Omaha, Neb.—May 5  

With next year’s FEI World Cup Finals coming to the Century Link center in Omaha, Neb., all eyes were on this year’s inaugural Omaha CDI. Dressage joined show jumping on the Omaha International’s docket this year, with nine competitors from three countries turning out for the four-star invitational competition.

The penultimate pair in tonight’s Grand Prix test, Karen Pavicic and Don Daiquiri, a 14-year-old Oldenburg (Don Cardinale—Neastate III, Rubinstein I) put in a solid performance to win the day on a mark of 67.80 percent. Don Daiquiri’s trotwork helped elevate her to the top of the class, despite an error in the walk portion of the test.

“I’m thrilled to be here,” said Pavicic. “It’s a great venue with a  great atmosphere. When I got the invitation to come I was so excited. I’m really pleased with my horse tonight; even though we went off course, I’m very happy with my horse.”

Pavicic edged out fellow Canadian Jacqueline Brooks and crowd favorite D Niro (65.12%) for the win in the $10,000 class, and Katie Poag and Zonnekoning (64.64%) took third.

“I’m very happy with the beginning of my test,” said Pavicic “It seemed like quite an electric atmosphere but he felt attentive to me and not overly tense. There were times that he could have been more in front of my leg, through the passage and the transitions, and we’ve been working on this all season, but I’m very happy with him.”

Though most of the 17,500 seats at the CentryLink Center in downtown Omaha weren’t filled—especially compared to next year’s Final—the evening performance clearly unnerved a few horses. Lauren Sprieser’s Ellegria spooked badly on entering, nearly refusing to trot by light boards on the side of the arena, but she finessed through the scare to put in a flowing test for fourth.

Dressage competition manager Thomas Bauer said the test run for next year gave him and the management team plenty to think about.

“Overall I’m very pleased,” said Bauer. “Sure there are a few little things to adjust and also to change, but we’ve seen with the atmosphere in the arena this could really be something—especially in a World Cup Final with so many spectators there. Today we got the [Fédération Equestre Internationale] to allow to ring familiarizations next year, so we can have the best performance possible. There will be one Tuesday, which will be optional, and one Wednesday, which will be mandatory, which is the day of the trot-up.”

Pavicic echoed the sentiments of many in praising this Midwestern town, better known for steaks than horse sport. 

“I’m very impressed with the city of Omaha, which is a fantastic city with lots of great restuarants and really friendly people. It’s been very welcoming.”

Pavicic and Don Daiquiri have been working their way across the continent back to their home base in South Surrey, British Columbia. They spent the winter in Wellington, Fla., helping Team Canada finish second at the Wellington CDIO, then headed north to the Tryon CDI (N.C.) where they finished second in the Grand Prix Special (69.74%). They laid over in Lexington, Ky., before coming to Omaha.

Dressage competition continues tomorrow with the Grand Prix freestyle, and jumpers will take to the ring as well.

You can find results from tonight’s competition here.