(Phelps Media Group) – The Global Dressage Forum North America (GDFNA) launched the first day of the premier educational dressage experience in at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in Palm Beach County, presented by Wellington Classic Dressage and DressageClinic.com.

Andreas Stano, Executive Director and Founder of the GDFNA and DressageClinic.com, welcomed top international professionals from the U.K., Germany, Holland, Denmark and Canada, as well as spectators from as far away as Canada, Europe and New Zealand.

The program began with George Williams, president of the United States Dressage Federation, outlining the issues facing dressage in the U.S. today. “We need to protect dressage for the future,” Williams said, “and we must make it sustainable.”

He emphasized the importance of supporting the highest level of the sport and the key aspect education plays in the future.

Ashley Holzer, speaking on behalf of Dressage Canada, discussed the importance of athletes’ continued involvement in all aspects of the sport, especially rule changes. Holzer said that Canada formed a council of athletes to consider the future of the sport of dressage. “We have a unique opportunity coming up,” she said. “Toronto is the host of the Pan Am Games in 2015 (and hoping to host WEG in 2018). There is a great influx of government support and, hopefully, corporate support. I hope you’ll see Canada on the podium.”

The first lecturer of the afternoon was Dr. Juan Samper, author of the breeding resource “Equine Breeding Management and Artificial Insemination” that Stano described as “a bible for equine reproduction.” Samper is involved in developing a new technology that will allow breeders to choose the sex of a foal and said the testing of the technology is yielding very good results. “It will be available to everyone in a year or so,” he said.

Samper summarized the challenges in breeding dressage mares, touching on recent developments in breeding. “We breed the best to the best and hope for the best, and that’s what breeding is really all about,” he said.

The feature presentation of the afternoon was a discussion and training demonstration with United States dressage legend Steffen Peters, whom Stano described as “one of the most in-demand celebrities in the world.”

Peters said he was excited with the results of Friday’s Grand Prix CDI5* at World Dressage Masters Palm Beach, particularly with the strong performances of U.S. horses Legolas 92, ridden by Peters, and Paragon, ridden by Heather Blitz. “When was the last time that we had two horses from the United States that scored 74% and 75%?” he said. “For me, this was huge.”

He also mentioned the USEF Dressage Developing Program and Debbie McDonald’s role as Developing Coach as essential steps toward developing a pipeline of high-level riders.

After the clinic, a distinguished panel of international judges and competitors gave feedback on Peters’ instruction. Panel members Christoph Hess, Stephen Clarke, Wim Ernes, Gary Rockwell, Lendon Gray, Sue Blinks, and George Williams praised Peters’ training techniques and highlighted key concepts.

Peters stressed developing horses’ minds as well as their strength. “”I find it so important not just to engage the hindquarters but to engage the horse’s brain,” he said.

He also emphasized working with each horse as an individual. “We have to find the most productive frame for each horse to find the most consistent and light connection,” he explained. “It’s always about the connection. It’s never not about the connection.”

Then, Dr. Grant Moon, a six-time world champion farrier, spoke about the shoeing of competitive dressage horses. “The horse is our ultimate client,” he said, adding that the farrier’s job is to prevent injury and maximize the performance. He said that trimming is 90 percent of horseshoeing.

Dressage legend Arthur Kottas demonstrated work in hand for the dressage horse. After explaining proper turn-out, he showed rein-back, half-steps and piaffe. Kottas was calm and soothing while stressing trust for both the horse and rider. Afterward, panel members Anne Gribbons, Kathy Connelly, Betsy Steiner, Leslie Reid, Jan Ebeling, and Felicitas von Neumann-Cosel commented on the demonstration and asked Kottas questions about his techniques and theories.

Rudolf Zeilinger, coach of the Danish Olympic Team, spoke about the development of dressage horses. “There are a lot of things you can train in the young years, without pressure,” he said. He continued to say that if things are not going well in the training of a young horse, that often if you go back a step, things will improve and you can move forward in the training. He also stressed that when schooling movements, they should be practiced at different speeds and in different directions to keep the horse fresh.

The GDFNA continues today featuring demonstrations and lectures by Ingrid Klimke, Bo Jena, Stefan Stammer, Hilary Clayton, and Wolfram Wittig, as well as the presentation of the GDFNA Life Time Dressage Recognition Award to Klaus Balkenhol.

