Dressage-News

By KENNETH J. BRADDICK

WELLINGTON, Florida, Feb. 7, 2020–Ashley Holzer rode Mango Eastwood to victory in the Adequan Global Dressage Festival CDI3* Grand Prix Friday in the partnership’s international debut.

Ashley and Mango Eastwood, 11-year-old KWPN gelding, scored 72.761% for the win and the beginning of her campaign to join the squad of eight American riders and horses to go to Europe in the spring for the selection of the United States team for the Tokyo Olympics.

Fellow American Nick Wagman of San Diego, California competing for the first time on the Global circuit at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center rode Don John to second place on a personal best 70.587%. The competition for Nick and the 12-year-old KWPN gelding was the first since riding in Europe last June.

Canada’s Pan American Games team gold medal partnership of Jill Irving and Degas were third on 70.348%.

Ashley, a four-time Olympian for Canada including being on the bronze medal team in Seoul in 1988 who switched to ride for the U.S. three years ago, was given the ride by Diane Fellows, a longtime supporter. Diane acquired the horse from Jordi Domingo of Spain two years ago.

Although the horse is green at Grand Prix, Ashley said, “When I tell you I’m over the moon, you have no idea this is such a dream come true.

“Getting him to ride with the American flag on my saddle pad would be something special.”

She described the horse “as incredibly powerful but a wonderful character, a little ‘spicy,’ as we call him in the barn. He has a very honest and true heart.

“He is absolutely green but such a trier, he’s a wonderfully honest trier.”

Results:

CDI3* Grand Prix