The talented field of five combinations rode the FEI Grand Prix 16-25 Test to complete the second of three tests in the Adequan®/USEF Young Adult Brentina Cup Dressage National Championship. Quinn Iverson and Beckham 19 continued their winning ways from Wednesday and earned the top spot in the FEI Grand Prix 16-25 Test. Iverson (Wellington, Fla.) and Bille Davidson’s 2009 Hanoverian gelding had a lovely test to score 70.102%.

“He was right there for me every step of the way,” said Iverson. “I was so happy with him. He had a little energy coming in, but we were able to simmer it down and pull it off. He was such a good boy.”

Callie Rose O’Connell (Wilmington, Mass.) and Eaton Unitechno, Ruling Cortes, LLC’s 2009 KWPN gelding, finished second with a score of 69.102%. Emma Smith (Mound, Minn.) and Stedemann, her 2004 Oldenburg gelding, were third with a score of 65.820%.

The FEI Grand Prix 16-25 Test on Thursday counted for 45 percent of the overall score. Wednesday’s FEI Intermediate II Test counted for 40 percent of the overall score, while Saturday’s FEI Grand Prix Freestyle Test will count for the final 15 percent.

From the Mixed Zone:

What were some highlights from the test?

Iverson: “Overall, I’m pretty happy with most of the test. I think there are still things that we can improve on, but for where we’re at right now, I was so happy that he went in there and was honest.”

What things would you like to improve upon?

Iverson: “Working towards the future, we’d like to work on the walk. We would like to help that out somehow, if there’s a magic cure somewhere, that would be great! And pirouettes, a little bit more work on those.”

Tell us about the freestyle.

Iverson: “I have one of Susie Dutta’s freestyles. I’ve only ridden it one time, and I don’t even know the test. So tomorrow, I’m going to learn the test, and we’re going to go from there! It’s beautiful music though; I love it.

Any final thoughts?

Iverson: “A big thanks to Beckham’s owner, Bille Davidson. She’s been incredible through this whole journey, and I’m glad she’s able to fly out to Chicago to see us.”

Competition continues Friday at 8 a.m. CT in the Markel Arena with the FEI Six-Year-Old Preliminary test of the Markel/USEF Young Horse Six-Year-Old Dressage National Championship, while the Grand Prix Arena starts at 8:30 a.m. CT with the FEI Pony Rider Team Test of the USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship.

Watch the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions live stream this week on USEF Network.

Complete Schedule