The crowd at the “Friday Night Stars” at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) enjoyed performances by top riders in the FEI Grand Prix Special and FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI5* on Friday, February 8, at Equestrian Village at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL. Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu (CAN) and All In, her 14-year-old KWPN gelding by Tango, won the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI5*, presented by CaptiveOne Advisors, with a score of 76.520%.
“It’s very exciting, especially since this is probably going to be my last show until maybe September,” said Fraser-Beaulieu, who is expecting her first child in June. “I couldn’t ask for a better night honestly. He was with me the whole time, and it’s probably one of the best feelings I’ve had on him out there. To end on a note like that, I’m pretty happy.”
Fraser-Beaulieu had a high degree of difficulty with her freestyle test. She explained, “I tried to do as many combinations as I could without losing my power. The number of combinations together actually gets extra bonus points. The two piaffe-pirouettes are also bonus points. I think that’s where I really racked up a lot of the degree of difficulty.”
Katherine Bateson Chandler (USA) and Alcazar, a 14-year-old KWPN gelding by Cantango owned by Jane Forbes Clark, earned a score of 75.705% to come in second in the freestyle.
“I’m thrilled with him. He hasn’t done a night class in quite a while,” commented Bateson Chandler. “I’m super proud of him. This is the best freestyle we’ve done. He gave me an amazing feeling, and he helped me through the whole thing. We had a little spook in the beginning. It sort of woke me up, and it made me kick on and he was right there for me, so I couldn’t be happier.”
Third place went to Christoph Koschel (GER) and Ballentines 10, a 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Belissimo M owned by HOF Beckerode GMBH. The pair earned a score of 73.780% in their first freestyle ever.
“I’m over the moon. It’s not only his first freestyle, it’s his first class under the lights,” said Koschel of his partner’s strong performance. “He’s such a green and young horse. I’m so proud of him that he was behaving so well and was so with me. I think there’s a lot of potential for the future, and I really, really had a good feeling. I’m really happy for sure, and I think tonight that was the first step in a good direction.”
Judge at C, Janet Foy, added, “Everyone that competed had spectacular music, and everyone rode so well to the music. I think that is so inspiring for us when that happens. Everyone here tonight really is on a top standard. I want to thank all of the sponsors for supporting [AGDF], because without them we couldn’t do this and we couldn’t have all these experiences. We’re very excited to be here.”
Amanda Luby of CaptiveOne Advisors said, “Congratulations to everyone tonight. It was a really electric night. CaptiveOne Advisors and EC Pro are proud to sponsor the concept of ‘Riding for All’ and the 15 Special Olympians at Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center by providing them with competition attire for the upcoming Special Olympics. This is our third year as a sponsor now at Global and at [the Winter Equestrian Festival]. CaptiveOne is a Wellington-based business, and it means a lot to us to be a part of such an elite competition, and with Vinceremos and local charities, it’s important to us to give back to the community that means so much to us.”
Thomas Baur, Director of Sport of AGDF concluded, “The five-star is a special week. We’ve had two fabulous nights here at Global – yesterday, with Isabell Werth’s clinic, and today with the Special and the Freestyle and new faces on the podium. I think it has been a very good week so far.”
In the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI5*, presented by Palm Beach Equine Clinic, Adrienne Lyle (USA) and Salvino, a 12-year-old Hanoverian stallion by Sandro Hit owned by Betsy Juliano LLC, won with a score of 73.574%.
“This is my first time I’ve ever done a special under the lights, so that was fun and different,” said Lyle of her ride. “It’s always a thrill riding under the lights here on Friday night at Global. I was so happy with Salvino. I’m so happy with his attitude. He’s just going out there, and he seems like he’s enjoying every minute of it.
“I just need to keep working on, as a rider, how to balance him and prepare him for every movement,” she continued. “He’s a very athletic horse with a ton of scope, which is wonderful, but I need to learn how to keep it all even and exactly where I want it throughout the whole test. It’s been a really fun journey so far.”
Earlier in the day Leida Collins-Strijk (NED) and Romy, a 13-year-old Hanoverian mare by Royal Blend owned by Arlene Page, won the FEI Prix St Georges CDI1*, presented by Iron Spring Farm, with a score of 71.814%.
Ashley Holzer (USA) and Valentine, her nine-year-old Oldenburg mare by Sir Donnerhall, earned a score of 72.882% to win the FEI Intermediate I CDI3*, presented by Fair Sky Farm.
In the FEI Grand Prix CDI3* for Special, presented by MTICA Farm, Lyle and Harmony’s Duval, a 11-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding by Rosseau owned by Duval Partners LLC, earned a score of 69.348% to win.
Adrienne Lyle was also victorious with Harmony’s Duval in the FEI Grand Prix CDI3*, presented by MTICA Farm. Jill Irving (CAN) and Arthur, her 14-year-old KWPN gelding by Jazz, came in second place with a score of 68.891%. Susan Pape (GBR) and Harmony’s Don Noblesse, a 12-year-old Hanoverian stallion by Dancier owned by Harmony Sporthorses, earned a score of 68.896% to come in third place.
Competition at AGDF will continue on Saturday, February 9, and features FEI Young Rider, Junior Rider, and Pony Competition on Saturday. Week 5 of the AGDF runs through Sunday, February 10. For more information and to see a full list of results, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.
Final Results: FEI Grand Prix Special CDI5*, Presented by CaptiveOne Advisors
1. Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu (CAN), All In, 14-year-old KWPN gelding by Tango x Leontine owned by Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu: 76.520%
2. Katherine Bateson Chandler (USA), Alcazar, 14-year-old KWPN gelding by Cantango x Polina owned by Jane Forbes Clark: 75.705%
3. Christoph Koschel (GER), Ballentines 10, 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Belissimo M x Weltina owned by HOF Beckerode GMBH: 73.780%
4. Jill Irving (CAN), Degas 12, 17-year-old Hanoverian gelding by De Niro x Rosana M owned by Jill Irving: 73.355%
5. Yvonne Losos De Muniz (DOM), Foco Loco W, 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding by Sierappel x Weingraefin owned by Yvonne Losos De Muniz: 73.195%
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