Edited Press Release
Cathleen Driscoll (USA) pulled off her third FEI win in one week’s time in Thursday’s $37,000 Limitless Performance CSI2* Speed Classic. Of 35 starting entries, Driscoll topped an international field aboard Don Stewart’s Flotylla, her third winning mount of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF), presented by CaptiveOne Advisors.
“I’m just ecstatic,” the 29-year-old from Elk Mills, MD, remarked. “I have such a great group of horses right now. I’ve had three wins on three different horses in the last three classes. It’s just unbelievable. I’m so lucky to have this string of horses.”
Early in the order, Olivia Chowdry (USA) set a quick time of 62.81 seconds aboard Chuck Berry 8, owned by Atlas Equine Holdings LLC. She was then outdone by Sydney Shulman Desiderio (ISR) and Jill Shulman’s Classic Penny, who raced to a time of 60.89 seconds. Driscoll shaved two tenths of a second off of the leading time to bring the Twydil Time to Beat down to 60.70 seconds and hold the lead until the close of the class. Shulman Desiderio claimed second place while Chowdry took third.
“I saw Sydney go, and she was really on it,” Driscoll commented. “I knew I had to do the same plan as her. I thought I could do a slightly better turn from [fence] three to four; I think that’s where I was able to catch her a bit. After that I tried to stay on the numbers everywhere. Every turn just came up forward out of stride exactly how I wanted it to go. My mare was just with me everywhere.”
After claiming both the welcome with Magnolia and grand prix on Dame De Pique during GLEF II, Driscoll is on quite a roll in international competition. After taking over the ride on Flotylla at the end of 2021, she has developed the mare up to the CSI3* level and is breaking into the top ribbons at international levels.
“She’s an unbelievable mare,” Driscoll commented on the Polish Sport Horse (Alvaro 121 x Bajou Du Rouet). “She’s really careful and very fast. She’s a fighter for sure. I prefer horses like that. I want one that is going to go in the ring and fight as hard as I do. I have such a good feeling going in the ring knowing she’s always a contender.”
Consistency in the ring is the result of a strong program at home, and Driscoll can feel confident she is doing right by her horses. “When we’re at home we try to give them a lot of downtime between shows,” she remarked on her program. “I love to take my horses out and gallop them a lot, and we take them on trail rides; I try to keep them happy and fresh. When they come to the shows they’re happy and excited to do their jobs, so they perform well in the ring.”
Final Results: $37,000 Limitless Performance CSI2* Speed Classic
1. FLOTYLLA: 2011 PZHK mare by Alvaro 121 x Bajou Du Rouet
CATHLEEN DRISCOLL (USA), Donald Stewart: 0/60.70
2. CLASSIC PENNY: 2012 NWB mare by Clapton
SYDNEY SHULMAN DESIDERIO (ISR), Jill Shulman: 0/60.89
3. CHUCK BERRY 8: 2007 HANN gelding by Chacco Blue x Watzmann
OLIVIA CHOWDRY (USA), Atlas Equine Holdings LLC: 0/62.81
4. MAESTRO VICA V/D ARK: 2012 BWP stallion by Lordanos x Heartbreaker
NATALIE DEAN (USA), Marigold Sporthorses LLC: 0/63.40
5. BALOTELLI 5: 2010 HANN gelding by Balou Du Rouet x Contendro I
MATTHEW BODDY (GBR), Purple Road LLC: 64.78
6. CON CALLE: 2009 Holst gelding by Contendro II x Cassini II
MAVIS SPENCER (USA), Georgy Maskrey-Segesman: 0/65.93
7. ISAAC 22: 2008 BWP gelding by Nonstop x Darco
VICTORIA KETCHUM (USA), Copperline Farm LLC: 0/68.26
8. EXCELLENT: 2009 KWPN gelding by Cicero Z Van Paemel x Ahorn
ZAYNA RIZVI (USA), Peacock Ridge LLC: 0/69.34
9. CAMINA K: 2011 BRAND mare by Clarimo x Askari 173
KARIME PEREZ NUÑEZ (MEX), Karime Perez Nuñez: 0/69.54
10. MA POMME DE TAMERVILLE: 2012 BWP mare by Deauville Van T&L x Contendro II
ANNA WILKS (GBR), IN Showjumpers: 0/69.70
11. CARISSIMO 25: 2013 HOLST gelding by Cascadello x Clinton
MAVIS SPENCER (USA), Georgy Maskrey-Segesman: 0/71.44
12. EXTASY: 2012 HOLST mare by Quadros x Clearway
VICTORIA KETCHUM (USA), Copperline Farm LLC: 0/73.69
