Dressage-News

PILIJÁSZFALU, Hungary, June 19, 2021–Simone Pearce rode Destano won the World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle Saturday on an Australian record score for a musical performance to give the likely Olympic team partnership all three Big Tour records for her homeland.

Simone and the 14-year-old Hanoverian stallion were awarded 81.385% for only their second Grand Prix Freestyle. The score beat the previous Australian record of 80.145% set by Mary Hanna on Calanta in February last year.

The latest result means the 29-year-old Simone and her top ranked Destano hold all three Aussie records–of 76.261% in the Grand Prix and 77.894% for the Grand Prix Special. It was also the fourth straight win for the partnership in the past six weeks.

Although the Australian team of three riders and horses has not yet been announced, the Germany-based Simone and Destano are one of only four combinations that have been able to earn qualifying scores or have had enough preparation as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic well into its second year. The other three combinations are Mary Hanna on Calanta, Kristy Oatley on Du Soleil and Kelly Layne on Samhitas.

Hungary’s Csaba Szokola on Enying placed second on 72.925% with Katarzyna Milczarek of Poland on Guapo third on 72.145%.

The success here on Destano capped a dominating show for the Australian who earlier Saturday won the CDI4* Grand Prix Special on Double Joy on a score of 70.553%, a day after winning the Grand Prix with a result of 71.826% that met qualification for consideration for the Australian team. In addition to Destano and Double Joy, Simone has also qualified Amandori. Both Destano and Amandori are owned by the German stud Gestüt Sprehe GmbH and Simone while Double Joy is owned by Sabine Rüben.

Russia’s Maria Klementieva on Doctor Wendell MF placed second in the Special on 70.447% with Anikó Losonczy of Hungary on Dior S third on 68.893%.

Results:

CDI-W World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle

CDI4* Grand Prix Special