AGDF TIMES. AGDF Starts With Strong Entries and Great Sport. $50,000 Wellington Eventing Showcase Presented by Asheville Regional Airport at PBIEC

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1 AGDF TIMES Issue 2, January 22-25, 2015 $50,000 Wellington Eventing Showcase Presented by Asheville Regional Airport at PBIEC AGDF Starts With Strong Entries and Great Sport Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP), management company of the world renowned Winter Equestrian Festival and Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, FL, is excited to announce a brand new eventing showcase that will take place at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) on January 30-31, The $50,000 Wellington Eventing Showcase, presented by Asheville Regional Airport, will feature some of eventing s top horses and riders competing for phenomenal prize money in the winter equestrian capital of the world. In the same way that we met up with Allyn Mann of Adequan and talked about taking dressage to the next level four years ago, we think Lars Petersen (DEN) and Mariett and knock-on-wood, still so fresh. took home the win in the first Friday I don t work the tests with her very Night Stars event of the 2015 much, it s more about keeping her fit. Adequan Global Dressage Festival She still has a few more great years (AGDF) season. In the FEI Grand left in her. there is a great opportunity to bring Prix Freestyle, presented by MTICA The pair was followed closely by the sport of eventing to new heights Farm, they scored an impressive fellow Danish rider Munter Gundersen in Wellington, stated Equestrian Sport % to secure the victory. Mikala and My Lady, who have also enjoyed Productions CEO Mark Bellissimo. Munter Gundersen (DEN) and My a successful start to the 2015 season. We are excited to have a third Lady followed in second receiving My Lady feels stronger and better Olympic discipline at the Palm Beach a % with Caroline Darcourt than ever, for sure. I ve spent the International Equestrian Center during (SWE) riding Paridon Magi to finish last four months since WEG working the winter, and we look forward to third with a %. Allyn Mann on strength and conditioning, welcoming eventing riders and fans. presented Lars Petersen and Mariett commented Munter Gundersen. Bellissimo added, We are very with the Adequan Artistic High She s a hot horse and needs to go excited that Asheville Regional Score Award for their tremendous out a lot. I have a good feeling that we Airport has stepped up to sponsor performance in the FEI Grand Prix will continue to improve throughout this inaugural event. On a segment Freestyle. the season. I m extremely happy with on Good Morning America, Frommer Petersen and Mariett, veterans what we have accomplished this week Travel Guide just announced Asheville to the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle, already. as the No. 1 destination in the country displayed their impressive form, a clear Caroline Darcourt also had a great to visit in 2015, and it is conveniently indication of the duo s long-standing ride aboard Paridon Maji in their located just 30 minutes from the new partnership. I think I said this last year, first test under the lights. Darcourt, but it seems like she s actually getting Continued on page 6 younger, he said smiling. She s 17 Continued on page 8

2 The United States P.R.E. Association is Excited to Announce Another Year of Continued Sponsorship Kim Boyer and US P.R.E. representatives presented Lars Petersen and Mariett with the winning FEI Grand Prix Freestyle awards at last year s AGDF. Photo SusanJStickle.com. A committed sponsor of the 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF), United States P.R.E., the official association of the Spanish Horse in the U.S., is excited for the beginning of a new season and would like to send a warm welcome to competitors, judges, organizers, owners, and fans traveling to experience dressage in Wellington this winter. A four-year sponsor of AGDF, US P.R.E. is the official 501c3 non-profit organization representing and promoting the Spanish Horse breed in the United States. The Pure Spanish Horse (P.R.E) is a fixture in the sport of dressage, as many of the breed s top stallions have produced successful offspring, always competitive at the top levels of the sport. US P.R.E. is the national breed association for the P.R.E. horse and we have experienced huge growth in the past two years, coinciding with the increasing popularity of the breed in the U.S., said Kim Boyer, President of US P.R.E. We ve seen a huge interest in them from the equestrian community as riding and pleasure horses, but especially as dressage athletes. AGDF has given the organization a platform to promote the breed, as it continues to excel in the dressage arena. AGDF has absolutely gone above and beyond