- Text by Kim Miller, edited by Eurodressage
With a doubling of entries over last year's inaugural show, the CDI, CPEDI and National Dressage Show in Temecula, California, more than proved its value to the American West Coast dressage scene. The international para-dressage competition was new this year, and those equestrians joined the CDI and National contenders in their appreciation for the event.
Galway Downs, West Coast Place to Be
Organizer Regina Antonioli recognized the unique suitability of Galway Downs Equestrian Center to host international level dressage. Over four years, Galway Downs has undergone substantial facility and amenity upgrades. They are the result of the venue's owner Ken Smith and hunter/jumper show manager Nilforushan EquiSport Events investing in footing, stabling and many exhibitor-related niceties. "I knew it was the right place to hold an event of the high caliber we wanted and that's proven true, with hopes for even more enhancements in the future."
Tokyo Silver Medalist Sabine Schut-Kery summed it up after dominating the weekend's Markell/USEF FEI Six-Year-Old division with Gorgeous Latino. "The two most important things to me in a show venue are footing and stabling, and both are great at Galway Downs. We are breeding for very refined sport horses these days, and we need to give them the right dance floor." Shaded stabling and spacious grounds are appreciated, too, as are the little touches that contribute to a positive overall experience. "Nice healthy food and a comfortable VIP area are really nice to have, too."
Peters Makes it a Double
Many goals were met throughout the weekend. To no one's surprise, Steffen Peters and Akiko Yamazaki's Dutch warmblood bred Suppenkasper (by Spielberg x Krack C) followed up Friday's 76.848% Grand Prix with another winning 76.319% in Sunday's Grand Prix Special.
The scores should easily put Steffen in good stead for the soon-to-be-announced USET Short List for the World Championships this summer. The marks were determined by judges Freddy Leyman, Maria Colliander, Magnus Ringmark, Kari McClain and Jane Weatherwax.
The ability to earn the needed scores without another trip to Florida is huge for horses, riders and their teams. Akiko Yamazaki explained why her Four Winds Farm is a presenting sponsor of the Spring Benefit. "It's very important for us to have the shows that can be used for qualification at different levels."
Four Winds Farms supports the Florida dressage circuit and several other shows and Akiko was especially happy to support this one due to unusually challenging circumstances involving the EHV-1 virus earlier in the year. The virus outbreak in February truncated the Desert Dressage series that Four Winds also supports and created many horse-protecting hoops for owners and organizers to jump through to safely stage this show. "We appreciate the organizers who have risen to the occasion and gone the extra mile in these challenging and difficult times."
Federation In The House
USDF Region 7 has a strong Junior and Young Rider contingent, George noted. The improved performances from Friday to Saturday proves the benefit of staging CDIs and the atmosphere and excitement that come with them.
"Today (Saturday 7 May), the young riders, in general, were much more confident and it comes from really getting that confidence, which is why the CDI designations are so critical," he said.
The Young Rider Individual Test saw especially strong rides from victors Miki Yang and the 14-year old KWPN gelding Donovan (by Vivaldi x San Remo), with a 68.971%, and yesterday's Team Test winner, Ellanor Boehning and the 11-year old Westfalian Sir Junior (by Sir Stauffenberg), close behind on a 68.382%.
George expressed the Federation's gratitude for organizer Regina Antonioli. "We are extremely appreciative of Equestrian Concepts stepping up to stage this event, and on a number of levels. It's extremely valuable as a qualifier for the World Championships, the Young Riders and for all riders. The CDI can generate a certain amount of excitement for the sport. This one has an atmosphere, and the arena has its challenges, but so do all the international arenas and that's part of why it's so crucial to have CDIs."
Youth to the Fore
There were no signs of challenges or difficult times for Akiko's daughters on Mothers Day (8 May). Yang and Donovan earned a personal best in the Young Riders FEI Freestyle with their 72.258% from judges Jane Weatherwax and Kari McLain.
The whole weekend nicely fulfilled the agenda of prepping for European competition this summer, Miki said. In the FEI Pony Riders division of the National show, younger sister Emi Yang and Gardens Sam had nice outings in their individual and team tests to make it a family affair.
Charlotte Dunn and the 11-year old KWPN bred Golden Noir (by Bodyguard x Samba Hit) were reserve on a 63.300% in the YR Freestyle. She's only had the horse for a month, and the USDF Region 5 rider considered everything about the weekend valuable. As a venue, Galway Downs is woven into the fast-growing Temecula community. Not far from the Grand Prix Arena, cheers and whistles carry from youth soccer fields. The arena itself is surrounded by VIP and exhibitor tents and spectator stands, plus international flags flapping behind the judges at C.
"I learned that my new horse is not a super fan of flags," laughed Charlotte. "It's good practice to ride in this kind of atmosphere because it's going to come up in other places and I know I'll be fine."
Josephine Hinnemann and the 13-year old American Hanoverian Copa Cabana MRF (by Contucci x Bordeaux) topped the FEI CDIY Junior Freestyle on a 71.308% in their first CDI together. Their scores and the unique show experience advance their quest for a berth on the Region 7 NAYC team this summer. Region 5 rider Kali Riddell and Hashtag had a 66.792% for second. "I'm very grateful for the experience of my first CDI: doing the jog, getting feedback from multiple judges and the general experience was very helpful," Kali said.
DeCesari Wins Intermediaire I
"I was super proud of her, especially her relaxation. She can be a little fiery, so we've being going to a lot of shows to help with relaxation." As for the difference from Friday's third-place-earning 68.824% in the Prix St. Georges, Laura said, "More than anything, I think I rode better today. I was more secure in the tack. Sometimes I can get a little too relaxed trying to make her relaxed. Today, I needed to sit up and be competitive and still reward her for the relaxation. "Even if she is tense, she always knows when we are performing and she wants to do what I ask," Laura continued. "It's that balance between a horse that's bred for a lot of power and can be a little reactive and keeping her relaxed."
The Tuscon, AZ-based professional credited the mare's owner Pamela Farthing, her groom Emily Tharp and her husband Tyson Clark, a farrier and partner in starting young horses, as critical to the mare's progress. As a relatively new addition to the USEF's Developing Rider Program, Laura is one of several on the radar screen of George Williams. The Federation's High Performance and Pathway Development Advisor is on the scene in Temecula to monitor the progress of contenders at various levels.
On To Next Year!
Reflecting on the show's origins, she explained that the suspension of the Southern California fixture, the Del Mar National, in 2020 was the catalyst for the Spring Benefit Show.
"I felt that Southern California needed another premier show and I thought that Galway Downs, under Robert Kellerhouse's management, was ready to handle it," she said. "I'm grateful to the support of our exhibitors and sponsors, especially for the extra precautionary measures required in the aftermath of the EHV-1 situation. Expect more exciting enhancements to this special event and see you all next year!"
-- Temecula Photos by Richard Malmgren - The West Equestrian
Related Links
Scores: 2022 CDI Temecula
Steffen Peters Off to a Breezy, Victorious Start at 2022 CDI Temecula