Siena Harris-Gissler and her own Status Royal OLD took the top podium spot on the opening day of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival CDIOU25, which was scored individually rather than as team competition because of insufficient entries. Harris-Gissler (New York, New York) and Status Royal earned a personal best score of 69% in the FEI Intermediaire II test Thursday en route to the win, on the strength of a fluid test that received strong scores in the extended canter and canter pirouettes. The rider said she was pleased with her 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Statesman—Facette Royal) and their cohesiveness throughout the test.

“Today was the first day that I really felt like we were together the entire test,” Harris-Gissler said. “This is a whole new level for me. This is my first few months competing at the level, so every time that we go in the ring, we get more and more experience and get to know each other a little better. Today, even though we had a few mistakes, I was so happy with my ride.”

Harris-Gissler only began her partnership with Status Royal OLD in September, but said that the two have quickly forged a strong connection.  

“He is like my best friend; I love him so much,” Harris-Gissler said. “I have never had a horse like him. He is so giving. I call him my teacher or my babysitter. He has really taught me so much. He tolerates my mistakes when I make them, and he never gets mad. I am just so lucky to have him.”

In second place, Dennesy Rogers and Chanel finished with a score of 66.76%. Rogers (Santa Rosa, California) and the 19-year-old Danish Warmblood mare (Blue Horse Romance—Penelope, Solyst), owned by Dorriah Rogers, secured their spot with earned solid marks for their extended and collected trot.

Australian rider Kate Kyros and her stallion Chemistry (Connaisseur—Cendea) took third (65.94%), with Josh Albrecht (Oroville, California) and Coalcyn Equestrian’s Goldenboy Vinckenburgh (Apache—Tandafanory) finishing just behind them in fourth (64.47%). 

Although the event couldn’t be structured as a team competition, U.S. Chef d’Equipe George Williams emphasized the importance of this experience to the up-and-coming U.S. combinations.

“We still wanted them to have the feeling of being on the team,” Williams said. “We have the chef here, we have the team vet, and the support that we would normally give to a team. Also, the team spirit between the team members and supporting one another. We wanted to make sure they support each other when they can be there to get a feeling of what it is like to be a member of a team. I think that is really a crucial experience, especially for all of our youth and U25 athletes as they move into the senior ranks.”

The competition continues today with the CDIOU25 FEI Grand Prix 16-25 at 1 p.m. Eastern Time, followed by the CDIOU25 freestyle starting at 9:20 a.m. Sunday.