Ottawa, ON – Chris Von Martels of Ridgetown, ON, received a personal best Grand Prix Freestyle score at the Kentucky Cup Dressage CDI3* Lexington, held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, April 20–22.
Riding Naomi, a 15-year old Dutch Warmblood mare (Zeoliet x Bold Indian) owned by Sonia Zugel, Von Martels finished second in the Grand Prix Freestyle with a score of 70.200%.
“I was very happy with Naomi in the Freestyle. She is really a talented horse, and she gives me 110%. It was really exciting to ride in the venue for the World Equestrian Games—the atmosphere was great,” said Von Martels. “Sonia Zugel, the owner of Naomi, has been extremely generous and supportive of me.”
Canadian Olympian Jacqueline Brooks of Cedar Valley, ON placed third with 67.350% riding Balmoral, a 10-year old Canadian Hanoverian gelding (Belcanto x Consul), owned Brinc Ltd and Anne & John Welch.
“It was another great night for Canada in the Grand Prix Freestyle. Chris Von Martels and Naomi literally wowed the judges with a ride that, after only five weeks since this pair came together, was truly thrilling. I am certain that with a little more time Chris and Naomi will receive scores well over 70%,” said Robert Dover, Dressage Canada’s Technical/Coach Advisor.
“In third place with her usual upbeat style and music was Jacquie Brooks riding Balmoral. Jacquie has been a great inspiration to all riders by competing, since Courtney King’s accident, in tails and her riding helmet. She is a great role model and a top competitor,” added Dover. “This has been an outstanding week for the Canadian Dressage effort and bodes well for our upcoming European Tour, which is the next step in preparation for the World Equestrian Games. I salute all the riders, horses and their supporters.”
Scoring 65.550%, for fifth place, was Diane Creech of Caistor Centre, ON riding Douglas Leatherdale’s 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding, Devon L (De Niro x Wolkenstein II). Jaimey Irwin of Stouffville, ON and his horse Dover, a 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding (De Niro x Castro) finished in sixth place with 65.450%.
The competition, held at the site of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games from September 25 to October 10, has been organized as an official test competition for the Games.
The judging panel for the Grand Prix Freestyle test at the Kentucky Cup Dressage included Janet Lee Foy (FEI I—USA) Linda Louise Zang (FEI O—USA), Mary Seefried (FEI O—AUS), Joan Macartney (FEI I—CAN) and Charlotte Bredahl (FEI C—USA).
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