World Equestrian Games Dressage Finale
One of the most exciting classes to watch is the Dressage Musical Freestyle. The top 15 riders from the Grand Prix qualify to ride their Musical Kurs in front of record breaking crowds. It is thrilling to watch the horses and riders dance to music as one. The atmosphere was electric when the two American team members Guenter Seidel on Aragon and Steffen Peters on Floriano danced for the crowds.
“Tonight I had to ride a little bit more carefully, Peters said, Floriano was on the edge the whole time coming in there, so I took it a little bit easy in the trot extentions. I am very happy with a 78, we came in and tried our very best and had a lot of fun.”
Peters and Floriano, the 16 year old Westphalian gelding, owned by Stephen and Laurelyn Browning, were the last to compete in front of a sold out crowd, performing to a medley including “Don’t stop Believing” by Fleetwood Mac and “Imagine” by John Lennon. They finished in sixth place with a score of 78.60%.
Seidel rode his 14 year old Bavarian Warmblood gelding, owned by Richard and Jane rown, to 13th place. “When we were going in, I thought he was going to explode,” said Seidel of his mount. He could not have been happier with his horse’s performance, “It was very electric. There were a few mistakes. But when do you have the chance to practice in an atmosphere like this?”
Team USA’s Chef D’Equipe, Klaus Balkenhol has taken our horses and riders to a new level in Dressae. We are all proud of our teams success!