Wednesday October 13, 2004

Nothing Missing between Michael Barisone and Neruda

Standing in the limelight of the 2004 Devon Grand Prix Kur winners Leslie Reid and Mark was the new combination Michael Barisone and Neruda. Definitely a crowd favorite, Barisone and his dark bay Dutch warmblood gelding finished in the top five twice at 2004 Dressage at Devon.

In the Grand Prix, Barisone and Neruda placed fourth with 63.250%, but in the Kur to Music the pair rose to the occasion and ranked second with 72.675%. "It felt great," Barisone commented after his kur ride, "it's a brand new freestyle. We finished the music on Wednesday so I didn't ride it at home. The horse was terrific."

Riding on a Queen medley in his kur to music, Barisone highlighted Neruda's fortés: the piaffe and passage. The horse shows high elevation and good engagement in these collected gaits, while maintaining rhythm and balance.

Read the Complete Article at Horsesdaily.com