Wellington, FL – February 3, 2013 – The Wellington Dressage CDI-W presented by The Dutta Corp. at the 2013 Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) drew to a close today. The featured class was the FEI Intermediaire Freestyle. First place in the $6,000 FEI Intermediaire Freestyle went to Sonia Zugel (IRL) riding her mount Ungaro (Weltmeyer II x Wendekreis). The pair was successful in yesterday’s $5,000 FEI Intermediaire I and Friday’s $3,000 FEI Prix St. George.
Today’s judges were Wojek Markowski (POL) at H, Jennie Loriston-Clarke (GBR) at C, and Anne Gribbons (USA) at B. Zugel received a score of 63.125% at H, a 68.750% at C, a 66.625% at B, for a total of 66.167% and her third victory of the week.
Zugel grew up in Ireland and moved with her family to California when she was 18. Based now in Holmdel, NJ, and Wellington, FL, she trains with Vera Barisone (wife of Michael Barisone). In talking about the 16-year-old bay BWP gelding, Zugel said, “We’ve been together for five years and he has brought me from the Third Level up to this so I’m real proud of him. His strengths are his changes and we are getting better at half passing. I’m learning to ride him better.”
Surprisingly, Zugel had only choreographed the routine last week. She admitted, “My timing was a little off. I went through it only once. But I really like the music and the pattern. I think it really works for him. I just have to fine tune it a little bit. I was really happy with it. It was a lot of fun.”
Zugel began foxhunting with her family then continued onto eventing, steeplechasing and show jumping. When she decided she was no longer interested in jumping, she decided to try dressage. “I loved dressage from having to perform it in eventing, so I decided to give it a try. I love it. It’s now become a family affair as my daughter has begun lessons,” she remarked.
With winning all the classes she has entered this week, she was overjoyed. “I am amazed! I’m really happy. I have a big team behind me. I’ve worked hard, but I have extremely knowledgeable vets, massage therapists, everyone.”
This is Zugel’s second year competing at the AGDF. “This facility is awesome,” she noted. “To me, there isn’t a better facility in the world. I showed here last year and got a few CDI ribbons. It’s tough because he’s a littler horse compared to the fancier horses. But he tries his little heart out, so I can’t ask for anything more.”
Looking towards the future, Zugel wants to continue with the Small Tour. “Hopefully, I’ll find a Grand Prix horse and move up sometime. Because I’m an Amateur rider, it’s difficult to find that nice, fancy, and safe horse. I have some other horses that are coming along so we’ll see what happens,” Zugel reflected.
Today also saw the presentation of the Young Horse award, which went to Anna Marek riding Dilona (by Lord Leatherdale). The horse and rider combination were also the Overall High National scorers with a 82.000%.
The AGDF has concluded its first successful CDI competition and looks forward to hosting the Dressage National 2 Show on February 5-6, 2013, and then the Florida Dressage Classic, CDI-W, presented by The US P.R.E. Association on February 14-17, 2013. For full results and more information, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.
Jessica Parlon for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
About the Adequan Global Dressage Festival:
The Adequan Global Dressage Festival (GDF) is one of the world’s largest international and national dressage circuits featuring five CDIs, including a 5*, the first non-championship CDIO Nations’ Cup in the Western Hemisphere, and nine U.S. national events. The Adequan GDF is offering more than $275,000 in prize money for the five international competitions making it one of the richest circuits in the world. In addition to the CDIs with national competitions, the Adequan GDF will feature six separate national shows to be held at the Stadium section of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) show grounds. The Adequan GDF encompasses almost 60 acres of the former Palm Beach Polo Grounds. The facility includes the Van Kampen covered arena (made possible by Kimberly and Frederic Boyer and family) and four outdoor arenas with world class footing, 200 permanent stalls, and a VIP seating area for the International Arena fully catered for relaxing and having an enjoyable experience.
First Founding Sponsors: Matt Varney, Chris and Rob Desino, Wellington Equestrian Realty; Janet and William Richardson Pearson, Chesapeake Dressage Institute of Annapolis, MD; Devon and Terri Kane, Diamante Farm; Joe and Gaye Scarpa, Magnolia Farm; Tuny Page and Family, Stillpoint Farm; and Kimberly and Frederic Boyer, United States P.R.E. Association
Founding Sponsors: Ashley Holzer and Diane Fellows, Today’s Equestrian; Bethany Peslar, Everglades Dressage; Betsy Juliano, Havensafe Farm; Carol and Rebecca Cohen, Two Swans Farm LLC; Janne Rumbough, MTICA Farm; Mike & Roz Collins; Suhail and PJ Rizvi, Peacock Ridge; and Tim and Susie Dutta, The Dutta Corp.
Corporate Sponsors: Brown Distributing, Champion Equine Insurance, Charles Owen, Chronicle of the Horse, Custom Saddlery, Der Dau, Dever Golf Carts, Equestrian Services International (ESI), Elite Equestrian Magazine, European Dressage Connection, Gold Coast Feed & Supply, Horse Of Course, Horseware Ireland, Interagro Lusitanos, Moet Hennessy USA, Nespresso USA, Paddock Cakes, Palm Beach Equine Clinic, Pennfield, Piaffe Performance, Premier Equestrian, Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach, Rolex, Sanctuary at PBIEC, Show Chic, Sidelines Magazine, World Equestrian Brands
Please visit
www.globaldressagefestival.com
www.equestriansport.com
or call 561-793-5867 for more information.
Adequan Global Dressage Festival is located at
13500 South Shore Blvd, Wellington, Florida 33414
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