A Freestyle Win Puts Kasey Perry-Glass On the Road to the FEI World Cup

Kasey Perry-Glass and Goerklintgaards Dublet (Photo: ©SusanJStickle)

Wellington, FL - Kasey Perry-Glass (USA) and Goerklintgaards Dublet achieved a win and their second FEI World Cup Finals qualifying score during Saturday night's FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W, presented by Everglades Dressage, at the 2017 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, FL.

AGDF 8 concludes on March 5 and features the Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W and FEI Grand Prix Freestyle, presented by Everglades Dressage; FEI Grand Prix and FEI Grand Prix Special, presented by Peacock Ridge, and the FEI Small Tour, presented by Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center.

2016 Olympic bronze medalists Kasey Perry-Glass and Goerklintgaards Dublet, a 2003 Danish Warmblood gelding (Diamond Hit x La Costa x Olympic Ferro) owned by Diane Perry, earned a winning score of 80.805% in the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W, presented by Everglades Dressage.

"[My trainer] Debbie [McDonald] and I have been working really hard on his performance in the ring, and it just seems to get better and better," said Perry-Glass. "We are slowly getting there and I try not to pressure him too hard. He's still growing. But to win tonight, it felt good. It felt like I could finally breathe.

"My choreography was created by Adrienne Lyle," said Perry-Glass of her freestyle choices. "She did the whole thing, and I'm so blessed to have her as a friend. Tom Hunt did my music. He is also the creator of Charlotte Dujardin's music. I've been working with him for four years now. He just wanted something very special for Dublet, and I think he nailed it."

Chase Hickok and Sagacious HF (Photo: ©SusanJStickle)

Along with the freestyle victory, their score also puts Perry-Glass and Dublet on the road to their first FEI World Cup Dressage Final in Omaha, NE, at the end of the month.

"I am so excited for Omaha," said an emotional Perry-Glass. "I get to hopefully go with two of my Olympic teammates, and this is my first FEI World Cup so I'm over the moon about it. It wouldn't be possible without Debbie McDonald, or my mom and husband and my dad. I'm just very lucky. I have a really good horse, and they all just make it a very positive experience for me."

Second place in the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W was awarded to Chase Hickok (USA) and Sagacious HF, a 1999 KWPN gelding (Welt Hit II x Judith x Cocktail) owned by Hyperion Farm Inc., with a 75.620%.

Tonight, was Hickok's first Freestyle under the lights in the open division. "We really came into tonight with no expectations," said Hickok. "We just wanted to have a good, clean test, and I think we achieved that. To be sitting next to these two whom I look up to so much, is just great."

Hickok described her freestyle music, "My music actually came with Sagacious, and it was put together by Marlene Whitaker. It suits him and varies from upbeat in the trot, to slower for the canter work. It highlights his strengths, so I'm very appreciative for whomever picked it originally."

Shelly Francis and Doktor (Photo: ©SusanJStickle)

Shelly Francis (USA) and Doktor, a 2003 Oldenburg gelding (Diamond Hit x Gurena x Renoir I) owned by Patricia Stempel, took third place with a score of 75.565%.

Commenting on her ride, Francis said, "It was a little interesting because he was a bit edgy tonight for some reason, a little more than normal. We had some interesting parts of the test. The right pirouette on the left lead, I think we should have gotten some extra points for that! He was just a little tight here and there. He was a good boy, even though it wasn't quite as smooth as I wanted it to be. He's usually very fun to ride."

Francis also rides to a freestyle created by Whitaker. "My music is from the movie "Big". I helped with the choreography because my horse is kind of handy when he's not too nervous. The music suits him as well; it's fun."

Judge at C, Christof Umbach (LUX) noted, "We had a very clear winner this evening. The other top four placings were very close, and all of the riders really fought for their marks. Compared to last week, all of the riders have improved. It was a super evening."

Endel Ots, from sponsor Everglades Dressage, commented, "We really love supporting the dressage world quietly and from behind the scenes, and I think it's so awesome to have one of our riders (Hickok) also place in the top three. We really love being here and supporting the sport."

Kasey Perry-Glass and Goerklintgaards Dublet in their presentation ceremony with Diane Perry, groom Cassie Benson, Endel Ots and Bethany Peslar of Everglades Dressage, judge Christoph Umbach (LUX), Mary Anne McPhail of the Palm Beach Dressage Derby, FEI Steward Walter Bagley, Walter McPhail of the Palm Beach Dressage Derby, Michael Stone of Equestrian Sport Productions, Grace Collins, and Allyn Mann of Adequan®. (Photo: ©SusanJStickle)

Competition at AGDF will continue tomorrow with a full schedule of classes, including the FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle CDI 1*, presented by Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center. For more information and to see a full list of results, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

Final Results: FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W, presented by Everglades Dressage
Place, Rider, Nationality, Horse, Horse Information: Judge E%, Judge H%, Judge C%, Judge M%, Judge B%, Total %

1. Kasey Perry-Glass (USA), Goerklintgaards Dublet, 2003 Danish Warmblood gelding by Diamond Hit x La Costa x Olympic Ferro, owned by Diane Perry: 80.450%, 81.150%, 78.450%, 81.550%, 82.425%, 80.805%
2. Chase Hickok (USA), Sagacious HF, 1999 KWPN gelding by Welt Hit II x Judith x Cocktail, owned by Hyperion Farm Inc: 72.825%, 77.650%, 76.075%, 74.775%, 76.775%, 75.620%
3. Shelly Francis (USA), Doktor, 2003 Oldenburg gelding by Diamond Hit x Gurena x Renoir I, owned by Patricia Stempel: 77.200%, 73.350%, 76.025%, 75.650%, 75.600%, 75.565%
4. Kelly Layne (AUS), Udon P, 2001 KWPN gelding by Hierarch x Maleida x Uniform, owned by Whistlejacket Farm LLC: 72.675%, 71.475%, 73.775%, 74.175%, 72.575%, 72.935%
5. Jill Irving (CAN), Degas 12, 2002 Hanoverian gelding by De Niro x Rosana M x Regazonni, owned by Jill Irving: 71.500%, 72.100%, 73.025%, 72.300%, 71.150%, 72.015%
6. Jan Ebeling (USA), FRH Rassolini, 2003 Hanoverian stallion by Rubioso N x Sweetheart, owned by Vantage Equestrian Group: 69.200%, 67.625%, 73.150%, 73.375%, 73.025%, 71.275%
7. Susanne Hamilton (USA), Lord Locksley, 2001 Trakehner stallion by Unkenruf x Lida x Enrico Caruso, owned by Margaret Stevens: 58.500%, 67.200%, 65.250%, 65.725%, 63.825%, 64.100%
8. Ellesse Tzinberg (PHI), Triviant 2, 2000 KWPN gelding by Olivi x Diant x Saluut, owned by Ellesse Tzinberg: 62.500%, 61.875%, 60.000%, 63.375%, 59.050%, 61.360%