March 15, 2016 – The Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) welcomes back international competition this week to Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) as the facility prepares to host the AGDF 10 CDI 4* presented by Havensafe Farm, CDI 3* presented by The Dutta Corporation, and CDI 1* presented by Mike & Roz Collins. The 2016 Florida International Youth Dressage Championships, presented by the Davis family, Kim Boyer, Dressage 4 Kids, and the Kane Family, will run in conjunction with the CDI 4*/3*/1* competition throughout the week, allowing top young riders the opportunity to compete in a major international setting at AGDF. Competition will begin tomorrow, Wednesday, March 16, and continue through Sunday, March 20. The AGDF 10 “Friday Night Stars” FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI 4*, presented by Havensafe Farm, will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 18.
The CDI 4* will begin Wednesday, March 16, as the FEI Grand Prix presented by Havensafe Farm will commence in The Stadium at PBIEC promptly at 3:00 p.m. The FEI Prix St. Georges CDI 1*, presented by Mike & Roz Collins, will begin at 8:00 a.m. prior to Grand Prix competition on March 16. The FEI CDI 3* presented by The Dutta Corporation will begin on Thursday, March 17, at 1:25 p.m. with the FEI Grand Prix, preceded by the FEI Intermediaire I, presented by Mike & Roz Collins.
Both FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI 4*/3* classes are set to take place on Friday, March 18, with the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI 3* scheduled to finish just before the start of the popular “Friday Night Stars” FEI Grand Prix Freestyle under the lights at 7:00 p.m. The FEI Grand Prix Special CDI 4*/3* classes will highlight competition on Saturday, March 19, beginning at 11:00 a.m., with the FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle CDI 1* concluding competition on Sunday, March 20.
In one of the largest international competitions ever hosted outside of Europe, more than 140 FEI entries jogged before the judging panel on Tuesday afternoon. The 2016 season at AGDF has developed into one of the most competitive dressage destinations in the world. The event this week will focus not only on the accomplishments of professionals and amateur riders, but also young competitors excelling in the sport, as the largest group of entries was submitted for the 2016 Florida International Youth Dressage Championships.
Showcasing riders in the Under 25, Young Rider, Junior, and Pony divisions, the 2016 Florida International Youth Dressage Championships offer a growing platform for young riders wishing to compete at the international levels of the sport, brining them to the forefront of one of the world’s largest dressage competitions. As the sport continues to expand as an equestrian discipline around the world and entry numbers for the competition continue to increase this year, a massive FEI Young Rider division will highlight the week, boasting 24 entries, the largest Young Rider division in the history of AGDF. Competitors from around the globe are set to take to The Stadium at PBIEC representing nations from North America, South America, and Europe.
“We’re very proud of the growth and expansion this show has seen over the past few years, and the representation this year in the Florida International Youth Dressage Championships attests to that,” said Thomas Baur, Director of Sport for AGDF. “This is the first step for many of these riders pursuing the FEI Grand Prix level, especially the individuals we will see in the Young Rider division. We’re honored to host this championship and are thankful to our sponsors Kim Boyer, the Davis family, the Kane family, and Lendon Gray for their continued efforts each year.”
In the four FEI divisions offered to riders competing in the Florida International Youth Dressage Championships this year, there are great numbers of competitors expected to compete, including: two competitors in the FEI Pony Rider division, eleven riders in the FEI Junior Rider division, 24 entries in the FEI Young Rider division, and eight combinations contesting the FEI Intermediaire II 16-25 division.
Top-ranked U.S. rider Barbara “Bebe” Davis, currently ranked 7th in the FEI Young Rider World Rankings list, will compete two mounts, Feivel Mousekewitz, owned by Michael Davis, in the FEI Young Rider division, and Equestricon’s Carrera, owned by Antonia Arl, in the FEI Intermediaire II 16-25 division. Juan Matute Jr. (ESP) who has dominated in both the Large Tour and Small Tour classes at AGDF this season, will compete Dhannie Ymas, owned by Yeguada de Ymas S.L., in the FEI Young Rider division as well, looking to add another win to his already successful campaign this season. Felicitas Hendrix (GER), currently ranked #3 in the world on the FEI Junior Rider list on Faible AS, will also compete, while Diana Porsche (AUT), ranked third on the Under 25 FEI World Rankings list, will compete in both the FEI Young Rider division and FEI Intermediaire 16-25 division aboard Porsche’s Eloy and Di Sandro.
This is the fourth year the Florida International Youth Dressage Championships will be hosted by AGDF and the competition is organized by Equestrian Sport Productions. For more information on the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF), the 2016 Florida International Youth Dressage Championships, and competition this week, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.
