2006 Dressage at Devon

Courtney King and Idocus Place Second in the Kur

Courtney King and Idocus, the winners of the Grand Prix, placed second in the freestyle with only a few points less than the winner. The elegant pair scored 70.100% and fascinated everyone with their high technical level.

The KWPN Approved stallion Idocus showed a lovely piaffe-passage with fluent transitions, as well as delightful pirouettes. The general trot work could have had more pizzazz. Nevertheless, they had a beautiful ride and the pair has more in store for the future.

King was pleased about her ride, especially because she improved the 68% score which she put down with Idocus in Devon five years ago with two percent. "I am glad to have a great relationship with him again. I was behind my music and I wouldn't catch up for the life of me, but he really gave it all," she said.

King lost the ride over Idocus a number of years ago when the stallion was shipped to The Netherlands where he got trained and competed by Marlies van Baalen. Idocus returned to Courtney a year and a half ago and she's having a great time building a new partnership with him.

There is a nice story attached to King's choice in music for her kur. "It is actually one of Lendon Gray's, which she used in the 70s. I dug up the cassette and had it enhanced. It's stripper music," King explained.

At Devon, Courtney has been getting some help from Scott Hassler but Lendon Gray is her main pair of eyes on the ground. Hassler helped Courtney to get the ride on a new young horse called Harmony's Wyoming (Weltmeyer x Donnerhall).

After Devon, Idocus will get some down time. "I will do a few clinics and a symposium. I want to keep him inspired. Then we go to Florida."

Continue Story: Devon Favorite George Williams Places Third with Marnix

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