The afternoon's competition at AGDF featured a FEI Grand Prix Freestyle 3*, presented by The Dutta Corp., with a top finish for Kelly Layne (AUS) riding Whistlejacket Farm LLC's Udon P, a 13-year-old KWPN gelding by Hierarch, out of Maleida. The pair earned their highest score ever with a 73.625%. Germany's Kim Jesse and Dirk Haese's Charming 8 finished second with a score of 70.200%. Susan Dutta (USA) and Currency DC placed third with a 69.925%.
Layne and Udon P finished second in Thursday's FEI Grand Prix 3*, and the rider explained that her horse felt very relaxed for this afternoon's freestyle. “He warmed up as calm as he ever has for a competition,” she stated. “He was very concentrated, very focused. He is starting to know his music cues and that is kind of cool. It makes the whole routine feel much smoother and then I can be more harmonious with the horse and really ride to my music. I think that just comes from more experience in the ring.”
Second place finisher, Kim Jesse, is back in the ring after some time off from competing with her mount Charming 8, a 16-year-old Rheinlander stallion by Champus out of Lesley S, and was very happy with her ride on Friday.
Susan Dutta finished third with her horse, Currency DC, a 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Clintino, out of Cinderella. Dutta was happy with how her freestyle finished out after having to restart due to a musical problem.
Italian Silvia Rizzo with the Lusitano stallion Sal, who had earned 62,880% in the Grand Prix (14th), made a slight improvement in the Grand Prix Freestyle and was awarded 63,600%.
Final Results: FEI Grand Prix Freestyle 3*, Presented by The Dutta Corp.
1. Kelly Layne, AUS, Udon P, 74.250%, 72.375%, 73.750%, 72.375%, 75.375%, 73.625%
2. Kim Jesse, GER, Charming 8, 73.125%, 70.125%, 68.000%, 71.250%, 68.500%, 70.200%
3. Susan Dutta, USA, Currency DC, 71.875%, 72.125%, 70.875%, 69.250%, 65.500%, 69.925%
4. Michael Barisone, USA, HF Victor, 70.750%, 69.250%, 69.250%, 71.250%, 68.375%, 69.775%
5. Kasey Perry, USA, Trostruplunds Scarlet, 70.000%, 67.875%, 68.000%, 68.750%, 66.750%, 68.275%
6. Maria Kaldewei, GER, Die Suesse, 67.500%, 67.250%, 66.375%, 70.875%, 67.375%, 67.875%
7. Gary Vander Ploeg, CAN, Degas, 68.625%, 65.875%, 68.250%, 70.250%, 64.625%, 67.525%
8. Sylvia Rizzo, ITA, Sal, 66.375%, 60.625%, 64.500%, 63.250%, 63.250%, 63.600%