Susan Dutta and Kevin Kohmann Triumph at TerraNova Dressage II CDI3*/CDI-W
Susan Dutta and Don Design DC Photo by EQ Media
MYAKKA CITY, Fla. – Oct. 20, 2023 – Susan Dutta (USA) and her own Don Design DC, a 2010 Hanoverian gelding (Der Designer-Servantine, Sir Donnerhall) known around the barn as Oscar, captured the CDI3* Grand Prix on Friday at the TerraNova Dressage II CDI3*/CDI-W with a 69.543%. After a busy summer competing in Europe under the tutelage of her German trainer, Frederic Wandres, Dutta believes her hard work paid off. She will continue training with Wandres when he returns to Wellington for the dressage winter show season.
It's her first time to compete at TerraNova, and she enthusiastically intends to return. “It’s fabulous,” she said, adding that she was wowed the first time they drove through the gates. She was particularly impressed with the footing. “For me, the footing is important. You [have good footing] from the stabling to the show ring to the warmup ring. We were on beautiful tracks where they were taken care of constantly. [The show has] been beautifully run. People are so kind.”
She also mentioned that the drive from Wellington took only three hours. “It's an easy drive,” she continued. “I mean, it doesn't get nicer. I'm very excited to be here. I hope it keeps going on, and I hope we can build the show. I would love to thank the owners of this beautiful facility for putting the show on. I really appreciate it.”
Dutta and Oscar will advance to the Grand Prix Special on Saturday.
Kevin Kohmann and Düenensee Photo by EQ Media
Kevin Kohmann Tops Results in the FEI World Cup Grand Prix
Kevin Kohmann (USA) and Diamante Farms’ Düenensee, a 2009 Hanoverian gelding (Dancier-Doublette W, Davignon 3) they call Denzel, earned their personal best with a 70.478% in the FEI World Cup Grand Prix.
Kohmann also spent time in Europe over the summer and, coincidentally, it was in the same barn as Dutta, Kasselmann’s in Haagen, Germany. He trains with German trainer Cristoph Koschel. “My summer was awesome,” he said. “I was lucky enough to go to Europe and prepare for this. I was reserve rider for the Pan-American team, so I got to do the training camp. That was a great experience. And they went off to Chile, and I came here to this amazing facility.”
When asked if he would return to TerraNova for the April 2024 show, he scoffed. “Of course. What a question. Come on! Apparently there's a lot to do around here, like tour with elephants and it's really awesome, so we're already making plans for our next trip here.”
Kohmann and Denzel will compete in the FEI World Cup Freestyle on Saturday. It’s only the second time he has ridden the pattern, and he’s looking forward to the challenge. “We have now done a nice clean test a few times in a row, and now we're ready to start pushing, but I don't think I have to do it tomorrow,” he said. “I think the music is going do that enough. We have a lot of bang in the music, so I'm excited about that. He's a powerful horse. The music goes well. I put the entire music together from my favorite DJ.”
Mikala Münter and Skyfall Photo by EQ Media
A Special Freestyle Tribute
Mikala Münter rode her own Skyfall, a 2009 Oldenburg gelding (Zardin Firdod-Sound of Seduction, Calzone 3). She has had the ride on her gelding for about six years. “I’ve had him for a while,” she said. “I got him from my dad. It's a bit of an emotional story with this horse, and I love him dearly.” She will ride Skyfall in the World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle to the pattern and music she created for her father because he was a big Frank Sinatra lover. He passed away earlier this year. “So every time I ride that freestyle, it's a bit emotional, but it's going to be the first time I'm riding this freestyle with this horse.”
When asked about TerraNova Equestrian Center she was altogether enthusiastic. “We came in here, and the first thing I said was just, wow. I mean, it's so beautiful here,” she said. “It’s just an amazing facility. Everything is so perfectly laid out and people are friendly. The footing is absolutely perfect. The architecture and I mean, even the restrooms and the rider’s lounge. It’s in a beautiful building with the show office. You're done riding, it's nice. You can go in the air conditioning, there's a snack, coffee, water, whatever you want. So, it's just it's lovely to be here, and they really take care of you! You feel that you're welcome. They take care of the riders, and I really appreciate that.”
