Wellington, FL – March 5, 2017 – Competition concluded for week eight of the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) on Sunday, March 5, with a win for Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven (SWE) and Esperance in the FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle CDI 1*, presented by Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center.
Vilhelmson-Silfven and Esperance, a 2009 KWPN gelding (Sorento x Volita x Rousseau) owned by Lövsta Stuteri, finished their week on a high note with a victory today in the FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle CDI 1*, presented by Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center. The pair also took the top spot in Saturday’s FEI Intermediaire I and were awarded second place in Friday’s FEI Prix St. Georges.
“Looking at the whole week, I’m so pleased with my horse,” said Vilhelmson-Silfven. “He went over the expectations, as I haven’t shown him before. I’ve only had him for eight or nine months, and he’s so intelligent and nice to ride. He has a super mind; he really wants to do his best. He still feels quite green because he is only eight, you can feel that in the ring. Still, he just tries and tries, and he’s so honest and ambitious. It’s going to be a lot of fun to continue with this horse.”
The pair bested a competitive class made up of 14 talented horse-and-rider combinations with a winning score of 76.292%.
Commenting on her music choices, Vilhelmson-Silfven continued, “I wanted to have music that was not too powerful, because I didn’t know how he would react. I chose music that was more calm and even, to try and make it easier for him. It is too early to do a big spectacle right now. I figured he should just have a good round and have a good experience from it.”
Second place in the FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle CDI 1* was awarded to Jessica Rhinelander (CAN) and Dimanche, a 2008 KWPN gelding (Spielberg x Zayonah x San Remo) owned by Rhinelander, scoring 74.417%. Third place went Adrienne Lyle (USA) and Harmony’s Duval, a 2008 KWPN gelding (Rousseau x Uptown Girl x Riverman) owned by Kylee Lourie, with a score of 73.375%.
Competition at AGDF will resume with a full schedule of CPEDI 1*/2*/3* Para Dressage classes on March 10-12, presented by Mane Stream courtesy of Rowan O’Riley, Mission Control, Adequan®, and Nutrena®. For more information and to see a full list of results, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.
Wellington, FL – March 4, 2017 – Kasey Perry-Glass (USA) and Goerklintgaards Dublet achieved a win and their second FEI World Cup Finals qualifying score during Saturday night’s FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W, presented by Everglades Dressage, at the 2017 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, FL.
2016 Olympic bronze medalists Kasey Perry-Glass and Goerklintgaards Dublet, a 2003 Danish Warmblood gelding (Diamond Hit x La Costa x Olympic Ferro) owned by Diane Perry, earned a winning score of 80.805% in the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W, presented by Everglades Dressage.
“[My trainer] Debbie [McDonald] and I have been working really hard on his performance in the ring, and it just seems to get better and better,” said Perry-Glass. “We are slowly getting there and I try not to pressure him too hard. He’s still growing. But to win tonight, it felt good. It felt like I could finally breathe.
“My choreography was created by Adrienne Lyle,” said Perry-Glass of her freestyle choices. “She did the whole thing, and I’m so blessed to have her as a friend. Tom Hunt did my music. He is also the creator of Charlotte Dujardin’s music. I’ve been working with him for four years now. He just wanted something very special for Dublet, and I think he nailed it.”
Along with the freestyle victory, their score also puts Perry-Glass and Dublet on the road to their first FEI World Cup Dressage Final in Omaha, NE at the end of the month.
“I am so excited for Omaha,” said an emotional Perry-Glass. “I get to hopefully go with two of my Olympic teammates, and this is my first FEI World Cup so I’m over the moon about it. It wouldn’t be possible without Debbie McDonald, or my mom and husband and my dad. I’m just very lucky. I have a really good horse, and they all just make it a very positive experience for me.”
Second place in the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W was awarded to Chase Hickok (USA) and Sagacious HF, a 1999 KWPN gelding (Welt Hit II x Judith x Cocktail) owned by Hyperion Farm Inc., with a 75.620%.
