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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

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