2002 Dressage at Devon

Konyot and Abrikos Excel in Grand Prix Special at Devon

In an almost sweltering autumn heat, Tina Konyot from Palm City, Florida claimed victory in the Grand Prix Special at 2002 Dressage at Devon. Just like the temperature after three days of intense rain, did her score rise to high levels. With 66.960% she pushed Michael Barisone and Safir, the winners of the Grand Prix for Special, into a second position and won the trophy and blue ribbon.

Konyot and Frank Rubin's Russian gelding Abrikos rode a very active, elegant Special with wonderful traversal movements and a very fine, rhythmical piaffe passage tour.

Abrikos is a real class act trotter, but his canter is still not developed enough. He's short and jumpy in the flying changes, but they were all correct so that she earned a high score after all.

Michael Barisone and Safir were still on the ball and with 65.480% and a second place they did a good job. His Danish mare by Diamond has extravagant movements but could have aimed her energy more at her hindquarters instead of her shoulders and front legs. The piaffe and passage are very confirmed but there was still some tension in the test, leading to edgy transitions between the different movements.

by Astrid Appels

Related Links
Scores of the Grand Prix Special
Safir, The Diamond in the Rough, Wins Grand Prix for Special
Back to the 2002 Devon Performance Index