USA’s Adrienne Lyle Rides Her Olympic Partner Helix to Personal Best Score to Win Wellington CDI5* Grand Prix Freestyle, 3 Weeks Before World Cup Final
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By KENNETH J. BRADDICK
WELLINGTON, Florida, Mar. 14, 2025–Just three weeks to the World Cup Final, Adrienne Lyle of the United States rode her Olympic partner Helix to a personal best score to win the CDI5* Grand Prix Freestyle at the Global Dressage Festival Friday night under lights.
Adrienne, a three-time Olympian and America’s top ranked rider and the 13-year-old KWPN gelding scored 80.600%, bettering her previous best of 80.325%, the second ride this year of 80%. The pair first performed Big Tour just 50 weeks ago after the horse was bought by Zen Elite Equestrian Center of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Julio Mendoza Loor, of Ecuador but based in Columbus, North Carolina, and the 14-year-old Jewel’s Goldstrike that he also competed in Paris, was runner-up on 78.520%.
Anna Marek of the Ocala area and the 15-year-old Fayvel that she rode in the 2024 World Cup Final, placed third on 77.135%.
This was the first victory by an American rider in four years, the past three having been won by Germans who have a major presence at the event. Among the spectators Friday night was Laura Graves, who became the only American ever to become No. 1 in the world on Verdades and holds the Global CDI5* top score of 84.375% set in 2018.
“It felt easy which is exactly what I was hoping to go for on him,” was the way Adrienne described the ride on Helix that she has worked hard to remedy a neck considered too short .
“I wanted to use this not only as a five-star in a fabulous competition, but I wanted one more chance to get in an environment like this before we head to the World Cup. So main goal was to just have a quiet, harmonious ride that built his confidence. And he just walked in there super relaxed, felt like he did the whole thing effortlessly, didn’t even break a sweat, and walking calmly back to his stall. So I’m very happy.”
Adrienne said as Helix does not like surprises she employs lights, loud music and other measures to get him used to night and indoor classes.
“I think we’re at a place now where we’re showing the harmony and relaxation, and the frame’s getting better,” said Adrienne whose competition record on Salvino, her previous mount, included Olympic and World Equestrian Games silver medals.
Results:
| Rank | Competitor | Score | E | H | C | M | B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Adrienne Lyle (USA) Helix | 80.600% | 82.200 | 82.900 | 79.625 | 79.950 | 78.325 |
| 2. | Julio Mendoza Loor (ECU) Jewel’s Goldstrike | 78.520% | 78.525 | 77.950 | 78.800 | 79.150 | 78.175 |
| 3. | Anna Marek (USA) Fayvel | 77.135% | 76.525 | 79.450 | 76.775 | 75.300 | 77.625 |
| 4. | Kevin Kohmann (USA) Dünensee | 76.965% | 76.925 | 77.675 | 76.900 | 75.700 | 77.625 |
| 5. | Evelyn Eger (GER) Tabledance 3 | 76.755% | 75.225 | 78.000 | 76.850 | 77.075 | 76.625 |
| 6. | Felicitas Hendricks (GER) Drombusch OLD | 76.435% | 76.500 | 77.000 | 76.350 | 76.600 | 75.725 |
| 7. | Kasey Perry-Glass (USA) Heartbeat W.P. | 76.290% | 79.325 | 75.775 | 74.450 | 75.525 | 76.375 |
| 8. | Jennifer Williams (USA) Joppe K | 75.455% | 76.400 | 75.425 | 74.350 | 75.550 | 75.550 |
| 9. | Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén (SWE) Devanto | 74.680% | 74.375 | 76.850 | 74.750 | 71.300 | 76.125 |
| 10. | Karen Pavicic (CRO) Totem | 72.555% | 72.475 | 72.475 | 70.975 | 72.300 | 74.550 |
| 11. | Paula Matute Guimón (ESP) Delagronge | 70.755% | 70.775 | 69.625 | 69.975 | 71.400 | 72.000 |
| 12. | Mathilde Blais Tétreault (CAN) Fedor | 70.140% | 67.200 | 71.150 | 70.450 | 70.425 | 71.475 |
 Find details on Equestrian Hub |
