-- USEF press release, edited by Eurodressage
U.S. para dressage riders wrapped up a productive weekend at the Tryon Summer Dressage CPEDI3*, with personal bests and consistent performances across the board as the program builds momentum ahead of the FEI Para Dressage World Championships.
Eight combinations in total competed across the five grades. Four grades were at Grand Prix level, Grade V was at intermediaire level.
"This weekend was a really encouraging sign for the program," said Chef d'Equipe and Technical Advisor, Michel Assouline. "Marie [Vonderheyden] showed great results this week; Kate [Shoemaker] was very consistent across all three days, and we were all proud of Sienna [Busking] to already be hovering around the 70 percent mark at just her second CPEDI3*. It's definitely an upward trend for all of them, and we are very, very optimistic."
Competition opened Friday with the Grand Prix A Test, where Vonderheyden (Wellington, Fla.) and Fan Tastico H, a 2017 Oldenburg gelding (by Fürstenball x Weltmeyer) owned by Karin Flint, set the tone with a personal best score of 77.847%, a result underscoring the pair's growing partnership and momentum. Shoemaker (Wellington, Fla.) and her own 2011 Dutch Warmblood gelding, Ghandi (by Bojengel x Tuschinski), added a 73.611%, while Busking (Owasso, Okla.) and Damons Davian, her own 2011 Westphalian gelding (Damon Hill x Newcastle), posted a personal best of 71.666% in just their second appearance at the CPEDI3* level. Roxanne Trunnell (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.) and Furstenson MR, a 2016 Hanoverian gelding (Fürstanball x Lauries Crusador xx), owned by Carol Day, rounded out the team score with a 66.875%.
On Saturday for the Grand Prix B tests, Shoemaker turned in another polished test, earning a 73.919% that reflected the pair's evolving throughness and self-carriage. Busking and Damons Davian continued to impress at the three-star level, posting a personal best of 70.889% and further establishing themselves as a combination to watch. Vonderheyden and Fan Tastico H added a 74.167%, while Trunnell and Furstenson MR posted a 67.153%.
The weekend closed Sunday with the Freestyle, where Shoemaker and Ghandi concluded their weekend on a high note, topping the podium with a commanding 78.092%, a performance which showcased the pair's potential. Busking and Damons Davian capped an impressive personal best weekend with a 74.078%, Vonderheyden and Fan Tastico H scored 69.311%, and Trunnell and Furstenson MR closed out the weekend with a 66.634%.
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