Tag Archives: Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven

Dujardin and Other Decorated Riders Announced for US Open Dressage Competition in Central Park

Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro. Photos by Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfvén, Isabell Werth, Laura Graves, and Patrik Kittel will join Charlotte Dujardin to compete at the event.

Only a few hundred tickets still available!

August 14, 2015 – New York, NY – A star-studded cast of dressage riders will make their way to the 2015 Rolex Central Park Horse Show Sept. 25-26. The talented lineup that includes five of the world’s top 11 ranked riders will compete in the inaugural U.S. Open Dressage event.

The U.S. Open Dressage Grand Prix on Friday and the $75,000 Dressage Freestyle, presented by the Axel Johnson Group, on Saturday will highlight the schedule. The number-one dressage rider in the world over the last 24 months and double Olympic Gold Medalist, Charlotte Dujardin, will make a rare trip to New York City with her famed mount Valegro.

German rider Isabell Werth, one of the most celebrated equestrian Olympians of all time with five gold medals and currently ranked 7th in the world, will also make the trip to the U.S. along with Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfvén and Patrik Kittel, ranked 6th and 11th respectively. Spain’s Juan Matute Jr., recent European Junior Champion and one of the world’s most talented up-and-coming riders, will also compete.

North America will be well-represented with rising star and 9th ranked rider Laura Graves and her mount Verdades making a trip to the big city, along with Catherine Haddad Staller and Charlotte Jorst, all riding for the USA. They will be joined by Canada’s Ashley Holzer and Karen Pavicic to round out the competition.

Laura Graves and Verdades
Laura Graves and Verdades

Laura Graves commented, “I am beyond excited to be invited to this very special event in Central Park. This year will be a real showcase and I am looking forward to a strong competition. I have one thing on my mind going into 2016 and that is Rio. This show is the perfect stepping stone on that path.”

After the 2014 debut of the sold-out Rolex Central Park Horse Show, Mark Bellissimo, CEO of International Equestrian Group, LLC (IEG), is pleased to see the reach and impact of the thrilling event expand to more international talent this year.

“We work hard to make sure the show itself is as special as it can be, but it is the riders who truly make it unforgettable,” he said. “We are very proud to present the best in sport across so many disciplines in the heart of New York City.”

Rolex Central Park Horse Show Dressage Schedule:

Friday, September 25th
1:30 PM – U.S. Open Dressage Grand Prix

Saturday, September 26th
6:30 PM – U.S. Open $75,000 Dressage Freestyle, presented by Axel Johnson Group

The second-annual Rolex Central Park Horse Show will feature five days of multi-discipline equestrian sport. The schedule will include the inaugural U.S. Open in the following categories: Jumpers, Dressage, Hunters, U25 Jumpers, and Arabians.

Tickets are now on sale for all events at the 2015 Rolex Central Park Horse Show. There are only a few hundred tickets still available for the event and they are anticipated to sell out. Tickets can now be purchased at http://bit.ly/1AV2imv.

Additional information, including matinee performances, will be announced in the coming weeks on www.coth.com and www.centralparkhorseshow.com.

Media Contact:
Shin-Jung Hong
Nicholas & Lence Communications
ShinJung@nicholaslence.com
Tel: 212.938.0005

Equestrian Media Contact:
Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Lindsay Brock
lindsay@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Vilhelmson-Silfven and Divertimento Add Another FEI Grand Prix Special Win at AGDF 9

Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven and Divertimento. Photo copyright SusanJStickle.com.

Wellington, FL – March 7, 2015 – Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven (SWE) and Divertimento made easy work of the Week 9 FEI Grand Prix Special CDI-W, presented by Everglades Dressage at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival, taking the win in yet another Grand Prix Special this season. The pair won the class scoring a 72.333%. Mikala Gundersen (DEN) took second place aboard My Lady receiving a 70.196% and Shelly Francis (USA) put in another solid performance with a 69.529% aboard Danilo.

Click to watch the winning test for Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven and Divertimento!
Video courtesy of Campfield Videos.

The weather was uncooperative for much of the afternoon, as several pairs were caught in a steady downpour during their tests in the Grand Prix Special. Vilhelmson-Silfven, who has been extremely consistent with Divertimento this season, is proud of the progress the pair has made at AGDF this season. “I think he has most certainly gotten better and better to ride each time. I was particularly happy with the Grand Prix on Thursday. It was the best feeling I have had,” she remarked.

“Tim”, who is generally very hot in the ring for Vilhelmson-Silfven, has continued to gain confidence, which has made it easier to ride each movement. “I’m really happy that even though he was a little bit on the edge today he let me ride everything without mistakes. But that’s just him; it wasn’t the weather, maybe a bit the atmosphere, but it’s getting better,” she noted.

Gundersen and My Lady are veterans on the circuit this season, having never placed lower than fifth in any of their classes at AGDF this year. The duo is well versed with their Grand Prix Freestyle routine, and the Grand Prix Special proved to be a new challenge for them today. “She’s so good with the freestyle and we probably should have spent more time going through the Special,” commented Gundersen. “She was very hot for me today and I think being under the lights revs her up for the Freestyle and today it was a different test, which proved to be more difficult for us.”

Olivia LaGoy-Weltz (USA) and Rassing’s Lonoir had another beautiful performance giving them two wins so far in the AGDF 9 Small Tour presented by Peacock Ridge. The duo continues to add solid scores to their resume as they work towards a run at the Pan American Games later this summer. The pair received a 72.711% in a very competitive class to take first with Kimberly Herslow (USA) and Rosmarin in second with a 71.553% and Tina Konyot (USA) and Wyoming in third with a 71.026% for yet another American sweep.

“Every day is about evaluating what type of horse you have. He really thrives in the hot weather, which is odd. It’s like he’s a Bikram horse. He finds his zen in the hotter weather,” joked LaGoy-Weltz when describing the routine she uses to determine the type of ride is appropriate for “Lono”. “I didn’t have him quite as boxed in today as I had him on Wednesday night and that’s the challenge. Every day he needs a different ride, and it’s my job to figure out how to accomplish that.”

