Lars Petersen of Denmark scored a personal best for the season aboard Mariett to win the Grand Prix Freestyle at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W against a field of tough competition on a chilly and windy South Florida day.
Petersen and Mariett earned a 76.400% with the judge at C, Axel Steiner, awarding them a 77.875%. The victory capped an impressive weekend for the pair at the 30th anniversary of the Palm Beach Dressage Derby, set at the International Horse Sport (IHS) Champions Park at Equestrian Estates in Loxahatchee, FL. They won the opening day Grand Prix with a score of 72.745%.
Their freestyle success made it four wins in a row for Petersen and Mariett, who captured the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special in their last outing at the Wellington Classic Dressage Spring Challenge CDI3* (Feb. 7-10). The duo performed today's freestyle with gusto to a routine set to energetic circus music. Although they went slightly off the prescribed choreography, their poise and precision made up for any change of course.
“I was very happy with the horse,” Petersen said. “I had a little mistake in my choreography, and I did a little bit of taking my own line in the middle of it. I thought about the jumping riders, but otherwise I was very happy with my horse today.”
When asked if the wind had anything to do with the change of course, he replied that it was all him. “There is nobody else to blame but this one,” he laughed, tapping himself on the head.
USA's Shelly Francis and Doktor came in second with a 73.625%, mirroring their No. 2 spot from Friday's Grand Prix when they scored a 69.391%. An enthusiastic crowd of supporters cheered on Francis, a local favorite who lives in White Fences at a neighboring property and has had great success this season with the rapidly improving Doktor.
“That was a lot of fun,” she said with a grin. “He was so good. He tries so hard. He's awesome. I think I'll keep him.”
Mikala Gundersen, also from Denmark, came away with the third place spot aboard My Lady with a 72.775%. They moved up the ranks from Friday's fifth place finish in the Grand Prix with a freestyle featuring well-timed canter half-pass zig-zags to “Always On My Mind.”
“There's some Elvis and some Bee Gees and some fun stuff in there,” Gundersen said. “I like my music to be fun and to sing along a little bit while I ride. It makes me more relaxed.”
Diane Creech from Canada rode to dramatic music that highlighted Devon L's extensions. Their 70.950% placed them in fourth place, also moving them up from a ninth place finish on Friday in the Grand Prix.
“Devon was really good,” Creech said. “He really did his best. I was able to make sure he focused and stayed with me, and I was very happy.”
She added that the strong wind sometimes caught the music, changing the volume. “It makes it sound a little wild,” she explained. “That's why he was a little distracted. Sometimes the wind would bring the music in, and then it would take it away and then bring it back again. But I am so happy that he dealt with it.”
RESULTS
FEI Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Lars Petersen (DEN) – Mariett – 76.400%
2. Shelly Francis (USA) – Doktor – 73.625%
3. Mikala Gundersen (DEN) – My Lady – 72.775%
4. Diane Creech (CAN) – Devon L – 70.950%
5. Jaimey Irwin (CAN) – Lindor's Finest – 70.725%
6. Jacqueline Brooks (CAN) – D Niro – 70.325%
7. James Koford (USA) – Rhett – 69.950%
8. David Marcus (CAN) – Don Kontes – 69.100%
9. Jodie Stevens Kelly (USA) – Manhattan – 66.800%