Rocher completed her hat trick today, winning the Grand Prix freestyle at the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Grand Prix Dressage Championship at the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation’s headquarters in Gladstone, N.J.

George Williams and the Westphalian mare danced down centerline to Madonna, scoring a 74.75 percent for the win. “I was more on yesterday,” admitted Williams. “But my big thing was getting through all three days of competition.”

A miss in the one-tempis brought the score down on an otherwise foot-perfect ride. “I got a little bit distracted by the music,” said Williams. “I haven’t really done it since Devon (Pa.) in 2003.

Arlene “Tuny” Page rode Wild One to an acapella arrangement of African music to take home second place in the freestyle (72.70%) and the reserve championship overall. “I’m so proud of my horse,” said Page. “This weekend has proved he can hack it in every way.”

The 9-year-old Hanoverian had a mistake in the one-tempis, as well as a spook down at A, but he looked obedient and responsive to his rider.

Susanne Dansby Phelps pulled out all the stops with her enormous Cooper to win third place in the freestyle (72.35%). She scored 8’s and 9’s on her canter pirouettes as she rode to music featuring Scottish bagpipes.

Michael Barisone’s freestyle was dramatic as he walked into the arena to Queen’s “Bohemian Rapsody.” His piaffe was excellent, but mistakes in his tempi changes left him in sixth place after the freestyle (68.78%). His combined scores were still good enough to keep him in third place overall.

Steffen Peters kept Marlando on task for another excellent finish in the Intermediaire freestyle and the overall Intermediaire I championship. His difficult test included four canter pirouettes and two-tempi changes down his final centerline.

“I was debating about walking in because he’s been so silly,” said Peters. He decided not to though, for fear that if Marlando wasn’t truly going forward, he might spook in the halt and exit the arena. He asked that spectators hold their applause until he completed his final salute.

His fears turned out to be unnecessary as the temperamental Dutch Warmblood listened well and appeared fluid and in harmony with his rider.

Things didn’t go as well for Shannon Peters and Luxor. “I had a lot of horse today,” she said. The 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood broke in his extended trot work and generally looked a little on the muscle.

Shannon said that the music had been too loud for the sensitive horse, but her fourth place finish (71.30) was still good enough to win her the reserve championship in the Intermediaire class.

Jane Hannigan pushed Maksymilian the most yet, and finished in second place in the freestyle. She rode to the theme music from Mission Impossible and The Pink Panther, that her sister, Kerry Munz, put together on the computer.

“That’s what this has been, mission impossible,” laughed Hannigan. Maksymilian also broke in his extended trot once, but Hannigan recovered and was able to make up points with her brilliant extended trot down centerline to her final salute. She scored 71.70 percent and ended up third overall.

The real surprise in the Intermediaire freestyle was Heather Bender, who put in a phenomenal test with Winwood, scoring 9’s on her extended walk and trot to take third place (71.50%). The little chestnut gave his utmost to their fun blues/jazz medley.

USEF Grand Prix Championship
1. Rocher, George Williams 72.96%
2. Wild One, Arlene Page 69.70
3. Neruda, Michael Barisone 67.32
4. Caribi, Karen Lipp 67.27
5. Lucky Tiger, Pierre St. Jacques 67.17
6. Cooper, Suzanne Dansby Phelps 66.71
7. Marnix, George Williams 65.09
8. Rainier, Katherine Bateson 64.56

USEF Intermediaire I Championship
1. Marlando, Steffen Peters 73.42%
2. Luxor, Shannon Peters 71.69
3. Maksymilian, Jane Hannigan 70.29
4. Winwood, Heather Bender 68.31
5. H.S. Wistar, Jennifer Schrader 68.25
6. Schumacker Solyst, Melissa Taylor Yee 68.22
7. Eskada, Charlotte Baker Bredahl 67.61
8. Alazan, Anne Gribbons 65.68