Reed Kessler started out strong in her first appearance since 2014 at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida by winning Thursday’s $130,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup CSI5*, Round 5.

American rider and London Olympic veteran Kessler was thrilled with her top horse Cylana, who jumped in strong form over both rounds, beating out a 13-horse jumpoff over the Bob Ellis-designed track in a time of 38.031 seconds. Canada’s Elizabeth Gingras was 2^nd with Coup De Chance in 38.647 seconds, with fellow Canadian Yann Candele in 3^rd with First Choice 15.

Twenty-one year old Kessler, who is based in Guttecoven, The Netherlands, returned for a winter tour in Florida, and to the same arena where her international career jumpstarted four years ago, with a crystal clear objective in mind.

“It’s an Olympic year,” she said. “It’s my number one goal to try to make the team again, so the first step is to make the short list. I had a long talk with my chef d’equipe, and he suggested that for the selectors to see everybody it would be good for everybody to do a few weeks here.”

Kessler brought Cylana, her 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood (Skippy II x Darco), along with several other horses in her string. That Cylana is jumping in such top form is a testament to improved flatwork and some recent assistance from close friend, grand prix dressage rider Morgan Barbacon, Kessler explained.

“She started helping me at the end of the summer and that’s made the biggest difference in my riding. I think my flatwork is night and day. My horses are much better for it. They’ve all put on muscles in places that didn’t have muscle. I can easily leave out one maybe two strides in every jump off I do now because I have such a better connection with all of their turning.”

It was her confidence in taking a few sharp turns during the jumpoff that gave Kessler the edge that eventually won her the class. The five star track, which attracted a 55-horse starting list, was held under ideal, sunny conditions at midday, a far cry from the rocky weather of previous weeks. The Winter Equestrian Festival’s first CSI5* week is this week, and it showed in both the quality of entries, and a more reasonable number on the start list for today’s grand prix qualifier. Of the 55 entries, the top 45 qualified for Saturday evening’s grand prix.

Katie Dinan and Nouget du Vallet went first in the jumpoff, and while their clear moved them temporarily into the lead, that placing wouldn’t hold long. Seven pairs had a double clear day, with Margie Engle and Royce also taking a temporary hold on first place. She would finish in 5^th, with Ireland’s Cian O’Connor and the high flying Good Luck just ahead in 4^th place.

Along with all those who qualified on their strong performance of the day, Kessler now has her sights set on Saturday evening’s $380,000 Fidelity Investments CSI5* Grand Prix.

“I would love to win the Grand Prix with her,” Kessler added. “That’s why I’m here, to show her off. She’s in great form, in great condition and she’s jumping beautifully so as long as I ride her well, she’s going to be at the top.”

Source: Noelle Floyd