Jill Irving

Canadian Jill Irving has taken top honors in some of the sport’s top competitions. In 2014, she won the Everglades Dressage Rider Achievement Award at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. Irving, who had not previously ridden on a championship team, headed to Europe in 2017 to compete. She showed at the CDI 4* Achleiten in Austria, earning great scores and getting named Red Scarf Equestrian Dressage Athlete of the Month. This helped her secure a spot on Canada’s dressage team for the World Equestrian Games Tryon 2018. Last year, she represented Canada at the 2019 Pan American Games, helping her team win the gold medal. Aside from her work in the ring, Irving has spearheaded the Canadian Youth Equestrian Mentorship Program since 2015, which offers opportunities for young Canadian equestrians to attend training camps in Wellington. Irving is back in action in Wellington this season, kicking off the year by winning the FEI Dressage World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle aboard Degas 12 in the opening week of the AGDF.

Dong-seon Kim

Dong-seon Kim is a South Korean dressage rider who represented his native country at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy with his horse Bukowski. He also competed at three Asian Games in 2006, 2010 and 2014, where he altogether won three team gold medals and an individual silver medal. He later qualified for the 2014 Dressage World Cup Final in Lyon, France, where he finished in 17th position. Kim also competed with Bukowski at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016 and the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon. Kim is competing this season in Wellington with his new mounts Belstaff and Bordolino. He recently placed fifth with Bellstaff in the FEI Grand Prix CDI5*, presented by CaptiveOne Advisors, during AGDF Week 7. A well-known horse owner, his mounts have also done well when paired with other riders.

Janine Little

Janine Little is a rider who competes in Wellington during the winter season and for the rest of the year is based just south of Brockville, near Canada’s capital of Ottawa. Raised in a “non-horsey” family, Little’s love for horses and riding inspired her to work her way up Pony Club levels. By age 16, she realized dressage was her passion. Partnered with an unconventional mount she brought along herself, she was named Canadian National Junior Champion in 2000. After studying psychology — a background that benefits her as a rider and coach — Little earned her Equine Canada coaching certification and began working professionally. She later trained in the Netherlands with three-time Olympic gold medalist Anky van Grunsven. Upon her return, Little received the ride on Dominic LHF, a horse she developed from Training Level to Grand Prix. The pair were FEI Advanced Level Champions at the 2010 Western Regionals, the Alberta Provincials and the Pacific Regionals, and declared for the 2012 Olympics. Today, she is a rider and a well-known trainer and coach.

Yvonne Losos de Muñiz

Born to Canadian parents in Nigeria, Yvonne Losos de Muñiz rides for the Dominican Republic, which has been her home since 1990. She became the first Dominican rider to participate in the Olympics when competing in the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Games. Her career began at an early age with support from her parents before formal training in Germany. Listed among the best riders in all of Latin America, Losos de Muñiz has many awards under her belt. She won a bronze medal at the 2007 Pan-American Games in Rio, repeating the feat of the 2003 Pan-American Games in Santo Domingo. Prior to her Pan-American medals, Losos de Muñiz won individual gold and bronze as a team in the Central American Games 2002 in El Salvador, and she has won several medals since at the Central American Games. Competing locally, she secured several big wins at the 2018 AGDF, qualifying for the FEI World Cup that year in Paris. She is back in action this year at the AGDF riding Aquamarijn to third place in the FEI Grand Prix CDI5* during Week 7.

Adrienne Lyle

Adrienne Lyle was raised on a small cattle farm in Whidbey Island, Washington and has always spent time around horses. She originally rode western, then switched to English at age seven. She tried eventing before dressage became her calling. Lyle began competing at age 13. She was a member of the silver medal team at the 2002 Cosequin Junior Dressage Championships and the bronze medal Region 6 team at the 2004 North American Young Rider Championships. Career highlights include competing in the 2012 Olympic Games in London and contributing to a fourth-place team finish at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in France. Lyle and her mount Salvino had a string of wins at the 2018 AGDF. The pair qualified for the World Equestrian Games Tryon 2018, where they helped the U.S. team win the silver medal. Lyle had a great 2019 season in Wellington, including riding Harmony’s Duval to victory in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI3* during Week 10. The pair followed that up with impressive wins later in the season at Tryon and in Europe.

Juan Matute Guimon

Juan Matute Guimon has emerged as one of dressage’s top young talents. Dressage runs in the family. He is the son of Juan Matute Sr., who won six Spanish National Dressage Championships and had three Olympic appearances for Spain. The family moved to Wellington in 2008, and Matute Jr. spent his formative years here just as dressage was growing by leaps and bounds. He credits the AGDF with launching his career as an international competitor. Currently, he is living in Spain where he’s competing in dressage and attending Madrid’s Universidad Camilo Jose Cela. In 2018, Matute Jr. won a bronze medal with Quantico at the senior Spanish National Championships and participated with the Spanish national team at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon. This season, Matute Jr. has returned to Wellington with his mount Don Diego. They placed second in the Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W during AGDF Week 3. As the season moves on, he has his eye on the World Cup Final in Las Vegas and perhaps a spot on the Spanish team in Tokyo.

