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.
“The prize money here and at the last show makes it possible to go to the World Cup in Holland. It’s like it fell out of the sky,” said Koford. “My horse was not spooky, but I did feel him a little insecure in the ring, which is an unusual feeling. It was great practice because I haven’t ridden him in conditions like this. I am really pleased with the ride.”
The International arena featured the FEI Intermediaire I earlier in the day and Caroline Roffman took top honors scoring 69.158% with her horse Pie. Devon Kane was second on Destiny with a score of 68.947%. Roffman spoke of her strategy for the test.
“Today I rode with a little more pedal to the medal, which paid off I think in some ways and in other ways we had more mistakes,” said Roffman. “This shows me that I need to ride a little more bravely. He’s ready and knows everything. He was a very good boy. He showed me that he wants to be a show horse.”
Dressage competition culminates on Sunday, February 19 with the FEI Olympic Grand Prix Special and the FEI Intermediaire in the International arena and two rings of national dressage competition.
For ride times and results, please visit the Global Dressage Festival website at: www.globaldressagefestival.com under the link of dressage show information on the main homepage.
About the Global Dressage Festival
The Global Dressage Festival (GDF) is one of the world’s largest international and national dressage circuits featuring five CDIs, including a 5*, the first non-championship CDIO Nations’ Cup in the Western Hemisphere, and nine U.S. national events.
The GDF is offering more than $275,000 in prize money for the five international competitions making it one of the richest circuits in the world. In addition to the CDIs with national competitions, the GDF will feature four separate national shows to be held at the newly constructed venue that extends the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) show grounds.
The GDF encompasses almost 60 acres of the former Palm Beach Polo Grounds. The facility includes four outdoor arenas with world class footing. Future planned improvements include a covered arena, permanent covered spectator seating for the central outdoor arena and a permanent Patrons Club and 200 permanent stalls.
Please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.