Spain, Sweden, and Germany held the top three placings in the Grand Prix Special beneath the lights at the International Ring at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF). Jose Daniel Martin Dockx (ESP) performed a lovely test with Grandioso, a 1999 P.R.E. stallion, in the Week 3 FEI Grand Prix Special presented by the US P.R.E. Association.

The duo scored a 72.864% to take home the win. Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven (SWE) and Divertimento placed second with a score of 70.647%, with Christoph Koschel (GER) and Tiesto coming in third, scoring 69.471%. Dockx was delighted with how Grandioso handled the atmosphere under the lights, which was unusual for the class.

Many entries in the Intermediate 1 class forced the FEI Grand Prix Special to run later in the day than usual. “I have a horse with great character, and he didn’t seem to care,” commented Dockx on riding underneath the lights. “It was better because he was very warm on the day of the Grand Prix, which made me a little scared it could be too much for him. It was a little cooler tonight, and he didn’t seem to care if it was day or night.

Awards with the owner of Grandioso III Hampton Green Farm’s Kim Boyer Photo: SusanJStickle.com

As for their test, Dockx was happy with the primarily mistake-free week the pair has had and saw improvement in their tempi changes in the Grand Prix Special. “I was very happy with the one-temp is because in the last two or three shows, I always missed one or two changes, and this weekend, we didn’t miss one. It is difficult for him to do the temperature on the centerline, and he did very well with it today,” he continued.

Vilhelmson-Silvfen and Divertimento had a lovely test, placing them second in the large class. The pair has had a very successful beginning to their 2015 season and continues to improve with each outing. “I am quite happy with him after tonight. I was worried about riding him in the dark under the lights, but he took it very well,” she smiled. “He was very nice to ride today, and we had a fault-free test, so I am always very happy with that.” “I was very pleased with his pirouettes today and that there were no mistakes in the tempis. He can get a bit nervous, and they can be difficult, and I’m happy we did them without any bobbles. We had a mistake in the Grand Prix, so I was glad we could go mistake-free there today,” said Vilhelmson-Silvfen when describing her ride on the big Westphalian gelding.

Christoph Koschel (GER), Tiesto, 2000 Dutch Warmblood gelding, Gribaldi x Nadie x Ferro Photo: SusanJStickle.com

Final Results: FEI Grand Prix Special CDI W, presented by US P.R.E. Association

Place, Rider, Nationality, Horse, Horse Information:

Judge E, Judge H, Judge C, Judge M, Judge B, Total

• 1. Jose Daniel Martin Dockx (ESP), Grandioso, 1999 P.R.E. stallion, Adelante x Grandiosa x Sevillano IX : 71.569%, 72.647%, 75.106%, 71.863%, 73.137%, 72.864%
• 2. Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven (SWE), Divertimento, 2002 Westphalian gelding, Di Versace x Fatima x Farragamo: 67.745%, 71.176, 71.471%, 73.137%, 69.706%, 70.647%
• 3. Christoph Koschel (GER), Tiesto, 2000 Dutch Warmblood gelding, Gribaldi x Nadie x Ferro: 70.098%, 70.098%, 68.431%, 68.824%, 69.902%, 69.471%
• 4. Arlene Page (USA), Woodstock, 2003 Dutch Warmblood gelding, Havel x Mirania x Contango: 69.706%, 66.667%, 68.529%, 67.941%, 68.235%, 68.216%
• 5. Carrie Schopf (ARM), Sancisco OLD, 2001 Oldenburg stallion, Sandro Song x Rosenfee x Rohdiamant: 66.471%, 64.902%, 68.922%, 68.333%, 65.882% 66.902%
• 6. Lisa Wilcox (USA), Pikko del Cerro HU, 2003 Hanoverian stallion, Pik L x Rohweena x Rohdiamont: 65.686%, 67.059%, 67.157%, 65.490%, 67.157%, 66.510%
• 7. Anna Marek (USA), Unico G, 2001 Dutch Warmblood gelding, Negro x Kleora x Animo: 67.941%, 65.392%, 67.843%, 66.275%, 65.000%, 66.490%
• 8. Alice Tarjan (USA), Elfenfeuer, 2007 Oldenburg mare, Florencio x Elfensonne x Sion: 65.784%, 67.157%, 70.000%, 66.863%, 61.471%, 66.255%