Finessing the Finishing Touches Hands Denielle Gallagher CDI3* Grand Prix Victory at World Equestrian Center – Ocala
Canada’s Denielle Gallagher and Come Back De Massa were the unanimous winning choice for all five judges in the FEI Grand Prix for Freestyle CDI3* on Friday, February 14, at the World Equestrian Center (WEC) February Dressage show presented by Hampton Green Farms, at WEC – Ocala. The pair scored 68.326%, with a high of 70.217% from the judge at C, Thomas Lang.
Athletes from the United States filled the remaining two podium places. Eline Eckroth posted a new personal best of 65.609% on Connie Duff Wise’s 14-year-old Diamond Stud daughter Daphne for the runner-up spot. Another mare finished third: Caroline Stevenson rode Diane Morrison’s 17-year-old Dee Clair (by Sir Sinclair) to 65.196%.
Come Back De Massa is a 13-year-old Lusitano by Galopin De La Font that Gallagher co-owns with Ellen Lazarus. She has been riding him for almost three years since discovering him at Massa Stables in France when she was scouting for sales horses to import to the U.S.
“I sat on him and thought, ‘Oh my god!’ He was so comfortable, forward, soft and responsive,” said Gallagher of the buckskin gelding. “I was so in love with him, but I wasn’t there for me, and I knew I couldn’t afford him. Back home, when I told my family and Ellen that I’d felt this weird bond with him that I’ve never felt with any other horse, she offered to buy him for me.”
Gallagher flew to Europe to personally accompany Come Back De Massa on the plane to the U.S., and their partnership has grown stronger ever since. She has continued to be attuned to the small details of what “Come Back” needs to flourish.
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