Reed Kessler of the USA made a big impact on Thursday at the Stuttgart German Masters CSI5*, riding her London Olympic partner Cylana to the win in the €28,500 Prize of Walter Solar 1.50m.

Kessler is coming directly off a strong week at The Royal Horse Show CSI5* in Toronto, Canada. Cylana finished 2^nd on Sunday in the final grand prix of the prestigious Canadian indoor competition, and still had plenty in the tank when she landed back on the European continent early this week.

“She was a bit tired from all the traveling, but she bounced back incredibly well,” Kessler commented. “I kept everything light with her, which I can do because she knows the job so well.”

With a finishing time of 60.94 seconds in the single round class with a large starting order of 48, Kessler and Cylana, a 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Skippy x Darco), finished more than two seconds in front of the next best pair; Felix Haussman and Horse Gym’s Balzaci. Malin Baryard Johnsson of Sweden was 3^rd with her fabulous one-eyed stallion H&M Tornesch, and World Cup Champion Steve Guerdat of Switzerland placed 4^th aboard Kavalier.

For Kessler, being in such high company meant that she had to execute her plan flawlessly and take the right risks.

“My strategy was to make some good turns and to have a go without going too crazy,” she explained. “Luckily, I could take a shot on a few difficult turns because she is so brave and scopey.”

Kessler and Cylana’s nearly four year partnership continues to show its strength, and with a big Longines World Cup Qualifier coming up on Sunday, Kessler will undoubtedly proceed into the weekend with the same plan of light work ahead of the big tests.

The Stuttgart German Masters is a major date on the European indoor calendar. See the full list of international riders at this link, and check out the full results of the €28,500 Prize of Walter Solar here.

Source: Noelle Floyd