Kimberly Herslow is coming off of an extremely strong outing at AGDF 7, where she swept the entire Small Tour. “We’re in the process of figuring out how to push for more and go for those scores but also keep it together,” commented Herslow. “You really have to ride each moment for what it is and stay in that groove and be able to create what you want.”

Competition at AGDF continues tomorrow with the special Derby class that will begin at 11 am in the International Ring followed by the FEI Intermediaire 1 Freestyle CDI-W, presented by Peacock Ridge. 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

Vilhelmson-Silfven and Divertimento Capture First Win of Season in FEI Grand Prix Special at AGDF

Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven and Divertimento. Photo copyright SusanJStickle.com.

Wellington, FL — January 10, 2015 — Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven (SWE) and Divertimento, a 13-year-old Westphalian gelding owned by Lövsta Stuteri, received a 72.980% to take home the top prize in the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival’s (AGDF) FEI Grand Prix Special, presented by MTICA Farms. Allison Brock (USA) and Rosevelt followed in second with a 71.706% and Lisa Wilcox (USA) riding Pikko del Cerro HU finished third scoring a 71.275%.

Vilhelmson-Silfven was very pleased with the duo’s performance today, commenting that this week was their first competition back together in a year. “He felt really, really good today. I am very pleased with him. I managed to get the perfect amount of tension I was looking to have in the test, and that is always difficult to find,” she said. “I was a bit more daring today, and it ended up being a lovely test so I’m very happy.”

Divertimento, who can tend to be hot, settled nicely for Vilhelmson-Silfven and is beginning to come into his own at the Grand Prix level. “He’s really learning, opening up his mind and listening to me now. He’s much more with me now,” she stated. “With a horse like this, you must have 150% focus for your entire ride. It is a matter of being in the exact same moment as him because the tiniest change from me can lead to mistakes.”

Watch the winning ride of Tinne and Divertimento!

Perfecting technique has been a huge component in the formation of their partnership. Vilhelmson-Silfven took over riding the gelding seven years ago and has been competing him ever since. “He is truly a very exciting horse to ride and compete because he forces me to focus. He asks a lot of me in regards to technique. It’s a great challenge,” she smiled.

The two are regulars in Wellington during the winter season. Vilhelmson-Silfven has continued competing Divertimento here since his 8-year-old season where he debuted at the Intermediaire level. Their partnership continues to grow and Vilhelmson-Silfven now feels more consistent during Grand Prix tests. She explained, “Now that he’s older, I don’t feel like I need to ride as much, which is really a lovely feeling because he is so nice from the first step now. It is a great feeling and is something you really want to achieve, and we’re there now.”

Vilhelmson-Silfven will continue to compete Divertimento at the Grand Prix level throughout the duration of the AGDF season, aiming to improve upon the scores they received in the first week of competition. “I want more routine now. I have small things that I want to work on, but you will always have those things as a rider. The difference between yesterday and today was very nice though, and it will only continue to improve,” she said.

For more information on the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival, 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
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Tinne Tops Reem Acra Leg at Stockholm

Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven and Don Auriello stepping it out in style on their way to victory in today’s fourth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Western European League series at Stockholm (SWE). (FEI/Roland Thunholm)

Stockholm (SWE), 30 November 2014 – Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven steered Don Auriello to victory in today’s fourth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Western European League at Stockholm in Sweden. In yesterday’s Grand Prix it was Hans Peter Minderhoud who came out on top with Glock’s First when posting a personal best score. In today’s Freestyle, however, the Dutchman had to settle for runner-up spot while Sweden’s Minna Telde and Santana sealed third spot.

“I’m really pleased,” said six-time Olympian Vilhelmson-Silfven this afternoon. “He (Don Auriello) was in over-drive yesterday in the Grand Prix because this is our first show since the World Championships and he was a feeling a bit too happy! Today I was maybe a little bit careful, but anyway I’m delighted with our result!” she said.

New venue

The fixture was staged at a new venue, the Friends Arena which is the Swedish national football stadium located just north of the city of Stockholm. With its retractable roof and vast amount of space it converted into an excellent equestrian sports arena that accommodated a wide range of activity throughout this week’s Swedish International Horse Show, including a thrilling indoor cross-country competition.

The atmosphere for Dressage is always expected to be considerably more reserved, but the home crowd couldn’t contain their delight with Minna Telde’s performance from the great Santana who really turned on the style. The 13-year-old horse is always a favourite for the courage he has shown since losing an eye following an accident some years ago. And with a Christmas-themed musical score and a real spring in his step he strutted his way through a lovely test that finished with his rider doing one-handed passage up the centre line to the rhythm of spectators’ applause. When the judges’ score of 75.550 went up on the board there was an even bigger explosion of excitement, but there was plenty more to come.

Fourth-last to go was Vilhelmson-Silfven, and the elegant Don Auriello raised the bar by a long margin when earning a mark of 80.875 as three of the four Ground Jury members put the pair in pole position. And Grand Prix winners, Minderhoud and Glock’s Flirt, couldn’t out-do them this time, posting 79.250 for runner-up spot.

Very happy

“I’ve scored 84 before in Freestyle so this isn’t our biggest result ever, but I’m very happy!” said Vilhelmson-Silfven afterwards. The 47-year-old Swede spent much of last winter in America, and she’s planning to do the same this time around. “I’m leaving for Florida on 21st December again so I’m not sure about qualifying for the Final,” she pointed out. “I can only count one World Cup qualifier over there and I missed Odense (the first leg of the current Western European League series) so I’m not sure it’s going to happen,” she explained.

Second-placed Minderhoud said he was very pleased with his ride today. “I knew it would be difficult to beat Tinne if she was on form, even though I made no mistakes,” he pointed out. Talking about Glock’s Flirt, he continued, “He is very easy to train and not spooky so that always makes them easier to deal with,” and he’s hoping to make it to the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final 2014/2015 in Las Vegas, USA next April. “I’d really like to get there, but only three riders from each nation can compete and we have quite a few good ones!” he said.

