Felicitas Hendricks & Drombusch OLD. Photograph ©susanjstickle.com
The primary ‘Friday Evening Stars’ night of freestyle competitors on the 2025 Adequan® International Dressage Competition (AGDF) in Wellington, FL introduced spectacular performances and scores within the FEI World Cup™ Grand Prix Freestyle, sponsored Palm Seashore Equine Clinic.
On an unusually chilly night throughout Lloyd Landkamer Memorial week, Germany’s Felicitas Hendricks rode her personal 14-year-old Drombusch OLD (Destano x Dimaggio) to a 78.2% victory because the final rider to go. The category was additionally a qualifier for the brand new US Equestrian Open of Dressage, which options 23 qualifiers — seven of that are at AGDF — earlier than the ultimate in California in November.
US Olympic group silver medalist Adrienne Lyle completed second with a 77.28% efficiency on Helix, reversing the placings from Thursday’s qualifying Grand Prix. Sweden’s seven-time Olympian Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén and Devanto’s 75.515% rating secured third place.
Hendrix, who at 24 years outdated remains to be eligible to trip in under-25 courses, has returned to AGDF as a senior for the second yr operating after ending as the highest rider at AGDF 2024. Her take a look at confirmed harmonious self-carriage coupled with energy and stability and featured 20 one-time adjustments down the centerline.
“He exceeded my expectations, like he does each time,” stated Hendrix, whose groom Yannick Schmitz was awarded a verify for $500, courtesy of the Lövsta Future Problem. “He leaves his coronary heart within the ring. I can inform that he’s very blissful to be again and he was loving the group. He was a bit spicy, however in a great way.”
Spanish Depth on Present
In Friday’s daytime CDI1* FEI Intermediate I, sponsored by Concord Sporthorses, Spanish riders crammed two of the highest three spots. Pablo Gómez Molina steered the internationally inexperienced Farinel Di Fonteabeti (Kastel’s Grand Galaxy Win x Fidertanz) to the blue ribbon with 72.383%, getting the nod from all 5 judges. Kevin Kohmann and Diamante Farms’ 10-year-old mare Scala — winners of Thursday’s Prix St. Georges class — slotted into second place with 70.353%.
Juan Francisco Fernandez Muñoz rode his personal and Precision Andalusian Stables’ Doppelkorn to 3rd with 67.412%, marking the pair’s second private better of AGDF1. At eight years outdated, the Don Index gelding was the youngest within the class. This was his second senior CDI and his first exterior Europe, and Fernandez Muñoz is making his AGDF debut this season.
Gómez Molina has owned the nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding since recognizing him in Italy as a three-year-old. The pair clinched victory from closing draw.
“It’s all the time good to win and particularly to begin the season like this, however this one truly feels a bit totally different as a result of Farinel is my very own horse and he’s actually gifted and intelligent,” stated Gómez Molina. “Yesterday within the Prix St. Georges, we examined what we might do higher after which went for it as we speak, and the rating displays that.
“I believe I’ve extra success with the horses I’ve been coaching since they’re younger ones, as a result of over time you study extra about how a lot you’ll be able to push and when you must be a bit quieter. I can belief him so much and that provides you a whole lot of confidence as a rider.”
by Alice Collins
Wellington Worldwide
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