Anna Marek and Fayvel Produce Grand Prix Win at World Equestrian Center February Dressage CDI3*
Ocala, FL – Competition for the World Equestrian Center (WEC) February Dressage CDI3* sponsored by Hampton Green Farm and Discover Dressage continued on Friday, February 16, 2024, at WEC – Ocala with a grand prix win for Anna Marek (USA) as well as repeat victories for Julio Mendoza Loor (ECU) and Quinn Iverson (USA). Hosting Fédération Equestre International (FEI) and USEF/USDF-rated classes, WEC February Dressage CDI3* continues through Sunday, February 18.
Marek and Fayvel, owned by Christina Davila, produced a score of 70.369% for the win in the Grand Prix for Special CDI3* with the judge’s panel consisting of Jane Weatherwax (USA), Thomas Kessler (GER), Sandra Hotz (USA), Omar Zayrik (MEX) and Knut Danzberg (GER). With 68.152%, Jessica Howington (USA) and Serenade MF, her own 11-year-old Hanoverian mare by Sir Donnerhall x Don Principe, placed second. Jodie Kelly-Baxley (USA) and Grayton Beach, her 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Negro x UB 40, scored a personal best of 67.630% for third place.
Anna Marek and Fayvel topped the Grand Prix for Special CDI3*. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
While Marek has been riding Fayvel since 2020, they did not start competing together until September of 2023 when Davila was injured. Davila and Fayvel competed together at the amateur grand prix level consistently, and Davila wanted to see what Fayvel could do under the saddle of Marek. The pair was immediately successful and with first, second and third place finishes in Grand Prix Freestyle classes at World Cup qualifying shows, they have punched their ticket for the 2024 FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
With that qualification, Marek decided to compete in the Grand Prix Special this week in order to gain valuable Olympic qualification scores.
“Today I was really happy with having a clean ride,” said Marek. “There were a few things, just getting to know Fayvel in the ring and especially at this level, that we are trying to clean up and make a little bit better.”
Fayvel has exceeded expectations for Marek and her team and has shown improvement at each competition. “He is very energetic, and he’s quite easy to ride through the movements,” said Marek of the 14-year-old KWPN gelding by Zizi Top x Houston. “I don’t want to say riding through a clean test is easy because dressage is very hard, but he is the type of horse that doesn’t really have anything else in his mind other than doing what I want. He has no baggage.”
Marek and Fayvel will contest the Grand Prix Special CDI3* on Saturday.
Anna Marek and Fayvel in their winning presentation with judge Sandra Hotz and Jennifer Glass of World Equestrian Center. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
