Tag Archives: Adequan Global Dressage Festival

Vilhelmson-Silfven and Divertimento Add Another FEI Grand Prix Special Win at AGDF 9

Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven and Divertimento. Photo copyright SusanJStickle.com.

Wellington, FL – March 7, 2015 – Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven (SWE) and Divertimento made easy work of the Week 9 FEI Grand Prix Special CDI-W, presented by Everglades Dressage at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival, taking the win in yet another Grand Prix Special this season. The pair won the class scoring a 72.333%. Mikala Gundersen (DEN) took second place aboard My Lady receiving a 70.196% and Shelly Francis (USA) put in another solid performance with a 69.529% aboard Danilo.

Click to watch the winning test for Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven and Divertimento!
Video courtesy of Campfield Videos.

The weather was uncooperative for much of the afternoon, as several pairs were caught in a steady downpour during their tests in the Grand Prix Special. Vilhelmson-Silfven, who has been extremely consistent with Divertimento this season, is proud of the progress the pair has made at AGDF this season. “I think he has most certainly gotten better and better to ride each time. I was particularly happy with the Grand Prix on Thursday. It was the best feeling I have had,” she remarked.

“Tim”, who is generally very hot in the ring for Vilhelmson-Silfven, has continued to gain confidence, which has made it easier to ride each movement. “I’m really happy that even though he was a little bit on the edge today he let me ride everything without mistakes. But that’s just him; it wasn’t the weather, maybe a bit the atmosphere, but it’s getting better,” she noted.

Gundersen and My Lady are veterans on the circuit this season, having never placed lower than fifth in any of their classes at AGDF this year. The duo is well versed with their Grand Prix Freestyle routine, and the Grand Prix Special proved to be a new challenge for them today. “She’s so good with the freestyle and we probably should have spent more time going through the Special,” commented Gundersen. “She was very hot for me today and I think being under the lights revs her up for the Freestyle and today it was a different test, which proved to be more difficult for us.”

Olivia LaGoy-Weltz (USA) and Rassing’s Lonoir had another beautiful performance giving them two wins so far in the AGDF 9 Small Tour presented by Peacock Ridge. The duo continues to add solid scores to their resume as they work towards a run at the Pan American Games later this summer. The pair received a 72.711% in a very competitive class to take first with Kimberly Herslow (USA) and Rosmarin in second with a 71.553% and Tina Konyot (USA) and Wyoming in third with a 71.026% for yet another American sweep.

“Every day is about evaluating what type of horse you have. He really thrives in the hot weather, which is odd. It’s like he’s a Bikram horse. He finds his zen in the hotter weather,” joked LaGoy-Weltz when describing the routine she uses to determine the type of ride is appropriate for “Lono”. “I didn’t have him quite as boxed in today as I had him on Wednesday night and that’s the challenge. Every day he needs a different ride, and it’s my job to figure out how to accomplish that.”

Kimberly Herslow is coming off of an extremely strong outing at AGDF 7, where she swept the entire Small Tour. “We’re in the process of figuring out how to push for more and go for those scores but also keep it together,” commented Herslow. “You really have to ride each moment for what it is and stay in that groove and be able to create what you want.”

Competition at AGDF continues tomorrow with the special Derby class that will begin at 11 am in the International Ring followed by the FEI Intermediaire 1 Freestyle CDI-W, presented by Peacock Ridge. For more information on AGDF, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

About the Adequan Global Dressage Festival:

The Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) is one of the world’s largest international and national dressage circuits featuring 7 FEI Dressage events, including a 5* and the only FEI Nations’ Cup Series CDIO in the Western Hemisphere. The AGDF offers more than $650,000 in prize money for the seven international competitions, making it one of the richest circuits in the world. The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center 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.

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

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations

American Women Sweep Top Three at AGDF 9 FEI Grand Prix Freestyle

Laura Graves and Verdades. Photos copyright SusanJStickle.com.

Wellington, FL – March 6, 2015 — Three American women were victorious at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival’s (AGDF) Week 9 “Friday Night Stars” FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W, presented by Everglades Dressage. Laura Graves (USA) and Verdades scored an incredible 78.875% to take the win, followed by Lisa Wilcox (USA) and Pikko del Cerro HU in second with a 76.325%, and Shelly Francis (USA) and Doktor in third receiving a 75.950%.

CLICK to watch the winning freestyle for Laura and Verdades!
Video courtesy of Campfield Videos.

The Stadium at AGDF housed another sell-out crowd under the lights with Carla Jablonski, a mezzosoprano from The Metropolitan Opera and a graduate of The Julliard School, performing the national anthem accompanied by a string quartet from the Frost School of Music. Competition at AGDF will continue throughout the weekend with a number of classes including the highly anticipated Derby class, which will begin at 11 am on Sunday.

Laura Graves and Verdades are in their first competition back from their outstanding finish at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) and are making a statement with their performances so far this weekend. Graves, who previously stated that yesterday’s Grand Prix was a difficult test for the two, said she felt much more comfortable with her ride in the Freestyle. “He was a little nervous going in, but every time we get into that box he does not ever fail to impress me and nine times out of ten will behave himself,” she said. “I’m glad to be here and it’s been a really long time, if ever, that I’ve led a victory lap and I’m honored to have had two American women behind me.”

Wilcox and Pikko del Cerro HU have been tested in the past year with their partnership and tonight was a breakthrough moment for the duo. “I am thrilled. For us, he was so fantastic before the year he had off and you never know what you’re going to have bringing them back, but I feel like he is better and stronger than ever,” she explained. “We’re gaining strength from show to show and we can be a little inconsistent still, but overall I am just so happy with where he is going and what he’s becoming.”

Francis and Doktor have been one of the most consistent pairs on the circuit this season, rarely ever out of the top five in any of their classes. The trust between the two is clear as Doktor continues to improve with Francis’ guidance and builds upon his scores each week. “We had a few little bobbles and he was a little bit tenser in the warm-up than usual, but I have been so proud of him that we continue to put in consistent performances. He’s so workman-like throughout each and every test,” said Francis.

Bethany Peslar and Endel Ots of Everglades Dressage, sponsors of the Large Tour classes for Week 9, continue to find ways to grow the sport, especially through their sponsorship of AGDF. “We’re really committed to giving back to the sport and sponsoring an event like this is very exciting for us. We are looking forward to the rest of circuit and to next year,” said Ots.

