World’s Top Dressage Riders In Wellington For The 2018 Adequan Global Dressage Festival
Since its initiation in 2012, the Adequan Global Dressage Festival has matured into one of the largest dressage circuits in the world. Presenting top-level national and international level competition over the course of 10 weeks, this year’s AGDF is setting the stage for top horse and rider combinations, and laying the stepping stones leading up to the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon, N.C.
The 2018 AGDF is taking place once again at the Stadium at Equestrian Village in Wellington. The festival opened Jan. 4 and continues through March 31. This winter circuit provides an indispensable opportunity for riders who are seeking scores for the World Equestrian Games, as the 2018 AGDF is hosting four WEG qualifying events throughout the circuit.
“This year, we will see riders from all over the world coming to Wellington to prepare for the World Equestrian Games Tryon 2018,” said Thomas Baur, director of sport for the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. “We are presenting a new structure of classes at the Grand Prix level, as well as Small Tour levels, and are welcoming top judges that will also be featured at the WEG.”
The 2018 AGDF season features four CDI-Ws, a CDI 4* and CDI 5*, as well as a CDIO3* and two CPEDI competitions. Local spectators are welcome to come out and enjoy world-renowned competition, as the show is always open to the public with free general admission.
The weekly Friday Night Stars events take place every Friday during international CDI competition weeks and present the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle class, where combinations ride to choreographed musical routines. The nights also bring musical acts and various forms of outside entertainment, which are scattered throughout the evening festivities.
The season opened Thursday, Jan. 4 with the first Para-Equestrian Dressage CPEDI 3* competition. AGDF 2 also played host to a CPEDI 3* in mid-January. Para-Equestrian sports allow athletes with physical and visual disabilities to excel in equestrian events and competitions designed for the able-bodied, and do so by creating a structured and highly competitive environment.
Para-dressage is conducted under the same basic rules as able-bodied dressage, but with riders divided into different competition grades based on their physical abilities. There is no greater evidence of the incredible bond, trust and communication between horse and rider than in para-dressage. This Paralympic sport is a humbling reminder of the strength and determination of the human spirit.
The AGDF 2018’s first CDI-W competition of the season was held Thursday, Jan. 11, as well as a national horse show. AGDF 3 commenced Wednesday, Jan. 24 with the second CDI-W and national competitions.
International dressage competition reconvened Thursday, Feb. 8 with the season’s only CDI 5*, featuring the very best riders in the world producing some of the most thrilling test execution of the winter season. AGDF 6 began Friday, Feb. 16 with three days of national competition. AGDF 9 is also set to host a national competition from March 9-11. The third CDI-W took place during AGDF 7, beginning on Thursday, Feb. 22.
AGDF 8, beginning on March 1, welcomes the historic Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W and the fourth annual Palm Beach Derby, an exciting event that features riders competing at Small Tour level with unfamiliar horses to see who can ride to the best score. The Palm Beach Dressage Derby remains one of the longest-standing dressage competitions in South Florida and continues to be a seasonal highlight for resident competitors of the South Florida dressage community.
AGDF 10 will welcome the only CDI 4* of the season ahead of AGDF 12’s FEI Nations Cup CDIO 3*, as well as the final Friday Night Stars competition of the circuit. The FEI Nations Cup CDIO 3* is the only non-championship Nations Cup in the western hemisphere and serves as an impressive seasonal conclusion every year.
“We are very excited about this year’s edition of the 2018 Adequan Global Dressage Festival,” said Michael Stone, president of Equestrian Sport Productions. “With the FEI World Equestrian Games coming to Tryon, N.C., in September of 2018, there are many talented riders from all over the world attending, who are focused on their qualifications for the biggest equestrian event in the world. This year is truly a chance for everyone in Wellington to see the world’s best, and we are looking forward to seeing these equestrian athletes perform.”
With the FEI World Equestrian Games looming on the horizon, the 2018 Adequan Global Dressage Festival is turning out to be the most exceptional one to date.
Equestrian Village is located at 13500 South Shore Blvd. in Wellington. To learn more about the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.
2018 Adequan Global Dressage Festival Weekly Schedule
AGDF 0
CPEDI 3* – January 4-7
AGDF 1
CDI-W & National – January 11-14
AGDF 2
CPEDI 3* & National – January 18-21
AGDF 3
CDI-W & National – January 24-28
AGDF 5
CDI 5* & National – February 8-11
AGDF 6
National – February 16-17
AGDF 7
CDI-W & National – February 22-25
AGDF 8
Palm Beach Derby CDI-W & National
March 1-4
AGDF 9
National – March 9-11
AGDF 10
CDI 4* & National – March 15-18
AGDF 11
National – March 24-25
AGDF 12
CDIO 3* & National – March 27–31
The Stadium at the Palm Beach
International Equestrian Center
13500 South Shore Blvd.
Wellington, FL 33414
www.globaldressagefestival.com
