Double Helix Victories for Lyle at World Equestrian Center – Ocala December Dressage CDI-W Show
U.S. Olympians Adrienne Lyle and Helix added a second victory for the week to their tally as they led the way in the Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W, presented by MARS Equestrian™ on Friday, December 13, 2024, at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) during the December Dressage CDI-W presented by Hampton Green Farms. It was a solid win for the pair in their first competition back from the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and in only their second freestyle performance together.
The judging panel – which consisted of Maria Colliander (FIN), Juan Carlos Campos Escribano (ESP), Clive Halsell (GBR), William Warren (USA) and Cesar Torrente – awarded Helix and Lyle with a score of 77.610% with the high score of 78.875% coming from the judge at H.
“I was absolutely thrilled with him,” said Lyle of the 12-year-old KWPN gelding by Apache x Jazz owned by Zen Elite Equestrian Center. “This is our first time riding a freestyle together that we created for him, and I thought the choreography flowed really well. He seemed to really be enjoying himself. He felt even more relaxed and focused than in the Grand Prix, and I’m just really excited for what that means for the future with this horse.”
Lyle’s freestyle was designed by Terri Gallo and featured the song “Stand By Me” to open and close the test as well as trot work, “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns ‘N’ Roses for the walk, and “Freedom” by George Michael for the canter tour.
“They’re kind of personal songs for me,” acknowledged Lyle. “’Stand By Me’ was one of my favorite songs growing up. We listened to the old tape on repeat all the time on my farm when I was a kid, so I’ve just always loved that song. I think it speaks a lot to the connection with the horses and kind of the whole journey with them.”
Another pair coming off a long break were Marek and Fire Fly, a 14-year-old KWPN gelding by Briar Junior (Anton) x OO Seven owned by Janet Simile, who hadn’t competed since CHIO Aachen in July. They placed third in Thursday’s Grand Prix and moved up to second place in the freestyle with a score of 75.565%.
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