Courtney King-Dye, traveled 17 hours to Lamplight from her base in New York with Hampton Green Farm’s PRE stallion Grandioso because they pair needed one more CDI in order to qualify for the National Dressage Championships set for Gladstone, New Jersey in June.

The trip paid off. King-Dye and Grandioso took first in CDI Prix St. Georges competition with a score of 69.386 percent and first in the CDI Intermediaire I with a score of 70.00 percent.

It wasn’t the best of weather during the start of competition at Lamplight this year, and at one point, King-Dye worried that she might have to scratch. “But they did a great job on the rings and the footing held up,” she said. “So, the show was definitely worth it. We had a good judging panel and the judges really liked him. And, it wasn’t the best of conditions for anyone, so we’re really happy with his scores.”

By Saturday afternoon, the sun came out, and the footing began to dry. As is Lamplight tradition, the freestyles were held in the early evening, along with a wedding next to the arena and a competitor’s party sponsored by VAS Inc. and executive air charter service.

The final ride of the evening, by Koffler-Stanfield, topped a full day of CDI competition, along with the first-ever CPEDI 3*, an international Para-Equestrian competition. Lamplight co-owners Stephen Cooper, and Tom Moxley entertained guests in finally sunny weather and the coast was clear for dry footing and a sunny Sunday on which the National and International Champions would be determined.