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 Canadian riders continue to take top honours away from their American counterparts, this time at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI***/CDIY held March 5-7, 2004 Loxahatchee, Florida.
Ashley Holzer continued her winning streak on Gambol, a 9-year-old KWPN black stallion owned by Diane and George Fellows. Holzer and her 2003 Pan Am Silver Team Medal mount were last to ride during the CDI Prix St. Georges class held on Friday. Gambol put in a very steady and uphill test despite the strong winds which earlier ripped through the nearby USET tent causing ring delays. The FEI judging panel rewarded Holzer’s efforts with 71.350%, clearing their nearest competition in the field of twenty-three rides by a full 4 percentage points.
On the same day, Shannon Dueck won the CDI Intermediaire II class with Korona, her 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, with a score of 66.667%. The Young Riders Team class saw three Canadians competing with Julie Watchorn and Quintesse narrowly missing first place honours by less than one percentage point with 63.378%. Coming in third was Krystalann Shingler & Skor, earning 62.889% and Kathryn Yardley on Boxberger Tendenz achieving 58.756% for seventh place.
“I am thrilled with the way she (Quintesse) went”, said Watchorn. “This was our first time out and I’m delighted”.
 Competition continued to heat up on Saturday with Holzer and Gambol continuing to show their dominance, this time winning the CDI Intermediaire I class of twenty-four horses on a score of 72.167%. Holzer also flexed her muscle in the CDI Grand Prix ring, placing third with her 14-year-old KWPN stallion Imperioso (67.000%) behind heavy class favourites Robert Dover on FBW Kennedy (71.333%) and Rainier (69.500%) respectively.
The class of seventeen horse/rider combinations was also the Grand Prix debut for Goodtyme Stable’s Quantum Tyme, ridden by Evi Strasser. After contributing to Canada’s 2003 Pan Am Silver Team Medal, Strasser has progressed Quantum Tyme to the Grand Prix level and were rewarded by the judges with a score of 64.333% (10th place). Additional Canadian riders in the class included Dueck on her Korona (62.167%), Jacqueline M. Brooks on Brinc Ltd. and Anne Welch’s Gran Gesto (62.125%) and Julia Vysniauskas riding her Syntax (61.542%).
 “I was speechless.” exclaimed Strasser “Quantum Tyme seemed to work by himself as easy at a Prix St. Georges test. At this early stage of the year, he was far steadier than I expected - I think we are on the right track!”
In the Young Rider Prix St. Georges class, Julie Watchorn and Quintesse again came second with 63.750% while Krystalann Shingler rode Skor to 61.417% and Kathryn Yardley on Boxberger Tendenz received 59.333%.
Sunday’s round of competition saw the battle move to music. Holzer & the chestnut stallion Imperioso put in another solid performance with a score of 71.300%, but had to give up first place honours again to Robert Dover and Rainier who were awarded 75.550%. Strasser and Quantum Tyme continued to improve throughout the show, cracking into the 70% level and winning third place on a score of 70.400%. This was followed by team mate Brooks and Gran Gesto (68.650% - 5th), Vysniauskas and Syntax (66.375% - 6th), and Dueck on Korona (65.175% - 7th).
“I had a few difficulties in the Grand Prix,” explained Holzer. “The change in footing from the warm-up to the competition ring created some problems for Imperioso.’ Holzer decided to change her strategy for the Grand Prix Freestyle, getting into the competition ring as quickly as possible in order to finish the last of their warm-up on the different footing and making any necessary adjustments. “The strategy worked and we had a good ride.”
 Jacqueline M. Brooks was also particularly pleased with her performance during Sunday’s Grand Prix Freestyle. “This is Gran Gesto’s first Grand Prix and Freestyle at a CDI, “ said Brooks. “While there is still much to work on, receiving a score over 70% from both Uwe Mechlem and Hanne Valentine in the Grand Prix Kur is thrilling and very exciting.”
Julie Watchorn, of Schomberg Ontario, earned second place honours in the Young Rider Freestyle class with her Belgian Warmblood mare Quintess, this time earning 64.150% while Krystalann Shingler, who currently trains out of Florida, placed third with 63.475%. This placed Watchorn second overall in the Young Rider Division, with Shingler in third.
The distinguished FEI judging panel included Francis Verbeek (FEI “O”, NED), Hanne Valentin (FEI “O”, DEN), Wojciech Markowski (FEI “O”, POL), Uwe Mechlem (FEI “O”, GER), Anne Gribbons (FEI “I”, USA), Marianne Ludwig (FEI “I”, USA), Liselotte Fore (FEI “I”, USA), Natalie Lamping (FEI “I”, USA), Hilda Gurney (FEI “I”, USA) and Jessica Ransehousen (FEI "I", USA).
This year’s Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI***/CDIY was again held at the Horse Park at White Fences Equestrian Estates in Loxahatchee, Florida. The developers of Equestrian Estates dedicated over forty acres to the Horse Park, and the show grounds were designed and developed specifically for dressage. The park was designed for maximum efficiency and with the safety and pleasure of the competitor always uppermost in mind. Full results can be found at www.pbderby.com.
The 2004 competition season will be an exceptional year as Canadian dressage riders vie for the opportunity to represent their country at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. Dressage joins Eventing as the one of only 2 equestrian disciplines where Canada has earned a team Olympic berth. Keep tuned to www.DressageCanada.org as the Athens Olympic countdown begins.
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Dressage Canada, as a committee of Equine Canada, is the National governing body for Dressage in Canada. Dressage Canada's objective is to foster the growth of Dressage and the pursuit of excellence in the sport at the local, national and international levels. Dressage Canada provides support and guidance to both amateur and professional through the following programs: coaching education and programs, officials education and programs, rules & qualifying criteria, sport development, publications & awards. For more information about Dressage Canada email info@dressagecanada.org, or visit us online at www.dressagecanada.org
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