Reaction

Minna Telde was delighted with the reaction of the crowd today. “Yesterday Santana was more tense but today he stayed calm and listened to me. This new music is great and I will ride it again in London if I can,” said the 39-year-old who, however, definitely doesn’t have the Las Vegas Finals in her sights as she is expecting a new addition to the family next April.

Today’s winner was also very pleased with the result achieved by young German rider, 20-year-old Sonke Rothenberger, who lined up fourth with Favourit, a horse she took to two European Championships before selling it on to the German family two years ago.

“I’m very happy that Sonke is doing so well with him (Favourit) and that he is in a good place and being well cared for,” Vilhelmson-Silfven said.

Meanwhile, Minderhoud has now moved up to fifth in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Western European League standings which are headed by Germany’s Fabienne Lutkemeier followed by two-time champion Adelinde Cornelissen from The Netherlands who shares second place with Denmark’s Agnete Kirk Thinggaard and Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl.

For further information on the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 leg at Stockholm, Sweden, go to website www.swedenhorseshow.se or contact Press Officer Lotta Amnestal, Email lotta.amnestal@ridsport.se, Tel +46 709 795835.

The next leg takes place at Olympia, London (GBR) on Sunday 21 December. For details of the British fixture, go to www.olympiahorseshow.com or contact Press Officer Jo Peck, JoPeck@hpower.co.uk, +44 1753 847 900.

Full result here: http://online.equipe.com/sv/class_sections/141483/live.

Facts and Figures:

Stockholm in Sweden presented the fourth round of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Western European League series today.

A total of seven Swedish riders competed in the field of 15 in today’s Grand Prix Freestyle.

The winner was Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven riding Don Auriello who topped the leader board with a score of 80.875.

The Stockholm fixture was staged at a new venue, the Friend’s Arena which is the Swedish national football stadium located just north of Stockholm.

The stadium has a retractable roof to accommodate sport in all weather conditions.

Today’s Ground Jury consisted of: at B, Jo Graham; At M, Liselotte Fore; At C, Gustav Svalling; At H, C Matthiesen; At E, Fransen Iacobeaus.

The next leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Western European League will take place on 21 December at Olympia, London where the multiple record-breakders and World No. 1 partnership of Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro are scheduled to compete.

Quotes:

Ground Jury, Gustav Svalling: “Minna’s (Minna Telde) music was lovely and put everyone in a good mood!”

FEI YouTube: http://youtu.be/lR2lqrSHMco

Reem Acra FEI Hub http://fei.org/fei/sponsors/reem-acra-and-fei gives access to extensive information about the series.

FEI World Cup™ Dressage, the only worldwide series in this discipline, is now in its 29th season. The series, created in 1985, comprises four leagues: Western European, Central European, North American (including Canada) and Pacific (Australia, New Zealand, Asia). Each FEI World Cup™ Dressage qualifier consists of a Grand Prix test, which in turn is a qualification for the Freestyle to Music competition, where league points are accumulated towards places in the Final. Judged on both technical and artistic merit, the FEI World Cup™ Dressage combines art, sport and partnership between horse and rider at the highest level and consistently proves a winning formula with audiences all over the world.

The complete rules, calendar, updated ranking and results are available here.

By Louise Parkes

Media Contacts:

At Stockholm:

Press Officer
Lotta Amnestal
lotta.amnestal@ridsport.se
+46 709 795 635

At FEI:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Media Relations
Email: malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 133

Vilhelmson-Silfven Wins Again in FEI Grand Prix Special at AGDF Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI W

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

Evi Strasser and Rigaudon Tyme Have a Blue Ribbon Finish in FEI Intermediaire Freestyle

Wellington, FL – March 2, 2014 – The Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI W, presented by Martha W. Jolicoeur and Maria Mendelsohn of Illustrated Properties, concluded on Sunday at The Stadium at PBIEC. First to take a victory lap was Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven (SWE) and Don Auriello in the FEI Grand Prix Special. The day concluded with the FEI Intermediaire Freestyle, which was topped by Evi Strasser (CAN) and Rigaudon Tyme.

Vilhelmson-Silfven and Don Auriello were hot off a win in Friday’s FEI Grand Prix before topping the Special with a 77.804%. Second place finisher Caroline Roffman (USA) earned a total score of 70.373% aboard her Highness O. Fellow American Lisa Wilcox and Denzello rounded out the top three with a 70.020%.

Vilhelmson-Silfven purposely chose to contest the FEI Grand Prix Special instead of the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle on Saturday night. Since she and Don Auriello are already qualified for the FEI World Cup Dressage Finals in Lyon, France, Vilhelmson-Silfven opted to get in some practice for the special. The pair will surely face the test in the FEI Alltech World Equestrian Games (WEG), also in France, and Vilhelmson-Silfven felt sufficiently prepared after their test on Sunday.

“I’m really happy with him. I actually had a personal best score today. I did have a little stumble in one of the half passes, I don’t really know what happened, but otherwise he felt good,” Vilehlmson-Silfven explained.

Don Auriello will now begin his trek back to Europe before the World Cup Finals, where Vilhelmson-Silfven admitted she will have a completely different horse.

“You’re in this heat, and then go indoors in Europe again. He’s totally different there. He gets hot. He gets totally excited. Here he’s a bit laid-back, and I have to get him awake,” she outlined. “So I have to switch from one to another, but on the other hand I almost like the hotness now, when he has the routine. In the beginning it was scary, but now I like it because I think he gets even more expressive. I hope that it will be the perfect combination.”

Roffman was proud of Her Highness O for doing so well in a test completely new to both of them. Sunday was the first time either of them had contested the Special, and while Roffman felt they had a few green errors, she will always be grateful for her horse’s fantastic attitude.

“She always tries, sometimes too much. I was also trying maybe too hard; maybe mistakes were silly on my part. She’s so honest, she just wants to do it for you. It’s a fun feeling to have a horse that’s always trying so hard, so I’m very happy with her,” Roffman explained.

The FEI World Cup Finals and WEG are goals for every rider, and Roffman noted that while she would be thrilled to qualify for either event, she’s happy to enjoy the journey with Her Highness O.

