Tag Archives: Adrienne Lyle

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage

Adrienne Lyle Scores Grand Prix Special Win during Final Week of AGDF

Adrienne Lyle & Lars Van De Hoenderheide © SusanJStickle.com

Saturday of the last CDI of the Wellington winter season gave team USA much to be excited about. In the CDI3* Grand Prix Special, sponsored by Beatrice Marienau Dressage, Olympic team silver medalist Adrienne Lyle (USA) opted to ride Lars Van De Hoenderheide — with whom she finished second in the qualifying grand prix, just behind her other horse Helix — and the decision proved fruitful.

On the penultimate day of the 2024 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF), she and Zen Elite Equestrian Center’s 13-year-old Negro gelding, who was previously campaigned at the level by Lottie Fry (GBR) until December 2023, scored 73.192% with a solid, mistake-free performance to win the class of 14 starters.

Winners of the qualifying grand prix, Endel Ots (USA) and Zen Elite’s Bohemian — another new high-profile acquisition for owner Heidi Humphries — slotted into second in the Special with 72.49%. Their test attracted many eights, but a hop into canter at the beginning of the trot half-pass right and a miscommunication at the start of the one-time changes on the centerline quashed the score. Despite the mistakes, the 14-year-old Bordeaux gelding presented a harmonious, relaxed picture with his new rider.

The top six riders were all from the home nation, with Kasey Perry-Glass going one better than in the grand prix and finishing on the podium, in third, with Heartbeat WP. She rode the 12-year-old Charmeur gelding to 71.383% in their second ever CDI.

Lyle, who trains with Debbie McDonald, said, “I think it’s 10 weeks now that we’ve had Lars and this is the first full Special I’ve ridden through on him. I’m so incredibly happy at his energy and his honesty and his willingness. It seems like he’s starting to understand what I want and fight for me in there, which is really special in such a new relationship.

“I was really happy with his piaffe/passage tour. I got a bit braver to make the piaffe stay on the spot more and feel like I could trust that more. His canter tour is always super; he’s got super power and the changes are just a treat to ride,” she continued.

For more information and results, visit https://gdf.coth.com.

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage

Endel Ots and Adrienne Lyle Debut New Olympic Hopefuls and Dominate in Final CDI of AGDF 2024

Endel Ots & Bohemian © SusanJStickle.com

Much-anticipated appearances by new horse-and-rider combinations — spearheaded by Endel Ots and Zen Elite’s Bohemian — were the flavor of the day on Thursday, March 28. It marked the opening day of week 12 — the final CDI of the 2024 season of the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, FL.

In the CDI3* FEI Grand Prix, sponsored by Beatrice Marienau Dressage, Zen Elite Equestrian’s team of three new top horses filled every podium step. Owner Heidi Humphries bought the high-profile horses Bohemian, Helix, and Lars Van De Hoenderheide for the U.S. riders Endel Ots and Olympic team silver medalist Adrienne Lyle at the end of 2023, and this was the first CDI appearance for all three.

Bohemian was fourth at the Tokyo Olympics and won freestyle silver in 2021 under Denmark’s Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour, and under the saddle of Ots he once again graced the upper echelons of the scoreboard, topping the class of 24 starters with 72.761%. The pair picked up healthy helpings of eights — particularly for piaffe and passage — but the final score was suppressed by mistakes in the two-time changes, which earned twos and threes from the panel of five judges.

Lyle, who was first to go down the centerline with Lars Van De Hoenderheide, held on to third place with the 13-year-old Negro gelding, scoring 70.652% on the horse previously campaigned by Great Britain’s Lottie Fry. Lyle went one better with her second ride, the 12-year-old Apache son Helix, whom she has taken over from Sweden’s Marina Mattsson. They slotted into second with 71.065%. Ots and Lyle led a clean sweep for the home nation, with U.S. riders filling the top six places in the class, which was a qualifier for Saturday’s Grand Prix Special.

