Tag Archives: Adrienne Lyle

Competitions, Dressage, World Equestrian Games

US Equestrian Names Dressage Team for World Equestrian Games Tryon 2018

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Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian has named four athlete-and-horse combinations to The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team for the FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) Tryon 2018, which will take place September 11-23, in Mill Spring, N.C.

After competing in designated Observation Events throughout the summer, the following athlete-and-horse combinations have been selected to represent U.S. dressage at the WEG under the leadership of Chef d’Equipe Robert Dover (in alphabetical order):

Laura Graves (Geneva, Fla.) and Verdades, a 16-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding she owns with Curt Maes

Adrienne Lyle (Ketchum, Idaho) and Salvino, Betsy Juliano LLC’s 11-year-old Hanoverian stallion

Kasey Perry-Glass (Wellington, Fla.) and Goerklintgaards Dublet, Diane Perry’s 15-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding

Steffen Peters (San Diego, Calif.) and Rosamunde, Four Winds Farm’s 11-year-old Rheinlander mare

The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team will compete beginning September 12 and 13, with the Grand Prix Team competition and Individual Qualifier. On September 14, teams will contest the Grand Prix Special, and the Grand Prix Freestyle on September 16.

From the US Equestrian Communications Department

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage

Records Tumble as Lyle and Salvino Blaze to Freestyle Gold in Final Week of AGDF

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Adrienne Lyle and Salvino. Photo © SusanJStickle.com.

Wellington, FL — March 30, 2018 — Every single one of the top four combinations in the FEI Nations Cup™ Grand Prix Freestyle CDIO3*, presented by Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center, posted a personal best. But it was the last rider down the center line during “Friday Night Stars” under the floodlights that took the gold medal: home rider Adrienne Lyle produced a breathtaking test on Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Juliano’s 11-year-old stallion, Salvino, in the 12th and final week of the 2018 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, Florida.

They scored 81.75% to take the gold — the first time Lyle has ever surpassed the 80% mark. She led an all-female, all-American podium, flanked by Sabine Schut-Kery (silver with 78.145% on Sanceo) and Olivia LaGoy-Weltz (bronze on Lonoir with 77.385%).

They scored 81.75% to take the gold — the first time Lyle has ever surpassed the 80% mark. She led an all-female, all-American podium, flanked by Sabine Schut-Kery (silver with 78.145% on Sanceo) and Olivia LaGoy-Weltz (bronze on Lonoir with 77.385%).

“Everyone dreams of that 80% and I’m so proud of the feeling he gave me in there,” said Lyle, from Idaho, who was riding to a freestyle put together for her former top horse, Wizard, while she creates a new one with Terry Gallo. “I’m so blessed to have him. He’s getting a lot stronger and I can keep the power and the uphill balance — and I have the most amazing coach in the world in Debbie McDonald. This was just a wonderful night.

“The new freestyle will have a higher degree of difficulty; we’ve been using this new FEI system, and it will have a significantly higher degree of difficulty. We’re also using powerful and empowering music to showcase his power and gracefulness.”

The silver medalist Sabine Schut-Kery has exploded onto the grand prix scene with the stunning Sanceo — another stallion, this one a 12-year-old by San Remo belonging to Alice Womble. This was the duo’s second freestyle at the level and they smashed their previous score by more than 4%.

“We’re just starting out this year and I couldn’t be any more pleased or happier,” said the German-born rider. “I’m so happy coming here and riding tonight under the lights and pulling off that score. He’s really talented in the piaffe and passage.”

Of her score, she added: “You do your best, but you never know what the judges are thinking and the score is always a surprise! I’m just hoping now to be in the top eight to go to Europe and get him stronger and more experienced.”

Olivia LaGoy-Weltz, the bronze medal winner, rode her horse Lonoir in this same Nations Cup freestyle competition at AGDF last year but had a tough round and scored 68.8%. This year they had no such issues, upping their score by around 9%.

“He was very wild last year,” said LaGoy-Weltz of her own 14-year-old son of De Noir. “We were epically airborne for most of the test and I wanted to curl up in a paper bag and have a glass of wine afterwards. Tonight I was really happy with Lono. This week I’ve pushed for a bit more and yesterday it didn’t quite go to plan, but tonight it did. He’s a hot strong tamale and there’s so much in there; it’s just a question of me getting the recipe right — every single time.”

Judge at C, Gary Rockwell, was impressed with the quality he saw: “This is exciting,” he said. “I’ve not seen Sanceo since the Pan Ams, and I’ve never seen him do a grand prix — he’s amazing and definitely going in the right direction. I’ve never seen Olivia’s horse so engaged and then Adrienne just knocked me out — it’s all positive for this year.”

On behalf of sponsor Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center, Arlene ‘Tuny’ Page of Stillpoint Farm said: “This is a huge collaboration with the management and it really does take a village to make it all happen; we have incredible support in the community. And what’s great is that the kids at Vinceremos feel the same way about their riding as we do.”

The three chestnut horses who carried their riders to the podium in the Intermediate I Freestyle CDIO3*, presented by Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center, looked remarkably similar; in particular the top two, who were both sired by Furst Piccolo. Emerging with the gold medal — and undefeated in all three of his tests this week — was the 24-year-old Spaniard Pablo Gomez Molina on the Yeguada de Ymas’s Furst Fiorano Ymas.

“We’ve had this horse just over a year and his first CDI was the Nations Cup here in 2017,” said Gomez Molina, who was riding the flashy 11-year-old for his employers and scored 72.325%. “We know each other pretty well now and with each show we’re improving more and more. He’s a really big horse and we have some trouble keeping him high in the frame, but I’ve been working with my trainer Juan Matute and in the past three months that’s been going really well.”

The plan for the whole Yeguada de Ymas team is to decamp to Europe at the end of April.

“I have two horses I hope to do under-25s with this season, but that’s a big step up from small tour and we want to make sure we are ready,” added Gomez Molina. “If we are, then that’s what we’ll do. Fiorano is really flashy in the extended trot and nice in the tempis, too, but we had a little mistake today. The whole team has been working a lot and competing a lot in this festival — for the past four years. It’s amazing to win gold.”

Kelly Layne picked up the silver medal on her own Furst Piccolo son, the 12-year-old Furst Amante, with 70.275%. Her Australian compatriot Nicholas Fyffe scooped bronze to add to team bronze earlier in the week — the nation’s first ever dressage Nations Cup medals.

Layne said: “We call Furst Amante ‘The Bouncing Ball’ as he’s got springs in his feet, which is really an incredible feeling. He has amazing suspension and cadence, which is really fun for me to ride. I’ve been riding him for two years, and it’s not always been easy, so I was very happy he was with me in the test. I had two little blonde moments — I think I was a little heat affected — and I wondered where my music was going. But I think Amante quite enjoyed it.”

Fyffe, who rode Hitchcock into bronze, is giving the 14-year-old His Highness gelding competitive miles before his owner Louise Cote takes over.

“I actually didn’t realize I was in a medal position today and that the small tour classes were awarded them too, so to come out with a second medal, I am really thrilled,” said Fyffe, who scored 68.425%. “Hitchcock isn’t young, but he’s inexperienced. He used to feel like the lion from Wizard of Oz — no courage — but he’s developing it, and it’s been a really fun process with him.”

Individual medals were awarded in the under-25 Grand Prix Freestyle CDIO, presented by Diamante Farms, with gold — for the third time this week — being hung around the neck of Spain’s 20-year-old charm bomb Juan Matute Guimon. He was unassailable on his father Juan F Matute’s 15-year-old Don Diego Ymas, riding a very bold test to a score of 75.458%. It was the 20-year-old rider’s final CDI test of the 25 he has ridden at this year’s AGDF. His freestyle ended with two-time changes into one-times and a final halt, close to the judge at C, Portugal’s Carlos Lopes (who awarded a meaty 78.75%, and the pair’s highest score).

“The highlight of any freestyle is that the rider gets to choose lines that best fit the horse and show off your creativity,” said Matute Guimon, who will fly to Europe next month for a tilt at a place on the Spanish FEI World Equestrian Games team. “I’m really happy with the way the season wrapped up. And I know I shouldn’t talk in a test, but I said to Don Diego, ‘Come on buddy, here we go’. And I was thinking that it was my last center line in Wellington until I come back next year.

“With any championship format when you’re competing three days in a row, horses get tired,” he added. “But Don Diego and I know each other very well and that experience really helps as he knew exactly what I was asking for. He has taught me everything since I was a junior rider back in 2012.”

Last to go in the class, Kerrigan Gluch (USA), pulled off her best performance to date with new partner Bolero CXLVIII, a former ride of Spanish Olympian Jose Daniel Martin Dockx. She scored 70.833% — the pair’s first plus-70% — to clinch the silver medal on Hampton Green Farm’s 14-year-old PRE stallion.

“The horse is very new to me still,” said Gluch, 21, who was riding to an old freestyle originally made by Marlene Whitaker for ‘Danny’ Dockx and his Rio Olympics horse, Grandioso. “I’ve only been competing Bolero for two months and this was our second freestyle. He’s so honest; he never says no, which makes riding any test that much more enjoyable — and his heart is really good and you don’t always find that.”

The bronze went to Spain’s Rodrigo Encinas Fuentes, who piloted his trainer Cesar Parra’s 16-year-old Obelisk gelding Van The Man. This was only the rider’s third ever freestyle. He was riding to a soundtrack put together for the horse by Parra, which — appropriately — has paso doble in it.

“It was made for the horse, which helps a lot,” said Encinas Fuentes, 22, who is hoping to compete in Europe this summer. “Sometimes it’s difficult as it was made for Cesar rather than me, but I love riding to it; it makes me feel great.”

Rio Olympic team bronze medalist Kasey Perry-Glass continued her stellar comeback with Goerklintgaards Dublet, after giving Diane Perry’s 15-year-old Diamond Hit gelding an eight-month break. They made it two wins from two starts this week by taking the Grand Prix Freestyle CDI3*, presented by Harmony Sporthorses, with an emphatic 76.125% — the unanimous winner from all five judges in a field of 15 riders.

Adrienne Lyle (USA) filled second on the inexperienced Horizon (74.2%), while the Dominican Republic’s Yvonne Losos De Muñiz finished third on Foco Loco with 73.8%. However, she turned the yellow sash into a blue one when she rode Kathy Priest’s Fredensdals Zig Zag to the top spot in the Intermediate I CDI1*, scoring 70.441%. Only Losos De Muñiz and second-placed Nora Batchelder (USA) broke the 70% barrier in this class of 13.

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

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage

Adrienne Lyle Captures Five-Star Win in Week Five at AGDF

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Adrienne Lyle and Salvino. Photo Credit: ©SusanJStickle.