what we could have ever expected. The growth has been tremendous, said Boyer. When you have a location like this and a strong team supporting the competition, the rest of the world wants to follow what is happening here. You give riders everywhere, the entire dressage community, both national and international, a destination. It is the place everyone wants to be. The growth of the competition continues to highlight the equestrian community, and Boyer hopes to see that continue. With new competitors and vendors arriving each week, AGDF has become the epicenter for dressage during the winter season. I hope people see what this event contributes to the community and that what we had originally envisioned for this competition is now coming to life, she commented. For more information, please visit like us on facebook Thursday, January 22, :30am to 1:00pm in the Wellington Club. EQUINE INFLUENZA AND HERPES VIRUSES: CURRENT INFORMATION ABOUT CLINICAL SIGNS, DETECTION, PREVENTION AND RECOVERY by Wendy Vaala, VMD, dipacvim Sponsored by Merck Animal Health Equine For more information please contact (561) Admission is free for riders, trainers, and owners. Page 2 ISSUE 2 January 22-25, 2015

3 PBIEC 3 Upcoming Events: Lunch & Learn The 2015 Lunch & Learn weekly educational series will take place each Thursday during WEF from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in The Wellington Club at PBIEC. During WEF 3 on Thursday, January 22, Wendy Vaala, VMD, dipacvim, will present on the Equine Influenza and Herpes Viruses: Current information about clinical signs, detection, prevention and recovery, sponsored by Merck Animal Health Equine. Admission is free for riders, trainers, and owners and $25 for all others. Register at the door for a chance to win exciting prizes. Season finale door prizes to include a custom trunk provided by Clever Jumps & Trunks and a TheraPlate. For more information please contact Laura Bostwick, Sponsorship Events Coordinator or laura@ equestriansport.com. Friday Night Stars at AGDF Week three at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival features large tour CDI-W competition, sponsored by the United States P.R.E. Association, and small tour competition sponsored by Chesapeake Dressage Institute. The Friday Night Stars series showcases some of the world s best dressage riders as they perform freestyles at the top level of competition. Friday, January 23, will feature FEI World Cup qualifying grand prix musical freestyle competition at The Stadium at PBIEC beginning at 6:45 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m. $127,000 Adequan Grand Prix CSI 3* The $127,000 Adequan Grand Prix CSI 3* will be the feature event of week three, held under the lights of the International Arena at PBIEC on Saturday, January 24. Come out to see some of the best horses and riders in the world compete for great prize money. Gates open at 6 p.m. and first horse is at 7 p.m. The Suites at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center We are pleased to announce that we now offer The Suites located in the Special Events Pavilion available during several weeks of the WEF Saturday Night Lights Series. We offer prime viewing of world-renowned equestrian competition, full buffet and premium bar options in a semi-private suite catered by White Horse Tavern Catering. Each suite accommodates up to 22 persons with a minimum of 14 persons. $200 per person includes buffet and premium bar. $125 per person includes buffet and cash bar. Suite availability is based on a first come first served basis, so book your suite today before they re all gone! The Suites must be booked 48 hours in advance of the reservation date. The Suites are available for the Saturday 3/21/2015 Find your favorite way to enjoy the PBIEC! Can t Fill a Suite? You are still able to book a table of (6) in common areas at the same price per person as noted above. For additional information and reservations, please contact Patti Miele at or pmiele@whitehorsetavernflorida.com Ride & Learn, presented by Palm Beach Riding Academy The 2015 Ride & Learn Series will take place each Tuesday during WEF. Each week will feature a mounted riding clinic instructed by highly esteemed industry professionals and will be held in various venues and arenas in the PBIEC. WEF 4 will feature show jumper Candice King on Tuesday, January 27, teaching on The Efficient Jumper Ride, sponsored by Der Dau. Participation is $ per horse/rider per clinic, maximum 12 riders. Auditing is Free. Every Tuesday from 2:00-4:00pm. For more information please contact Sean Jones, General Manager, Palm Beach Riding Academy (561) or sean@equestriansport.com $50,000 Wellington Eventing Showcase, presented by Asheville Regional Airport The $50,000 Wellington Eventing Showcase, presented by Asheville Regional Airport, will feature some of eventing