Jill Irving 3rd in FEI Grand Prix Special CDI 3*

The 2017 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) concluded on Saturday, March 25, at the Equestrian Village at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL, with victories for Adrienne Lyle (USA) and Juan Matute Guimon (ESP), in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI 3*, presented by Harmony Sporthorses, and the FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle CDI 3*, presented by Yellow Bird Farm.

The 2017 AGDF had another successful season, hosting seven CDI events, two CPEDI competitions, and national shows from January through March 25.

Lyle and Salvino, a 2007 Hanoverian stallion (Sandro Hit x Donnerhall) owned by Salvino Partners LLC, ended their competitive winter circuit with a 73.510% in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI 3*, presented by Harmony Sporthorses.

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Salvino was purchased for Lyle two years ago, after the retirement of her WEG and 2012 Olympic mount Wizard.

“This idea was born to work on syndication to buy horses for high performance riders who were out of a horse to ride,” said Lyle, “and Salvino came about after five long trips to Europe to look at horses. We found him as an eight-year-old and he showed some talent, but that was by no means confirmed at the time. We stayed out of the ring last year, just spending the time that it takes to get to know a new horse. We spent the time training and strengthening, and I think that it paid off because he seems to be going in there happy and calm, and that is our main goal.”

The pair has been competing nationally throughout the winter, and made their 2017 debut in the international ring earlier in the week.

“I think he loves the international ring,” she continued. “He doesn’t seem fazed by the environment at all. He’s not really an anxious horse, and he really stepped up to the plate for me today. We are still working on some things, such as putting the piaffe more in one spot, as well as more power in the extensions. Bit by bit it’s coming along, and I’m really thrilled with him today. It was a great score and a great effort, and I think there is a lot more in him still.”

Second place in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI 3* was awarded to Shelly Francis (USA) and Danilo, a 2004 Hanoverian gelding (De Niro x Annabella x Andiamo) owned by Patricia Stempel, scoring 71.353%. Third place went to Jill Irving (CAN) and her own Aurthur, a KWPN gelding (Jazz x Olympia W x Contango), earning 68.157%.

Later in the afternoon, 19-year-old Matute and Dhannie Ymas, a 2007 Hanoverian gelding (Don Crusador x Welina) owned by Yeguada de Ymas S.L., climbed to the top of the leaderboard in the FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle CDI 3*, presented by Yellow Bird Farm, with an impressive score of 75.050%.

“I was very pleased to not only finish first in the last ride of the season,” said Matute, “but also with the feeling overall. It was quite good, and I’m trying to find a balance with how much power I should ask for without losing the softness and relaxation. I believe that today with Dhannie I approached that balance well, and I believe that this ride reflected that.”

Commenting on his winter season, Matute continued, “I have four horses that I competed at the FEI level, and they all had very valuable seasons, and I think that we all progressed a lot. I have to keep in mind that these are all horses I was riding in the Juniors not so long ago. For example, last night was only Quantico Ymas’ second freestyle under the lights and two years ago, I was doing Young Riders with him. The amount of progress that we have been able to make in such a short period of time is unbelievable. It gives me goosebumps, and I’m very proud of the work we are putting in, as well as the results we are getting back out.”

Diane Creech (CAN) and Robbie W, a 2003 Oldenburg gelding (Rubin Royal x Rolling Home x Inschallah) owned by Louise Leatherdale, earned a 74.350%, landing them with the second-place spot. Third place went to Catherine Malone (USA) and Dilona, a 2008 KWPN mare (Lord Leatherdale x Vajda x Kennedy) owned by Iron Spring Farm, with 72.875%.