“We all dream of the same things, but it’s about going there and giving confidence. I don’t want to blow her mind. It’s not fair. She needs to take it easy and get confident, and me too, and then see what happens,” Roffman remarked.

Wilcox described herself and Denzello as having a combination of Roffman’s greenness and Vilhelmson-Silfven’s international aspirations. Sunday’s test was Denzello’s third CDI and only the second time he had done the Special, but with their promising results, Wilcox has her eye on the WEG.

“The mistakes he had, bless his heart, he’s thinking the Grand Prix lines for the twos. He was sure I was making a mistake. I was very, very pleased with his expression and what he offered me today,” Wilcox described.

Wilcox also had to deal with a horse just as hot as the tropical Floridian weather. She agreed that if you can harness that excess energy, it can pay off immensely. “I did want to up the expression a little bit, but he kind of did that on his own and I was more or less trying to calm him down in there. I know what Tinne’s talking about, it is kind of nice to have that power, but only if you can control it,” Wilcox pointed out.

The Palm Beach Dressage Derby Perpetual P.R.E. Award recognized Janne Rumbough and her 12-year-old Andalusian gelding Junior for international level competition. Nicholas Fyffe and Fiero HGF were presented with the award for national level competition. Fiero HGF is a six-year-old US P.R.E. stallion out of Ibiza by Grandioso III and is owned by Romance Farm Inc.

Evi Strasser and Rigaudon Tyme
Evi Strasser and Rigaudon Tyme

The FEI Intermediaire Freestyle was seen later in the afternoon, with Canadian Evi Strasser besting the class with Rigaudon Tyme and a score of 72.208%. Second place went to Gabriela Stumpf (AUT) and Finally Love, who finished with a 68.125%. Amy Walker-Basak (USA) and Wagner were third with a 64.917%.

Strasser’s scores have steadily increased throughout the weekend before her win on Sunday. Strasser explained the trip to Wellington from Montreal, Canada, was a bit taxing on the horses, and she felt Rigaudon Tyme’s fitness was finally back up to par this weekend.

“This weekend, he was already way more on the ball. It took us quite a while to come here from Montreal to Florida, and I think it took the [horses] a full four weeks to recover. I think they’re just getting in shape, so I think next year we might have to come four weeks earlier!” Strasser smiled.

She continued, “Every day, it got a little better. I took this time over the last two shows to build him up and get him settled more. I could feel that I could ride more and not overwhelm him. With horses that are almost doing the grand prix, it’s always hard to ride a St. Georges because they are quicker than just an average St. Georges horse. They are way more alert.”

Strasser was also pleased to see that her tweaks to the choreography of her freestyle had paid off. The music was originally tailored to another one of her horses, and Rigaudon Tyme’s much larger gaits were causing the pair to either sacrifice quality or finish far ahead of the music.

“I had to put in two more pirouettes, and it worked out very well. Finally, I got it the way I want it and he really was amazing to ride and just very powerful, so it was a lot of fun doing it,” Strasser explained.

Strasser feels their music, which she arranged with the help of Karen Robinson, fits Rigaudon Tyme’s large frame perfectly.

“This is exactly the music I want for such powerful horses. I have two big, powerful horses, so you need something that’s a bit more expressive. You can’t put light music on a powerful horse. It’s a lot of fun because he has this huge canter and it’s exciting to ride. It’s a lot of fun when you have a horse like that,” Strasser described.

Strasser has brought Rigaudon Tyme along since he was a three-year-old. Strasser usually buys prospects around that age before bringing them up through the ranks, an experience she describes as occasionally stressful, but incredibly rewarding.

Sunday marked the conclusion of the AGDF 8 Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI W. Dressage competition will resume at The Stadium at PBIEC on March 8-9 for the AGDF 9 National. For full results and more information, 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 8 FEI Dressage events, including a 5* and the only FEI Nations’ Cup Series CDIO in the Western Hemisphere. The AGDF offers more than $400,000 in prize money for the six 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 for the International Arena fully catered for relaxing and having an enjoyable experience.

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
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven Returns to AGDF to Win Palm Beach Dressage Derby FEI Grand Prix

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

Wellington, FL – February 28, 2014 – Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven earned the first victory of the Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W during Week 8 of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF). Vilhelmson-Silfven and Lövsta Stuteri’s Don Auriello, a 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding out of Wey o Mey x Don Davidoff, topped the FEI Grand Prix, presented by Martha W. Jolicoeur and Maria Mendelsohn of Illustrated Properties. Later in the day, Silva Martin (USA) bested the FEI Prix St. Georges with her homebred Australian Warmblood mare, Rosa Cha W.

The feature event of the Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W, the FEI World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix Freestyle, will take place Saturday evening at The Stadium at PBIEC. The evening will also feature an exciting American Mustang exhibition as well as musical entertainment from the Frost School of Music at University of Miami. Talented young singer Kristin Sponica will perform with keyboard accompaniment from Danielle Werz.

Vilhelmson-Silfven and Don Auriello finished first in the FEI Grand Prix with a score of 77.400%, while American Adrienne Lyle was second on Wizard with a score of 71.980%. Mikala Gundersen (DEN) was third with My Lady with their score of 71.660%.

Vilhelmson-Silfven was quite happy with Don Auriello’s performance after a few weeks away from the showgrounds. She had planned from the beginning to give the gelding plenty of time off. Vilhelmson-Silfven felt Don Auriello didn’t need to go in the arena for the sake of experience and has focused more on tweaking aspects of the test at home.

“He’s not impressed at all by competing. Every horse is different that way, and he just loves it. I had a good feeling, and I think it was a clear round. A little bit [of error] in the passage maybe, but those things that I’ve been trying to get working at home, trying to get him to react more quickly,” Vilhelmson-Silfven commented.

She continued, “It’s always a process to try and get him even better and better. For him, it’s to get more strong and more mature and really show off and use his hind legs and be in power when he goes into the arena. He’s always an on-going horse. He’s so nice to ride in there, but of course we try to make it even better.”