s top horses and riders competing for phenomenal prize money in the winter equestrian capital of the world on Friday and Saturday, January 30-31, at The Stadium at PBIEC. The Wellington Eventing Showcase will be a special invitational for top U.S. and Canadian High Performance Riders as well as international riders. The competition is presented by Asheville Regional Airport with additional sponsors Rolex, Land Rover and Adequan. Dressage begins at 9:30 am on Friday in the AGDF International Ring. Show Jumping starts at 10:30 am in the AGDF International Ring, followed by Cross-Country at 1:30 pm on the grass derby field and adjacent polo field. The Global Pavillion at The Stadium offers VIP seating with tables of six for $1,500. Buffet lunch and full bar is included with outstanding views of the dressage on Friday and the show jumping and cross-country on Saturday. VIP Parking is also included. For bookings, please Kathleen Lamour at kathleen@equestriansport. com or call General Admission and Parking are free. SAVE THE DATE! Sixth Annual Great Charity Challenge, presented by Fidelity Investments Heading into its sixth annual event, the Great Charity Challenge, presented by Fidelity Investments (GCC), returns to WEF on Saturday, February 7. The pro-am team competition has distributed more than $6.2 million to over 100 nonprofits in Palm Beach County over the last five years. This year the event has a goal of raising at least $1.5 million to add to its already incredible fundraising amount. The theme for this year s event: Superheroes! There is free General Admission and will be held under the bright lights of the International Arena at PBIEC. For more information, including a list of the participating charities and sponsorship opportunities, please visit Diamante Farms Helps Grow a Home for Dressage in Wellington When mother-daughter team Terri and Devon Kane were approached with the idea of building a dressage facility at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, there was never any question about turning the opportunity down. Their own Diamante Farms soon became one of the First Founding and longest supporting sponsors of what is now celebrated as The Adequan Global Dressage Festival. To see what was done across the street (at WEF) and then hear that they want to build one for you too we jumped right in, said Devon, USDF Gold Medalist and Grand Prix trainer at her family s Diamante Farms. Before AGDF, our show season was here and there. They would try to fit us in at WEF, but it just wasn t where we belonged we felt like invaders. It was hard to get a crowd at other shows, but now we not only have a fantastic facility, we are also getting more of an audience than ever before. The formation of AGDF gave Devon a home for winter training and showing. That, coupled with her father s lack of interest in renting property every season and her son coming of school age, the family had to choose a place to settle and Wellington s Diamante Farms was born. This is our community, and we take pride and ownership in both it and AGDF, said Terri. With that comes a responsibility we are very proud to have this facility in our backyard and therefore we need to support it in every way possible, financially and in person. A family business from the very beginning, Diamante Farms is home to roughly 27 horses with over half actively competing. A supportive and nurturing environment for young riders, The Kanes have dedicated themselves to not only growing the sport of dressage within the Wellington community, but improving the health of the sport in general. Through an exclusive sponsorship of AGDF s CDI 5* coming up during AGDF week 5 and tireless support of young riders as sponsor of the Brentina Cup classes throughout the AGDF circuit, Diamante s goals are coming full circle. Continued on page 4 Page 3 ISSUE 2 January 22-25, 2015

4 Chesapeake Dressage Institute Looks Forward to Another Great Year at AGDF INSTITUTE A not-for-profit organization founded for serious dressage riders of all levels looking to improve and refine their skills The Chesapeake Dressage Institute has been established to promote the sponsorship of classically correct training in the sport of dressage, aiming for the highest standards of care towards the horse and striving for excellence on the part of the rider, with emphasis on educational programs At Chesapeake Dressage Institute, we aim to: Provide riding clinics which utilize recognized, credentialed trainers to increase knowledge of correct, classical training techniques and to also uphold recognized standards set by the U.S. Dressage Federation Host lectures and classes on complimentary physical training for the rider, such as yoga, Pilates, weight training, tai chi, massage, aerobics, and more Promote panel discussions and demonstrations by equine specialists on issues