Wayne Ill. – Aug. 24, 2018 – The third day of competition at the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions saw the USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship continue with the Grand Prix Special where Charlotte Jorst maintained her lead to claim first place again with a score of 68.809 percent.
Jorst and her own 15-year-old KWPN stallion, Kastel’s Nintendo, are a familiar pair in the show ring, having represented the U.S. at the 2016 FEI World Cup Finals in Sweden. The two have been a winning combination for five years and despite Jorst making the decision to take the summer off from training and competing, the pair put in a strong test that put them in the lead heading into the freestyle portion of the championship.
While Jorst took time off, Nintendo did as well, spending the summer trail riding with Jorst’s groom, Alexia. Jorst returned to training with Nintendo only nine days ago and credits her success this week to her refreshed attitude and her strong relationship with Nintendo. On Sunday, Jorst will debut a freestyle with brand new music and choreography.
Moving up the ranks from third to second place with a 68.170 in the Grand Prix Special was Jennifer Schrader-Williams and Millione, a 15-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding owned by Millione Partners LLC. Millione, who is new to the Grand Prix level this year, originally came to Schrader-Williams as a sales horse, but once she saw his potential she couldn’t pass him up.
Nick Wagman and Don Jon rounded out the top three with a score of 67.468 percent. Wagman and Don Jon, a 10-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Beverly Gepfer, made some uncharacteristic mistakes in their piaffe and half-pass that cost them their second place holding from their Grand Prix performance. Looking ahead to the final portion of the championship, the freestyle, Wagman is excited to continue showcasing Don Jon’s brilliance in a freestyle using original music composed by a relative.
Athletes and horses compete in three tests for this division: the Grand Prix Test, the Grand Prix Special, and the Grand Prix Freestyle Test. Placings will be determined by overall average: Grand Prix (45 percent), Grand Prix Special (40 percent), and Grand Prix Freestyle (15 percent). The final portion of competition, the Grand Prix Freestyle, will take place Sunday, Aug. 26, at 11 a.m.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Charlotte Jorst – Grand Prix Special winner
On her test:
“My test was really great. I still didn’t achieve my goal of no mistakes though. I’m very angry with myself about that, but Nintendo, as usual, was doing his very best. He was there for me. We’ve been together for five years now and I can’t believe what a great horse he has been to me. I’m so incredibly grateful to own him.”
On her plan for the freestyle:
“I have new music that I’ve never ridden to and I haven’t heard it yet. I’ll start listening to it today I promise! I have new choreography that I also need to learn so it’ll be really fun for me to get out there. I love things like that when it’s all new and fresh. I’m really excited.”
On giving Nintendo time off:
“I went a little crazy with this dressage stuff, it overtook my life a little bit. I’m a new grandmother and I have a wonderful, beautiful family that I have been away from the last couple of summers. I just decided that I wasn’t going to do that again. On May 1st I sent the horses to Reno where they have been having a great time grazing and trail riding. Last Wednesday I came back from Denmark and I started riding again and they were right back to it. I was a little exhausted coming back, but I’m so refreshed and happy. My groom, Alexia, took Nintendo out on trail rides and he loves it.”
Jennifer Schrader-Williams – Grand Prix Special second place
On her test:
“Today I was really hoping to keep the same consistency of the Grand Prix yesterday. I wanted to add a little more power in the piaffe and passage. The horse tries so hard that we have to keep everything a little bit quiet and calm. He had a couple bobbles in the half-passes and the twos, but then he started to really settle. My goal with him is to keep him confident.”
On her plan for the freestyle:
“I love my freestyle—I love my music and it’s a lot of fun. He is a horse that can get internally hot, but he’s not spooky. He loves the music and it’s a lot of fun. I just try to go in there and make him feel proud of himself and let him show off. He just did his first Grand Prix in February so he is just getting stronger and more confident. I just want him to enjoy himself in there and make him proud of himself.”
Nick Wagman – Grand Prix Special third place
On his test:
“I was thrilled with the beginning part of the test. Unfortunately, he started to anticipate the piaffe in the walk and that threw us off a little bit. We had one other mistake in the half-passes where I missed a flying change. Those mistakes cost me some points but there were still so many highlights. I can’t be unhappy with my horse. This is only his second time doing the special. We’re still really new at this so I’m thrilled.”
On his plan for the freestyle:
“I’m only riding this freestyle for the second time, so it’s kind of new for us. It’s to music that my husband’s nephew composed, so it’s all original with some samples of Depeche Mode. It’s really fun music and it’s a fun freestyle, so I’m excited to go out there and get some more experience.”
RESULTS: Grand Prix Special for the USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship
Rider / Horse / Owner / Total Score
1. Charlotte Jorst / Kastel’s Nintendo / Kastel Denmark / 68.809
2. Jennifer Williams-Schrader / Millione / Jennifer Williams-Schrader / 68.170
3. Nick Wagman / Don John / Beverly Gepfer / 67.468
4. Mette Rosencrantz / Marron / Mette Rosencrantz / 66.979
5. Bianca Tota / Cadento / Bianca Tota / 66.213
6. Patricia Becker / Freedom / Anne Ramsay / 62.830
For results and starting times, visit Foxvillage.
Live streaming is available on the USEF Network
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