Adrienne Lyle and Helix achieved a new high score of 80.6% to win the 5* Grand Prix Kur to Music at the CDI Wellington, with the event sponsored by Zen Elite Equestrian Center and featuring singer Taylor Dane. Ecuador’s Julio Mendoza Loor finished second with a score of 78.52% on Jewel’s Goldstrike, a horse he bought for $20 and took to the 2024 Paris Olympics. Anna Marek placed third with a score of 77.135% on Fayvel.
Lyle and Helix have been dominant in Wellington this winter, winning five out of six competitions virtually unopposed on the U.S. East Coast. Lyle has been focusing on Helix’s relaxation and finding a longer neck during tests, with the pair set to compete at the World Cup Final in Basel, Switzerland in April. Mendoza has been prepping Jewel’s Goldstrike by allowing him 24/7 turnout, leading to success in the 5* competition.
The event was part of the US Equestrian Open of dressage qualifiers, with Marek currently leading the rankings. Judge William Warren praised the riders for their harmony and rapport with their horses, while Lyle and others appreciated the electric and fun environment of the competition in Wellington. The event drew a large crowd and featured entertainment, making it a successful international competition.
