Molly Pairs and Countess Impress In Their First FEI CDI-W Grand Prix Freestyle

Molly Paris and Countess (Photo: ©RichardMalmgren)

Mill Spring, NC - Day two of the Tryon Fall Dressage FEI CDI-W continued today at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), featuring both Small Tour and Large Tour competition in the George H. Morris Arena.

Molly Paris (USA) and her own Countess, a 2002 Danish Warmblood mare (Don x Compeed x Solos), rose to the occasion in the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle presented by Adequan®, earning a 68.375% to achieve the victory.

Elizabeth Austin and Steeped In Luck (Photo: ©RichardMalmgren)

Competition continues today, beginning at 8:00 a.m. and highlighting the FEI Grand Prix Special presented by Adequan® at 1:30 p.m. in the George H. Morris Arena.

"This is our first CDI-W Grand Prix together and it's been so amazing!" said an exuberant Paris. "She's an amazing horse. She's been great all week. It was a great place to win. We are from Charlotte, so we absolutely love competing in Tryon!"

She continued, "I've had Countess for about two years, and we bought her simply because I needed a horse to move up on. We've done the U-25 together and Chris Hickey said, 'You have the horse, now go do the Grand Prix,' so here we are!"

Paris, currently ranked at number 29 with Countess on the FEI Youth Dressage U25 list, is well known for her unique freestyle music, in which this edition features an alternative tune called 'Move,' by Saint Raymond.

Debbie Hill and Zarcita (Photo: ©RichardMalmgren)

Moving forward the 21-year-old plans to continue competing in the Under 25 division. Paris concluded, "I eventually want to come back to the Grand Prix, but we want to end up back at the U25 Championships first."

Second place in the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W presented by Adequan® was awarded to Elizabeth Austin and Steeped In Luck, a 2003 Irish Draught stallion (Mount Diamond Flag x Steeple View) owned by Keith Douglas, with 67.350%. Third place went to Debbie Hill (USA) and Zarcita, a 2004 Dutch Warmblood mare (Parcival x Sarita x Ahoy) owned Leslie Waterman, with a score of 66.525%.

To learn more about Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), please visit www.tryon.com.

FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W presented by Adequan® Results
Place, Rider, Nationality, Horse, Horse Information: Judge E%, Judge H%, Judge C%, Judge M%, Judge B%, Total %

1. Molly Paris (USA), Countess, 2002 Danish Warmblood mare by Don x Compeed x Solos, owned by Molly Paris: 69.375%, 68.125%, 66.625%, 67.250%, 70.500%, 68.375%
2. Elizabeth Austin (USA), Steeped In Luck, 2003 Irish Draught stallion by Mount Diamond Flag x Steeple View, owned by Keith Douglas: 65.625%, 68.125%, 67.250%, 68.625%, 67.125%, 67.350%
3. Debbie Hill (USA), Zarcita, 2004 Dutch Warmblood mare by Parcival x Sarita x Ahoy, owned Leslie Waterman: 66.375%, 67.125%, 64.500%, 66.250%, 68.375%, 66.525%
4. Kim Gentry (AUS), Leonardo, 2007 Danish Warmblood gelding by Landtinus x Rambala x Rambo, owned by Kim Gentry: 61.125%, 60.750%, 61.000%, 60.375%, 61.000, 60.850%