For Immediate Release
Wellington, FL – March 18, 2022 – The tenth week of the 2022 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival held a full schedule of top events, including the Stillpoint Farm FEI Nations Cup CDIO3*, which saw the team from Germany – consisting of Michael Klimke, Christoph Koschel, Lars Ligus, and Frederic Wandres – rise to the top after two days of competition.
Germany took the win with a final team score of 433.337%, while the team from USA were just behind in 432.265% for silver. Canada won the bronze medal with 409.091%.
Leading the team as a rider as well as the chef d’equipe, Michael Klimke piloted Harmony’s Sanrino RHP, a 13-year-old Oldenburg stallion by San Remo OLD owned by Harmony Amateur Sports Foundation to scores of 72.652% in the Grand Prix CDIO3* and 70.755% in the Grand Prix Special CDIO3* (both scores including the +1.5% for competing in the large tour classes).
“Yesterday I had a really good and clear test. I was very happy,” said Klimke, who said Harmony’s Sanrino RHP is competing in only its third CDI. “He’s a little bit nervous. Today I must say I was also really happy until the half-pass to the right; I lost it a little bit in the change to the right. I was a bit disorganized. He’s already 13, but he has not much experience. I was more happy with my horse today than with me.”
Klimke added that he was very proud of his team winning the gold medal for the second year in a row.
He noted, “Last year it was a really big surprise, and it motivated us for this year. We all had a top day yesterday, and today it got very close again, a little bit like last year where Christoph had to ride to a certain point to win. It was a lot of fun to ride here again with these colleagues. We are very happy that we won, and a big thank you to Thomas and Monica and all of the organization team.”
Koschel, like last year, was unaware of what he needed to score in order to propel Germany to the top spot on the podium. He pointed out an expensive mistake in the half-pass.
“I knew that my score would drop a lot,” he acknowledged. “I was aware that there was no mistake allowed in the canter, so I tried to do my best there. It worked out.”
Koschel’s score of 72.202% was enough to give Germany the win. He and Dünensee, a 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Dancier, also contributed a 72.522% in Thursday’s Grand Prix class.
“I’m really happy with my horse. We are a very new combination,” he said of the horse that he only ridden in one previous CDI. “I have to say a big thank you to Terri and Devon Kane and Kevin Kohmann and the whole team from Diamante Farms who are letting me ride this horse. It’s really a fantastic horse. We are very new together, so we have to find the buttons a little bit. That will come. Overall I’m very happy. There was team spirit and I’m happy that we won.”
Frederic Wandres and his small tour mount, the eight-year-old Hanoverian gelding Dolciario by Danciano 2 that he owns with Hof Kasselmann, gave a fantastic performance in their first Intermediate 1 test with a top score of 73.176%. They received a 72.030% in the Prix St. Georges. Wandres compared the talented youngster to his Nations Cup mount from 2021, Quizmaster, who started out at AGDF and went on to win at small tour in Aachen, Germany.
Wandres was also proud to have the German flag raised for the second year in a row. “Winning the Nations Cup for the second time here is really something super,” he related.
He added how special it was to compete with Lars Ligus on the German team. “He is always next to my side during all of the big CDIS,” expressed Wandres. “He is my partner, my groom, my mental coach; everything all in one. This time he had the chance to compete here also, and he did it very well. The team can only be successful if all of us are fighting until the end, and we really did that.”
Ligus was competing not only in his first Senior Nations Cup, but in his first CDI and small tour competition. He and Soccer City, a 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Sir Donnerhall I owned by Katherine Kuss, scored 65.706% in the Intermediate 1 and 71.530% in the Prix St. Georges.
“I only rode this horse four times before I got here,” he said. “I have to say a huge thank you to the owner Katie Kuss. Yesterday it was very good with no mistakes, and I was very happy about that. Today he got a little tired, and I don’t know him that much to go through all of this. I’m very happy to have that experience and that opportunity, that I can ride here and also win here in the Nations Cup for Germany.”
The leading score in the Grand Prix Special CDIO3* presented by Stillpoint Farm went to Benjamin Ebeling (USA) and Indeed, the 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood daughter of Hofrat. Owned by Vantage Equestrian Group II LLC, the mare and Ebeling, who have only been paired together since January and were in their fourth show together, received 72.149%, much to the delight of his father, Olympian Jan Ebeling and Indeed’s former rider, and his coach, Christoph Koschel.
“She is so much fun. I love riding Indeed,” said Ebeling. “I don’t think it’s so much about my riding, but more about my coaching, from Christoph Koschel and also my dad Jan Ebeling, who did a fantastic job training this horse. I’m just lucky that I get to ride her. She’s got a lot of power in there, and today you could really see it and I really felt it. For me, that’s something that I’m really excited about.”