Chase Hickok and Sagacious HF
This was Hickok’s first Freestyle under the lights in the open division. “We really came into tonight with no expectations,” said Hickok. “We just wanted to have a good, clean test, and I think we achieved that. To be sitting next to these two whom I look up to so much is just great.”
Hickok described her freestyle music. “My music actually came with Sagacious, and it was put together by Marlene Whitaker. It suits him and varies from upbeat in the trot to slower for the canter work. It highlights his strengths, so I’m very appreciative for whoever picked it originally.”
Shelly Francis (USA) and Doktor, a 2003 Oldenburg gelding (Diamond Hit x Gurena x Renoir I) owned by Patricia Stempel, took third place with a score of 75.565%.
Commenting on her ride, Francis said, “It was a little interesting because he was a bit edgy tonight for some reason, a little more than normal. We had some interesting parts of the test. The right pirouette on the left lead – I think we should have gotten some extra points for that! He was just a little tight here and there. He was a good boy, even though it wasn’t quite as smooth as I wanted it to be. He’s usually very fun to ride.”
Francis also rides to a freestyle created by Whitaker. “My music is from the movie ‘Big’. I helped with the choreography because my horse is kind of handy when he’s not too nervous. The music suits him as well; it’s fun.”
Judge at C, Christof Umbach (LUX), noted, “We had a very clear winner this evening. The other top four placings were very close, and all of the riders really fought for their marks. Compared to last week, all of the riders have improved. It was a super evening.”
Endel Ots, from sponsor Everglades Dressage, commented, “We really love supporting the dressage world quietly and from behind the scenes, and I think it’s so awesome to have one of our riders (Hickok) also place in the top three. We really love being here and supporting the sport.”
The Palm Beach Dressage Derby exhibition class, presented by Yeguada de Ymas, took place earlier in the day on Saturday featuring riders competing at Small Tour level with unfamiliar horses to see who could ride to the best score.
Round one was a match up against defending champion Chris Von Martels (CAN) and Christoph Koschel (GER), riding Truhana De Ymas, a 2009 PRE mare (Envidiado De Ymas x Nicaragua III) owned by Yeguada de Ymas S.L. Ultimately Koschel came on the top with a score of 69.605%, knocking the last year’s winner out of the competition. Juan Matute Guimon (ESP) and Mikala Munter Gundersen (DEN) competed in round one on Action Ace, a 2005 DWB gelding (Ijsselmeer x Promised) owned by Janice Murdoch. Munter Gundersen won the round with a 69.474%.
Koschel and Munter Gundersen advanced to the final knockout round of The Palm Beach Dressage Derby competition during the mid-way point at the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle, with both riders piloting Wrazzmatazz, a 2003 KWPN gelding (Jazz x Madame x Darwin) owned by Sara Hellner.
The final round brought excitement to the Global Arena as Koschel rode a well-executed test, clinching the win with a score of 72.588%.
“This is always special in an atmosphere like this,” said Koschel. “I don’t know if this horse was ever in an atmosphere like this so you don’t know what you get or what you can expect. I think it was a perfect horse for this final because he was very, very honest and nice to ride, and it made it easier for both of us.”
Koschel is no stranger to derby riding; he was the winner of the 49th Dressur-Derby of Hamburg, as well as the Munich Derby. Munter Gundersen also competed in the Hamburg Derby, finishing second.
Munter Gundersen added, “The horse has not been in an atmosphere like this before. I was happy that Chris went first, so if the horse was going to be spooky, [it was] with him and really nice with me! He was really great with both of us though, and I had a super clean test with only a few mistakes in my three-tempis. It takes a special horse to go in there with strange riders and be so nice.”
AGDF Director of Sport, Thomas Baur, concluded the evening by stating, “This was the first time we had the derby under the lights. It was also the first time we used the Spectator Judging app for the overall result, and it worked out quite well. We are going to continue to do that and are looking forward to the coming years.”
