Sunday, June 9, 2002

Week Two Of USET Dressage Selection Trials

Debbie McDonald and Brentina Win Grand Prix And Move Into Top Spot

Despite an outbreak of hives two hours before her Grand Prix test, Brentina with Debbie McDonald onboard, won the Grand Prix at USET Headquarters in Gladstone, New Jersey, on Saturday, June 8, scoring an impressive 71.280%. McDonald didn’t break out in hives, but she had her own mental hurdles to overcome. “This was the most stressed I’ve ever felt in any competition,” said McDonald, adding that her stress comes from her own mind. “You tell yourself to shut up. It was difficult. I get quite nervous. Walking around drives me insane. I feel better when I get on.”

The win pushed McDonald and Brentina into first place overall in the Selection Trials for the World Equestrian Games, edging Sue Blinks and Flim Flam out of the lead and into second place overall, and putting Guenter Seidel and Nikolaus 7 down a peg from second to third overall. Seidel on Nikolaus 7 was third today with 67.76%, and Blinks was fourth earning 67.20%.

Moving up in the overall score is Christine Traurig on Etienne, who placed second behind McDonald in the Grand Prix today with her score of 68.960%. Traurig came into the trials in 11th place and has now rocketed up to fourth place overall.