“I’ve been working a lot on the canter work. He’s such a big horse and the balance for him is really hard. I think it will be the focus again for the next few weeks too,” explained Collins-Strijk when asked what she believes the pair has improved on over the course of the week. “In the freestyle, I was definitely better with the music. Last week I wasn’t really sure where I was going because we had not done it together many times, but I practiced it this morning and was much better on track.”

The pair, who have started to work on the basics of the Grand Prix movements, will continue their course at the Small Tour level over the next few weeks, as Collins-Strijk believes they will gain valuable experience for their anticipated transition to Grand Prix at some point during the year.

“We won’t move up until I’m confident that we can do really well. We’re not 100% there and even when I feel like we are ready to move up, we will do some of the National shows first to get more experience there too,” she noted.

Zantros (Krack C x Hinde-Utopia), another mount for Collins-Strijk, made his debut at AGDF this week in the Small Tour alongside his stablemate. The pair also earned top finishes including a fourth place in the FEI Prix St Georges and a third in the FEI Intermediaire I, but with only one horse allowed to compete in the freestyle per rider, Collins-Strijk chose Don Tignanello for the class.

“I love Zantros. He’s by Krack C and you can just sit there and look pretty because he does it and knows his job. I quite like that, but you can’t take two horses in the freestyle, (so) I’m hoping to also do the freestyle with him at some point as well,” commented Collins-Strijk.

“We’ll definitely focus on getting that bigger step, but he’ll get off this week with hacking and taking it easy before we begin to prepare again. After the next CDI there is a bit of a long break for him and that’s when we’ll start to working on that,” she continued.

The Consolation Grand Prix concluded the final day of FEI competition at AGDF 3 presented by the U.S. P.R.E. Association, as Evi Strasser (CAN) and Renaissance Tyme took the win with a 65.767%. Joanne Vaughan (GEO) and Elmegarden’s Marquis followed in second with a 64.033%, while Maria Florencia Manfredi (ARG) and Bandurria Kacero earned third place with a 63.633%.

Competition at AGDF will begin on Wednesday, February 10, with the highly anticipated FEI CDI5* competition, presented by Diamante Farms. The venue will also prepare to host the Asheville Regional Airport Wellington Eventing Showcase, presented by Wellington Equestrian Realty, on Friday, February 5, and continuing through Saturday, February 6, and the AGDF 4 National Show on February 6-7. For more information please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

Final Results FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle presented by Chesapeake Dressage Institute
Place, Rider, Nationality, Horse, Horse Information: Judge E%, Judge H%, Judge C%, Judge M%, Judge B%, Total %

1. Leida Collins-Strijk (NED), Don Tignanello, 2005 Hanoverian gelding by Don Vino x Atlantica x Andiamo owned by Leida Collins-Strijk: 75.750%, 75.250%, 76.375%, 75.792%

2. Michael Klimke (GER), Djamba Djokiba, 2007 Westphalian gelding by Damon Hill x Whoopy x Wessex owned by Michael Klimke: 73.375%, 73.125%, 73.500%, 73.333%

3. Katharina Stumpf (AUT), For My Love, 2001 Hanoverian gelding by For Feeling x Esudine x Esucdo I owned by Katharina Stumpf: 71.500%, 71.750%, 71.000%, 71.417%

4. Amy Bock (USA), Walk The Line, 2006 Oldeburg gelding by World of Dreams x Heinira x De Niro owned by Amy Bock: 71.250%, 70.125%, 72.125%, 71.167%

5. Cesar Parra (USA), Blickpunkt 4, 2005 Westphalian gelding by Belissimo M x Fascination x Fidermark owned by Cesar Parra: 68.000%, 67.750%, 69.250%, 68.333%

6. Evi Strasser (CAN), Super Tyme, 2006 Oldenburg gelding owned by Evi Strasser: 66.875%, 65.500%, 66.250%, 66.208%

Photo Credit: ©SusanStickle. These photos may only be used once in relation to this press release.