Wellington, FL – March 3, 2017 – Olivia LaGoy-Weltz (USA) and Lonoir climbed to the top of the leaderboard in Friday’s FEI Grand Prix Special CDI-W, presented by Peacock Ridge, at the 2017 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF).
It was a successful day for LaGoy-Weltz and her own Lonoir, a 2004 Danish Warmblood gelding (De Noir x Lorani x Loran), as they captured the title in the FEI Grand Prix Special, presented by Peacock Ridge, with a score of 71.608%.
The pair has had a successful week after Friday’s win and Thursday’s second place finish in the FEI Grand Prix CDI-W.
Of her ride, LaGoy-Weltz said, “He was definitely very hot in the warm-up today. He came out really cool, but then we got under the big American Flag flying and it cracked a few times, and after that we were off to the races. I was really pleased with how he settled, because he did get lit up right before we went in but he got his focus back once we were in the ring.
“We haven’t done the Grand Prix Special much,” she continued. “We haven’t ridden it since last year really, when we were down here. I think he and I need to run through it a few times just so we know where we can add the power in.”
Arlene Page (USA) and Woodstock, a 2003 KWPN gelding (Havel x Mirania x Contango) owned by Page, were awarded second place in the FEI Grand Prix Special with a score of 70.922%. Third place went to Shelly Francis (USA) and Danilo, a 2004 Hanoverian gelding (De Niro x Annabella x Andiamo) owned by Patricia Stempel, with a 68.980%.
Wellington, FL – March 2, 2017 – Week eight commenced on Thursday, March 2, at the 2017 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, FL with a victory for Kasey Perry-Glass (USA) and Goerklintgaards Dublet in the FEI Grand Prix CDI-W, presented by Peacock Ridge.
2016 Olympic bronze medalists Kasey Perry-Glass and Goerklintgaards Dublet, a 2003 Danish Warmblood gelding (Diamond Hit x La Costa x Olympic Ferro) owned by Diane Perry, were the winners in the FEI Grand Prix CDI-W, presented by Peacock Ridge. They earned an impressive score of 73.420%.
Commenting on her ride, Perry-Glass said, “The trot work was good, and that has been a little tricky for us the last couple of weeks. I feel like we lost a little steam in the canter, which then led to mistakes in the ones and the two-tempis. Overall though, I felt like he was very honest. There is so much room for improvement, and I just need to ride a clean test. That’s going to be my goal for this year.”
Perry-Glass also discussed her upcoming Freestyle this Saturday night.
“I’m really excited,” she said. “I think that the freestyle is something that Dublet and I are really good at, and he feels more comfortable with it. That’s kind of the last ‘hurrah’ before the FEI World Cup Finals, to see if I get to go or not. So I am anxious, but I’ll be happy either way. I would love to go, and I think Dublet would love it too.”
Second place in the FEI Grand Prix CDI-W was awarded to Olivia LaGoy-Weltz (USA) and Lonoir, a 2004 Danish Warmblood gelding (De Noir x Lorani x Loran) owned by LaGoy-Weltz, with a score of 72.920%.
Olivia LaGoy-Weltz and Lonoir
“I was really happy with my ride today,” said LaGoy-Weltz. “It’s the most solid he has felt in there, and he felt more confident.”
On Lonoir, LaGoy-Weltz continued, “He’s 13 now, and he’s sound and he’s sane and he’s fit. These are his golden years.”
Third place went to Shelly Francis (USA) and Doktor, a 2003 Oldenburg gelding (Diamond Hit x Gurena x Renoir I) owned by Patricia Stempel, with a 71.920%. Francis also competed mount Danilo, a 2004 Hanoverian gelding (De Niro x Annabella x Andiamo) owned by Stempel, to a sixth-place finish with a score of 70.440%.
