Germany’s Domenika Weishaupt Debuts Ascon-Martin at St. Georges in First Florida Circuit

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Domenika Weishaupt riding Ascon-Martin in their debut Prix St. Georges in a national competition at the Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Florida. © 2022 Ken Braddick/dressage-news.com

WELLINGTON, Florida, Feb. 18, 2022–Germany’s Domenika Weishaupt debuted Ascon-Martin at national Prix St. Georges at the Global Dressage Festival Friday with her husband, Philipp, grooming six days after winning the $406,000 Grand Prix CSI5* in the first Florida circuit for the pair.

Domenika and the eight-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Ampere x Wolkentanz II) scored 69.852% for third place behind American Julie McKean on Fling for U on 73.823% and Canada’s Vanessa Creech-Terauds on Daniel L on 73.529%.

“I had a good feeling,” said the 36-year-old rider, “but it was a little bit hot,” referring to the temperature of 87F/30.56C at the time of her ride before a single judge.

The horse, that she said was “a little bit crazy” when she first acquired him as a five-year-old, arrived in Florida four weeks ago but was now ready to be competitive. They are working on the one-tempi changes in preparation for Grand Prix.

However, she plans more national competitions with Ascon-Martin and possibly move into the international division before returning home to Münster at the end of the winter circuit.

Domenika Weishaupt on Ascon-Martin and her husband, Philipp Weishaupt, whom she described as her “best groom” at the Global Dressage Festival. © 2022 Ken Braddick/dressage-news.com

She described Wellington as “unbelievable.”

“When I call my parents and my friends at home I find it hard to describe what it’s like here. So many horses, so many horse people.”