Allyn Mann of Adequan®, title sponsor for the entire season of AGDF, was on hand to share his thoughts of the night. He expressed, “We have an unbelievable group of women here with us tonight, and I am so proud to see all of them find this success. I’m honored to be sitting here with them and that I am able to see their incredible talent and their wonderful horses. This group of people is really great, and I am lucky to be a part of this opportunity.”

Linda Zang, Judge at C tonight, was impressed with the quality of the tests and the progress the United States is making to strengthen the sport of dressage. “The judges really worked tonight. The riders are progressing and this program continues to make moves towards the top of the dressage world,” she stated. “As a judge, and I speak for the entire panel, we had to work hard. It wasn’t just sitting and giving scores. All of the riders are getting so keen on their points and we’re looking at consistent (scores of) 7, 8, and 9.”

Several awards were given throughout the night, highlighting the hard work of competitors from all divisions of the show, both National and International. The “Best Horse Owner for Overall Highest Percentage”, presented by Jill Irving, was given to Carla Bahr (also the breeder) and Cyrus for their scores at AGDF 5. Cyrus, a 2009 gelding (Contuci x Corthena, Cor Noir), and rider Tom Dvorak (CAN) had a high score of 78.182% in Level Three. Anne Sparks, owner of Gallant Reflections HU, was given the award for her horse’s performances at AGDF 7.

Olivia LaGoy-Weltz and Rassing's Lonoir
Olivia LaGoy-Weltz and Rassing’s Lonoir

Olivia LaGoy-Weltz received the “Winner of the Prix St. Georges Owner Award” also presented by Jill Irving. LaGoy-Weltz also took home the “Carol Lavell Award” presented by Carol Lavell and Dressage Foundation. Laura Graves was presented the “Best Horse Owner Award for the Grand Prix Freestyle” presented by Wellington Equestrian Realty, as well as the “Adequan® High Score Award” for the Grand Prix Freestyle.

A special presentation was made to present Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center with a check for $5,000, donated by Wellington Equestrian Realty on behalf of Janne Rumbough, who won the Best Owner Award for the Grand Prix Freestyle at AGDF 7 as owner of My Lady, ridden by Mikala Gundersen.

Olivia LaGoy-Weltz (USA) and Rassing’s Lonoir had a spectacular showing in the tremendously large FEI Prix St. Georges class of Week 9 presented by Peacock Ridge. The class, which boasted more than 50 entries, was competitive till the very end with five pairs scoring above a 71.000%. The duo scored an impressive 74.158% to take home the win.

LaGoy-Weltz and Rassing’s Lonoir have had a very strong season so far at AGDF and continue to improve upon their scores from earlier in the season. “Everything came together in this class. It was one of the first rides where I could really trust him. He occasionally can throw in some hot behavior, which is good; it just takes a while to get that under control and harness it together in the right way,” she remarked. “He was so on last night. His confidence has really grown, and it’s clear that he’s starting to feel more comfortable with himself.”

LaGoy-Weltz has been working on controlling the tremendous power of “Lono”, and they nailed it in their test, which speaks volumes to the amount of work LaGoy-Weltz has dedicated to ensuring he is brought up correctly. She explained, “We finally were able to put that power where we wanted it and he wasn’t trying to take over, but we kept it throughout the test, which has been our main goal.”

Competition will continue at AGDF 9 Palm Beach Dressage Derby tomorrow with both the FEI Intermediaire 1 CDI-W, presented by Peacock Ridge, and the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI-W, presented by Everglades Dressage, followed by highlight Derby class on Sunday morning and the FEI CDI-W Intermediaire 1 Freestyle. For more information on AGDF, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

About the Adequan Global Dressage Festival:

The Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) is one of the world’s largest international and national dressage circuits featuring 7 FEI Dressage events, including a 5* and the only FEI Nations’ Cup Series CDIO in the Western Hemisphere. The AGDF offers more than $650,000 in prize money for the seven international competitions, making it one of the richest circuits in the world. The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center 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.

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

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations

Adequan Global Dressage Festival to Host Unique Derby Class This Sunday

Wellington, FL – March 5, 2015 – The Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) is pleased to announce that they will host a unique derby competition on Sunday, March 8, at 11 am. The class is a special part of this week’s AGDF 9 Palm Beach Dressage Derby competition, which has a long and important history of dressage in Wellington.

“We are happy to host this class and believe in the tradition of the Palm Beach Derby,” said AGDF Sport Director Thomas Baur. “This will be a fun, new class for dressage fans and fans of equestrian sport to experience.”

The Palm Beach Dressage Derby as a competition started in 1984 at White Fences and was the only dressage event in Wellington at the time. It grew and became a CDI competition and moved to new show grounds in Equestrian Estates in 1999. “Every year we added and added, and it grew,” said Maryann McPhail of the Palm Beach Dressage Derby, who ran the competition with Evelyn O’Sullivan. The Palm Beach Dressage Derby was incorporated into AGDF in 2013.

The derby class will feature four top grand prix riders in a “North America vs. Europe” format. The riders include Lars Petersen (DEN) and Christoph Koschel (GER), and Karen Pavicic (CAN) and Adrienne Lyle (USA).

Held in a bracket format, the first two riders will perform the same Prix St. Georges test on one horse, while the second two riders will ride a second horse. The winners from those tests will go head to head in the final competition on a third horse.

Each rider will receive a five-minute familiarization period with the horses, as it will be the first time they have ridden these horses.

McPhail and O’Sullivan hosted a similar-style bracket derby class once before at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby, but in different format. “It is an improved format for here!” McPhail remarked.

AGDF welcomes everyone out to The Stadium at PBIEC on Sunday morning to watch this fun and engaging event. General admission and parking are free.

About the Adequan Global Dressage Festival:

The Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) is one of the world’s largest international and national dressage circuits featuring 7 FEI Dressage events, including a 5* and the only FEI Nations’ Cup Series CDIO in the Western Hemisphere. The AGDF offers more than $650,000 in prize money for the seven international competitions, making it one of the richest circuits in the world. The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center 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.

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

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations

Lars Petersen and Mariett Beat the Heat to Take Another Grand Prix Win at AGDF

Lars Petersen and Mariett. Photo copyright SusanJStickle.com.

