Tag Archives: Adequan Global Dressage Festival

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events, FEI

Todd Flettrich Wins FEI Olympic Grand Prix Special at Global Dressage Festival

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Todd Flettrich and Otto. Photos: SusanJStickle.com

Wellington, FL – February 19, 2012 – Todd Flettrich of Wellington, FL won the FEI Olympic Grand Prix Special at the $50,000 Florida Dressage Classic CDI-W, presented by the United States P.R.E. Association, on Sunday.  Riding Otto, his 2010 World Equestrian Games (WEG) partner, Flettrich scored 71.422%. Ashley Holzer of Canada finished second on Breaking Dawn with 70.800% and Heather Blitz came in third on Paragon by a fraction of a percent less scoring 70.756%.

Flettrich was thrilled with the performance of the 16-year-old gelding and the score; it was their second highest in the Olympic Grand Prix Special.

“I am happy,” said Flettrich. “I can take risks. Before the WEG we were still getting to know each other. Now, I’m willing to take a chance. I could not have done it before. He’s become my horse now.”

Flettrich owes the great score to a change in attitude. “Otto is arrogant and I used to feel I had to control him, but now I just encourage him to be arrogant.”

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events, FEI

Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven Wins FEI Grand Prix Freestyle under the Lights at Global Dressage Festival

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Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven and Don Auriello. Photos: SusanJStickle.com

Wellington, FL – February 19, 2012 – Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven of Sweden captured her second victory on Don Auriello at the $50,000 Florida Dressage Classic CDI-W, presented by the United States P.R.E. Association, this time in the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle under the lights on Saturday. The nighttime atmosphere at the Global Dressage Festival (GDF) was filled with excitement for the world cup event that featured twelve entries from five different nations.

The electric atmosphere was great for the crowd, but it made things a little more difficult for Vilhelmson-Silfven who scored 76.350%. “I am super pleased,” said Vilhelmson-Silfven. “He was a bit more tense here in the dark, but it was good practice for me. I had a better feeling with him today than yesterday. The facility has made a huge difference. It’s very nice.”

James Koford of Wellington, FL rode Pharaoh to second place with a score of 73.450%. Koford was thrilled with his finish because he hopes to use the prize money from this competition and his victory in the freestyle at the first GDF to pay for World Cup Final expenses, should he receive an invitation.

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Dressage

USPRE Celebrates the Spanish Breed as Sponsor of $50,000 Florida Dressage Classic CDI-W at 2012 Global Dressage Festival

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Caroline Roffman and Pie, winners of the FEI Prix St. Georges at the $50,000 Florida Dressage Classic CDI-W, presented by the USPRE. Presenters L to R: Alexander Zilo, Kim Boyer, Mary Magee, Joan Mack, Aliza Korash & Hilda Gurney

Wellington, FL – February 17, 2012 – True to its name, the Global Dressage Festival is bringing together the best elements of dressage from all over the world. The international influence is apparent not only in terms of riders but in terms of horses. A Spanish flare is taking center ring with the P.R.E. breed. As a sponsor of the Global Dressage Festival the USPRE is showcasing this pure Spanish breed which is elegantly entering the spotlight and winning top dressage honors.

The Vice President of the USPRE Alexander Zilo comments, “The fundamental mission of USPRE is to celebrate and promote the versatility of the Pure Spanish Horse (P.R.E.), the Horse of Kings, in every equestrian sport sector and to maintain its heritage with Spain.  Known for its intelligence, proud bearing, docile temperament and breathtaking beauty, the P.R.E. horse is well suited for every level of riding. USPRE has chosen to be a founding sponsor of Global Dressage as it is destined to be the world’s leading marketing and promotion vehicle in Dressage.”

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events

Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven Wins FEI Grand Prix at $50,000 Florida Dressage Classic CDI-W

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Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven and Don Auriello

Wellington, FL – February 17, 2012 – The FEI Grand Prix at the $50,000 Florida Dressage Classic CDI-W, presented by the United States P.R.E. Association, was truly an international event as the top three places went to three different nations on Friday.  Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven won the event at the Global Dressage Festival, Ashley Holzer of Canada was second, and Todd Flettrich finished as highest placed American rider in third place.

Vilhelmson-Silfven scored a 72.681% on Don Auriello, which was impressive since this is his first show in Florida this season. The pair performed the test in a relaxed steady tempo, as if on air, with steadiness and ease.

“There is lots of atmosphere here. It’s like a really, really big show,” said Vilhelmson-Silfven of the newly built Stadium section of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC.)

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events

The $50k Florida Dressage Classic CDI-W and National Show Gets Underway at 2012 GDF

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Ashley Holzer and Breaking Dawn at the Veterinary Inspection. Photo: www.SusanJStickle.com

Wellington, FL – February 16, 2012 – The second event of the 2012 Global Dressage Festival (GDF), the $50,000 Florida Dressage Classic CDI-W, presented by the United States P.R.E. Association, and National Show took place on Thursday with six levels of competition at the Stadium of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC).

