Less than one week after finishing third in the FEI World Cup Final, Debbie McDonald and Brentina were back in action, winning the Grand Prix and Grand Prix freestyle at the Del Mar National, April 29-May 1 in Del Mar, Calif.

“They showed great support for their sport and it was very much appreciated,” said England’s O-rated judge, Stephen Clarke, of the pair’s appearance.

McDonald, of Hailey, Idaho, rode Peggy Thomas’ Brentina to her new World Cup freestyle that had the audience clapping on her final centerline. “The crowd was fabulous,” said McDonald. “I think it went well. It was a really fun evening.”

The addition of a few tactfully placed vocals emphasized Brentina’s feminine ways and highlighted her piaffe and passage. This freestyle, designed by Terri Gallo of Klassic Kurs, brings a high level of difficulty and provides great entertainment for the audience. It also paid off with the judges as she scored 80.72 percent for the win. The pair also won the Grand Prix with a 74.67 percent.

“It was very nice to see Brentina in such excellent strength both here and in Vegas [at the World Cup Final],” said O-rated judge Uwe Mechlem of Germany. “The top two freestyles were very good. Now, if they want to compete at this level, they really have to
work on the choreography and music.”

Leslie Morse, of Beverly Hills, Calif., finished second on her own Tip Top (75.05%). Hers was a “very powerful and interesting kur,” Mechlem said.

Morse also continues to push freestyle development with interesting musical emphasis on required movements in the choreography. The audience truly appreciated her dance with Tip Top. The judges, however, were not quite in agreement on this ride as her scores between the panel of five ranged from 71 percent to 80 percent.

Felix For The Future

The judges mentioned Tip Top and Lombardi II, owned by Akiko Yamazaki and ridden by Steffen Peters, as quality horses for the future. They also commented on Felix ridden by McDonald, Eskada ridden by Charlotte Bredahl-Baker and owned in partnership with Soyoko Kamuela, Luxor ridden by Shannon Peters, and Marlando ridden by Steffen Peters.

“They are all very high quality and all scored over 70 percent. There was little to choose between them. All showed movement of high quality,” said Mechlem.

McDonald spoke enthusiastically of 8-year-old Felix, owned by Peggy Thomas. “They bought him when he was 3 years old, and he has quite the personality. He’s a juvenile delinquent but always in good humor. He keeps us all laughing,” she said with a smile. “He tries really hard. I showed him in the FEI 5-year-old division but then decided to wait until this level before showing him again.”

McDonald wanted him to develop strength in his hind end so that it could keep up with his front leg action. “I think waiting was a good decision,” she said.

She moved up from third in the Prix St. Georges (70.50%) to first in the Intermediaire I (70.75%). “I was happy with my rides especially since the horses were longed for 10 days while I was at the World Cup. Then he jumped off the ramp when we got here, so I was concerned about his back. Because of that, I rode him conservatively in the Prix St. Georges. Today, in the Intermediaire I, I rode more aggressively,” she said.

McDonald said she rode the pirouettes a little bit big because she wanted Felix to keep up the quality of the canter. “I want him to become confident,” she said. “There was not much I would have changed in the Intermediaire I. He had great changes, and his extended trots were uphill and expressive.”

The husband-and-wife team of Steffen and Shannon Peters took top honors in the Prix St. Georges. “I am very happy my wife beat me,” said Peters with a grin. “It’s all team work. I get really good help from Shannon from the ground, and that pays off with all three horses.”

Shannon rode Luxor, a 12-year-old, Dutch Warmblood owned by Anie Hewitt, to first place in the Prix St. Georges (71.16%) and second in the Intermediaire I (70.50%). “I was very happy with the horse. This place makes them hotter,” she said.

Luxor was purchased for a young rider two years ago, and Shannon has ridden him on and off since then. She started riding him regularly last fall. “I was happy with his pirouettes, extensions, and changes. Today, in the Intermediaire I, I felt I could have done a little bit better, but overall I thought it was quite good,” she said.

