P. J. Rizvi and Breaking Dawn. Photo Credit: ©SusanJStickle.
Wellington, FL – March 18, 2017 – Week ten at the 2017 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, FL continued on Saturday, March 18 with wins for P. J. Rizvi (USA) in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI 3*, presented by The Dutta Corp., and Katie Poag (USA) in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI 4*, presented by Havensafe Farm.
P. J. Rizvi (USA) and Breaking Dawn, a 2001 KWPN gelding (Akribori x Eveline x L. Ronald) owned by Rizvi, climbed to the top of the leader board in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI 3*, presented by The Dutta Corp, earning a score of 70.588%.
This was the pair’s first time competing together in the FEI Grand Prix Special.
“It was one of those ‘let’s just give it a whirl’ moments,” said Rizvi. “I’ve just been doing the freestyle, but it was time to do the Special, and I’m so proud of him. He felt forward, and with the length of the test it felt like even at the end, I still had a lot of horse under me. I’m just so amazed; he’s like 16 going on six and is such a joy to ride.”
In regard to her future with “Edward”, Rizvi commented, “I think we are going to try to go to Europe this summer. He is super healthy, and I think that now is the time that we want to move forward and try to show this summer instead of waiting for a whole year until next season.”
Second place in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI 3*, presented by The Dutta Corp, was awarded to Anna Marek (USA) and Dee Clair, a 2008 KWPN mare (Sir Sinclair x Rolls Royce) owned by Diane Morrison, the pair earned a 67.216%. Third place went to Christopher Hickey (USA) and Ronaldo, a 2006 Danish Warmblood gelding (Blue Hors Romanov x Trostruplunds Scarlet x Blue Hors Don Schufro) owned by Cecelia Stewart, with 66.333%.
Katie Poag and her own Zonnekoning, a 2004 Dutch Warmblood stallion (Florett As x Maraba), captured a victory in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI 4*, presented by Havensafe Farm. Their score was 67.941%.
“I thought the ride went pretty well,” said Poag. “I thought the trot work was the strongest part of it, as it usually is. The canter is still a bit challenging, (and) our flying changes are coming along. I was pleased with the overall feeling of the ride. Our goal is to keep climbing and moving up, and I think he has a tremendous amount of talent and can continue to do that. It’s just a matter of coming to these competitions and getting more experience. I’m very excited about the future and how much more I think he can bring to the table.”
Second place in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI 4* went to Arlene Page (USA) and Dr. House 2, 2005 Oldenburg gelding (Don Schufro x Rinerfa JS x Krack C) owned by Page, scoring 67.451%.
Earlier in the day, Jennifer Baumert (USA) and Handsome, a 2005 Hanoverian gelding (Hochadel x Wyona x Weltmeyer) owned by Elizabeth Juliano, earned a score of 74.875% and a victory in the FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle CDI 3*, presented by CaptiveOne.
Second place went to Catherine Malone (USA) and Dilona, a 2008 KWPN mare (Lord Leatherdale x Vajda x Kennedy) owned by Iron Spring Farm, with 73.458%. Third place in the FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle CDI 3* was awarded to Anna Marek and Einstein JP, a 2009 KWPN gelding, owned by Lorna Donahue, scoring 71.750%.
For more information and to see a full list of results, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.