Wednesday March 2, 2005

Peters and Floriano Win Grand Prix Freestyle at Mid-Winter Dressage Fair

By Charlene Strickland

Since last year’s Olympic Trials, Steffen Peters has developed his young horse, Floriano. Sunday the chestnut performed his more difficult 2005 freestyle, to earn a score of 72.042.

“He seems to get more comfortable with the piaffe,” said Peters, San Diego, California. “Sometimes we get 12 or 14 steps. Today we got 15 consistent steps.”

He added, “Since last year, we have increased the degree of difficulty quite a bit.” And what pleased him was a comment from judge Joan Macartney, who wrote, “It’s amazing how easy you make this look.”

On Friday, Floriano won the Grand Prix. Saturday, Peters also took the Grand Prix Special with Lombardi II.

Not to be outdone, Shannon Peters (Steffen’s wife) won a high score award with Sweet Revenge. Riding in First Level, Test 2, the pair earned 75.882 from Axel Steiner.

She praised her six-year-old for “his rideability and his canter.” This show was his first at First Level.

“He has a lot of uphill balance and a lot of activity for a young horse,and a lot of self-carriage,” said Peters. Shannon and Steffen picked Sweet Revenge, sired by Now or Never, as a three year old in Holland.