Oct. 27, 2024
Kevin Kohmann and Dünensee moved closer to the second World Cup Final for the USA pair as the top North American in the Grand Prix Freestyle Sunday in the first ever qualifier in Mexico.
Kevin and the 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding were awarded 75.470% as runner-up to Spain’s Borja Carrascosa on Sir Hubert NRW on 78.135%. The result for Borja and points earned are carried back to the Western European League that would make him the highest ranking Spanish rider in this early stage of qualifiers.
The U.S. duo based in Wellington, Florida earned the maximum of 20 points to be added to 20 points collected for victory in the North American circuit’s opening competition in September.
The partnership of Kevin and Dünensee competed at the World Cup Final in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last April and are campaigning for their second championship appearance scheduled for Basel, Switzerland next April. With four more qualifiers scheduled for Florida, Kevin needs one more victory to attain the maximum of three scores to receive one of three spots reserved for North America in the starting lineup of 18 combinations at the Final.
Devon Kane on the 12-year-old Westfalen gelding Vamos, like Dünensee ridden by her husband and owned by her family’s Diamante Farms, placed third overall on 73.705% to earn 17 points. With 10 points earned last month, the result moves Devon into second place with 27 points in the North American standings. The international musical performance was the first for Devon and Vamos and only their fourth CDI start, including the two this weekend.
Canada’s Tanya Strasser-Shostak on Fidelis Tyme, 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding, scored 71.245% to collect 15 points that with eight already earned moves her into the third spot in North America.
The next World Cup qualifier in North America is scheduled for Thermal, California Nov. 14-17 and in Florida at Ocala World Equestrian center Dec. 11-15.
Results:
