Global Dressage Festival Experiences a Year of Incredible Growth During 2014 Circuit

The Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) is hitting its stride as it wraps up its third year of competition at The Stadium at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). The 2014 season has been a huge success thanks to remarkable growth in entries and the expansion of the "Friday Night Stars" showcase of world-class dressage competition. AGDF cemented its place as a world-class international dressage facility during 2014, with an exponential increase in entries that continued to multiply as each week passed. Over 100 entries were accepted for the grand finale AGDF CDI 5*, presented by Diamante Farms and Wellington Equestrian Realty. From 2013 to 2014, the number of CDI rides per show experienced an increase of more than 160%, with overall CDI rides for the circuit increasing by more than 225%. The average number of CDI rides per show in 2013 is approximately 96, while in 2014 it is 154.Throughout the course of the 2014 AGDF circuit, 21 countries spanning five continents were represented by the world's best dressage competitors.

"The numbers reflect the incredible dedication of the entire staff at AGDF," Director of Sport Thomas Baur said. "Hosting a show of this caliber would not be possible without the hard work and shared vision of excellence that our staff has contributed to each week, and I cannot thank them enough for all of their efforts."

Equestrian Sport Productions would like to thank their staff for a fantastic job through the circuit, including: Lloyd Landkamer, Jimmy Mandala, Cora Causemann, Monica Fitzgerald, John Hoppman, Kevin Booth, Brian Bryson, and all of the people who worked for 12 weeks to make the AGDF a great success.

Baur added, "We would like to thank all of our sponsors, including the First Founding and Founding Sponsors, along with the exhibitors who have supported the show in its first three years in order to bring it to this level."  

Also new for 2014 was an expanded "Friday Night Stars" program, which averaged 1,500 - 2,000 spectators to The Stadium during CDI competition weeks. Talented musicians from the Frost School of Music at University of Miami entertained the crowd each evening with a variety of vocal and instrumental performances.

Unique exhibition rides were also part of the allure of "Friday Night Stars." In addition to the regular FEI Grand Prix Freestyle competition, spectators were treated to exhibitions including a touching mother-daughter Pas de Deux with top Canadian rider Evi Strasser and her daughter Tanya Strasser-Shostak, a brilliant showcase of horsemanship between Elisa Williams and her mustangs Fledge and Rune, the Yale Spizzwinks (?) a capella group, and more.

The final week of the 2014 AGDF will run from March 27 - March 30 at The Stadium at PBIEC, located at 13500 South Shore Boulevard. The FEI Grand Prix Freestyle, presented by Diamante Farms, will start at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 28. As always, there is free general admission and parking. For more information and full results, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.