such as proper saddle fit; horse dentistry; lameness avoidance, diagnosis and treatment; preparation for long trailering and competition; emergency care; acupuncture; chiropractic; and equine massage Further discussion of the mind-body connection and mental training necessary for competition readiness, utilizing sports psychology, visualization techniques, and other modalities to sharpen competitive skills and reduce performance anxiety Promoting classical Dressage training, enhanced by innovative learning techniques, to further aid horse and rider in achieving harmony & understanding Janet Richardson-Pearson of Chesapeake Dressage Institute presented Juan Matute, Jr. at last year s AGDF as winner of the FEI Prix St. Georges. SusanJStickle.com 2630 Mas Que Farm Road Annapolis, Maryland Janet Richardson-Pearson and Chesapeake Dressage Institute are proud to announce their continued sponsorship and support of the 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) and are excited for another wonderful year of dressage competition. As AGDF has continued to grow in size and scale each year since its inception, Richardson-Pearson has felt responsible for helping the sport she loves find a permanent home. After seeing the incredible success of the Winter Equestrian Festival, I felt that there was nothing but good things to come for AGDF under the watchful eye of Mark Bellissimo, she said. I ve always thought it would be wonderful to give dressage a permanent home in Wellington, and AGDF has given it the platform it has needed to attract the superstars of the sport. Not only has AGDF strengthened the sport by giving it a permanent winter location, but it has also provided competitors, sponsors, and owners with a sense of camaraderie, helping to bond dressage-enthusiasts alike. I enjoy being able to share my love for horses and dressage with like-minded people, said Richardson-Pearson. I am so proud to be a part of this venue and the way it supports the sport that we love. The quality of competition AGDF continually hosts has played a major role in the growing number of international riders who wish to spend their winters in Wellington. While seasoned veteran riders continue to strengthen the level of performance throughout the season, Richardson-Pearson is most proud of the up-coming young riders who have been able to showcase their talents. There have been some wonderful moments for us as sponsors, but one moment that stands out was when we awarded Juan Matute, Jr. last year, she commented. He was obviously having such a good time competing, he was serious, but in such a light-hearted way. He is such a strong reminder of how fun this sport can be. Proud to be a part of the show s continued growth, Richardson-Pearson and Chesapeake Dressage Institute are anticipate the beginning of a new season and would like to wish all competitors a healthy and fun 2015 season. I once read a statement that said, Never watch bad riding, and that has stuck with me ever since. This competition helps to elevate the sport and makes everyone want to be better. We feel that we are supporting the overall quality of dressage through our sponsorship here at AGDF, she concluded. For more information on Chesapeake Dressage Institute, please visit www. chesapeakedressage.com. Diamante Farms Continued from Page 3 It s very important for us to be involved in and help promote young rider programs, said Devon. The more young people we get at the shows, the bigger the Small Tour and Grand Prix become. Devon characterizes the Diamante crowd as an extremely motivated group of young professionals that have struck a unique camaraderie. Watching Chase win the Under 25 Division last week only makes us want to step it up, she commented. It s so nice to have all of us together constantly trying to better ourselves. Terri has witnessed this philosophy prove accurate in the growth of AGDF s top tier. It is so exciting to see AGDF becoming more and more of what we all envisioned it could be. To see 80 Prix St. Georges and Grand Prix riders in the second CDI of the season is unbelievable, she said. To look at the stands at the first Friday Night Stars almost filled to capacity warmed my heart. I am so excited for our sport. With constant improvement a priority for their riding and showing, Diamante Farms also has big plans for the barn itself. After purchasing land in Wellington s Preserve, the Kane family hope to break ground this year on a new and expanded Diamante Farms. For more information on Diamante Farms, please visit Lindsay Brock Page 4 ISSUE 2 January 22-25, 2015

