By US Equestrian Communications Department
The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team put forth strong efforts in the FEI Grand Prix for the FEI Dressage Nations Cup USA CDIO3*. Under the guidance of Chef d’Equipe Christine Traurig, the team of Jan Ebeling and Jubi’s Tenacity, Kevin Kohmann and Duenensee, Erin Nichols and Elian Royale, and Jennifer Williams and Joppe K earned the silver medal. The U.S. U25 combinations also had an opportunity to take center stage at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival for the FEI Intermediate II.
(Devyn Trethewey/US Equestrian)
Kohmann (Wellington, Fla.) and Duenensee were the anchor combination for The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team and delivered a lovely test to earn a personal-best score of 71.326%. The pair had excellent canter work from extensions to pirouettes, clinching second place individually in the class.
“I’m just thrilled to even be here right now,” said Kohmann. “And to be the anchor rider for my team makes me even more proud and to get the top score, what else can I say other than I am just thrilled.”
While Kohmann and the 2009 Hanoverian gelding (Dancier x Doublette) owned by Diamante Farms have only had a partnership for a year, they have continued to develop and improved their scores.
“Every show I feel more comfortable riding these movements and pushing a little bit more,” said Kohmann. “Every time I do it, it is a bit better.”
Ebeling (Wellington, Fla.) laid down a quality test with Jubi’s Tenacity to earn a score of 70.087% and finish seventh in the class. He and the 2010 Danish Warmblood gelding (Tailormade Temptation x Jubi’s Cadeau) owned by Ann Romney had impressive extended canter and canter pirouette movements as the highlights of their test.
(Devyn Trethewey/US Equestrian)
Nichols (Wellington, Fla.) made her senior Nations Cup debut a memorable one with a personal-best score of 69.565% with Elian Royale. She and the 2009 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Johnson x Zafradine) owned by Premiere Sport Horses nailed their one-tempi changes on their way to finishing eighth in the class.
Williams (Wellington, Fla.) and Joppe K were the first U.S. pair down centerline, and they set a positive tone for the team. Williams and the 2014 KWPN gelding (Rousseau x Dadina K) owned by Joppe Partners, LLC had solid trot work throughout their test to finish ninth on a score of 68.652%.
“I’m really proud of them,” said Chef d’Equipe Traurig. “I’m proud of Erin, the youngster, for going in there and putting in a mistake-free test, which is rare. Kevin’s horse has gotten better and better now, and Jan’s horse also has shown improvement. Jennifer’s horse has a lot of quality that has continued to develop. I’m very happy with how the team performed today.”
Germany secured the team gold medal with a score of 213.369, followed by the U.S. with silver on a score of 210.978 and Sweden in third with a score of 198.956.
