Articles: Horse News
USEF Horse of the Year Ravel Reigns at 2010 Exquis World Dressage Masters
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NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 4, 2010
By Joanie Morris
Wellington, FL Somehow it keeps getting better. After just collecting the
United States Equestrian Federations Horse and Rider of the Year accolades
for 2009, US dressage superstars Steffen Peters and Ravel ran their streak
to six major wins with a convincing effort at the Grand Prix at the 2010
Exquis World Dressage Masters.
Ravel, a 12-year-old KWPN gelding (Contango-Hautain) owned by Akiko
Yamazakis Four Winds Farm appeared even stronger and more confident than he
did in 2009. He didnt disappoint his American fans with a hugely
professional performance, and a top score of 76.851%. There was a sense of
ease in his work that has come with the experience of two years of
international competition under his belt. Ravel rose to the occasion again
with a very lovely test.
He felt, in the last six weeks, already better than last year, said Peters
(San Diego, CA). The ride today was one of his best ones, he was supple and
a little bit more energetic than Aachen. It was a wonderful start to the
season.
Ravel was as relaxed as any horse at the competition in the atmosphere at
Americas only CDI5* and his changes and lateral work were spot on as he
picked up the majority of the $13,800 USD purse.
The rivalry between Peters and The Netherlands Anky van Grunsven has gained
serious momentum in the 12 months: they split this competition last year,
with Peters winning the Grand Prix and van Grunsven winning the
Freestyle. Peters then swept the 2009 FEI World Cup Final in Las Vegas and
remained invincible at CDIO Aachen, turning the tides on a dressage world
what had been Eurocentric for so long. They went head to head and back to
back on Thursday in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International
Equestrian Center, and Peters prevailed again.
van Grunsvens mark of 74.596% meant that she settled for second on the
16-year-old Hanoverian gelding, Salinero. The reigning Olympic Gold medal
had a couple of bobbles which marred an otherwise classy performance by the
very seasoned duo.
The first two days we were here, he was hot and tense, said van Grunsven
about coming over from a very frigid European continent. The last two days
he has settled down. I am very pleased. There were little things I could
have done better tiny things, not big things, I am very pleased with
Salinero.
Isabell Werth, recently a new mother to baby Frederik, was third with her
superstar Satchmo on a score of 72.553% for Germany. Another stalwart of the
sport, Werth harnessed the enthusiasm of her veteran Hanoverian gelding and
coaxed him to a confident effort Satchmo is a horse visibly very aware of
what is going on around him.
I have done so many competitions, but in the last eight months I have done
no competitions, said Werth about knocking off the competitive rust after
becoming a mother. Its not new again but I missed the fine tuning I have to
work to get the little mistakes and details away. He was quite concentrated,
but the three mistakes were expensive, especially when you have to compete
against Steffen and Anky. But in the end I was really happy with Satchmo.
Peters is looking forward to Saturdays freestyle, but will base his strategy
on how his horse feels on the occasion as he has reworked his freestyle to
have a couple of different options.
You want to increase the degree of difficulty, but having a clean test and a
confident horse is the priority, said Peters. There is so much to lose at
this point but I pretty much know going down the center line what I have Im
a big believer in preserving things.
The competition continues on top eight riders contesting the Grand Prix
Freestyle under the lights in the International Arena at 7pm on Saturday
evening. The second half of the group will contest the Grand Prix Special
beginning at 3pm. For more information, results and ticket information,
please visit: www.palmbeachdressagemasters.com.
ENDS
For more information please contact Joanie Morris at jmorris@usef.org.
The vision of the United States Equestrian Federation is to provide
leadership
for equestrian sport in the United States of America by promoting the
pursuit
of excellence from the grassroots to the Olympic Games, based on a
foundation of fair, safe competition and the welfare
of its human and equine athletes.
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