Wellington, FL – February 1, 2013 – The 2013 Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) continued today at The Stadium for the Wellington Dressage CDI-W presented by The Dutta Corp. Under the lights, the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle dazzled with international riders going for the win. For the second day in a row, the top two spots were held by the same rider/horse combinations. The blue ribbon went to David Marcus (CAN) riding Chrevi’s Capital (Chrevi’s Lavallo x Weinberg) with a score of 74.450%. Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven (SWE) and Divertimento (Di Versace x Ferragamo) were second with a score of 72.350%.
Judging tonight’s class was Jennie Loriston-Clarke (GBR) at E, Lorraine MacDonald (CAN) at H, Anne Gribbons (USA) at C, Wojek Markowski (POL) at M, and Sandy Phillips (GBR) at B. The musical selection of both were different; Marcus chose a more dramatic tone, while Vilhelmson-Silfven choreographed to a compilation of tunes from the production, Grease.
In discussing the mood of the 13-year-old dark bay Danish Warmblood gelding, owned by Debroah Miculinic, Marcus remarked, “He was very good in there tonight. Obviously after the (World Dressage) Masters, this is not as much atmosphere, but it’s still at night and under the lights. He felt almost too calm. He was really comfortable here.”
Chrevi’s Capital and David Marcus. Photo © SusanJStickle.com
Conversely, Vilhelmson-Silfven noted of her horse, “I think he’s technically quite mature, but tension is exactly what he needs to get the routine and get used to this kind of atmosphere. It’s really difficult for him. With that said, I am still happy with him today. He worked with me. I had some mistakes; I had a mistake in the one (tempis), and he didn’t walk too good, and he didn’t halt too good in the end! That was too much for him. But technically otherwise he was nice to ride.”
Tonight’s freestyle routines were still new for both Marcus and Vilhelmson-Silfven. This was Marcus and Chrevi’s second time performing to their dramatic music. “I felt a little more confident (this time). I knew the music a little bit better this time as opposed to the first time at the Masters. I felt like I could ride to the music better. I think it worked out really well,” explained Marcus.
Vilhelmson-Silfven and the 11-year-old Westfalen bay gelding, owned by Antonia Ax:son Johnson, have only performed their musical freestyle three times.
Marcus went on to say, “He was great at both the grand prix and the freestyle. This is what the plan was, and I think it worked. He feels like his old self again. He was always a very calm and reliable horse before the Olympics, and now I feel like I have his trust again. I think at some point you have to look forward and not back, and I think we’re there now.”
David Marcus and Chrevi’s Capital with Aliza Korasz and Michael Stone of Equestrian Sport Producitons, Anne Gribbons, and Timmy and Tim Dutta. Photo © SusanJStickle.com
Marcus and Vilhelmson-Silfven were very pleased with the prize money offered in this week’s CDI-W. According to Marcus, “It’s great to have sponsorship for these shows that offer prize money, first of all, because this is sort of a new thing in this sport, that we’re getting real prize money. We really, really appreciate it because this sport is a very expensive thing that we do. It’s nice to be able to have that help and nice that we have the opportunities there.”
In looking towards the future, Marcus, who is back on top in the North American League standings for the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Finals, will be evaluating his plan. “If Chrevi’s keeps coming out and doing rides like this, where I feel like he’s confident and it’s in his best interest, then we’ll go. If I don’t feel like it’s in his best interest, then we’ll make a different plan,” analyzed Marcus.
This morning featured the FEI Prix St. Georges and FEI Junior Team. The winner of the FEI Prix St. George was Sonia Zugel (IRL) riding her own mount, Ungaro (Weltmeyer II x Wendekreis). The rider and her 16-year-old BWP bay gelding scored 62.974% for the win. The FEI Junior Team win went to Naima Moreira-Laliberte (CAN) riding Diamond (Donnerhall x Werther). The 12-year-old bay Hanoverian gelding, owned by Moreira-Laliberte, scored 66.324%.
Sonia Zugel and Ungaro. Photo © SusanJStickle.com
Competition proceeds tomorrow with many classes, highlighted by the FEI Grand Prix Special and the FEI Intermediare 1. For full results, please CLICK HERE and for more information on the AGDF, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com .
Final Results: FEI Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Chrevi’s Capital, David Marcus (CAN): E: 75.250%, H: 72.750%, C: 75.500%, M: 75.250%, B: 73.500%, Total: 74.450%
2. Divertimento, Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven (SWE): E: 70.750%, H: 72.750%, C: 70.375%, M: 72.000%, B: 75.875%, Total: 72.350%
3. D Niro, Jacquline M. Brooks (CAN): E: 70.375%, H: 69.625%, C: 70.125%, M: 73.375%, B: 67.750%, Total: 70.250%
4. Devon L., Diane Creech (CAN): E: 70.250%, H: 71.625%, C: 69.750%, M: 69.750%, B: 69.500%, Total: 70.175%
5. Lindor’s Finest, Jaimey Irwin (CAN): E: 70.500%, H: 70.625%, C: 67.500%, M: 66.000%, B: 66.250%, Total: 68.175%
6. Tango, Cheryl Meisner (CAN): E: 68.000%, H: 63.750%, C: 65.750%, M: 65.250%, B: 67.250%, Total: 66.000%
7. Donnerbube 2, Sylvia Rizzo (ITA): E: 65.375%, H: 63.250%, C: 64.250%, M: 63.375%, B: 65.875%, Total: 64.425%
Photo Credit: Photos © SusanJStickle.com. These photos may be used only in relation to this press release and must include photo credit.