Wellington, FL – March 5, 2015 – Lars Petersen (DEN) and the always-incredible Mariett topped another FEI Grand Prix in 2015, winning the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival Week 9 Palm Beach Dressage Derby FEI CDI-W Grand Prix presented by Everglades Dressage. The humid weather played a major role in the outcome of performances, as the temperature was well into the 80s by early morning. Petersen and Mariett topped the class with a 72.960%, followed by Laura Graves (USA) and Verdades in second with a 72.200%, and Shelly Francis (USA) and Doktor rounding out the top three receiving a 72.120%. The competitive class saw the top four riders all within one percentage point of each other. Tomorrow’s highlight class, the “Friday Night Stars” FEI Grand Prix Musical Freestyle, presented by Everglades Dressage, will begin at 7 pm.

Petersen and Mariett have had a stellar season so far as they aim toward the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Finals in Las Vegas this April. They continue to show their consistency as each competition week passes, clearly in their best form to date. “She did everything I asked, which was good. She was definitely more tired today than in the past which made this test different from our previous rides,” Petersen noted.

Watch the winning grand prix ride for Lars and Mariett. Click here!
Video courtesy of Campfield Videos.

The hot weather did impact the duo, as they were in the last five rides in the class, right in the heat of the afternoon, as was Laura Graves and Verdades. “Today it was very hot. I was happy with her because I warmed up for a little bit too long considering the heat, and I had to work for it a little bit today,” said Petersen.

Graves agreed with Petersen and commented that the humid afternoon impacted Verdades test as well. “We definitely felt very similar to what Lars was saying. We felt super tired, and it was not ideal conditions. We’re very used to going early in the morning when it’s a bit cooler,” she said.

Graves and Verdades are testing the competition waters for the first time this 2015 season after their impressive performance at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Caen, France this past August with Team USA. The duo, who placed fifth individually in the Grand Prix Freestyle at WEG, are looking forward to another successful year of competition, as they too aim for World Cup Finals in Las Vegas.

“He tried really hard for me today and we had a few rider errors, which is on me getting back into the swing of competing again, riding the whole test and finding the rhythm,” she remarked. “We’re going to do the World Cup qualifier next week and then we will see. There’s been some discussion about maybe coming out for Nations Cup, but that’s yet to be determined. Making it to World Cup Finals is a priority. We would love to go to Vegas and hopefully we’ll get there with scores tomorrow night in the Freestyle and next week.”

Both pairs will contest the “Friday Night Stars” FEI Grand Prix Freestyle tomorrow night, which will make for an extremely exciting class with a great atmosphere. Petersen continues to dominate the series with several wins, but Graves and Verdades have the scores to make for a very interesting night of competition under the lights.

AGDF competition will continue tomorrow with the completion of the large FEI Prix St. Georges class presented by Peacock Ridge and the highlight “Friday Night Stars” FEI Grand Prix Freestyle class presented by Everglades Dressage. For more information on AGDF, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

About the Adequan Global Dressage Festival:

The Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) is one of the world’s largest international and national dressage circuits featuring 7 FEI Dressage events, including a 5* and the only FEI Nations’ Cup Series CDIO in the Western Hemisphere. The AGDF offers more than $650,000 in prize money for the seven international competitions, making it one of the richest circuits in the world. The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center 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.

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

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations

Kimberly Herslow and Rosmarin Sweep FEI CDI1* at AGDF 7

Kimberly Herslow and Rosmarin. Photo copyright SusanJStickle.com.

Wellington, FL – February 22, 2015 – Kimberly Herslow (USA) and Rosmarin swept the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival Week 7 FEI CDI1* competition, presented by Mission Control, handily winning all three classes in the Small Tour. The pair won the FEI Intermediaire 1 Freestyle CDI1* today with a 75.525%. Ayden Uhlir (USA) aboard Sjapoer finished in second with a 71.350%, and Tina Irwin (CAN) and Fancy That placed third receiving a 71.100%. Competition will resume at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival, in two weeks, March 4, 2015, with AGDF 9/Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W 1*, presented by Everglades Dressage and Peacock Ridge.

Herslow and Rosmarin or “Reno” as he is known around the barn, had a spectacular week, ultimately championing the entire CDI1* with three wins. “I feel like we’re in a new place, and we’re getting consistent now. We used the last show to get back in the groove, and I feel like with this show we have made a good step in the training to get to where we need to be,” said Herslow.

The duo didn’t score below a 70.000% in any of the classes in the AGDF 7 Small Tour, receiving a 72.474% in the Prix St. Georges, a 73.789% in the Intermediaire 1, and an impressive 75.525% in the Intermediaire 1 Freestyle. Even with their incredibly consistent scores, Herslow still has a few movements she would like to fine-tune before the duo’s next outing at the AGDF 9.

“I would like to make his pirouettes have a bit more power, and I know they can. They’re certainly improving, and that’s something that comes with time. Now that we’ve tapped into the fifth gear it’s getting the strength to come along with that,” she explained. “That is something I know that I can work on, which will of course carry over some more expression in the changes too.”

“Reno”, a 2005 Hanoverian gelding, adds an incredible amount of power and suppleness to the movements and is a very quick learner, helping to progress their training to the next level in the past year. “His extended trot is really a highlight. He really lifts himself and uses his hind end, which is fun to ride. He understands his body and how to use it,” commented Herslow, when asked about a specific highlight in their tests. “He’s a big, long horse, and I really took my time to build that so he not only was correct, but felt confident too.”

Strength is always a key component in the success of an up-and-coming dressage star and Herslow has been very attentive to that, working on fitness and conditioning with “Reno” since arriving in Florida. “We have been tapping into over-drive now, which is where we have been trying to get to. It’s not hard for him, it just needs more time, but he’s already fitter than he was three weeks ago.”

Herslow bought “Reno” as a three-year-old in Germany and has been his only rider since, bringing him up through the levels herself. “He tries so hard for me, and we have an awesome trust in each other. He understands that trust, and I get 110% from him in the ring every single time. My brain has to be in right place and when I am, he’s right there with me,” she said.

The pair is familiar with the AGDF circuit, having trained in Wellington for the past few years. “We started at the Third and Fourth levels down here four years ago and have been building up since,” she explained. “It has always been about nailing down the basics because he is such a fast learner and tries so hard, and that is just what we will continue to do as we move up.”

Together for more than seven years now, Herslow feels the relationship the duo has built helps to bring out the very best in “Reno” when he enters the ring. “He’s such a willing horse, and he never says no to me. I’ve never had a horse that I’ve felt so connected too. He’s so special in a lot of ways. He gets that and appreciates it,” commented Herslow. “He’s an awesome horse, and he’s going to have a forever home with me.”

