UPDATE: Lauren Sammis & Sagacious HF Victors in Grand Prix & Freestyle at New York CDI3*
16 years ago StraightArrow Comments Off on UPDATE: Lauren Sammis & Sagacious HF Victors in Grand Prix & Freestyle at New York CDI3*
SAUGERTIES, New York, Aug. 16–Pan American Games team gold and individual silver medalists Lauren Sammis and Sagacious HF overcame 90F-degree (32C) temperatures to win both the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Freestyle at Centerline Events at HITS on the Hudson CDI3*.
Sammis of South Orange, New Jersey, and the Hyperion Farm-owned 10-year-old Dutch warmblood scored 68.255 per cent in the Grand Prix Friday and 72.350 per cent in the Saturday evening freestyle. Her twins came to watch along with her trainer, Canadian Olympian Ashley Holzer who made the trip from New York City each day.
Second place in the Grand Prix was Tina Konyot of North Stonington, Connecticut and Calecto V with 67.745 per cent and Denmark’s Mikala Munter Gundersen on Leonberg was third with 67.149 per cent. In the Grand Prix Freestyle, Gundersen, who is based in Wellington, Florida, and Leonberg were second with 71.400 per cent while Canada’s Cheryl Meisner and Paganini were third with 69.500 per cent.
Elisabeth Austin and Olivier of Loxahatchee, Florida won the Grand Prix Special with 66.917 per cent, Sharon McCusker and Juli Sherif of Ashby, Massachusetts placed second on 63.583 per cent and Konyot and Calecto V third with 63.375 per cent.
“Despite the heat that made him a little tired,” Sammis said of her rides on Sagacious, “every time I asked Sagacious for more he willingly gave it. And in the freestyle we had a blast.”
Sammis said the footing, stabling and organization at the competition was “unbelievable.”
She said that she is scheduled to compete at the New England Dressage Association’s World Cup event at the same show grounds next month and then plans to give Sagacious a long break in preparation for the intensive Florida winter circuit where she will be seeking to qualify for the selection trials for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky.
The show was also the first outing in the United States for Douglas ridden by Chris Hickey for Hilltop Farm.
Hickey, who won individual gold as well as being a 2007 PanAm gold medal team mate of Sammis, rode Douglas in the Intermediaire II. The horse was imported from Germany three months ago.
The pair won the class the second day with a score of 66.711 per cent.
For complete scores click HERE or click on RESULTS.
