American U.S. Olympic team short listed pair Anna Buffini and Fiontini made their come back to the CDI ring at the 2025 CDI Del Mar "Dressage Affaire" after an 8-month break from showing. The pair scored a double win in the big tour.
HITS Del Mar Dressage completed their second CDI of the season this weekend with the Dressage Affaire CDI3* at the Del Mar Horse Park. Beautiful weather and riding made for a very successful event showcasing national level competitors from as far away as Utah and CDI entries from Canada and Holland.
The national entry field was well filled with promise for the future, but the international classes were very slim, underlining the struggle California experiences to stage CDI's
Big Tour Wins for Buffini, Robinson and Peters
The Grand Prix division was split up into two tours: one for the freestyle and one for the Special. There were only four entries in each tour.
The top of the leaderboard in the Grand Prix for Kur was Anna Buffini riding the 15-year old Danish warmblood mare Fiontini (by Fassbinder x Romanov) with a 69.000%. This was Anna's first show since last competing the mare at the CDIO Aachen at the start of July 2024. The mare is bred by the late Henrik Hansen, who passed away following a tragic accident two days before Anna's Grand Prix ride, and his ex-wife Hanne Lund. The class was judged by Janet Foy, Mercedes Campdera, Cesar Torrente, Anne Gribbons, and Marian Cunningham and there was a significant spread in scores with 66.196% being the low score and 71.304% the high score. Second place in the Grand Prix went to Kristina Harrison-Antell aboard the 15-year old KWPN bred Finley (by Don Jovi x Rubels). The grey was far less flashy in his gaits but delivered a good presentation. He scored 67.956%
The Grand Prix for Special was won by Claire Robinson of Canada with the 14-year old KWPN bred Glamour Boy (by Bojengel x Jazz) owned by Claire’s mom Carol Robinson and bred in Belgium by Grand Prix rider Serge Pais. The pair topped the board with 64.804%.
The Grand Prix Special’s winner was Shannon Peters on her own 17-year old gelding Disco Inferno (by Westpoint x Houston) with 67.723%. “Today he was really the best he could be, ” admitted Shannon, “he is an older horse, but still very fun to ride!” Stephen Birchall placed second in his first CDI with the 17-year old Dutch warmblood D’Amore (by Dayano x Redford) finishing with a 66.362%. D'Amore was imported in utero by Doreen Kulscar.
Small Tour: Newcomb and Seidel Win
The small tour division featured eight combinations with seven American riders and one from The Netherlands.
The Intermediaire I was won by local Olympian Guenter Seidel atop Louise Leatherdale's home bred 9-year old Hanoverian bred Bogart (by Beltano x His Highness). The duo scored 70.294% for the win after placing second in the Prix St Georges with 67.412%.
The Del Mar Dressage Affaire featured its first equestrian athlete representing the country of Holland. Originally born and raised in Holland, but now residing in Mexico City, Brigitte Bergman traveled far to make her dreams come true at Del Mar. She rode Donna Russo's 12-year old Lusitano bred Izorro (by Zidane do Lis x Jova) down the centerline, albeit to modest scores.
“It was such a great opportunity that I just could not let it go, ” said Bergman with a big smile. “This was my dream and I did it! My first impression was that everything was so beautiful. All I could think was wow! I will never regret this."
Under 25: Haley Smith Gains Mileage
Photos © Terri Miller
Related Link
Scores: 2025 CDI Del Mar