As for the future, the pair plans to contest AGDF 9, AGDF 12 CDIO3*, and then hopefully earn a spot on the U.S. team for the 2015 Pan American Games to be held in Toronto, Canada this summer. “He’ll stay Small Tour until after the Pan American Games, and then we will go from there,” Herslow pointed out. “We’ve been working on the Grand Prix so he’ll most likely move up after that, but he’s only coming 10 now. He’s young, and I want him to have him last as long as I can.”

The Adequan® Global Dressage Festival will continue March 4, 2015, with the highly anticipated AGDF 9 Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W 1* competition. For more information on AGDF, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

About the Adequan Global Dressage Festival:

The Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) is one of the world’s largest international and national dressage circuits featuring 7 FEI Dressage events, including a 5* and the only FEI Nations’ Cup Series CDIO in the Western Hemisphere. The AGDF offers more than $650,000 in prize money for the seven international competitions, making it one of the richest circuits in the world. The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center 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.

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

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations

Trussell and Anton Top AGDF 7 FEI Grand Prix Special CDI4*

Belinda Trussell and Anton. Photo copyright SusanJStickle.com.

Griffith and Rubin Al Assad Win FEI Grand Prix Special CDI3*

Wellington, FL – February 21, 2015 – Belinda Trussell (CAN) and Anton smiled their way through the awards ceremony for the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI 4* presentation sponsored by The Dutta Corporation at Week 7 of the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival. Trussell and Anton topped the competitive class on a 71.490% with Shelly Francis (USA) and Doktor following in second receiving a 70.667%, and Megan Lane (CAN) and Caravella placing third with a 70.608%. AGDF 7 competition will continue tomorrow, highlighting the FEI Intermediaire 1 Freestyle CDI1* presented by Mission Control.

CLICK HERE to watch the winning test for Belinda and Anton!
Video courtesy of Campfield Videos.

Trussell and Anton finished third in the Grand Prix CDI4* and accumulated another top three finish this week today with the win. Trussell was beaming during the press conference and could not say enough great things about Anton’s performance. “This week he felt great. I feel like he’s in the best shape of his life; he just is fantastic. The training has been going very well and he just kind of clocks through everything. He’s a professional now.”

The pair’s relationship is evident in their string of consistent performances so far this year at the 2015 season of AGDF. “I honestly think he was better than me in the Grand Prix on Thursday. Today he was just spot on it felt like a really great Special and I’m excited for how he felt, to have him, and to be able to show him,” said Trussell.

Trussell has not only seen vast improvements in Anton’s physical fitness but also in his mental capabilities too. “As a younger horse he was so hot and I find that at this stage in his life, he’s much more relaxed and I can really ride to his potential now, where before I felt sometimes I had to ride below it because I didn’t want to scare him,” she explained. “I feel like we’re at a point where he’s letting me in and the overall picture is starting to come together.”

Doktor, who performed his usual workman-like test, was a bit perkier today according to Francis, which allowed her to ask more of him during the test. “He was really good. We had a big spook after the extended canter and I thought it would hurt the pirouette afterwards, but he just went right back to work. I had a lot of horse behind me throughout the whole test. We sometimes have trouble holding the extended trot, but it’s getting a lot better and it was better in this test.”

The tumultuous weather in South Florida this week was a factor for many riders but Francis felt that Doktor handled it well and that it only brought out the energized side of the gelding she handles on a daily basis. “As long as I keep him in front of my leg and I can keep him where I want him,” she explained. “He can get tense, but today he felt so nice.”

Megan Lane and Caravella had a lovely return back to competition since their World Equestrian Games (WEG) performance last summer. “The piaffe and passage tour along with the one-tempis are her highlight, especially in comparison to the world stage. She definitely has something there, and it’s really exciting to have a horse like that,” said Lane. “I’m so lucky and so honored to ride her. I’m really happy with the scores too. To debut with a score above 70% here after WEG is something I was really happy with as well.”

Lane re-evaluated the pair’s performances after last season to pinpoint exactly where she wanted to put focus coming into the 2015 season. “Her piaffe was very hit or miss sometimes and she either feels very comfortable or the opposite, and we spent a lot of time working on that. We’re trying to get her to relax in the movement more, which we are seeing a big difference in,” explained Lane.

Lara Griffith (GBR) and Rubin Al Assad placed first in the Grand Prix Special on the last day of FEI CDI 3* competition at Week 7 of AGDF. The pair scored a 69.608% to take the win, narrowly edging out Sharon McCusker (USA) and Wrigley, who finished in second receiving a 69.098% for their efforts. Christilot Boylen (CAN) and Drentano rounded out the top three with a 67.392%.

WATCH the winning ride for Lara Griffith and Rubin Al Assad.
Video courtesy of Campfield Videos.

Griffith had a great second week of competition here at AGDF, adding top three finishes in both the FEI CDI 3* Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special, both sponsored by Havensafe Farm. “This was the second Grand Prix Special I’ve ever done with him and it went really well, but it’s still new to us,” she commented. “We had a few mistakes today in the test, but in general we’re on the up!”

The training opportunities available to Griffith in Florida have greatly increased her confidence in the partnership since arriving stateside only a few weeks ago. “This horse show [AGDF] has been very successful for me so far. He has improved dramatically in the Grand Prix from two weeks ago from the work we’ve put in since being here,” said Griffith. “I really wanted to replicate the ride that I had in the Grand Prix on Thursday today in the Special. The general way of going is a lot better.”

Griffith has produced Rubin Al Assad from Third Level and the pair looks to be a promising combination for Great Britain in the future. “He only had a single flying change when I first started riding him, and I always think it’s amazing that now we can get 15 in a row!” Griffith is excited for where the partnership will go and they will continue to contest and gain experience from the CDI competition at AGDF during the remainder of their stay in Florida.

Sharon McCusker and Wrigley finished right behind Griffith, barely missing out on the first place prize. McCusker and Wrigley have been steadily improving and their performance today showed the progress that has been made since their outings last season. “The Special is a really long test and I was really pleased at the end when I had that great extension and coming down the center line I felt like the passage was great. I still had power throughout the whole test coming up to the halt. It’s a great test to build from,” she remarked.

AGDF 7 was the pair’s first CDI competition of the 2015 season, and McCusker was pleased with the performances Wrigley put in this week. “We will do the next two CDI competitions here in March and then I am planning on using the Advanced Dressage Prize Grant I won two years ago to train with Klaus Balkenhol. I was able to connect with him this week, and he watched my test today which was great.”

