The highly anticipated Evening of Musical Freestyles didn’t disappoint fans, as they were entertained by talented opening acts, the Open FEI Freestyle Test of Choice, the G-2 Software CDI-W Grand Prix Freestyle and an emotional retirement ceremony for Legolas 92.
The G-2 Software CDI-W Grand Prix Freestyle had a star studded lineup of riders and horses, including Steffen Peters, Nick Wagman, Gunter Seidel and Terri Rocovich. Seidel rode his own Dutch mare, Crush On You, to an overall score of 68.825% to round out the top three placings. Nick Wagman and Beverly Gepfer’s KWPN gelding, Don John, earned higher marks from the judges. With an average score of 72.975% the pair took the lead. Steffen Peters and Four Winds Farm’s Suppenkasper ended the night as the final ride in the competitive class.
The 10 year old gelding is still new to freestyles, having only competed in a few prior to tonight’s event and only one with Peters. The most recent showing was at the Del Mar Horsepark where Peters and Suppenkasper placed first with an overall score of 75.375%. The team showed progress by landing scores above 76% from all judges with an overall score of 77.8% to shut out the competition with another victory.
“Mopsie (Suppenkasper’s barn name), performed much better this time,” Peters explained. “This is a brand new freestyle, it’s only our second time doing it. We are getting used to the music, there was three to four times the crowd from previous events and they were more electrifying. I as a bit worried, but he stood still perfectly and never took a step out of place. It’s a wonderful start for this amazing horse.”
At the conclusion of the class, the audience enjoyed an emotional retirement ceremony for the illustrious Legolas 92. Peters, Akiko Yamazaki, her family and the Four Winds Farm team joined Legolas in the arena for a last farewell. Yamazaki wrote a note to Legolas that included a heartfelt thank you for all the fond memories.
“You always showed up, never questioning when or why,” Yamazaki said to him.
Earlier in the evening, Barbara Breen-Gurley rode her own KWPN gelding, Vindicator, to a blue ribbon with an overall score of 66.625 in the FEI Freestyle Test of Choice Open.
The FEI Junior Individual Test was dominated again today by Brooke Mancusi riding her own Westphalen gelding, Wellknown, to another blue ribbon with an overall score of 65.539%. In the FEI Young Rider Individual Test, it was Veronica West who swapped spots with Benjamin Ebeling for first place. She rode her own Hanoverian gelding, Nobleman to a final score of 69.069% to take home the blue ribbon. Ebeling followed in a close second with a 68.873% on Amy Ebeling’s Hanoverian gelding, Behlinger. Christian Simonson rounded out the top three placings on Christina Morgan’s Hanoverian stallion, FRH Rassolini with an average score of 68.284%.
Nick Wagman claimed the blue ribbon on Elizabeth Keadle’s Ferano in today’s FEI Intermediaire I with a 70.539%, Peters followed in second on Four Winds Farm’s Donavan with a 69.216%. Third place went to Ashleigh Luca Tyson on River Oaks Farm’s Sans Soucis K with a 68.578%.