Laura Graves (USA) and Verdades wowed the crowd again at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival, this time receiving an 80.175% in their FEI Grand Prix Freestyle as part of the Stillpoint Farm FEI Nations Cup CDIO3*.
The class, which combined pairs from Intermediaire-1 Freestyle and the Grand Prix Freestyle, was the individual portion of this year's Nations Cup competition. Chris Von Martels (CAN) and Zilverstar finished in second with a 75.600% performing the I-1 Freestyle and fellow Canadian Belinda Trussell and Anton followed in third with a 75.475% in the Grand Prix Freestyle. Four other CDI classes were held today at AGDF as well to conclude the 2015 season.
Graves and Verdades have won the final three Grand Prix Freestyles of the 2015 season at AGDF, and the pair is moving towards a very competitive showing at the FEI World Cup Finals in Las Vegas in two weeks time. “The ride I felt he was very consistent throughout. We had one little hiccup in our right canter half-pass where my rein actually got hooked around my foot and my spur I think. I went to give my right rein and I couldn't because my hand was stuck so I had to kind of move my leg and untangle myself,” she laughed. “I got it out before the end of half-pass which was very lucky and I was going back towards 'A,' but my horse could not have cared less about it. I'm so thankful he has matured this far in his life that he will allow me to handle situations like that, and I couldn't be happier with him.”
Today was the second occasion on which the pair has scored above 80% in the Grand Prix Freestyle, as they recorded an 82.036% at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Caen, France, last August. This was also only the second time in AGDF history that a rider has scored at least 80%; Lars Petersen and Mariett are the other pair.
“I don't ever go into a competition with any expectations and to go in and be called double gold-medal winning, kind of gives you goose bumps,” stated Graves about her team and individual performances. “I've never really been in the position to be on a podium except here at Nations Cup, and it's a really nice event to have sponsored by Stillpoint Farm and Adequan® and really bring home gold medals. It's an amazing thing.”
Chris Von Martels has also had consistent success this season aboard Zilverstar and feels confident in where the pair will be heading in the coming months. “He really has stepped up to the plate this season, and I feel that there is always room for improvement, as we as riders know,” explained Von Martels. “I feel that we're on a good path at the moment, and as long as we can keep going in that direction we will be quite happy.”
As for the future, the Pan American Games are in their sights and Von Martels will take advantage of the opportunity to compete at Palgrave, the site of equestrian competition at the games this summer, “We're lucky that we've competed there in the past and it will be a good first show to do when we get back. I also would like to take some time to focus on the training and give him a break because it has a been a long season, and he has been spectacular.”
Fellow Canadian Belinda Trussell had a fantastic week aboard Anton, finishing the Freestyle competition today in third place. The pair will contest one of the three CDI competitions in Toronto before the Pan American Games and will ultimately vie for a spot on the Canadian team. “He's at a place in his life where he is very confident and understands his job, and he's also happy to do it,” commented Trussell.
Final Results for FEI Nations Cup CDIO3* Freestyle
1. Laura Graves (USA), Verdades, 2002 Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by rider, Florett As x Liwilarda x Goya: GP Freestyle: 82.250%, 79.500%, 80.125%, 79.500%, 79.500%, 80.175%
2. Christopher Von Martels (CAN) Zilverstar, 2004 Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by rider, Rosseau x Hutricia x Rossini, I-1 Freestyle: 77.000%, 74.750%, 76.250%, 75.750%, 74.250%, 75.600%
3. Belinda Trussell (CAN), Anton, 2000 Saschen Warmblood gelding owned by Robyn Eames, Anteaus x Shirley x Melit, GP Freestyle: 74.625%, 78.000%, 76.375%, 75.125%, 73.250%, 75.475%
4. Megan Lane (CAN) Caravella, 2001 Dutch Warmblood mare owned by rider, Contango x P. Riviera x Riverman, GP Freestyle: 78.875%, 73.250%, 73.875%, 74.375%, 71.750%, 74.425%
5. Allison Brock (USA) Rosevelt, 2002 Hanoverian stallion owned by Claudine & Fritz Kundrun, Rotspon x Lore x Lauries Crusader xx, GP Freestyle: 72.750%, 77.750%, 72.750%, 71.500%, 75.000%, 73.950%
6. Kimberly Herslow (USA), Rosmarin, 2005 Hanoverian gelding owned by rider, Rosentanz x Hauptstutbuch Wolkentaenzerin x Weltmeyer, I-1 Freestyle: 71.125%, 75.375%, 72.750%, 75.750%, 74.000%, 73.800%
7. Olivia La-Goy Weltz (USA) Rassing's Lonoir, 2004 Danish Warmblood gelding owned by rider, De Noir x Lorani x Loran, I-1 Freestyle: 75.125%, 74.250%, 71.000%, 73.000%, 75.000%, 73.675%
8. Christilot Boylen (CAN) Donatella 79, 2005 Oldenburg mare owned by Jill Irving, De Niro x Weidenkatatchen x Canastal: 75.000%, 73.750%, 74.125%, 73.875%, 70.875%, 73.525%