Wellington, FL – December 23, 2014 – Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) is pleased to announce that the official prize lists for each week of the 2015 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) are now available online at www.globaldressagefestival.com. One of the world’s largest international and national dressage circuits, the AGDF returns for its fourth annual event in 2015 with ten weeks of fantastic equestrian sport running from January 8 through March 28.
Held at the beautiful dressage facility at The Stadium at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL, this year’s AGDF will feature three national and seven international weeks of competition. International competition includes four CDI-W rated shows, a CDI 4*, a CDI 5*, and the Western Hemisphere’s only non-championship CDIO, which is also part of the FEI Nations Cup series. With an increase to more than $650,000 in total prize money, AGDF has become the richest dressage circuit in the world.
The CDIO has been moved to the final week of the circuit this year, capping off the winter season with the very best in international dressage. The Stillpoint Farm CDIO Nations Cup competition will run March 25-29. The event is part of the FEI Nations Cup™ Dressage Series. This special team competition for dressage gives riders the unique opportunity to experience a championship-style format, also serving as the last team event before the Pan American Games in Toronto in July.
The CDI 5* competition, sponsored by Diamante Farms and Wellington Equestrian Realty, will be featured during week five on February 5-8, 2015. With over $200,000 in prize money, this notably makes it the second richest CDI 5* in the world.
AGDF is also pleased to announce that it will host the historic Palm Beach Dressage Derby for the second year during the week of March 5-8, presented by Everglades Dressage and Peacock Ridge, which will feature a special new derby competition.
Each week, AGDF’s famous “Friday Night Lights” Freestyle performances will be showcased along with many special events throughout the season. Stadium seating and VIP dining are available to spectators who want to come out and enjoy an evening of fun performances and world-class competition.
Director of Dressage, Thomas Baur, and Show Manager, Lloyd Landkamer, each return to AGDF this year and look forward to another wonderful season. They are pleased to present two new divisions for the circuit.
A new CDI Amateur international division will be introduced during the first week of competition and will be offered during the whole season in every CDI. Riders must be at least 26 years of age and will compete at the Small or Medium Tour level. While riders in the CDI Amateur international division cannot be listed on the international ranking list (which is reserved for Large Tour riders), this division will give a great opportunity to those looking to step up to international level.
In addition to the new CDI Amateur division, a new section of pony competition has been added for all national shows throughout the circuit. For this competition, classes are offered from USEF Training Level through USEF Third level with classes designated for the JR/YR, Adult Amateur, and Open riders.
Newly appointed USEF Dressage Youth Coach George Williams commented, “I think having the pony division is a wonderful addition to the show. We would really like to see ponies in dressage take off and I think by offering the pony section with the three divisions, it will really help the growth of ponies in our sport. Not only does it give the opportunity to the youth, but it also gives the opportunity to adult amateurs who are comfortable on ponies and it allows for more experienced riders to introduce ponies to competition.”
Spectators are always welcome at AGDF to watch some of the best dressage competition in North America. Parking and general admission are free!
2015 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival Schedule of Events*
January 8-11
AGDF 1 Dressage CDI W/1*/U25/Y/J/P
Presented by MTICA Farm
(AGDF Grand Prix Freestyle Friday, January 9)
January 22-25
AGDF 3 Dressage CDI W/1*/U25/Y/J/P
Presented by US P.R.E. Association and Chesapeake Dressage Institute
(AGDF Grand Prix Freestyle Friday, January 23)
January 31-February 1
AGDF 4 Dressage National
February 5-8
AGDF 5 Dressage CDI 5*/3*/1*/U25/Y/J/P
Presented by Diamante Farms and Wellington Equestrian Realty
(AGDF Grand Prix Freestyle Friday, February 6)
February 14-15
AGDF 6 Dressage National
February 19-22
AGDF 7 Dressage CDI 4*/3*/1*/U25/Y/J/P
Presented by Dutta Corp. and Havensafe Farm
(AGDF Grand Prix Freestyle Friday, February 20)
March 5-8
AGDF 9 Dressage CDI W/1*/U25/Y/J/P
Presented by Everglades Dressage and Peacock Ridge
Palm Beach Dressage Derby
(AGDF Grand Prix Freestyle Friday, March 6)
March 12-15
AGDF 10 Dressage CDI W/3*/1*/U25/Y/J/P
Presented by Today’s Equestrian and Mike & Roz Collins
Florida Youth Dressage Championships
(AGDF Grand Prix Freestyle Friday, March 13)
March 21-22
AGDF 11 Dressage National
March 25-28
AGDF 12 Dressage CDIO 3*/3*/1*/U25/Y/J/P
Presented by Stillpoint Farm
Dressage Nations Cup
(AGDF Grand Prix Freestyle Friday, March 27)
*Schedule Subject to Change
ESP looks forward to welcoming everyone to the 2015 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival. For more information, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.
Photos copyright SusanJStickle.com.