Judy Reynolds and Vancouver K scored 76.70% to win the Grand Prix Kür (Freestyle to Music) at the five-star show in Dortmund, Germany this evening.

Performing to her 1980s divas-themed freestyle to music programme, Reynolds produced a brilliantly choreographed floor plan.

She gained marks for the high degree of technical difficulty of her canter pirouette and piaffe/passage trot transitions.

A freestyle performance full of energy and expression clinched a first five-star win in Germany for the German-based Irish rider and the first prize of €9,000.

Germany’s German Hendrik Lochthowe (Meggle’s Boston) placed second on 73.575% with fellow German Beatrice Buchwald (Daily Pleasure)in third on 72.75%.

“Overall I am delighted” said Judy. “This is the first time we have almost had a clear round with the new Kür and Vancouver K is getting more confident performing it, which is important for him.  I plan to go to the final FEI World Cup qualifier in ‘s-Hertogenbosch next week before heading to the FEI World Cup dressage final in Omaha at the end of the month.”

The Irish Olympian is currently ranked 19th in the latest FEI world dressage rankings with Joe and Kathleen Reynolds’ 15-year-old Jazz gelding Vancouver K.

Yesterday Judy and Vancouver K were fourth in the Dortmund FEI Grand Prix on a score of 73.80%.

Jack Burns