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Jessica Jo Tate and Faberge Shine under Lights in Week 8 of AGDF

Jessica Jo Tate (USA) and Faberge. ©️Susan Stickle.

Wellington, FL – February 28, 2020 – The evening’s showcase class, the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI4*, presented by Havensafe Farm, saved the best for last. Jessica Jo Tate (USA) piloted Elizabeth Guarisco’s 17-year-old gelding Faberge to their first ever Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) victory in week eight of the 12-week winter spectacular held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, Florida. Tate has been riding the son of Florestan I for 11 years and has had her eye on winning a cooler from AGDF for much of that time.

Dongseon Kim (KOR) finished second on Belstaff, with the in-form Japanese Olympian Kiichi Harada once again gracing the podium, this time filling third on Egistar with 70.745%.

Tate, who splits her time between South Carolina and Wellington, said: “I’m so proud and really pleased with my horse. We haven’t shown since Devon [in September], so we’ve been doing a lot of fitness with him. He really was so with me tonight and had a lot of energy. He loves the crowd, so that’s always fun to bring a horse like that here. I’ve always wanted to win a cooler at Global, so this was amazing that I got to put one on for the four-star freestyle. It was really a special evening and for sure a highlight of my career so far. We’re just totally thrilled.”

Watch Jessica Jo Tate’s winning test here. Courtesy of Richard’s Equine Video.

Tate, who rode to music made by Marlene Whitaker, added: “Faberge is like a Labrador Retriever. He is the most friendly, kind-hearted, wonderful horse. We always need to work on our energy, so riding at night in the cool weather like this helps us. He just has the most wonderful workman-like character, and he really tries his heart out for me.”

Betsy Juliano of the class sponsor Havensafe Farm said: “We’re privileged in this place and in this venue to see horses progress year after year after year. JJ is an example of that, with this horse – I’ve seen her compete this horse year after year, and tonight here we are. I’m thrilled!”

For more information and results, visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

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