Competition for the AGDF 8 Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI W continued on Saturday with the FEI Intermediaire-1 and FEI Grand Prix Freestyle, presented by Martha W. Jolicoeur and Maria Mendelsohn of Illustrated Properties. The FEI Intermediaire-1 was topped by Olivia LaGoy-Weltz (USA) and Rassing’s Lonoir, while Adrienne Lyle and Wizard were back in the winner’s circle for the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle. In addition to the dressage competition, spectators were treated to musical entertainment from talented young singer Kristin Sponica of the Frost School of Music at University of Miami, accompanied by Danielle Werz on keyboard, in addition to an American Mustang exhibition. Competition for the Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI W concludes Sunday with the FEI Intermediaire-1 Freestyle and FEI Grand Prix Special. The FEI Grand Prix Special begins at 9 a.m. at The Stadium at PBIEC, followed by the FEI Intermediaire-1 Freestyle at approximately 12:20 p.m. Lyle (USA) and Wizard topped the class with a score of 76.525%, just edging out second place finisher Mikala Gundersen (DEN) and My Lady, who finished on a score of 76.125%. Cesar Parra (USA) and Van the Man were third with a score of 74.000%. Mary Ann and Walter McPhail, co-founders of the Palm Beach Dressage Derby, were pleased to see their beloved competition find a home at the AGDF. “We’re very happy that the derby has evolved again, and that we’re here on this beautiful showground, and we want to thank Mark Bellissimo and all the people that have made it possible for us to be here. We appreciate it,” Mary Ann McPhail expressed. Mark Bellissimo, CEO of Equestrian Sport Productions, was equally happy to have salvaged the Palm Beach Dressage Derby. “It’s such an amazing legacy event in this area. The whole crew that was behind this should be proud that they did this. They were the inspiration for dressage in this community, and it’s a leadership role in this country,” Bellissimo remarked. Bellissimo also thanked Allyn Mann of Adequan for believing in his vision of creating a world-class dressage facility in Wellington, a vision that now includes the Palm Beach Dressage Derby “I think [the McPhails] are the inspiration and vision behind dressage [in Wellington]. I’m honored to be able to continue that vision for them with our team,” Bellissimo explained, “and it was Allyn Mann and Adequan that shared our vision for this place.” Lyle acknowledged that Wizard was a little on the hot side for their freestyle, but their test still went incredibly well. © Jennifer Wood
