Tag Archives: Shelly Francis

Competitions, Dressage

Francis and Doktor Top FEI Grand Prix CDI 3* at AGDF 10

Leave a comment

Shelly Francis and Doktor. Photos: ©SusanJStickle.

Wellington, FL – March 17, 2016 – Shelly Francis (USA) and Doktor, who have been campaigning at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) circuit all season, collected a win this afternoon in the FEI Grand Prix CDI 3*, presented by The Dutta Corporation. Competition at AGDF continues tomorrow with the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI 3*, presented by The Dutta Corporation, at 3:15 p.m. and the “Friday Night Stars” FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI 4*, presented by Havensafe Farm, beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Francis and Doktor won with a score of 70.180%. Olivia LaGoy-Weltz (USA) and Rassing’s Lonoir, in their second FEI Grand Prix start together, earned second place with a 69.940%, while Laura Tomlinson (GBR) and Unique took third place with a 69.100%.

On the second day of dressage competition at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) this week, Francis and Doktor entered the ring late in the order, and moved fellow American LaGoy-Weltz out of the top position, which she held for majority of the class. Displaying consistent relaxation and rhythm in their tests, Doktor’s presence in the ring is progressing, according to Francis.

“I’m hoping to improve his self-carriage a bit, so that I don’t have to sweat so much,” she laughed. “He was very good, and he’s getting much better about not making as many mistakes in the test. The pirouettes today were very good and steadier. The piaffe and passage were nicer, but today he was in between hot and tired. He felt awesome, and he’s just going better and better.”

Francis, who was suffering from a migraine during her test, said that Doktor really stepped up to the plate in the ring today and covered for her feeling a bit less on her game than usual. She explained, “I didn’t feel very good at all during the test, and he just kept on going.”

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

In just their second CDI competition at Large Tour together, LaGoy-Weltz and Rassing’s Lonoir, who were very successful in Small Tour classes last year at AGDF, proved that they’re a combination to watch at the Grand Prix level this year and are becoming comfortable and confident with the movements at Grand Prix level.

“He moved into Grand Prix at the beginning of Florida at the National level, and I’ve been thrilled with how focused he is and how relaxed he is with the work,” said LaGoy-Weltz. “It’s like he’s almost found his own and now it’s time and strength building. This is his sixth Grand Prix ever, so I’m pretty thrilled.”

Tomlinson has had a successful two weeks aboard both of her Grand Prix mounts, Rosalie B and Unique, owned by her parents, Dr. & Mrs. Bechtolsheimer. She found a confident and rideable horse beneath her today in the ring, as Unique, one of her greener mounts, concluded one of her best tests yet.

“[At AGDF] is the first time that she’s been able to do a few Grand Prix shows in a row, which has helped us massively. She was a different horse to ride today than she was when she first got here. There are still parts of the test where she looks too big and not together to show off what she can really do and get those marks that she could get,” elaborated Tomlinson. “From a rideablity point of view, I’m thrilled. It’s really the best she’s been to ride, and she’s trying very hard for me. She’s obedient, and she’s never going to say no to anything.

“I’m thrilled with our progress and I feel like we also have a lot to build on as well,” continued Tomlinson.

All three riders will head in their own separate directions at the end of circuit in just two weeks, as Tomlinson and her team depart for Europe this Sunday, while both LaGoy-Weltz and Francis will contest the final CDI of the season at AGDF before reaffirming plans for the rest of the year.

Francis and Doktor will represent the United States in the Stillpoint Farm Nations Cup CDIO 3* at AGDF in two weeks, while LaGoy-Weltz and Rassing’s Lonoir will contest their final CDI 3* Grand Prix at AGDF.

“I’m hoping that both of the horses will be able to go to Europe and do the shows there. Doktor will be on the CDIO 3* team, in two weeks and I’m really going to try and show him off a bit more,” noted Francis. “He’ll have a couple of weeks to get it together for me, and I think if I were feeling better he would have done better today.”

LaGoy-Weltz said, “I think we may go to Tryon for the CDI 3* and maybe do a freestyle. I haven’t really started working on it yet. This season we’re just going to keep working and strengthening him more through the summer for next year.”

Leida Collins-Strijk (NED) and Don Tignanello maintained their winning ways moving into the second day of CDI 1* competition. The duo won the FEI Intermediaire I CDI 1*, presented by Mike & Roz Collins, with a score of 72.289%. Tina Irwin and her own Laurencio claimed second place with a 70.368%, while Lisa Wilcox (USA) and Gallant Reflection HU, owned by Horses Unlimited, captured third place with a 68.658%.

Competition at AGDF continues tomorrow with the start of the 2016 Florida International Youth Dressage Championships in the Van Kampen Covered Arena at PBIEC, along with the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI 3*, presented by The Dutta Corporation, beginning at 3:15 p.m., and the “Friday Night Stars” FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI 4*, presented by Havensafe Farm, at 7:00 p.m. under the lights at The Stadium. For more information on AGDF, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

About the Adequan Global Dressage Festival:

The Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) is one of the world’s largest international and national dressage circuits featuring 7 FEI Dressage events, including a 5* and the only FEI Nations’ Cup Series CDIO in the Western Hemisphere. The AGDF offers more than $650,000 in prize money for the seven international competitions, making it one of the richest circuits in the world. The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center facility includes the Van Kampen covered arena (made possible by Kimberly and Frederic Boyer and family) and four outdoor arenas with world-class footing, 200 permanent stalls, and a VIP seating area.

Please visit
www.globaldressagefestival.com
www.pbiec.com
or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Adequan Global Dressage Festival is located at
The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center
13500 South Shore Blvd, Wellington, Florida 33414

Carly Weilminster
Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Competitions, Dressage

USEF Names Combinations for Stillpoint Farm Nations Cup CDIO3*

Leave a comment

Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the athlete-and-horse combinations who will represent the U.S. at the Stillpoint Farm Nations Cup CDIO3*, which runs in conjunction with the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, March 29 – April 2, 2016, in Wellington, Fla. The U.S. team consists of four Big Tour combinations and Robert Dover will serve as the Chef d’Equipe.

The following combinations will make up the U.S. team (in alphabetical order):

Shelly Francis (Loxahatcee, Fla.) and Patricia Stempel’s Doktor, a 2003 Oldenburg gelding

Laura Graves (Geneva, Fla.) and her own Verdades, a 2002 Dutch Warmblood gelding

Arlene “Tuny” Page (Wellington, Fla.) and her own Woodstock, a 2003 Dutch Warmblood gelding

Kasey Perry-Glass (Orangevale, Calif.) and Goerklintgaards Dublet, a 2003 Danish Warmblood gelding

From the USEF Communications Department

Competitions, Dressage

Shelly Francis and Doktor Earn Victory in AGDF 7 FEI Grand Prix Special CDI-W

Leave a comment

Shelly Francis and Doktor. Photos: ©SusanJStickle.

Wellington, FL – February 27, 2016 – The fourth day of competition at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) concluded today with a win for Shelly Francis (USA) and Doktor in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI-W, presented by The Axel Johnson Group. Competition at AGDF 7 concludes tomorrow with the FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle, presented by Engel & Völkers.

Francis and Doktor won the class with a 73.373%, narrowly edging fellow American Kasey Perry-Glass and Goerklintgaards Dublet who finished in second place with a 73.137%. Kelly Layne (AUS) and Udon P earned a 70.157% for third place.

Shelly Francis and Doktor, owned by Patricia Stempel, have consistently placed amongst the top three for the past two seasons at AGDF and have always seemed to fall just short of the victory gallop, but today, the duo wowed the judging panel as the final ride in the class, just nudging Kasey Perry-Glass and Goerklintgaards Dublet to second place.

“In a funny way I’m not always sure what feels good. I kept thinking about what Robert [Dover] said to me before I went in about the half halts. When he got a little bit strong I was trying to just really sit in there,” said Francis. “He really put out effort for me today and he felt like he was going nice and steady. There were no real hiccups in the rhythm anywhere, from what I felt.”

The duo finished one of their most fluid and harmonious tests, as Francis rode with a bit more contact in the bridle than she typically asks for from the 2003 Hanoverian gelding (Diamond Hit x Gurena).

Watch Shelly Francis and Doktor’s winning test in the FEI Grand Prix Special here!

She described, “I was really concentrating every step. For me, there was a little bit of sweat dripping off my head, but he was very there with me trying to do everything. It was a little bit more contact than I usually ride him in, but it also shows me that I’m trying to be a little too light sometimes. It made him stay a bit steadier and the passages felt really steady. Sometimes he can get a little hoppy there, but today he just felt in my hand and very nice.”

“I’m still a little bit surprised that Kasey [Perry-Glass] didn’t whoop my butt to be honest,” laughed Francis. “It feels good. It’s kind of a little reward here and there and I’m happy for the rest of the year now.”

With a talented string of Large Tour horses moving up through the ranks, Francis has been pleased with the steady progress of each of her mounts, but incredibly impressed with the consistent improvement of Doktor, her most experienced partner.

“It felt better than some of my other rides. I have to realize what they feel like versus what’s easier for me to sit on. Sometimes it’s not so easy to make a nice ride,” she explained.

Perry-Glass and “Dublet” continue to add top place finishes to their incredibly successful campaign in Large Tour competition this season.

Kasey Perry-Glass and Goerklintgaards Dublet
Kasey Perry-Glass and Goerklintgaards Dublet

“I was pleased with the last center line with the passage to piaffe to passage,” said Perry-Glass. “I think he was a little bit tired through the test today. He didn’t have as much energy as I was planning on having, but that’s a learning experience for both of us in our first year at this level, just learning how much to school him during the show and everything.”

As the pair still continues to learn and understand what their best preparations are during competition weeks at the Grand Prix level, Perry-Glass had nothing but praise for “Dublet” on the gelding’s growth in both confidence and stature, as the pair capped off just their third Large Tour CDI competition together with another top three finish.

“With our warm-ups, we do a little bit of light stretching in the trot and a little bit of lateral work. Then we’ll go straight into practicing each movement. Typically I just warm up for like twenty minutes and that’s plenty for him. I’ll get into the warm-up thirty minutes ahead of time just to walk him too,” explained Perry-Glass.

Kelly Layne and Udon P produced one of their best tests of the winter circuit, receiving a 70.157%, which thrilled Layne. She has been working on their balance and fluidness throughout this past year, which is evident in their increase in scores this afternoon for their first top three finish this season.

“We’ve been working a lot on the smoothness and the harmony. He’s a big horse, nearly 18 hands, so keeping that balance and uphill feeling has been key, but today I had super self-carriage and he was just so obedient,” noted Layne. “I was very happy and even though there were tiny little things, he was so obedient and so easy in the contact. Those are the things that we’ve worked on and you can see them now.”

“I will probably do one more CDI with him here this season and see if we put ourselves in that top eight position to go to Europe, which would be two more shows there and see if it’s possible to finish in the top four for Australia,” she elaborated.

Competition at AGDF concludes tomorrow with the FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle, presented by Engel & Völkers, beginning at 9:00 a.m. For more information on AGDF and to see a full list of results, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

About the Adequan Global Dressage Festival:

The Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) is one of the world’s largest international and national dressage circuits featuring 7 FEI Dressage events, including a 5* and the only FEI Nations’ Cup Series CDIO in the Western Hemisphere. The AGDF offers more than $650,000 in prize money for the seven international competitions, making it one of the richest circuits in the world. The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center facility includes the Van Kampen covered arena (made possible by Kimberly and Frederic Boyer and family) and four outdoor arenas with world-class footing, 200 permanent stalls, and a VIP seating area.

