Megan Lane and Caravella Take Home Individual Gold in CDIO3* Nations Cup Grand Prix Freestyle

Wellington, Fla. – March 24, 2017 – The Canadians were on fire for the final week of the 2017 Adequan Global Dressage Festival winning the CDIO3* Nations Cup team competition, and Megan Lane continued their winning streak earning the individual gold medal in the CDIO3* Grand Prix Freestyle. Lane rode her longtime mount, Caravella, a 16-year-old KWPN mare Caravella, to the top of the podium with a score of 74.55 percent.

Nations Cup Grand Prix Freestyle

“I am thrilled!” Lane exclaimed. “The victory is still a little surreal — I’m at a loss for words. I was happy with the whole thing. You have to be on the top of your game when you’re competing against riders such as Shelly and Lisa. Thank you to everyone who makes this happen. Wellington really is my family and my home away from home, so thank you.”

Caravella stumbled into Lane’s life when she was least expecting when Lane was around 15-years-old working at her parent’s farm. The pair have had quite a successful career competing in an Olympic Games, World Cup and Pan American Games together.

Megan Lane and Caravella
Megan Lane and Caravella

Though the environment during the freestyle plagued a few riders’ horses with tension and spookiness, Lane believed the setting was a perfect energizer for Caravella.

“She comes alive at night under the lights,” Lane explained. “I’m lucky because I know her so well and she knows me so well, so that is a big asset. We are both getting better and better. It has been an amazing journey. She is an amazing horse and I am so lucky to have her. It was destiny the way we met — it really is a fairytale story. We are continuing to grow all the time and that is the most exciting part for me.”

Megan Lane and Caravella

“I hope this is the first [Nations Cup] win out of many for Canada,” Lane said regarding Canada’s success earning their very first Nations Cup team gold medal. “I hope this starts the momentum for years to come.”

Shelly Francis and Doktor, a 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding, claimed the silver medal scoring a 74.075 percent. Francis was pleased with the improved relaxation and consistency that Doktor displayed in comparison to recent weeks.

Shelly Francis and Doktor
Shelly Francis and Doktor

“I think compared to last week, I had him a hair more under control and rode to my music a little quieter,” she explained. “He felt really honest and tried super hard so I was very happy with him. He’s a good boy.

“He was a little bit calmer tonight,” Francis continued. “He felt much easier to maneuver around, so it was really a lot of fun.”

Lisa Wilcox rode Galant, an 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, to a bronze medal with a score of 73.175 percent. Wilcox was glad to be a part of the team experience for the 2017 Nations Cup in Wellington.

“It was an absolute honor to be a part of the team for Nations Cup,” Wilcox said. “I think last time I came out and did the freestyle we had a bit more energy — he was not quite as brilliant as he was in the last freestyle, but very rideable. Just needed a tick of the sparkle we had the first time we did the freestyle.”

Lisa Wilcox and Galant
Lisa Wilcox and Galant

As owner of the Nations Cup presenting sponsor Stillpoint Farm, Tuny Page expressed her excitement to be able to support this competition in the last week of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival.

“It was a great, great competition,” Page said. “I think everyone is in agreement that without great competition, you don’t ride your best. This sport has been pushed a little bit and that’s a great thing — It means a lot to Stillpoint Farm to be sponsoring this.”

Megan Lane won the individual gold medal 

Results: CDIO3* Grand Prix Freestyle
Rider/Country/Horse/Total Score
1. Megan Lane/CAN/Caravella/74.55
2. Shelly Francis/USA/Doktor/74.075
3. Lisa Wilcox/USA/Galant/73.175
4. Jill Irving/CAN/Degas 12/72.875
5. Juan Matute Jr./ESP/Quantico Ymas/70.675
6. Kelly Layne/AUS/Von Primaire/69.075
7. Olivia LaGoy-Weltz/USA/Lonoir/68.875

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