Wellington, FL – February 10, 2018 – Adrienne Lyle and Salvino improved on their Grand Prix performance from Thursday to ride an error-free test and win the Grand Prix Special CDI5*, presented by CaptiveOne Advisors, on Saturday, February 10, at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF).

Lyle and 11-year-old Salvino cruised to victory with 75.319%, representing a new personal best high score for the pair. The top three in the class represented a clean podium sweep for the U.S.A. in the fifth week of AGDF at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, Florida.

“I was thrilled with him today,” said Lyle, who trains with Debbie McDonald and rides the Sandro Hit stallion for owner Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Juliano. “It means a ton to win the five-star special; this is huge, especially on a horse who we haven’t even been competing a full year at this level. In the grand prix he was running a little bit through my aids, so today we took the time to make him stay back and wait. He felt like he was right with me throughout the whole test. If he understands what you want, he always does it for you. He has tremendous potential that we’re only just beginning to tap into.”

Australian judge Susan Hoevenaars agreed, saying: “There was so much harmony and it was a joy to judge.”

The winner of the grand prix, Olivia LaGoy-Weltz, had to settle for second place on her own Lonoir, a 14-year-old gelding by De Noir, logging 72.851%.

“The goal is clean rides, but I left the ones [the one-time changes] in the warm-up,” she said. “We did a super line right before we went in, but I think we were both a bit over-heated. I was super proud of him; the quality level is coming up and everyone has full confidence that the consistency is going to fall into place. When it does, it’s going to be pretty cool.”

Third placed Arlene ‘Tuny’ Page was pleased to be able to put two sub-70% scores on Woodstock at AGDF in January behind her, and her ever-improving performances elevated her from seventh in the grand prix.

“I was happy with how my horse presented himself and with the quality of his gaits,” she said of the 15-year-old gelding by Havel. “This is only our fourth test back this season and it’s taken four rides to get him back and for him to wait for me. Now it’s a question of developing more inner calmness in the next two months as he settles into the routine again.”

In the Intermediate I CDI3*, presented by Rowan O’Riley, the U.S.A.’s Jennifer Baumert and Handsome were once again the only combination rewarded with over 70% – exactly as per their prix st georges win on Wednesday.

Baumert was also riding a horse owned by Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Juliano, this one a 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Hochadel x Weltmeyer. She was the unanimous winner for all five judges, scoring 70.941%.

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

Competitions, Dressage

Adrienne Lyle Showcases Her New Shooting Star in Week Three of AGDF

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Adrienne Lyle and Salvino. Photo Credit: ©SusanJStickle.

Wellington, FL – January 27, 2018 – Adrienne Lyle picked up another winner’s blanket for Salvino when winning the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI3*, presented by Horseware Ireland, at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF). This was added to the one they scooped two days previously for winning the grand prix at the home of the ADGF, Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, Florida.

Lyle and the 11-year-old Hanoverian stallion (by Sandro Hit x Donnerhall), owned by Elizabeth Juliano, chalked up 75.234%, which would have been even higher had it not been for a jog in the walk, eliciting fives from all five judges. The stallion’s energy and ability, both for his extraordinary ability to collect, yet to relax just a moment later, drew many admirers, and higher yet scores could well be on the horizon.

“We’re pretty green still in the special as he hasn’t done too many of them, but the effort he’s putting in in the ring is phenomenal, and it’s now just a matter of smoothing it out and him understanding what we want and when, because he’s always so eager to offer it all up in there,” said Lyle, who trains with Debbie MacDonald and was quick to praise her input in their stellar progression. “Every time he goes in there, he tries harder and that’s very special.”

Despite being a stallion, ‘Vinny’ leads a normal home life, going in the paddock, hacking, doing cavalettis and riding around the jumper fields. His temperament and ability in the ring mean he could be a very valuable addition to senior teams over the coming years.

“The most exciting thing about him, and I’ve heard this from a couple of judges too, is that there’s not one thing that’s a weak point and could only be a seven. As he gets stronger, we’ll see where the scores go. But there’s not one thing where he’s plateaued yet – or even come close to plateauing,” added Lyle, 33.

The partnership was formed almost three years ago, though they have competed in only four CDIs to date as Lyle spent the first year gelling with the horse in training. The main aim for the season is the upcoming FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon, North Carolina in September, though Lyle has not ruled out contesting an FEI World Cup qualifier class. Their next show will be the CDI5* AGDF show (February 8-11), where a host of top names will be competing.

Canada’s Megan Lane improved on her third-place finish in the grand prix, sneaking ahead of Shelly Francis (USA) and Doktor. Lane rode her own 17-year-old Caravella (by Contango x Riverman) to 72.383%. Caravella was bred by Jill Irving, who also contested the class, riding Degas 12.

Locally-based rider Heather Blitz (USA) once again dominated the small tour ranks with the up-and-coming nine-year-old Praestemarkens Quatero, topping the Intermediate I CDI3* class, presented by Triple Crown Nutrition. She has been riding the gelding by Quarterback for three years, but only launched his international career earlier this month, in the opening week of the AGDF. Every judge but one rewarded their I-1 test with over 70%, and they finished on 70.824%. Their third and final class of the week will be the Intermediate I Freestyle CDI3*, where the pair will seek to emulate their winning form from week one, where they toped the class with 75%.

Susan Pape (GBR) continued her run of success with the nine-year-old stallion Harmony’s Eclectisch, winning the Intermediate I CDI1* unanimously with 69.412%. The victory means the new partnership – formed at the end of 2017 – are unbeaten in both their international starts after choosing to make their international debut at AGDF.

