Ebeling and Bellena Blossom with Freestyle Win in WEC May Dressage CDI3* at World Equestrian Center – Ocala
In just their third freestyle performance, Benjamin Ebeling (USA) and Bellena, owned by Vantage Equestrian Group, set a new high score together of 76.190% for victory in the Grand Prix Freestyle CDI3* presented by The Fix Aesthetic Clinic. The class was a highlight of Saturday evening during the May Dressage CDI3* presented by Hampton Green Farm at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC).
Ebeling and Bellena debuted this freestyle at the April Dressage show at WEC – Ocala where Ebeling declared it his “best ride ever.” The music includes the songs “Femininomenon” by Chappell Roan, “Rich Girl” by Gwen Stefani, “Maneater” by Nelly Furtado, and “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran and Beyonce – which was their walk music that garnered them an 8.5 in extended walk from the judge at C – and was produced by Karen Robinson of Applause Dressage.
While that night in April still stands out in his mind, this freestyle will hold strong memories as well.
“I’d say that night in April was a special night,” recalled Ebeling. “I almost feel like it was a better ride than tonight, but I think the judges can see that we’re really working in harmony and gaining that extra added unity between horse and rider. I think they’re starting to see that, and I’m really positive and appreciative of that. That, for me, is the most important.”
Ebeling kept the same choreography and music as in April. “I hope I made it a little bit better,” he said of this winning ride. “Every time she goes out, she just gets a little bit more confident. Tonight, it was just almost mistake free, in my opinion. I had one or two little bobbles here and there in the extended trot, but usually that’s her highlight, so I can’t complain so much.”
With mistakes in Friday’s Grand Prix test in the two-tempis, Ebeling was happy to perform them cleanly in the freestyle. However, there was one part of the test that stood out to him.
“Her canter pirouette into piaffe pirouette, I don’t think I’ve ever felt anything like that,” he expressed. “She was just so off the ground behind, so with me, but at the same time, very calm and relaxed. It’s amazing when you feel that positive body tension between you and the horse, where you’re really working together to bring out the best in the sport. That was my favorite part.”
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