Dressage-News

By KENNETH J. BRADDICK

WELLINGTON, Florida, Jan. 13, 2023–Adrienne Lyle and Salvino won the World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle Friday for their second victory in seeking a start at the championship Final in Omaha.

The Olympic and World Games silver medal partnership scored 83.450% for the win to vault into contention as one of three North American horse and rider combinations to go to Omaha in early April. The pair need three scores to complete qualification and join fellow U.S. riders Steffen Peters on Suppenkasper and Alice Tarjan on Serenade as one of three to be among a total lineup of 18 combinations from around the world to compete in Omaha.

Sarah Tubman of Wellington and and the 13-year-old stallion First Apple, posted a personal best 78.250% for runner-up.

Sarah and First Apple that captured individual and Freestyle gold in the 2019 Pan American Games at Small Tour on Friday night that was unseasonably cold displayed solid piaffe that the duo had been working on.

Sweden’s Caroline Darcourt and Lord Django placed third also on a personal best score of 78.170% in the pair’s first Big Tour musical performance.

Adrienne, who earlier this week was named US Equestrian International Rider of 2022, said after the ride:

“I’m super thrilled to be here again at this amazing venue and I was happy to see how packed it was despite this cold weather.

“He felt great–he was fiery and very excited to be here. We did most of the things on my terms, some of the things on his terms–but like any good relationship it’s all about compromise and he feels great.”

Adrienne and Salvino, owned by Betsy Juliano, achieved their first World Cup qualifying victory in Wellington in December, and with Friday’s win now have a total of 40 points.

Steffen of San Diego, California and Suppenkasper that were team mates of Adrienne and Salvino at the 2018 World Equestrian Games and the Tokyo Olympics where the U.S. won silver at both, has achieved the maximum of 60 points to stand atop the North American rankings for Omaha.

Alice Tarjan and the American-bred Serenade MF are just three points back on 57 that appear likely to earn them a start.

To get one more win, Adrienne said she hasn’t yet decided which of two qualifiers remaining on the Wellington competition calendar she will compete in.

“He doesn’t do a whole lot in between shows,” she said. “He knows his job now so we just keep him happy and healthy and fit.”

Sarah Tubman, who is coached by her husband, Lee, said of the performance that gave the pair a personal best score, “I’m really proud of my horse and myself. We have come quite a long way and we just continue to improve and I’m learning a lot on a fabulous horse.

“There’s really nothing like riding on our home turf with such a big crowd. It’s a great electric atmosphere and my horse absolutely loves it here and loves the crowd and the energy that this ring brings.”

As runner-up, Sarah and First Apple earned 17 point for a total of 51 points to move them up to third in North America.

Results

World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle