Baby on Board for Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu In the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI5*

Wellington, FL – February 8, 2019 – The crowd at the “Friday Night Stars” at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) enjoyed performances by top riders in the FEI Grand Prix Special and FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI5* on Friday, February 8, at Equestrian Village at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL. Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu (CAN) and All In, her 14-year-old KWPN gelding by Tango, won the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI5*, presented by CaptiveOne Advisors, with a score of 76.520%.

“It’s very exciting, especially since this is probably going to be my last show until maybe September,” said Fraser-Beaulieu, who is expecting her first child in June. “I couldn’t ask for a better night honestly. He was with me the whole time, and it’s probably one of the best feelings I’ve had on him out there. To end on a note like that, I’m pretty happy.”

Fraser-Beaulieu had a high degree of difficulty with her freestyle test. She explained, “I tried to do as many combinations as I could without losing my power. The number of combinations together actually gets extra bonus points. The two piaffe-pirouettes are also bonus points. I think that’s where I really racked up a lot of the degree of difficulty.”

Watch the winning CDI5* Freestyle test for Brittany Fraser Beaulieu and All In!

Katherine Bateson Chandler (USA) and Alcazar Gets "Amazing Feeling"

Katherine Bateson Chandler (USA) and Alcazar, a 14-year-old KWPN gelding by Cantango owned by Jane Forbes Clark, earned a score of 75.705% to come in second in the freestyle. With her longtime friend, mentor and trainer Carl Hester on hand Katherine reached a personal best with "Lonzie".

“I’m thrilled with him. He hasn’t done a night class in quite a while,” commented Bateson Chandler. “I’m super proud of him".

This is the best freestyle we’ve done. He gave me an amazing feeling, and he helped me through the whole thing.

We had a little spook in the beginning. It sort of woke me up, and it made me kick on and he was right there for me, so I couldn’t be happier.”

"What a feeling!!!! Dancing with your best friend under the lights to a personal best. Less than a percent behind the much deserving winner Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu.

There are way too many people to thank but in short. Jane Clark for all her support. Carl Chandler for being the most dedicated husband and care taker of all things Lonzie! Carl Hester thanks for kicking my butt in the warm up! Kasey Perry Glass  my good luck charm and Tom Hunt for my gorgeous music!!

Most of all my beautiful brave Lonzie and to EVERYONE who is so kind with their words and support!!! On we go!"

Watch Katherine Bateson Chandler and Alcazar's Freestyle

Christoph Koschel (GER) and Ballentines "Over The Moon"

Third place went to Christoph Koschel (GER) and Ballentines 10, a 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Belissimo M owned by HOF Beckerode GMBH. The pair earned a score of 73.780% in their first freestyle ever.

“I’m over the moon. It’s not only his first freestyle, it’s his first class under the lights,” said Koschel of his partner’s strong performance.

“He’s such a green and young horse."

I’m so proud of him that he was behaving so well and was so with me. I think there’s a lot of potential for the future, and I really, really had a good feeling.

I’m really happy for sure, and I think tonight that was the first step in a good direction.”

Friday Night Freestyle Nights Brings World Class Dressage to USA

Judge at C, Janet Foy, added, “Everyone that competed had spectacular music, and everyone rode so well to the music. I think that is so inspiring for us when that happens. Everyone here tonight really is on a top standard. I want to thank all of the sponsors for supporting [AGDF], because without them we couldn’t do this and we couldn’t have all these experiences. We’re very excited to be here.”

Amanda Luby of CaptiveOne Advisors said, “Congratulations to everyone tonight. It was a really electric night. CaptiveOne Advisors and EC Pro are proud to sponsor the concept of ‘Riding for All’ and the 15 Special Olympians at Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center by providing them with competition attire for the upcoming Special Olympics. This is our third year as a sponsor now at Global and at [the Winter Equestrian Festival]. CaptiveOne is a Wellington-based business, and it means a lot to us to be a part of such an elite competition, and with Vinceremos and local charities, it’s important to us to give back to the community that means so much to us.”

Thomas Baur, Director of Sport of AGDF concluded, “The five-star is a special week. We’ve had two fabulous nights here at Global – yesterday, with Isabell Werth’s clinic, and today with the Special and the Freestyle and new faces on the podium. I think it has been a very good week so far.”

I’m really happy for sure, and I think tonight that was the first step in a good direction.”