Dressage-News

By KENNETH J. BRADDICK

WELLINGTON, Florida, Feb. 29, 2020–Adrienne Lyle rode Salvino to their first Grand Prix Special score above 80% to win the Adequan Global Dressage Festival CDI4* Saturday and confirm their ranking as the top American combination leading to the Tokyo Olympics.

Adrienne and the 13-year-old Hanoverian stallion scored 80.170%, beating the pair’s previous best of 77.468% and nearing the American record of 81.824% set by Laura Graves on Verdades in July 2017.

The 2018 World Equestrian Games team silver medal combination started their partnership when the horse arrived from Spain in May 2015 as a future U.S. team prospect for Adrienne on the retirement of her 2012 Olympic mount, Wizard. The horse is owned by Betsy Juliano, a major supporter of U.S. dressage.

 Team mate Olivia LaGoy-Weltz of Haymarket, Virginia on Lonoir placed second, also on a personal best of 75.617%, returning to the arena a month ago after being out of competition for 2019 with an injury.

 Jennifer Schrader-Williams, also of the U.S., riding Millione was third on 71.064%.

“Amazing! declared Adrienne, 35, who is based in Wellington in winter and Denver, Colorado in summer. “I couldn’t have asked for anything more from him; it was everything we’d hoped in the back of your mind that you’d be able to achieve.

“He gave me another really great feel in there and for the second day and a long test, I was really thrilled with that. He went out and tried just as hard as the first day and that’s huge. I was secretly hoping we’d get at least close to 80%.

“He really feels like he’s ready to put it all together at a place in his mind and body now where he’s able to be consistent and not be stressed about doing any of it–being confident in his own work.”  

Results:

CDI4* Grand Prix Special