Instead of Saturday night’s freestyle competition, Vilhelmson-Silfven will instead contest the FEI Grand Prix Special on Sunday morning with Don Auriello as a practice run for championships later this year.

“I’m doing the Special, because I’m already [qualified for] the [Reem Acra FEI] World Cup [Dressage Finals], so I thought it was a wonderful opportunity for him to do one special since he usually only does that in championships,” Vilhelmson-Silfven explained.

Lyle admitted she may not have planned on doing two weeks of CDI competition back-to-back, but after Wizard’s performances in the Stillpoint Farm CDIO Nations Cup, she couldn’t pass up the chance to potentially qualify for the FEI World Cup Dressage Finals herself.

“I kind of was planning on doing one or the other originally, and then we ended up getting selected for the Nations Cup team and I thought that was a wonderful opportunity. And then he did so well in the freestyle, I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be stupid if I’m sitting here in Wellington and could have qualified for the World Cup but didn’t give it a shot?’” Lyle explained.

After giving Wizard four days off before trail riding for a day and returning to the AGDF showgrounds to school, Lyle was pleased to see him remain in top form during their test.

Like Vilhelmson-Silfven, Gundersen had given her horse some time off before returning for Friday’s test. Munter Gundersen was happy with My Lady, especially after having a bit of a tense warm-up session.

“When I was in the warm-up today, Lady got really nervous and didn’t really like to take the bit so much and just was sucking back a little bit. Something was making her really tense, and that made me a little bit nervous. So when I went in, I was hesitating a bit, so even though she did a pretty nice test, I wasn’t really riding. I could have pushed her much more, but I was more like ‘Whoa,’ but I didn’t need to because she was totally relaxed!” Gundersen described.

She continued, “I still don’t know her so well. She was really good. I was very pleased with her. She’s so good in the ring now, I have to trust it a little bit more and go for it. I will tomorrow!”

Of her seventh time finishing third in as many weeks, Gundersen joked, “This was my seventh yellow ribbon out of seven rides. They call me the ‘Yellow Lady.’ We’re practicing for Germany, because then it means first place!”

Silva Martin and Rosa Cha W
Silva Martin and Rosa Cha W

The FEI Prix St. Georges immediately followed FEI Grand Prix competition, with American Silva Martin coming out on top with Rosa Cha W, an eight-year-old Australian Warmblood mare out of Jasmine W by Blue Hors Romanov owned by the Rosa Cha W Syndicate.

Martin characterized their test as the best she’s had with the mare, particularly because she felt she rode better. Martin credited much of her progress over the last six weeks to coach Debbie McDonald.

“I so much enjoy working with Debbie. I’ve been working with her for a while now. She’s helped me so much, and she makes me very confident. Over the last six weeks, it’s just been getting better and better and better. I love having her at the ring!” Martin expressed.

Of her test today, Martin commented, “She can be a little bit of a tense mare. She gets a little tight sometimes, but today she was really relaxed and I let her do her job. Sometimes I override things and she does it better on her own, actually!”

Friday’s win was especially meaningful for Martin as she and husband Boyd, an Olympian eventer, bred the mare themselves.

“I was there when she was born. It’s emotional for me because she’s come such a long way, and I’ve had her all her life,” Martin smiled.

Martin’s husband was on hand to cheer her on, which Martin especially enjoyed since it was the first time he had attended one of her tests.

“Boyd is not easy to get away, so it was exciting that he came and that I won when he was here. That was awesome. He’s leaving tomorrow morning, so he won’t see tomorrow. He’s a terrible spectator, but it’s so exciting that he’s here,” Martin remarked.

Also in the crowd was American show jumping legend George H. Morris, who stopped by the AGDF to watch Martin ride after hosting a clinic with Martin’s husband in Aiken, SC.

“Wasn’t that an honor? That made me more nervous than anybody else being here! He was so nice and said, ‘I love watching you ride.’ It was exciting that he was here. He came here specifically to watch me. He was teaching Boyd last week, so it was pretty cool having him here!” Martin concluded.

Competition for the Palm Beach Dressage Derby will continue on Saturday with the FEI Intermediaire-1 in the morning, beginning at approximately 11:00 a.m. The week’s feature class, the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle, will begin at approximately 7:00 p.m.

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 8 FEI Dressage events, including a 5* and the only FEI Nations’ Cup Series CDIO in the Western Hemisphere. The AGDF offers more than $400,000 in prize money for the six 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 for the International Arena fully catered for relaxing and having an enjoyable experience.

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
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven Victorious with Divertimento in FEI Grand Prix Special at AGDF 3 CDI W

Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven and Divertimento. Photos © SusanJStickle.com.

Heather Mason and Zar Triumph in FEI Intermediaire-I

Wellington, FL – January 25, 2014 – Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven finished first for the second time with Divertimento during the third week of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF), this time winning the FEI Grand Prix Special presented by US P.R.E. Association on Saturday evening. Vilhelmson-Silfven and Divertimento, a 12-year-old Westphalian owned by Lövsta Stuteri, topped the class with a score of 74.882%.

The third week of the AGDF concludes tomorrow with the FEI Intermediaire Freestyle along with a full complement of national classes.

American riders finished second and third, with Adrienne Lyle and Wizard placing second with their score of 70.549% and Katherine Bateson Chandler earning the third place finish with Wellnetta. The pair’s final score was 69.686%.

Vilhelmson-Silfven felt Divertimento was tenser in the ring than he had been earlier in the week in the FEI Grand Prix, but was still pleased that she could keep his focus and rideability.

“Thursday he was more relaxed; I had an easier ride. He got a bit tense [tonight but] I could still ride him and he still let me ride him and he trusted me and got relaxed during the test. Educationally, I’m very happy. I think he’s getting better and better,” Vilhelmson-Silfven commented.

Vilhelmson-Silfven is focused on maintaining the frame of mind Divertimento is currently in for future competitions.

“He’s working very well, and he’s technically much easier to ride this year than last year. I’ll just keep training. He’s in a good mood and in a good feeling right now, so I’m going to try to keep him soft and happy in that way,” Vilhelmson-Silfven explained.