Earlier in the day, Jennifer Baumert (USA) and Handsome, a 2005 Hanoverian gelding (Hochadel x Wyona x Weltmeyer) owned by Elizabeth Juliano, topped the FEI Prix St. Georges CDI 1*, sponsored by Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center, with a score of 71.228%. Second place went to Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven (SWE) and Esperance, a 2009 KWPN gelding (Sorento x Violita x Rosseau) owned by Lövsta Stuteri, with a 71.096%. Adrienne Lyle (USA) and Harmony’s Duvall, a 2009 gelding (Rosseau x Riverman) owned by Kylee Laurie, took third place with a score of 68.289%.
Wellington, FL – February 26, 2017 – Week seven of the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) concluded competition on Sunday, February 26, with a win for Tina Irwin (CAN) and mount Laurencio in the FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle CDI 1*, presented by Wellington Regional Medical Center.
Irwin and Laurencio, a 2007 Oldenburg gelding (Laurentio x Pasadena x Donerhall) owned by Irwin, were the champions in the FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle CDI 1*, presented by Wellington Regional Medical Center, with a winning score of 78.708%.
“My ride started off kind of interestingly,” said Irwin. “We halted and saluted, and then my music stopped playing because the power went out briefly. I got the option to start again, so I did. I start with two-tempis into my halt, and I had nailed them the first time so I hoped I would do that again, and luckily we nailed them again. Halfway through my canter work, my curb chain came loose and then fell off. So, we continued on and still got the job done, so I’m pretty pleased, considering all of that. He didn’t skip a beat and nothing fazed him. He’s a pretty amazing horse.”
In regards to their future together, Irwin commented, “I definitely plan on doing a Grand Prix and making a major team, Olympics for sure. We’ll see about WEG when the time comes. I would love to do all of that with him.”
Second place in the FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle CDI 1* was awarded to Steffen Peters (USA) and Bailarino, a 2008 Oldenburg gelding (Breitling x Schila x De Niro) owned by Four Winds Farm, scoring 77.000%. Third place went to Jaimey Irwin (CAN) and Donegal V, a 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Johnston x Remy x Gribaldi) owned by Team Irwin Supporters Group, with a score of 75.625%.
Competition at AGDF will resume with a full schedule of classes on March 2-5, with the highlight FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W, presented by Everglades Dressage, on a special night, Saturday, March 4. For more information and to see a full list of results, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.
Wellington, FL – February 25, 2017 – Arlene Page (USA) and Dr. House 2 captured a win in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI-W, presented by The Axel Johnson Group, on Saturday, February 25, during the seventh week of competition at the 2017 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, FL.
Page and mount Dr. House 2, a 2005 Oldenburg gelding (Don Schufro x Rinerfa JS x Krack C), owned by Page, ended the day with a victory in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI-W, presented by The Axel Johnson Group, earning a score of 71.629%.
Commenting on her ride with Dr. House 2, Page said, “You have to like it when you ride a good, clean test. I’m discovering how honest my horse is, and this is the first time I’ve ridden him in a CDI, so it’s show time. It was a good feeling that I could count on him to do what he knows and offer to help. That’s the key thing.”
This was Page’s first CDI and first FEI Grand Prix Special with “Housie.”
“I’ve already discovered that the horse gets to the ring and wants to help,” said Page. “He’s not in any way looking to avoid doing his job. Whatever you see in the ring is a very honest reflection of where he is with his training.”
Second place in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI-W went to Katie Poag (USA) and Zonnekoning, a 2004 Dutch Warmblood stallion (Florett AS x Maraba) owned by Poag, with a 71.294%. Third place was awarded to Jill Irving (CAN) and Arthur, a 2005 KWPN gelding (Jazz x Olympia- W x Contango), owned by Irving, with a score of 68.059%.
Wellington, FL – February 24, 2017 – Laura Graves (USA) and Verdades were victorious in their third “Friday Night Stars” of the season in the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W, presented by The Axel Johnson Group on Friday, February 24, during the seventh week of competition at the 2017 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, FL.
