For the second time early in the 2015 season, Lars Petersen of Denmark and Mariett, a 17-year-old Danish Warmblood mare, rose to the top of the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival “Friday Night Stars” FEI Grand Prix Freestyle class. The duo scored a 75.32 percent to take the class, with Shelly Francis of the U.S. placing second on a 74.50 percent aboard Doktor, and fellow Danish rider Mikala Gundersen and My Lady coming in third with a 73.85 percent. More than 1,400 people filled the stands, a record high this early in the season. Petersen and Mariett are coming fresh off of a win in the FEI Grand Prix class on Jan. 22, giving them two major wins at Week 3 of AGDF competition. “I was very happy with her. She is feeling great and scored very well today,” stated Petersen. “I thought her changes were very good and her piaffes as well. For me, it is not so much about the movements, but the rideability and the basics. She is really starting to get better there.” My Lady also performed a lovely test and Gundersen only hopes to see her scores improve as they aim for FEI World Cup qualifications. “She was very tense in the warm-up and was scared of everything. She was not very focused, but as soon as her music comes on she knows exactly what to do,” smiled Gundersen. “She has the music memorized, and I think it is very cool that she is so in-tune with what is going on.” Judge Hans-Christian Mattiesen also expressed his gratitude and excitement for being able to be a part of the growing AGDF circuit. “I would like to congratulate everyone behind this show, it is really great. We can certainly learn a lot from this show back in Europe, the way you create this wonderful atmosphere. It is great being able to judge such a high performing class,” he commented and continued to explain how a competition like AGDF will continue to positively impact the growth of the sport in the United States. Several awards were given throughout the night, highlighting the commitment of owners and recognizing high scoring performances throughout the week at AGDF. The Best Owner Award for Overall Highest Score in the National Show presented by Jill Irving, was awarded to Farah Rizvi for her outstanding performance at the national competition in the USEF First Level Pony JR/YR classes aboard Prince Z. Jill Irving also presented the FEI Prix St. Georges Owner Award to the winner of the class, which was awarded to Alice Womble-Heitman and Dr. Mike Heitman, as their 2006 Hanoverian stallion, Sanceo, topped the FEI Prix St. Georges class presented by Chesapeake Dressage Institute. Marcia Pepper, owner of Mariett, took home the Best Owner Award for the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle presented by Wellington Equestrian Realty for the second time. Lars Petersen and Mariett also were awarded that Adequan® High Score Award for the Grand Prix Freestyle. Earlier in the day, the FEI Prix St. Georges class sponsored by the Chesapeake Dressage Institute concluded, as it continued over two days due to the large number of entries. U.S. rider Sabine Schut-Kery topped the large class of 48 aboard the 9-year-old Hanoverian stallion Sanceo, scoring a 71.18 percent. She was followed by Kasey Perry of the USA riding Goerklintgaards Dublet receiving a 70.94 percent and U.S. rider Tina Konyot taking third aboard Wyoming with a 70.92 percent. Schut-Kery was thrilled that the pair finished atop the largest class this season at AGDF. “It feels amazing to come out on top in a competition like this. It makes it very exciting, but also helps to keep me focused and in my zone,” she said. “I am always trying to find the words to fit how proud I am of him. I love the consistency he gives me and that is what I always strive for in the partnerships with my horses.” The environment, which gives riders many opportunities to expose their horses to new things, is an aspect of the competition that Schut-Kery finds very helpful with Sanceo, “The environment here is so grand and with so many quality riders it is truly a great experience,” she continued. “I just want to make sure that I am not doing too much and finding that perfect balance.” Final Results: FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI W, presented by US P.R.E. Association Place, Rider, Nationality, Horse, Horse Information: Judge E, Judge H, Judge C, Judge M, Judge B, Total 1. Lars Petersen (DEN), Mariett, 1998 Danish Warmblood mare: 76.125%, 75.000%, 75.750%, 75.500%, 74.250%, 75.325% 2. Shelly Francis (USA), Doktor, 2003 Oldenburg gelding: 73.375%, 76.125%, 74.375%, 74.000%, 74.625%, 74.500% 3. Mikala Gundersen (DEN), My Lady, 2000 Danish Warmblood mare: 73.875%, 73.750%, 75.125%, 76.000%, 70.500%, 73.850% 4. Karen Pavicic (CAN), Don Daiquiri, 2002 Oldenburg gelding: 74.375%, 71.000%, 73.375%, 73.750%, 70.875%, 72.675% 5. Arlene Page (USA), Alina, 1998 Danish Warmblood mare: 70.750%, 72,875%, 73.375%, 73.125%, 71.750%, 72.375% 6. Jaqueline Brooks (CAN), DeNiro, 1999 Swedish Warmblood gelding: 73.875%, 71.875% 71.625%, 72.500%, 71.750%, 72.325% 7. Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven (SWE), Benetton Dream, 2004 Hanoverian stallion: 69.875%, 70.875%, 69.250%, 72.250%, 68.750%, 70.200% 8. Kelly Lane (AUS), Udon P, 2001 Dutch Warmblood gelding: 68.875%, 71.000%, 71.875%, 66.875%, 69.000%, 69.525% Final Results: FEI Prix St. Georges CDI W, presented by Chesapeake Dressage Institute Place, Rider, Nationality, Horse, Horse Information: Judge E, Judge H, Judge C, Judge M, Judge B, Total 1. Sabine Schut-Kery (USA), Sanceo, 2006 Hanoverian stallion: 68.553%, 74.211%, 72.105%, 70.000%, 71.0535%, 71.184% 2. Kasey Perry (USA), Goerklintgaards Dublet, 2003 Danish Warmblood gelding: 70.000%, 68.816%, 72.500%, 70.526%, 72.895%, 70.947% 3. Tina Konyot (USA), Wyoming, 2001 Hanoverian gelding: 73.816%, 71.579%, 69.474%, 68.289%, 71.447%, 70.921% 4. Michael Klimke (GER), Fineliner 2, 2006 Westphalian gelding: 69.079%, 73.158%, 69.605%, 69.342%, 71.316%, 70.500% 5. Kim Herslow (USA), Rosmarin, 2005 Hanoverian gelding: 70.395%, 71.974%, 69.605%, 67.895%, 67.763%, 69.526% 6.Christoph Koschel (GER), Leuchtfeurer DE, 2003 Hanoverian gelding: 68.158%, 69.605%, 68.026%, 69.342%, 71.316%, 69.289% 7. Megan Lane (CAN), San D’Or, 2006 Westphalian gelding: 70.132%, 67.763%, 70.000%, 65.658%, 66.316%, 67.974% 8. Olivia LaGoy-Weltz (USA), Rassing’s Lonoir, 2004 Danish Warmblood gelding: 67.105%, 67.500%, 67.237%, 66.974%, 68.816%, 67.526%
