The 2021 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) continued competition during AGDF 3 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL, on Thursday, January 28, with a red, white, and blue victory for Steffen Peters (USA) and Suppenkasper. AGDF 3 continues through Sunday, January 31, and the circuit hosts 10 weeks of international and national dressage competition until April 4. Free live streaming and on-demand of select classes are available to view at GlobalDressageFestival.com.

Peters and Suppenkasper, Akiko Yamazaki and Four Wind Farm’s 2008 KWPN gelding by Spielberg, have notched 16 wins in a row now, concluding their Grand Prix performance with a 76.761% in the Grand Prix CDI4* for Special, presented by Havensafe Farm.

“We had a nice ride this morning,” Peters began. “Usually I work him twice on competition days. He felt great so I did exactly 22 minutes of work at 9:00 am, and 25 minutes in the warm-up today before the test, because sometimes the longer I work him, the hotter he gets. Remembering last year when I went into this ring, he was a firecracker, and the first test we did wasn’t as good. I rode a little bit with that mindset today, and rode a little more conservatively, and he surprised me. I think I could’ve ridden him a little more, but it’s a good start with a clean test, and I’m very happy with him. Usually the wind and cold air bothers him too, so he’s growing up.”

Peters and the gelding took part of the spring off, enjoying California and the break from competition. “I think for both of us it was great to take a break,” he admitted. “I was pretty bummed that the World Cup didn’t happen last year, as that’s always such a highlight riding in front of an American crowd. But then you accept it, and for both of us it was good to take it easy. I enjoyed biking and boating, and Mopsie certainly took it easy in April and May, and then in June we picked it up again a little bit.”

Peters continued, “If you look at the world, there’s nothing good about COVID because we’ve lost so many people, and there is so much tragedy, but I think it really opened up my eyes. When I wake up in the morning and I can take a deep breath, I can appreciate those things. I wake up with more gratitude every single day, and I think that shows a little bit in the riding. If I have a ride that didn’t go that well, it’s not as significant now.”

Peters’ plans for the Florida season are solidified, but the rest of the year is still up in the air. “Knowing he was so good today,” concluded Peters, “we are just going to do the five-star at the end of February, and then the Nations’ Cup. I really trust our federation, and I know that they will make the right decision when it comes to going to Europe, and for hopefully competing in Tokyo. I go day by day, and at the moment it doesn’t make sense to go to Europe, for obvious reasons, and I would be perfectly happy if we do the quarantine in the United States as planned, and then fly from here to Tokyo. That would be a good plan, but first I have to make the team.”

Canada’s Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu on All In, Brittany Fraser and Marc-Andre Beaulieu’s 2005 KWPN gelding by Tango, edged into the second-place position after a strong performance, earning a 71.891%. Third place was awarded to the USA’s Katherine Bateson Chandler and Alcazar, Jane Forbes Clark’s 2005 KWPN gelding by Contango, receiving a 70.913%. (Watch her test here at the 6:46.30 mark)

Earlier in the day, Cesar Parra (USA) took the victory in the FEI Prix St. Georges CDI3* aboard Equiventure LLC, and John and Karen Blank’s 2008 Danish Warmblood gelding, Mr Bumblebee (by Sting), earning a 71.00% from judges. Germany’s Michael Klimke and Harmony’s Astro, Harmony Sporthorses’ 2013 Hanoverian gelding by Astrix, captured second place with a 69.676%. Marc Stanuschewski (GER) and Graciella, European Equestrian Transfer Group’s 2010 Oldenburg mare by Sir Donnerhall II OLD, were awarded third place with 66.794%.

In the FEI Grand Prix CDI3* presented by ProElite, the USA’s Benjamin Ebeling earned first place with a 71.804%, riding Illuster Van de Kampert, the 2008 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Spielberg, owned by Amy Roberts Ebeling and Nuvolari Holdings, LLC. Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén took second with Lövsta Stuteri AB’s 2009 Holsteiner gelding by De Chirico, Devanto, with a 69.022%. Third place went to Susan Dutta (USA) and Don Design DC, Susan and Tim Dutta’s 2010 Hanoverian gelding by Der Designer, with 68.609%.

CPEDI 3* Competition Commences at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival

CPEDI3* competition presented by Adequan® and Nutrena® began on Thursday, January 28, at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival, with an impressive win for Team USA, and an 80.000% for 2021 Whitney Stone Cup award winner Roxanne Trunnell (USA) in the FEI Para Team Test Grade I CPEDI3*, presented by Adequan® and Nutrena®.

Trunnell and the 2012 Hanoverian Dolton (by Danone I) took a fierce lead of over 10 points in the class, starting their first day of para dressage competition on a high note. “Dalton felt really good today,” said Trunnell. “When I ride him, doesn’t care about anything in that arena other than me. He was a good boy in there today. I’m very happy with how it went.”

Trunnell has been partnered with the gelding, owned by Karin Flint, for two years, and the pair has flourished together, currently sitting atop the FEI Para Dressage World Individual Ranking list, as well as the FEI Para Dressage World Individual Ranking-Grade I, and the FEI Para Dressage Paralympic Individual Ranking list.

“Dalton is my only competition horse now that NTEC Daytona Beach retired,” explained Trunnell, “and we are hoping to get to Tokyo, and then just continue competing successfully.”

