Qualifier 8 Recap: When the Numbers Don’t Tell the Whole Story

As a sports writer, some of the best stories come when you’re wrong. They force you to ask: why? Was the data off? Was there an environmental factor we didn’t account for? Did we overlook something? Or—perhaps—is the reason our predictions were off the same reason sport is so thrilling to watch?

The human element.

People aren’t bound by their own performance metrics. They have good days and bad days. And sometimes, they do extraordinary things.

So, did we misjudge Felicitas Hendricks because our data was off? Did an impromptu Florida rain shower roll in at just the wrong time? Did a rogue plastic bag float into the arena at the worst possible moment? Perhaps, Hendricks just had a rare off day?

Or did Evelyn Eger simply perform?

I’m inclined to think it was the latter.

Hendricks’ test on Friday night was far from poor—a 75.130% is a score many riders would kill for. It just happens to be two percent below her average (77.491%). A small mistake in the final piaffe cost her a few marks, but it wasn’t a disaster. Horses, after all, aren’t machines any more than riders are. Hendricks smiled through the moment and finished unfazed.

“I was happy with a lot of things. He’s a very sensitive horse, which makes him great for a freestyle. But first I didn’t ask for enough, then I asked for too much, which caused a little explosion. So that was unfortunate, but again, he’s a sensitive boy and I love that about him. That makes him very special.” — Felicitas Hendricks

Rather than dwelling on a rider who didn’t quite match expectations, let’s talk about one who exceeded them.

Evelyn Eger has been a staple at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival this season, improving steadily across her appearances. She placed sixth with a 73.275% in early January, then climbed to fourth (75.340%) two weeks later. After another strong showing in early February (74.030%, fifth place), she broke through for her first win on Friday night with a 77.235%. The 28-year-old German rider is quickly making a name for herself in Wellington—and giving the Americans a run for their money in the U.S. Equestrian Open of Dressage standings.

“The mare came today in the warm-up and told me, ‘I want to win.’ She was so relaxed, already in the warm-up fighting for me. So yeah, I could enjoy the music, I could enjoy the audience, and yeah, it was a perfect feeling today.” — Evelyn Eger

For a brief moment, US rider Karen Lipp held the sole lead in the Series after her win in the smaller-field CDI3*. But by the end of the CDIO3* Nations Cup Freestyle, Eger and Hendricks vaulted back to the top of the leaderboard. Eger now holds first place with 60 points, Hendricks sits in second with 54, and Lipp holds third with 50.

Top 10 Placings on the Series Leaderboard after Qualifier 8:

See the full series standings, updated after each qualifier, here.

The competition stays on the East Coast for the next two weeks before heading back to Del Mar in March, giving the West Coast riders another shot at climbing the leaderboard. Next up: the Palm Beach Derby, one of Florida’s oldest and longest-running dressage competitions. 

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