WELLINGTON, Fla.--Pablo Gómez Molina of Spain on Servus Ymas won the CDI4* Grand Prix Freestyle, the horse’s first-ever CDI freestyle, during Friday Night Stars on Jan. 6 at the Global Dressage Festival.
Pablo Gomez Molina on Servus Ymas (Photo by Centre Line Media)Gómez Molina's Queen routine, which included a final centerline of piaffe into extended trot into piaffe into halt, scored 74.49%, had a high score of 76.45% from British judge Stephen Clarke.
Devon Kane of Wellington on Vamos finished a close second with 74.235%, riding to Latin rhythms, and Susan Dutta on Don Design DC was third with a disco music routine.
The class served as a qualifier for the US Open of Dressage series, now in its second year.
Seven of this season’s 24 qualifiers are held at the Festival before the final in California in November.
Gómez Molina has been competing Servus Ymas, since he was 5.
“I had a bit of doubt about today because in the grand prix he was spooky with the wind and the rain,” said Gómez Molina, who has trained with Ali Brock over the past month. “But once I got on, he was really focused. There’s no better place to try these things than here."
“THIS WIN is really special because we struggled to find our groove last year with Servus,” he said. “We built up through the levels together, so it’s always rewarding to come to the CDI level and win. He’s really spicy, but also is powerful and fun to ride. The first show we did in Week 1 wasn’t the best, so this one confirms that we progressed and that we keep growing and hopefully getting better.
Genay Vaughn on Gino (Photo by Centre Line Media)“I want to do the Nations Cup in week 11,” said Gómez Molina. “Then, our main goal is to go to Europe to show there and hopefully get a chance to be on the Spanish team for the FEI World Championships in Germany in August.”
Gómez Molina is now tied for first place with Christian Simonson and Susan Pape of Great Britain in the Leading International Freestyle Rider rankings.
In the CDI4* Grand Prix Special, Geñay Vaughn of Elk Grove, Calif., on Gino had her second win in as many days. with a new high special score of 71.851%.
The top four finishers in the class, which was also held during Friday Night Stars, were all female riders from the U.S.
Charlotte Jorst on Zhaplin Langholt had a huge new personal best of 70.191%.
Jorst and the gelding had not ridden a CDI special for more than a year and added almost five percentage points to their previous best of 65.213%.
Meagan Davis on Toronto Lightfoot was third with 68.383%.
Vaughn’s score would likely have been higher if not for a break to canter in one of the early extended trots along the rail.
Gino’s piaffe/passage work was of high quality with a lot of elasticity and engagement.
“I think he really loves the environment,” said Vaughn. “Gino is a showman, and he really showed up in there. He’s the best horse I’ve ever had, the best horse I’ve ever ridden. He’s unbelievable and I’m very grateful for him.”
