Adequan Global Dressage Festival A Proving Ground For Olympians And Up-And-Coming Athletes
The Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) has grown steadily since its inception in 2012, developing into a world-class competition. Seventeen riders participating at the 2016 festival went on to represent their respective countries at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
With many success stories surrounding AGDF, the festival is sure to be a proving ground for upcoming championships, including the 2017 FEI World Cup Dressage Finals in Omaha, Neb., in late March.
The 2017 AGDF will take place once again at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center Stadium in Wellington, from Jan. 11 through March 26, 2017.
The circuit will be imperative for riders who want to gain scores for the World Cup finals, since the AGDF hosts four World Cup qualifying events. Starting in January, riders can also record qualifying scores for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games.
“We are proud to host such an important event for dressage riders from around the world,” said Thomas Baur, AGDF’s director of sport. “We see the performances increasing every year, but more than that, we see more and more great horses and riders entering the sport at the lower levels and enjoying dressage.”
For local spectators who want to enjoy dressage as well, everyone is welcome with free general admission. The special Friday Night Stars events, which happen every Friday during CDI events (with the exception of AGDF 8/Palm Beach Dressage Derby on Saturday, March 4), host the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle class, where horses and riders compete to their own choreographed routine and music.
Friday Night Stars offers a fun evening of dressage and entertainment. Special musical acts, such a string quartet or the Yale a capella singing group, are sprinkled throughout dressage performances.
Visitors will get to see all four members of the U.S. Dressage Team, which recently won the bronze medal at the Olympics. Steffen Peters, Laura Graves, Allison Brock and Kasey Perry-Glass will compete for top honors at the 2017 AGDF.
Joining them is seven-time Olympian Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven of Sweden, as well as 2016 Olympians Belinda Trussell and Megan Lane of Canada, Yvonne Losos de Muniz of the Dominican Republic and Christian Zimmermann of Palestine.
Along with these 2016 Olympians are riders such as Christoph Koschel and Michael Klimke of Germany, along with other top riders from around the world.
Along with the four weeks of World Cup qualifying for CDI riders, there is the CDI 5* week that occurs Feb. 8-12, offering the highest-rated international competition in the world.
The Palm Beach Dressage Derby, a historic South Florida dressage competition, returns March 1-5 as the last FEI World Cup qualifier in North America before the finals.
On March 15-19 is the CDI 4*, and then countries will compete against each other during the finale week, March 22-26, at the CDIO 3*.
The FEI Nations Cup will welcome teams riding to see which country can claim top honors. Nations Cup competition has become hotly contested and a timely opportunity for countries from Central America and South America, as well as North America and Europe, to gain vital team experience and represent their home countries. It remains the only Nations Cup competition for dressage in the Western Hemisphere outside of championship events and is part of the FEI Nations Cup series.
The 2016 Paralympic Games were also hosted in Rio this summer, and thanks to two CPEDI 3* events at the AGDF, riders gained valuable experience in Florida before heading to South America.
Last year, the AGDF hosted U.S. Paralympic Team riders Roxanne Trunnell, Rebecca Hart, Margaret McIntosh and Angela Peavy, as well as Canadian Paralympians Ashley Gowanlock, Lauren Barwick and Robyn Andrews.
Para-dressage riders will return to AGDF in 2017 for two events, including a CPEDI 3* on Jan. 19-22 and on March 9-12.
“We are committed to making dressage special in the United States,” Equestrian Sport Productions CEO Mark Bellissimo said. “We want to showcase the sport and bring in new fans to appreciate the talent, strength and artistry of these athletes. We welcome everyone from South Florida to come and experience dressage.”
While international-level riders are the main attraction, the AGDF also hosts competitions for horses and riders of varying experience. The popular CDI and national competition for amateur riders will make its return for the 2017 circuit.
Classes for juniors, young riders, ponies and young horses are also offered and make the circuit one to which any rider can aspire.
The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center Stadium is located at 13500 South Shore Blvd. in Wellington. To find out more about the 2017 Adequan Global Dressage Festival, and for a full schedule, visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.
