Wellington, FL – February 24, 2017 – Laura Graves (USA) and Verdades were victorious in their third “Friday Night Stars” of the season in the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W, presented by The Axel Johnson Group on Friday, February 24, during the seventh week of competition at the 2017 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, FL.

Watch the winning freestyle ride for Laura Graves and Verdades!

AGDF 7 runs from February 22-26 and features CDI-W competition, presented by The Axel Johnson Group, and FEI Small Tour competition, presented by Wellington Regional Medical Center, held at Equestrian Village at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC).

Laura Graves (USA) and Verdades, a 2002 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Florett AS x Liwilarda) owned by Graves, took charge in the Global Arena this week, coming out on the top of the leaderboard yet again, with a winning score of 81.903%.

“Tonight he was hot, maybe hotter than he’s been the past two shows, so that was a bit challenging, and we have yet to ride a completely clean freestyle this year,” said Graves. “That’s definitely a focus going into March, but this horse does a fantastic job even when he’s hot and maybe a little spooky. He never lets me down, and he gets really excited when he’s about to go in. He knows when it’s his turn, and I love that about him.”

This is Graves’ and Verdades’ fifth score in a row of 80% or higher in FEI Large Tour competition.

Laura Graves and Verdades in their winning presentation with Antonia Ax:son Johnson of The Axel Johnson Group, Allyn Mann of Adequan®, judge Isabel Wessels, and Cora Causemann of AGDF.

Placing second and third to Graves in the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W were her fellow 2016 Olympic teammates and bronze medalists, Kasey Perry-Glass and Steffen Peters.

Graves commented on her relationship with her teammates, “It’s so fun to have everyone back together and [to see] friendly faces. We are all so competitive; we’re all out there riding for two spots for the FEI World Cup (Finals). It doesn’t affect our relationships outside of that. It’s amazing to have friends that can compete against each other and want the best for each other. I just wish Steffen didn’t live in California.”

Perry-Glass and Goerklintgaards Dublet, a 2003 Danish Warmblood gelding (Diamond Hit x La Costa x Olympic Ferro) owned by Diane Perry, placed second with a 79.541%.

Click here to see the freestyle test for Kasey and Dublet!

Perry-Glass commented on her ride with Dublet, “I was expecting a little bit of a nervous horse today. Debbie McDonald and I have been working tirelessly on his relaxation, and he proved it tonight. All of our hard work and dedication [is] to that, to his happiness in the ring. He showed me tonight that he has more in him and that he loves his job. I really liked our piaffe passage tour. Everything about the test was fun for me.”

Kasey Perry-Glass and Goerklintgaards Dublet

Peters rode Rosamunde, a 2007 Rhinelander mare (Rock Forever x First Lady) owned by Four Winds Farm, to third place, scoring 78.732%.

“Of course she still had more energy than I was hoping for, but it was controllable,” said Peters. “The flying changes were better this time. (There was) a bit of an exuberant transition to the canter in the beginning, but what a good girl. She tried extremely hard.”

Commenting on the possibility of a competition spot for the 2017 FEI World Cup Finals in Omaha, NE, Peters continued, “We will see what happens from here. The bottom line is, those are two extremely exciting World Cup candidates. If we happen to get a wild card, in that case, ‘Rosie’ and I will be ready.”

Steffen Peters and Rosamunde

Judge at C, Isabel Wessels (GBR), spoke in regard to the rides she witnessed throughout the night.

“It was a really exciting competition to judge,” said Wessels. “I have to say, it was the first time I’ve done this new system, so it was nerve-wracking. I was blown away by the energy and scope of these three riders. They’re obviously good riders, but they have amazing horses. It’s just so lovely to sit there and think, ‘Oh should I give it a 9 or maybe a 10.’ It’s that type of judging where you can really find the high marks.”

Steffen Peters and Bailarino

Earlier in the day, Steffen Peters (USA) and Bailarino, a 2008 Oldenburg gelding (Breitling x Schila x De Niro) owned by Four Winds Farm, earned a victory in the FEI Intermediate I CDI 1*, presented by Wellington Regional Medical Center, with a score of 74.649%. Second place was awarded to Jaimey Irwin (CAN) and Donegal V, a 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Johnston x Remy x Gribaldi) owned by Team Irwin Supporters Group, with a 74.123%. Third place went to Tina Irwin (CAN) and Laurencio, a 2007 Oldenburg gelding (Laurentio x Pasadena x Donerhall) owned by Irwin, with a score of 73.860%.

Steffen Peters and Bailarino in their winning presentation with Cora Causemann of AGDF, judge Peter Storr, and Allyn Mann of Adequan®.

Competition at AGDF will continue tomorrow witha full schedule of classes, including the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI-W, presented by The Axel Johnson Group, and the FEI Young Rider Individual CDIY, presented by Yeguada de Ymas. 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 The Axel Johnson Group
Place, Rider, Nationality, Horse, Horse Information: Judge E%, Judge H%, Judge C%, Judge M%, Judge B%, Total %

1. Laura Graves (USA), Verdades, 2002 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Florett AS x Liwilarda, owned by Laura Graves: 81.065%, 83.275%, 82.775%, 82.675%, 79.725%, 81.903%

2. Kasey Perry-Glass (USA), Goerklintgaards Dublet, 2003 Danish Warmblood gelding by Diamond Hit x La Costa x Olympic Ferro, owned by Diane Perry: 79.640%, 81.495%, 79.390%, 80.225%, 76.955%, 79.541%

3. Steffen Peters (USA), Rosamunde, 2007 Rhinelander mare by Rock Forever x First Lady, owned by Four Winds Farm: 78.360%, 79.005%, 80.790%, 79.645%, 75.860%, 78.732%

4. Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven (SWE), Paridon Magi, 2003 Swedish Warmblood gelding by Don Primero x Napoli x Napoleon 625, owned by Lövsta Stuteri: 76.560%, 78.380%, 79.065%, 75.065%, 75.520%, 76.918%

5. Dawn White-O’Connor (USA), Legolas 92, 2002 Westfalen gelding by Laomedon x Furstin x Florestan II, owned by Four Winds Farm: 75.160%, 77.650%, 78.190%, 75.955%, 74.500%, 76.291%

6. Charlotte Jorst (USA), Kastel’s Nintendo, 2003 KWPN stallion by Negro x Rodieni R x Monaco, owned by Kastel Denmark: 73.100%, 74.370%, 74.780%, 73.890%, 73.230%, 73.874%

7. Jan Ebeling (USA), FRH Rassolini, 2003 Hanoverian stallion by Rubioso N x Sweetheart, owned by Vantage Equestrian Group: 73.780%, 73.200%, 75.215%, 74.600%, 72.100%, 73.779%

8. P.J. Rizvi (USA), Breaking Dawn, 2001 KWPN gelding by Akribori x Eveline x L. Ronald, owned by P.J. Rizvi: 73.995%, 73.065%, 71.740%, 74.055%, 71.420%, 72.855%

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