Dressage-News

WELLINGTON, Florida, Feb. 13, 2021–Lindsay Kellock rode Sebastien to a career high score for the second competition in a row to capture the Global Dressage Festival CDI3* Grand Prix Special Saturday, the highest score at the level so far of riders seeking a place on Canada’s team for the Olympics in Tokyo in six months.

Lindsay and the 15-year-old Rhinelander gelding scored 73.319%, a career high Grand Prix Special mark, just two days after achieving a similar result in the Grand Prix at the Palm Beach Internatiuonal Equestrian Center

The 30-year-old Lindsay exclaimed the result Saturday was “a dream come true” and to be right up with her coach and godmother, Ashey Holzer, the four-time Olympian for Canada who now rides for the United States, “pretty exciting.”

“I had more confidence going in today based on his performance in the Grand Prix on Thursday,” Lindsay said. “He went in and really tried his heart out and gave me a good feeling, which then gave me confidence to ride him a bit more in the ring. Normally I’m like, ‘Oh can I do this? Maybe I can push this button.’ But today he just felt so great. I was able to really ride him, take a deep breath, and I think that showed a lot more with those higher scores.

“I can’t describe the feeling, it’s amazing. I couldn’t be happier, and I’m speechless. The horse is an incredible horse and I’m glad that I’m finally able to bring that out in him. ”

The results came a day after her best friend, Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu on All In posted a personal best Grand Prix score that made Lindsay think, “Shoot, I’ve got to pick it up a bit.”

And she did. When told she was trending at 76% until the walk, “I can’t even believe that. That just a dream come true.”

The 2020 U.S. Grand Prix champion pair of Jennifer Williams on Millione placed second on 71.979% with Great Britain’s Susan Pape on Harmony’s Eclectisch third on 71.489%.

Brittany Fraser and All In have the highest Grand Prix result of Canadians this year with Lindsay and Sebastien next. Lindsay and Sebastien have the top Special score to date in the Olympic qualifying period that runs from Jan. 1 to mid-June ahead of the Games in Tokyo currently scheduled for the end of July.

Both riders, as are several other Canadians, are coached by Ashley Holzer who is seeking a place on the American team with Valentine. Ashley had passed on  the possibility of competing Valentine for a place on the U.S. team at the 2019 Pan American Games so she could focus on her Canadian riders, three of whom were on the squad that won gold.

“It’s a good group in the barn,” Lindsay said. “We’re all such good friends, we play off one another and help each other out. It shows on how we are out in the show ring. We have such a supportive group and the person who is heading that is Ashley and we’re just so grateful to have her. She breathes positive energy and is so supportive; I’m very grateful to have her as my trainer.”

Results:

CDI3* Grand Prix Special