Dressage-News

OCALA, Florida, Dec. 9, 2021–Jessica Howington and Cavalia won the World Equestrian Center CDI3* Grand Prix Thursday with an eye to seeking a place on the United States team for the world championships next August.

Jessica, based in Ocala near WEC, and the 14-year-old KWPN mare scored 69.196% for the third straight victory for the American partnership in the first international WEC dressage competition in the giant Derby arena.

Spain’s Pablo Gomez Molina on Ulises de Ymas scored 68.304% for runner-up, the highest placing in nine starts for the pair since beginning Big Tour at Wellington’s Global Dressage Festival in March. Pablo and the 11-year-old P.R.E. gelding placed third in the World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle at this same show grounds in October.

Maria Alejandra Aponte of Colombia on Duke de Niro, a 17-year-old British-bred Hanoverian was awarded 66.826% for third. Maria and Duke de Niro competed for Colombia at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru.

Jessica admitted both she and Cavalia suffered a “little bit” of nerves and tension in their first outdoor performance away from the Global circuit. Two previous competitions at WEC were in an indoor arena.

Results:

CDI3* Grand Prix
Judges: E-Peter Storr H-Yuri Romanov C-Sarah Geikie M-Maribel Alonso B-Cesar Torrente

1. Jessica Howington/USA – Cavalia – 69.196%
2. Pablo Gomez Molina/ESP – Ulises de Ymas – 68.304
3. Maria Alejandra Aponte/COL – Duke de Niro — 66.826%
4T. Kevin Kohmann/USA – Dinamico – 66.609%
4T. Kerrigan Gluch/USA – Mejorano HGF – 66.609%
6. Nora Batchelder/USA – WGangster Girl – 65.761%