Rocher may have been out of action for the last 18 months, but she’s returned triumphant to the Grand Prix arena. She left no doubts in the minds of the judges that she’s still got what it takes to win in the first day of the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Grand Prix Championships at the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation headquarters in Gladstone, N.J., June 16-18.
Thirteen horses competed in the first leg of the championships, where the overall champion will be determined by the best combined score over three days from the Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix freestyle. Each phase will equal one third of the total outcome.
“It’s wonderful to be back,” said George Williams, rider of Rocher. Tendonitis kept the Westphalian mare on stall rest for the last year and a half.
“In some ways she feels better than she used to,” Williams continued. “But it still feels a little rusty. I was a bit conservative today.” Rocher and Williams were the only combination to break into the 70’s, scoring 70.33 percent.
And he may have to go for it tomorrow if he wants to hold onto his lead, because Arlene “Tuny” Page is right behind him with Wild One (69.41%). “He was absolutely calm and 100 percent with me,” said Page. The Hanoverian gelding competed in his first Grand Prix just 3 months ago at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby (Fla.). “Now I have to adjust my riding to make him a little bit quicker.”
Michael Barisone and Neruda took third place (66.54%). Though Barisone was pleased with his test, he said, “I feel like I could get two more marks per movement. He has a tremendous amount more to give.”
Some top riders like Debbie McDonald and Guenter Seidel decided not to contest this year’s championships, making room for a few talented young horses to make their mark. Of the top six, three, including Wild One and Neruda, are less than 11 years old. The other youngster is Pierre St. Jacques’ Lucky Tiger who finished sixth (64.95%).
Karen Lipp and Caribi took fourth place (65.66%) and Williams rode his other mount, Marnix, to fifth (65.20%).
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In the Prix St. Georges, it was a husband and wife team who took first and second. Steffen Peters and Marlando had to be content with second place (71.50%) as his wife Shannon won first aboard Luxor (71.85%).
The happy couple got married last fall and couldn’t have been more delighted with each other’s achievements. “The changes were incredible, straight, expressive,” said Steffen of his wife’s ride. “The overall picture looked effortless.”
As his compliments reduced her to tears, Shannon returned the favor, saying, “He was amazing, he’s always amazing.”
The pair met when Steffen was teaching a clinic in Colorado and Shannon was riding in it. “She had a great way with a young horse,” said Steffen.
Coming in third was Jane Hannigan of Harvard, Mass., riding Maksymilian (69.60%). “I’m just a nobody from Massachusets,” she said with a laugh. “I don’t care where I come in. I only compete against myself.”
The 34-year-old set out to qualify for the Developing Rider list so she could work with team coach Klaus Balkenhol, and ended up qualifying for the Intermediaire championships as well.
“I rode here when I was 21, as a young rider,” she said. “It’s so cool to be back now!”
