Anna Buffini Wins CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle in Del Mar

On March 23, 2025, in Del Mar, California, Anna Buffini riding Fiontini secured victory in the CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle.

The competition featured a divided judging panel which placed her coach, Günter Seidel, on Equirelle in a close second position. After nearly nine months off from competition, Buffini and her 15-year-old Danish Warmblood mare achieved a score of 73.235%, with two judges ranking them first, two others placing them second, and one ranking them third. Earlier in the weekend, the pair also took top honors in the Grand Prix with a score of 69.000%.

Seidel, a three-time USA Olympian, rode the 16-year-old KWPN mare Equirelle to a score of 73.080%, securing two first-place rankings for their top scores of 75.175% and 74.200%. However, they placed third in the Grand Prix. Kristina Harrison-Antell, riding the 15-year-old KWPN gelding Finley, finished fourth with a score of 68.140% in the four-combination class after previously being the runner-up in the Grand Prix. Canada's Brittney Simpson finished third on the 14-year-old KWPN stallion Kartsevo Goldfinch with a score of 72.010%. In addition, Shannon Peters from San Diego won the CDI3* Grand Prix Special with a score of 67.723% on her 17-year-old KWPN gelding Disco Inferno.

Watch Anna & Fiontini's winning test below!