Dressage-News

By KENNETH J. BRADDICK

WELLINGTON, Florida, Feb. 25, 2022–German team rider Frederic Wandres on Bluetooth OLD captured the Friday Night Stars CDI5* Grand Prix Freestyle on a personal best score to sweep America’s top rated dressage competition while U.S. Olympic team silver medal partnership of Adrienne Lyle and Salvino produced the same commanding results to win the Grand Prix Special in the $154,000 event.

A crowd of at least 2,000 spectators in a party mood in balmy conditions at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center usually reserved for jumpers clapped in unison for the final centerline of Frederic and the 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding that were awarded 81.165%, surpassing their previous best of 81.065% set in Wellington a month ago.

Belgium’s Laurence Vanommeslaghe on Edison, exceeded both the score and fan support received two weeks ago for their hard rock performance, to place second on a personal best 79.430%. As they did two weeks ago at the grounds where the Global Dressage Festival has been staged for the past decade, the crowd gave wholehearted vocal appreciation of the test by the rider who lives outside Paris.

Juan Matute Guimon on Quantico who rides for Spain though he is also an American citizen and grew up with his family in Wellington capped an all-European claim on the top three places to place third on 78.925%. He rode to Spanish-themed music that he will display if, as appears likely, he is invited to the World Cup Final in Leipzig, Germany in early April.

Frederic, in his second year on Global’s winter circuit, confirmed that Bluetooth will get a break from competition after winning in five of the horse’s six starts in Wellington this year.

“I’m more happy that we ended up now like this, winning both 5* classes, and with super results in a super competitive field, and with a super 5* judging panel, what is also very important for us that they are coming here, that we are competing under the best conditions,” he said.

“This is always an incredible feeling. I think as a rider you know that it must have been not that bad when the crowd is already clapping on the last centerline, and it always also pushes the horses a little bit more to come out of them and to shine and to make themself proud. And he handled that super well until short before we stopped at C, and he was super, and I’m very, very happy.”

One Frederic’s Wellington successes was in the World Cup qualifier that secured his place at the top of the Western European League until the International Equestrian Federation changed the rules late in the circuit that may deprive him of a start at the Final in Leipzig, Germany in April.

Laurence, who described herself as “a nobody… an amateur ride” though she competed for Belgium at the 2014 World Equestrian Games admitted that the Grand Prix in the 5*–the only top ranked competition in the Americas–did not start well so she worked on correcting issues.

“So I’m really happy that it ends better than it began,” she said after the crowd gave loud support. “So the feeling was really lovely with a better frame, I think. Good energy, better frame, better rhythm, and so I will try to ride that way better in the Grand Prix.

“My experience was phenomenal,” said Juan. “I really enjoyed riding at WEF, at the show jumping venue. That is something that I always dreamed of. I’ve had great feelings both days, but today even more so. And Quantico is getting, every day, better and better, and he is allowing me to enjoy every step.”

Results:

CDI5* Grand Prix Freestyle