The FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 (WEG) Test Events for Dressage, Driving, and Para-Dressage disciplines began today at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), and commenced with a victory for Kasey Perry-Glass (USA) aboard Diane Perry's 2003 Danish Warmblood gelding (Diamond Hit x Ferro), Goerklintgaards Dublet, who bested the FEI CDI 3* competition presented by Adequan®. Perry-Glass and "Dublet" earned a score of 73.935% from the judging panel, as they head into Sunday's FEI Grand Prix Special CDI 3* in top form. Adrienne Lyle (USA) and Elizabeth Juliano's 2003 Oldenburg mare Horizon (Hot Line x Don Schufro), captured second place with a score of 71.957%, while third place honors were awarded to Belinda Trussell (CAN) and her own 2003 Westfalen gelding, Tattoo 15 (Tuareg x Ramiro's Son), receiving a 70.043%.
Perry-Glass is a first-time competitor at the venue, which will host FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 competition from September 11-23, 2018, and said she was thrilled when she first drove on property. "It's amazing. I think this place is world-class and will be especially when it's all done for the FEI World Equestrian Games™. I love it here. They've done a great job with all the stabling, the arena, and the atmosphere, so I'm excited for them to have the WEG here."
Although the Tryon Stadium will host Para-Dressage CPEDI and the Dressage phase of the Eventing CCI come September and not Dressage competition, Perry-Glass complimented the overall venue atmosphere. "To ride in that arena [Tryon Stadium] is very inviting, and especially when it's going to be full. It's going to be really nice." Dressage will be hosted in the main stadium at the venue, which will seat 20,000 spectators and will be assembled this summer, positioned adjacently to the existing Tryon Stadium.
In their second outing after an eight-month break from competition, Perry-Glass was pleased with her 2016 Olympic Bronze Medal mount. She elaborated, "He already feels better than he has ever felt. It's just really fine-tuning the small things and getting his nerves out of the arena and focusing on me a little bit more, and the connection. Other than that he's just a spectacular horse, so I feel very lucky to be on him. We're hopefully shooting for a spot on the European selection squad, and then we'll go from there and see what shows we can do in Europe."
When reflecting on her test, Perry-Glass joked that "everything's positive because he's amazing," but that some elements of their ride in particular pleased her. She commented, "His pirouettes have gotten really solid. I love those and they're fun to ride. His changes are always really nice to ride. His piaffe passage is also great, and it's really correct and good."
"What I would like to nitpick on myself is just being able to ride each corner and focus on each corner. It's so meticulous, but it's so important, and that's where his points are going to start coming up because he can do every movement. He's trained and knows what he's doing. It's just preparing him for it and I think that's where I have to get on myself for that."
With experience representing the United States internationally, Perry-Glass emphasized the importance of hosting the FEI World Equestrian Games™ on home turf.
"It's always a benefit to be on your home turf. I did the FEI World Cup™ Final in Omaha, NE, and just having that support from your own country and the majority of the crowd being American is important, especially for our really amazing squad that we have coming up. I think it's going to be pretty spectacular."
The FEI CDI 3* competition will continue tomorrow in the Tryon Stadium, with the FEI CDI 3* Grand Prix Freestyle presented by Adequan®. To access all results from the WEG Dressage Test Event, click HERE.
The FEI CDI 3* competition will continue tomorrow in the Tryon Stadium, with the FEI CDI 3* Grand Prix Freestyle presented by Adequan®. To access all results from the WEG Dressage Test Event, click HERE.
Para-Dressage Athletes Dominate on Day One of FEI CPEDI 3* Competition at FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 Test Event
The Para-Dressage Test Event showcased athletes from Canada and the United States in the main Tryon Stadium for the first time this season to familiarize with the ring that many will be competing in this September at the WEG. Victory in the Grade I Individual Test went to Roxanne Trunnell (USA) and Kate Shoemaker's 2012 Hanoverian gelding Dolton (Danone I x Londonderry), receiving a score of 73.155%. The Grade II Individual Test was championed by Sharon Buffitt (CAN) aboard her own Elektra II, a 2005 Oldenburg mare (Radjah Z x Rastar), after riding to a score of 66.716%. Rebecca Hart (USA) rode Rowan O'Riley's 2010 Oldenburg gelding (Fidertanz 2 x Don Romantic), Fortune, to the blue in the Grade III Individual Test, receiving a 70.147%.