The Adequan® Global Dressage Festival will continue tomorrow with Junior and Young Rider classes in the morning followed by the FEI Intermediaire 1 Freestyle CDI1* presented by Mission Control. For more information on the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival, please visit http://www.globaldressagefestival.net.

About the Adequan Global Dressage Festival:

The Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) is one of the world’s largest international and national dressage circuits featuring 7 FEI Dressage events, including a 5* and the only FEI Nations’ Cup Series CDIO in the Western Hemisphere. The AGDF offers more than $650,000 in prize money for the seven international competitions, making it one of the richest circuits in the world. The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center 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.

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

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations

Top European Young Riders Set to Compete at AGDF 10 Young Rider Championships

Antonia Arl and Equestricons Ziggy.

Wellington, FL – February 19, 2015 – Four National and European Champion youth riders from Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands will be making the journey across the Atlantic to compete at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival’s Week 9 Palm Beach Dressage Derby and the Week 10 Florida International Dressage Youth Championships. All four riders, traveling with Jochen Arl, are set to compete in Wellington for the championships, increasing international presence in the Young Rider and Junior divisions. The Florida International Dressage Youth Championships, a highlight each year at the AGDF circuit, will be presented by Pana Cavallo, Diamante Farms, Hampton Green Farms, and Dressage for Kids.

Arl, a familiar face at the winter dressage circuit in Wellington, approached Mark Bellissimo of Equestrian Sport Productions and Thomas Baur, AGDF Sport Director, with the idea to bring talented young equestrians from Europe to AGDF for championships. “We talked to Mark and Thomas and they really helped us find a way to make this happen. It is a great experience, and it is very exciting for these young riders to have the opportunity to come to the United States and compete,” said Arl.

“We are excited to continue giving equestrian athletes from around the world the opportunity to come to Wellington to compete,” said Mark Bellissimo, CEO of Equestrian Sport Productions. “As AGDF continues to grow, it is important that riders of all ages are given the chance to compete here at Global. This is where the elite riders are competing, and young riders deserve a chance to experience that too.”

Each of the four riders applied to compete at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby and Florida International Dressage Youth Championships. Their applications were then reviewed and selected based on previous scores and rankings within the Junior and Young Rider levels. This is the first time international youth riders of such notoriety will travel to AGDF to compete in championship classes.

Antonia Arl, Jochen’s daughter, will be competing in the Junior level classes aboard Equestricons Ziggy. The reigning Pony Champion of Belgium, Antonia Arl has been winning international classes in Europe since moving from the Pony level to the Juniors this past season. She recently started riding Equestricons Ziggy, who was a gold medalist at the 2012 European Junior Rider Championships with Antoinette te Riele.

Rosalie Bos will also be traveling with the Arls, bringing over Equestricons Bonita to compete in the Young Rider level classes as well. Bos, a European Junior Team Champion, earned silver and bronze medals, finishing fourth individually in the 2014 Junior Championships last season. She is also the reigning Junior Champion in Holland. She currently rides for Holland’s A-Team Young Rider squad.

Dana van Lierop and Equestricons Walküre have been partnered for three months and currently ride for Holland’s Young Riders A-Team. Van Lierop is a two-time European champion in the Pony divisions, winning once aboard Arl’s own Equestricons Lord Champion and once again aboard her own horse Equestricons Day of Diva. She was an individual and team champion in the Junior level competitions in Europe.

Vivian Niemann, a European junior gold medalist and current Young Rider from Germany, will also join the group competing at AGDF this season. Niemann, a very successful Young Rider, will look to continue her European success here in the States during her time on the AGDF circuit.

Baur, an integral part in the planning process, is excited to bring more international competition to the Young Rider and Junior divisions at AGDF. “We have seen so much growth at the show this year, and this is another step in the right direction,” said Baur. “Creating an environment that attracts international competitors of any age and level is the goal of this circuit and we will continue to ensure that is possible.”

“We want to promote the fact that it is a viable option for European Juniors and Young Riders to come west and compete here,” commented Arl. “I’ve been coming to Wellington for so long now and this show has built up incredibly. Four years ago the circuit was nothing like it is now, and it is important for European riders and their parents to know that it is a real possibility to come here and compete internationally.”

AGDF Week 10 CDI-W 3*/1* competition will host the 2015 Florida International Dressage Youth Championships where riders from across the country and around the world will compete at the AGDF venue. All riders must be under the age of 25 and four separate FEI divisions will be offered: a Pony Division, a Junior Division, a Young Rider Division, and the Under 25 Grand Prix. This is the third year the Florida International Dressage Youth Championships will be hosted by AGDF, and the competition is organized by Equestrian Sport Productions. For more information on the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival and the 2015 Florida International Dressage Youth Championships, please visit http://www.globaldressagefestival.net.

About the Adequan Global Dressage Festival:

The Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) is one of the world’s largest international and national dressage circuits featuring 7 FEI Dressage events, including a 5* and the only FEI Nations’ Cup Series CDIO in the Western Hemisphere. The AGDF offers more than $650,000 in prize money for the seven international competitions, making it one of the richest circuits in the world. The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center 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.

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

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations

Gundersen and My Lady, Brock and Rosevelt, Herslow and Rosmarin Take Top Prizes at AGDF 7

Mikala Gundersen and My Lady. Photos copyright SusanJStickle.com.

Wellington, FL – February 19, 2015 – While competition officially started on Wednesday for week 7 of the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF), awards presentations took place today for three CDI classes. Mikala Gundersen (DEN) and My Lady topped the FEI Grand Prix CDI 4*, presented by The Dutta Corporation, with a 71.600%. Shelly Francis (USA) and Doktor placed second receiving a 71.080%, and Belinda Trussell (CAN) and Anton followed in third place scoring a 70.400%. AGDF 7 competition will continue tomorrow, highlighting the “Friday Night Stars” FEI Grand Prix Freestyles for CDI 3*/4*. Both the CDI 3* (starting at 6:15 pm) and 4* (following with first horse at 8:45 pm) Freestyle classes will be held under the lights in The Stadium Arena at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) with doors opening at 6pm.

If you can’t make it to AGDF, livestreaming will be available at this link: http://bit.ly/1zrcaRN.

