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Laura Graves and Verdades Secure Third World Cup Qualifying Score

Laura Graves and Verdades © SusanStickle.com.

Wellington, FL – March 1, 2019 – The “Friday Night Stars” FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W presented by Havensafe Farm ended a day of top dressage competition with a sweep of the top three places by U.S. women at week 8 of the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF), which continues through Sunday, March 3.

Friday night also showcased the final round of the Palm Beach Derby presented by Havensafe Farm, and a nations parade for the riders in the Florida International Youth Dressage Championships.

Laura Graves (USA) and Verdades rode to a score of 84.535% to secure their third qualifying score for the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final and to win the freestyle. “I don’t count anything until it’s for certain,” said Graves. “Once I went down centerline, I thought, ‘OK, hopefully this is my ticket to Sweden.’”

Christoph Koschel Captures Win in Palm Beach Derby

Christoph Koschel (GER) defended his title and for the third time won the Palm Beach Derby presented by Havensafe Farm, picking up an $3,000 check as his portion of the $8,000 prize money on offer. Koschel rode Action Ace, a 14-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding by Ijsselmeer owned by Janice Murdoch, and the new pair earned a score of 72.316% in the final round of the Derby.

“It’s great to win the third time in a row,” said Koschel of his success. “It’s really challenging. I think that is what we all enjoy as professional riders, to get a horse that we don’t know and find in four to five minutes the right buttons. To get to know the horse a little bit and then try to ride a test.”

Karen Lipp (USA) also rode Action Ace in the final round and took second place with a score of 68.713%. Adrienne Lyle (USA) and Karen Pavicic (CRO) tied for third place after being “knocked out” by Koschel and Lipp in the initial round of competition. Lyle and Flash Dancer IM 1175, a 16-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Londonderry owned by Patricia Koschel, earned a score of 67.999%. Pavicic and Leuchtfeuer DE, a 14-year-old Swedish Warmblood stallion by Dion Romantica owned by Dressage Grand Ducal, earned a score of 67.705%.

For more information and a full list of results, visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

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