Heather Mason Rides RTF Lincoln to 3rd US Dressage Finals Grand Prix Freestyle Day After Claiming Grand Prix Title

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RTF Lincoln ridden by Heather Mason to third successive and last USDF Finals Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle Championships. © 2023 SusanJStickle.com

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%.