Dressage-News

Mar. 24, 2024

By KENNETH J. BRADDICK

Steffen Peters and Suppenkasper posted only the second result below 70% in six years of competition in winning the Del Mar CDI3* Grand Prix Special Sunday. Anna Buffini and Fiontini scored 76.210% in the first Grand Prix Freestyle for the pair.

Steffen and the 16-year-old KWPN gelding scored 69.489%, the only other lower score since the partnership began international competition was 69.073% at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon in September 2018. It comes a day after a score of 71.978% in the Grand Prix that was the duo’s lowest result for the level in four years.

Mistakes in the two-tempi changes were awarded scores of four from all five judges and four marks of three and one of two for the right pirouette for the Tokyo Olympic and WEG team silver medal partnership.

“Unfortunately another ride with uncharacteristic mistakes,” Steffen told dressage-news.com.

“After the two tempis Mopsie did a few one tempois. I didn’t do a good job preventing this. Also I didn’t prepare the second pirouette good enough.

“Both mistakes were clearly my fault, which is a bit more painful in an Olympic year.

“Hopefully our next show will be better and this show can be our drop score.”

Steffen of nearby San Diego is the combination highest ranked by the U.S. Equestrian Federation with scores averaging 75.163% in two Grand Prix before this weekend and an average of 72.766% in the Special. The top 10 teams of three rider and horse combinations in the Grand Prix at the Paris Olympics qualify for the Special to decide the team standings.

Anna Buffini on FRH Davinia La Douce, 17-year-old Hanoverian mare, scored 67.021%.

Günter Seidel completed his international debut on Jack, a 12-year-old Rhinelander gelding, for third place 65.276%.

Anna Buffini and the 14-year-old Danish Warmblood mare Fiontini competing in only their second CDI were awarded 76.210% that included marks of at least nine for degree of difficulty in the musical performance.

“Good Freestyle, great starting point,” Anna said.

“Now the only thing we have to do is get to know each other better in the show ring and be consistent.

“Very grateful for this once in a lifetime horse!”

She worked with Joost Peters of the Netherlands in creating the freestyle that she described as “an incredible one.”

Anna, also of San Diego, is experienced in riding top level freestyles having competed Davinia at the World Cup Finals the last two years.

Results:

CDI3* Grand Prix Special

Rank	Competitor	Score	E	H	C	M	B
1.	Steffen Peters (USA) Suppenkasper	69.489%	69.894	68.617	68.830	67.872	72.234
2.	Anna Buffini (USA) FRH Davinia La Douce	67.021%	67.681	64.702	67.681	67.043	68.000
3.	Günter Seidel (USA) Jack	65.276%	67.553	63.723	65.532	63.617	65.957
4.	Sara Pocock (CAN) Connaisseur	64.000%	63.511	61.277	65.745	64.149	65.319
5.	Kathleen Raine (USA) Hotshot	62.723%	60.957	63.511	63.404	62.872	62.872
6.	Amy L Miller (USA) Encore	61.681%	59.596	58.745	63.319	63.957	62.787
7.	Tiffany Silverman (USA) Vincenzo 14	61.319%	60.851	58.723	63.298	62.872	60.851
8.	Shannon Peters (USA) Disco Inferno	58.702%	60.638	54.894	59.255	57.872	60.851
9.	Brittney Simpson (CAN) Kartsevo Goldfinch	57.851%	57.553	57.128	59.468	56.277	58.830
Find details on Equestrian Hub

World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle

Rank	Competitor	Score	E	H	C	M	B
1.	Anna Buffini (USA) Fiontini	76.210%	76.050	74.300	76.000	78.600	76.100
2.	Laura DeCesari (USA) Rossi	64.910%	64.300	65.675	62.400	67.175	65.000
Find details on Equestrian Hub