A majestic copy of Leonardo Da Vinci’s Horse stands watch over the Grand hunter ring.
The week began with Wednesday’s Nations Cup dressage competition at the Global Dressage Festival, featuring nine teams, including two U.S. teams, two Canadian teams, and those from Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, Colombia and Spain, as well as individuals from Puerto Rico and Georgia. The U.S. kept their lead position from Wednesday through Friday. The silver medal went to Canada – 1 team, composed of Brittany Fraser and All In, Belinda Trussel on Anton, Chris Von Martels riding Zilverstar and Megan Lane on San D’or. Belinda and Chris expressed gratitude for their wonderfully supportive Canadian squad, as well as the sponsors and organizers of the Global Dressage Festival. The Canadians have experienced many successes during this festival, which they attribute to team supporters such as Desi Dillingham, Special Advisor to Team Canada, Dr, Volker Moritz, Technical Advisor to High Performance and Liz Steacie, Chef d’Equipe.
Thursday marked another high entry class (115) for the jumpers in the $125,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 7. Two sets of placings were awarded, each with $125,000 in prize money. Brazil came out on top of both sections, with Alvaro de Miranda on AD Uutje and fellow Brazilian, Rodrigo Pessoa aboard Citizenguard Cadjanine Z.
Canadian dressage riders dominated Friday’s FEI Grand Prix CDI 3*. Vancouver’s Karen Pavicic won the class on Don Daiquiri, Tom Dvorak came second on Viva’s Salieri W and Jacquie Brooks was third. Saturday brought a phenomenal second win for Karen in the Grand Prix on Don Daiquiri, co-owned by Jayne Essig and Karen ,with a score of 70%. More icing was added to the Canadian cake by Tanya Strasser- Shostak,18, riding Action Tyme, who was overall champion of the Florida International Youth Dressage Championships, presented by Dressage4Kids.
An unusual natural type of hunter jump, with rails rapped in turf like fabric.
Saturday night’s jumper class was postponed until Sunday morning because of inclement weather. The hunter and pony classes remained on the regular schedule.
Our dressage riders and horses ended this week with a finish almost as exciting as that of our fantastic Olympic hockey team.
Both of Sunday’s major jumping classes – the $280,000 Adequan Grand Prix CSI 4* and the $84,000 Suncast 1.50 m Championship Jumper Classic – were incredibly won by the same rider, Audrey Coulter, a 21 yr old Dartmouth College student. She took the first prize in the Adequan class on Acorte and won the Suncast Jumper Classic on Victory DA. Trained by Marcus Beerbaum and Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, Audrey is balancing the world of horses, school and work, planning to show in weeks nine and twelve, then returning to school and a summer job before next riding in August. Her horses will go to Europe with the Beerbaums.
Various modes of WEF transportation used by trainers and riders.
In the hunter ring the special Championship Owner/Rider Award was won by 13 yr old Yasmin Rizvi on Flirt, winners in the Small Junior 15 and under Division, an impressive feat as it was only their second weekend of showing at WEF this year.
Both show venues are providing a phenomenal opportunity for spectators to watch the cream of the crop perform amidst beautiful backdrops of tropical flowers and swaying palms. One can easily forget the harsh reality of a Canadian winter!
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