5 Wellington Equestrian Realty Invests In Owner Award at AGDF Jill Irving Contributes Owner Award for PSG Winners There are many moving pieces in equestrian sport. Riders, horses, equipment, competitions, travel, to name a few. They each serve as a key ingredient in the elusive recipe for success. Owners though, individuals who dedicate themselves to ensuring the absolute best for their athletes both human and equine, are the stable backbone and ultimate balancing factor in many stories of success. As a way to recognize owners and their impact on the sport of dressage, Wellington Equestrian Realty, the First Founding Sponsor of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF), established an award for the 2015 season presented to owners of winning horse at each Friday Night Stars FEI Grand Prix Freestyle competition throughout the season. The Wellington Equestrian Realty Owner Award gives $5,000 to the owner/s of winning combinations that they may then donate to any charity of their choice. This award gives us an opportunity to recognize the owners that make this sport possible. We thought this was a great way to highlight their importance while also providing them with a way to give back, said Matt Varney of Wellington Equestrian Realty. Lars Petersen (DEN) and Mariett, a 1998 Danish Warmblood mare, scored a % to take home the first FEI Grand Prix Freestyle win of the season. Marcia Pepper, long-time owner of Mariett, was the first recipient of Wellington Equestrian Realty s Owner Award for the 2015 season. Pepper, an avid dressage enthusiast, was delighted with the award. This whole experience has been so rewarding. We ve had our ups and downs with Mariett, but we ve created so much team camaraderie through it all. You truly appreciate the people who work with your horse everyday, and that allows you to develop a great team, she said. Mariett and Pepper have been together for more than ten years now, as Petersen found the mare in Denmark and thought she would be a great match for Pepper. An injury sidelined the mare early in her career, but after the relentless work of Pepper and her team, Mariett returned, competing with Petersen in the irons. It has just been a whirlwind since her injury. We honestly never expected anything like this. You can never plan for something like this. It is just euphoric. We ve enjoyed every moment, she expressed. As for choosing a charity, Pepper said she couldn t make the decision alone, so she enlisted Petersen to help pick a charity associated with horses. They decided on Habitat for Horses, an equine rescue located in Galveston, Texas, that focuses on the rehabilitation and rehoming of abused and neglected horses. Not only are the riders thankful to the owners who graciously support their careers, but owners too, feel the same gratitude towards the people who ensure the health and happiness of their horses. I am so grateful for Melissa and Lars (Petersen). You learn as you go with these kinds of things, and you need to have a team of people you trust because that makes every difference in the world, said Pepper. They have made this experience so fulfilling, and I could never thank them enough. Along with Wellington Equestrian Realty s Owner Award, Jill Irving, a rider and owner herself, presented Best Owner Award at the Prix St. Georges level to Michael Klinke (GER) for his performance aboard his own Freeliner 2 during the first week of AGDF. Irving, committed to bringing owners into the spotlight, will also present several awards in National divisions at AGDF. Dr. Courtney Varney and Craig Martin, representing Wellington Equestrian Realty, presented the Wellington Equestrian Realty Owner s Award to Marcia Pepper, who owns Mariett, the winning FEI Grand Prix Freestyle horse ridden by Lars Petersen at AGDF 1. SusanJStickle.com We appreciate our athletes, our animals and the many individuals who work to get them both to the ring, but we often forget the backbone of this sport, the owners. Whether riders themselves or spectators from the crowd, each and every one brings a passion and love for the sport that keeps it going. This year Jill Irving and the Adequan Global Dressage Festival will honor the leading Prix St. Georges Owner and the Leading National Owner of each CDI show in recognition of their dedication to the sport of Dressage. Page 5 ISSUE 2 January 22-25, 2015

6 Young Para-Dressage Riders Shine at First CPEDI 3* Competition of the Season Annie Peavy won her class on Ozzy Cooper. Photos Lindsay McCall. The conditions were perfect in Wellington for the first week of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF). Van Kampen Arena played host to the first CPEDI 3* of the 2015 season, an important competition for Para-Dressage athletes in the process of accumulating qualifying scores for the 2016 USEF Paralympic Selection Trials. Throughout four days of CPEDI 3* competition, riders performed multiple tests within their individual grades and had the opportunity to compete in team format, as well as perform individual freestyle routines. Sydney Collier (USA), coming off of a phenomenal 2014 season, brought