2013 Global Dressage Forum North America Fast Facts

What: A two-day educational program, January 28-29, 2013, featuring four lecturers, six clinicians and 12 panelists. Dressage training techniques for the development of horse and rider are analyzed and presented in both practical and theoretical sessions. Forum topics also include the latest developments in horse management, veterinary practices and sports sciences.

Where: The first annual GDFNA will be held at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, Okeeheelee Park South, 7500 Forest Hill Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL, www.pbcgov.com/parks/equestrian/jimbrandon/directions.htm

Schedule of events:
Monday, Jan. 28, 2013 Afternoon program 1:30 p.m.- 5:15 p.m.
Evening program 7:00 p.m.-10:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan 29, 2013 Afternoon program 1:00 p.m.- 5:30 p.m.
Evening program 7:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

For a complete schedule of events, log onto www.globaldressageforumna.com/event-program

Presented by:
DressageClinic.com and Wellington Classic Dressage
Andreas Stano, Executive Director, DressageClinic.com and Global Dressage Forum North
America
Noreen O’Sullivan, President, Wellington Classic Dressage

Sponsors:
Schleese Saddlery
Thin Line Products LLC

Website: www.GlobalDressageForumNA.com

Educators:
Clinicians: Ingrid Klimke, Steffen Peters, Wolfram Wittig and Rudolf Zeilinger, Arthur Kottas and Bo Jena will present and demonstrate theories, philosophies and methods on the training and development of dressage horses and riders.

Lecturers: Dr. Hilary Clayton-maintaining soundness in the dressage horse; Dr. Grant Moon-shoeing the competitive dressage horse; Dr. Ina Gosmeier-natural medicine and acupuncture for the sport horse; Dr. Juan Samper-the art and science of breeding a dressage horse.

Panelists: Christoph Hess, Stephen Clark, Wim Ernes, Gary Rockwell, Lendon Gray, Sue Blinks, Anne Gribbons, Kathy Connelly, Betsy Steiner, Leslie Reid, Jan Ebeling and Felicitas von Neumann Cosel.

Education Partners:
Dressageclinic.com members, members of USDF and Dressage Canada and select associations (including New England Dressage Association, Wisconsin Dressage & Combined Training Association, Georgia Dressage & Combined Training Association, Illinois Dressage & Combined Training Association, Gold Coast Dressage Association) will provide their members with a 15 percent discount. See websites for details.

Photo Courtesy of Phelps Media Group by Sue Stickle – Steffen Peters lecturing.

The Global Dressage Forum North America 2013 kicks off today at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in Loxahatchee, Florida. The event is presented by DressageClinic.com and Wellington Classic Dressage and is sponsored by Pineland Equestrian Center. Other sponsors include Schleese Saddlery & ThinLine Products.

Here’s the schedule for the next two days:

Day 1: Afternoon Program
Monday January 28, 2013

1:30 pm Updates Andreas Stano – Founder & Producer – Welcome GDFNA
Noreen O’Sullivan — Organizer – Wellington Classic Dressage
George Williams – USDF President — USDF Update on U.S. Dressage
Ashley Holzer — Dressage Canada — Update on Dressage in Canada

2:00 pm Lecture Presentation by Dr. Juan Samper
Lecture Presentation by Dr. Juan Samper
Developments in Breeding the Dressage Horse

2:45 pm Getting to Know Steffen Peters
A Face to Face Discussion with Steffen Peters
about his theories, philosophies and methods on the
training & development of dressage Horses & Riders

3:15 pm Dressage Training Presentation by Steffen Peters
Speech by Steffen Peters – Training the Advanced Dressage Horse
Arena Demonstration by Steffen Peters Riding & Lecturing
Interactive Debate by Steffen Peters and Panel Members
Panel Members:
Christoph Hess, Stephen Clark, Wim Ernes, George Williams
Gary Rockwell, Lendon Gray, Sue Blinks

5:15 pm Welcome Dinner Reception Sponsored by Schleese Saddlery, Shopping, Fun
Closing of the Afternoon Program

Day 1: Evening Program
Monday January 28, 2013

7:00 pm A Lecture by Grant Moon: 6 Time World Champion Farrier
A Lecture Presentation by Mr. Grant Moon
Shoeing of the Competitive Dressage Horse

