Experience The Graceful Sport Of Dressage At AGDF
When the Adequan Global Dressage Festival began four years ago, the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center was known for show jumping. Since 2012, the dressage festival has grown in size and stature, now rivaling its complimentary show jumping circuit, the Winter Equestrian Festival. Both are managed by Equestrian Sport Productions.
The AGDF has seven internationally rated CDI weeks, among them a CDI 5*, the highest ranking an event can have for international equestrian sports, and a CDIO 3*, which hosts an FEI Nations Cup, where teams of riders represent their countries in competition.
This year’s AGDF opened on Jan. 14 and continues until April 2 at the Stadium at PBIEC. Event organizers are thankful that the local community and equestrians alike have embraced dressage in Wellington.
“We continue to be very excited, and this venue has lived up to our expectations, but also exceeded them in terms of what we believed could occur here,” Equestrian Sport Productions CEO Mark Bellissimo said. “The sponsorship is great, the prize money is great and we’re attracting riders from all over the world. We really appreciate the owners, sponsors, riders and everyone who has made this possible. It really is a breath of fresh air for dressage in this country.”
At the AGDF, some of the top horse/rider combinations in the world compete, including Olympians and championship medalists. The first two weeks of the circuit were FEI World Cup qualifiers, where riders gain valuable scores to try to book their ticket to the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Finals in March in Gothenburg, Sweden. The CDI 5*, presented by Diamante Farms, is one week that attracts the best of the best to compete at the highest level.
In March, the AGDF will host three more of its biggest weeks: the Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W, presented by Everglades Dressage, on March 3-6; the CDI 4*, presented by Havensafe Farm, on March 17-20; and the CDIO3*, featuring the Stillpoint Farm FEI Nations Cup, on March 30 through April 2.
Showcasing a horse’s incredible ability to do technical and powerful movements with the slightest aids, dressage is artistic as well as athletic. At the Grand Prix level, the horse and rider must perform difficult movements, including the pirouette, passage, piaffe and flying lead changes. All of these movements and the overall feel of the test are scored by five judges, and those points are tallied for an average score.
Each year, the buzz around dressage has grown, and many spectators enjoy watching the Friday Night Stars events, which feature the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle. Special musical acts bookend amazing dressage performances.
In the Freestyle class, riders make up their own choreography to the music of their choice. They must still incorporate all of the movements of the Grand Prix test, and are judged on the movements plus the artistic component of how well they flow with the music.
Many people can be seen tapping their feet to the music of Adele, Coldplay, the Rolling Stones and other popular music, or swaying to impressive orchestral compilations. Some riders choose to use music that represents their country of origin.
At the second CDI event of the 2016 season, the numbers in the top level of the sport of dressage showed just how popular the AGDF has become. An incredible 50 pairs showed up to compete in the FEI Grand Prix. Riders from 15 nations competed for top honors, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, Georgia, Germany, Great Britain, the Philippines, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Spain, Sweden and the United States.
“We are quite excited about this season because we see a true international competition here with 15 flags already, and we’re expecting that number to grow throughout the season,” AGDF Director of Sport Thomas Baur said. “It’s the first time that we have seen a rider from Asia, as well as the first rider from Africa will come to join us.”
AGDF Judge Natalie Lamping has been impressed by the wonderful turnout for Friday Night Stars. “It’s wonderful for the sport,” she said. “To see the bleachers, the pavilion here, the [tent on the] end full, people were wall to wall. That’s wonderful, and it’s just going to get bigger.”
Allyn Mann of title sponsor Adequan is proud to support the growing dressage circuit. “To envision this, we’re all blessed beyond our wildest dreams. These riders here are at the top of the sport,” Mann said. “When you have an operation and a facility like this, with people dedicated to making it one of the most enjoyable experiences in the dressage world, it’s a dream come true. We’re very humbled that we can participate.”
While Friday nights garner crowds, people can enjoy dressage all day from Thursday through Sunday during CDI events in multiple arenas. Enjoy watching young riders, young horses and combinations at every level compete in the sport of dressage. Food vendors are available, and there is shopping on Vendor Row. The AGDF offers a perfect way to introduce friends and family to the sport of dressage.
For those who want to see the next generation of riders, the entertaining AGDF Leadline Series offers up the perfect opportunity. Held at 5:30 p.m. before Friday Night Stars festivities, see the littlest riders take to the ring.
Everyone is welcome at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center to enjoy the spirit of the horse and to learn and embrace the sport of dressage. The Stadium at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center is located at 13550 South Shore Blvd. in Wellington.
For more information about the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, and to see a full schedule of competition, visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.
2016 Adequan Global Dressage Festival Upcoming Schedule
March 3-6: AGDF 8 Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W/1* and FEI Grand Prix Freestyle, presented by Everglades Dressage; FEI Grand Prix & Grand Prix Special, presented by Today’s Equestrian and Diane and George Fellows; and FEI Small Tour, presented by Peacock Ridge Farm.
March 17-20: AGDF 10 CDI 4* and FEI Grand Prix CDI 4*, presented by Havensafe Farm; CDI 3*, presented by the Dutta Corporation; and CDI 1*, presented by Mike and Roz Collins.
March 30 – April 2: AGDF 12 CDIO 3* featuring the Stillpoint Farm FEI Nations Cup, and FEI Large Tour, presented by Stillpoint Farm; CDI 3*, presented by Harmony Sporthorses; and CDI 1*, presented by YellowBird Farm.
Tentative schedule, subject to change. AGDF events are held at the Stadium at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, located at 13550 South Shore Blvd. in Wellington. For more information, call (561) 793-5867 or visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.
