Sunday, January 22, 2006

2006 Gold Coast Opener Festival CDI***

Freestyle Day - Top Five Grand Prix Placings in the 70%

On Sunday, Ashley Holzer and her 16 year old DWB stallion, Imperioso (x Cocktail) again won the Grand Prix Freestyle with ease and elegance scoring a crowd gasping 76.375%. Judges were in complete agreement of who they felt the winner was with two judges scoring the ride above 78%. Imperioso showed true submission and relaxation as he left the ring calmly walking on a long rein as the crowd cheered and whistled.

Second place went to Columbia’s consistently competitive and always delightful Dr. Cesar Parra aboard Horses Unlimited’s 12 year old Selles Francais stallion, Galant du Serein (x Apache D’Adriers) with a 73.725%. Parra and Galant danced to the Latino beats of Shakira and Enrique Iglesias, quite fitting to his South American heritage. Displaying his trademark humble attitude, Parra left the ring smiling graciously to the approving crowd.

Third through fifth places were extremely close (within 4/10 of one percentage point) all scoring above 70%. Third place for the day, and top American score, went to California native Charlotte Bredahl Baker and the 12 year old KWPN gelding, Komo (x G Romiro Z) owned by Kathy Paulich with a 71.775% for their Olympic theme song based kur. Fourth place went to Canadian Evi Strasser aboard her 11 year old chestnut Oldenburg gelding, Quantum Tyme (x Quattre) scoring a 71.500% for their fun and upbeat freestyle.

An equally beautiful and brilliant ride was fifth place winner in the class, Arlene “Tuny” Paige and her athletic 10 year young Hannoverian Grand Prix horse, Wild One (x Wanderer). After proving herself as an internationally competitive Grand Prix rider aboard her famous mare, Claire, Tuny is back again to prove quality repeats itself. The duo received a well-deserved 71.325% for their performance.

HorsesDaily 'On the Scene' at the 2006 Gold Coast Festival with Stacy Gormley - Complete results