“I am so thrilled to have come in first place today. I had a difficult ride with the wind; it was blowing very hard during the test, and Lady is a very sensitive horse,” explained Gundersen. “It made her very tense right in front of the judges which hurt my piaffes. When she got a little bit nervous I did lose some points, but Shelly Francis and I have been so close all season and I got lucky today.”

The atmosphere was challenging for many of the pairs, as wind gusts blustered through the AGDF grounds all day. The colder temperatures and rattling flags created trouble for riders throughout the competition. “I try to keep her very busy, but I don’t want to make her tired. I want her to mentally be fresh, but not make her body tired so I did a lot of posting trot and made her really low in the neck to try to get her to relax,” commented Gundersen when describing how she keeps “Lady” calm when surroundings start to bother her.

“I had some great highlights today. All of the extensions felt great, and I think we had a lot of nice movements in the test. I can’t wait to see them on video,” she smiled. “On days like today, I have to be very soft and giving with my hands because she is such a sensitive horse. I can’t have her strong in my hand because she will take the rein and start to pull through. I’m always moving my ring finger trying to keep her supple, supple, supple.” My Lady continues to improve with each outing, and Gundersen is looking to aim her at the first CDI 5* competition in Aachen, Germany in May just before the Danish Championships and hopefully earning a spot on the European Championship Team for Denmark.

Watch the video for the winning ride of Mikala and My Lady. Video courtesy of Campfield Videos.

Shelly Francis had a great second day of competition at Week 7 of AGDF, placing near the top of the leaderboard with all three of her rides in CDI competition. “I had a very short warm-up with Doktor, but he was lit like a fire-cracker today!” she smiled. “He got a little bit tight in the rhythm in the trot work, but he was very good. The weather was very stimulating, and I’m very proud of the way all of my horses handled it, but it did keep them a little bit hotter.”

Francis has been riding Doktor for nearly six years now, and their partnership is truly starting to shine as the pair has had top place finishes at all of the CDIs they have contested this season at AGDF. “I’m going to plan on doing another World Cup qualifier and see where that gets me. I’ve done one World Cup qualifier already and I plan on doing the next CDI here at AGDF. If it gets me to the World Cup then maybe I will consider that, but my plans are really still up in the air,” commented Francis on her coming plans with the gelding.

Francis has worked diligently to fine-tune their tests and her efforts are obvious, as the duo greatly improved in specific areas that Francis focused on in the past two weeks since their last CDI competition. “I’m always working on getting everything nice and smooth. There were little moments when he would get tense in the middle of a movement, like the half-pass or the extensions. I think that was because of the wind though. I felt overall this week was smoother, and there was a better frame carriage. There are still some bobbles I would like to get rid of to make the test really smooth.”

Allison Brock and Rosevelt
Allison Brock and Rosevelt

Allison Brock (USA) and Rosevelt captured another win this season at AGDF, topping the FEI Grand Prix CDI 3* class, presented by Havensafe Farm, scoring a 71.600%. Lara Griffith (GBR) and Rubin Al Asad followed in second with a 71.020%, and Shelly Francis (USA) and Danilo came in third receiving a 69.540%.

Brock and Rosevelt added another Grand Prix victory to their string, as the pair also captured a win in the AGDF 1 FEI Grand Prix CDI-W and placed second in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI-W the same week. “I felt in my own head a lot more confident. Once you get the first one out of the way, it is always easier. I knew he could handle the venue. I was really only concerned about how the weather would impact his ability to focus,” said Brock.

Click to watch video of Allison’s and Rosevelt’s winning ride. Video courtesy of Campfield Videos.

The duo will contest their first “Friday Night Stars” FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI3* tomorrow night under the lights, which will serve as a great learning opportunity for “Rosie.” “He’s going to have to go in there and cope with the environment, and I won’t know what I have until I get in there, but in a way today was good prep because if it is calm tomorrow night, it will feel like nothing compared to today,” she commented about Rosevelt’s hot personality. “He has to just go in and do it, and this is his year to learn how to deal with it. I don’t have expectations for tomorrow. I want him to go in feeling like he can trust me because that’s when we perform our best.”

The weather was a major factor for most riders today, especially those on sensitive horses, but Brock was pleased with the way “Rosie” handled the atmosphere and the environment considering their warm-up was more difficult than she anticipated. “The warm-up was a bit tricky for me today. The gusting winds with all of the flags flapping, it made it pretty difficult for him. I’m proud because he really went in the ring and let it go and carried on. He was really about as honest as he could have been considering the circumstance.”

Lara Griffiths and Rubin Al Asad had a wonderfully relaxed and mistake-free test to take home the second place prize in the large class. Griffiths, who competed “Rufus” at the Week 5 CDI3*, felt a drastic improvement from the pair’s tests two weeks ago. “I started riding him about four years ago, and he was coming off an injury. It’s taken a while to get his strength back, but even compared to two weeks ago he’s a completely different horse,” stated Griffiths. “That is what is great about these shows and this venue. You can keep bringing them out and showing them, and it really helps their confidence.”

Traveling to Wellington for the winter circuit with her trainer, Laura Tomlinson, has been greatly beneficial for the duo, as Griffiths plans to contest a number of CDIs in Europe after returning home to England in March. “Today was a really special day for us. It was only our second Grand Prix together, and I was pretty happy with him,” she said. “He was a little bit scared in the ring because he still is very green, but he let me really ride him and that was my main goal.”

Griffiths was pleased with the attitude “Rufus” displayed in the ring and feels that their scores will only improve as the big gelding continues to gain confidence with Griffiths in the saddle. “I wanted to get those marks to creep up and not have any mistakes, which we didn’t,” she explained. “I really couldn’t have asked more from him. The general way of going was more confident today, which is what we’ve been working on.”

The FEI Prix St. Georges CDI 1* class, presented by Mission Control for the second week at AGDF, finished this afternoon after starting Wednesday morning due to the large number of more than 40 entries. Kimberly Herslow (USA) and Rosmarin scored a 72.474% to win over the rest of the field. Dawn White-O’Connor (USA) and Aristo followed in second place with 70.184%, and Kasey Perry (USA) and Goerklintgaards Dublet finishing in third on a 69.921%.

FEI CDI 4*/3*/1* competition will continue throughout the week, with the “Friday Night Stars” FEI Grand Prix Musical Freestyle highlighting AGDF Week 7. The event will begin at 6pm with both CDI 3* and CDI 4* Grand Prix Freestyles taking place under the lights in The Stadium’s electric atmosphere. Competition will continue on Saturday and conclude on Sunday, February 22, with the FEI Intermediaire 1 Freestyle CDI 1*, presented by Mission Control.

