2015 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival Prepares to Host Largest Week in Competition History

Wellington, FL – January 21, 2015 – The Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) is set to host the largest week in competition history as Week 3 of CDI competition runs January 22-25 at The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The FEI Grand Prix class sponsored by the U.S. P.R.E. Association, is the highlight of Thursday’s competition, followed by the largest FEI Prix St. Georges class AGDF has hosted in its four years, sponsored by Chesapeake Dressage Institute. With a 61% increase in international rider combinations and a 12% increase in national competition entries from AGDF 1, AGDF 3 will be the largest week of competition ever at AGDF.

 

Due to the large number of entries received for AGDF 3, the FEI Prix St. Georges class will run over two days, January 22 and 23, with the top 30 competitors moving forward to the FEI Intermediaire 1 class, also sponsored by Chesapeake Dressage Institute, to be held on Saturday January 24. A similar format will be used for the large FEI Grand Prix class, with 15 entries moving forward to the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle and 15 pairs earning spots in the FEI Grand Prix Special, both classes sponsored by U.S. P.R.E. Association. The “Friday Night Stars” Freestyle class will begin at 6:45pm on Friday, January 23, to accommodate the increased number of competitors.

 

“This is the largest CDI competition that we have had in the four-year history of the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival,” said Mark Bellissimo, CEO of Equestrian Sport Productions, management company of the AGDF. “We are thrilled to see the immense support that this circuit has received from dressage riders, owners, trainers, and fans, and we will work to keep providing an incredible experience for them here at PBIEC.”

 

With more than 200 entries received for AGDF 3, the 2015 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival is on pace to have its biggest year yet. Equestrian Sport Productions and the team behind AGDF are proud to continue expanding this incredible event and hope to see its growth, both national and international, continue in the coming weeks of the circuit.

 

As the AGDF season continues to push forward, AGDF 5, on February 5-8, is also expected to break previous show records, as the venue will play host to both a CDI 5* presented by Diamante Farms, a CDI 3* presented by Wellington Equestrian Realty (both Large Tours), as well as a Small Tour CDI 1* sponsored by Mission Control. Numerous other FEI and National classes will be offered during AGDF 5 competition, continuing to strengthen the schedule of the circuit and attract the most talented riders in the world.

 

The Large Tour CDI 5* presented by Diamante Farms, which includes FEI Grand Prix, FEI Grand Prix Freestyle, and FEI Grand Prix Special classes, is now the richest CDI 5* in the world with more than $200,000 being awarded to competitors in those three classes alone. Other international competitions, such as Doha CDI 5* and Aachen CDI 5*, also offer substantial prize money for competitors and athletes, but the CDI 5* presented by Diamante Farms at AGDF will now top both in terms of available prize money.

 

“We are excited with the way AGDF has continued to grow each season and are only expecting that growth to continue,” stated Thomas Baur, Director of Sport for the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival. “The prize money we now offer in the CDI 5* is something that we are proud to present. The size and stature of this competition only continues to increase each year, and it offers a special opportunity for riders, owners, and trainers, whether national or international, to feel rewarded for their hard work and dedication to this sport.”

For more information, ride times, and schedule, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

Photos copyright Elena Lusenti

AUTHOR:Carly Weilminster for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.