Steffen scored close behind his wife on Lila Kommerstad’s Marlando in the Prix St. Georges (71.08%) and Intermediaire I (67.91%). “We had some problems with relaxation. He did not want to stand still for the halts, but I was able to get him through it with no major blow up,” said Steffen. “In the Intermediaire I he was more of a firecracker. I was very worried about the extended walk as it goes toward the exit and that adds dynamics and fire to the ride.”

Steffen said that Marlando showed really good half passes and expressive flying changes. “Maybe when he is 16 years old we will get a good, relaxed test,” said Steffen of the 11-year-old.

Judi Tops Young Riders

Dani Judi of El Cajon, Calif., once again proved she is a contender for the Region 7 Young Rider team. The 20-year-old, a member of last year’s Region 7 gold-medal team, started the show by winning the Young Rider Team test on her 11-year-old Oldenburg, Antaeus (66.44%).

“Although the test was clean, I felt he wasn’t his usual self,” she said. “I liked the Prix St. Georges better. Antaeus felt more like himself, but I made some large mistakes, so we received a lower score.”

She came back with a bang in the Young Rider freestyle, winning with a 73.25 percent. “I am very excited, if we make the team, about going back to the championship this year,” she said.

Skyler Evans of Bonsal, Calif., rode Donna Richardson’s 1999 gold-medal Pan Am Games partner to try out for the Young Riders team. “I am beyond blessed to be able to ride Jazzman,” said the 21-year-old. “It’s a dream of a lifetime. He works so hard, even on his not-so-good days. He always gives his best.”

Jazzman made it all the way to Grand Prix with Richardson before injuring his suspensory. “After three attempts to rehab him, I finally turned him out to retire,” said Richardson. “Three months later, he was passaging around the field like a lunatic. At that point, Skyler needed a Young Rider horse. Under my extremely watchful eye, she started “Jazz” back on the long walk. Over months, we added a little trot and then a little canter. He adores being back in the show ring. He hasn’t been so happy in years.”

Evans and Jazzman took second in both the Team test (65.77%) and Young Rider freestyle (72.18%). “The Team test was one of his better rides. I was really excited to get a 68 percent from judge Jeanne McDonald as I respect her a lot,” said Evans.

Richardson said she’s letting Evans ride Jazz because she remembers what it was like to be young, with talent, big aspirations, and no horse. “I’ve been so lucky to have Jazz,” she said. “If I can share him with her for a few months and make her dreams come true, I’m happy to do so.”

Ashley Schempp, of Pleasanton, Calif., is trying out for the Young Rider team for the first time this year. Although the 17-year-old placed fourth in the Team test, she won the Young Rider Prix St. Georges (66.12%).

“We are both new to the Prix St. Georges level. This is my first year and his too, so we are learning it together,” she said of her 11-year-old, Dutch Warmblood, Mowgli, whom she brought from Ali Bloomberg 11³2 years ago. “I felt the Prix St. Georges was better than yesterday’s [Team test]. I centered things better today, and the test was more consistent.”

Amy Miller of Covina, Calif., rode her own Regina to top placings at second level. “She was super relaxed the first day, and she concentrated well,” said Miller.

She scored 71.89 percent in second level, test 2, and 68.62 percent in second level, test 4. She bought the mare in October of 2002 and has done all the training on her. “She’s really fun and has a neat personality. She likes to be in the middle of everything at the barn. She’s really a fun girl,” said Miller.

The horse her mother calls “Hot Lips” also won the second level sweepstakes on Sunday (69.60%).

Cathy Pavlich of Highland, Calif., rode Bocelli, a half-brother to the Thomas’ Brentina. Pavlich liked the horse the first time she saw him. “I saw Debbie [McDonald] riding him and then found out he was for sale, so I bought him,” she said.

Showing the 7-year-old in his first fourth level test, she won the class with a 68.14 percent. “He likes his work,” said Pavlich. He continued to show his “super work ethic” by winning third level, test 3 (68.22%).