Frederic Wandres (GER) and Bluetooth OLD lit up the capacity crowds on a balmy Florida evening for the ‘Friday Night Stars’ FEI World Cup™ Grand Prix Freestyle, presented by Havensafe Farm. The barnstorming duo captured the week’s showcase class with over 80% at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, FL. AGDF 2023, which hosts seven weeks of CDI competition, runs through April 2.
Last to go of the 11 starters, Wandres and Hof Kasselmann’s 13-year-old gelding (Bordeaux x Riccione) demonstrated a rhythmic, powerful and balanced test that was brimming with expression and elasticity. As a three-year-old in Germany, Bluetooth OLD sold for €1 million ($1.3 million USD), and his quality, talent and consistency at Grand Prix justify that price tag. This result represents the pair’s fourth straight victory at the 2023 AGDF and the audience began to cheer wildly before the final halt. Wandres finished on 80.565%, with a high score of 82.2%.
Ashley Holzer & Valentine. (SusanJStickle.com)
Two American ladies joined Wandres on the podium. Ashley Holzer rode her own 13-year-old Sir Donnerhall mare Valentine in just her fourth international Grand Prix Freestyle, filling second place with 77.4%. Just behind Holzer, with 77.27%, came Sarah Tubman on Summit Farm’s stallion First Apple — another 13-year-old.