her A-game to Florida as she looks to continue her success in This past week was just amazing. It is always such a blast to have the opportunity to compete at AGDF, she said. The show grounds are incredible, and the weather is always perfect. Collier, who received the 2014 FEI Against All Odds Award, is looking forward to another competitive 2015 season, setting her sights on Rio in Always praised for her perseverance and dedication, Collier has accepted another role in the equestrian community she hopes will benefit young Para-Dressage athletes across the country. As an ambassador for the first Para-Dressage team representing the United States at the 2015 Adequan FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) presented by Gotham North, Collier will try to get as many junior riders involved as possible. The United States Junior Rider Program is going to have a big year. We re so excited to have a team representing Para-Dressage at the 2015 NAJYRC. It is such a huge honor, she said. The CPEDI 3* at held at AGDF this past week served as a qualifying competition for the event, which will be held in July 2015 in Lexington, KY. Annie Peavy, another talented Young Rider representing the United States, had a phenomenal weekend aboard her two mounts, Ozzy Cooper and Lancelot Warrior. Peavy won the Grade III class aboard Ozzy Cooper and also placed second with Lancelot Warrior. Competing at AGDF is amazing. It is an incredible venue, and I am so thankful to everyone who made it possible, she said. Lancelot and Ozzy performed beautifully, and I could not have asked for more from them. Peavy, who represented the U.S. as an individual rider at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Normandy, France, is looking toward to making a qualifying run for Rio de Janeiro in 2016 as well. I m looking forward to getting into the show ring as much as possible this year and continuing to get to know my horses better with each ride, she said. Both Collier and Peavy wished to extend their warmest appreciation to AGDF Show Manager, Lloyd Landkamer and U.S. Chef d Equipe Kai Handt on their never-ending support and dedication to the U.S. Para-Equestrian Program. Sydney Collier and new horse, NTEC Roulette. Photo Lindsay McCall. $50,000 Wellington Eventing Showcase Continued from Page 1 Tryon International Equestrian Center. The Asheville Regional Airport is very pleased to be the title sponsor of the inaugural Wellington Eventing Showcase. Our airport is the destination of choice when flying to attend events at the Tryon International Equestrian Center. We look forward to welcoming you to the Asheville area for more exciting equestrian competition, stated Lew Bleiweis, Executive Director of Asheville Regional Airport. The Wellington Eventing Showcase will be a special invitational for top U.S. and Canadian High Performance Riders. The competition is presented by Asheville Regional Airport with additional sponsors Rolex, Land Rover and Adequan U.S. Olympic and World Equestrian Games Eventer Boyd Martin will compete in the Wellington Eventing Showcase. I m excited to have eventing included as part of Winter Equestrian Festival schedule at PBIEC, and I look forward to competing in this event to showcase our sport in front of a new audience, Martin said. The competition begins with dressage on Friday, January 30, in the International Ring of the The Stadium at PBIEC. Competitors will be riding USEF/ USEA Advanced Test B in morning and afternoon sessions. There will be a test ride at 9:00 a.m. and the first horse at 9:30 a.m. The last ride will take place at approximately 3:15 PM. Show Jumping will take place on Saturday morning, January 31, also held in the International Ring at The Stadium at PBIEC. The course, designed by Richard Jeffrey of Great Britain, will be open for walking at 9:30 a.m. and jumping starts at 10:30 a.m. Cross-Country will take place Saturday afternoon, January 31, with a 2,000-meter advanced level course spanning the grass derby field at The Stadium at PBIEC and adjacent polo field. This course will consist of 16 obstacles containing 20 jumping efforts. Cross-Country will begin at 1:30 p.