SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA - The challenges of the Grand Prix Special Test ended up working to the advantage of David Blake and Ikaros as they earned an international victory on the second day of competition at California Dreaming Productions' Festival of the Horse CDI 3*/Y/J/U-25 at the picturesque Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park in San Juan Capistrano, Cal. 

After more than a year away from the competition ring due to a minor injury, Melanie Pai's bay Danish Warmblood gelding (Akinos x Fernande by Fernando) looked more than ready to return to the winner's circle with Blake, and their powerful, clean test garnered the top average of 68.843%. Blake laughingly admitted to feeling "a little guilty" for earning the narrow victory by one-tenth of a point over his friend and coach Guenter Seidel, who earned reserve honors with 68.725% aboard James and Charlotte Mashburn's KWPN gelding Zero Gravity (Royal Hit x Naica by Contango). "We took our time bringing Ikaros back, so together we had to get comfortable in the ring again," said Blake. "It really clicked today and he felt so confident. The Grand Prix Special is 'his' test: he has plenty of power, and that's really his strong suit because he can use it so well now, especially in the passage, the trot work, and those difficult transitions. It's great for him to be back." 

Next stop for the impressive pair is a Pas de Deux performance with Shannon Peters at next month's Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final in Las Vegas. "It will be great experience for both of us, and I'm really looking forward to it," Blake noted. "He's such a great horse with such a great character, and is pretty unflappable so I think he'll handle that electric atmosphere very well. Then we'll look forward to trying to get back to Europe for some shows. I think he's got a lot more in there, I just have to continue to learn how to help him do it." 

The afternoon's Intermediaire I Test also ended in a photo finish as the top three competitors scored over 70% and finished within less than three-tenths of a point of each other. Ultimately hanging on for the victory was Charlotte Jorst, who was all smiles as she accepted congratulations for the win aboard Kastel's Adventure (Special D x Sunette S by Mondriaan, owned by Kastel Denmark). Ending up an incredibly close second was yesterday's Prix St. Georges winner Guenter Seidel with his Westphalian gelding Rey del Mundo (Rock Forever x Fiona by Ferragamo) on 70.789%, followed immediately by Elizabeth Ball riding Cadence LLC's Dutch Warmblood gelding Avanti (Tuchinski x Fleur by Naturel) with 70.711% for third.

"I just went for it a little more today - I wanted to go for it and see if it would happen, and it did," said Jorst, who improved on her third-place finish in Thursday's Prix St. Georges test. "Today was outstanding. Adventure had a ball and seemed at the top of his game. He's such a steady Eddie, whatever I ask of him he just does it. He loves to show and be in the ring and have people watching him." Coming off of two recent wins at the small tour in Florida, the 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood stands out for Jorst as part of an incredibly talented string of horses that she currently competes. "I really feel like we've always had a special bond," she explained. "When I originally tried him several years ago he didn't seem like much, but we just have always had a connection. He loves all the things that I love. He's like a person - I'd be married to him if he was a person and if I wasn't already married!"

Like Blake, Jorst is also looking to return to Europe this year. "Adventure will go with me and we'll show in the small tour there," she noted. "I'm so excited about that because his breeder (Dhr. Naber in Holland) still keeps up with how he's doing, and they are looking forward to coming to see him compete. They're so proud of him and love him just as much as I do."

See complete competition results here.   

As Alicia Keys' popular song "Girl on Fire" rang out over the Olympic Arena for the victory lap of the CDI Young Rider and Junior awards ceremonies, the song seemed especially appropriate as both winners, veteran Young Rider competitor Catherine Chamberlain and FEI Junior newcomer Veronica West, remained undefeated in their divisions. Three-time NAJYRC gold medalist Chamberlain once again was successful with Avesto Van Weltevreden (Dutch Warmblood gelding [Gribaldi x Tevesta by Krack C] owned by Kimberly Pribble), earning 66.842% in the Young Rider Individual Test to edge out her Region 7 team mate Cassidy Gallman and her Hanoverian gelding Grand Makana (by Goodman) with 66.553%. In the Junior Individual Test, Veronica West accepted congratulations from FEI judge Brenda Minor (4* CAN) as well as USEF Youth Coach George Williams for her winning performance with her own black Hanoverian gelding Nobleman (Hatiello XX x Weira by Wenzel II) on a score of 67.763%.

See complete competition results here.  

Complete results and video archives are available on the California Dreaming Productions website, http://www.californiadreamingproductions.com. The final day of competition at the Festival of the Horse resumes Sunday.