USA Clinches Victory in Team Portion of First CPEDI 3* of 2016 Circuit

The CPEDI 3* presented by Mane Stream, courtesy of Rowan O’Riley, Mission Control, Adequan®, and Nutrena continued today at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) grounds of Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), as competitors completed the team component of the weekend’s competition. Team USA maintained their lead throughout the two-day portion of competition, ultimately capturing first place honors. Team Canada finished in second place. CPEDI3* competition continues tomorrow with individual freestyles beginning at 9am.

U.S. riders displayed spectacular talent throughout the second day of competition at AGDF as Margaret McIntosh (USA) and her own Rio Rio impressed in the FEI Para-Dressage Individual Championship Test – Grade 1a with a score of 72.899%. Sydney Collier (USA) continued to improve her marks from yesterday, leading the FEI Para-Dressage Individual Championship Test – Grade 1b aboard Western Rose, owned by Wesley Dunham, receiving a 66.609%. The talented duo of Rebecca Hart and her own Schroeter’s Romani earned another fabulous score in the FEI Para-Dressage Individual Championship Test – Grade II division with a 73.095%. Angela Peavy (USA) piloted Lancelot Warrior, owned by Heather Blitz and Rebecca Reno, to another win over the weekend, earning a 72.561% from the judges in the FEI Para-Dressage Individual Championship Test – Grade III. Mary Jordan (USA) won the FEI Para-Dressage Individual Championship Test – Grade IV aboard Rubicon 75, owned by Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center.

Sydney Collier has excelled this week for Team USA, competing two gifted mounts and placing exceedingly well aboard her relatively new ride, Western Rose, owned by her trainer Wesley Dunham. Collier has narrowed her focus on adjustments and improvements noted in the judging remarks for each of her rides, which she hopes will help increase her scores and gain confidence before the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro this summer.

„I thought I made a lot of really good improvements in both of my rides today from yesterday and took a lot of judges‘ comments to heart,“ said Collier. „I really rode my heart out, and I was so proud of both of them. They really impressed me today.“

Collier, who was diagnosed with a very rare congenital birth defect known as Wyburn-Mason Syndrome at age seven, has taken the equestrian world by storm after being named 2014 Junior Equestrian of the Year presented by the United States Equestrian Federation and serving as a member of Team USA at the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Para-Dressage in Caen, France.

Entering the first CPEDI 3* of the 2016 calendar year, Collier has been eager to expand her competition experience aboard both of her newer mounts, Western Rose and Scampano 2, as well as continuing training with her additional mount, Wentworth, who is already qualified for the 2016 Paralympic Games.

„Western Rose has been amazing to work with. She’s really fun because she has her own engine so I really just have to manage her gaits. All three of them bring a smile to my face everyday when I get to ride them,“ she smiled.

Having already set a list of accomplishments she looks forward to achieving this season, Collier stated, „I would like to come to the next CPEDI3* in two weeks and make the changes that I need to work on, while continuing our training with all three of them, and getting everyone into the best shape possible.“

Competing at AGDF has always been a highlight for Collier each year, noting that competing in the Global International Arena in 2016 will be incredibly helpful for riders looking to gain experience in a large venue setting.

„It’s an amazing atmosphere here. This year being able to compete in the main ring is quite different than competing in the indoor (covered arena), and it’s quite exciting,“ commented Collier. „It’s absolutely beautiful, and I think it’s great for the horses to get used to the bigger atmospheres. All of the riders have really impressed me in this show, and I’m so happy that I have been able to compete my horses here.“

Margaret McIntosh and her own Rio Rio concluded a phenomenal 2015 season and are beginning the 2016 circuit on the right foot, as the duo continues to string together excellent performances in the FEI Para-Dressage – Grade 1a division. McIntosh, who rides with Missy and Jessica Ransehousen out of Unionville, PA, also has her sights set on the U.S. Paralympic Team heading to Rio de Janeiro.

McIntosh, a former three-day eventer, began competing in para-dressage competition after a riding accident left her initially paralyzed from the chest down. Now, McIntosh is looking forward to earning a spot representing the United States for the first time ever in international Para-Dressage competition in 2016. The duo received a 72.754% and earned an improved 72.899% today in Grade 1a competition.

Correction from January 8, 2016 Release: Mary Jordan and Rubicon 75 owned by Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center, also competed on the first day of CPEDI 3* at AGDF, earning top honors in the FEI Para-Dressage Team Test – Grade IV with a score of 60.595%.

For more information on the CPEDI3* and to see a full list of ride times and results, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

Source: Press release