Two of the three horses in the amateur Prix St Georges CDI class were ridden by American rider Amanda Lopez, and they filled the top two spots. She claimed a 64.167% victory on her own Quantum, a 14-year-old Swedish warmblood by Quite Easy.

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

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, FEI

US Dressage Team Wins Silver at FEI Nations Cup CDIO5* Aachen

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Shannon Brinkman Photo (Left to right: Olivia LaGoy-Weltz, Kasey Perry-Glass, Laura Graves, and Adrienne Lyle)

Graves and Verdades Win Grand Prix Special

Aachen, Germany – The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team won the silver medal at the FEI Nations Cup at the World Equestrian Festival CHIO Aachen in Aachen, Germany on Saturday with a final score of 450.392. Rio Olympic team bronze medalist Laura Graves and Verdades were foot perfect as they bested the field of competitors, unseating Germany’s Isabell Werth in the Grand Prix Special to win with a final a score of 81.824%.

“These incredible young ladies are just super athletes along with super wonderful horses, some of which are brand new to arenas such as this,” said Chef d’Equipe Robert Dover. “I was over-wrought with emotion about them landing in second place halfway through this Nations Cup. On the one hand, a part of me expects that; I expect excellence. Still, it is an extra thrill to have this youthful look of new faces coming along with our seasoned veterans. I’m very happy and very excited about this group.”

Maintaining their silver status from Thursday’s Grand Prix, the U.S. had little to no room for error as they entered the arena. The 2016 Olympic duo of Graves (Geneva, Fla.) and Verdades, Graves’ and Curt Maes’ 2002 Dutch Warmblood gelding, kept the momentum going fresh off their Grand Prix test, where they placed second with a 79.514%. They were determined to keep the team on the podium by producing a showstopping performance in the Grand Prix Special.

“Today was just our day. My horse gave me a great birthday present,” said Graves. “It was actually the first time this year that we have shown in the [Grand Prix] Special. I could not be more pleased with him. Aachen brings out the top riders, and that’s what keeps me motivated.”

Graves is the fifth U.S. dressage rider to win at Aachen, behind Patricia Galvin and Jessica Ransehousen (1960), Robert Dover (1987 CHIO Freestyle) and Steffen Peters (2009).

“A win in Aachen is tantamount to a win at the Olympics,” said Dover. “She was against the very best rider from the Olympic Games, the very best rider from the World Cup and when you beat that rider and horse, it’s just everything. When you go into the stadium and have our national anthem played and our flag go up, it is something she will never forget in her life. Nothing can make me more proud or happier for her.”

London Olympic veteran Adrienne Lyle (Ketchum, Idaho) aboard Salvino, the 2007 Hanoverian stallion owned by Salvino Partners, LLC, entered the ring confident and composed, demonstrating brilliant movements to finish on a final score of 71.814% and 73.608% in the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special, respectively.

“I’m ecstatic,” said Dover. “She rode magnificently both days. Today, the marks reflected a super talented horse and a fantastic rider piloting this young horse.”

Relatively new to international competitions, Olivia LaGoy-Weltz (Haymarket, Va.) and Lonoir, LaGoy-Weltz and Mary Anne McPhail’s 2004 Danish Warmblood gelding, competed with poise riding two technically outstanding tests, finishing the Grand Prix with a 71.514% and 72.118% in the Grand Prix Special.

“Olivia is another incredibly gifted rider. She is as tough about wanting perfect and being determined,” said Dover. “Right before she went in I said rack up as many points as you possibly can in the first half of the test because his greenness is in the second half and that’s exactly what she did. That’s what you want in a team rider; it shows another great talent for the future.”

Graves’ Rio Olympic teammate, Kasey Perry-Glass (Wellington, Fla.), and Goerklintgaards Dublet, Diane Perry’s 2003 Warmblood gelding, had an unexpected miscommunication in their first pirouette during Thursday’s Grand Prix, resulting in a score of 68.929% which was the drop score for the team. However, the pair’s performance on Saturday set the tone for the U.S. with a score of 71.608%.

“We wanted Kasey to keep showing the continued evolution of how this horse is coming on,” said Dover. “It [Grand Prix Special] was so amazing and so lovely. The 74-75% is right there. I’m thrilled with her.”

Germany took home top honors with a final collective team score of 471.046, and placed three of their riders in the top ten in the Grand Prix Special. Sweden, who was in fourth after the Grand Prix, surpassed Denmark to round out the top three with a final score of 437.635.

Graves and Verdades placed third with a score of 82.550% in the Grand Prix Freestyle Sunday morning.

From Classic Communications/US Equestrian Communications Department

Competitions, Dressage

US Dressage Team Ready to Compete in Aachen

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Adrienne Lyle and Salvino (SusanJSticklePhoto.com)

Aachen, Germany – All four horses on The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team, as well as two additional U.S. athlete-and-horse combinations competing in the Aachen CDI4*, have passed the horse inspection and are ready to compete at the 2017 World Equestrian Festival CHIO Aachen, in Aachen, Germany, July 19-23.

The U.S. team, led by Chef d’Equipe Robert Dover, includes the 2016 Olympic combinations of Laura Graves and Verdades and Kasey Perry-Glass and Goerklintgaards Dublet, in addition to the exciting combinations of Olympic veteran Adrienne Lyle with Salvino and Olivia LaGoy-Weltz with Lonoir. Featuring a combination of new talent and international experience, the U.S. team will vie for top honors in Aachen while gaining experience and building momentum towards the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon, N.C.

