The Grand Prix Special at the World Dressage Masters in Palm Beach stayed on home soil this afternoon, with top spot going to Leslie Morse and Tip Top, by Kyra Kurkland’s Master. Leslie – who won the Special at the WDM at Hickstead in 2009 – was third to go and lying in fifth coming into the Special but her score of 65.708% was enough for her to take the class and the $10,000 first place prize money.

The test was not mistake free, however: “Everything was going really good, but then the walk came and I was veering between the two markers trying to remember which way to zig and zag,” she explained. “So I got it wrong and I went back. Then he got ahead of me in the extended and put in a change too early, and in the one times he started them early – which was very generous – and we had those little mistakes because I had to catch up with him.”

Despite the mistakes which saw her score drop considerably, the sixteen year old stallion looked in fine form. “Today I showed a lot of power and a lot more elasticity and really went for it on a big scale,” said Leslely. “I hadn’t competed for seven months and forgot what bits of him to show off, so today we worked on showing off what he can really do.”

When asked whether this would be Tip Top’s last year in International competition, Lesley replied: “Heck no! He’s getting better and better; we’re just getting the hang of it now.”

Ulla Salzgeber, who brought forward the highest score from Thursday’s grand prix had major problems getting into the arena. She was given a lead and managed to get her mare into the main arena but the horse was spinning and appeared upset. Ulla began the test but retired before the first halt. The horse was reportedly very unsettled in the warm up arena afterwards. Perhaps the big occasion got to her. “Ulla handled it beautifully but no one wants to see that happen to a fellow competitor and it was very upsetting,” said Leslie.

Second place went to Canadian Belinda Trussell and her ten year old horse Anton a score of 65.167%. “My horse is only young,” she explained. “This is only his second year at grand prix. I bought him from my trainer as a six year old after he had bucked his rider off in one of the five year old classes.”

“He is a horse with a lot of heart. He’s still got a lot of development to do in the grand prix and we have a little cleaning up to do but I’m really pleased how he handled it today because it was really windy and there were a lot of bangs.”

Third place also went to the States, in the form of Elisabeth Austin riding Oliver. The pair put in a nice performance despite breaking in the second extended trot and a bit of a wobble on the centre line which saw their score drop to 64.875%. The smart horse, with four white socks looked like one to watch for the future.

Tonight's Kur sees hot competition from across the globe - Steffen Peters (USA) is currently in the lead, with Anky and Isabell Werth breating down his neck.