Natalie Pai Tops AGDF Junior/Young Rider FEI Intermediate I*

The eleventh week of the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) featured national competition from March 22-24. CDI Competition will resume for Week 12 on March 27 and will feature the “Friday Night Stars” FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI4* presented by Douglas Elliman Real Estate on Friday, March 29.

On Saturday, March 23, Natalie Pai (USA) and Fritz San Tino won the Junior/Young Rider section of the FEI Intermediate I* presented by Peacock Ridge, with a score of 73.676%. “I’m really excited. It’s the highest score I’ve ever gotten on him,” said Pai of her winning test on her 17-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Falkenstern II. “I think he had a lot more energy and better through-ness [than yesterday]. I’m really happy with him.

“His extended canters are always really good, and the changes were also excellent today,” continued Pai. “I’m really happy with the walk tour. It’s something that we’ve been working on a lot. It was very calm and rhythmic. He just tries really hard, and I really like that about him. He’s very sweet.”

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The 21-year-old discussed what she plans to work on moving forward with her partner of four and a half years. “I want to work on the canter pirouettes a little bit more [and] to work on the rideability in the ring itself, and just keep the power and the energy but still keeping him relaxed and rideable,” said Pai.

Pai is thankful to her parents and to her coach Adrienne Lyle for supporting her. “This was my last show of the Wellington season, so I’m happy that we went out with a bang,” concluded Pai.

In the Open FEI Grand Prix* presented by Wellington Equestrian Realty, Krystalann Shingler (CAN) and Fidelio, her 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Fidertantz, rode to a win with a score of 73.696%.

Kerrigan Gluch (USA) and Vaquero, a 16-year-old P.R.E. stallion owned by Hampton Green Farm, captured the win in the FEI Intermediate II ‘Brentina Cup’ presented by Diamante Farms with a strong score of 73.088%.

Competition continued on Sunday, March 24, with the USEF Developing Prix St. Georges presented by Vita Flex. Michael Bragdell (USA) and Sternlicht Hilltop, a nine-year-old Hanoverian stallion by Rascalino owned by Hilltop Farm Inc., won the class with a score of 72.375%.

International competition at AGDF will resume for Week 12 from March 27-31, and features CDI4* dressage competition. Douglas Elliman Real Estate will present the “Friday Night Stars” Grand Prix Freestyle CDI4* on Friday, March 29 at 7 p.m.. The Iron Spring Farm Future Stars Performance Series Final is on Saturday, March 30, at 2 p.m., with a warm-up class on Thursday, March 28. For more information, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.