The competition begins with the CDIO5* Grand Prix on Thursday followed by the CDIO5* Grand Prix Special, the second half of the team competition, on Saturday morning. The U.S. has drawn the eighth and final position in the starting order among the eight countries competing and will compete in the following order:

Adrienne Lyle and Salvino:
Lyle (Ketchum, Idaho), a 2012 London Olympian, rides Salvino Partners, LLC’s Salvino, a 2007 Hanoverian stallion.  She and Salvino continue to progress in their partnership. The exciting, developing combination recently placed third in the Grand Prix CDI3* in Rotterdam last month.

Kasey Perry-Glass and Goerklintgaards Dublet:
Perry-Glass (Wellington, Fla.) will compete with Diane Perry’s Goerklintgaards Dublet, a 2003 Warmblood gelding. Perry-Glass and Goerklintgaards Dublet earned a team bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games and placed seventh in the 2017 FEI World Cup Finals in Omaha. In May, they won the USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship and was part of the gold medal winning team at CDIO5* Rotterdam in June.

Olivia LaGoy-Weltz and Lonoir:
LaGoy-Weltz (Haymarket, Va.) will compete her own and Mary Anne McPhail’s Lonoir, a 2004 Danish Warmblood gelding. LaGoy-Weltz and Lonoir continue to grow their partnership after exhibiting strong performances including a team gold in CDIO5* Rotterdam and first-place finishes in both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special in CDIO3* Wellington, Fla. earlier this year.

Laura Graves and Verdades:
Graves (Geneva, Fla.) will ride her own and Curt Maes’ Verdades, a 2002 Dutch Warmblood gelding. Graves and her 2016 Olympic team bronze medal mount, Verdades placed second at the FEI World Cup ™ Dressage Final in Omaha. Most recently, they were part of the gold medal winning team at FEI Nations Cup ™ CDIO5* Rotterdam.

The following athlete-horse combinations will compete as individuals in the CDI4*:

Shelly Francis (Loxahatchee, Fla.) with Patricia Stempel’s Danilo, a 2004 Hanoverian gelding.

Kathleen Raine (Murrieta, Calif.) with her own, Jennifer Mason, and David Wightman’s Breanna, a 2000 Hanoverian mare.

Further information on the 2017 World Equestrian Festival CHIO Aachen, including a schedule of events and results, is available at chioaachen.de.

From Classic Communications/ U.S. Equestrian Communications Department

Championships, Dressage, USEF, USEF

Perry-Glass, Lyle, and Blythe Win Big at US Dressage Festival of Champions

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Kasey-Perry Glass and Goerklintgaards Dublet. (SusanJStickle.com)

Gladstone, N.J. – The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions came to its conclusion on Sunday with three national champions being crowned. All competitors in the USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship, USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship, and USEF Young Adult “Brentina Cup” Dressage National Championship presented by Dressage Today performed their freestyle tests in order to earn the remainder of their overall championship score. Kasey Perry-Glass, Adrienne Lyle, and Kaitlin Blythe were crowned national champions.

Quality work was displayed by the combinations throughout The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions. “It was fun because it was up and down a little bit from one class to the next so I really didn’t know who was in the lead coming into today. I think clearly everybody made their best effort today,” commented Gary Rockwell, President of the Ground Jury. “We had some really good rides today. We need depth in this country. We can see some good young horses and young riders coming up, so that is our future; we need to support and encourage them and give them a chance.”

USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship

A talented field of seven combinations competed for top honors in the USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship with 45%, 40%, and 15% of their overall championship score coming from the Thursday’s FEI Grand Prix Test, Friday’s FEI Grand Prix Special, and Sunday’s FEI Grand Prix Freestyle, respectively.

Perry-Glass (Orangevale, Calif.) and Goerklintgaards Dublet added a USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship title to their resume by winning with an overall score of 71.575%. They put in a lovely test to win the FEI Grand Prix Test with a score of 73.700%, and had a few bobbles in the trot work of the FEI Grand Prix Special to finish fifth with a score of 68.529%. The duo did not have a completely clean performance in the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle but high degree of difficulty movements and a great artistic flow allowed them to finish second in the class with a score of 73.325%.

Watch Perry-Glass and Goerklintgaards Dublet’s freestyle

“The whole entire show was really not our best show, but you kind of need those, especially since it is our second year at Grand Prix; our first year was kind of a whirlwind. We have been picking on the small stuff and sometimes it all gets little bit dysfunctional when you are picking on the small stuff,” Perry-Glass explained. “I am proud of us for fighting through it and keeping our heads up and going. Having the support of [Adrienne Lyle and Olivia LaGoy-Weltz] and my other teammates has been great, and it is fun to compete here. I feel pretty lucky.”

Adrienne Lyle (Ketchum, Idaho) and Salvino received the Reserve Champion title after finishing on an overall score of 71.344%. They had a flowing performance in the FEI Grand Prix Test to finish second with a score of 70.600%, and were second again in the FEI Grand Prix Special, despite bobbles in the first piaffe and the one tempi changes, with a score of 70.314%. Lyle and the Salvino Partners, LLC’s 2007 Hanoverian stallion finished the championship on a high note by winning the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle with a score of 76.325%. Lyle used the music from her freestyle with Wizard, her longtime partner and 2012 Olympic Games mount, and changed the timing to match Salvino’s movement.