Second place in the FEI Para Team Test Grade I CPEDI3* went to USA’s Sydney Collier and All In One, a 2009 Hanoverian gelding by Abanos owned by Going for Gold LLC and Katie Robicheaux, who concluded with a 70.536%. Third place went to Deborah Stanitski (USA) and her own 2006 Danish Warmblood mare by de Noir, Skovlunds de Nice, with a 67.797%.

The blue ribbon in the FEI Para Team Test Grade II CPEDI3* presented by Adequan® and Nutrena®, went to Beatrice De Lavalette (USA) and Clarc, a 2007 KWPN gelding by Dreamcatcher, with 73.288%. Alanna Flax-Clark (USA) and her own 2004 NRPS gelding El Paso (by Elegant) claimed second with a score of 66.919%. Laurietta Oakleaf (USA) rounded out the top three with a 56.313% aboard Comte de Baccara C, a 2007 KWPN gelding by Johnson TN, owned by Oakleaf and Tammi Nowicki.

First place in the FEI Para Team Test Grade III CPEDI3* presented by Adequan® and Nutrena®, went to Charlotte Merle-Smith (USA) and her own Guta, a 2011 KWPN mare by Vivaldi, with a 72.255%. Canada’s Lauren Barwick captured second place with a 71.520% riding Lee Garrod’s Sandrino, a 2012 Westfalian gelding by Spirit of Westfalia. Rebecca Hart (USA) and Fortune 500, a 2010 Oldenburg gelding by Fidertanz 2, owned by Rowan O’Riley, claimed third place with a 68.529%.

Lauren Barwick (3rd from right) in the Grade III presentation ceremony. (©SusanJStickle.com)

Kate Shoemaker was the winner of the FEI Para Team Test Grade IV CPEDI3* presented by Adequan® and Nutrena®. Shoemaker piloted Solitaer 40, a 2007 Hanoverian stallion (Sandro Hit) owned by Kate, Craig, and Deena Shoemaker, to a score of 72.833%. Shoemaker also earned the win in the FEI Para Novice Test A Grade IV CPEDI1* with Barneby 29, a 2011 Hanoverian gelding by Benetton Dream FRH, owned by Kate, Craig, and Deena Shoemaker.

In the FEI Para Team Test Grade V CPEDI3* presented by Adequan® and Nutrena®, Katie Jackson (USA) was the victor, earning a win aboard Scrabble, her own 2006 Hanoverian gelding by Sandro Hit, with a 63.643%. Second place went to Cynthia Screnci (USA) and Eragon VF, a 2009 KWPN gelding by Don Romantic, owned by Cynthia Screnci and Volado Farms, with a 63.256%. Third place went to Cayla Van Der Walt (RSA) and Daturo II, a 2006 gelding by Mirlito XI, owned by Van Der Walt and Christine Heathman, with a 61.977%.

Competition at AGDF 3 will continue tomorrow with a full schedule of classes, including the FEI Prix St. Georges CDI1*, the FEI Intermediare-I CDI3*, and the FEI Grand Prix CDI3*, presented by Horseware® Ireland, before the FEI Grand Prix CDI4*, presented by U.S. P.R.E. Association, beginning at 4:55 PM. For more information and to see a full list of results, visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

FEI Grand Prix CDI4*, presented by Havensafe Farm:

E, William Warren (USA); H, Christof Umbach (LUX); C, Elke Ebert (GER); M, Mariano Santos Redondo (ESP); B, Anne Prain (FRA)

1. Steffen Peters (USA) on Suppenkasper, Akiko Yamazaki and Four Winds Farm’s 2008 KWPN gelding by Spielberg: 75.217, 78.152, 78.696, 75.435, 76.304; 76.761%

2. Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu (CAN) on All In, Brittany Fraser and Marc-Andre Beaulieu’s 2005 KWPN gelding by Tango: 71.304, 74.891, 69.674, 71.957, 71.630; 71.891%

3. Katherine Bateson Chandler (USA) on Alcazar, Jane Forbes Clark’s 2005 KWPN gelding by Contango: 71.304, 71.522, 69.239, 73.152, 69.348; 70.913%

4. Susan Pape (GBR) on Harmony’s Eclectisch, Harmony Sporthorses’ 2009 KWPN stallion by Zenon: 70.652, 71.196, 70.326, 68.478, 70.326; 70.196%

5. Charlotte Jorst (USA) on Kastel’s Nintendo, Kastel Denmark’s 2003 KWPN stallion by Negro: 69.457, 69.783, 71.087, 70.435, 69.348; 70.022%

6. Mette Rosencrantz (USA) on Dzeko, Cory Walker, Mette Rosencrantz, and Robin Cathey’s 2006 Oldenburg stallion by Dimaggio: 70.217, 70.109, 69.783, 67.609, 69.891; 69.522%

7. Susan Dutta (USA) on Figeac DC, Tim and Susan Dutta’s 2009 Oldenburg gelding by Fackeltanz: 68.261, 70.326, 67.935, 67.826, 66.848; 68.239%

8. Yvonne Losos De Muniz (DOM) on Aquamarijn, her own 2005 KWPN mare by United: 65.652, 68.261, 68.043, 71.413, 67.174; 68.109%

9. Anna Buffini (USA) on FRH Davinia La Douce, her own 2007 Hanoverian mare by Don Frederico: 68.587, 67.609, 68.478, 68.587, 66.739; 68.000%

10. Shelly Francis (USA) on Danilo, Patricia Stempel’s 2004 Hannoverian gelding by De Niro 6: 67.500, 68.043, 67.500, 69.674, 65.761; 67.696%