Sunday January 25, 2004

Canadian Snowbirds Start Florida Circuit in Winning Style

Top Honor for Simone Williams and Krystalann Shingler

1999 Canadian Pan Am rider Simone Williams was also competing in Training and First Levels with her young horses Siegfried and Wunder Ein respectively. Siegfried, a 5-year-old 16.2 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Flemmingh, impressed the judges in only his second career competition and was rewarded with a winning score of 72.917% from former Olympian Carol Lavell in the Training Level Test 3.  “We had just arrived in Florida the week before,”said Williams, “so I was very pleased with how he settled in and performed so well.  He will compete in the FEI five year old test later this year.”  Their steady tests were marked with consistent cadence and self carriage.

Williams duplicated her win in the First Level classes with Wunder Ein, a 6-year-old 16.3 Hannoverian by Wolkenstein ll, achieving unbeatable scores of 70.833%, 71.111% and 75.588%. “His connection and self carriage were superb.” said Williams. “He was so attentive to my aids, it felt like he was reading my mind.” Wunder Ein is being aimed for the FEI six year old test later this year.

The Young Rider division saw two Canadian competing. Krystalann Shingler riding Skor handily won Saturday's Team competition with a score of 68.222%. On Sunday, the pair settled for 2 nd place honours after tying with fellow Canadian rider Kathryn Yardley in the Individual class. Yardley, riding Boxberger Tendenz, a 16-year-old 16.2 Trakhener, equalled Shingler's score of  61.250% but was given first place honours. Both Yardley & Shingler were part of the Ontario Young Rider Team who competed at the 2003 North American Young Riders Championships in Bromont, Quebec.

Related Links
Who's Who: Shannon Dueck
Scoresource: 2004 Derby Series Kickoff Scores
Palm Beach Dressage Derby Series Kickoff Highlights Exciting New Duos