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Friday, June 15, 2007

Steffen Peters and Lombardi Lead Grand Prix Division

The big guns rounded out the first day at the Festival and there was not a standout test throughout the first two-thirds of the Grand Prix. Kristina Harrison-Naness held the lead for most of the division until Steffen Peters cantered into the ring meaning business with Lombardi and didn’t give a point away.

Solid passage, a defined and very supple walk (which scored straight eights) highlighted the test along with fluid changes, plenty of animation and very accurate riding (again scoring straight eights) pushed Peters over the 70% mark with the 16-year-old Holsteiner. Hailing from San Diego, CA Peters has been a mainstay of the US dressage program for two decades.

Owned by Akiko Yamazaki, Lombardi excelled in the half-passes but Peters felt that his transitions from the walk to the passage was flawed.

“It was a good wake up call for the rest of the weekend,” said Peters. “I just trusted him a little too much. There’s a fine line with him though between waking him up and keeping his trust. He’s opinionated and sure of himself.”

Three riders finished within a percentage point of each other, filling the second through fourth spots. Harrison-Naness held on gamely to her runner-up spot with a 67.958%, Michael Barisone and Neruda slipped into third on a 67.458% in a test highlighted by a nine for the passage and Jane Hannigan with Maksymilian, who followed Peters into the ring, had to settle for fourth on 67.292%.

Harrison-Naness, also from California, riding the 12-year-old Andalusian stallion Rociero for Margaret Carrera was thrilled with her horse’s performance.

“I feel so passionate about this horse,” said Harrison-Naness. “There’s something about him.”

Harrison-Naness felt that the small Andalusian, the only one in the competition was looked down on by some judges when he first got to the Grand Prix level, now however, she feels like he is taken seriously.

“He is the biggest lovebug,” said Naness of the stallion. “My daughter handles him he is the nicest horse to handle. He’s the best.”

Barisone, of Clifton, NJ and Jane Sumalsky’s Neruda, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding didn’t execute his tempi-changes cleanly and Barisone took all the blame.

“He is as honest as the day is long,” said Barisone. “I rode the changes wrong, I can’t adjust on that horse. I missed, it was totally my fault. When I’m clear and don’t change my approach he can do it. The horse is wonderful. I’m in third place due to no fault of my own.”

Harrison-Naness and Barisone both praised Peters’ reputation and ability to focus in the ring. “As an up and coming rider, I’m just honored to be second to him,” said Harrison-Naness.

Barisone envies his focus and ability to put in a clean performance.

“Steffen is an example,” said Barisone. “f you go in there and don’t do make mistakes on a quality horse you will get the results. “

Peters explains it a little differently, “I’m not very good at multi-tasking but I can do one thing really well. I can focus on each movement and not the score.”

For more information, please contact Joanie Morris, High Performance Communications Manager or by email at jmorris@usef.org. USEF press releases are available on our web site – www.usef.org.