Wellington, FL – March 20, 2017 -The Adequan® Global Dressage Festival is set to host its first CDIO-U25 Nations Cup side-by-side with the Stillpoint Farm FEI Nations Cup™ CDIO 3*, during its final week of competition. Week 11 of AGDF runs from March 22-25 at Equestrian Village at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC).
The CDIO-U25 competition will provide an excellent opportunity for riders from around the world to compete in a team atmosphere, whilst representing their country on an international platform.
The idea of hosting a CDIO-U25 at AGDF was initially proposed by US Equestrian Dressage Youth Coach and FEI Dressage Committee Member, George Williams.
“George approached me last year with this idea,” said Thomas Baur, AGDF Director of Sport. “We both agreed that 2017 is the right time to host a CDIO-U25 at AGDF. We have seen growth in the U25 classes this year, and we are very encouraged to have four teams from three countries in our inaugural event.”
Classes offered in the CDIO-U25 division include: the FEI Intermediaire II team test on Wednesday, March 22; the FEI Grand Prix CDIO-U25 Individual test on Thursday, March 23; and the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDIO-U25 Individual test, held during “Friday Night Stars” on Friday, March 24.
Tanya Strasser-Shostak and Action Tyme will represent Canada in the CDIO-U25 at AGDF 11. ©SusanJStickle.com
The United States will be represented by two teams. The first team consists of 22-year-old Anna Buffini (USA) on her Sundayboy, a 1999 KWPN gelding (Kennedy x Eezelma x Zevenaar), 24-year-old Sean Sierra Keasler (USA) and Lux Stensvang, a 2002 Danish Warmblood gelding (Lobster x Verona Stensvang x Diamond) owned by Keasler, and 20-year-old Kerrigan Gluch (USA) with HGF Brio, a 2005 Andalusian stallion, owned by Hampton Green Farm. Debbie McDonald will serve as Chef d’Equipe.
The second United States team features 24-year-old Kaitlin Blythe (USA) and Don Principe, a 1999 Hanoverian stallion (Donnerhall x SPS Papagena x Rince Thatch XX) owned by Maryanna Haymon, 21-year-old Molly Paris (USA) and her own Countess, a 2002 Danish Warmblood mare (Don x Compeed x Solos Carex), and 22-year-old Genay Vaughn (USA) with Donarweiss GGF, a 2001 Hanoverian stallion (De Niro x SPS Highlight x Hohenstein) owned by Starr Vaughn Equestrian, Inc. The team will be directed by Chef d’Equipe George Williams.
Canada will be represented in the CDIO-U25 Nations Cup by two riders, 21-year-old Tanya Strasser Shostak (CAN) and Action Tyme, a 2000 Oldenburg gelding (Aktuell x Ann Lady af Hvarre x Aleksander) owned by Evi Strasser, and 25-year-old Mathilde Blais-Tetreault riding Utah, a 2001 KWPN gelding (Jazz x Kolinda x Landwind II B) owned by Tetreault. The Canadian teams will be supported by Chef d’Equipe Liz Steacie.
The team for Spain consists of 23-year-old Pablo Gomez Molina and Tarpan Ymas, a 2000 KWPN stallion (Waterman x Iriantha x Renovo) owned by Yeguada de Ymas S.L., as well as 19-year-old Juan Matute Guimon on Don Diego Ymas, a 2004 Hanoverian gelding owned by Juan Matute.
New to the 2017 AGDF schedule, the CDIO-U25 offers a unique way for young riders to also gain experience by participating in a team dynamic on an international stage. Everyone at AGDF looks forward to another fantastic team competition at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.
For more information on the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival, visit www.GlobalDressageFestival.com.