“I had a blast in my test today. We have never done the freestyle, so we pulled it together quickly. It was Wizard’s freestyle and we edited it time-wise to match his big stride. Terry Gallo did a great job with me calling last minute,” Lyle said. “I was thrilled with how Salvino handled it. I wasn’t sure what he was going to be like with the music and the crowd, there was a lot of stuff happening. I couldn’t be happier with what he gave me.”

Olivia LaGoy-Weltz (Haymarket, Va.) and Lonoir finished third in the championship with an overall score of 70.927%. They performed a smooth test to finish third in the FEI Grand Prix Test with a score of 70.400% and won the FEI Grand Prix Special with a score of 70.686%. LaGoy-Weltz and her own 2004 Danish Warmblood gelding gave another solid effort in the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle, highlighted by passage half-passes and quarter turns in the piaffe, to finish third with a score of 73.150%.

USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship

Sixteen combinations rode for the title in the USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship with 40%, 45%, and 15% of their overall championship score coming from the Thursday’s FEI Prix St. Georges Test, Saturday’s FEI Intermediate I Test, and Sunday’s FEI Intermediate I Freestyle, respectively.

Lyle and Horizon performed well and showed much promise for the future on their way to winning the USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship with a score of 70.967%. They had an unfortunate bobble in their changes in the FEI Prix St. Georges Test but recovered well to finish in fifth place with a score of 69.763%. The duo had a fantastic performance in the FEI Intermediate I Test to win with a score of 70.526%. Lyle rode Betsy Juliano’s 2007 Oldenburg mare to flashy music, including “It’s Raining Men.” They wowed the judges with difficult movements, such as canter pirouettes into tempi changes, to win the FEI Intermediate I Freestyle with a score of 75.500%.

Watch Lyle and Horizon’s freestyle

“That mare is so fun in the ring. She loves to get out there and perform. When she is on, you just have to sit there and pilot her through it,” Lyle said. “I borrowed that music from Katherine Bateson-Chandler, so thank you to everyone who helped me get to the championships.”

Jane Cleveland (Wellington, Fla.) and Monique earned the Reserve Champion title with a score of 70.768%. They painted a lovely picture, aside from one bobble in the change after the medium canter, to win the FEI Prix St. Georges Test with a score of 70.789%, then had a solid test to finish fourth in the FEI Intermediate I Test with a score of 69.947%. Cleveland and her own 2009 Danish Warmblood mare had an impressive freestyle performance with upbeat music coming from Cleveland’s barre class, finishing second in the FEI Intermediate I Freestyle with a score of 73.175%.

“[My ride] was so much fun. We did better today than before. She was better today than she has been all week,” Cleveland said. Elaborating on what it is like to ride at the USET Foundation headquarters, Cleveland said, “It is special for a few reasons. The barns are exquisite and they have so much history. There is a plaque of famous horses on each stall…I had the opportunity to ride here five years ago, and I learned that if you get the opportunity to ride here, you get here.”

Lyle also finished third in the championship with Harmony’s Duval on a score of 70.466%. She finished second with Harmony’s Duval in the FEI Prix St. Georges Test with a score of 70.605% and finished in third in the FEI Intermediate I Test with a score of 70.132%. Lyle and Duval Partners LLC’s 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding performed their freestyle to dramatic music that complemented the gelding’s movement to place fourth with a score of 71.100%.

USEF Young Adult “Brentina Cup” Dressage National Championship presented by Dressage Today

A field comprised of seven rising stars competed for the title in the USEF Young Adult “Brentina Cup” Dressage National Championship presented by Dressage Today with 40%, 45%, and 15% of their overall championship score coming from the Thursday’s FEI Intermediate II Test, Friday’s FEI Grand Prix 16-25 Test, and Sunday’s FEI Grand Prix 16-25 Freestyle, respectively.

Kaitlin Blythe (Rougemont, N.C.) and Don Principe won the USEF Young Adult “Brentina Cup” Dressage National Championship presented by Dressage Today with an overall score of 66.769%. They performed a fluid test, aside from an error of course, to finish second in the FEI Intermediate II Test with a score of 66.684%. Blythe and Maryanna Haymon’s 1999 Hanoverian stallion displayed quality movements in the FEI Grand Prix 16-25 Test to finish second with a score of 66.000%. The duo had great canter work in the FEI Grand Prix 16-25 Freestyle to win with a score of 69.300%.

Watch Blythe and Don Principe’s freestyle

“I’m thrilled with my horse. He loves the freestyle. It is his favorite thing; he just lights up in the arena. I cannot believe this is real life, actually; it is so surreal. I’m so thankful for everyone who helped me get here,” Blythe said.

Natalie Pai (Wellington, Fla.) and Unlimited were the Reserve Champions, ending on an overall score of 66.444%. They had a few moments of tension in the FEI Intermediate Test to finish third with a score of 66.447% but an improved performance in the FEI Grand Prix 16-25 Test to win the class with a score of 66.605%. Pai and Peacock Ridge, LLC’s 2001 KWPN gelding showcased clean changes and half turns in the piaffe in the FEI Grand Prix 16-25 Freestyle to place third with a score of 65.950%.

“He was awesome today. He really likes the freestyle; he gets way more active and energetic. I was really happy with a completely clean test,” Pai explained. “This whole weekend I can’t believe I was able to really step it up and make every single set of changes clean. He was so good this weekend and today really tried his best.”

