New Kid on Block Suppenkasper Ridden by Steffen Peters Shows Some “Absolutely Phenomenal” Gaits in European Debut for Pair at Rotterdam
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By KENNETH J. BRADDICK
ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, June 22, 2018–Suppenkasper, bought last year as a future prospect for Steffen Peters, showed some “absolutely phenomenal” gaits in the CDI3* Grand Prix that was the European debut for the partnership and that American team coach Robert Dover enthused could become one of the top horses in the world.
Ashley Holzer in the second year riding Havanna and as an American was “thrilled” with their performance, and owner Betsy Juliano shed tears of joy after seeing Adrienne Lyle compete Horizon for the first time outside the United States seven years after she bought horse as a youngster.
Steffen of San Diego, California, a four-time Olympian for the United States, and the 10-year-old KWPN gelding that performed in their first of four CDIs over the winter in Southern California, scored 72.630 per cent for third place behind the Netherlands’ Edward Gal on Glock’s Voice and Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfvén on Don Auriello. Again, there were big differences among the scores of the five judges–one of 74.891 per cent, two above 73, one at 71.630 and another at 69.674 per cent that has sparked griping over what some spectators, riders and trainers call dispiriting.
Steffen, whose mounts in three Olympics were owned by Akiko Yamazaki and Jerry Yang’s Four Winds Farm and also own Rosamunde and Suppenkasper, described the ride on the horse currently ranked 43rd in the world as “fantastic.”
“When he came in he was higher than a kite,” said Steffen who is also competing Rosamunde here in a a campaign by a large group of Americans for a place on the team for the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, North Carolina in September. “So, at the beginning, the first extension I was careful. I had to ride the half pass really, really careful and then he settled down and I was able top ride him.
“There were some things in there that were absolutely phenomenal. All of a sudden there was a whole other gear in the passage. It is gigantic. The piaffe has a bit more lift. He did a beautiful canter tour. It felt really, really good. That’s why I stayed in the arena–usually you leave when it’s over and you hear the score–but I stayed in to see the score then was a bit disappointed with the 72. I thought Mopsi deserved a bit more. But… that’s the way it is.
“Between the first competition early this year and now is a huge step up, it is a world of difference.”
Mopsi is the barn name that was inherited from German Olympian Helen Langehanenberg who developed the horse to Grand Prix, competing in two CDIs in 2017.
He said he had a lot of wonderful advice from Robert Dover, Debbbie McDonald, his wife, Shannon, and Jo Hinneman, the German trainer also is based part time in California, who told him in a long discussion, “the horse looks great but it is not a true passage.”
“He was right,” he said, “I always rode it very carefully to keep things even. But that’s the fun psrt. Even at my age (53) I keep a very, very open mind so o any input is much appreciated.”
He also called Helen, whom he credits for the “fantastic job” with Suppenkasper, to congratulate her on the birth of a daughter, Finja, on Wednesday–“knowing her she gave birth a few days ago so she’ll most likely be riding this weekend” on the Louise Leatherdale-owned Damsey FRH.
At the moment, Rosie is ahead of Suppenkasper in the standings for WEG selection but, Steffen said, they will next compete at Leudelange in Luxembourg July 3-8 then decide which horse to go in the Nations Cup CDIO5* or the CDI4* at Aachen, Germany two weeks later that is the final designated selection event.
Ashley Holzer on Havanna, 11-year-old Hanoverian mare owned by Diane Fellows, was awarded 69.652 per cent, their first competition since the Flobal Dressage Festival in Wellington, Florida three months ago. Ashley of New York City and Wellington, first competed Havanna at CDI 14 months ago after the horse had been shown by Germany’s Benjamin Werndl. The pair showed in Europe last summer.
Adrienne Lyle of Ketchum, Idaho who is also competing here on Salvino, also owned by Betsy Juliano, was awarded 67.747 per cent for the ride that had mistakes in the zig-zag and the one-tempi changes.
