2013 World Dressage Masters Wrap-Up

By Kim MacMillan, MacMillan Photography & Media Services

 

Grand Prix Freestyle CDI5*

Sweden ruled the in the headliner Exquis CDI5* Grand Prix Freestyle class at the 2013 World Dressage Masters (WDM) presented by the Axel Johnson Group on Saturday night, January 26. Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven riding Lovsta Stuteri’s  Hanoverian gelding Don Auriello won the class turning the tables on her countryman Patrik Kittel riding his Dutch Warmblood stallion Watermill Scandic H B C, who had taken first in the Grand Prix CDI5* the day before.

 

Vilhelmson-Silfven scored a personal best with Don Auriello with an 84.075%, with Kittel and Scandic close behind with 82.525% for second and U.S. rider Steffen Peters and his new star Legolas 92, a Westphalian gelding owned by Four Winds Farm, finishing third with an 80.175%.

 

It was a fun night for the crowd who enjoyed the freestyles immensely. Vilhelmson-Silfven and Don Auriello’s routine was powerful and flowing. They performed to music by The Who in a freestyle designed for the London Olympics. Kittel and Scandic’s freestyle was performed to songs by Billy Idol. “It’s such an honor to ride a horse like Don Auriello; he was great,” said Vilhelmson-Silfven. “It was a great crowd – great people. Everything fell on the right place.”

 

Peters is enjoying the 11-year-old Legolas who came to him at Christmas time in 2011. “This was a huge step-up for sure, first time in the limelight,” said three-time Olympian Peters. “The atmosphere was a lot for him. To finish with an 80% here is amazing.” 

 

 

World Dressage Masters judge at C for the Freestyle, Stephen Clarke from Great Britain, commented on Vilhelmson-Silfven’s and Don Auriello’s performance, “Theirs was absolutely what dressage should be about. He was uphill, in balance and harmonious with his rider.”

 

 

Clarke shared his thoughts about Kittel’s horse Watermill Scandic H B C, “The power and elasticity this horse can show – you don’t need to understand the technical side of dressage to appreciate it.”

 

 

After winning the 2011 and 2012 World Dressage Masters with his long-time partner Ravel, U.S. rider Steffen Peters on his new mount Legolas 92, also owned by Akiko Yamazaki and Four Winds Farm, finished third in both the 5* Grand Prix and the Freestyle. Clarke also commented on Legolas’ potential, “Steffen’s horse is not so experienced yet, but there were true moments of brilliance [in his test]. This is how it can and will be for him. He is a world-class horse.”

 

Grand Prix Special CDI5*

 

Other winners on Saturday at the 2013 WDM included Mikala Gundersen riding the Janne Rumbough’s 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare My Lady in the CDI5* Grand Prix Special. James Koford of the U.S. on Shirley McQuillan’s 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Rhett took second with a 67.333% and third going to Canadian Olympian Jacqueline Brooks on her 14-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding D-Niro who scored 66.833%.

 

Drama & Disappointment

 

The WDM also brought some drama and disappointment for several competitors as well as for the spectators who missed seeing some of their favorite horse and rider combos. In the CDI5* division current World Champion Edward Gal of the Netherlands stepped off the plane feeling ill, was diagnosed with the flu and was unable to compete. Later in the final jog before the CDI5* Freestyle, Hans Peter Minderhoud’s horse Withney van t Genthof was not passed by the Ground Jury and was eliminated. Another rider expected to compete, Nicholas Fyffe of Australia who was expected to compete at the WDM, had to stay home because his horse was being treated for a skin condition and was not eligible due to the FEI drugs and medication rules.

 

 

In the CDI3* division of the WDM Dr. Cesar Parra’s horse Van the Man, owned by Michael and Sarah Davis, was asked by the Ground Jury to jog twice during the first horse inspection and then was sent back to the barn with the request for him to represent the next day. They did not end up competing.

 

 

Tina Konyot of the U.S., who rode her 15-year-old Danish Warmblood stallion Calecto V in the CDI5* Grand Prix, was eliminated by the Ground Jury after completion of their test. The official statement issued by the show management regarding Tina Konyot’s elimination:  Upon review of the process and after consultation with the FEI, it has been confirmed that the current rules regarding the elimination process were followed to the letter. Before she left the official equipment check area ringside, the rider was informed by the FEI Chief Steward that the Judge at C had made the decision based on Article 428.8 and Article 430.7.6 that the horse must be eliminated due to the evidence of fresh blood.

 

 

Canada’s Diane Creech had a nice ride going on Devon L in the Grand Prix Special CDI5*, but she had mistakenly begun performing the Olympic Grand Prix Special created for last year’s London Games and was eliminated. The Olympic Special test had been scrapped after the Olympics because most riders and judges agreed that it was not a good test. It was replaced by the previously used 2009 version of FEI Grand Prix Special test. After some deliberation as to whether or not to allow her to come leave the arena, study the 2009 test and come back to perform again, the Ground Jury decided to let her elimination stand.

 

On demand video of both classes will be available at http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2013WorldDressageMasters/

 

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