Lucienne Bellissimo Takes the Lead after Dressage at The Event at TerraNova CCI4*-S
Lucienne Belissimo and Dyri. Photo by Al Green Photo
Myakka City, Fla.– Oct.21, 2022 – The Event at TerraNova CCI4*-S kicked off by honoring all U.S. veterans at a special flag-raising on the east side of the VIP Pavilion. Master Sargeant Duke Farquharson, U.S. Air Force Security Forces, retired, hoisted the flag as the bugle call, "To The Colors," played followed by the national anthem, giving special thanks to those who serve.
At the end of the CCI4*-S dressage, Lucienne Bellissimo (GBR) sits in first on Dyri (Diarado x La Calera), Horse Scout Eventing LLC's 2012 Holsteiner/Trakehner gelding, on a 30.8. This event is Bellissimo's first visit to TerraNova Equestrian Center and she complimented the venue.
"I am seriously impressed. From the first arrival, the infrastructure looks beautiful, the setup is functional, the rings ride great. I'll definitely come back here in March," Bellissimo said. "It's his [Dyri's] first time doing a four-star test. I just wanted to give him a good experience and hopefully not create tension in the changes. So that worked well and I was very lucky having a lunchtime dressage [time], could get a ride in and get them loose in their backs." In their final prep two weeks ago, Bellissimo and Dyri won the CCI3*-S at Morven Park International CCI and Horse Trials.
Bellissimo (GBR) and her second horse in the CCI4*-S, Tremanton (Grafenstolz x Trevia), a 10-year-old Trakehner/Thoroughbred mare owned by Horse Scout Eventing LLC, scored a 31.9. "Tremanton is the opposite [of Dyri]. She's a diva. You need to be one step ahead of her most of the time, she's a real businesswoman. On the right day, she's fantastic and on the wrong day, she's entertaining," Bellissimo said.
Bellissimo said she appreciated the atmosphere next to the dressage ring created by the VIP Pavilion and vendor tents and is what an upper-level horse needs to experience. She plans to return for TerraNova's spring CCI event.
Sara Kozumplik and Rubens D'ysieux. Photo by Al Green Photo
As the last rider to go in the CCI4*-S, Sara Kozumplik (USA) and her longtime partner Rubens D'ysieux (Balougran x Orenda D'ysieux), a 17-year-old Selle Francais gelding owned by Kim Small, rode an exuberant test and scored a 31.7, sneaking them into second between Bellissimo's two horses. Earlier this year, Kozumplik announced she was retiring "Rubens" from running five-stars. "So I've decided to sort of change track and do four-star shorts and some show jumping. He finds it very easy. Not the massive stuff, but you know, big enough for me. He had a great test here last year and I was like, 'Oh, this is going to be fun and he's going to be totally relaxed here.' And it was completely opposite," she chuckled. "So you know, every day with that horse is a gift."
Kozumplik is quite familiar with TerraNova, as she has worked behind the scenes with the Herrigs and Ketlboeters. "They are [some] of the very few people I've worked with [that] when they say they're going do something, they do it and the proof is in the pudding because here it is. It's funny because all the officials, riders and owners that have come back this year have all said, 'It's so much bigger and so much better. And it's amazing. We can't believe it,'" Kozumplik said. "I think Hannah said it perfectly. The goal is to make everyone feel included. We want everyone from the lowest level of competitor straight to the four and five-star riders. The owners, the grooms, the spectators, the kids, the charities- all this is meant to be an inclusive community venue. I believe they've achieved that."
Kozumplik is looking forward to galloping around the cross-country course. "It's going to ride beautifully. It really flowed and was lovely last year. I think Mark [Capt. Mark Phillips] did a super job last year as well. They've changed a few things this year and I think that it is going to ride equally beautifully. The jumps are stunning. The ground is perfect," she said.
Lucienne Bellissimo and Tremanton. Photo by Eq Media
Two-time British Olympian Leslie Law leads the way into day two of the CCI3*-S. As the second rider down centerline (with a Madonna song playing) in the 21-horse division, Law and Castle Howard Romeo (Womanizer x Creagh Diamond Cavalier), a 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse, were the only pair to receive a sub-thirty score of 29.8. Castle Howard Romeo was the winner of the Intermediate at TerraNova's inaugural event last year with Law's wife, Lesley Grant-Law. Law credits his wife with instilling solid groundwork on the gelding before he took over the ride in July. The pair quickly established a solid relationship, won a preliminary and an intermediate this summer, and came in fourth in the Stable View Oktoberfest CCI3*-S in September.
Law's gelding handled the atmosphere around the dressage ring remarkably well. "It gets him sharp and ready to perform. It sort of lifts him a little bit. You know, some people crumble under the pressure and then other people rise. And I think he's definitely one of those that rises to the occasion, so it was good for him," Law said.
"It looks like a pretty nice, straightforward course. The footing feels fantastic," Law said. "Our horses work hard for us, and we want to run on good footing, to keep them healthy and sound."
Leslie Law and Castle Howard Romeo. Photo by Al Green Photo
Bethany Hutchins-Kristen (USA) and her own Dutch Warmblood stallion Geluk HVF (Jazz x Bronte HVF) sit in second in the CCI3*-S on a dressage score of 30.7. "I'm very pleased with my stallion, Geluk HVF. He is a very consistent horse and always tries very hard. And he proved that today. I'm looking forward to the rest of the weekend with him," Hutchins-Kristen said.
The FEI levels of CCI1*-S, CCI2*-S, CCI3*-S and CCI4*-S, as well as Preliminary and Intermediate, will jump around William Robertson's show jumping track on day two, Saturday, Oct. 22, at The Event at TerraNova and will run cross-country on Sunday. Starter, Beginner Novice, Novice and Training will tackle cross country tomorrow and show jumping Sunday.
Bethany Hutchins-Kristen and Geluk HVF. Photo by Al Green Photo
Lucienne Bellissimo leads CCI4*-S after dressage.
Watch the CCI4*-S Cross-Country Course Preview with Capt. Mark Phillips
Leaders After Dressage:
Intro: Gabrielle Ruane- Fine Bliss
Beginner Novice Rider: Susan Cerbone- Seattle Sangaree
Open Beginner Novice: Krista Wilson- Stella
Novice Rider: Cynthia Cole- Sir Galahad
Open Novice: Benjamin Noonan- Kay-O
Training Rider: Amy Etheridge- Royal Lufthanzer
Open Training: Jonathan Holling- Zavallo
Open Preliminary: Autumn Schweiss- Bamford CF
Open Intermediate: Georgia Dillard- Galileo WP
CCI1*-S: Leslie Law- Fernhill Lottery
CCI2*-S: Benjamin Noonan- Street Fighter
All photos by Al Green Photo