Remarkably, Ots was making his international grand prix debut with the 14-year-old by Bordeaux. Although a seasoned competitor nationally, this was the rider’s very first grand prix in a CDI. Bohemian is no stranger to AGDF, however, as his previous owner, Dong Seon Kim (KOR), campaigned him in Wellington in 2023, but this is the horse’s first win on the circuit. He was subsequently sent to Patrik Kittel to be shown in Europe and sold, before returning stateside at the beginning of the year for new owners Zen Elite Equestrian.

“It’s all very surreal,” admitted Ots, who has trained with Albrecht Heidemann since he was 18. “You always see all the famous people like Adrienne Lyle and Kasey Perry [who finished fourth with 70% on Heartbeat WP], and I am just thankful and happy to be in there with them and part of the group.”

For more information and results, visit https://gdf.coth.com.

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage

Adrienne Lyle Claims FEI World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle

Adrienne Lyle and Salvino. Photo © SusanJStickle.com.

The first “Friday Night Stars” evening of musical freestyle action during the 2023 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, FL lived up to its stellar billing despite unseasonably chilly temperatures.

The week’s highlight class, the FEI World Cup™ Grand Prix Freestyle, presented by Lövsta Stuteri, produced top class dressage, personal bests on the podium, and a winning score of over 83%.

Adrienne Lyle (USA) and the 16-year-old stallion Salvino made it two for two in the Lloyd Landkamer Memorial week when they scooped the blue ribbon with 83.54% for a harmonious test brimming with expression and power. Lyle and Betsy Juliano’s Sandro Hit x Donnerhall son topped the previous day’s qualifying Grand Prix with 77.5%. In the freestyle, second placed Sarah Tubman (USA) kicked off her Wellington season with a personal best of 78.25% on another stallion, the 13-year-old First Apple, while third placed Caroline Darcourt (SWE) and Lord Django contested their first Grand Prix freestyle and pulled out a 78.17% performance.

Lyle is chasing down one of three starting places allocated to North America for the FEI World Cup™ Final in Omaha, NE in April. Her top score of 86% came courtesy of the Dutch five-star judge at H, Mariette Sanders- van Gansewinkel.

Of her performance, Lyle said, “I’m super thrilled to be here again at this amazing venue and I was happy to see how packed it was despite this cold weather. Salvino felt great — he was fiery and very excited to be here.

“We did most of the things on my terms, and some of the things on his terms — but like any good relationship, it’s all about compromise, and he feels great,” added Lyle of Salvino, whom she rode on the silver medal USA team at the Tokyo Olympics.

Frederic Wandres Earns Career High Score

Earlier in the day, the 35-year-old German rider Frederic Wandres rode Hot Hit OLD to a career high score in the CDI3* FEI Grand Prix, presented by Barnwalkers — the qualifier for Saturday’s Grand Prix Special. All five judges placed the pair first, awarding 75.348% overall, improving on their previous best by over 1%.

“The consistency of the test today was the winning thing,” said Wandres. “He had not been out since August, so he has had a bit of a break, but he came back very good and my feeling was strong.

Wandres has ridden Hot Hit at Hof Kasselmann, where he works, since the grey gelding by Blue Hors Hotline x Diamond Hit was six. The now 12-year-old already has an impressive resume, and this victory took his unbeaten streak to five.

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

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage

Adrienne Lyle Tops FEI World Cup Grand Prix

Adrienne Lyle and Salvino. Photo © SusanJStickle.com.

The 2023 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival opened on Thursday, January 12, with a victory for U.S. Olympic team silver medalist Adrienne Lyle. She and Salvino, a 2007 Hanoverian stallion (Sandro HIT x Donnerhall) won the FEI World Cup™ Grand Prix, presented by Lövsta Stuteri, to start the final leg of their FEI World Cup™ Final qualifying bid in style.

All three grand prix podium finishers scored over 70%, with Lyle and Salvino topping the list with a 77.5% as the last to compete. The class was a qualifier for the FEI World Cup™ Grand Prix Freestyle, which takes place under the lights on Friday night during the first of the “Friday Night Stars” series.

“He’s just always so incredible in the ring,” said Lyle of her mount from the Tokyo Olympic games. “He went in again today with another mistake free test. He really clicked into the rhythm for the piaffe and passage work. I think we still have more in the tank for the freestyle, so I’m excited about that.

“It should be nice and cool weather tomorrow with a packed house and he loves both those things,” continued Lyle of Salvino, owned by Betsy Juliano.

Of her grand prix test, Lyle discussed the high points, saying, “The piaffe, passage, and last centerline were super. I love feeling him finishing a test with that much energy and enthusiasm.”

Fellow U.S. rider Sarah Tubman and First Apple, and 2010 Dutch Warmblood stallion (Vivaldi x T.C.N. Partout) finished in the runner-up position with a score of 70.5% for owner Summit Farm. Rounding out the podium, Sweden’s Caroline Darcourt posted a score of 70.283% riding Lord Django, a 2010 Hanoverian gelding (Stalypso x Londonderry) for owner Lövsta Stuteri.

Caroline Darcourt Leads Off for Sweden

Opening the day on Thursday, Caroline Darcourt stole the show in the CDI1* FEI Prix St. Georges, presented by Harmony Sporthorses. Five scores broke into the 70% range, but Darcourt and Bournonville, a 2013 Danish-bred gelding (Bon Bravour x Loudini) owned by Lövsta Stuteri, topped the list with a 73.029%.

“It feels very good to be back in Florida; it’s been three years since the last time I was here,” said Darcourt of her return to Wellington. “I’m very happy to be here with this horse and the win, I would say, was over my expectations. I’m really thrilled about it.”

Great Britain’s Susan Pape finished second on a score of 72.756% riding Harmony’s V-Plus for owner Harmony Sporthorses. In third, Charlotte Jorst (USA) and Federle posted a 71.882% for owner Kastel Denmark.

Darcourt spoke highly of Bournonville after their test, saying, “He’s been with us since he was late seven, and he has a very sensitive side. Now I feel he’s finally secure with me and he really likes the ring and his job. He is so rideable and has all the qualities.

“I would say the trot work felt very fluid and he was with me the whole time and really listened to me,” said Darcourt of her Prix St. Georges test. “The canter work and the first pirouette I was happy with, but there is more to work on. With him, the goal now is to keep moving up.”

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

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage

Adrienne Lyle Makes History Riding Salvino To Highest-Ever AGDF Score

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Adrienne Lyle (USA) and Salvino ©susanjstickle.com.

Wellington, FL – March 25, 2022 – In the final “Friday Night Stars” of the 2022 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) season, Adrienne Lyle (USA) and Salvino pulled out a sensational performance under lights to post an 85.58% win in the Grand Prix Freestyle CDI4*, presented by Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

It was a new career high for the pair, who were on the silver medal-winning U.S. team at the Tokyo Olympics, and the highest score ever recorded in the history of the AGDF. The previous highest of 84.975% was set by Laura Graves (USA) and Verdades in March 2018.

The ride came just a day after Lyle and Salvino, Betsy Juliano LLC’s 15-year-old stallion by Sandro Hit, posted the highest Grand Prix score by any American combination since last year’s Olympic Games. In second place came another stallion and another personal best: Sarah Tubman (USA) rode First Apple, Summit Farm’s 12-year-old by Vivaldi to 78.205%. Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu and All In — who represented Canada in Tokyo — filled third with 77.01%.

Lyle, who scored two tens for piaffe and another for music, said: “It was hands down the best feeling I’ve ever had in the ring in my life. Salvino just feels unbelievable. This is such a fun place to show. The crowd’s amazing and enthusiastic. The competition was super tonight; it was a magical evening.”

Tubman heard the crowd clapping along on her final center line and was reduced to happy tears about her performance with First Apple.

“That’s an amazing feeling,” said the 33-year-old Tubman, who rode First Apple to individual gold and team silver medals with the U.S. Dressage team at the 2019 Pan American Games. “I haven’t shown at that many other places, but this is pretty addicting, and it’s really fun. We all work really hard, so it’s so cool to have the crowd help you, and to be [on the podium] with two Olympians.”

Fraser-Beaulieu, who is pregnant and due in August, was delighted with her own 17-year-old All In.

“He loves his job, and it seems like the older he gets, the more he loves it,” she said. “He keeps getting hotter, actually, not lazier. But every time he goes into the ring, he tries his best for me, and tonight I really enjoyed my freestyle. I thought in general his piaffe was so much better than it has been in the last few years.”

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

Competitions, Dressage

Wandres and Bluetooth OLD Connect for Win in Five-Star Freestyle at AGDF

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Frederic Wandres and Bluetooth OLD. ©susanjstickle.com.

Wellington, FL – February 25, 2022 – The week seven’s “Friday Night Stars” showcase at the 2022 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) on Friday, February 25, 2022 was hosted in the spectacular International Arena at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. German rider Frederic Wandres capitalized on his already lucrative season, winning the Grand Prix Freestyle CDI5*, presented by CaptiveOne Advisors, on Bluetooth OLD with 81.165%. Laurence Vanommeslaghe (BEL) filled second with an energetic performance on Edison (79.430%) and Spain’s Juan Matute Guimón finished third on Quantico (78.925%).

“Bluetooth is getting better and better,” said Wandres of the 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Bordeaux. “I get more and more the feeling that I can ride during the test, and he offers me a very good feeling. I’m super happy about his development here in the Wellington season. For him the season is finished now, and he has a few more weeks here to rest a little bit and enjoy the Florida sun before he goes home. Then we are looking forward and trying to take these things which we achieved and developed here together with us to Europe.”

Second-placed Vanommeslaghe was pleased with her conclusion to the five-star week with Edison, the 13-year-old KWPN gelding by Glock’s Johnson TN that she rode to a freestyle victory at AGDF 5.

Third-placed Matute Guimón relished the opportunity to ride in the atmospheric jumping arena with Quantico, his 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games mount, as well as in the class with his sister Paula.

Lyle and Salvino Are Unbeatable

Adrienne Lyle (USA) and Salvino made it two wins from two starts in AGDF 7 when claiming the Grand Prix Special CDI5*, presented by Havensafe Farm. The 15-year-old stallion by Sandro Hit — part of the silver medal-winning USA team at the Tokyo Olympics — posted 79.511%, with a high score of 81.489% from judge Monique Peutz-Vegter.

Lyle finished 10 percentage points clear of second-placed Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén (SWE), who scored 69.617% with Devanto. Germany’s Christoph Koschel rounded out the international podium, claiming third, just a whisker behind Vilhelmson Silfvén, on 69.511% with the Lusitano gelding Favorito 11.

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

Competitions, Dressage, Tryon

Adrienne Lyle and Salvino Capture FEI Grand Prix CDI 4* Win at TIEC

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Adrienne Lyle and Salvino ©Sharon Packer.

Mill Spring, NC – April 23, 2021 – Adrienne Lyle (USA) and Salvino produced a score of 77.913% and claimed the FEI Grand Prix CDI 4* at Tryon International Equestrian Center and Resort (TIEC) to open Tryon Spring Dressage 1 CDI 4* competition and the 2021 Dressage season at the venue. The week also serves at the first CDI 4* competition hosted at TIEC, and is the first such competition hosted in the United States outside of Wellington, FL in the past five years. In reserve, Olivia LaGoy-Weltz (USA) and Rassing’s Lonoir, a 2004 Danish Warmblood gelding (De Noir x Lorani x Loran) owned in partnership with Mary Anne McPhail, danced to a score of 73.261% to earn second place honors, while Chris von Martels (CAN) and Eclips, the 2009 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Apache x Kebora x Olympic Ferro) owned in partnership with Barbara Soederhuizen, claimed the remaining podium spot with a third-place score of 70.522%.

Lyle, who most recently combined with the 2007 Hanoverian stallion (Sandro Hit x Dynastie x Donnerhall) owned by Juliano LLC to win both the FEI Grand Prix CDI 4* and Grand Prix Special CDI 4* this month in Wellington, continued her winning streak Friday in Tryon Stadium.

“I’m happy with him overall. He was a little bit distracted going in today. I think quite a few of them were, which is one of the reasons it’s good to change our show venue,” Lyle detailed, returning to TIEC as a competitor for the first time since the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018. “Everyone shows a lot at the same place, and the weather here is dramatically cooler than what we’ve used to by about 60 degrees, so I think the horses have been really fresh these last two days. Getting their brains back in the game took a little bit of work, but he still pulled off a clean test. He’s so reliable that way in that regardless of what is going on, he’ll be there and do what I ask of him.”

Speaking to her current winning streak at the CDI 4* level, Lyle emphasized that she is still looking ahead to Sunday’s Grand Prix Special while taking a minute to enjoy a win. “To win this is super, and we’re really thankful to get to be here, and it’s wonderful that [the show was upgraded to] a 4*. That’s great for us to have more opportunities like this here. Our sights are really set on the Special,” Lyle continued. “That’s the big test for us, so of course we’re happy to have a good test today, but we’re not sitting on that, not resting on that, and we’re looking forward to Sunday because that’s the one that really counts for us.”

After coaching last fall at TIEC, Lyle is grateful to be back in the irons as a competitor, noting how fortunate it is that competition is able to safely continue. “It’s great to be back. This is absolutely one of my favorite venues in the world to show at, and I always love being up here in these beautiful mountains. Like always, we’re so thankful to be able to be doing this right now when so much of the world is locked down, so we thank everyone who makes that possible.”

For more info and results, visit www.Tryon.com.

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage

Adrienne Lyle and Salvino Return to Competition with Winning Ways at AGDF 12

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Adrienne Lyle and Salvino ©SusanStickle.

Wellington, FL – April 1, 2021 – The Adequan® Global Dressage Festival continued on Thursday, April 1, marking a top placing for the USA’s Adrienne Lyle and Salvino in the FEI Grand Prix for Special CDI4*, presented by Adequan®.

It was Betsy Juliano LLC’s 2007 Hanoverian stallion by Sandro Hit that concluded the day with the highest honors in the International Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center’s (PBIEC) Equestrian Village, highlighting the stallion’s return to competition for the first time in over a year.

“It felt amazing,” began Lyle. “He just never ceases to amaze me with his heart; that horse has a bigger heart than any animal on this planet, I think. He’s just proven time and time again that he’ll be there when I need him to be there if we listen to him and don’t overdo it. We waited to come out last year until later in the season and it worked, so we decided to wait again this year, and so far, it’s off to a good start. Hopefully, we can put in a few more performances like that leading up to the summer.”

The pair put in an outstanding performance, ending the ride with a personal best score of 80.065%. “He felt really fit and fresh,” explained Lyle, “and was even squealing a little going around the outside of the ring like he was really fired up. I like him to be in that spot where he’s really excited to go in there.”

She continued, “I actually started crying after the ride, which I hardly ever do. He didn’t put a foot out of place, and he’s so amazing. I could tell he was excited and fresh. We haven’t been in there in over a year, and when he went down centerline, he focused and knew it was time to put everything aside. He really knows how to be there for you, and not many horses are like that. You don’t get to sit on many of those in a lifetime.”

The FEI Grand Prix for Special CDI3*, presented by Ashley Holzer of Southgate Farm with longtime friends and co-sponsors P. J. Rizvi and Dr. Diane Fellows, was topped by Susan Dutta (USA) on Figeac DC, Tim and Susan Dutta’s 2009 Oldenburg gelding by Fackeltanz, with a 70.630%. Second place was awarded to Jessica Howington (USA) on her own 2007 KWPN mare, Cavalia, by Sir Donnerhall I, riding to a score of 68.522%. Third place was captured by another USA rider, Alice Tarjan, aboard her own 2010 Hanoverian mare by Christ, receiving a 67.457%.