7:45 pm Work in Hand Demonstration by Arthur Kottas
Speech by Arthur Kottas Work in Hand Training
Arena Demonstration with Arthur Kottas Work in Hand
Interactive Debate by Arthur Kottas and Panel Members
Panel Members:
Anne Gribbons, Kathy Connelly, Betsy Steiner, Leslie Reid,
Jan Ebeling, Felicitas von Neumann

9: 00pm Getting to Know Rudolf Zeilinger
A Face to Face discussion with Rudolf Zeilinger
about his theories, philosophies and methods on the
training & development of dressage Horses & Riders

9:15 pm Dressage Training Presentation by Rudolf Zeilinger
Speech by Rudolf Zeilinger – Development of the Dressage Horse
Arena Demonstration with Rudolf Zeilinger Riding & Lecturing
Interactive Debate by Rudolf Zeilinger and Panel Members
Panel Members:
Anne Gribbons, Kathy Connelly, Betsy Steiner, Leslie Reid,
Jan Ebeling, Felicitas von Neumann

10:30 pm Closing of the Evening Program

Day 2: Afternoon Program
Tuesday January 29, 2013

1:00 pm Lecture Presentation by Stefan Stammer
Bio Mechanics of the Dressage Horse

2:00 pm Long Line Demonstration by Bo Jena
Speech by Bo Jenna on the Art of Lunging on Long Lines
Arena Demonstration with Bo Jena Double Long Lines
Interactive Debate by Bo Jena and Panel Members
Panel Members:
Anne Gribbons, Kathy Connelly, Betsy Steiner, Leslie Reid,
Jan Ebeling, Felicitas von Neumann-Cosel

3:30pm Getting to know Ingrid Klimke
A Face to Face discussion with Ingrid Klimke
about her theories, philosophies and methods on the
training & development of dressage Horses & Riders

4:00 pm Dressage Training Demonstration by Ingrid Klimke
Speech by Ingrid Klimke Training the Young Horse
Arena Demonstration with Ingrid Klimke Riding & Lecturing
Interactive Debate by Ingrid Klimke and Panel Members
Panel Members:
Anne Gribbons, Kathy Connelly, Betsy Steiner, Leslie Reid,
Jan Ebeling, Felicitas von Neumann-Cosel

5:30 Dinner Reception: Meet the Riders and Panel Members Sponsored by ThinLine Products LLC
Shopping, Closing of the Afternoon Program

Day 2: Evening Program`

7:00 pm Lecture Presentation by Hilary Clayton
Maintaining Soundness for the Dressage Horse

7:45 pm Presentation of the GDFNA Life Time Dressage Recognition Award
Presented to Klaus Balkenhol by Steffen Peters

8:00 pm Getting to Know Wolfram Wittig
A Face to Face discussion with Wolfram Wittig
about his theories, philosophies and methods on the
training & development of dressage Horses & Riders

8:15 pm Dressage Training Presentation by Wolfram Wittig
Speech by Wolfram Wittig – Development of the Dressage Horse
Arena Demonstration with Wolfram Wittig
Interactive Debate by Wolfram Wittig and Panel Members
Panel Members:
Christoph Hess, Stephen Clark, Wim Ernes, George Williams
Gary Rockwell, Lendon Gray, Sue Blinks

Closing Speeches: Noreen O’Sullivan (Wellington Classic Dressage
Andreas Stano (DressageClinic.com)

(FEI) – Stephen Clarke, the British judge who acted as President of the Ground Jury at the London 2012 Olympic Games, has been unanimously elected as FEI Dressage Judge General. He was elected to the post by the 5* Judges present at the annual FEI 5* Dressage Judges seminar, which was held in Paris 20-22 January.

Clarke succeeds Ghislain Fouarge (NED), who became the first Dressage Judge General when the post was created in 2011. Fouarge had opted not to stand for re-election for a second two-year term.

“We are very much looking forward to working with Stephen Clarke in his new role as Dressage Judge General,” said Trond Asmyr, FEI Director Dressage and Para-Equestrian Dressage. “He is a first-class judge and a natural communicator, so he fits the job description perfectly.

