May 2, 2024, Myakka City, Florida. All horses passed inspection on Thursday ahead of the TerraNova Dressage III CDI3* at TerraNova Equestrian Center. With 26 horses presented, all eyes were on the 3* combinations on this final weekend of the Olympic qualifying period for United States riders.
Olympic silver medalist, Adrienne Lyle, presented her two mounts, Helix (Apache × Jazz) and Lars van de Hoenderheide (Negro × Layout), both owned by Zen Elite Equestrian Center. Lyle is currently ranked in 2nd and 3rd for Team USA with each horse respectively.
Aptly dressed, Endel Ots presented Zen Elite’s Bohemian (Bordeaux 28 × Samarant), also owned by Zen Elite Equestrian Center, sporting a patriotic red, white, and blue coat with a red tie. The combination sits in 4th on the ranking list ahead of the pivotal weekend. Despite the pressure, Ots is focused on keeping it simple.
“My goals with Bohemian are to have a nice harmonious Grand Prix and have fun with our freestyle,” he said. “We have only been together a few months, so we’re getting to know each other more and more in and out of the competition ring. Each test I do with him, I pull away a small thing that I can improve. Overall, I’m just so thankful and happy to have this opportunity with him.”
Katherine Bateson Chandler and Haute Couture (Connaisseur × Ips Krack C) co-owned with Jennifer Huber, Marcus Orlob and Jane (Desperado × Metall) owned by Alice Tarjan, and Olympian Kasey Perry-Glass (Charmeur × Olympic Ferro) owned by Diane Perry, contribute to a total of 8 of the top 15 ranked United States riders who will compete at TerraNova Equestrian Center this weekend.
Pan American Games gold and silver medalist, Sarah Tubman, is returning to TerraNova with First Apple (Vivaldi × TCN Partout) owned by Summit Farm. The pair won the CDI-W Grand Prix at TerraNova’s inaugural dressage competition in October 2022. “We’re thrilled to return to TerraNova Equestrian Center this year. Having competed here during the World Cup Qualifier when the facility first opened, we were impressed then, but the recent improvements are truly exciting,” Tubman said. “The facility exudes a horse-friendly atmosphere with ample areas for horses to walk and graze. The stables are top-notch, and my horses adore it here!”
When asked about her goals for the weekend, Tubman hopes to “deliver clean tests and secure final scores that will earn a spot in the top 8 heading to Europe.”
TerraNova Dressage III begins tomorrow at 8:00am with USEF National classes. CDI competition starts at 8:30am with the CDIYH FEI Preliminary Test for 5-YO. Riders will head down centerline in the Galati Yacht Sales CDI3* FEI Grand Prix at 10:00am. Saturday’s B&D Builders CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle begins at 4:00pm, followed by a watch party of the Kentucky Derby featuring gourmet cuisine, mint julep cocktails, a hat and pants contest, and more excitement.
All CDI and USEF National classes will be streamed for free, with free archives posted at the conclusion of each competition day. Special thank you to the sponsor of today’s CDI horse inspection, Mary Phelps with Markel Equine/Farm Insurance.