Shawna and Come On III won the Prix St. Georges class at the Wellington Classic Dressage Challenge II on Saturday with a 71.500%. The win completed their successful quest to win the Wellington Classic Challenge of Champions and the $5,000 prize presented by Wellington Asset Management. The pair needed to win all three Prix St. Georges classes at all three Challenge of Champions events.
Saturday morning’s ride followed a massive rainstorm that ushered in a windy cold front. The staff at the Palm Beach County Jim Brandon Equestrian center did an incredible job to make the arena dry enough to be rideable, but they could not control the 25 mph gusty wind. Their score under these challenging conditions was impressive and good enough to secure the top spot in the class with ease.
Saturday’s win caps a season that could arguably be called one of the best “small tour” seasons in the history of Wellington dressage. They finished first or tied for first in 11 of the 12 classes they entered (including 5 CDI’s). 9 of their 12 scores were in the 70’s with an average score of 71.333% in front of mostly FEI “O” and “I” judges. Their scores were good enough to secure first place in the USEF National Intermediare I Rankings for a majority of the season.
Shawna, Come On III and the rest of the team head back to Aiken, SC in two weeks comfortable with the fact that the season’s goals were met and exceeded. Come On III should have the scores to qualify for the USEF National Intermediare I Championships in June. Tonya Rowe’s Rigo not only qualified for the USDF Region 3 Championships at Second Level, but also looks strong enough to finish well in the USDF Dressage Horse of the Year rankings. Come On III’s scores also look very strong for the end-of-the-year rankings in his divisions.
Video of Saturday’s winning ride (as well as most of her rides this Wellington season) are available on her events page.