Lyle was also quite satisfied with Wizard’s performance in the class, chalking up any lost points to pilot error. Despite not having as clean of a test as she did Thursday, Lyle was happy to see the gelding’s piaffe-passage work improve.

“I haven’t ridden the special in a really long time, so I have to say a couple of the errors I think were a little rider error. I was quite happy with parts of it. We had some errors, but the quality I thought of the rest of [the test] was going in the right direction,” Lyle detailed.

Third place finisher and fellow American Bateson Chandler was full of praise for her mare Wellnetta, especially since the two have not been together for long.

“My horse is amazing! She has an incredible work ethic. She goes in the ring, she has her ears up on go,” Bateson Chandler grinned.

Wellnetta’s tireless attitude does occasionally result in having a bit too much ‘go’ during the test, but Bateson Chandler would much prefer that to a mount she would have to constantly push along.

“You’re going to get tension when you have that much go in a horse. She is a workhorse. She doesn’t quit the whole time. [She wants to do] more, more, more and you have to tell her ‘less, less, less,'” Bateson Chandler explained.

Heather Mason (USA) and Zar won the FEI Intermediaire-I presented by Chesapeake Dressage Institute on Saturday afternoon. Mason and Zar also won the FEI Intermediaire Freestyle during the first week of competition and topped week three’s class with a score of 71.842%.

Second place went to Brittany Fraser of Canada and All In for their score of 71.053%. Fellow Canadian Chris Von Martels rounded out the top three with Zilverstar. The pair finished on a score of 70.868%.

Heather Mason and Zar
Heather Mason and Zar

The 2014 AGDF was Mason’s first, but she and Zar certainly made the most of their trip south. Her goal for the year was to qualify Zar of the Festival of Champions (Ky.), which, thanks to her multiple wins at AGDF, she has already accomplished. Mason worked with Lars Petersen while in Wellington, who she credits with putting them on the path to success.

“I’ve been working with Lars [twice a week] since I’ve been here. We’ve been working on more power and more engagement, especially in the extensions. I need to keep going like this and build the strength now. Our goal coming here was to qualify for the Festival, which now he’s pretty sure to be in [since] his average is over 70,” Mason explained.

Following the Festival of Champions, Mason’s focus with Zar will be moving him up to the grand prix level. It’s time for her “backburner horse” she’s owned since he was four months old to step into the big leagues.

“It’s been a challenge,” Mason admitted when asked about her and Zar’s journey. A habitually spooky horse that Mason describes as “an honest to goodness chicken,” Zar has certainly tested Mason’s fortitude. It all came together Saturday afternoon, although the 10-year-old KWPN gelding was briefly unnerved as the test began.

“Zar was more relaxed than yesterday, so I could go for a little bit more. We did have one major spook at A. But everything else was good. After the spook, I upped the ante a little bit more and pushed a little bit harder to make up the points,” Mason commented. “He was much more rideable, minus the spook, which actually surprised me.”

When Mason first arrived in Florida, she hadn’t had a lesson with Petersen on Zar for some time. Not wanting to push the gelding too quickly, they played it conservative during AGDF 1 before going for more week three.

“This show I definitely pushed for more. It helps to have Lars standing out there yelling at me,” she joked. “We played it low-key at the last show, but we knew we could ask for more. Yesterday, I had to be conservative again, but today, Lars was like ‘Go for it!'”

The final test for Mason and Zar at the 2014 AGDF will be the FEI Intermediaire Freestyle, which will wrap up competition for the third week of the AGDF. Mason and Zar will head back to Mason’s Flying Change Farm, based in Lebanon, NJ, at the end of the month, but the AGDF carries on with nine more weeks of world-class dressage competition through March 30.

Competition concludes with the FEI Intermediaire Freestyle on Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. for the AGDF 3 CDI-W, presented by the US P.R.E. Association and the Chesapeake Dressage Institute. AGDF 4 Dressage National runs January 29 – February 2.

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 8 FEI Dressage events, including a 5* and the only FEI Nations’ Cup Series CDIO in the Western Hemisphere. The AGDF offers more than $400,000 in prize money for the six 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 for the International Arena fully catered for relaxing and having an enjoyable experience.

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
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven Clinches Another Win at AGDF 3, This Time with Divertimento

Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven and Divertimento. Photos © SusanJStickle.com.

Wellington, FL – January 23, 2014 – Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven continued her hot streak in Wellington on Thursday afternoon, winning the FEI Grand Prix with Divertimento during the third week of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF). Vilhelmson-Silfven took home two first place prizes with Don Auriello during the first week of AGDF and started off week three with equal success.

Vilhelmson-Silfven and Lövsta Stuteri’s 12-year-old Westphalian gelding topped the class with a score of 75.000%. The top three was rounded about by Danish riders Lars Petersen, who rode Mariett to second place with a 73.320%, and Mikala Munter Gundersen and My Lady, who were third with a 71.640%. Megan Lane of Canada was fourth with a score of 71.020% on Caravella. The top placing American rider was Adrienne Lyle, who finished fifth with Wizard on a score of 70.100%

The AGDF 3 Dressage CDI-W, presented by the US P.R.E. Association and Chesapeake Dressage Institute, runs January 23-26 at The Stadium at PBIEC. The feature event for the week is the FEI World Cup Qualifying Grand Prix Freestyle on Friday evening from 4 p.m.-7 p.m.

Divertimento had a break from the show ring while traveling with other grand prix mount Don Auriello, and Vilhelmson-Silfven was thrilled with the gelding’s first outing in some time. Divertimento occasionally suffers from a bit of performance anxiety, so Vilhelmson-Silfven was happy to feel him relax during their test.

“The best feeling I had was in the canter. He relaxed a little bit more once I got going. It was a bit tense starting, but he felt better and better. I was very pleased with the canter work because that’s not always the easiest on him. I was happy with the pirouettes and the zig-zags, but overall I was happy he was so good in his mind and so relaxed,” Vilhelmson-Silfven commented.