Molly Paris (Charlotte, N.C.) and Countess finished third in the championship with an overall score of 65.992%. They had a great performance to win the FEI Intermediate II Test with a score of 67.079% and put forth a solid effort in the FEI Grand Prix 16-25 Test to place third with a score of 64.698%. Paris and her own 2002 Danish Warmblood mare performed their FEI Grand Prix 16-25 Freestyle with a high degree of difficulty which included passage half-passes and extended canter to canter pirouettes. However, they had some miscommunications, but finished second with a score of 66.975%.

By Kathleen Landwehr, US Equestrian Communications Department

Competitions, Dressage

AGDF Concludes Successful Season with Final Victories for Lyle and Matute

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Adrienne Lyle and Salvino. Photos: ©SusanJStickle.

Wellington, FL – March 25, 2017 – The 2017 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) concluded on Saturday, March 25, at the Equestrian Village at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL with victories for Adrienne Lyle (USA) and Juan Matute Guimon (ESP) in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI 3*, presented by Harmony Sporthorses, and the FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle CDI 3*, presented by Yellow Bird Farm.

Lyle and Salvino, a 2007 Hanoverian stallion (Sandro Hit x Donnerhall) owned by Salvino Partners LLC, ended their competitive winter circuit with a 73.510% in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI 3*, presented by Harmony Sporthorses.

Salvino was purchased for Lyle two years ago, after the retirement of her WEG and 2012 Olympic mount Wizard.

“This idea was born to work on syndication to buy horses for high performance riders who were out of a horse to ride,” said Lyle, “and Salvino came about after five long trips to Europe to look at horses. We found him as an eight-year-old and he showed some talent, but that was by no means confirmed at the time. We stayed out of the ring last year, just spending the time that it takes to get to know a new horse. We spent the time training and strengthening, and I think that it paid off because he seems to be going in there happy and calm, and that is our main goal.”

The pair has been competing nationally throughout the winter, and made their 2017 debut in the international ring earlier in the week.

“I think he loves the international ring,” she continued. “He doesn’t seem fazed by the environment at all. He’s not really an anxious horse, and he really stepped up to the plate for me today. We are still working on some things, such as putting the piaffe more in one spot, as well as more power in the extensions. Bit by bit it’s coming along, and I’m really thrilled with him today. It was a great score and a great effort, and I think there is a lot more in him still.”

Second place in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI 3* was awarded to Shelly Francis (USA) and Danilo, a 2004 Hanoverian gelding (De Niro x Annabella x Andiamo) owned by Patricia Stempel, scoring 71.353%. Third place went to Jill Irving (CAN) and her own Aurthur, a KWPN gelding (Jazz x Olympia W x Contango), earning 68.157%.

Juan Matute and Dhannie Ymas

Later in the afternoon, 19-year-old Matute and Dhannie Ymas, a 2007 Hanoverian gelding (Don Crusador x Welina) owned by Yeguada de Ymas S.L., climbed to the top of the leaderboard in the FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle CDI 3*, presented by Yellow Bird Farm, with an impressive score of 75.050%.

“I was very pleased to not only finish first in the last ride of the season,” said Matute, “but also with the feeling overall. It was quite good, and I’m trying to find a balance with how much power I should ask for without losing the softness and relaxation. I believe that today with Dhannie I approached that balance well, and I believe that this ride reflected that.”

Commenting on his winter season, Matute continued, “I have four horses that I competed at the FEI level, and they all had very valuable seasons, and I think that we all progressed a lot. I have to keep in mind that these are all horses I was riding in the Juniors not so long ago. For example, last night was only Quantico Ymas’ second freestyle under the lights and two years ago, I was doing Young Riders with him. The amount of progress that we have been able to make in such a short period of time is unbelievable. It gives me goosebumps, and I’m very proud of the work we are putting in, as well as the results we are getting back out.”

Diane Creech (CAN) and Robbie W, a 2003 Oldenburg gelding (Rubin Royal x Rolling Home x Inschallah) owned by Louise Leatherdale, earned a 74.350%, landing them with the second-place spot. Third place went to Catherine Malone (USA) and Dilona, a 2008 KWPN mare (Lord Leatherdale x Vajda x Kennedy) owned by Iron Spring Farm, with 72.875%.

For more information on AGDF and for information regarding the 2018 season, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage

Lyle and Horizon Top 31 Entries in FEI Prix St. Georges CDI 1* at AGDF 10

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Adrienne Lyle and Horizon. Photo Credit: ©SusanJStickle.

Wellington, FL – March 15, 2017 – Week ten commenced on Wednesday, March 15, at the 2017 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, FL with a victory for Adrienne Lyle (USA) and Horizon in the FEI Prix St. Georges CDI 1*, presented by CaptiveOne.

Lyle and Horizon, a 2007 Hanoverian mare (Hotline x Don Schufro) owned by Elizabeth Juliano, bested a talented class of 31 riders in the FEI Prix St. Georges CDI 1*, presented by CaptiveOne. The duo earned themselves a top spot on the leaderboard with a solid start to the week and a score of 71.447%.

“I couldn’t be happier with her,” commented Lyle, “at the end of a long season, to be able to have her just as fresh and confident and happy. That’s the main goal, to have them loving it just as much the last time they go down centerline, as they did the first time. She is for sure not burnt out. She’s always ready to go.”

Horizon is owned by Elizabeth Juliano, founder of Havensafe Farm, and sponsor of AGDF Week 10.

