Zada Enterprises WEF Dressage Classic CDI***/Y

Friday, March 19, 2004 | Mary Phelps

Robert Dover And FBW Kennedy Win Grand Prix, CDI*** …..Again

Robert Dover and FBW Kennedy owned by Jane Forbes Clark earned 72.583% today in the Grand Prix, CDI*** at the Zada Enterprises WEF Dressage Classic CDI***/Y in Wellington, FL. The class is a qualifying competition for the 2004 USET Foundation Grand Prix Championship and the Olympic Selection Trials.

Dover, 47, of Wellington and Southampton, NY, aboard his Olympic hopeful, a 13-year-old Wurttemberger gelding by Tiro, topped a class of 34 entries. While Dover has been capturing the top two spots in his recent outings, taking the red ribbon with Rainier, his 2000 Sydney Olympic mount, also owned by Ms. Clark, today the duo had uncharacteristic communication lapses and momentarily went off course. They finished in sixth place with a score of 65.958%.

Taking second place in the Grand Prix, CDI*** was Denmark’s Lars Petersen of Loxahatchee, FL, riding his Dansko’s Success who earned judges’ marks of 70.625%. The 10-year-old gray gelding by Blue Horse Silvermoon was competing in only his second Grand Prix. “I was really happy with him. He kept his concentration, he had really no mistakes,” said Petersen.

“He had some weak spots where he got a little bit hot in between, but I was happy. In only the second Grand Prix you still don’t know – how should I warm up and how much gas can I give? He still needs to be a little bit stronger, but he really has no weaknesses.” Petersen said he is not currently aiming Dansko’s Success for Athens and will not contest the Danish Trials. “It’s a little bit too early. He’s a very hot horse.”

Zada Enterprises WEF Dressage Classic CDI***/Y

Tina Konyot and Anna Karenina Knocking at the Door

In spite of their 8:AM start time, as the fisrt in the class to go down the center line, Tina Konyot of Stonington, CT, and Stuart, FL, claimed third place in the Grand Prix CDI with Sally Miller’s 12-year-old Dutch mare Anna Karenina by Sultan out of a Pion mare, receiving 70.00% for the ride.

Konyot who trains with Michael Poulin, has now made her mark with strong percentage scores, putting the pair in serious contention for a spot in the top 12, for the June Selection Trials.

Konyot, who also rides Liberty was thrilled with the mare’s effort, as her proud owner Sally Miller watched.

Zada Enterprises WEF Dressage Classic CDI***/Y

Mirja Block And Ex Top Today’s Section of Prix St. Georges, CDI

In the only other CDI competition today, Mirja Block, 26, of Wellington, FL, riding her own Ex scored 67.10% to top today’s field for the first part of the Prix St. Georges, CDI, a qualifying competition for the 2004 USET Foundation Intermediaire I Championship. The PSG CDI competition continues tomorrow to determine the winner. Ex, a 10-year-old Rhinelander by Ehrentraum has been out of competition for three years due to an injury and was competing in only his third show since his recovery – and it was his first CDI. “I’m really happy with him, he just needs to get a little bit stronger now,” said Block who has owned the 17.2-hand bay since he was three. “He won St. Georges and I-I when he was seven, and then he got injured. Now he is coming back.” She noted that in today’s test his tempi changes were his best movement and she was pleased with his relaxation in the walk. She plans to show Ex at Grand Prix next year. Ring 1 competition in the PSG CDI resumes Friday, March 19, at 8am.

The Zada Enterprises WEF Dressage Classic CDI***/Y, is the third of three dressage shows held at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club as part of the 2004 Winter Equestrian Festival. With more than 300 horses entered, the three-star CDI is the largest of the 2004 WEF dressage shows. Four rings are in action through March 21, which is ‘Freestyle Sunday’ featuring kurs to music in USDF Test of Choice, Intermediaire I Open, Intermediaire I CDI, Young Riders CDI, and Grand Prix, CDI.

Related LinksHorsesdaily Scoresource: 2004 Zada Enterprises WEF Dressage ClassicHorsesdaily "On the Scene" at the 2004 Dressage in Florida circuit