For more information and results, please visit www.GlobalDressageFestival.com.

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage

Lyle Captures Individual Gold Medal in FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDIO3*

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Adrienne Lyle and Harmony’s Duval ©SusanJStickle.

Wellington, FL – March 19, 2021 – Week ten of the 2021 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) continued on Friday, March 19, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL with a winning ride for Adrienne Lyle (USA) and Harmony’s Duval in the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDIO3*, presented by Stillpoint Farm.

Lyle and Harmony’s Duval, Duval Partners LLC’s 2008 KWPN gelding by Rousseau, conquered the freestyle under the lights, riding to a score of 80.020%. “It was worth staying up past my bedtime!” she joked.

“There’s really nothing that compares to riding at Global on a Friday Night Stars,” continued Lyle. “It’s one of my favorite experiences in the horse world. To do this on Duval, who we had from when he was unbroke, all the way up to becoming an individual gold medalist here, is just really special. I’ve got an unbelievable group of owners that have supported me along the way.”

Lyle noted that her freestyle is from her previous mount Wizard in 2011 at Dressage at Devon, but thought it would fit well for her mount’s second ever freestyle.

“I wanted to go back to something I knew since Duval has done one freestyle in his life, so I could give him a good experience out there,” she explained.

Lyle and the gelding produced top performances all week, achieving the highest scores in both the grand prix and grand prix special before contesting the freestyle. “I started with the canter work with him [when planning the degree of difficulty]” she remarked. “I think he’s got some fun, powerful canter work. It’s not the most difficult freestyle out there nowadays. When I made it, they didn’t have the degree of difficulty score the way that they do now. But it still has double pirouettes [and] piaffe pirouettes, so it gets enough [degree of difficulty points]. I think it’s a really fun one; it doesn’t always have to be for him the most difficult every time he goes out.”

For more information and results, please visit www.GlobalDressageFestival.com.

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage

Adrienne Lyle and Harmony’s Duval Notch Back-to-Back Wins at AGDF

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Adrienne Lyle (USA) and Harmony’s Duval ©SusanStickle.com.

Wellington, FL – January 16, 2021 – Day three of Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) continued on Saturday, January 16, with a second victory for Adrienne Lyle (USA) and Harmony’s Duval, this time in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI3*, presented by Harmony Sporthorses.

Lyle and the Duval Partners LLC’s 13-year-old KWPN gelding (by Rosseau) earned a 74.830% for their day’s performance. The pair landed three percentage points above second-place finisher Jennifer Williams, who earned a personal best score (72.192%) with Millione, an 18-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding by Milan owned by Millione Partners. Third place went to Susan Pape (GBR) on Harmony’s Eclectisch, Harmony Sporthorses’ 12-year-old KWPN stallion by Zenon, who received a 71.724% from judges.

“He felt much more comfortable in his own skin today,” said Lyle of the gelding. “I was really happy with him. He felt much softer in his back, and the connection through the ride was a lot better than in our test on Thursday. He was really able to show off some of his highlights today, and I’m thrilled with the overall performance.”

“He’s always had a lot of talent for the collected work,” she continued, “the piaffe, passage, pirouettes. When he’s nice and supple and happy like he was today, he really shows it off nicely. With him, we’re always trying to find ways to keep him relaxed mentally in his work. He tries very hard, and we always work to keep a very clear understanding between us about what I’m asking of him.”

After two successful competition weeks (AGDF 1 and competition at the AGDF venue in December), Lyle does not have a definitive plan as to when the pair will compete next, but intends to give Duval a chance to have a bit of fun. “He has done so well, and we won’t train super hard in between shows,” she said. “He gets to go home and have a little bit of fun!”

For more information and results, please visit www.GlobalDressageFestival.com.