News

Gundersen and My Lady prevail in GPS at WDM

Jan 27, 2013

Mikala Gundersen added a victory in the Grand Prix Special CDI5* at World Dressage Masters (WDM) Palm Beach to a growing list of accomplishments at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center this winter. Gundersen and My Lady, a 13-year-old Danish Warmblood mare, were third in Thursday's Wellington Classic Dressage Sunshine Challenge Grand Prix CDI3* at Jim Brandon. They also finished just out of the top eight in Friday's Grand Prix CDI5* at WDM Palm Beach, taking ninth place with 68.447%.

Gundersen, who earned a score of 69.479% for her ride, described her sometimes challenging relationship with My Lady. "This is an alpha mare," Gundersen explained with a smile. "She has a huge personality. She knows what she wants and she thinks she knows everything better. We have a little bit of discussion sometimes in the ring because she knows exactly how everything needs to be done and apparently I don't know anything."

James Koford rode Rhett, a 13-year-old KWPN gelding, to a second place finish in the Special with 67.333%. Jacqueline Brooks of Canada scored 66.833% on D Niro to claim third place. Fourth place went to Cheryl Meisner and her own Tango, who are coming off a series of improving performances at Jim Brandon. Silvia Rizzo and Donnerbube 2 took fifth place with 64.917%. Rizzo, a native of Italy, resides in Germany and trains with Hans Peter Minderhoud.

1. Mikala Gundersen (DEN) - My Lady - 69.479%

2. James Koford (USA) - Rhett - 67.333%

3. Jacqueline Brooks (CAN) - D Niro - 66.833%

4. Cheryl Meisner (CAN) - Tango - 66.208%

5. Silvia Rizzo (ITA) - Donnerbube 2 - 64.917%

Elim. - Diane Creech (CAN) - Devon L

Source Phelps Media Group