Ebeling was joined on the U.S. team by Bianca Berktold and Imperial (72.441%, 72.676%) who rode at small tour, as well as Katie Duerrhammer on Quartett (72.652%, 70.521%), and Susan Dutta riding Don Design DC (69.587%, EL).
For the Canadian team, it was 24-year-old Beatrice Boucher who led with their high score on Thursday with 69.912% in the Prix St. Georges. She and Summerwood’s Limei, a nine-year-old Hanoverian mare by Londonderry owned by Monica von Glahn, returned for the Intermediate 1 for a score of 67.647%.
This was Boucher’s first Senior Nations Cup and only her third show back together with Summerwood’s Limei, a horse she rode in its four-, five-, and six-year-old years.
“I did the U25 Nations Cup last year,” said Boucher. “Moving up to the Senior team, there is an expression in French that is like ‘la court de grand.’ It’s really like you go into the big league, and the spirit of big competition and team work. It’s really a big step up, and I like it.”
Also competing for Canada were Pia Fortmüller and Frieda, Megan Lane on Zodiac MW, and Evi Strasser with Déjà Vu Tyme.
Riders will return for the Intermediate 1 Freestyle CDIO3* and Grand Prix Freestyle CDIO3*, both presented by Stillpoint Farm, on Sunday to determine individual medals at small and large tour.
Full Results for Stillpoint Farm FEI Nations Cup CDIO3*
Results: FEI Nations Cup – CDIO3* Intermediate I, presented by Stillpoint Farm
Place, rider, nationality, horse, horse information: judge E%, judge H%, judge C%, judge M%, judge B%, final score
E, Carlos Lopes (POR); H, Michael Osinski (USA); C, Mariette Sanders-Van Gansewinkel (NED); M, Knut Danzberg (GER); B, Stephen Clarke (GBR)
- Frederic Wandres (GER) on Dolciario, his and Hof Kasselmann’s 8yo Hanoverian gelding by Danciano 2: 73.235, 72.794, 73.382, 72.794, 73.676, 73.176
- Bianca Berktold (USA) on Imperial, her 9yo KWPN mare by Charmeur: 71.029, 73.676, 73.824, 73.235, 71.618, 72.676
- Beatrice Boucher (CAN) on Summerwood’s Limei, Monica von Glahn’s 9yo Hanoverian mare by Londonderry: 66.765, 66.912, 69.118, 67.941, 67.500, 67.647
- Lars Ligus (GER) on Soccer City, Katherine Kuss’s 15yo Hanoverian gelding by Sir Donnerhall I: 64.559, 65.441, 65.000, 67.794, 65.735, 65.706
Results: FEI Nations Cup – CDIO3* Grand Prix Special, presented by Stillpoint Farm
Place, rider, nationality, horse, horse information: judge E%, judge H%, judge C%, judge M%, judge B%, final score
E, Stephen Clarke (GBR); H, Carlos Lopes (POR); C, Michael Osinski (USA); M, Mariette Sanders-Van Gansewinkel (NED); B, Knut Danzberg (GER)
- Benjamin Ebeling (USA) on Indeed, Vantage Equestrian Group II LLC’s 14yo Dutch Warmblood mare by Hofrat: 72.766, 70.957, 73.085, 72.553, 71.383, 72.149
- Christoph Koschel (GER) on Dünensee, Diamante Farm’s 13yo Hanoverian gelding by Dancier: 71.489, 70.426, 70.532, 70.638, 70.426, 70.702
- Michael Klimke (GER) on Harmony’s Sanrino RHP, Harmony Amateur Sports Foundation’s 13yo Oldenburg stallion by San Remo OLD: 69.574, 69.255, 68.617, 69.149, 69.681, 69.255
- Katie Duerrhammer (USA) on Quartett, Kylee Lourie’s 14yo Dutch Sport Horse gelding by Quaterback: 69.149, 67.766, 70.319, 68.617, 69.255, 69.021
- Megan Lane (CAN) on Zodiac MW, Deer Ride Equestrian’s 18yo KWPN gelding by Harmony’s Rousseau: 68.511, 66.809, 68.617, 68.085, 67.234, 67.851
- Pia Fortmüller (CAN) on Frieda, hers and Lars Busch’s 11yo Hanoverian mare by Fürstenball OLD: 65.426, 65.851, 68.511, 65.851, 67.872, 66.702
- Evi Strasser (CAN) on Déjá Vu Tyme, her 15yo Hanoverian gelding by Dauphin: 64.362, 65.745, 64.681, 64.149, 64.255, 64.638
Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén and Devanto Rise To the Top of Grand Prix Freestyle CDI3*
In a welcome return to the winner’s circle of the “Friday Night Stars” at AGDF, seven-time Olympian Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén (SWE) and Devanto, owend by Lövsta Stuteri AB, captured the top spot in the Grand Prix Freestyle CDI3*, presented by Buffalo Wild Wings with a score of 78.080%.
