The FEI Nations Cup for Under 25 riders was the feature competition on Thursday 17 March 2022 during week 10 of the 2022 Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, FL.
The under-25 division was a tussle between arch rivals Canada and the U.S. -- the only two countries competing in this Under 25 Nations Cup -- with team Canada coming out on top, scoring 133.323 points to take gold. The U.S. claimed silver with 129.5 points. A team consisted of only two riders.
Canada Wins Under 25 Nations Cup
Camille Carier Bergeron rode Sound Of Silence in only the pair’s second under-25 CDI to the top spot for the winning nation, placing second overall in the CDIOU25 Intermediate II.
The 22-year-old Vanessa Creech-Terauds bolstered the Canadian result, clinching gold by finishing fourth with 65.764% on Fleur De Lis L, Louise Leatherdale’s home-bred 13-year-old daughter of First Dance.
Creech-Terauds, who was also on last year’s winning under-25 Canadian team with Carier Bergeron, said: “It’s very exciting to have won the second year in a row with Camille. It’s always been so much fun. I’ve been competing against and with Camille for a long time, and it’s so nice that in the U25 we’re able to be on the same team, because in juniors and young riders we always had to compete against each other. It’s always a really great experience going in that ring and representing Canada and getting more experience for both of our futures, and I know we both have goals to represent Canada more often, so every time it really makes me proud.”
Carier Bergeron, who is 21 and from Quebec, said: “We have an awesome chef d’equipe in Denielle Gallagher, who was also our chef d’equipe last year, so we are surrounded by great people. I’m very happy with today’s test considering the weather was extremely hot. It’s not easy for the horses, and I think they tried the best they could. Today we had two bobbles, and the mistakes in the one-tempis were quite expensive because of the coefficient, but overall I’m really proud of my horse. You always have to adapt to all kinds of atmosphere, environment, and temperature, so today we did a short warm up. We tried to preserve his energy, and I think it worked quite well.”
U.S. Under 25 Team Runner-Up
The highest scoring American rider was Quinn Iverson, who rode Bille Davidson’s 13-year-old Beckham 19, by Benetton Dream, to 65.824% and third place individually to help hand silver to the U.S. team. It was the first time any of the American riders had represented their country.
(Photo © US Equestrian)
Her teammate Nicole Scarpino, 23, who scored 63.676% on her own 15-year-old Lambada 224, said: “I’ve had my mare since the junior division, and we’ve come up the levels together, so we’re still both a bit green at this level. But I was super happy with how much energy she brought to the test, even with the weather. We also had some miscommunication in our one-tempis, but I’m very happy how she handled the atmosphere and the weather, and I’m grateful to be here.”
The U.S. fielded a third rider, Kaylee Christensen, from Michigan. The 23-year-old piloted Chateau 28, by Catoki, to 58.353% with a tricky ride.
“Unfortunately, my horse got his tongue over the bit today,” she explained. “Sometimes there’s nothing you can do, but I’m still really proud of him. He still tried his heart out in this really difficult weather for him. We’re from Michigan, so we’re not really used to this. But I’m still grateful to be here and part of this team.”
Individually, Benjamin Ebeling (USA) topped the class with 70.529% on Ann Romney’s Status Royal OLD. However, Ebeling was not on the under-25 U.S. team as he is riding Vantage Equestrian’s Indeed on the senior team.
Germany In the Lead in FEI Nations Cup for Seniors with Mixed Teams
The format at this show allows teams to combine small tour and grand prix combinations, with the latter garnering a 1.5% bonus for the more difficult test.
With all three participating teams having posted four results, Germany is leading the U.S. with 217.204 points to 215.419. Canada is in third with 203.891 points.
Thursday’s action included Prix St. Georges and Grand Prix, with small tour riders progressing to the Intermediate I test on Friday, and the big tour riders tackling the Grand Prix Special, after which the team medals will be awarded.
Katie Duerrhammer claimed third with 70.152% (71.652% including the bonus) riding Quartett, keeping the U.S. team in striking distance of the gold.
In the Prix St. Georges CDIO3* German born Bianca Berktold (USA) led the way with a commanding 72.441% on Imperial. Frederic Wandres (GER) clinched second with Dolciario, with his compatriot Lars Ligus filling third on Soccer City.
Charlotte Jorst In Charge of 3* FEI Classes
It was a day replete with blue winner’s sashes for the Danish-born U.S. rider Charlotte Jorst. Not only did she win the Grand Prix CDI3* (for Special), presented by Iron Spring Farm, but she also captured the CDI3* Prix St. Georges with Zhaplin Langholt.
In the grand prix, she rode the 19-year-old Nintendo to 72.326% to edge out Alice Tarjan (USA) on her own nine-year-old Sir Donnerhall mare, Serenade MF, who scored 71.348%. Japan’s Kiichi Harada posted a new personal best with Sir Galanto of 69.696% to claim third place. Kastel’s Nintendo was the oldest of the 15 starters and this is his ninth year at the level in what will be his final season before semi-retirement.
Personal Best for Vilhelmson on Devanto
Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén rode her newest grand prix horse, Devanto, to a career-high score for the 13-year-old Holsteiner. The seven-time Swedish Olympian laid down 71.522% in the Grand Prix CDI3* (for Freestyle) topping the class of 11 starters and picking up $700 in prize-money. The Dominican Republic’s Yvonne Losos de Muñiz claimed second with Aquamarijn (70.978%), before the pair head to Germany for the World Cup Final in April. Alice Tarjan picked up another podium placing, finishing third with Donatella M on another plus-70% score (70.456%).
-- GDF Press release, photos © Sue Stickle / US Equestrian / Astrid Appels
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