For more information on the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival, please visit http://www.globaldressagefestival.net.

About the Adequan Global Dressage Festival:

The Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) is one of the world’s largest international and national dressage circuits featuring 7 FEI Dressage events, including a 5* and the only FEI Nations’ Cup Series CDIO in the Western Hemisphere. The AGDF offers more than $650,000 in prize money for the seven international competitions, making it one of the richest circuits in the world. The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center 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.

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

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations

Chris Von Martels and Zilverstar Win the FEI CDI 1* Intermediaire 1 Freestyle at AGDF

Chris Von Martels and Zilverstar. Photo copyright SusanJStickle.com.

Wellington, FL – January 8, 2015 – Chris Von Martels (CAN) and Zilverstar finished the last day of competition at Week 5 of the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) with a win in the FEI CDI 1* Intermediaire 1 Freestyle presented by Mission Control. Von Martels and Zilverstar finished the afternoon on a 75.650% followed by Olivia LaGoy-Weltz (USA) and Rassing’s Lonoir scoring a 71.184% and Dawn White-O’Connor (USA) and Aristo coming in third with a 71.400%.

Von Martels was very happy with his test today and felt Zilverstar got better with each test in Week 5. The pair placed 5th in the Prix St. Georges on Thursday, 7th in the Intermediaire 1 on Friday, and finished the week off with a win in the Freestyle.

“I was thrilled with Zilver. He was totally on his game and he was able to show a lot of his strengths and highlights throughout the tests, which is always a really nice thing to accomplish,” he said. “He was fantastic throughout the whole week, so I’m really pleased with everything.”

As the pair looks to qualify for the Pan American Games, Von Martels feels like he has a good idea of where he needs to put in work to prepare.

“With every show you go home with a little bit of homework. For instance, I rode quite early in the class and the morning in the Intermediaire, it was cold and windy and I could have used 5 to 10 more minutes in the warm-up to get that focus,” he explained. “Those are the little details you always need to pay attention to and use to your advantage the next time.”

The extremely talented gelding continues to grow stronger and Von Martels expects big things to come from Zilverstar in the future.

“I’ve been riding him for three years now and he just has so much quality. He’s very sensitive and intelligent. It’s actually quite fun because when you have a horse like that and you do build a relationship, in the long term it gives you a lot more,” Von Martels expressed. “He does have quite a few highlights and strengths. His extended trot and his half-passes and his pirouettes and flying changes can be brilliant when he is in his best form.”

LaGoy-Weltz and Rassing’s Lonoir also finished in great form, after a competitive week of competition in the CDI 1* Small Tour classes. “He was a really good boy today. He was very quiet and soft and did everything I asked. We had one mistake but we need to tweak the choreography and work on that because it was a mistake that we usually don’t make and we need to make the music a bit more complementary,” she explained.

Rassing’s Lonoir, a 2004 Danish Warmblood gelding, is a very large horse and LaGoy-Weltz really focuses on making sure “Lono” is relaxed and rideable, also helping him to control his range of motion.

“I think the rideability is so nice because he can be really hot and it’s nice to have him simmer down in the ring. We’ve really focused on the rideability and relaxation because I can really push for things,” she commented. “I think the pirouettes are always something we can work on because he is such a big horse. It is about trying to get him where we can really get him to come on the spot and we’re always working on the straightness in the changes.”

The pair will aim towards qualifying for the Pan American Games before making the move to Grand Prix.

“Right now we have to see about Pan Ams because if we qualify we will focus on that. If we weren’t to make the qualifications then we would turn our focus to the Grand Prix, but we will definitely be showing more and hopefully do the Nation’s Cup,” she said, describing the pairs future plans.

Dawn White-O’Connor and Aristo finished in third, scoring very impressively for a relatively new freestyle routine for the pair. White-O’Connor, Steffen Peter’s assistant trainer, took advantage of her time in Florida with a solid week of performance.

“It was good. It was the first time I’ve done that freestyle and I changed it last week and we weren’t able to practice it a ton of times. We will change the choreography a little bit, but other than that I was very happy.”

The pair will stay in Florida for a few more weeks, changing their original plan of heading back to California this week.

“We were supposed to go back on Tuesday but we decided to stay and do the CDI here in two weeks. There are so many people in the classes in here compared to California. Just the number of horses and the quality make it great,” she stated.

Aristo, a favorite in the barn, is just starting to hit his peak with White-O’Connor. “He’s like a dog; he really has no concept that he’s a horse,” she laughed. “We will probably continue to do the Small Tour for the next CDI and then when we get home do a few more shows and see where everything works out too. I’d love to try a few Grand Prix’s with him at some local shows this summer.”

Today marked the last day of competition at Week 5 of the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival capping off a wonderful week of FEI CDI 1*/3*/5* competition sponsored by Mission Control, Wellington Equestrian Realty, and Diamante Farms, respectively. With more than eleven countries represented and more than 200 entries, AGDF Week 5 proved to be the biggest yet this season. The winners from this week’s special awards are as follows: “Best Horse Turnout” presented by Horse and Rider was presented to Alice Tarjan and Elfenfeuer, “Best Seat” presented by Kastel Denmark was awarded to Pablo Gomez Molina, and “Best Dressed Rider” presented by Tack N Rider went to Olivia LaGoy-Weltz. Felicitas Hendricks was awarded with the “Perfect Conduct” award sponsored by Perfect Products.

The Adequan® Global Dressage Festival will continue on February 19-22, 2015 with CDI 3*/4* competition, sponsored by Havensafe Farm and the Dutta Corp., respectively. To learn more about the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival and for schedules and ride times, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com for more information.

About the Adequan Global Dressage Festival:

The Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) is one of the world’s largest international and national dressage circuits featuring 7 FEI Dressage events, including a 5* and the only FEI Nations’ Cup Series CDIO in the Western Hemisphere. The AGDF offers more than $650,000 in prize money for the seven international competitions, making it one of the richest circuits in the world. The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center 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.

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

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations

Kathleen Raine and Breanna Top the AGDF Week 5 Grand Prix Special CDI 5*

Kathleen Raine and Breanna. Photos copyright SusanJStickle.com.