Vilhelmson-Silfven opted out of any freestyle competitions with Divertimento to concentrate on helping the horse mature, a decision that has clearly paid off.

“He feels much more mature. I took a break from freestyles just to get him more focused and trained a bit instead. I think I felt today that it was the best thing to do to give him a little bit of a competition break and get more mature and more ready for what he should do,” Vilhelmson-Silfven remarked.

When asked if Wellington was a good luck charm for Vilhelmson-Silfven, who has had three CDI victories in her first three outings, she smiled, “It must be! It’s been a great thing for me these years, traveling here and being able to compete her in the wintertime, when everything actually stops a bit [in Europe]. It’s been good for these horses.”

Adrienne Lyle was the highest placed American rider after a fifth place finish with Peggy Thomas’ Wizard, another horse back in the show ring after some time off.

“It’s been a year since we’ve been in the ring. We did a national show in preparation for this and I thought today he felt much better, so hopefully we’re going in the right direction,” Lyle detailed.

“I worked just on my technical parts of the test today, making sure I get back in test-riding mode. Riding the corners, riding the preparations. We had a couple losses of balance coming into the piaffe, it was not so good, and then a couple little issues that I think we can get better, but really just trying to get back from training mode,” she continued.

Lyle looks forward to competing the rest of the season of AGDF to get Wizard, and herself, back in top form. With a whopping 30 entries in the FEI Grand Prix, she shouldn’t have any trouble getting the exposure she is looking for.

“It’s amazing. It’s so above and beyond any numbers of anything I’ve been in. It’s so exciting!” Lyle expressed.

Peterson, Munder Gundersen, and Vilhelmson-Silfven all agreed that a class as large as Thursday’s was quite similar to numbers seen in Europe, which provides riders with top tier competition.

“I think it’s great. This feeling that we could look a little bit in the morning and get ready and warm up. That’s kind of the way we can sometimes do it in Europe. I really liked that today, the possibility of seeing somebody else ride (in the Grand Prix class). And great rides this morning as well,” Vilhelmson-Silfven described.

“You don’t get many chances to watch Grand Prix all day, at least I don’t,” Lyle commented. “Not in Idaho!”

Vilhelmson-Silfven was also awarded with the Champion Equine Insurance Dressage Style Award for her winning ride with Divertimento. Gabriella Stumpf was awarded the Show Chic Turnout Award during the FEI Jog on Wednesday afternoon.

Competition for AGDF 3 continues Friday with the FEI Prix St. Georges presented by Chesapeake Dressage Institute starting at 11:05 a.m., followed by the featured class for the week, the FEI World Cup Qualifying Grand Prix Freestyle presented by US P.R.E. Association from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

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 8 FEI Dressage events, including a 5* and the only FEI Nations’ Cup Series CDIO in the Western Hemisphere. The AGDF offers more than $400,000 in prize money for the six 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 for the International Arena fully catered for relaxing and having an enjoyable experience.

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
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Don Auriello Shines Bright with Vilhelmson-Silfven in First FEI Grand Prix Freestyle of “Friday Night Stars”

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

Wellington, FL – January 10, 2014 – The Adequan Global Dressage Festival kicked off the “Friday Night Stars” series with an exciting FEI Grand Prix Freestyle competition and full spectator stands at The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Leading the way was Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven (SWE) on Don Auriello, who won with a score of 81.575%. Lars Petersen (DEN) and Mariett scored 76.925% for second place. Fellow Dane Mikala Munter Gundersen and My Lady placed third with a score of 74.825%.

The first week of the AGDF, sponsored by MTICA Farm and Everglades Dressage, runs through Sunday, January 12. The AGDF continues for 11 more weeks of top dressage competition through March 30.

Vilhelmson-Silfven started with a win in yesterday’s FEI Grand Prix class, but with the different atmosphere of the lights and spectators, she felt like Don Auriello handled the change well. “Today was a great atmosphere here. I really had a lot of fun riding in there today,” she said. “I think Don Auriello got a little bit impressed, but then he focused and was really nice to ride the whole way through. It was lovely with so many spectators, and the feeling in here is really great.”

She said of her test, “My highlight was really that he did let me ride, and I had a great feeling. He does everything without a big effort. It’s a really nice feeling when you feel the horse is so mature that you can just ride. I think I had that today. The pirouettes is one of his highlights, and the piaffes.”

Lars Petersen and Mariett
Lars Petersen and Mariett

Petersen said that he knows his music “in and out.” He added with a laugh, “I also knew exactly where I was in places that I should not have been! But otherwise it’s a great atmosphere to ride here; I think it’s like riding anywhere.”

He noted that Mariett was “a little bit tense, a little spooky,” but that “overall though, it’s the first show, so I was pretty happy.” He continued, “I think the piaffe, passage was good. I normally get really good marks for my music (too).”

Gundersen has been working on her new freestyle routine for three months and had only ridden it at national shows to practice. “My Lady was unbelievable,” she related. “She was paying attention, not looking at anything outside. I’m crazy about the music. I think it suits her very well. I think I had good piaffes, good changes. I was particularly happy with the walk. She was very relaxed in the walk and did very well. It doesn’t sound interesting to be excited about the walk, but it was a bit of a highlight! I’m glad that she’s relaxed enough with the big atmosphere to show a good walk.”

Gundersen commented on the great turnout for the event. “I know there were a lot of people. I was very happy to see that because it’s the beginning of the season. I’m happy we have so many spectators for a dressage show,” she said.

Janne Rumbough of MTICA Farm, the sponsor of the class, noted, “It’s wonderful that we have this here. I’ve been here a long time and seen dressage develop. Look at these riders and these horses. This is what we worked on for so many years. I look at the spectators tonight, and I believe the freestyle is the answer to have people enjoy dressage. What these three people showed today was beautiful. I’m just so pleased and thanks to Mark Bellissimo for doing this.”

