In their first CDI together, Jessica Howington (USA) and Serenade MF led the lap of honor. The WEC February Dressage CDI3* concludes on Sunday, February 18, with Fédération Equestre International (FEI) and USEF/USDF-rated classes.

Jessica Howington (USA) and Serenade MF, her own 11-year-old, American-bred Hanoverian mare by Sir Donnerhall x Don Principe, scored 68.915% from the judge’s panel of Thomas Kessler (GER), Sandra Hotz (USA), Knut Danzberg (GER), Jane Weatherwax (USA) and Omar Zayrik (MEX).

Thursday’s grand prix winners, Anna Marek (USA) and Fayvel, Christina Davila’s 14-year-old KWPN gelding by Zizi Top x Houston, placed second with a score of 68.277%. Allison Carmichael and Figaro, a 14-year-old KWPN gelding by Apache x Zichem owned by Flying Otter Farm, stepped into third place with 68.170%.

Photo – “When her passage is really on, it’s an amazing feeling.” Jessica Howington and Serenade MF strengthened their new partnership and won the Grand Prix Special CDI3*. (Andrew Ryback Photography)

Serenade MF, known as “Shrimp” in the barn, arrived at Howington’s farm less than two months ago. “It’s funny because I have two other horses named Miso and Bagel, and now we have Shrimp,” laughed Howington. “She fit right in! Now I have a full plate.”

While new to Howington, Shrimp competed at the international grand prix level for two years with Alice Tarjan, including Rotterdam and Aachen CDIO5* events as well as at the 2023 FEI Dressage World Cup Final.

First CDI

Howington rode Shrimp at a national show two weeks ago, but this is their first CDI competition together. As she prepared for Friday’s grand prix class, Howington was “super nervous.” They placed second, and Howington was ready to learn more going into the Grand Prix Special.

“It’s a brand-new relationship,” she noted. “I don’t know what to expect, but I learn something new every time, which is cool and helpful. I’ve been so happy with her. She is staying with me and listening. I absolutely love her, I really do. I know it’s a super-new partnership, but I can’t wait for the future.”’

Fired Up

Howington noted that Shrimp can be a different horse from at home, to the warm-up ring, to the show arena. “She can get so fired up in the warm-up that she gets tired for the test, physically and mentally,” explained Howington. “That’s one of the things that I learned at the national show, is that she’s ready to go. Today we did a little shorter warm-up and not even working so much on the exercises but just the throughness and rideability. Rideability was the goal for today and to have her stay with me.

“I was so proud of her,” she continued. “Even though we had a bobble or two, I’m happy with the whole test. It feels like our partnership grew even since yesterday or four days ago when we arrived on the showgrounds. She’s feeling more like my ride every day.”

Howington plans on competing at a few more CDIs going into the spring in order to achieve her main goal of building their partnership.

New partners Jessica Howington and Serenade MF following their winning Special test. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography

“If we can continue to build and get better and better scores, that’s truly icing on the cake,” she said. “I love her and want to ride her for years and years. Getting a good, solid foundation is super important for me right now with her. I want to hang onto her for a long time.”

Grand Prix Special CDI3* Results

Full Show Results and Ride Times

The World Equestrian Center February Dressage CDI3* concludes on Sunday, February 18, with FEI classes for Children’s and Junior riders as well as the Intermediate I Freestyle CDI1* at 9 a.m. and the I-1 Freestyle for amateurs.

Dressage competition at World Equestrian Center – Ocala continues with another pair of back-to-back USEF/USDF rated competitions, presented by Hampton Green Farm and Discover Dressage, on March 14-17, 2024. For full horse show results for all World Equestrian Center dressage shows, visit www.foxvillage.com.

The WEC – Ocala 2024 dressage schedule includes:

• March 14-17: Two USEF/USDF competitions
• March 28-31: CPEDI/USEF/USDF competition
• April 10-14: CDI3*/USEF/USDF competition
• May 22-26: CDI3*/USEF/USDF competition
• July 13-14: USEF/USDF competition
• August 23-25: Two USEF/USDF competitions
• September 19-22: Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 3 Dressage Championships
• October 19-20: USEF/USDF competition
• November 14-17: CDI-W/USEF/USDF competition
• December 11-15: CDI-W/USEF/USDF competition
• All prize lists, ride times and results will be posted and published on the 2024 dressage schedule page HERE. For all questions regarding upcoming dressage competition, contact Teresa.Uddo@wec.net.

About World Equestrian Center

World Equestrian Center features two premier equestrian and multidisciplinary venues in Ocala, Florida, and Wilmington, Ohio. These exclusive facilities comprise state-of-the-art arenas, expansive stadiums, versatile outdoor space, sporting fields and well-appointed exposition centers. An abundance of lodging options and luxury accommodations are conveniently located on-site, along with shopping and dining throughout each property.