Monday, March 5, 2002

Steffen Peters Will Represent U.S. at World Cup Final

The U.S. Freestyle Championship was held in combination with the U.S. League Final for the Dressage World Cup on February 23-24, 2002 in Burbank, CA. In the field of nine qualified for the U.S. Freestyle Championship, seven declared their intent to compete for the U.S. slot at the 2002 Dressage World Cup Finals which will be held in 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, March 21-24, 2002.

Steffen Peters, riding Mrs. Lila Kommerstad's 14-year-old Dutch gelding, Grandeur, placed second (72.196%) in the Freestyle Championship and will represent the United States at the Dressage World Cup.

In a stunning performance, before a sold out crowd at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, Debbie McDonald captured the U.S. Freestyle Dressage Championship aboard Mrs. Peggy C. Thomas' 11-year-old Hanoverian mare, Brentina, with a combined score of 75.64%. McDonald chose not to participate to concentrate her efforts toward the World Equestrian Games.

Final Results:
1. Debbie McDonald Hailey, ID - Brentina 75.640
2. Steffen Peters Escondido, CA - Grandeur 72.196
3. Guenter Seidel Del Mar, CA - Nikolaus 7 71.876
4. Cherri Reiber Toronto, Ontario G - Tudor 68.265
5. Kamila duPont Lutjensee, Germany - Reveille 67.383
6. Susan Dutta Wellington, FL - Gumshoes-DC 64.610
7. Tami Crawford College Grove, - Dakota 64.041
8. Leonie "Button" Baker Thousand Oaks, CA - Masterpiece
63.913
9. Belinda Nairn-Wertman Kirkwood, PA - Kirby 63.510