“Ghislain Fouarge was the pathfinder for this role and he did a really good job of establishing it and finding the right roadmap for the future, so we owe him a huge debt of thanks for all his work over the past two years.”

The Dressage Judge General’s primary responsibilities are to create and co-ordinate discussions among the judges, ensuring that all conclusions are communicated to FEI judges through FEI Headquarters and Course Directors.

Photo Courtesy of FEI by Kit Houghton

(USEF by Helen Murray) – The World Dressage Masters Palm Beach presented by Wellington Classic Dressage concluded Saturday at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center with the WDM Grand Prix Special and the WDM Freestyle. Competition at the only North American stop in the World Dressage Masters Series presented by the Axel Johnson Group came to a close under the lights as the top seven combinations from Friday’s WDM Nürnberger Grand Prix performed their customized Freestyles. For a second time over the weekend, Steffen Peters led the U.S. effort, collecting third place, in the Freestyle scoring 80.175% with Legolas 92. However, the U.S. veteran was unable to best Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven who rode Don Auriello to victory with a score of 84.075%. The afternoon session hosted WDM Grand Prix Special competition, with Denmark’s Mikala Gundersen and My Lady topping the six horse field on a score of 69.479%. The sole American entry, Jim Koford and Rhett finished in second place with a score of 67.167%.

WDM Freestyle

In her third attempt at claiming victory in the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach, Vilhelmson-Silfven was victorious on the strength of a powerful Freestyle performance. A floor plan choreographed to The Who for the 2012 London Olympic Games perfectly highlighted Don Auriello’s gaits and attitude, helping them to achieve a career best score.

“It’s such an honor to ride a horse like Don Auriello, he was great,” said Vilhelmson-Silfven. “It was a great crowd; great people. Everything fell on the right place.”
Sweden’s Patrik Kittel and Watermill Scandic HBC were forced to settle for second behind compatriot Vilhelmson-Silfven as they score 82.525% on Saturday night. The winners from the WDM Nürnberger Grand Prix performed an exuberant test set the music of Billy Idol.

Peters (San Diego, CA) produced an upbeat fun Freestyle with Four Winds Farm’s 11-year-old Westphalian gelding Legolas 92. The test composed to recognizable music from U.S. pop-culture highlighted the 2012 USEF National Grand Prix Dressage Champion’s outstanding trotwork, particularly in the piaffe and passage.

“This was a huge step-up for sure, first time in the limelight,” said three-time Olympian Peters. “The atmosphere was a lot for him. To finish with an 80% here is amazing.”
Peters has been a frequent competitor at the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach and always enjoys the experience.

“It’s a wonderful event; it’s always an honor to ride here the World Dressage Masters.”

For the second day in a row Heather Blitz (Wellington, FL) and her own Paragon finished in fourth place and as the second highest-placing American. The 10-year-old Danish Warmblood showcased his signature extensions in both the trot and canter to score 74.9%. The Pan American Games Team Gold and Individual Silver medalists also added difficulty to their Freestyle by executing two-time changes on the circle which they did immaculately.

Finishing in seventh-place on a score of 68.575% was Adrienne Lyle (Ketchum, ID) and Parry and Peggy Thomas’ 13-year-old Oldenberg gelding Wizard.

(The Dressage Foundation) – The Board of Directors of The Dressage Foundation announced that, for the first time, two recipients have been chosen to receive a $25,000 Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize in the same year. Adrienne Lyle (ID) and her horse, Wizard, along with Sharon McCusker (MA) and her horse, Wrigley, were selected because they display the characteristics and qualities of being talented, committed, qualified riders whose plans are to reach and excel at the elite, international standards of high performance dressage.

The $25,000 Prizes will be awarded during a special feature presentation at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby on Sunday, March 3rd, prior to the afternoon freestyle competition. Carol Lavell, founder of the Prize Fund, and members of The Dressage Foundation’s Board of Directors will make the presentation.

Adrienne Lyle is based in Hailey, Idaho, where she is assistant trainer to Debbie McDonald at River Grove Farm. She started riding as a child, turned solely to dressage as a teen, and was selected to participate in The Dressage Foundation’s 2005 Young Rider Olympic Dream Program trip. Adrienne has been riding Parry and Peggy Thomas’ Wizard since 2007, becoming the Brentina Cup Champions in 2008. The team continued to climb the High Performance ranks, culminating in securing the individual rider spot for the U.S. at the 2012 London Olympic Games. Lyle plans to use the Prize funds to train with Klaus Balkenhol this summer in Germany, and to compete at several European CDIs, in order to continue her international dreams.

