Jane ridden by Marcus Orlob to Wellington CDI3* Grand Prix Special Victory

Increasingly calmer Jane ridden by Marcus Orlob to victory in Wellington's Global Dressage Festival CDI3* Grand Prix Special on second highest score in almost two years at Big Tour.

Marcus and the 12-year-old mare were awarded 74.681%, the duo’s highest score in the United States and exceeded only by 75.340% in Kronberg, Germany in June 2024. The pair were selected for the U.S. team for the Paris Olympics later in the summer.

Piaffe-passage that dominate the Special received mostly marks of eights from all five judges

Katherine Bateson Chandler based in Wellington and Haute Couture scored 67.808% for runners up as they were in the Grand Prix.

Spain’s Pablo Gómez Molina on Servus Ymas placed third on 67.298%.

Marcus and owner Alice Tarjan have taken Jane to numerous different venues and farms to help the mare deal with nerves that have sometimes hampered her show performances.

Changing venues has been part of success, Marcus said, “but also patience. Overall I know her much better.

“I think it just takes time to give her experience because she hasn’t done a lot of international shows. And also she’s very green still at this level.”

With the U.S. in the midst of rebuilding top performance horses ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, he said the goal for Jane this year is the World Championships in Aachen, Germany in August. As the host nation of the Olympics, the U.S. receives a team start irrespective of results at qualifying championships.

Results:

CDI3* Grand Prix Special

Rank Competitor Score

1. Marcus Orlob (USA) Jane 74.681%

2. Katherine Bateson Chandler (USA) Haute Couture 67.808%

3. Pablo Gómez Molina (ESP) Servus Ymas 67.298%

4. Alexandra Duncan (CAN) Hitmaker 66.894%

5. Megan Shea (CAN) Sir Schiwago 66.149%

6. Michael Klimke (GER) Harmony’s Zomancier 65.362%

7. Sylvia Gugler (USA) Vulkano 14 64.319%

Photo: Marcus Orlob on Jane in Global Dressage Festival CDI3* Grand Prix Special