Del Mar, Calif.—Mar. 9
Steffen Peters’ newest grand prix horse, Legolas 92, grabbed the spotlight as soon as he arrived on the dressage scene, and he hasn’t let it go yet. That gelding logged his latest win at the Del Mar CDI-W at the Rancho Valencia Dressage Affaire, where he topped the Grand Prix for the freestyle on a mark of 75.80 percent. Peters won the class over Jan Ebling and Rafalca, who earned a 71.46 percent.
Peters felt especially proud of Legolas 92 for his clean performance in the electric atmosphere at Del Mar.
“He was a bit nervous through the first three movements,” said Peters, San Diego, Calif. “He stood still beautifully, but I took it easy in the first extension because I had a lot of horse underneath me. Then he went with a lot of power into the half-passes. It wasn’t quite as relaxed in the first halt before the rein back, but from there on he really settled down beautifully in the test. Everything else felt like clockwork. It was the real deal; the whole package including batteries.”
Peters started riding the Westphalian (Laomedon—Fürstin, Florestan) just before the new year, debuting a month later at Grand Prix at Dressage Getaway (Calif.) and breaking the 80 percent barrier right off the bat. He’s continued to improve since then, especially when it comes to his lead changes.
“He’s a very generous horse, with amazing piaffe, passage and half-passes, and very good canter pirouettes,” said Peters. “As hot as he is, he still has a good extended walk, and collected walk too. That he got a 75 percent here, his first time under the lights, is just phenomenal. This is his fourth time at a show.”
Peters and Legolas 92 will test out their freestyle tomorrow, borrowing a version of his barnmate Ravel’s former freestyle set to music by Coldplay. While Peters admitted it’s probably a touch soon for the debut, Fédération Equestre Internationale rules limit riders to one horse in the Special, and Ravel will have that honor. He’ll come out in tomorrow’s Grand Prix for the Special.
Feodora Finds Her Groove
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Like Peters, Guenter Seidel’s newest mount has proven to be an exceptional talent. That mare, Feodora, earned a 71.10 percent to top the Prix St. Georges at the Del Mar CDI-W. Australian Emma Weinert came closest to Seidel on Velvet WD (70.28%) to take second.
“She was definitely a little nervous in there, but I don’t think she’s ever been in an arena like that,” said Seidel, Cardiff, Calif. “She wants to do the right thing, so she may have been a little tense, but she doesn’t want to make a mistake.
“I took her to one smaller show in Thermal and then the CDI in Burbank,” he continued. “But there the atmosphere is easier. It’s more open. This is more of a show here. This was a really good test for her today.”
Owner Lara Schleining sent the Rheinlander by Ferragamo to Seidel earlier this year. The horse is for sale, but Seidel is in no rush to see her go.
“I’m really enjoying riding her in the meantime,” said Seidel. “It’s a quality horse, and she’s a bit hot, but very safe. You could put your grandmother on, and she wouldn’t do anything terrible.”
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