Adrienne Lyle and Belinda Trussell Clinch The Horse of Course High Score Awards During Final Weeks of Adequan® Global Dressage Festival
Wellington, FL (April 5, 2017) – Olympians Adrienne Lyle and Belinda Trussell finished the final weeks of the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival in style by winning The Horse of Course High Score Award. Returning sponsor, The Horse of Course, was thrilled to wrap up the 2017 season by rewarding each of the highest scoring riders for the last two weeks, Lyle and Trussell, with an embroidered Horse of Course cooler and a beautiful tri-colored ribbon for their winning performances down the centerline.
Marty and Beth Haist owners of premier Oklahoma-based tack shop, the Horse of Course, presented week 10’s The Horse of Course High Score Award to international dressage competitor Adrienne Lyle of Ketchum, Idaho, for her winning ride on Hanoverian Riccidoff (Riccione x Don Sarina) owned by title sponsor Betsy Juliano of Havensafe Farm.
Lyle pulled out all the stops when she entered at A aboard Riccidoff, posting a sizzling score of 77.237 percent in the FEI Intermediate I. In only her first season showing Riccidoff, Lyle demonstrated the continuity in performance that is so essential to long-term success. The highly accomplished rider, who is sponsored by Juliano and who represented the USA in the 2012 London Olympic Games, said, “This is my first year competing Riccidoff, and this is only his second show doing the Intermediate I. He was quite a good boy! Riccidoff is a really fun horse. He’s got a lot of power. He’s very little, but he moves big and can be a powerhouse when he gets going. He’s green with me in the show ring, so getting to watch his training and progress is fun.”
Canadian Olympian Belinda Trussell topped off a successful show season aboard the bay 11-year-old Hanoverian Carlucci (Contendro 1 x Christin), owned by Barbara Holden-Sinclair. The worthy pair was awarded The Horse of Course High Score Award for achieving the high score of Week 11 – 76.053 percent in the FEI Prix St. Georges.
Trussell, from Ontario, has trained numerous horses and riders to FEI level and represented Canada at the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympics, World Cup, World Equestrian Games, and Pan American Games. She commented on her partnership with Carlucci, saying, “I had him a long time ago as a five-year-old, but ended up going to Europe. Carlucci went off to one of our friends, and then we reconnected about a year ago. He is a kind horse with a huge heart. He does not have the word ‘no’ in his vocabulary; he doesn’t know that word, he only tries his best. He’s a very powerful-looking horse. I say he’s a mouse in a lion’s body! My job is to bring out his confidence, and by bringing out his confidence he has become a superstar. He’s just been amazing and a pleasure to ride. And I have to say that his owner is extraordinary, with every detail she thinks about and gives to him. There is no way I could have gotten that score without her.”
Holden-Sinclair, overjoyed with Carlucci’s progress, said, “I love this horse. As a matter of fact, this horse is a love story that started five years ago when Belinda was involved with his purchase. While he did take a detour while she was in Europe, she kept up on what was happening with his life. I remember that so clearly and was so grateful for it. For me, it’s been magical watching Belinda mold him into what he has become. It has been a journey of patience, perseverance, and tenacity. Every single part of the journey there has been loads of laughter. It’s been happy; magical. For the future, it’s one day at a time and just enjoying the journey.”
Trussell and Holden-Sinclair plan to next compete Carlucci in Tryon, North Carolina, and then compete in two more CDIs in Ontario, Canada later this summer. “We absolutely will be back to Wellington, Florida, next year, for sure,” said Holden-Sinclair.
The Horse of Course, known for having the best and latest in equestrian fashion, presents The Horse of Course High Score Award to top dressage riders at shows across the United States. The premier tack shop, based in Claremore, Oklahoma, offers top brands such as KEP Italia, Ronner, IAGO, Style Stock, Micklem, Dobert, LotusRomeo, EGO7, euro-star, Passier, Neue Schule, König, Grand Prix, and Pikeur, plus innovative new products, customized saddle fitting, and customized bit fitting. For more information on the company’s selection of quality tack, apparel, and other merchandise, visit the official Facebook, Instagram, and www.thehorseofcourse.com, or call 888-494-6773.
Photo 1: The Horse of Course CEO, Beth Haist awards Adrienne Lyle The Horse of Course High Score Award Week 10 of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. (Photo courtesy of JRPR – no photo credit necessary)
Photo 2: Belinda Trussell (left) and Barbara Holden-Sinclair (right) accept The Horse of Course High Score Award from Beth Haist (middle)
