Thursday March 20, 2003

Zada WEF Dressage Classic CDI***/Y Draws Strong Contenders For Pan Am And Championship Qualifiers

Francis Continues String of Success

Shelly Francis, 44, of Woodstock, Vermont, aboard Gala, a 12-year-old, 16.1-hand Rhinelander gelding by Goldstrand, dominated the CDI Grand Prix classes. The duo won the Grand Prix “A” on Thursday with a score of 67.458%, topping a class of 15 riders. Patrick Burssens on Marfil was second (64.875%) and Anne Gribbons on Aureate was third (64.708%). Francis and Gala also took the blue in the Grand Prix Special on Friday, scoring 68.080% in a field of nine riders. Anne Gribbons on Aureate tied with Mirja Block on Asarhaddon for second place, both earning 63.760%. Francis has her sights set on qualifying for the USET Grand Prix Championship in June and the 2004 Athens Olympics.

She has been riding Gala, owned by Particia Stempel of Michigan, since he was three years old and points out the horse’s natural talent for the Grand Prix movements. “He makes piaffe and passage almost by himself,” said Francis. “I just sit and wait and count steps. It’s an awesome feeling.”

Patrick Burssens of Mexico won the Grand Prix Freestyle CDI on Marfil, owned by Mary Anne McPhail. Riding a difficult and technical kur, Burssens, a former Belgian citizen and former Belgian national Dressage Champion, topped a field of six riders, scoring 71.225%.

Ashley Holzer on Tess Guilder's Imperioso (by Cocktail) was second (69.700%). Holzer has been back for few months now, from an intensive training trip at Anky van Grunsven's and Sjef Janssen's training stable in Erp, The Netherlands. East coast rider Pamela Goodrich on Melville was third (69.600%) in the Grand Prix Freestyle CDI.