Adrienne Lyle and Helix nailed their new music and choreography to win the Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W, introduced by MARS Equestrian™. Photograph by Andrew Ryback Images
December 13, 2024 – Ocala, FL – U.S. Olympians Adrienne Lyle and Helix added a second victory for the week to their tally as they led the best way within the Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W, introduced by MARS Equestrian™ on Friday, December 13, 2024, at World Equestrian Middle – Ocala (WEC) through the December Dressage CDI-W introduced by Hampton Inexperienced Farms. It was a stable win for the pair of their first competitors again from the 2024 Paris Olympic Video games and in solely their second freestyle efficiency collectively.
The judging panel – which consisted of Maria Colliander (FIN), Juan Carlos Campos Escribano (ESP), Clive Halsell (GBR), William Warren (USA) and Cesar Torrente – awarded Helix and Lyle with a rating of 77.610% with the excessive rating of 78.875% coming from the decide at H.
Adrienne Lyle and Helix of their profitable presentation with Bonnie Foord, Equestrian Account Supervisor, MARS Equestrian™, and Karla Campbell of World Equestrian Middle. Photograph by Andrew Ryback Images
“I used to be completely thrilled with him,” mentioned Lyle of the 12-year-old KWPN gelding by Apache x Jazz owned by Zen Elite Equestrian Middle. “That is our first time driving a freestyle collectively that we created for him, and I believed the choreography flowed rather well. He appeared to essentially be having fun with himself. He felt much more relaxed and centered than within the Grand Prix, and I’m simply actually excited for what which means for the long run with this horse.”
Lyle’s freestyle was designed by Terri Gallo and featured the music “Stand By Me” to open and shut the check in addition to trot work, “Candy Youngster O’ Mine” by Weapons ‘N’ Roses for the stroll, and “Freedom” by George Michael for the canter tour.
All smiles for Adrienne Lyle and Helix who scored two wins on the CDI-W with a partnership that’s lower than a yr previous. Photograph by Andrew Ryback Images
“They’re sort of private songs for me,” acknowledged Lyle. “’Stand By Me’ was one in all my favourite songs rising up. We listened to the previous tape on repeat on a regular basis on my farm once I was a child, so I’ve simply at all times beloved that music. I feel it speaks quite a bit to the reference to the horses and sort of the entire journey with them.”
One other pair coming off a protracted break had been Marek and Fireplace Fly, a 14-year-old KWPN gelding by Briar Junior (Anton) x OO Seven owned by Janet Simile, who hadn’t competed since CHIO Aachen in July. They positioned third in Thursday’s Grand Prix and moved as much as second place within the freestyle with a rating of 75.565%.
Anna Marek and Fireplace Fly dusted off the cobwebs after a five-month break and carried out a second-place freestyle they hadn’t ridden in additional than a yr. Photograph by Andrew Ryback Images
The pair final carried out their freestyle, which featured music from the Netflix present “Stranger Issues,” in October 2023 on the Pan American Video games in Santiago, Chile, the place they gained the person bronze medal.
“[Fire Fly’s] proprietor Janet mentioned, ‘Bear in mind to apply the freestyle,’ and I used to be scrambling round looking for a video of it as a result of I couldn’t keep in mind it!” laughed Marek. “I used to be like, ‘What am I going to do? I can’t keep in mind it.’ Then I had an nervousness dream that I couldn’t keep in mind the freestyle.
“I lastly discovered it on an previous textual content to somebody,” she continued. “It was a video that my husband took within the prime of the stands on the Pan Ams. And that’s how I remembered it.”
Fortunately after reviewing the check, Marek was in a position to put in a stable efficiency and got here out of the ring proud of Fireplace Fly’s efficiency.
“I got here out, and I used to be beaming,” she mentioned. “I felt like I used to be on the music, and that it doesn’t matter what the rating was, I felt like that check was higher than what we did in Chile. It was simply a lot enjoyable. It was clean. He was piaffing with a lot power, and I used to be so pleased with him.”
Kevin Kohmann rode Duenensee to 3rd place in a freestyle that “felt the perfect it ever has.” Photograph by Andrew Ryback Images
Kevin Kohmann (USA) and Duenensee positioned third with a rating of 73.730%.
“Apart from the errors, it felt nice,” he mentioned. “Most of it truly felt the perfect it has felt with the horse. I’ve been driving that music for a couple of yr, however we modified it, so I’ve ridden this choreography thrice. We nonetheless should tweak it slightly bit, however general the horse felt nice. He felt fairly relaxed right here within the surroundings. I’m fairly completely happy aside from my one tempis I might say.”
Kohmann and Duenensee had been one in all three mixtures to symbolize the US on the 2024 FEI Dressage World Cup™ Closing in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this previous April. It was a spotlight in a yr of unbelievable competitors for Kohmann, who additionally competed in his first CDIO5*.
“I imply, this horse has taken me to loopy locations,” he mentioned of the 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Dancier x Davignon I owned by Diamante Farms Inc. “We went to Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Mexico, Devon. It was one of the best yr of my competitors life.”
Wanting on the 2025 dressage schedule and the way WEC – Ocala performs a giant half within the U.S. dressage scene, Lyle remarked, “I feel we’re extremely lucky to have this wonderful facility right here. It’s a beautiful place to indicate. The present administration has been so nice, and we’re simply actually excited to be right here.”
Aurelius Ymas gained his second class in a row in a debut CDI efficiency with Pablo Gómez Molina. Photograph by Andrew Ryback Images
Pablo Gómez Molina (ESP) and Aurelius Ymas, a nine-year-old KWPN stallion by Apache x Sir Sinclair owned by Yeguada de Ymas S.L., gained their second small tour class in a row within the horse’s first CDI competitors. They gained the Intermediate I CDI1* class with a rating of 69.461%. With a rating of 68.775%, Gómez Molina positioned second on a horse he owns with Cristina Danguillecourt, Farinel Di Fonteabeti, an eight-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Grand Galaxy Win T x Fidertanz. Kevin Kohmann (USA) driving Scala, a nine-year-old Hanoverian mare by St. Schufro x Belissimo M owned by Diamante Farms and Bernhard Schaerffer, was third with 67.010%.
Grand Prix Freestyle, introduced by MARS Equestrian™ ResultsIntermediate I CDI1* ResultsStart Lists and Outcomes
CDI competitors at WEC December Dressage continues on Saturday, December 14, with lessons for younger horses and beginner riders, together with the Intermediate I Freestyle CDI1* and the Grand Prix Particular CDI3*.