Joining her on the podium was Yvonne Losos de Muñiz (DOM) with Aquamarijn, a horse she owns with Sylvia Ines Muñiz Losos. They received a score of 78.055%. In their first-ever grand prix freestyle, Pan American Games gold medalists Sarah Tubman (USA) and First Apple, owned by Summit Farm, picked up third place with 77.115%.
Vilhelmson Silfvén last won a “Friday Night Stars” Grand Prix Freestyle in 2018 with Paridon Magi, and she finished second in 2019 with Don Auriello. While Devanto competed in the Grand Prix Special CDI5* under the lights at AGDF 5 on the Winter Equestrian Festival show grounds, this was his first freestyle under the lights and only his second-ever grand prix freestyle test.
“Tonight, I was really happy with him,” said Vilhelmson Silfvén of the 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding by De Chirico. “I had a great feeling. The atmosphere had a big impact, but I felt that he was totally with me and was nice to ride. This was the first time I rode this floor plan. I didn’t really know how he would react, so I’m very, very pleased today.”
While Vilhelmson Silfvén designed a new floor plan, the music is familiar as it was used previously by Paridon Magi and Don Auriello.
“From the beginning, it was actually Favourit’s music,” revealed Vilhelmson Silfvèn. “It lived for a long time. I like it so much, and it fits this horse really, really well, I think. I kind of got stuck with it because I like it with him.”
For Losos de Muñiz, having Aquamarijn back feeling strong in the freestyle after a break following competition in Aachen, Germany, in September was a relief.
“She felt a lot better tonight than she was at the beginning of the season. She’s a veteran, but she also has way too much attitude sometimes,” said Losos de Muñiz of the 17-year-old KWPN mare by United. “We were off for quite a while, so coming back together again was a little bit like starting new. It was a perfect time to come back. She does her job in there, and she loves it in there. Like Tinne said, if you’ve got a young one here or you’re trying to get back into good form with your old ones, it’s the best place to be. It tests us in every aspect and in every way we need it.”
Losos de Muñiz and Aquamarijn competed twice in February 2022 with a new freestyle, but she reverted back to her old freestyle for AGDF 10. “I was being a bit greedy in that we had taken so much time off that it wasn’t fair to her to try and do a new one and get her back going,” she said. “I’m going to take it up again, but I’ve gone back to my old one [for now]. This old one means more to me, and I love the old one way too much.”
While the first- and second-place riders have seen success in the grand prix freestyle, it was new territory for Tubman and First Apple.
“This is not only our first Friday night, but my first grand prix freestyle ever, period, in my career as a rider. It was super fun. I think Apple is a horse that lights up in an atmosphere like that,” she said of the 12-year-old KWPN stallion by Vivaldi. “The more electric, the better for us. In the first time trotting around the ring, I kind of didn’t know who he was. Tonight, even though he was a little bit of a different horse in a positive way that I’m not used to, each test that we go down centerline I feel like we’re becoming more and more of a team and speaking the same language now. It was a super feeling.
“I just feel really honored to be sitting with these two extremely talented veteran ladies. I’m humbled and I look up to them, so it’s pretty cool to be sitting here,” continued Tubman.
Results: FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI3*, presented by Buffalo Wild Wings
Place, rider, nationality, horse, horse information: judge E%, judge H%, judge C%, judge M%, judge B%, final score
E, Omar Zayrik (MEX); H, Anne Prain (FRA); C, Ilja Vietor (SVK); M, Michael Osinski (USA); B, Mariette Sanders-Van Gansewinkel (NED)
- Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén (SWE) on Devanto, Lövsta Stuteri AB’s 13yo Holsteiner gelding by De Chirico: 77.450, 76.575, 81.100, 77.275, 78.000, 78.080
- Yvonne Losos de Muñiz (DOM) on Aquamarijn, hers and Sylvia Ines Muñiz Losos’s 17yo KWPN mare by United: 77.425, 76.950, 78.625, 79.925, 77.350, 78.055
- Sarah Tubman (USA) on First Apple, Summit Farm’s 12yo KWPN stallion by Vivaldi: 77.100, 77.875, 76.925, 75.800, 77.875, 77.115
- Alice Tarjan (USA) on Donatella M, her 11yo Oldenburg mare by Fürstenball OLD: 76.450, 76.475, 76.925, 77.200, 74.000, 76.210
- Julio Cesar Mendoza Loor (ECU) on Jewel’s Goldstrike, his and Jessica Menoza’s 11yo KWPN gelding by Bretton Woods: 74.175, 74.000, 74.500, 75.275, 71.175, 73.825
- Carly Taylor-Smith (USA) on Rosalut NHF, Nikki Taylor-Smith’s 12yo Oldenburg gelding by Rosenthal: 72.175, 73.375, 74.400, 74.775, 73.800, 73.705
- Jan Ebeling (USA) on Ballena, Ann Romney’s 12yo Hanoverian mare by Belissimo M: 71.500, 72.375, 69.650, 74.650, 69.350, 71.525
- Lisa Apa(USA) on Rigolo 12, her 18yo Oldenburg gelding by Relevant 5: 68.625, 69.425, 68.300, 66.400, 67.800, 68.110
- Esther Mortimer(GUA) on Hernando, Sue Schramayr’s 10yo KWPN gelding by Bretton Woods: 66.675, 68.125, 67.650, 64.325, 67.425, 66.840
Camille Carier Bergeron and Sound of Silence 4 Continue Winning Week in Grand Prix 16-25 CDIO-U25
In the Grand Prix 16-25 CDIO-U25, presented by Diamante Farms, Canada’s shining young star Camille Carier Bergeron continued her brilliant week with Gilles Bergeron’s Sound of Silence 4. They improved upon their winning team performance for Canada to earn 69.640% in the individual test.
