What To Do At Friday Night Stars At Equestrian Village
Every Friday night during international competition weeks at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival welcomes an array of talent from the weekly show lineup to perform musical freestyles under the lights, in what has come to be known as “Friday Night Stars” featuring the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle, the highlight class of the week for dressage competition. The event is held at Equestrian Village, located at 13500 South Shore Blvd., home of the AGDF.
A musical freestyle is a personally choreographed dressage test accompanied by music specifically composed for each competing duo, which begins as they make their way down centerline. Not only are the rides compelling, but they are also exciting to watch and exemplify the deep communication before horse and rider in the discipline of dressage. Spectators and judges will see performances ridden to a variety of melodies, from classical orchestra music to today’s hits by Justin Timberlake and Bruno Mars.
Riders compete to earn points with a system of scoring that reflects the degree of difficulty per routine and test. This season at AGDF has already seen some impressive talent under the lights in front of growing and engaged crowds.
The first CDI-W Grand Prix Freestyle took place on Jan. 12 and presented a victory to Swedish rider Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfvén aboard Lövsta Stuteri’s Paridon Magi. The duo rode to a Queen medley and achieved their highest score to date with an 81.15 percent. Highlights from the tests seen thus far in the season have included perfected one-handed pirouettes, which were executed in young Juan Matute Guimon’s performance, earning him the third-place spot for the evening aboard mount Quantico Ymas. Matute rode to a modern upbeat musical collaboration, while second-place finisher Shelly Francis wowed the crowd with a cappella tunes to accompany her ride on Patricia Stempel’s Danilo.
“We have been thrilled with the development of the Friday Night Stars competitions since the start of dressage at the venue many years ago,” said Michael Stone, president of Equestrian Sport Productions. “These are many of the top competitors in the world in the sport of dressage, and it’s quite unique that we have access to them right here in Wellington. It speaks to the growth of the AGDF each year and the continued support we receive each season.”
Alongside the top international competition is always a variety of both equine and non-equine entertainment throughout the evening, which in the past has featured mustang demonstrations, horsemanship seminars, live music and more. Multiple food vendors are available to the general public, while hospitality tables in the VIP tent are available for purchase prior to the classes on Friday evening and include a full catered buffet and prime viewing of the class. The evening offers free general admission to the public with $10 on-site parking, as well as $20 valet parking. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. with competition beginning at 7 p.m.
Visit www.globaldressagefestival.com for the full list of Friday Night Stars dates.
