Para-Equestrian Dressage Competition Kicks Off at Tryon

Margaret McIntosh and Heros (Photo: ©RichardMalmgren)

Mill Spring, NC- The first ever FEI CPEDI 3* competition kicked off today at TIEC, welcoming riders from around North America for their first experience at the venue. The FEI CPEDI 3*, which is also running in conjunction with the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships sponsored by Deloitte.

Today's competition saw riders from all five grades contest team competition. The Grade I Team Test victory was earned by Margaret McIntosh (USA), aboard her own Heros, a 2004 Danish Warmblood mare (Blue Hors Hertug x Lotus x Lucky Light), with a score of 70.476%. Second place went to Winona Hartvikson (CAN), and Ultimo, a 2007 PRE gelding (Invasor iii x Gala xxi x Teodoro), receiving a score of 69.226%. Third place was captured by Roxanne Trunnell and NTEC Daytona Beach, a 2002 Westphalian mare (Don Bedo x Weindame) with a score of 68.571%.

Placing first in the Para-Grade II Team Test was Laurietta Oakleaf (USA) aboard Niekele Fan Busenitz, a 2004 Friesian stallion (Sape 381 x Wemke H x Fetse 349), earning a 69.899%. Coming in second to Oakleaf in the Para-Grade II Team Test was Jason Surnoski (CAN) aboard Bella de la Noche, a Warmblood mare, receiving a score of 63.838%. Third place was awarded Sharon Buffitt (CAN) and Elektra II, a 2005 Canadian Warmblood gelding (Radjah z x Nikita x Rastar) owned by Buffitt, with a score of 63.838%.

Rebecca Hart (USA) clinched the win in the Para-Grade III Team Test, riding Rowan O'Riley's El Corona Texel, a 2009 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Wynton x Urieta Texel), as the pair finished on a 68.039% for their first score of the week.

Hart commented, "I'm super excited about this horse, El Carona Texel. We are a very new combination, as we've only been together for a month! This is our first show together, so I'm super happy with how we are starting out! I'm really excited for this partnership. He's got some great talent and I cant thank his owner, Rowan, enough for giving me this opportunity."

Rebecca Hart and El Corona Texel (Photo: ©RichardMalmgren)

Hart, a three time Paralympian, has her eyes set on the FEI World Equestrian Games™ in 2018 at TIEC, as well as the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

Riley Garrett (USA) was awarded second place in the Para-Grade III Team Test, with Piston, a 2003 Canadian Warmblood owned by Garrett, on a score of 67.941%. Third place saw Meghan Benge (USA) and Zoey, a 2007 Welsh mare (The Key x Kurbaums Future), collect third place on a 61.863%.

The Grade IV Para-Team Test was won by Angela Peavy (USA) aboard her own Lancelot Warrior, a 2002 Hanoverian gelding (Londonderry x Waroness x Warkant) owned by Rebecca Reno, with an impressive score of 70.583%. Peavy also captured second place aboard her new mount Royal Dark Chocolate, a 2008 Oldenberg mare, also owned by Reno, with a 69.875%. Michele Bandinu (USA) rounded out the third place with a 66.750% aboard his own Soulman 13, a 2009 Oldenburg gelding (Swarvoski x Lovestory vii).

Katie Jackson (USA) and Royal Dancer, a 2005 Westphalian gelding owned by Kai Handt, finished with a win in the Para Grade V Team-Test with a score of 67.093%. Second place was awarded to Mary Jordan (USA) piloting Rubicon 75, a 2005 Oldenburg gelding (Royal Hit x Edelkarin x Absinthe) on a score of 66.318%.

Competition continues tomorrow, Saturday, September 16, with a full schedule of classes including Para Individual Championship CPEDI 3* tests, while the FEI CDI 3* classes will highlight the FEI Intermediaire I and FEI Grand Freestyle, each presented by Adequan®. To learn more about Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), please visit www.tryon.com.