Sunday, April 3, 2005

Dressage World Cup League Finals - Festival of the Horse CDI***-W
Text and photos by Charlene Strickland

Steffan Peters Wins Two CDI Classes

Riding two challenging horses Steffen Peters won the CDI Grand Prix Special (Lombardi II) and Intermediare I (Marlando). Lombardi II, a bay Holsteiner, scored 69.920.

Lombardi's owner, Akiko Yamazaki, said of the horse, “I originally was riding him. He is too talented and nice for me, so Steffen is now riding him.”

Marlando dominated the small tour by winning both the Prix St. Georges yesterday, and Intermediare I (71.05). Peters said, “He has been so much more relaxed at home. For so many years, he was tense at the walk. I could hide the tension a little bit at the trot and canter, but not at the walk. Today he got some 8s on his extended walk.”

He credited his wife, Shannon, for helping him with Marlando. “She has a great eye on the ground.” Overall, he feels, “It's so much more reliable. I can ask him to go more forward. Today the flying changes were the straightest he has done.”

On The Scene at the Festival of the Horse CDI***-W