Alice Tarjan Showcase Rising Star to Claim Ticket For Future Challenge Finals

In the big tour class, Alice Tarjan (USA) unveiled yet another superstar to come out of her stable. She rode her own eight-year-old Desperado NOP mare Jane to the top spot in the Lövsta Future Challenge with 71.529%. Frederic Wandres (GER) came second on Harrods 3 with 70.793%. The pair is qualified for the finals via their win in AGDF 1. Devon Kane (USA) rode Gyllebo’s Vamos, by Vivaldi, to 64.146% and third place. 

Photo - Alice Tarjan with judge from C Elisabeth Max-Theurer, and Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfvén of class sponsor Lövsta. (©susanjstickle.com)

“I haven’t really done anything with Jane because it took a little while to bring her along,” said 42-year-old Tarjan. “Usually we do young horse classes but she didn’t really show until I did two I2’s with her this year. The plan is to get some miles on her, because she’s spooky, and she’s never been anywhere.

Fantastic Experience

“She went around the beginning really spooky and impressed. But once she goes to work, man, the horse goes to work, and she’s so honest. It’s so nice to ride a horse like that that’s just easy and straightforward. This class is fantastic for the horses to come and be able to get the experience in the stadium ring. And then especially to have that quality of judges and know that those scores actually count and that they mean something.”

Tarjan was not expecting to win, so is unsure what the next steps with the horse will be. 

“The goal this year was to try to qualify for Lövsta [final], so I didn’t think it was going to happen so fast. The horse basically knows all the tricks, but the issue is trying to keep the self carriage, softness and the harmony throughout the test. She’ll piaffe all day long and has an easy mechanic for it,” added Tarjan who has had help with Jane from Debbie McDonald.

Intermediare Action

From last draw in the Intermediate I Freestyle CDI3*, sponsored by Donato Farms, Silva Martin (USA) steered Christina Morin-Graham’s 11-year-old Blueberry Hill to a personal best 72.915% victory. The chestnut mare, by the Jazz son Boston, is lightly competed, having only three CDI tests on her record. This was her first international win. Bianca Berktold and Imperial — already double winners this week — also laid down a career best score, of 72.53%, to finish second. Lauren Knopp rounded out the all-American podium, securing third with 69.15% on Amadeus De Massa.

Chloe Gasiorowski (CAN) piloted Susan and Tim Dutta’s 15-year-old Dimaggio gelding Dimacci DC to the winner’s blue sash in the Intermediate II CDI3*. Given the unanimous nod from the five judges, Gasiorowski and Dimacci garnered 68.294% at their first international show together. Formerly campaigned by Susan Dutta, Dimacci has been out of the CDI spotlight since 2019, when he competed on the summer circuit in Europe. Making up a truly international podium, Swiss rider Barbara Bertschinger finished second with 66.471% on Sonnenberg’s Solisco CH, with Luuk Mourits (NED) taking third on Harmony’s Don’t Stop The Feeling with 65%. 

Sunday’s action marks the end of week seven of the 12-week 2022 AGDF. International competition resumes in week eight on March 2-6 with CDI-W and CDI4* competition in the Palm Beach Dressage Derby, as well as a full roster of tests in the national arenas. For more information and results, visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.