Laura Graves (USA) and Verdades, a 2002 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Florett AS x Liwilarda) owned by Graves, took charge in the Global Arena this week, coming out on the top of the leaderboard yet again, with a winning score of 81.903%.
“Tonight he was hot, maybe hotter than he’s been the past two shows, so that was a bit challenging, and we have yet to ride a completely clean freestyle this year,” said Graves. “That’s definitely a focus going into March, but this horse does a fantastic job even when he’s hot and maybe a little spooky. He never lets me down, and he gets really excited when he’s about to go in. He knows when it’s his turn, and I love that about him.”
This is Graves’ and Verdades’ fifth score in a row of 80% or higher in FEI Large Tour competition.
Placing second and third to Graves in the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W were her fellow 2016 Olympic teammates and bronze medalists, Kasey Perry-Glass and Steffen Peters.
Graves commented on her relationship with her teammates. “It’s so fun to have everyone back together and [to see] friendly faces. We are all so competitive; we’re all out there riding for two spots for the FEI World Cup (Finals). It doesn’t affect our relationships outside of that. It’s amazing to have friends that can compete against each other and want the best for each other. I just wish Steffen didn’t live in California.”
Kasey Perry-Glass and Goerklintgaards Dublet
Perry-Glass and Goerklintgaards Dublet, a 2003 Danish Warmblood gelding (Diamond Hit x La Costa x Olympic Ferro) owned by Diane Perry, placed second with a 79.541%.
Perry-Glass commented on her ride with Dublet. “I was expecting a little bit of a nervous horse today. Debbie McDonald and I have been working tirelessly on his relaxation, and he proved it tonight. All of our hard work and dedication [is] to that, to his happiness in the ring. He showed me tonight that he has more in him and that he loves his job. I really liked our piaffe passage tour. Everything about the test was fun for me.”
Peters rode Rosamunde, a 2007 Rhinelander mare (Rock Forever x First Lady) owned by Four Winds Farm, to third place, scoring 78.732%.
“Of course she still had more energy than I was hoping for, but it was controllable,” said Peters. “The flying changes were better this time. (There was) a bit of an exuberant transition to the canter in the beginning, but what a good girl. She tried extremely hard.”
Commenting on the possibility of a competition spot for the 2017 FEI World Cup Finals in Omaha, NE, Peters continued, “We will see what happens from here. The bottom line is, those are two extremely exciting World Cup candidates. If we happen to get a wild card, in that case, ‘Rosie’ and I will be ready.”
Judge at C, Isabel Wessels (GBR), spoke in regard to the rides she witnessed throughout the night.
“It was a really exciting competition to judge,” said Wessels. “I have to say, it was the first time I’ve done this new system, so it was nerve-wracking. I was blown away by the energy and scope of these three riders. They’re obviously good riders, but they have amazing horses. It’s just so lovely to sit there and think, ‘Oh should I give it a 9 or maybe a 10.’ It’s that type of judging where you can really find the high marks.”
Earlier in the day, Steffen Peters (USA) and Bailarino, a 2008 Oldenburg gelding (Breitling x Schila x De Niro) owned by Four Winds Farm, earned a victory in the FEI Intermediate I CDI 1*, presented by Wellington Regional Medical Center, with a score of 74.649%. Second place was awarded to Jaimey Irwin (CAN) and Donegal V, a 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Johnston x Remy x Gribaldi) owned by Team Irwin Supporters Group, with a 74.123%. Third place went to Tina Irwin (CAN) and Laurencio, a 2007 Oldenburg gelding (Laurentio x Pasadena x Donerhall) owned by Irwin, with a score of 73.860%.
Wellington, FL – February 23, 2017 – Laura Graves (USA) and Verdades claimed another victory in Thursday’s FEI Grand Prix CDI-W, presented by The Axel Johnson Group, during the seventh week of competition at the 2017 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, FL.
2016 Olympic bronze medalists Laura Graves (USA) and Verdades, a 2002 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Florett AS x Liwilarda) owned by Graves, ended the day with another win in the Global Arena and a score of 80.240%.
