LEXINGTON, Kentucky, Nov. 11, 2023–RTF Lincoln was ridden by Heather Mason to claim the third straight annual US Dressage Finals Grand Prix Freestyle open championship Saturday night in the 18-year-old gelding’s last competition a day after winning the Grand Prix title.
Heather of Pittstown, New Jersey and the 18-year-old Oldenburg gelding scored 74.942% for the musical performance. The pair posted 69.203% in the Grand Prix Friday night. Heather bought Lincoln as a foal, then sold him. When the new owner had to have a hip replacement she bought him back for $1.
The duo went on to win both the Grand Prix and Freestyle Finals championships in 2021 and 2022.
Nora Batchelder of Williston, Florida and 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding Faro SQF was reserve champion on 74.733%. Nora and Faro were third in Friday’s Grand Prix on 68.007%.
Shelley Van Den Neste on Eyecatcher, 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, placed third on 71.525% after finishing in second in the Grand Prix on 68.370%.
The adult amateur Grand Prix Freestyle was won by Anartz Chanca, originally from Spain but based in Tomball, Texas, on Dazzle, 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding, with a score of 70.925%.
Amy Swerdlin of Wellington, Florida rode her 13-year-old home-bred gelding Quileute CCW to the reserve title on 70.775%.
Amy also rode her 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding Tokayer to third place on 67.733%.