Today’s competition concluded the 2017 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) circuit at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). For more information on AGDF and for information regarding the 2018 season, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

FEI Grand Prix Special CDI 3*, presented by Harmony Sporthorses
Place, Rider, Nationality, Horse, Horse Information: Judge E%, Judge H%, Judge C%, Judge M%, Judge B%, Total %

1. Adrienne Lyle, (USA), Salvino, 2007 Hanoverian stallion by Sandro Hit x Donnerhall, owned by Salvino Partners LLC: 75.490%, 72.059%, 72.353%, 73.922%, 73.725%, 73.510%

2. Shelly Francis (USA), Danilo, 2004 Hanoverian gelding by De Niro x Annabella x Andiamo, owned by Patricia Stempel: 71.471%, 71.765%, 71.863%, 71.863%, 69.804%, 71.353%

3. Jill Irving (CAN), Aurthur, KWPN gelding by Jazz x Olympia W x Contango, owned by Jill Irving: 68.137%, 70.490%, 68.725%, 66.961%, 66.471%, 68.157%

4. Barbara Bertschinger (SUI), Rubin Cortes OLD, 2001 Oldenburg gelding by Rubin Royal x Carmen x Calmiro, owned by Barbara Bertschinger: 65.588%, 66.471%, 64.706%, 66.569%, 65.000%, 65.667%

5. Karen Lipp (USA), Whitney, 2005 Hanoverian mare by White Star x Hauptstutbuch Grace x Grand Cru, owned by Kathleen Oldford: 62.549%, 64.020%, 65.000%, 65.294%, 65.294%, 64.431%

6. Kim Gentry (AUS), Leonardo, 2007 Danish Warmblood gelding by Landtinus x Rambala x Rambo, owned by Kim Gentry: 65.588%, 62.843%, 63.824%, 65.196%, 63.922%, 64.275%

7. Susanne Hamilton (USA), Lord Locksley, 2001 Trakehner stallion by Unkenruf x Lida x Enrico Caruso, owned by Margaret Stevens: 60.882%, 60.980%, 64.118%, 62.647%, 62.647%, 62.255%

FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle CDI 3*, presented by Yellow Bird Farm
Place, Rider, Nationality, Horse, Horse Information: Judge E%, Judge H%, Judge C%, Judge M%, Judge B%, Total %

1. Juan Matute Guimon (ESP), Dhannie Ymas, 2007 Hanoverian gelding by Don Crusador x Welina, owned by Yeguada de Ymas S.L.: 75.250%, 75.375%, 75.000%,74.000%, 75.625%, 75.050%

2. Diane Creech (CAN), Robbie W, 2003 Oldenburg gelding by Rubin Royal x Rolling Home x Inschallah, owned by Louise Leatherdale: 73.750%, 74.125%, 70.375%, 76.875%, 76.625%, 74.350%

3. Catherine Malone (USA), Dilona, 2008 KWPN mare by Lord Leatherdale x Vajda x Kennedy, owned by Iron Spring Farm: 71.375, 69.000%, 72.500%, 76.125%, 75.375%, 72.875%

4. Neve Myburgh (GER), Belissima 23, 2004 Oldenburg mare by Belissimo M x Walzerlied x Donnerhall, owned by Joanne Trout: 71.625%, 70.500%, 73.625%, 73.250%, 74.125%, 72.625%

5. Adrienne Lyle (USA), Harmony’s Duval, 2008 KWPN gelding by Rosseau x Riverman, owned by Kylee Lourie: 70.875%, 72.500%, 70.750%, 71.500%, 77.000%, 72.525%

6. Kathy Priest (USA), Fredensdals Zig Zag, 2008 Danish Warmblood gelding by Blue Hors Zack x Kristiansmindes Elektra x Blue Hors Don Scherzo, owned by Kathy Priest: 70.500%, 71.375%, 68.500%, 69.125%, 69.625%, 69.825%

7. Katharina Stumpf (AUT), For My Love, 2011 Hanoverian gelding by For Feeling x Escudine x Escudo I, owned by Katharina Stumpf: 68.875%, 68.750%, 69.250%, 70.250%, 68.625%, 69.150%

8. Katie Robicheaux (USA), Avignon T, 2005 KWPN gelding by United x Negro, owned by Katie Robicheaux: 70.750%, 67.500%, 66.875%, 71.000%, 68.375%, 68.900%