Anna Marek, who topped the series of qualifiers for this weekend’s debut of the US Dressage Open, also was first with Fayvel in the Grand Prix at California’s Desert International Horse Park Friday night.
Now she’s looking forward to Saturday night’s ride to music.
“Fayvel’s freestyle is just so fun, and it always seems to get the crowd excited. I already, clearly, have a very excited Fayvel here for the crowd, so I think the music, as long as long as I can keep a lid on the energy, is going to be a great dance,” said Anna, who is from Donellon, Fla.
Fayvel, a 2010 KWPN gelding (Zizi Top x Houston) owned by Cynthia Davila, had to dampen Fayvel’s enthusiasm a bit in the Grand Prix.
“After the first extended trot, I was like, ‘Hey buddy, we need to get it together before this next movement,’ and after that, the rest of the test just flowed so well. What I loved about it was the energy I had, and he was so rideable at the same time, which is the goal.”
Anna noted the energy Fayvel brought into the arena for the Grand Prix fits perfectly into their energetic and modern choreography and musical selection, and the setting will only boost his performance.
“My first impression of the venue, when I checked out the show arena, which wasn’t even completely set up yet, I looked around and just thought it was just one of the most incredible and beautiful venues I’ve ever been to,” she said.
“Then when the ring was set up with all of the banners and the red, white, and blue flowers – it’s just so incredibly well done.”
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