“It feels much more secure. It’s nice to know that what happened at the 5* wasn’t a one-hit-wonder,” Graves said of her second 80% score in the FEI Grand Prix. “It’s still pretty awesome. It’s a really, really exciting way for us to go in to the big things we have planned.”
Of her ride, Graves continued, “His ride-ability was really super. I was happy with my zig-zags. I feel like we covered a lot of ground in both directions. The pirouettes were really on; I was really happy with my final centerline. I think we ran out of a little steam. It was warm, and they were running a couple of minutes behind. He just doesn’t ever say ‘no,’ so he tried his best.”
Placing second and third to Graves in in the FEI Grand Prix CDI-W were 2016 Olympic teammates and bronze medalists, Steffen Peters (USA) and Kasey Perry-Glass (USA).
Peters and Rosamunde, a 2007 Rhinelander mare (Rock Forever x First Lady) owned by Four Winds Farm, took second place with a score of 74.820%.
“I still had a little more energy than I wanted,” said Peters about his ride with Rosamunde, “but it was so much better than two weeks ago. I’m super happy with her. She did awesome trot half-passes, beautiful extensions, the piaffe and passage transitions were better. She is just so much fun to ride. She’s so beautiful in the bridle (and) always goes. Most of the time we have to say, ‘Hey wait, not that much!’ So it was a beautiful step ahead, and I thought that showing here in this arena a bunch of times would help her. Certainly, that worked out as planned.”
Steffen Peters and Rosamunde
“Apparently, our tattoos have been working!” joked Peters of the Olympic Rings tattoos that the USA Olympic Dressage Team members recently got together. “It’s nice to be here with the two teammates.”
Kasey Perry-Glass (USA) and Goerklintgaards Dublet, a 2003 Danish Warmblood gelding (Diamond Hit x La Costa x Olympic Ferro) owned by Diane Perry, came in third with a 73.200%.
“I feel like it’s all still changing, and it’s going to change a lot because this is only his second year,” said Perry-Glass, of her progress with Dublet. “Two weeks ago, I felt like I was coming out and he was a little bit more amped to be in there. This week we finally found that relaxation in the ring, to where we can eventually add more power and consistency to it.”
Wellington, FL – February 22, 2017 – Week seven kicked off on Wednesday, February 22 at the 2017 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, FL with another victory for Steffen Peters (USA) and mount Bailarino in the FEI Prix St. Georges CDI 1*, presented by Wellington Regional Medical Center.
A little rain didn’t stop 2016 Olympic Bronze Medalist Steffen Peters and Bailarino, a 2008 Oldenburg gelding (Breitling x Schila x De Niro) owned by Four Winds Farm, from earning a score of 72.149% and the top placing.
Commenting on his ride, Peters said, “He was a bit distracted coming in because the second he left the warm-up arena, he left all of his buddies behind. The ride started out pretty good, and then throughout the test he got a bit more distracted. That’s when we missed one four-tempi and the rest of the test was clean, just not as forward as he could go. Certainly, a good score, and of course I’m still happy with him.”
Peters also highlighted his goals for the remainder of the week with Bailarino, as they will be competing in the FEI Intermediate I and FEI Intermediate I Freestyle classes.
“It would be great if we could keep this placing,” said Peters. “I know that last week Adrienne (Lyle) did a wonderful job, (and) team Canada was very strong today, so it would be foolish to rely on this score. But he (Bailarino) is going to take a nice day off tomorrow, we are going to walk, and then Friday is another day!”
Placing second and third to Peters was husband and wife duo Jaimey and Tina Irwin (CAN). Jaimey and Donegal V, a 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Johnston x Remy x Gribaldi) owned by Team Irwin Supporters Group, earned second place with a score of 70.482%. Tina and Laurencio, a 2007 Oldenburg gelding (Laurentio x Pasadena x Donerhall) owned by Irwin, were awarded third place with a score of 69.781%.