“I am so excited to have received this amazing Prize! I believe it is important to keep a presence at European competitions, to continue to challenge yourself and put yourself up against the best. I am so thankful to have this opportunity, thanks to the Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize, and I know I will make the most of every minute over there,” said Adrienne.

Sharon McCusker is the owner of Souhegan Farm in Ashby, Massachusetts, and has been a dressage trainer and competitor for over 20 years. She has been on the USEF High Performance list with three self-trained FEI horses, as well as being long-listed for the World Equestrian Games with previous mount, Juli Sherif. Sharon and Wrigley have been a part of USEF’s Developing Horse Program for two years and have garnered many championships and top placings in Developing Horse classes and Young Horse Grand Prix Qualifiers. With the help of the Prize money, Sharon plans to take Wrigley to Germany to train with Hubertus Schmidt, with the goal of qualifying for the 2014 World Equestrian Games and the 2016 Olympic Games.

Sharon said, “I am thrilled to have received the Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize! The timing of this could not have been better for the development of Wrigley. Having the opportunity to train and compete in Europe with him in his first year at Grand Prix is fabulous. It will allow me to really get the best start possible for Wrigley with consistent top coaching and exposure to top class riding. He is my ‘once in a life time horse’ and this Prize will help me to bring him to his full potential. Thank you Carol Lavell and The Dressage Foundation for offering such a generous grant. I look forward to the training and to bringing back and sharing all that I garner during my time in Europe.”

Further details about The Dressage Foundation’s Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize can be found at www.dressagefoundation.org. The application deadline is December 13th of each year. For more information about The Dressage Foundation, please contact Jenny Johnson at (402) 434-8585 or visit our website.

Photos Courtesy of The Dressage Foundation – Adrienne Lyle photo by Mary Cornelius; Sharon McCusker by Swan Studios

(Phelps Media Group) – Mikala Gundersen added a victory in the Grand Prix Special CDI5* at World Dressage Masters (WDM) Palm Beach to a growing list of accomplishments at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center this winter. Gundersen and My Lady, a 13-year-old Danish Warmblood mare, were third in Thursday’s Wellington Classic Dressage Sunshine Challenge Grand Prix CDI3* at Jim Brandon. They also finished just out of the top eight in Friday’s Grand Prix CDI5* at WDM Palm Beach, taking ninth place with 68.447%.

Gundersen, who earned a score of 69.479% for her ride, described her sometimes challenging relationship with My Lady. “This is an alpha mare,” Gundersen explained with a smile. “She has a huge personality. She knows what she wants and she thinks she knows everything better. We have a little bit of discussion sometimes in the ring because she knows exactly how everything needs to be done and apparently I don’t know anything.”

But Gundersen has high praise for the mare. “She wants to go and do her best,” Gundersen noted. “She has presence and strength, and my favorite thing is when we come down the last centerline, she gets better and better.”

James Koford rode Rhett, a 13-year-old KWPN gelding, to a second place finish in the Special with 67.333%. Koford, whose recent successes include wins in the Grand Prix at the 2011 International Horse Sport Champions Cup CDI3* and the Grand Prix Freestyle at the 2012 Wellington Dressage CDI-W, also competed at last year’s WDM Palm Beach.

Koford said his horse was amazing in the Grand Prix Special. “He was so with me today, and it was really just a fun ride,” he said. “So it was a win-win: I came out with a grin and the horse came out with a grin, and the judges also.”

Jacqueline Brooks of Canada scored 66.833% on D Niro to claim third place. Brooks, a seasoned international competitor for Canada, won a team silver medal at the Pan American Games in 2003 and has ridden on two Olympic teams. D Niro, a 14-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding, is owned by Brookhaven Dressage, Brooks’ training facility.

Brooks, who was making her third appearance at WDM Palm Beach, explained why she keeps coming back. “Every time you get invited to a thing like this, it’s fantastic,” she said. “The more you do it, the more you appreciate it coming in, because you know how significant it is, and how many people, how many sponsors, and how much work it is to put an event like this together.”

