Dressage-News

By KENNETH J. BRADDICK

WELLINGTON, Forida, Jan. 21, 2015–The largest Adequan Global Dressage Festival international competition since founding of the winter circuit four years ago kicks off Thursday with combinations from nine nations in the Grand Prix and 10 countries in the Prix St. Georges that is so large it runs over two days.

The second of seven international events labeled as CDIs from January through the end of March that include the top rated CDI5* with the highest prize money of $200,000 (€172,400) of any dressage event in the world this year, includes 34 horses and riders in the Grand Prix and 48 in the Prix St. Georges.

Highlights of the Grand Prix include Swedish Olympian Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén riding Benetton Dream in the international Grand Prix debut for the 11-year-old Hanoverian stallion and the first performance in the United States by Grandioso ridden by José Daniel Martín Dockx since Courtney King-Dye was seriously injured in a riding accident five years ago.

Tinne said the outing for Benetton Dream is more “educational” to get him into international competition that comes at a good time–while the horse is rested and fresh and before the start of breeding.

“This is the largest CDI competition that we have had in the four-year history of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival,” said Mark Bellissimo, CEO of Equestrian Sport Productions, organizer of dressage as well as the companion Winter Equestrian Festival of jumping and hunters at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.

“We are thrilled to see the immense support that this circuit has received from dressage riders, owners, trainers, and fans and we will work to keep providing an incredible experience for them here at PBIEC.”

The Global Festival has become a focal point for all of the Americas as it is the first time since the circuit was created that it is preparation for the Pan American Games held only once every four years and to be staged in Toronto in July.

Small tour combinations looking to compete at the Pan Ams with its unique format of mixed Big and Small Tour teams and showing at Global are riders from Bermuda, Canada. Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, United States and Venezuela.

With Canada and the U.S. likely to battle at Toronto for the single team berth available through the Pan Ams for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro next year, competition is fierce in both camps to qualify for their respective squads.

“We are excited with the way AGDF has continued to grow each season and are only expecting that growth to continue,” said Thomas Baur, Director of Sport. “The size and stature of this competition only continues to increase each year, and it offers a special opportunity for riders, owners, and trainers, whether national or international, to feel rewarded for their hard work and dedication to this sport.”

A growing number of riders from Europe are seeking to improve their world rankings by earning points on the Florida circuit.

Start lists: