Dressage-News

THERMAL, California, Nov. 15, 2020–Steffen Peters and Suppenkasper won the Desert Dressage CDI3* Grand Prix Special Sunday to maintain with 13 victories the longest unbeaten streak in the Big Tour career of the four-time American Olympian. Anna Buffini completed her successful debut on Davinia la Douce as runner-up on a score above 70%.

Steffen and the 12-year-old KWPN gelding ranked 23rd in the world scored 76.149% in the pair’s first CDI since the Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Florida that was cut short in mid-March by the coronavirus pandemic.

The results of 11 victories for Steffen and Suppenkasper, with the nickname “Mopsie” inherited from previous rider Helen Langehanenberg had qualified for the World Cup Final in Las Vegas where the rider, now 56 years old, won the title on Ravel in 2009, only the second American to do so. The other being Debbie McDonald on Brentina. But the Final was canceled.

The two wins here boosted the string of victories to 13 for Steffen of San Diego and Suppenkasper since the first in Wellington last January.

For Anna Buffini, also of San Diego, the score of 70.319% in the Special on FRH Davinia la Douce was their second runner-up to Steffen, the first time in the Grand Prix Friday. This was the international debut of the 26-year-old rider and the 13-year-old Hanoverian mare.

Davinia was previously competed at Big Tour in Germany by Anabel Balkenhol whom Anna credited with developing the horse to a level that she could take over the ride with success.

Anna, successful in youth divisions on Sundayboy, was also praised for her long term effort to rehabilitate Wilton, a KWPN gelding. She finally gave up in Wellington last winter.

Dawn White-O’Connor and Bailarino placed third on 68.106%.        

Results:

CDI3* Grand Prix Special