Dressage-News

DEL MAR, California, Feb. 16, 2018–Suppenkasper performed the first CDI Grand Prix Freestyle in his career Friday night, ridden by Steffen Peters to victory in the World Cup event for an undefeated string of six Big Tour victories at the Adequan West Coast Dressage Festival.

In the final show of the newly created California circuit of four international events over two months, Steffen and the 10-year-old KWPN gelding scored 75.375 per cent for the win after three Grand Prix and two Grand Prix Special victories since beginning Big Tour this year.

The freestyle was new, to music from Despacito, the Puerto Rican love song by Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi and rapper Daddy Yankee that is an international hit.

Helen Langehanenberg, the German Olympian who had trained the horse before being sold last summer to Four Winds Farm of Akiko Yamazaki and Jerry Yang, had not competed Suppenkasper in a CDI Freestyle.

“He was extremely energetic but did a clean test,” Steffen said afterward. “Mopsi needs a lot more exposure.

Hopefully the European tour will help,” referring to the squad of American horses and riders to go across the Atlantic to compete over the summer for selection of the U.S. team for the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, North Carolina in September.

Steffen of San Diego, California earlier Friday won the CDI3* Grand Prix Special on Rosamunde, the 11-year-old Rhinelander mare returning to top form after being out of international competition for most of 2017.

Charlotte Jorst of Reno, Nevada on Kastel’s Akeem Foldager placed second on 72.450 per cent.

Dawn White O’Connor, a long-time assistant trainer with Steffen, rode Legolas to a score of 71.500 per cent for third place with three combinations in the freestyle

Legolas that Steffen rode on the U.S. bronze medal team at the 2016 Olympics is scheduled to be retired at this same venue at the end of April.

Results:

CDI-W Grand Prix Freestyle