Kate Shoemaker (USA) and Vianne continued their winning ways in the CPEDI3* – Grade IV – Grand Prix Test Freestyle, making it a perfect treble this weekend. Shoemaker is one of the most decorated U.S. para riders and currently sits at the top of the FEI world ranking in Grade IV. Her freestyle was awarded 78.450 percent, putting a sizeable margin on second placed Alexia Pittier (FRA) and Sultan (76.417) and Pia Wulff Jelstrup (DEN) with Zafia (73.958).

Photo – Kate Shoemaker (USA) & Vianne © Foto Dirk Rüchel

Swedish Lena Malmström and her home-bred Swedish Warmblood mare Fabulous Fidelie were also able to celebrate the perfect show winning all of their three tests. 75.000 percent in the Grade V Freestyle put them ahead of young Norwegian Para-athlete Carmen Grønvold Johannessen and Hoejgaardens Santos, who received 74.817 percent. Grønvold Johannessen is very familiar with the showground at Hagen, having previously competed here as a young rider and pony rider at the youth event ‘Future Champions’ before a riding accident forced her to change disciplines. Now she’s back on the podium with the same horse that took her to international junior and young rider success. Lisa Cez (FRA) and Stallone de Hus completed the top three with 74.425 percent.

Victory

Victory in the Grade III – Grand Prix Test Freestyle went to Rebecca Hart (USA) and Floratina by Fidertanz, who danced to their ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ freestyle music for a near 80 percent score (79.345). Floratina’s owner Rowan O’Riley even wears a lucky daisy flower in her lapel. Rixt van der Horst (NED) and Eisma’s Royal Fonq posted a new personal best score of 78.500 percent to place second ahead of Chiara Zenati (FRA) and Swing Royal IFCE with 75.967 percent.

Fiona Howard (USA) and her new partner of just over three months, Diamond Dunes also dominated their Grade II classes and added a strong freestyle result of 79.023 percent to their winning tally. Fellow American Beatrice de Lavalette and Sixth Sense were runner up on 76.589 percent ahead of Pepo Puch (AUT) and Sailor’s Blue (73.333).

Four-time World Champion, European silver and bronze medallist, and Paralympic bronze medallist Sara Morganti (ITA) and Mariebelle joined the 80 percent club with their Grade I freestyle, which was just a delight to watch. Singaporean Laurentia Tan and Hickstead (76.056) and Japanese Junichiro Okawa (JPN) and RH’s Totally Joker finished in second and third place (73.200).

Comments from around the showground:

Jonty Evans (IRL): “That’s the first time, that I feel I’ve gone into the arena and done Cooley Rorkes Drift justice. He’s a special horse and I know he’s not a dressage horse, he finds it hard to compete against these guys — he’s not this big, flicky-toed dressage horse — but he tried super hard today and I’m just delighted.”

Kate Shoemaker (USA): “Vianne felt really nice in the freestyle. It’s our first time riding our new music, so to be able to ride it that well today makes me very happy. It just means that from here on we can go on and perfect the little details and hopefully make it really wonderful. I sat on her for the first time in January and from the very beginning everything was so easy with her developing her into a Para horse. She’s always waiting for me to tell her something. Each test is getting better and better. I’m just really excited about the partnership with her and love her so much.

“I have been dreaming about competing internationally here at Hof Kasselmann for some time. This weekend I had the chance to ride for my country in the stadium and it’s just the most amazing feeling. I’m really thankful to everyone here, the whole team at Kasselmann’s and Horses and Dreams Entertainment. I cannot express how much it means to me!”

Lena Malmström (SWE): “I was feeling a bit nervous, because I changed my freestyle a bit. I had a lot of pressure to do it well and I think I almost did that today. Now that it’s finished I feel a big relief. The scores were coming this weekend and everything is just flowing at the moment. This place is amazing, we had a lot of fun and everybody has been very nice. We are very happy to be here and I will be back!”

Rebecca Hart (USA): “The score was right up there, we are always fine-tuning. We have done this Freestyle with her for a year. It’s actually the music by Marleen Whitaker and it’s ‘Driving Miss Daisy”. I find this music very fun, light and happy and that’s just how I feel when I ride her.”

Fiona Howard (USA): “Diamond Dunes was really really good. It’s tough in Para because we have three days in a row, so the third day can be quite tiring on our horses. But he really held it together for me and helped me out a lot, even when I was tired. I can’t thank the Kasselmann family enough for giving me the opportunity to ride him. He just blew me away this week, he’s got so much heart.”

Sara Morganti (ITA): “I couldn’t be happier! Everything went well and I got the music in the right moments. Incredible!”