News
Lisa Wilcox wins West Palm Beach CDI3* Grand Prix
Jan 25, 2013
Lisa Wilcox and Pikko Del Cerro HU's effortless test impressed judges and earned them the win at today's Wellington Classic Dressage Sunshine Challenge Grand Prix CDI3*. Pikko Del Cerro HU's showy gaits and big extended canter were rewarded with a score of 69.574%. This was the pair's first international competition, and Wilcox said she was "very, very pleased" with the results.
David Marcus and Don Kontes produced an expressive passage and floating one-tempis to take second place with 67.532%. Marcus noted that Don Kontes was a little tired after competing last weekend at the Gold Coast Opener CDI-W, but the rider was delighted with his horse's performance, saying, "I couldn't ask for more."
Two horses and riders qualified from the CDI3* to compete at World Dressage Masters (WDM) CDI5* Palm Beach. Mikala Gundersen and My Lady, who finished third with 69.574%, and Cheryl Meisner and Tango, who placed seventh with 64.957%, earned places at WDM based on their performances today and qualifying scores from previous competitions.
Mikala Gundersen and My Lady glided through smooth trot half-passes to earn 67.234%, finishing just behind Marcus and Don Kontes.
Cheryl Meisner, who opened the class with a 66.894% for her ride on Paganini, rode a fluid, consistent test later in the day with Tango. Graceful transitions and a very forward half pass highlighted their performance.
Todd Flettrich and Danseur, owned by Margaret Duprey's Cherry Knoll Farm, finished just behind Meisner and Paganini, taking fifth with 66.574%. Their placing today and previous results qualified them to move on to World Dressage Masters, but Flettrich opted not to compete the lightly campaigned Danseur. Today marked Danseur's CDI debut and his third lifetime competition.
After their placings today, Gundersen and Meisner join an accomplished group of riders competing at World Dressage Masters. "It was completely unexpected, and I'm really excited to be part of it!" said Meisner.
WCD Sunshine Challenge
FEI Grand Prix Open CDI3*/USDF HP GAIG/USDF Qualify $2000-Presented by International Polo Club
1. Lisa Wilcox - Pikko Del Cerro HU 69.574%
2. David Marcus - Don Kontes 67.532%
3. Mikala Gundersen - My Lady 67.234%
4. Cheryl Meisner - Paganini 66.894%
5. Todd Flettrich - Danseur 66.574%
6. Shelly Francis- Doktor 65.227%
7. Cheryl Meisner - Tango 64.957%
8. Todd Flettrich - Sopranos 64.936%
9. Mette Rosencrantz - Finally 64.596%
10. Bernd Schopf - De Value 64.447%
11. William Lee Tubman - Delight 62.064%
12. Marjo Van de Bunte - Valenzo 50.979%
Source press release PhelpsMediaGroup.com