Deirdre Sullivan for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Heather Blitz (USA) and Semper Fidelis won the FEI Grand Prix (for the Freestyle) CDI3* presented by Brooke USA. The pair rode to a score of 70.609%. “I was really happy with her in general, just her general focus,” said Blitz of the 13-year-old Oldenburg mare by Sir Donnerhall owned by Rowan O’Riley. “I think that all the horses at the show this whole day are high strung and reacting to the really windy conditions. I think that’s a wonderful attribute that she has that [the wind] doesn’t affect her.
Heather Blitz and Semper Fidelis in their winning test. ©SusanStickle.com.
“I think the highlight was the passage, which she does really well anyway. The rhythm was really good in it. Her trot half passes are always lovely, and her canter zig zags I got more distance from the centerline this time,” continued Blitz. “Her work ethic, her scope, and her elasticity and freedom of gaits is amazing.”
Blitz is looking forward to her freestyle ride on Friday night. “I love how the music matches her. When you hear the music and see the horse, they match so well. I think it’s really moving. I’m really looking forward to the piaffe-pirouettes and just riding to the music, which not only do I love but it just matches her so well,” concluded Blitz.
Heather Blitz in her winning presentation. ©SusanStickle.com.
In the FEI Prix St. Georges CDI3* presented by Vita Flex, Betsy Steiner (USA) and Swiss W, a 12-year-old Wurttemburg mare owned by H. Whitney Bailey, were the only pair to break 70.000%. They rode to a score of 71.559% to win the class.
Betsey action: Betsy Steiner and Swiss W. ©SusanStickle.com.
Competition at Week 12 of AGDF continues on Thursday, March 27, with four-star dressage competition. The “Friday Night Stars” on Friday, March 29, features the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI3* presented by Brooke USA and the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI4* presented by Douglas Elliman Real Estate. General admission is free for Friday night, and parking is $10/car. Competition will begin at 7 p.m. AGDF concludes for the season on Sunday, March 31.For more information and to see a full list of results, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com
Final Results: FEI Grand Prix CDI3* Presented by Brooke USA
Place, Rider, Nationality, Horse, Horse Information: Judge E% – Yuri Romanov, Judge H% – Stephen Clarke, Judge C% – Gabriel Martin, Judge M% – Mariette Almasy, Judge B% – Annette Fransen, Total %
1.Heather Blitz (USA) Semper Fidelis, 13-year-old Oldenburg mare by Sir Donnerhall owned by Rowan O’Riley: 70.978%, 69.130%, 69.348%, 71.196%, 72.391%, 70.609%
2.Ashley Holzer (USA), Havanna 145, 12-year-old Hanoverian mare by Hochadel x Riviera owned by Diane Fellows: 70.326%, 68.913%, 70.109%, 69.348%, 68.370%, 69.413%
3.Stacy Parvey-Larsson (USA), Benidetto, 15-year-old Hanoverian stallion by Belissimo M x Crispy Sweet owned by Stacy Parvey-Larsson: 67.500%, 67.609%, 65.652%, 67.609%, 69.783%, 67.631%
4.Anna Marek (USA), Dee Clair, 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood Mare by Sir Sinclair x On Pointe owned by Diane Morrison: 65.870%, 64.565%, 64.674%, 63.804%, 64.565%, 64.696%
5.Heather Boo (USA), Divertimento, 17-year-old Westphalian by Di Versace x Fatima owned by Heather Boo: 61.957%, 62.174%, 61.413%, 64.130%, 62.609%, 62.457%
6.Jacqueline MacDonald (USA), Malcarat, 15-year-old PRE gelding by Ordagov x Peciosa XLLL owned by Emerald Oaks Farm: 60.870%, 60.870%, 62.826%, 61.630%, 62.826%, 61.804%
7.Nicole Harrington (USA), Wizard Of Oz, 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Weltmeyer x Vadella owned by Three Oaks Farm LLC.: 61.413%, 61.957%, 59.130%, 64.239%, 60.761%, 61.500%
8.Franziska Seidl (SUI), Romano K, 17-year-old BRNDBG gelding by Rockwell x Prisca owned by Franziska Seidl: 59.783%, 61.739%, 59.457%, 60.652%, 60.761%, 60.478%