Carier Bergeron has had Sound of Silence 4 for five years, but their relationship took time to develop. Initially, the 14-year-old Westphalian gelding by San Amour I x Limes did not have the motivation to do the job he was being asked to do, and Carier Bergeron questioned their trajectory together. Over time, though, with persistence and positivity, ‘SOS’ gave more and more and has become a true partner.
“He’s actually such a sweet horse,” said Carier Bergeron. “It’s my first horse that I was able to bring up the levels to grand prix, so I know him inside out. We’ve been through difficult times and great times too, and he’s the horse I’ve created the biggest bond with.”
She continued, “I see him, and I know exactly how he feels. Today, even in the barn before the test, I could see he was happy and how calm he was. He was definitely feeling good.”
Now that SOS sees Carier Bergeron as his person, he actually enjoys being at the shows.
“He loves to show because I have so much time just for him!” said Carier Bergeron with a laugh. “I spend almost eight hours taking care of him at the barn giving him so much care, so much love, and so much attention, so he’s very happy I’m with him all the time.”
The high temperature and humidity this week had riders adapting their preparation accordingly, with Carier Bergeron particularly mindful of the week’s long schedule for SOS. This morning they walked and loosened up and had a short warm-up before the test, which paid off.
“We still have the freestyle to do, so we have to plan a little bit how we’re going to keep his energy level up. I thought our preparation for today really helped. He just felt more supple and through,” Carier Bergeron explained.
Riding in only their fourth Under 25 class, Carier Bergeron was aiming for a clean test and was elated with SOS achieving that goal.
“I’m thrilled. I’m so excited and so proud of my horse,” she expressed. “I had a big smile after my one-tempis. I had to come back and refocus because I had the trot transition coming. The changes are for sure a strength for SOS, and the fact that we were finally able to show it off was really, really exciting.”
Carier Bergeron, who was the highest internationally ranked U25 athlete in February and currently sits in second with her other mount Acoeur, was particularly delighted with the win this week representing Canada.
“This week is one of the most important, biggest weeks of the show season,” she noted. “It’s so nice to represent Canada at an event in Wellington. It feels like we’re part of a family. Everybody is supporting each other, and everybody is cheering for everyone. We have an awesome team atmosphere, especially our chef d’equipe, Denielle Gallagher, is amazing. It’s great, and I love it.”
Benjamin Ebeling (USA), who is competing as an individual in the CDIO-U25 this week, finished second aboard Status Royal OLD with an overall percentage of 68.718%. Rounding out the podium was fellow Canadian athlete, Vanessa Creech-Terauds, who piloted Fleur de Lis L to a score of 66.410%.
The day started with 21 entries in the CDI1* FEI Prix St. Georges class, presented by Horseware Ireland. In a competitive field, 12 combinations produced personal bests with less than one percentage point separating the top five finishers.
Leah Tenney (USA) was the penultimate rider with her 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, Enghavegaard’s Tebaldi (Tailormade Temptation x Royal Diamond). She rode straight to the top of the leaderboard with a score of 70.980%. Jaime Dancer (USA) was close behind with EG Sporthorses LLC’s Supremont, earning a personal best 70.441%. Hong Kong’s Samantha Grace Chan also scored a personal best 70.343% to complete the top three with DSP Fierro, owned by Chan along with Man Wai Mark Chan and Grace Lin.
In the FEI Intermediate I CDI3*, presented by Realtor® Matt Johnson, Lauren Knopp (USA) was victorious with her own Amadeus de Massa. The 12-year-old CPD Stallion by Fürse Romancier x Mulato HB received consistent marks throughout the test to secure an overall score of 66.765%.