The race to Riyadh is on.
Benjamen Ebeling took the 2023-24 season’s first U.S. FEI World Cup Finals qualifier with a decisive victory during Dressage at Devon on Indeed.
The Danish warmblood added an exclamation point to her name on Saturday night with a beautifully calibrated performance that underlined her star quality.
The energy of the crowd that filled the boxes and seats around the Dixon Oval for the six-day show’s feature could be intimidating or encouraging, depending on a horse’s mood under the lights, but Indeed definitely was up for it.
“We can really rely on her experience to come through in big environments like this,” said Ben.
The crowd is one of the things that makes the Dressage at Devon freestyle so special, as Ben Ebeling learned first-hand on Indeed. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
“This is the first step in qualifying for the World Cup. She really pulled through for me tonight. We’re one step closer.”
Ben came to the show from Europe, where he has been training with Germany’s Christoph Koschel. It was a stop on his way to Florida, where he will compete in more freestyles during his quest for a place next spring in the first Cup final to be held in the Middle East.
His score of 77.325 percent was a freestyle personal best for him with the 15-year-old mare by Hofrat, a sleek beauty he has been riding for two years.
Earning four marks over 9 for his carefully crafted test’s degree of difficulty made a big contribution to his definitive victory. Runner-up Tanya Strosser-Shostak of Canada executed a smooth presentation on Fidelis Tyme to earn a personal best of 74.280 percent,
Hope Cooper, who also trains with Christoph, was close behind on 74.115 percent with the 17-year-old stallion Flynn PCH. They put up consistent 7’s across the board that drew in the crowd, which really got into her lively music.
Ben Ebeling knew he had nailed it with Indeed after his ride in the Dixon Oval. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
If the 24-year-old winner’s last name sounds familiar, it’s because he is the son of California trainer Jan Ebeling.
Although it was Ben’s first time competing at Devon, it’s not his first visit to the venue.
“I came here years ago with my dad and watched him show his Olympic mount, Rafalca, here,” said Ben.
“I remember it now, 15 years later. This was just so special to come back. It was a trip down memory lane. I got to be in the shoes of my hero, my dad.”
Although his father couldn’t be on hand for the class, he was present via Facetime to offer encouragement.
Ben’s preparation for Indeed included a hands-on half-hour of currying and massaging.
“I hoped it was enough,” chuckled Ben. And Indeed was indeed ready for her music, which included Beyonce and Gwen Stefani.
“It’s all female diva roles, which would suit her perfectly,” he said of the tunes for the mare, owned by Vantage Equestrian Group.
“I feel spending time with them in the stable before the ride continues to develop a partnership,” said Ben.
“I want to not just shake hands with her and get on, I want to be in the know about her and have a deep conversation.”
That approach can also mean he sings and dances in the stall.
“I spent a lot of time with this horse, trying and failing. You know, failing is part of the journey to get to success.”
And there will be more success with this horse in the future. Her next stop is the World Cup qualifier at TerraNova in Sarasota, Fla. When I asked if he’s also looking ahead to an Olympic start, following his father’s lead, Ben replied, “Everything’s on the table, knock on wood.”
Yvonne Losos de Muñiz of the Dominican Republic, who won the qualifier for the freestyle with Aquamarijn, lost her chance to claim the big prize when her horse trotted into the arena, then broke into the canter almost immediately, earning her marks of 3 and 4. She finished sixth on 72.195 percent.
Tanya understandably couldn’t stop smiling as she considered how well she had done with her 13-year-old Oldenburg in only their second freestyle competition in their first season at Grand Prix.
“I’m over the moon. It was quite daunting when I saw everybody. I said, `Ooh, I think I put a tall order on for him,’ but he really rose to the occasion.”
Canadian Tanya Strasser-Shostak put in a personal best with Fidelis Tyme to finish second at Devon. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
He got 8’s for his pirouette and 8.3’s across the board for the degree of difficulty and calculated risks.
The music, which had been recorded with a live orchestra, was by legendary Dutch composer Cees Sling. Tanya’s mother, Evi Strasser, had used it in the 2007 World Cup Finals with her Quantum Tyme. When that horse retired, the music got put on the shelf.
“It’s always been a piece that we love. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with him.” She rode him to it once and it fit.
“It really feels like a full-circle moment to have the opportunity to have that music and ride it with this horse,” mused Tanya.
She won her last freestyle in the final Pan American Games qualifier at Bromont, but Tanya noted this time, “I’m about four percent higher.”
Watching the ribbon presentation from the ingate, Evi Strasser called the music used by her daughter, “a very, very high-end freestyle. But I never could use it because none of the horses were going like this.”
Evi, who finished seventh herelf in the freestyle with 71.675 percent on Disney Tyme, won the Grand Prix Special earlier in the day with Déjà Vu Tyme.
Grand Prix Special winner Evi Strasser and Déjà Vu Tyme. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
For Hope, Devon was her first venture into the freestyle with the Hanoverian by Falsterbo 11.
The music, from Beyonce’s Coachella album, was raucous and got the crowd going. Flynn’s four white legs made it easy to follow his metronome piaffe, and he really got into his soundtrack.
The 26-year-old rider has only been working with the stallion for 18 months.
“He’s going really well,” she said, then added, “we’ve had some ups and downs.” You never know, I was just hoping he’d feel good. The scores and the placing were the cherry on top.”
Hope had been part of the NorCordia Master Class on Thursday night with Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour, so her trip to Devon, presented by Kingsview Partners, has been quite an experience.
Hope Cooper and Flynn PCH impressed with their dynamism. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
“This is my first time here and every second of it was really a blast. I will be back next year,” she vowed.
It was exciting to see two talented members of the USA’s next generation performing at such a high level. The future for America on the international scene looks bright.