, a 2009 KWPN gelding by Wynton owned by the Japanese company Unitechno, Inc., rode to a score of 70.065%, the only combination in the day’s class to earn above a 70%.

“He felt a bit spicy today,” began Koschel. “The horse is really expressive, but he can do better in the canter tour, so this is definitely something we want to improve. He has competed well lately, but the atmosphere is a little chilly tonight, and he knows this arena, but he was still a little nervous. For a start to this season, I was pretty happy with it.”

Koschel, who is the coach of the Japanese dressage team, took over the ride from one of his team riders and expressed his gratitude for the talented mount. He explained, “He’s been in my stable for a while because he belongs to one of my Japanese team riders (Masanao Takahashi). He gave me the ride on this horse, and the horse was a little hot, so he thought it would be good if I took over. It was really kind of him, and his sponsor was very kind to let me ride the horse, so I am thankful for that. I am lucky that I can keep competing him!”

Koschel’s winter plan is to give the gelding more time in the competition arena before taking him back to Europe for the summer. “We want to get as much experience together as we can get,” he continued, “and I am looking forward to my first freestyle with him on Sunday. When he feels good, I want to keep competing and see where we end up. We can do better with more suppleness and less tension, but that will come.”

Canada’s Lindsay Kellock captured second place with a 68.739% riding Sebastien, Lindsay Kellock and Enterprise Farm Equestrian LLC’s 2006 Rhinelander gelding by Sandro Hit. Third place was awarded to Michael Klimke (GER) aboard Diablo, a 2010 Hanoverian gelding by Desparados owned by Harmony Sporthorses. They received a score of 65.435%.

**Wandres Wins 3* GP for Kur**

The Grand Prix 3* for Freestyle welcomed the win for Frederic Wandres (GER) and Rebroff, Hof Kasselmann’s 2009 Rhinelander gelding by Robespierrot x Oula Owl xx. The pair won the class with a 69.761%.

Rebroff is a 2015 PSI Auction Horse, who sold to American Jamie White and was developed to FEI level by Markus Gribbe. He sold back to Hof Kasselmann in 2018 and was campaigned by Insa Hansen, who finished third with him in the 2019 Louisdor Cup Finals, the German Developing Grand Prix Horse Championship. This year Wandres took over the ride.

Second place was awarded to the USA’s Jan Ebeling aboard Indeed, Vantage Equestrian Group LI, LLC’s 2008 Danish Warmblood mare by Gorklintgards Indeera, earning a 69.370%. Nora Batchelder (USA) closed out the top three with a 67.065%, riding Sally Seaver’s 2003 American Warmblood mare, W Gangster Girl, by Sieger.

Parra and Kelly win at Small Tour level

In the Intermediare-I 3* Cesar Parra (USA) and Mr. Bumblebee, a 2008 Danish Warmblood gelding by Sting owned by Equiventure LLC., and John and Karen Blank, earned their second victory of the week with a 71.441%. The second-place score was a 67.677%, awarded to Australian Sally Lofting riding Quinlan CF, a 2009 Oldenburg stallion by Quarterback owned by Janet Rubio. Michael Klimke (GER) and Harmony’s Astro followed in third place with a 67.353%. Harmony’s Astro is a 2013 Hanoverian gelding by Astrix owned by Harmony Sporthorses.

Earlier in the day, Jodie Kelly-Baxley (USA) and her own 2011 KWPN gelding Grayton Beach (by Negro) rose to the occasion in the Prix St. Georges 1* earning a 73.676%. Second place went to Germany’s Frederic Wandres aboard Harrods, Hof Kasselmann’s 2013 Hanoverian gelding by Hochadel, with a score of 72.529%. Third place went to the USA’s Steffen Peters and Boreas FRF, a 2012 Oldenburg stallion by Bordeaux owned by Christina Vinios, finishing on a 71.735%.