Jennifer Schrader-Williams

Jennifer Schrader-Williams is an international Grand Prix dressage rider and trainer with more than 20 years of experience developing horses. She has trained and ridden several horses to the Grand Prix level and hopes to one day represent the U.S. at the Olympics or the World Equestrian Games. Based at Summervale Premier Dressage near Roy, Washington, her current competition horse is Millione, a 17-year-old Danish warmblood gelding. Millione is currently competing at the international Grand Prix level with scores to 71%. They debuted their new freestyle set to Vikings music by Karen Robinson this year at 73.9% at the AGDF in Wellington. Millione and Schrader-Williams were the recipient of the PNW High Performance Dressage training grant for 2017 and returned from competing at the 2018 Festival of Champions in Chicago finishing second in the Grand Prix Special and third in the overall final. Schrader-Williams and Millione started this season strong, placing fourth in the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W, presented by the US P.R.E. Association.

Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfvén

Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfvén of Sweden is one of the greatest dressage riders of all time. Vilhelmson-Silfvén began riding at age seven and became interested in dressage after her mother taught her about the sport. The seven-time Olympian is a master of training young horses. Vilhelmson-Silfvén has also competed at six World Equestrian Games and 11 European Dressage Championships. She has won three bronze medals in team competitions at the European championships, and also competed at seven editions of the Dressage World Cup finals. Riding with Adequan Global Dressage Festival major sponsor Lövsta, Vilhelmson-Silfvén has been spending winters in Wellington for more than a decade and continues to shine at the AGDF. After placing eighth individually with Don Auriello at the 2016 Olympics in Rio and competing at the World Equestrian Games Tryon 2018, she is now focused on qualifying for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Incredible Talent From Around The World Competing This Season At Adequan Global Dressage Festival

Top Riders

The Adequan Global Dressage Festival, located at Equestrian Village at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, started the 2020 season off with a bang, welcoming top horse-and-rider combinations from around the world to the iconic venue in the heart of Wellington’s equestrian community.

As one of the three Olympic equestrian disciplines, dressage has become a staple of the horse show circuit in South Florida from January through March. The AGDF has steadily grown into one of the most competitive proving grounds in North America, as established combinations and rising stars showcase their talents across the 10-week international circuit.

The Friday Night Stars series has become one of the most popular competition evenings in Wellington during the winter, hosting FEI Grand Prix Freestyle competition under the lights at Equestrian Village. Beginning at 7 p.m., Friday Night Stars offers spectators the opportunity to watch some of the world’s top combinations compete their choreographed routines to musical variations of all genres. General admission is free to the public each Friday evening, and parking is $10 per car.

The 2020 AGDF season began Thursday, Jan. 9 with the first FEI World Cup Qualifier (CDI-W) of 2020, which saw Team Canada’s Jill Irving and Degas 12 set the tone for the season with a stunning performance under the lights. AGDF 1 also launched the inaugural Lövsta Future Challenge Series, which offers young horses a unique opportunity to grow, excel and showcase their talents in the $15,000 Lövsta Future Challenge/Young Horse Grand Prix series and the $10,000 Summit Farm Future Challenge/Young Horse Prix St. Georges series. Both series will have qualifiers throughout the AGDF, with the final to be held during the 12th and final week of the 2020 AGDF.

“We anticipate the 2020 AGDF season to be especially competitive this year for the riders and their horses, as we’re seeing many combinations return to the competition ring in anticipation of the Olympics in Tokyo,” said Thomas Baur, director of sport at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. “Each year, we’ve seen tremendous growth in the popularity of the circuit, and the projections are showing a continued increase in participation, which is very exciting for our management team. We are looking forward to welcoming more spectators and attendees to experience the talents of these incredible riders.”

The first week of the circuit hosted CPEDI 3* competition, which served as one of two international competition weeks for para-equestrian riders. These spectacular athletes compete across five different grade categories, based upon the degree of their physical disabilities. Para-equestrian athletes complete pre-designed tests, the same as able-bodied riders, which range in difficulty based on the grade of competition. Team USA had a very successful para-equestrian showing at the World Equestrian Games, medaling for the first time in program history, as Rebecca Hart captured a bronze medal individually. The second CPEDI 3* week of the 2020 season took place during AGDF 3 held Jan. 22-26.

The third week of the circuit welcomed the popular US PRE-sponsored week of CDI-W classes at the venue for international competitors, pushing the main stretch of the internationally sanctioned competition. The week honored the presence and popularity of the Spanish-bred horse within the dressage community in the United States and around the world.

National-level competition took centerstage during AGDF 6 (Feb. 14-16), before the start of the highly anticipated CDI 5* held during AGDF 7 (Feb. 19-23), the highest and most prestigious designation of competition offered during the 2020 season. The CDI 5* entertained audiences throughout the week as some of the world’s most renowned dressage athletes showcased their talents at the highest levels of the sport.

The season continued forward with AGDF 8 (Feb. 26 through March 1), welcoming the historic Palm Beach Dressage Derby, a staple of the South Florida dressage scene for nearly four decades. The week featured CDI-W competition and included the final round of the entertaining Palm Beach Dressage Derby competition during the midway point of the Friday Night Stars Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W.

The Palm Beach Dressage Derby is a highlight for spectators, as four top-level riders compete against each other on horses they’ve never ridden before in a knockout-style format. Riders who receive the highest scores will advance to the final round, taking place under the lights in an electric atmosphere at Equestrian Village during the Grand Prix Freestyle, where the 2020 winner will be crowned. 

CDI competition continues with AGDF 10 (March 11-15) as the FEI Nations Cup CDIO 3*, presented by Stillpoint Farm, begins. Serving as the only non-championship CDIO 3* in the western hemisphere, this competition is one of the pinnacle weeks of AGDF competition. Riders represent their countries on teams of three or four and compete for top honors in one of North America’s premier competitions. 

AGDF 11 (March 20-22) will welcome star Isabell Werth back to host her second clinic at the venue on Friday, March 20. The clinic will feature different horse-and-rider combinations, who will receive personal and engaging feedback and instruction from Werth, the most decorated equestrian Olympian of our time. The clinic will be one of the major highlights of the week, and also the season at Equestrian Village.

The AGDF is set to conclude with AGDF 12 (March 25-29) with the final international competition of the season, the CDI-W, presented by Douglas Elliman Real Estate. The CDI-W provides riders with their final opportunity to take to the international arena in 2020. AGDF 12 will mark the final Friday Night Stars FEI Grand Prix Freestyle of the season on Friday, March 27.

Equestrian Village at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center is located at 13500 South Shore Blvd. in Wellington. To learn more about the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, and to view a full weekly and daily schedule of competition, visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

Dedicated Supporters Spur Growth Of Dressage
Circuit In Wellington

AGDF Sponsors

Since the inception of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, the venue has seen riders, trainers and spectators flock from around the world to the winter heartbeat of the international dressage circuit.

As one of the only outdoor circuits available to riders in the world from January through March, the AGDF is enticing not only for riders, but an array of sponsors who continue to ensure its success.

The sport of dressage has a loyal and dedicated following, paralleling the passion of sponsors who are motivated to see the sport continue on its upward trajectory of popularity in the United States and around the world. Sponsors have been a driving factor in the rapid expansion of the circuit. Their presence and support have created a safe haven for both amateurs and professionals to perfect their skills at PBIEC’s Equestrian Village during the dressage season.

“The growth of the AGDF circuit over the past several years has been tremendous, and that is very much in part to our sponsorship portfolio and their engagement of our vision for dressage in Wellington,” said Michael Stone, president of Equestrian Sport Productions, the company that manages the dressage circuit. “Without these sponsors, it would be impossible to create the atmosphere we have for our competitors, and we are incredibly thankful for their continued support.”

The AGDF was founded by a fervent group of dressage enthusiasts, who approached Mark Bellissimo, the CEO of Equestrian Sport Productions and the managing partner of Wellington Equestrian Partners, with the idea of creating a legacy for the sport in the heart of Wellington, alongside its sister discipline of show jumping.

Bellissimo, eager to continue expanding the equestrian footprint in Wellington and create an environment for all riders to compete and succeed, immediately began planning and consulting. The result is the massive AGDF circuit, which is now the largest dressage circuit, distributing more prize money than any other competition in the world and sporting the envious backdrop of palm trees and sunshine.

The AGDF thanks the following sponsors for their continued support of the circuit:

Founding Sponsors — Ashley Holzer & Dr. Diane Fellows, Bethany Peslar of Everglades Dressage, Betsy Juliano and Havensafe Farm, Carol and Rebecca Cohen of Two Swans Farm LLC, Janne Rumbough and MTICA Farm, Mike and Roz Collins, Suhail and P.J. Rizvi and Peacock Ridge, and Tim and Susie Dutta and the Dutta Corp.

Major Sponsors — Blue Horse, CaptiveOne Advisors, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, Fair Sky Farm, Fritz Kundrun giving to Brooke USA, Harmony Sporthorses, Helgstrand Dressage, Lövtsa, Mission Control, Palm Beach Equine Clinic, Premier Equestrian, Rolex, Summit Farm and Wellington Agricultural Services.

Corporate Sponsors — AA, Carolina Arena Equipment, Dever Golf Cars, Discover Dressage, Everglades Farm Equipment, Gold Coast Feed & Nutrition, Horseboxes USA, Horse of Course, Horseware Ireland, Iron Spring Farm, Keyes Art Gallery, Realtor Matt Johnson, N2 Saddlery, Nutrena, Omega Alpha, Oxy-Gen, ProElite, Restylane, Show Chic, SP Rhodes Equestrian Identity, the Wanderers Club, Triple Crown Custom by Horseware, Triple Crown Nutrition, Vita Flex and Wellington Regional Medical Center.

Visit www.globaldressagefestival.com for more information about the Adequan Global Dressage Festival and to learn more about AGDF sponsorships.