Wellington, FL – February 7, 2015 – Kathleen Raine (USA) and the lovely mare Breanna scored a 73.667% to win the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI 5*, presented by Diamante Farm at Week 5 of the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF). Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven (SWE) and Divertimento followed in second with a 72.000% and Jill Irving (CAN) and Degas 12 rounded out the top three with a 69.078%. Week 5 AGDF continues tomorrow with a schedule of junior and amateur classes and the FEI Intermediaire 1 Freestyle CDI 1*, presented by Mission Control, highlighting the last day of competition.

CLICK to watch the winning ride for Kathleen and Breanna!
Video courtesy of Campfield Videos.

Raine and Breanne have been partners for more than 10 years, as she began working with the mare when she was four years old. The duo’s performances this week at AGDF are a testament to the time Raine has dedicated to creating a strong partnership with the mare. “It has been so fun to have had her for so long. We know each other really well, and I enjoy starting them from the beginning and training them up,” said Raine.

The duo’s extended stay in Europe this past season has really helped Breanna cope with large atmosphere venues. “Being in Europe really helped her suppleness and her whole way of going. I can see it in her reaction, her consistency, and the atmospheres we were able to experience there, which we don’t really have here. It helped to boost her confidence,” said Raine.

Vilhelmson-Silfven performed a very correct test on her partner Divertimento. “Tim”, who is known to get excited in electric environments, settled nicely for Vilhelmson-Silfven during the test. “This is our third week showing, and he keeps going and holding up very well. The weather earlier in the week made him a bit more excited than I wanted, but we cope with it and have figured out how to handle it,” she explained.

Divertimento’s large size can be intimidating to some, but he is the sweetest horse in the barn according to Vilhelmson-Silfven, which is what makes him so fun to work with. “He’s the sweetest one. Absolutely anyone could hack him, but once he hears applause he starts to get worked up,” she commented. “He tries really hard and all he wants to do is his best for you.”

Jill Irving and Degas 12 had a lovely test to place them third in the class. “I am so thrilled with our performance. He has finally become a man!” she exclaimed. “He was very good and I feel like now we’re covering ground in the canter, especially in the two-tempis. We landed right on the letter.”

Irving is the presenter of the Jill Irving Owner’s Award at each “Friday Night Stars” Grand Prix Freestyle event of the 2015 season, highlighting owners of winning combinations in both the CDI Prix St. Georges tests and the AGDF National Shows. “I think this city, Wellington, has grown so much and is so international now. Just right now we have Sweden, Canada, and the U.S. represented here and I thought that it was time we started recognizing the owners who are such great stakeholders,” said Irving.

She hopes the award will continue to draw the spotlight to many of the owners who make this sport possible. “I just felt like this was something really dear to my heart, and I’m so passionate about this sport. I think the owners deserve to get a trophy and have some time in the limelight,” she continued.

Steffen Peters and Rosamunde
Steffen Peters and Rosamunde

Steffen Peters (USA) and Rosamunde, the spectacular mare who has wowed crowds this week at AGDF, took home another win, this time in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI 3*, presented by Wellington Equestrian Realty. The duo received a 73.745% to win the class followed closely by Charlotte Jorst and Kastel’s Nintendo scoring a 69.608% and Shelly Francis and Danilo in third on a 69.137%.

Peters said the pair made further strides building their relationship today, as “Rosie” really impressed him in her ability to carry herself. “The beautiful thing about today was that I found I can really trust her in the piaffe. I didn’t trust her enough in the first piaffe in the Grand Prix on Thursday, and she got a little bit quick,” he explained. “I rode it today just like I do in training and that is quite unusual to be able to do with a horse in the show arena. Her one-tempis also worked beautifully and they were a bit straighter already than the first day.”

Watch the test for Steffen and Rosamunde – CLICK here!
Video courtesy of Campfield Videos.

The mare looks to be the next big star of dressage in the U.S. and continues to impress Peters with her trainability and willingness. “She is a horse you can really count on. Never since I have had her has she taken a wrong step or said no. She just has that type of attitude that reminds me an awful lot of Ravel. She has the power and this beautiful soft connection,” he smiled. “When we retired Ravel I didn’t think I would ever get that feeling again in the show arena, and it is a true honor to ride a horse like that not just in the show ring, but every single day.”

Peters will look to continue educating the mare at the Grand Prix level but will be very careful not to push too hard because of her young age. “When I get home I would like to work on the transition from piaffe to passage and the straightness of the changes. Otherwise I am perfectly happy, and it is just sensational for an eight-year-old horse to be at this level. I would be silly to criticize her.”

Charlotte Jorst has another fantastic ride aboard her stallion, Kastel’s Nintendo. The duo has only been together for a year, but you would never be able to tell from their consistent performances in the ring. “He always feels great. I’m still learning how long to warm him up and today I think I may have warmed him up a bit too much because if he comes out soft, he only needs ten minutes to feel great,” she said commenting on her test today.

The pair will compete again in two CDIs in March at AGDF and will look forward to a strong summer circuit in California. “I don’t know what I’m going to do after California, but I’m going to continue competing because I have so much fun.” Jorst will be adding a new mount to her growing string, as she recently purchased Akeem Foldager from Andreas Helgstrand in Denmark and the horse will arrive on U.S. soil next week. “I’m just over the moon, and we will see how I can ride him. Maybe he will be a Pan American Games contender, but I’m just going to see if I can ride him first and get the one and two tempis because they’re the hardest for me, but if we can get them, I would love to go for it.”

Shelly Francis (USA) and Danilo had a strong showing in the class, and Francis feels like she is starting to get a hold of Danilo’s nerves in the ring. “If you overwhelm him he just gets hotter and hotter, so I am being really careful to make sure we don’t fry him mentally and do it the right way. He is so talented physically, he just has a little bit of catching up to do mentally,” she said.

The pair enjoys relaxing work sessions during the week to help keep the gelding calm and continue to build on their already solid relationship. “He’s learning to trust me more, and he’s staying much calmer. He really internalizes everything and starts to get nervous. We do a lot of work in the field several days a week and give him a chance to look at things. It’s good for him. He’s a very stimulated horse.”

To learn more about the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival and for schedules and ride times, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com for more information. The FEI CDI5*/3*/1* competition will continue through Sunday, February 8, 2015.

About the Adequan Global Dressage Festival:

The Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) is one of the world’s largest international and national dressage circuits featuring 7 FEI Dressage events, including a 5* and the only FEI Nations’ Cup Series CDIO in the Western Hemisphere. The AGDF offers more than $650,000 in prize money for the seven international competitions, making it one of the richest circuits in the world. The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center 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.

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

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations