Wellington, FL – March 4, 2017 – Kasey Perry-Glass (USA) and Goerklintgaards Dublet achieved a win and their second FEI World Cup Finals qualifying score during Saturday night’s FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W, presented by Everglades Dressage, at the 2017 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, FL.

AGDF 8 concludes on March 5 and features the Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W and FEI Grand Prix Freestyle, presented by Everglades Dressage; FEI Grand Prix and FEI Grand Prix Special, presented by Peacock Ridge, and the FEI Small Tour, presented by Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center.

“[My trainer] Debbie [McDonald] and I have been working really hard on his performance in the ring, and it just seems to get better and better,” said Perry-Glass. “We are slowly getting there and I try not to pressure him too hard. He’s still growing. But to win tonight, it felt good. It felt like I could finally breathe.”

“My choreography was created by Adrienne Lyle,” said Perry-Glass of her freestyle choices. “She did the whole thing, and I’m so blessed to have her as a friend. Tom Hunt did my music. He is also the creator of Charlotte Dujardin’s music. I’ve been working with him for four years now. He just wanted something very special for Dublet, and I think he nailed it.”

“I am so excited for Omaha,” said an emotional Perry-Glass. “I get to hopefully go with two of my Olympic teammates, and this is my first FEI World Cup so I’m over the moon about it. It wouldn’t be possible without Debbie McDonald, or my mom and husband and my dad. I’m just very lucky. I have a really good horse, and they all just make it a very positive experience for me.”

Tonight, was Hickok’s first Freestyle under the lights in the open division. “We really came into tonight with no expectations,” said Hickok. “We just wanted to have a good, clean test, and I think we achieved that. To be sitting next to these two whom I look up to so much, is just great.”

Shelly Francis (USA) and Doktor, a 2003 Oldenburg gelding (Diamond Hit x Gurena x Renoir I) owned by Patricia Stempel, took third place with a score of 75.565%.

Francis also rides to a freestyle created by Whitaker. “My music is from the movie “Big”. I helped with the choreography because my horse is kind of handy when he’s not too nervous. The music suits him as well; it’s fun.”

Judge at C, Christof Umbach (LUX) noted, “We had a very clear winner this evening. The other top four placings were very close, and all of the riders really fought for their marks. Compared to last week, all of the riders have improved. It was a super evening.”

Endel Ots, from sponsor Everglades Dressage, commented, “We really love supporting the dressage world quietly and from behind the scenes, and I think it’s so awesome to have one of our riders (Hickok) also place in the top three. We really love being here and supporting the sport.”

Round one was a match up against defending champion Chris Von Martels (CAN) and Christoph Koschel (GER), riding Truhana De Ymas, a 2009 PRE mare (Envidiado De Ymas x Nicaragua III) owned by Yeguada de Ymas S.L. Ultimately Koschel came on the top with a score of 69.605%, knocking the last year’s winner out of the competition. Juan Matute Guimon (ESP) and Mikala Munter Gundersen (DEN) competed in round one on Action Ace, a 2005 DWB gelding (Ijsselmeer x Promised) owned by Janice Murdoch. Munter Gundersen won the round with a 69.474%.

The final round brought excitement to the Global Arena as Koschel rode a well-executed test, clinching the win with a score of 72.588%.

“This is always special in an atmosphere like this,” said Koschel. “I don’t know if this horse was ever in an atmosphere like this so you don’t know what you get or what you can expect. I think it was a perfect horse for this final because he was very, very honest and nice to ride, and it made it easier for both of us.”

Munter Gundersen added, “The horse has not been in an atmosphere like this before. I was happy that Chris went first, so if the horse was going to be spooky, [it was] with him and really nice with me! He was really great with both of us though, and I had a super clean test with only a few mistakes in my three-tempis. It takes a special horse to go in there with strange riders and be so nice.”

AGDF Director of Sport, Thomas Baur concluded the evening by stating, “This was the first time we had the derby under the lights. It was also the first time we used the Spectator Judging app for the overall result, and it worked out quite well. We are going to continue to do that and are looking forward to the coming years.”

Competition at AGDF will continue tomorrow with a full schedule of classes, including the FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle CDI 1*, presented by Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center. For more information and to see a full list of results, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

Final Results: FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W, presented by Everglades Dressage
Place, Rider, Nationality, Horse, Horse Information: Judge E%, Judge H%, Judge C%, Judge M%, Judge B%, Total %

1. Kasey Perry-Glass (USA), Goerklintgaards Dublet, 2003 Danish Warmblood gelding by Diamond Hit x La Costa x Olympic Ferro, owned by Diane Perry: 80.450%, 81.150%, 78.450%, 81.550%, 82.425%, 80.805%

2. Chase Hickok (USA), Sagacious HF, 1999 KWPN gelding by Welt Hit II x Judith x Cocktail, owned by Hyperion Farm Inc: 72.825%, 77.650%, 76.075%, 74.775%, 76.775%, 75.620%

3. Shelly Francis (USA), Doktor, 2003 Oldenburg gelding by Diamond Hit x Gurena x Renoir I, owned by Patricia Stempel: 77.200%, 73.350%, 76.025%, 75.650%, 75.600%, 75.565%

4. Kelly Layne (AUS), Udon P, 2001 KWPN gelding by Hierarch x Maleida x Uniform, owned by Whistlejacket Farm LLC: 72.675%, 71.475%, 73.775%, 74.175%, 72.575%, 72.935%

5. Jill Irving (CAN), Degas 12, 2002 Hanoverian gelding by De Niro x Rosana M x Regazonni, owned by Jill Irving: 71.500%, 72.100%, 73.025%, 72.300%, 71.150%, 72.015%

6. Jan Ebeling (USA), FRH Rassolini, 2003 Hanoverian stallion by Rubioso N x Sweetheart, owned by Vantage Equestrian Group: 69.200%, 67.625%, 73.150%, 73.375%, 73.025%, 71.275%

7. Susanne Hamilton (USA), Lord Locksley, 2001 Trakehner stallion by Unkenruf x Lida x Enrico Caruso, owned by Margaret Stevens: 58.500%, 67.200%, 65.250%, 65.725%, 63.825%, 64.100%

8. Ellesse Tzinberg (PHI), Triviant 2, 2000 KWPN gelding by Olivi x Diant x Saluut, owned by Ellesse Tzinberg: 62.500%, 61.875%, 60.000%, 63.375%, 59.050%, 61.360%

Photo Credit: ©SusanJStickle . These photos may only be used once in relation to this press release with credit.