Wellington, FL – February 18, 2017 – Week six of the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) concluded competition on Saturday, February 18, with a win for Suzan Pape (GBR) and Harmony’s Fiorano in the FEI Grand Prix at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL.
Suzan Pape (GBR) and Harmony’s Fiorano, a 2005 Hanoverian gelding (Rousseau x Rousseau x Rotspon) owned by Harmony Sporthorses, topped the FEI Grand Prix on Saturdays with a score of 74.900%.
“I really enjoyed my ride today. He was totally focused and wanted to do his best,” said Pape. “Maybe his walk wasn’t so relaxed, but he had many highlights in the piaffe and passage work, canter pirouettes, and had totally straight tempi-changes. We scored a personal best which makes me very happy. I am very much looking forward to future challenges after I return to Europe in the beginning of March.”
Second place was awarded to Adrienne Lyle (USA) and Salvino, a 2007 Hanoverian stallion (Sandro Hit x Donnerhall) owned by Salvino Partners LLC, with a 72.900%. Third place went to Christilot Boylen (CAN) and Drenato, a 2003 Hanoverian gelding (De Niro x Brenda Lee x Brentono II) owned by Deborah Miculinic, with a score of 69.400%.
On Friday, February 17, victory went to Akiko Yamazaki (USA) and Chopin R, a 2007 gelding (Ferro) owned by Four Winds Farm, in the FEI Intermediate I* AA with a score of 66.447%. Yamazaki has been to ADGF in the past as a sponsor and owner for 2016 Olympic Bronze Medalist Steffen Peters, but this is her first season competing here as a rider herself.
“Coming to Florida has been on my bucket list,” said Yamazaki. “I’ve been here as a sponsor for Steffen a few times, starting with Ravel, and then Legolas and Rosie, and now Bailarino. I felt that it would be so fun to be here as a rider myself. I have been able to compete at the Nationals in Kentucky twice now with Donovan, so I’ve had some experiences with putting a horse on a plane and competing, but coming to Florida and being in this environment is an entirely different story. I’m so glad that I realized that.”
Akiko Yamazaki and Chopin R
Commenting on her ride, Yamazaki said, “I’m so smiley because this was my first ride, and it was decent so I’m really happy about that. My horse, he can be quite hot. He just got here on Tuesday so for him to just go in there and do what he did, I’m very happy with that. This was only his second I-1 test with me. I’ve had him since he was almost seven, so he’s really a horse that we all develop together. I know that the canter still needs quite a bit of work, but with the trot I knew that we could pretty much nail everything. We needed to get all of the points possible there, so we try to get that trot as good as possible.”
Placing second to Yamazaki in the FEI Intermediate I* AA was Amanda Arberman (CAN) and Santino Tyme, a 2005 Oldenburg gelding (Stedinger x Romantic Star x Rouletto) owned by Arberman, with a score of 64.868%. Third place went to Tyrelle Keslin (USA) and De Lainie, a 2006 Hanoverian gelding (De Laurentis x Em Delight x De Niro) owned by Keslin, with a score of 61.579%.
Earlier in the day, Kayla Kadlubek (USA) and Freewill, a 2004 Oldenburg gelding (Freestyle x Dunchelfuchs) owned by Kadlubek, won the FEI Junior Individual test with a score of 68.618%. Second place went to Antonia Arl (BEL) and Equestricons Belstaff W, a 2004 Westfalen gelding (Breitling W x Devisa x Diego xx) owned by Equestricon N.V., with a score of 68.026%. Third place was awarded to Amanda McAuliffe (USA) and Brahm, a 2006 DWB gelding owned by Donna McAuliffe, with a 66.579%.
Competition at AGDF will resume with a full schedule of classes, including CDI-W competition presented by The Axel Johnson Group, and FEI Small Tour classes, presented by Wellington Regional Medical Center, on February 23-26. For more information and to see a full list of results, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.
