Dressage-News

By KENNETH J. BRADDICK

GLADSTONE, New Jersey, USA, June 19–Leslie Morse and her 2006 World Championship and World Cup stallion Tip Top dominated the Grand Prix at the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions National Championships Friday.

Morse, of Beverly Hills, California, produced a mistake-free but conservative performance for a score of 72.00 per cent in warm, humid weather a day after the event was washed out by day-long torrential rains.

Pierre St. Jacques, of Anthony, Florida, riding his 2003 Pan American Games team gold medal mount Lucky Tiger placed second with 68.596 per cent while U.S. 2008 Olympic team reserve Michael Barisone of Long Valley, New Jersey, was third on the still-developing Olympus with 67.532 per cent.

Morse, who still is upset at the condition of her other top horse, the 17-year-old stallion Kingston, that led to them being rung out of the FEI World Cup Final Grand Prix in Las Vegas in April–a decision she said she agrees with and was preparing to dismount when it occurred because the horse did not feel right–said that she fulfilled her goal with Tip Top of a “solid, solid ride.”

The change in the weather, she said, from chilly, torrential downpours and the first day of the championships to warm and humid Friday did not affect Tip Top’s “good, good” performance.

Pierre St. Jacques said that after the Pan American Games which is at small tour-level, he went through some changes in his personal life that led to him to put Lucky Tiger’s competition development on hold. However, he kept Lucky Tiger used to the ring by taking him to shows to work but not compete. “We just chilled out, hanging out at shows,” he said.

Morse said the aim is to continue to move forward with Tip Top, to build on what they have achieved in the past.

Because of schedule changes, the Grand Prix Freestyle will be held Saturday and the Special Sunday.

The crowd enjoyed the ride of Tara Stegen and New Tango who unexpectedly reared but she quickly brought him under control and proceeded with the rest of the Grand Prix as if nothing had happened.

For complete scores click on RESULTS on the Front Page.