Christopher Hickey had the high score of the day on Balissa HTF with a 77.500% in the USEF First Level Test II – Open class. Ilse Schwarz of Australia had the second highest score of the day and took home two blue ribbons winning the USEF First Level Test I – Open on Don Joseph with 73.793% and the FEI Intermediaire II – Open on Cadenza with a score of 67.500%. John Amber also won two classes taking the FEI Prix St. George – Open on Shakespeare RSF with a 63.882% and the USEF Training Level 3 – Open on World Games TFH scoring 64.800%. The third double winner went to Laurie Moore winning the USEF Second Level Test I – Open scoring 68.500% on Rolero. The pair improved on their win in the USEF Second Level Test II scoring 73.158%.

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Competitions, Dressage, Events

Starting Lists for the $50,000 Florida Dressage Classic CDI-W and National Show at 2012 Global Dressage Festival Available for Viewing

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James Koford and Pharaoh. Photo: www.SusanJStickle.com

Wellington, FL – February 14, 2012 – The starting lists for the $50,000 Florida Dressage Classic CDI-W, presented by the United States P.R.E. Association, and National Show are now available for viewing on the website www.globaldressagefestival.com under the link for dressage show information and ride times on the main homepage.  This second event of the 2012 Global Dressage Festival (GDF) circuit takes place February 16-19 at The Stadium section of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC).

The CDI classes are filled to capacity featuring international and national riders that include: Ashley Holzer, Evi Strasser, and Jacqueline Brooks of Canada, Tinne Vilhelmlson-Silfven of Sweden, Mikala Gundersen of Denmark, and Ilse Schwarz of Australia. Some of the U.S. riders that are entered are: Heather Blitz, Adrienne Lyle, James Koford, Shawna Harding, Todd Flettrich, and Susan Dutta.

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Competitions, Dressage, Events

Florida Dressage Classic CDI-W Presented by United States P.R.E. Association Filled to Capacity at 2012 Global Dressage Festival

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Wellington, FL – February 12, 2012 – International dressage riders filled the CDI-W classes beyond capacity for the Florida Dressage Classic CDI-W presented by the United States P.R.E. Association.  This is the second event of the Global Dressage Festival (GDF) circuit, which also features a National Show, and takes place February 16-19 at The Stadium section of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC).

Some of the marquee riders expected to compete in the Classic are: Ashley Holzer of Canada who seeks to repeat her blue ribbon winning performances of the first GDF event in the FEI Grand Prix and the FEI Olympic Grand Prix Special classes; James Koford of Wellington, FL; and Shawna Harding of Aiken, SC.  Other renowned riders that are entered include Tinne Vilhelmlson-Silfven of Sweden, Evi Strasser of Canada, Heather Bitz of Wellington, FL, and Ilse Schwarz of Australia.

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Competitions, Dressage, Events

Wrap-up of 2012 Global Dressage Festival Inaugural Event

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Wellington, FL – February 6, 2012 – The inaugural event of the 2012 Global Dressage Festival (GDF) was a great success featuring the $50,000 Wellington Dressage CDI-W, presented by Magnolia Farm, and National Show, which took place February 2-5.

The GDF continues with the Florida Dressage Classic CDI-W and National Show, presented by the United States PRE Association, February 16-19 at the newly constructed venue that extends the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) show grounds.

Opening day of the Wellington Dressage CDI-W and National Show featured nine levels of national competition on Thursday.  All of the participants seemed pleased with the venue, especially local resident Laurie Moore, who had the honor of riding as the first competitor in the show.  Moore was pleased with the distinction and her performance on her horse Rolero.  As she exited the arena Moore beamed with excitement and exclaimed, “It’s fabulous! The facility has the ambiance of a very significant event with all of the international flags flying over the arena. I felt so important!”

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events

Holzer Wins Grand Prix Special in Wellington Dressage CDI-W at Global Dressage Festival

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Ashley Holzer and Pop Art

Wellington, FL – February 5, 2012 – Ashley Holzer of Canada won the FEI Olympic Grand Prix Special in the $50,000 Wellington Dressage CDI-W, presented by Magnolia Farm, on Sunday, the final day of the 2012 Global Dressage Festival’s (GDF) inaugural event.

Holzer was aboard Pop Art, the horse that she rode in the 2008 Olympic Games.  The pair scored an impressive 71.867% in spite of Holzer’s mistake.

“My horse was great, his jockey today was not stellar,” said Holzer. “Because this Olympic Special is a bit different from the Grand Prix Special I normally do, I had a moment of confusion on the centerline after the first pirouette, and made a mistake on the one tempis. I am happy with my horse though, he feels like a young horse again.”

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events

Koford Wins Grand Prix Freestyle in Wellington Dressage CDI-W at Global Dressage Festival

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James Koford and Pharaoh

Wellington, FL – February 4, 2012 – James Koford, of Wellington, FL, was all smiles as he won the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle in the Wellington Dressage CDI-W, presented by Magnolia Farm, on Saturday.  Riding Pharaoh, owned by Hannah Hollandshook, Koford won the featured event of the 2012 Global Dressage Festival (GDF) with a score of 73.300%.  Shawna Harding, of Aiken, SC, was second with Come On III scoring 70.575%.  Koford’s winning attitude did not go unnoticed by Janet Foy, who served as the FEI Judge at the letter “C”.

“What I really so enjoyed was Jim’s smile during the pirouettes and the piaffe/passage parts of the test,” said Foy. “You can tell he enjoys this horse and was really nice to see.”

The test was also nice for Hollandshook to see. The 20-year-old was Koford’s groom on Saturday, but shortly before coming to Florida she had a successful outing on Pharaoh at the Intermediaire I level.

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