“Being here means so much,” said Juliano. “I’ve had that horse since she was three, and I couldn’t be happier with how she’s going. Step-by-step, this pair has been very careful and classical and kind, and she shows it. She loves what she does, (and) she’s a huge busy body. She loves going to these shows, and the atmosphere never intimidates her. I just can’t wait to see her continue to develop because she just loves what she’s doing, and I’ll love to see it happen.”

Juliano also spoke about Jennifer Baumert (USA) and Handsome, a 2005 Hanoverian gelding (Hochadel x Wyona x Weltmeyer) owned by Juliano. The pair placed fourth with a respectable 69.342%.

“Handsome is newer to me,” continued Juliano, “and I’m really thrilled with them too. They’re figuring each other out, but there is such great promise there as well. This has been a really thrilling season for me with four horses competing, and it’s fantastic to be able to do it here at such a great facility.”

Taking the second-place position in the FEI Prix St. Georges CDI 1* was Lars Petersen (DEN) and Quascai Nexen, a 2008 Danish Warmblood gelding (Quaterback x Pearl Nexen x Argentinus) owned by Altersgait LLC, with a score of 70.447%. Third place was awarded to Juan Matute Guimon (ESP) and Dhannie Ymas, a 2007 Hanoverian gelding (Don Crusador x Welina) owned by Yeguada de Ymas, with 70.368%.

Earlier in the day, the Florida International Youth Dressage Championships (FIYDC) kicked off with rider introductions and a press conference, held in the Global Pavilion at Equestrian Village. The competition is presented by Sarah Davis, Terri Kane, Kim Van Kampen, The Van Kampen Boyer Molinari Foundation, Hampton Green Farm, and Dressage4kids, and takes place over the duration of week 10 at the AGDF.

“We started this when we began taking a look at the other youth programs here in Florida,” said Kim Van Kampen. “We believed that working in conjunction with some of the other youth efforts down here would bring more and more young people down to compete internationally at the youth levels, and that’s what it has done.”

Ranked as the Number One rider on the FEI Youth Dressage World Ranking List – U25, 21-year-old Diana Porsche (AUT) reflected on the opportunity that the FIYDC and AGDF have provided.

“I think that it is the perfect preparation here for Europe,” said Porsche, “because you have a very big show, and you can go in many different rings on the same show grounds. For me, the preparation is perfect because we also have the international judges here and international riders, so I love to come here with my horses.”

This year the youth riders will represent seven countries, including Austria, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States. The overall scores will be computed as Team Test 40%, Individual Test 40% and Freestyle 20%. Awards will be presented to the top eight riders in each division, and prizes include a trophy donated by Kim Van Kampen, prize money donated by Dressage4kids, Sarah Davis, and Terri Kane, and the personal use of a stall at Hampton Green Farm for the 2018 season, donated by Kim Van Kampen, for each of the four overall division winners. The high scoring pony will receive the Poldy 10 Memorial Trophy.

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

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage

Adrienne Lyle and Horizon Top FEI Intermediaire 1 Freestyle CDI 3* at AGDF 5

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Adrienne Lyle and Horizon. Photos: ©SusanJStickle.

Wellington, FL – February 11, 2017 – Week five at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival concluded its fourth day of competition on Saturday, February 11, with another win for Adrienne Lyle (USA) and Horizon in the FEI Intermediaire 1 Freestyle CDI 3*, presented by Engel & Völkers.

Adrienne Lyle and Horizon, a 2007 Hanoverian mare (Hotline x Don Schufro) owned by Elizabeth Juliano, took home another victory, this time in the FEI Intermediaire 1 Freestyle CDI 3*, presented by Engel & Völkers, with a score of 75.325%.

“That was my first freestyle ever with her,” Lyle revealed. “We actually just kind of pulled this together last minute. I wasn’t aware that when we entered we also had to have a freestyle, so once we got here to the show I called some friends and Katherine Bateson Chandler lent me an old freestyle of hers. This was the first time I’ve actually ridden through the whole thing. I was really happy and Horizon was really good and stayed right with me and was there for me, despite winging it.”

Lyle and Horizon were also winners of the FEI Intermediaire 1, presented by Engel & Völkers, in Friday’s competition.

Lyle has spent the past few years out of the international competition ring. Commenting on her return, she said, “I’ve been really missing it. It feels really good to get back out there.”

Olympic Bronze Medalist Steffen Peters and Bailarino, a 2008 Oldenburg gelding (Breitling x Schila x De Niro) owned by Four Winds Farm, placed second with a score of 75.100%.

Steffen Peters and Bailarino

“I was very happy with Bailarino. Like I said before, he is not the most motivated horse and for the third day, he still had to work a lot, but he did his job. We had one short change in the three tempis, and that was the difference between the first and second placing.”

Peters joked, “I asked Adrienne to take it easy on me. I even pulled the age card since I’m twice her age, but it obviously didn’t work!”

Placing third in the FEI I-1 Freestyle, was Jane Cleveland (USA) and Monique, a 2009 Danish Warmblood mare (Temptation x Kaprice x Matador) owned by Cleveland, with a 72.750%.

Earlier in the day, Diana Porsche (USA) and Di Sandro, a 2003 Oldenburg gelding (De Niro x Gentina x Sandro) owned by Porsche, won the FEI Grand Prix 16-25 CDIU 25, sponsored by Diamante Farms, with a score of 71.535%. Second place was awarded to Anna Buffini (USA) and Sundayboy, a 1999 KWPN/Oldenburg gelding (Kennedy x Eezelma) owned by Buffini, with a score of 69.651%. Mathilde Blais Tetreault (CAN) and Utah rounded out the top three with a 65.907%.

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