Double Helix Victories for Lyle at 2024 World Cup Qualifier in Ocala

-- WEC press release, edited by Eurodressage

In their first show since the Paris Olympics, U.S. Olympians Adrienne Lyle and Helix led the way in the Grand Prix Freestyle at the World Cup qualifier in Ocala, FL, on Friday, December 13, 2024.

Double Helix

The weekend in Ocala was a winning one for Lyle as she topped the board in the Grand Prix (72.478%) and aced the Kur to Music  in only their second freestyle performance together. The judging panel – which consisted of Maria Colliander (FIN), Juan Carlos Campos (ESP), Clive Halsell (GBR), William Warren (USA) and Cesar Torrente (COL) – awarded Helix and Lyle with a score of 77.610%.

“I was absolutely thrilled with him,” said Lyle of the 12-year-old KWPN gelding by Apache x Jazz owned by Zen Elite Equestrian Center. “This is our first time riding a freestyle together that we created for him, and I thought the choreography flowed really well. He seemed to really be enjoying himself. He felt even more relaxed and focused than in the Grand Prix, and I'm just really excited for what that means for the future with this horse.”

Lyle’s freestyle was designed by Terri Gallo and featured the song “Stand By Me” to open and close the test as well as trot work, “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns ‘N’ Roses for the walk, and “Freedom” by George Michael for the canter tour.

“They're kind of personal songs for me,” acknowledged Lyle. “’Stand By Me’ was one of my favorite songs growing up. We listened to the old tape on repeat all the time on my farm when I was a kid, so I've just always loved that song. I think it speaks a lot to the connection with the horses and kind of the whole journey with them.”

Marek on the Fly

Another pair coming off a long break were Marek and Fire Fly, a 14-year-old KWPN gelding by Briar Junior  x OO Seven owned by Janet Simile, who hadn’t competed since CHIO Aachen in July. They placed third in Thursday’s Grand Prix and moved up to second place in the freestyle with a score of 75.565%.

The pair last performed their freestyle, which featured music from the Netflix show “Stranger Things,” in October 2023 at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, where they won the individual bronze medal

“[Fire Fly’s] owner Janet said, ‘Remember to practice the freestyle,’ and I was scrambling around trying to find a video of it because I couldn't remember it!” laughed Marek. “I was like, ‘What am I going to do? I can't remember it.’ Then I had an anxiety dream that I couldn't remember the freestyle. I finally found it on an old text to someone,” she continued. “It was a video that my husband took in the top of the stands at the Pan Ams. And that's how I remembered it.”

Luckily after reviewing the test, Marek was able to put in a solid performance and came out of the ring happy with Fire Fly’s performance.

“I came out, and I was beaming,” she said. “I felt like I was on the music, and that no matter what the score was, I felt like that test was better than what we did in Chile. It was just so much fun. It was smooth. He was piaffing with so much energy, and I was so proud of him.”

Kohmann Third

2024 World Cup finalist Kevin Kohmann (USA) and Duenensee placed third with a score of 73.730%. 

“Except for the mistakes, it felt great,” he said. “Most of it actually felt the very best it has felt with the horse. I've been riding that music for about a year, but we changed it, so I’ve ridden this choreography three times. We still have to tweak it a little bit, but overall the horse felt great. He felt pretty relaxed here in the environment. I'm quite happy except for my one tempis I would say.”

Kohmann and Duenensee were one of three combinations to represent the United States at the 2024 FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this past April. It was a highlight in a year of fantastic competition for Kohmann, who also competed in his first CDIO5*.

“I mean, this horse has taken me to crazy places,” he said of the 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Dancier x Davignon I owned by Diamante Farms Inc. “We went to Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Mexico, Devon. It was the best year of my competition life.”

Related Links
Scores: 2024 CDI-W Ocala
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2024-2025 World Cup Qualifiers and Finals