Five female American riders battled it out in the Donato Farms CDI4* Grand Prix Special, with Jennifer Williams and Joppe K logging 70.128% to take the blue ribbon—their first four-star victory. The judges could not decide between Ashley Holzer’s test on Hawtins San Floriana and Meagan Davis’s ride on Toronto Lightfoot, awarding both an overall score of 69.192%. The placings were decided on the collective marks, with Holzer garnering a higher harmony average to bag second place with her own and Diane Fellows’s 14-year-old mare by San Amour. Davis and Scott Durkin’s 13-year-old Totilas gelding were awarded the yellow ribbon.

Photo – Jennifer Williams & Joppe K. (©Centre Line Media)

Jennifer Williams & Joppe K are presented as winners of the Donato Farms CDI4* Grand Prix Special. (Photo: ©Centre Line Media)

The 2026 AGDF is Joppe K’s seventh straight season competing in Wellington, so it comes as no surprise that he is relaxed in the ring. The 12-year-old gelding by Rousseau has been competing at international grand prix for four years, and this was his highest Special score since April 2024.

“It was a great night,” enthused Williams, who trains with Oded Shimoni and Christophe Theallet. “The atmosphere was helpful for us, and the weather was cooler, with a bit of a feeling of a storm brewing, and he felt that energy. I really wanted the harmony and the joy to come out in the ride. I felt like we were united and well connected.

Feeling Blessed

“I felt blessed that they put the special into tonight’s program [rather than during the day], because that’s where Joppe really shines. Sometimes the 80-degree weather can be a lot, and I want to keep him motivated. With Joppe, it’s important that we keep things fresh and fun, so we do a lot of hacking. He obviously knows the movements now, so fitness is the key, along with keeping things light.”

Like Vilhelmson Silfvén, Williams plans to compete in one of the two remaining CDIs at AGDF 2026. She would also like to show at the USEF Grand Prix National Championship in May, and be considered for the European tour squad in the summer.

Click here for full results from AGDF 8.

Dressage competition during AGDF 8 continues Saturday, February 28, with the day’s marquee class, the Mission Control CDI3* Grand Prix Special, starting at 11.20am ET. AGDF, which hosts seven weeks of CDI competition over three months, runs through March 29. For more information, results, and to watch all the classes in the International Arena live or on catch-up, visit www.wellingtoninternational.com.