There weren’t a lot of surprises at tonight’s first observation event for the Olympic short-listed dressage riders, with Adrienne Lyle first in the Grand Prix aboard Salvino on a personal best of 82.413 percent that is a record for a U.S. rider. She was the victor across the board with all five judges and understandably said about her mount, “I was absolutely thrilled with him.”.
Adrienne Lyle and Salvino (File photo by Nancy Jaffer)
The stallion’s suppleness was showcased as he gleamed under the lights, getting 10s for his piaffe, transition and final halt, as two of the judges gave him scores of 83 percent-plus.
Sabine Schut-Kery also had a personal best, finishing second with Sanceo on 78.878 percent, as his classic by-the-book piaffes highlighted his performance.
Olympic multi-medalist Steffen Peters was third with Suppenkasper on 77.696 percent, a personal best for the Grand Prix, but breaking his winning streak after 21 straight victories.
Those three have been such standouts that they are the favorites for the team, which won’t be named until later this month. They also have a big ask Friday night in the Grand Prix Special, the test that will determine the team medals in Tokyo.
The observation event isn’t a selection trial as such. Rather, it gives an idea of which horses are on form and ready for the fight. The competition is being held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Fla., a half-mile from the grounds of the Global Dressage Festival, where they usually show. The idea is to replicate the conditions they will find in Tokyo (heat, humidity, a new venue and competing under the lights.)
The big question has always been who the traveling alternate will be. Nick Wagman finished fourth on Don John with 75.652 percent, a personal best for the Grand Prix (he’s scored 77.319 for the Special in March). This evening’s score would have been higher for him without a few extra changes in the one-tempis. Olivia Lagoy Weltz was not far behind on 75.131 percent with Rassing’s Lonoir.
Sixth place in the field of 14 went to Alice Tarjan of Oldwick, earning a well-deserved personal best with Candescent on 74.282 percent. Her beaming face as she left the ring reflected the joy she felt in the mare’s performance.
Adrienne was overwhelmed by Salvino’s performance.
“He makes me tear up and I have no words for him,” she said of her 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games team silver medal partner.
“Every time, he is more amazing than the time before. This was a great test for us under the lights. I don’t think I’ve done more than one night class with him, so he was fresh and a little excited, which is great because I can channel all of that energy, but I’m really glad we were able to have this opportunity.
She added, “He feels great, and we’re just going to try and preserve tomorrow, just tack walk and recover, and then try to put in a repeat performance on Friday night.”
Sabine fell a bit short of her goal of achieving 80 percent, but she’s been told that score is reachable with the Hanoverian stallion.
“My plan is to always stay true to my training, but obviously show him off, too, to reach maximum scores” she said.
However, “When he’s new to a venue, he can be quite tense, so I just told myself to stick with what I would do at home and it clearly paid off tonight. I just have to hold myself to it and trust it because I can always add that little extra bit that I want in the ring, but I also want it to come from an honest place.”