Allyn Mann of Adequan, the title sponsor of the GDF, was also on-hand to watch the first CDI of the season. “I would say year three started off beautifully. It’s really humbling to come here and to have the opportunity to support a wonderful event and to see these wonderful riders and horses really embellish the sport of dressage,” he remarked. “We’re excited, and we did exceed expectations already. If this is as good as it gets for the season, I would be gracious and humbled by it. But I think it’s going to continue to improve. As the prize money does continue to grow, I think we’ll see a continuation of wonderful riders and horses be a part of this great dressage world.”

Caroline Roffman and Bon Chance
Caroline Roffman and Bon Chance

It was a win on home turf for Caroline Roffman (USA) and Bon Chance today during the FEI Prix St. Georges. Fellow U.S. rider Heather Mason and Zar followed in second place with a score of 69.711%, and Spanish rider Juan Matute Jr. with Don Diego Ymas rounded out the top three at 68.9974%.

Coming off a year of ‘vacation’ for the 8-year-old chestnut gelding, Roffman was very pleased with how he performed for her. “I haven’t shown him for a year, but for him, he’ll get better with each show,” she commented. “That’s what he needs.”

Bon Chance, imported from Germany, was broke by Roffman herself. With her, he competed in the four, five and six year old US championships, with great success. “He was reserve four year old champion, five year old champion, tied for six year old champion. So yeah, he has had a pretty successful career!” she said with a smile.

Although Bon Chance is a sales horse in her roster, she is more than happy to continue showing him, saying he shows a lot of promise in the ring. “He has a lot of swing, a lot of elasticity, and he’s like a metronome when he trots – it’s always the same tempo,” she described. “He’s a funny looking horse on the ground. When people see him he’s long, he has a skinny neck and he’s just a little bit weird looking. But in the ring he presents himself, I think, in a really good way.”

The gelding also offers somewhat of a challenge to Roffman. “He is a little bit of a handful, so you have to take it all in stride. It’s his first CDI ever, it’s his first international Intermediaire I, and I hope this year he continues to develop and get confident in the ring,” she said.

While the Adequan Global Dressage Festival brings out the best in the world to compete, Roffman prefers to focus solely on the horses. “I find myself keeping a little bit of a goal in mind, but they’re horses,” she remarked. “They have their own feelings, their own agendas. You can want anything, you can plan 100%, but if they’re not ready or willing or able to do it? For me, I just focus on developing the horses, and that’s how you know you’re ready. (They) hopefully get better and better as the show goes on.”

AGDF 1 Dressage CDI-W continues Saturday with the FEI Intermediaire I presented by Everglades Dressage and FEI Grand Prix Special presented by MTICA Farm. For full results and more information, 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 8 FEI Dressage events, including a 5* and the only FEI Nations’ Cup Series CDIO in the Western Hemisphere. The AGDF offers more than $400,000 in prize money for the six 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 for the International Arena fully catered for relaxing and having an enjoyable experience.

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
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven and Don Auriello Claim Opening FEI Grand Prix of Adequan Global Dressage Festival

Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven and Don Auriello. Photo © SusanJStickle.com.

Wellington, FL – January 9, 2014 – Swedish rider Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven and Don Auriello topped the FEI Grand Prix, sponsored by MTICA Farm, with a winning score of 77.670% during the first day of competition for the 2014 Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF). Danish riders filled out the top three for the class, with Lars Petersen and Mariett finishing second with a 72.880% and Mikala Munter Gundersen taking home third place with a score of 69.600% on My Lady.

The first week of the AGDF, sponsored by MTICA Farm and Everglades Dressage, runs through Sunday, January 12. The feature event is the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle, held under the lights as part of the “Friday Night Stars” series at AGDF on Friday, January 10. Gates open at 6 pm, and spectators can also enjoy a musical exhibition by the Frost School of Music from the University of Miami as well as a Western exhibition by reiner Rick Steed.

Vilhelmson-Silfven, who recently climbed to fifth in the FEI World Individual Dressage Rankings thanks to a series of high-profile victories in Europe with Don Auriello, was again thrilled with the 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding’s performance during Friday’s competition.

“He competed quite a lot this autumn. I made three World Cup qualifications in Europe before I left. He’s been doing all of those very well. He’s in really good shape,” Vilhelmson-Silfven commented.

“Today, I was really happy with my feeling. The piaffe-passage tour is the one that I sometimes don’t have him on my aids 100%, but I felt like today I could do exactly what I wanted. He usually does it very well anyways, but today it was a feeling more that I could really control,” she continued.

Vilhelmson-Silfven feels she’s gotten to the point with Don Auriello that she can scale back his competition schedule without losing her edge. Following Thursday’s win, Vilhelmson-Silfven will work with a trainer for several weeks before bringing Don Auriello back out for the Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W during Week 8 of the AGDF.

“[Don Auriello] has reached the level now that I want to be more restrictive with competing. I don’t need to compete so much I think. He’s going to have a good training session now. I really enjoy having that in this climate, being able to train a lot,” she explained.

After arriving in Florida shortly before Christmas, Vilhelmson-Silfven is looking forward to a season far from the harsh Swedish winter.

“It’s super to be able to train them and ride them [in the Florida weather]. How they feel in their body, in their muscles, is so different when it’s very cold. [The horses that compete in Florida] are in much better shape than the ones that stayed under the winter in Europe – in Sweden anyway,” Vilhelmson-Silfven described.

Vilhelmson-Silfven was also presented with the Champion Equine Insurance Dressage Style Award for her ride with Don Auriello, who is owned by Lövsta Stuteri.

The AGDF provides world-class dressage riders like Vilhelmson-Silfven a warm winter respite in prime competition and training conditions over 12 weeks of top-level competition January 9 – March 30, 2014. AGDF 1 Dressage CDI-W continues Friday morning with the FEI Prix St. Georges, presented by Everglades Dressage, and the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle presented by MTICA Farm as the evening’s main event with gates open at 6 pm.

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 8 FEI Dressage events, including a 5* and the only FEI Nations’ Cup Series CDIO in the Western Hemisphere. The AGDF offers more than $400,000 in prize money for the six 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 for the International Arena fully catered for relaxing and having an enjoyable experience.

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
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com