Fourth place went to Cheryl Meisner and her own Tango, who are coming off a series of improving performances at Jim Brandon. The judges awarded them a score of 66.208% for today’s test. The duo took third in the Grand Prix at the 2012 Dressage at Devon CDI-W and earned a pair of seconds at the Milton CDI-W in Ontario. Tango is a 13-year-old KWPN gelding.

Silvia Rizzo and Donnerbube 2 took fifth place with 64.917%. Rizzo, a native of Italy, resides in Germany and trains with Hans Peter Minderhoud. She and Donnerbube 2, a 19-year-old Oldenburg stallion owned by Michele Betti, picked up third and fourth place finishes in the Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix at the 2012 Warsaw CDI3*.

Saturday evening at World Dressage Masters Palm Beach will feature the return of the top eight riders from Friday’s Grand Prix CDI5* as they perform to music in the Grand Prix Freestyle CDI5*.

FEI Grand Prix Special CDI5* USEF HP 20.000 Euros
1. Mikala Gundersen (DEN) – My Lady – 69.479%
2. James Koford (USA) – Rhett – 67.333%
3. Jacqueline Brooks (CAN) – D Niro – 66.833%
4. Cheryl Meisner (CAN) – Tango – 66.208%
5. Silvia Rizzo (ITA) – Donnerbube 2 – 64.917%
Elim. – Diane Creech (CAN) – Devon L

Social media links:
Website: www.worlddressagemasters.com and www.wellingtonclassicdressage.com/world_dressage_masters.htm

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/worlddressagemasterspalmbeach

Twitter: twitter.com/WldDrsgMstrPB

Past WDM results, as well as complete WDM Rider Rankings can be found on the WDM website: www.WorldDressageMasters.com

Photo Courtesy of Phelps Media by Sue Stickle

(Phelps Media Group) – Sweden’s No. 1 rider Patrik Kittel scored his personal best to win the FEI World Dressage Masters (WDM) Exquis Grand Prix CDI5* on Watermill Scandic H B C. The duo’s powerful and consistent ride featured buttery-smooth transitions, earning them a 77.681% against a field of 15 competitors at the Palm Beach County Jim Brandon Equestrian Center.

Kittel broke into a wide grin at the completion of his test, and his confidence was rewarded when the scores flashed on the board. The judge at “H,” Isabelle Judet of France, awarded Kittel and Scandic, a 14-year-old chestnut KWPN stallion, an 80.745%. A member of the Swedish team at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games as well as the 2010 World Equestrian Games, he rode Scandic to victories at Falsterbo CDI5*, Rotterdam CDIO3* and Lingen CDI4* last summer.

“It was my personal best score, and I’m very, very happy with that,” Kittel said. He emphasized his horse’s improvement, explaining that Scandic is “in much better shape” now after their hard work over the past months. “After the Olympics, I thought a bit, and I changed a bit, and I worked a bit more on getting my horse more uphill in the canter, and that was much better,” he added.

After they compete in the WDM Grand Prix Freestyle on Saturday, Kittel and Scandic will fly home and begin working toward the World Cup Final in Gothenburg, Sweden in late April.

Kittel described himself as “a big fan of WDM” and said he “for sure will try to come back” to WDM Palm Beach. “It’s an amazing show,” he said. “We’ve been treated so well here. The people here are friendly, the crowd is really nice, lovely weather, the judges give you nice points, what more can you want?”

Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven came in second with a 76.851% riding Don Auriello, an 11-year-old bay Hanoverian gelding owned by Lovsta Stuteri. Swedish teammates Kittel and Vilhelmson-Silfven continued a friendly Florida rivalry after last weekend’s Gold Coast Opener CDI-W, also at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. Kittel and Scandic won both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle at the Gold Coast Opener, while Vilhelmson-Silfven, riding Divertimento, finished second and third.

While Vilhelmson-Silfven turned to her Olympic mount, Don Auriello, for World Dressage Masters in an effort to challenge Kittel, she fell just short today. “If I have to be beaten, then I’m happy to be beaten by Patrik,” she noted with a smile.

Don Auriello earned high praise from Gary Rockwell, the judge at “C.” “The lightness of Tinne’s horse is so beautiful to watch that you have to appreciate that,” Rockwell said.

Vilhelmson-Silfven credited the dressage circuit in Florida as a catalyst for Don Auriello’s development. “Florida’s been very important for Don Auriello,” she said. “He has done a lot of his best starts here, I think.” She also mentioned that “he loves the atmosphere” at Jim Brandon.

The defending two-time WDM Palm Beach Champion Steffen Peters was pleased with his third place finish on Legolas 92, whose precise movements and lofty piaffe earned them a score of 75.149%. Legolas 92 is an 11-year-old bay Westphalian gelding owned by Four Winds Farm. Peters, a three-time Olympian, is the only U.S. dressage rider to have won individual medals at the World Equestrian Games.

U.S. rider Heather Blitz on Paragon, her own 10-year-old Danish Warmblood, scored a 74.064% to take fourth with extravagant extensions and fluid tempi changes. The elegant pair finished second in the Grand Prix Special at the 2012 World Dressage Masters Palm Beach CDI4*.

Denmark’s Lars Petersen and Mariett, a 15-year-old Danish Warmblood mare owned by Marcia Pepper and Lars Petersen, earned a 71.809% for a fifth place finish. A five-time Danish National Champion, Petersen’s resuméincludes the Olympic Games, three World Equestrian Games, two World Cup Finals, and three Continental Championships.

U.S. Olympian Adrienne Lyle, Debbie McDonald’s protégé, and Wizard earned a 71.362% for sixth place. The pair rode in their first WDM Palm Beach appearance last year and won the Grand Prix Special with a score of 75.022%. Lyle’s big grin and pat for Wizard, a 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Peggy and Parry Thomas, was a crowd pleaser, and the duo passaged out of the arena after their test.

Another crowd favorite was David Marcus on Chrevi’s Capital, a 13-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding owned by Deborah Kinzinger. His ride earned a 70.660% for seventh place, and the pair left the arena amid cheers and waving of Canadian flags.

Hans Peter Minderhoud on Withney van ‘t Genthof earned a 69.872%. The Dutch pair rounded out the top eight to advance to the Grand Prix Freestyle Saturday night.

Edward Gal of the Netherlands, who was slated to ride Inter Floor Next One, had to withdraw from today’s competition due to illness.

Saturday at World Dressage Masters will feature the Grand Prix Special CDI5* in the afternoon and the Grand Prix Freestyle CDI5* in the evening. The top eight riders from today’s Grand Prix return in the Freestyle, while the ninth-through 14th-placed riders compete in the Special.

The Special and the Freestyle promise to be highly competitive. Several riders are poised for a big effort on Saturday, not least of whom is Peters. After retiring Ravel, his partner for his two WDM Palm Beach championships, Peters is taking another shot at the title with the promising Legolas 92.

“It feels nice to be the underdog again,” he said. “We’ll see how it ends up tomorrow.”

World Dressage Masters FEI Grand Prix CDI5*

1-Patrik Kittel (SWE)-Watermill Scandic H B C-77.681%

2- Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven (SWE)- Don Auriello-76.851%

3- Steffen Peters (USA)-Legolas 92-75.149%

4- Heather Blitz (USA)-Paragon-74.064%

5- Lars Petersen (DEN)- Mariett-71.809%

6-Adrienne Lyle (USA)- Wizard-71.362%

7-David Marcus (CAN)- Chrevi’s Capital-70.660%

8-Hans Peter Minderhoud (NED)-Withney van ‘t Genthof-69.872%

9-Mikala Gundersen (DEN)-My Lady- 68.447%

10- James Koford (USA)-Rhett-66.383%

11-Jacqueline Brooks (CAN)-D-Niro-66.362%

12-Cheryl Mizner (CAN)-Tango-65.404%

13-Silvia Rizzo (ITA)-Donnerbube II 65.255%

14-Diane Creech (CAN)-Devon L 64.106%

Eliminated-Tina M. Konyot (USA)-Calecto V

Social media links:

Website: www.worlddressagemasters.com and www.wellingtonclassicdressage.com/world_dressage_masters.htm

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/worlddressagemasterspalmbeach

Twitter: twitter.com/WldDrsgMstrPB

Past WDM results, as well as complete WDM Rider Rankings can be found on the WDM website: www.WorldDressageMasters.com