Wellington, FL – January 26, 2017 – 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Laura Graves (USA) and her horse Verdades won the FEI Grand Prix CDI-W, presented by Yeguada de Ymas, on the opening day of the third week of the 2017 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF). The competition, which runs from January 26-29 and is presented by the US PRE Association, is held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL.
Week three of AGDF includes the “Friday Night Stars” FEI Grand Prix Freestyle, presented by the US PRE Association, on Friday, January 27. Gates open at 6 pm. General admission is free and parking is $10/car. Live stream of “Friday Night Stars” can be seen HERE.
Coming in on the top of the leader board today in the FEI Grand Prix CDI-W, presented by Yeguada de Ymas, was Laura Graves and her 2016 Rio Olympic mount Verdades, a 2002 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Florett AS x Liwilarda), earning an impressive score of 76.660% and a standing ovation from spectators.
Graves commented, “This is now his (Verdades) fourth year doing the big tour, and if I’ve learned anything, it’s that you have a plan and you also have ten other plans. He’s a super honest horse. His pirouettes can always be very good. I thought he was very rideable in those today. His half passes were nice.”
WATCH Laura Graves and Verdades win the AGDF 3 FEI Grand Prix presented by Yeguada de Ymas.
This was the pair’s first time in the show ring since their Team Bronze Medal win for the USA at the 2016 Rio Olympics.”He’s notorious for being super sensitive. I was really thrilled about how he came out and he schooled super, and then went through the test really trying his best,” said Graves.
Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven and Paradon Magi
Regarding the future and her goals, Graves said, “I really hope to qualify for the FEI World Cup Finals. Hopefully because it is so close, we can make it happen this year!”
Placing second was Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven (SWE) and Paridon Magi, a 2003 Swedish Warmblood gelding (Don Primero x Napoli x Napoleon 625) owned by Lövsta Stuteri, with a 75.080%. Third place was awarded to Charlotte Jorst (USA) and mount, Kastel’s Nintendo, a 2003 Dutch Warmblood stallion (Negro x Rodieni R x Monaco) owned by Kastel Denmark, with a 73.080%.
Charlotte Jorst and Kastel’s Nintendo
Fourth place finishers Kathrine Bateson Chandler (USA) and Alcazar, a 2005 KWPN gelding (Cantango x Polina) owned by Jane Forbes Clark, were awarded the only 10 of the day, on their final halt from Judge Christoph Hess (GER) at E.
Laura Graves and Verdades in their presentation ceremony with Javier Bacariza of Yeguada de Ymas, judge Ulrike Nivelle (GER), Allyn Mann of Adequan®, Cora Causemann of AGDF, and Chief FEI Steward Elizabeth Williams.
Earlier in the day, Jaimey Irwin (CAN) and mount Donegal V, a 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Johnston x Remy x Gribaldi) owned by Team Irwin Supporters Group, captured a win in the FEI Prix St. Georges CDI 1*, presented by the Chesapeake Dressage Institute, with a score of 70.746%.
Jaimey Irwin and Donegal V
Competition at AGDF will continue tomorrow with a full schedule of classes, including the FEI Junior Rider Team – CDIJ,before the start of the second “Friday Night Stars”, the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W, presented by the US PRE Association, beginning at 7pm. For more information and to see a full list of results, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com
Final Results: FEI Grand Prix CDI-W, presented by Yeguada de Ymas
Place, Rider, Nationality, Horse, Horse Information: Judge E%, Judge H%, Judge C%, Judge M%, Judge B%, Total %
1. Laura Graves (USA), Verdades, 2002 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Florett AS x Liwilarda owned by Laura Graves: 77.100%, 77.400%, 74.700%, 75.800%, 78.300%, 76.660%
2. Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven (SWE), Paridon Magi, 2003 Swedish Warmblood gelding by Don Primero x Napoli x Napoleon 625 owned by Lovsta Stuteri: 76.500%, 76.000%, 73.700%, 73.900%, 75.300%, 75.080%
3. Charlotte Jorst (USA), Kastel’s Nintendo, 2003 Dutch Warmblood stallion by Negro x Rodieni R x Monaco owned by Kastel Denmark: 72.900%, 72.500%, 73.200%, 72.200%, 74.600%, 73.080%
4. Kathrine Bateson Chandler (USA), Alcazar, 2005 KWPN gelding by Cantango x Polina owned by Jane Forbes Clark: 73.300%, 70.400%, 72.000%, 71.000%, 72.700%, 71.880%
5. Suzan Pape (GBR), Harmony’s Fiorano, 2005 Hanoverian gelding by Rousseau x Rawina x Rotspon owned by Harmony Sporthorses: 73.100%, 72.800%, 71.500%, 70.700%, 70.000%, 71.620%
6. Suzan Pape (GBR), Harmony’s Don Noblesse, 2007 Hanoverian stallion by Dancier x Descana x Don Davidoff owned by Harmony Sporthorses: 72.400%, 68.700%, 69.900%, 73.000%, 72.300%, 71.260%
7. Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu (CAN), All In, 2005 KWPN gelding by Tango x Leontine x Damiro owned by Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu: 70.900%, 71.700%, 70.300%, 71.000%, 71.200%, 71.020%
8. Arlene Page (USA), Woodstock, 2003 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Havel x Mirania owned by Arlene Page: 70.000%, 71.700%, 72.800%, 69.500%, 70.700%, 70.940%
Photo Credit: ©SusanJStickle. These photos may only be used once in relation to this press release with credit.