Dressage-News

WELLINGTON, Florida, Mar. 15, 2018–Olivia LaGoy-Weltz and Lonoir won the CDI4* Grand Prix Thursday with their highest Grand Prix score in America and promise of what the rider feels can be “much better” as she looks to head to Europe and earn selection for the United States team for the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, North Carolina in September.

Olivia and the 14-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding were awarded 73.783 per cent that was surpassed only by a score of 74.580 per cent in the Rotterdam Nations Cup last June. The previous best in two years of Big Tour in the United States was 72.940 per cent, also at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center a year ago.

Arlene “Tuny” Page of Wellington on Woodstock was second on 71.000 per cent with Katherine Bateson-Chandler also of Wellington on Alcazar third on 69.696 per cent.

Olivia of Haymarket, Virginia, who works with Debbie McDonald as does Laura Graves on Verdades and Adrienne Lyle on Salvino and Horizon, said after the Grand Prix she was “really happy now with the overall trend” as they were scoring between 76 and 78 per cent before the walk in Thursday’s ride.

“I’m super, super happy with the rideability and the relaxation,” she said.

She and the horse, ranked 38th in the world, “are capable of doing all this stuff, but Lonoir needs to trust himself.”

Being stabled at the barn of Israeli trainer Oded Shimoni where U.S. team coach Robert Dover is also based has been helpful she said as both give her tips between training sessions with Debbie nearby.

She plans to go to WEG test event in Tryon next month with Lonoir, owned with Mary Anne McPhail, an owner of Olympic medal horse ridden by Robert Dover and the host of the long established Palm Beach Dressage Derby at her show grounds in Loxahatchee before turning it over to Global.

Results:

CDI4* Grand Prix (for GP Freestyle)