December 13, 2024 – Ocala, FL – U.S. Olympians Adrienne Lyle and Helix added a second victory for the week to their tally as they led the way in the Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W, presented by MARS Equestrian™ on Friday, December 13, 2024, at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) during the December Dressage CDI-W presented by Hampton Green Farms. It was a solid win for the pair in their first competition back from the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and in only their second freestyle performance together.
The judging panel – which consisted of Maria Colliander (FIN), Juan Carlos Campos Escribano (ESP), Clive Halsell (GBR), William Warren (USA) and Cesar Torrente – awarded Helix and Lyle with a score of 77.610% with the high score of 78.875% coming from the judge at H.
“I was absolutely thrilled with him,” said Lyle of the 12-year-old KWPN gelding by Apache x Jazz owned by Zen Elite Equestrian Center. “This is our first time riding a freestyle together that we created for him, and I thought the choreography flowed really well. He seemed to really be enjoying himself. He felt even more relaxed and focused than in the Grand Prix, and I’m just really excited for what that means for the future with this horse.”
Lyle’s freestyle was designed by Terri Gallo and featured the song “Stand By Me” to open and close the test as well as trot work, “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns ‘N’ Roses for the walk, and “Freedom” by George Michael for the canter tour.
“They’re kind of personal songs for me,” acknowledged Lyle. “’Stand By Me’ was one of my favorite songs growing up. We listened to the old tape on repeat all the time on my farm when I was a kid, so I’ve just always loved that song. I think it speaks a lot to the connection with the horses and kind of the whole journey with them.”
Another pair coming off a long break were Marek and Fire Fly, a 14-year-old KWPN gelding by Briar Junior (Anton) x OO Seven owned by Janet Simile, who hadn’t competed since CHIO Aachen in July. They placed third in Thursday’s Grand Prix and moved up to second place in the freestyle with a score of 75.565%.
The pair last performed their freestyle, which featured music from the Netflix show “Stranger Things,” in October 2023 at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, where they won the individual bronze medal.
“[Fire Fly’s] owner Janet said, ‘Remember to practice the freestyle,’ and I was scrambling around trying to find a video of it because I couldn’t remember it!” laughed Marek. “I was like, ‘What am I going to do? I can’t remember it.’ Then I had an anxiety dream that I couldn’t remember the freestyle.
“I finally found it on an old text to someone,” she continued. “It was a video that my husband took in the top of the stands at the Pan Ams. And that’s how I remembered it.”
Luckily after reviewing the test, Marek was able to put in a solid performance and came out of the ring happy with Fire Fly’s performance.
“I came out, and I was beaming,” she said. “I felt like I was on the music, and that no matter what the score was, I felt like that test was better than what we did in Chile. It was just so much fun. It was smooth. He was piaffing with so much energy, and I was so proud of him.”
Kevin Kohmann (USA) and Duenensee placed third with a score of 73.730%.
“Except for the mistakes, it felt great,” he said. “Most of it actually felt the very best it has felt with the horse. I’ve been riding that music for about a year, but we changed it, so I’ve ridden this choreography three times. We still have to tweak it a little bit, but overall the horse felt great. He felt pretty relaxed here in the environment. I’m quite happy except for my one tempis I would say.”
Kohmann and Duenensee were one of three combinations to represent the United States at the 2024 FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this past April. It was a highlight in a year of fantastic competition for Kohmann, who also competed in his first CDIO5*.
“I mean, this horse has taken me to crazy places,” he said of the 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Dancier x Davignon I owned by Diamante Farms Inc. “We went to Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Mexico, Devon. It was the best year of my competition life.”
Looking at the 2025 dressage schedule and how WEC – Ocala plays a big part in the U.S. dressage scene, Lyle remarked, “I think we’re incredibly fortunate to have this amazing facility here. It’s a wonderful place to show. The show management has been so great, and we’re just really excited to be here.”
Pablo Gómez Molina (ESP) and Aurelius Ymas, a nine-year-old KWPN stallion by Apache x Sir Sinclair owned by Yeguada de Ymas S.L., won their second small tour class in a row in the horse’s first CDI competition. They won the Intermediate I CDI1* class with a score of 69.461%. With a score of 68.775%, Gómez Molina placed second on a horse he owns with Cristina Danguillecourt, Farinel Di Fonteabeti, an eight-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Grand Galaxy Win T x Fidertanz. Kevin Kohmann (USA) riding Scala, a nine-year-old Hanoverian mare by St. Schufro x Belissimo M owned by Diamante Farms and Bernhard Schaerffer, was third with 67.010%.
Grand Prix Freestyle, presented by MARS Equestrian™ Results
Intermediate I CDI1* Results
Start Lists and Results
CDI competition at WEC December Dressage continues on Saturday, December 14, with classes for young horses and amateur riders, along with the Intermediate I Freestyle CDI1* and the Grand Prix Special CDI3*.