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. The Cross-Country phase will run in reverse order of standings following the Dressage and Show Jumping portion of the competition. ESP is excited to welcome Capt. Mark Phillips as the course designer for this first-ever cross country event at PBIEC with jumps built by Eric Bull. Jumps will be built as per USEF Eventing Rules for Advanced Horse Trials. Video and live scoring will also be available. Spectators have different hospitality options available for their viewing of the event. The Global Pavillion at The Stadium offers VIP seating with tables of six for $1,500. Buffet lunch and full bar is included with outstanding views of the dressage on Friday and the show jumping and cross-country on Saturday. VIP Parking is also included. For bookings, please Kathleen Lamour at kathleen@equestriansport.com or call There will be a wine and cheese reception in the VIP Club following the Rider Briefing at 4:00 p.m. on January 29, There will also be a reception following the awards ceremony at the conclusion of the competition on January 31. All VIP Club table holders, owners and grooms are invited to these functions. General Admission and Parking are free. Equestrian Sport Productions looks forward to welcoming all of the riders and fans from the sport of Eventing for a unique and exciting new competition at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. For more information, please visit Lauren Fisher Get the facts at Page 6 ISSUE 2 January 22-25, 2015

7 AGDF 1 Awards Gallery Jacqueline Brooks won the Custom Saddlery Most Valuable Rider Award. Chase Hickok was presented with the Omega Alpha Healthy Horse award. The Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award was presented by Karen Pavicic. Cameron Rollins won The Happy Horse Harmony award from Gumbits. The Equisafe International Dressage Achievement award went to Juan Matute, Jr. Kyle McIver won VitaFlex Victory Pass award. The Tackeria Stabling Award was given to Devon and Terri Kane of Diamante Farms. Page 7 ISSUE 2 January 22-25, 2015

8 AGDF 1 Award Winners Best Horse Turnout Award Wench De Jeu / Mary Bahniuk Lauritsen Best Seat Award Juan Matute, Jr. Best Dressed Award Lisa Wilcox Lindsay Brock/Jennifer Wood Media, Inc. AGDF Starts With Strong Entries and Great Sport Continued from Page 1 who has worked closely with Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven for nearly 12 years, was very pleased with the performance. It was fantastic to ride in this ring under the lights. We ve never done that before, and I m happy he took it the way he did. It has been a great experience so far, especially to train. The facility is worldclass, she said. Michael Klimke (GER) captured the win aboard Freeliner 2 in the FEI Intermediare I class on Friday, presented by MTICA Farm, with a % followed by Megan Lane (CAN) aboard San D Or receiving a % and Diane Creech (CAN) riding Robbie W to third with a %. Starting out the week on Thursday, Allison Brock (USA) and Rosevelt topped the competition in the FEI Grand Prix presented by MTICA Farm, the first of the 2015 season at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) during AGDF 1 CDI-W. The duo won the class on a 71.00%, followed closely by Tinne Vilhemson-Silfven (SWE) and Mikala Munter Gundersen (DEN) respectively. Brock was elated with the performance of Rosevelt, a 13-year-old Hanoverian stallion owned by Fritz and Claudine Kundrun, in the large class of 17 riders. Coming off a spectacular 2014 season, accumulating wins at Dressage at Lexington and Devon, today marks a great start to the 2015 season for the pair who will be staying in Wellington throughout the duration of AGDF. The competition was stiff, as many seasoned riders decided to stretch their legs and begin their seasons on the first day of AGDF competition. I m very pleased with him. He was so rideable today. More than anything, I am just pleased to be in the company of these other riders. To be riding with them is such a big deal, Brock said. I have the utmost respect for them and I know how hard they have worked to get to this level. It is truly an honor to be competing with them. Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven (SWE) and Divertimento, a 13-year-old Westphalian gelding owned by Lövsta Stuteri, received a % to take home the top prize in the Adequan Global Dressage Festival s (AGDF) FEI Grand Prix Special, presented by MTICA Farm on Saturday. Allison Brock (USA) and Rosevelt followed in second with a % and Lisa Wilcox (USA) riding Pikko del Cerro HU finished third scoring a %. Vilhelmson-Silfven was very pleased with the duo s performance, 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. Gabriela Stumpf (AUT) and Finally Love performed a lovely test to take the win with a score of % in the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) FEI Intermediaire 1 Freestyle presented by MTICA Farm on Sunday. Mary Bahniuk-Lauritsen (USA) and Wench De Jeu followed in second scoring a % and Jill Irving and Dio Mio finished in third with a total score of %. Stumpf, who has been partnered with the eight-year-old Oldenburg gelding for four years, felt the test was very good considering Finally Love was a bit excited in the warm-up. He was a bit tense at first because he was in a very good mood today when we first came out, I think due to the wind and the cooler weather, she said. But, I was able to get him focused and he concentrated nicely during the test, which is what I was looking for. Page 8 ISSUE 2 January 22-25, 2015