The World Equestrian Center Dressage III CDI3* continued on Saturday, April 17, with the highlight class of the week, the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI3*. With a bright routine set to the music of the television show “Glee” that received a score of 75.065%, Shelly Francis (USA) and Danilo landed atop the podium out of 13 entries in the class. In Small Tour, Kevin Kohmann (GER) and Five Star made it two in a row, winning the FEI Intermediate 1 CDI3*. The World Equestrian Center Dressage III CDI3* concludes on Sunday, April 18, 2021.

photo: Shelly Francis and Danilo won the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI3*. Photo by SusanJStickle.com.

Francis and Danilo, a 17-year-old Hanoverian gelding by De Niro 6 x Andiamo 28 owned by Patricia Stempel, helped the U.S. Dressage Team take the bronze medal at the 2019 Nations Cup CDIO5* in Aachen, Germany in 2019 and competed at the 2018 FEI World Cup Dressage Final in Paris. The pair took the 2020 competition year off not only due to COVID, but also because Danilo was recovering from injury.

After a few shows this winter, Francis brought the veteran to World Equestrian Center – Ocala to keep him fit, and it paid off.

“He was much better for the grand prix [yesterday], and I was really happy with him tonight,” she said. “He’s 17, so he’s older and it takes a little longer. He’s starting to feel like his old self. He feels happy and like he wants to do it, so I’ll keep going. Next year if he feels spunky like this, maybe I’ll make an attempt for World Cup again. I won’t push him hard, and he’ll let me know.”

While Francis has used this freestyle for many years, she did make adjustments such as new entry music and choreography changes.

“I added two double pirouettes to make it tough,” she explained. “He’s very handy. The music helps me and keeps me in rhythm too. He really likes the freestyles, and I have fun with them. I’ve had this music for a while, and I’ve changed it a lot over the years. I kept most of the choreography the same. It’s kind of unique, and I like that.”

While Francis brought students to the national shows this winter, this is her first time competing at World Equestrian Center – Ocala.

“It’s just lovely here,” she said. “This is the best facility in the world.”

For her freestyle victory, Francis won her choice of a catered cruise or a day of deep-sea fishing for four from CaptiveOne Advisors aboard their 62-foot Viking yacht, “Reel Captivating.” The award was presented by Olga Hartsock and Miranda Van Kol of CaptiveOne Advisors.

Click here to watch the winning freestyle test for Shelly Francis and Danilo!