Katherine Bateson Chandler & Alcazar Win Wellington CDI3* Grand Prix Special, Anna Marek & Dee Clair Celebrate 1st Year at Big Tour With Personal Best Score
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By KENNETH J. BRADDICK
WELLINGTON, Florida, Feb. 11, 2018–Katherine Bateson-Chandler rode Alcazar to victory in the Adequan Global Dressage Festival CDI3* Grand Prix Special Sunday in their first show of the year. Fellow American Anna Marek posted a career best score on the American-bred Dee Clair on the pair’s first anniversary at Big Tour.
Katherine of Wellington and the 13-year-old KWPN gelding scored 69.468 per cent to squeeze past Shelly Francis of Loxahatchee, Florida on Danilo in second on 69.298 per cent.
Katherine and Alcazar has been competing at Big Tour for almost three years and includes riding on five Nations Cup teams for the United States on both sides of the Atlantic.
Anna of Reddick, Florida and the 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare (Sir Sinclair x Rolls Royce) placed third on 68.085 per cent in only the second CDI Grand Prix Special after placing third in the Grand Prix.
The 28-year-old rider started competing Dee Clair at U.S. national levels at the age of 5 1/2 almost five years ago and moved through the levels up to national Grand Prix in in 2016. The duo were regional Grand Prix champions in 2016 and 2017.
She began working with Anne Gribbons, the former U.S. team coach, with Dee Clair three years ago.
“She is one of the most willing horses I have ever met,” said Anna, who has competed at the Wellington CDIs on Unico G and Einstein during the past six years.
The first Big Tour with Dee Clair, owned by Diane Morrison, was at this same show at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in 2017.
“This is our second CDI season and making great progress,” she said after their eighth Big Tour start. “I’m very thankful to Diane for allowing me to train this wonderful mare and Anne for steering us in the right direction.”
Results:
