A new personal best of 77% for Germany’s Frederic Wandres and Verrenberg secured the gold medal in the Modon FEI Nations Cup CDIO3* Grand Prix Freestyle, the centerpiece of Week 11 at the 2026 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, Fla. The result capped an unbeaten week for the Olympic gold medalist and Hof Kasselmann’s impressive 10-year-old Vilancio x Johnson gelding.

Photo – Frederic Wandres and Verrenberg. (Photo: ©Centre Line Media)

Ashley Holzer (USA) rode Hawtins San Floriana into the silver medal position with 74.35%, sandwiched between two Germans in the final “Friday Night Stars” gala evening of the 2026 AGDF. Freestyle bronze went to Nations Cup first-timer Emma Caecilia Lienert on her own Windermere J’Obei W with 73.105%.

“I didn’t feel much pressure, because I really enjoyed the last freestyle under the lights with Verrenberg,” said Wandres, who performed to an Ace of Base soundtrack originally made for his Olympic horse, Bluetooth. “The test tonight was super. He’s still a young horse, and he competed last week. It’s unusual to do two weeks in a row.

Shining Bright

“In Europe, we wouldn’t do it because we have to travel long distances, but here we travel 10 minutes. Verrenberg is fit, and he shone bright this evening. I think he really likes the music, and it suits him,” continued Wandres.

“With the young ones, we always think about developing more strength, more power, and more self-carriage, but when it comes to the exercises, he’s already pretty secure,” he added. “He knows his job and he throws his heart into the arena—that’s what I really appreciate about him.”

Wandres was also handed a check for $25,000 as the winner of the Stillpoint Farm Leading International Freestyle Rider series for his consistent performances at AGDF. He is a regular on the Wellington circuit, showcasing horses owned by his employer Hof Kasselmann with much success over the years.

“The season is now over for us, and it was super fantastic—perfect shows as always,” he added. “And it was only after I won the freestyle last week that I realized the leading rider money was so big. Thank you to Stillpoint Farm, we really appreciate it, and it’s so fantastic for our sport.”

Wandres’s partner Lars Ligus—also a member of Germany’s Nations Cup team—was presented with the Lövsta-sponsored grooms award of $500 for his care and preparation of Verrenberg.

Patriotic

Holzer rode her own and Diane Fellows’s 14-year-old Hawtins San Floriana (San Amour x Florestan) to a patriotic soundtrack put together by Tom Hunt. She rode in four Olympics for Canada before declaring for the U.S., a decision the Neil Diamond music emphasized.

“It’s a beautiful freestyle that highlights her and frames the movements,” said the Wellington-based Holzer, who scooped the Leading Lady Freestyle Rider Award for Week 11, sponsored by Frank & Eileen. “A lot of people come up to me and say they love the music. There is a lot of atmosphere here and the fans are amazing. I love how my mare settles once she’s in the pattern. Friday nights are a dream for anybody that wants to compete, and it’s sad that the season’s over—I’m going to miss it.”

Third-placed Caecilia Lienert was riding at her second senior CDI with Windermere J’Obei W, a 15-year-old gelding who contested the Paris 2024 Olympics under former owner Melissa Galloway.

“This is completely insane,” said the 22-year-old of the individual medal hanging around her neck. “I enjoyed riding in there so much. I came to the Nations Cup with zero expectations, because I was the youngest. My horse did so much for me—it was amazing, and I’m so happy. It’s very surreal.”

Click for full results of the Modon FEI Nations Cup CDIO3* Grand Prix Freestyle.

Competition in AGDF 11 continues on Saturday, March 21, with the first of two senior big tour classes, the Diamante Farms CDI3* Grand Prix Special, starting at 10am ET, and the Modon FEI Nations Cup CDIO3* Grand Prix Special starting at 2.25pm ET. Week 11, Nations Cup week, marks the last international dressage show of the 2026 AGDF, with Week 12 featuring national classes. Click here for the 2027 dates. For more information, results, and to watch all the classes in the International Arena live or on catch-up, visit www.wellingtoninternational.com.