Please visit
www.globaldressagefestival.com
www.pbiec.com
or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Adequan Global Dressage Festival is located at
The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center
13500 South Shore Blvd, Wellington, Florida 33414

Carly Weilminster
Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage

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

Leave a comment

Laura Graves and Verdades. Photos copyright SusanJStickle.com.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About the Adequan Global Dressage Festival:

The Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) is one of the world’s largest international and national dressage circuits featuring 7 FEI Dressage events, including a 5* and the only FEI Nations’ Cup Series CDIO in the Western Hemisphere. The AGDF offers more than $650,000 in prize money for the seven international competitions, making it one of the richest circuits in the world. The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center facility includes the Van Kampen covered arena (made possible by Kimberly and Frederic Boyer and family) and four outdoor arenas with world-class footing, 200 permanent stalls, and a VIP seating area.

Please visit
www.globaldressagefestival.com
www.equestriansport.com
or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Adequan Global Dressage Festival is located at
13500 South Shore Blvd, Wellington, Florida 33414

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations

Dressage, JRPR

Sommer Time and the Riding Is Easy for Shelly Francis

Leave a comment

Shelly Francis and Doktor during the 2013 Global Dressage Festival. (Photo courtesy of SusanJStickle.com)

Wellington, FL (April 29, 2013) – Shelly Francis isn’t shy about saying she likes to train her own horses, and while dressage isn’t a sport typically known for pimping its rides, the fact of the matter is:  developing nationally-ranked dressage horses means ever-evolving equine physiques and you’d better have saddles and a saddlefitter up to the job.

The Loxahatchee, FL rider and trainer wrapped up her winter season at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival with an FEI Prix St. Georges win (72.105%) on Patty Stempel’s nine-year-old black Hanoverian gelding, Danilo, during the Wellington (FL) CDI5* presented by Diamante Farms.  Out of nearly 20 entries, Francis and Danilo were the only duo to break the 70% mark.

That’s just for starters.  Described by Wellington observers as having the best of string of horses since her last bid – 1998 – for a World Equestrian Games, the 54-year-old rider’s winter circuit closed with her sitting pretty on the Tim Dutta National Rankings with two more Stempel horses:  Doktor, a 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Diamond Hit x Gurena x Renoir 1) placed eighth (68.805%) in the Grand Prix, and nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding, Danilo (De Niro x Annabelle x Andiamo) at third  (71.513%) on the Intermediaire I, top ten lists.

Francis qualified Doktor for the World Cup Final in Gotenborg, Sweden but has declined the invitation, patiently ceding that the horse still needs “more nights under the lights” before being asked to perform before such an electric environment. “If he gets afraid,” the pragmatic veteran observed, “we will have to deal with it for years to come. Another one or two years may be fine.”

In the meantime, her horses’ talents – and musculature – continue to train and develop, which is why she has entrusted their comfort and her own for the last five years to Sommer saddles.

“I love these saddles.  They’re really comfy for me and the horses and feel so soft and wide.  There’s no pressure on either side of the spine.  The horses feel freer moving and I don’t have sore backs.”

As with any athlete, training builds muscle, and she relies on twice-yearly saddle refits as each talented gelding develops.  “That’s where Marty comes in,” she said, referring to Marty Haist, a master saddler who also joins his wife, Beth, in operating The Horse of Course.

The Horse of Course carries an extensive selection of Sommer saddles, including the FlextraEQ Savoy, Diplomat Exclusiv, Lars Flextra and Spezial Dressage, and is a proud supporter of the equestrian community, traveling cross-country with a convenient mobile store to bring stylish clothing, accessories, saddles and products to shows, and sponsoring classes.

“I get most of my clothes there,” said Francis.  And what girl doesn’t love a shopping trip?  In concert with the increasing athleticism of her horses, she has embarked on her own fitness program and has lost more than 30 pounds.

With Normandy on the horizon in 2014, worrying about what to wear while riding in front of the world is a problem this Grand Prix rider would happily welcome.  “Of course I want that 75% but I may have to wait until next year.  I don’t want to push too hard.  When a horse wants to do it, that’s a nice feeling.”

As nice a feeling as the freedom and comfort of her Sommer saddles. To learn more about The Horse of Course, visit their website at www.thehorseofcourse.com.

For more information contact:
The Horse of Course, Inc.
Beth Haist, CEO
888-49-HORSE (46773)
www.thehorseofcourse.com
beth@thehorseofcourse.com