Articles: Horse News
Adrienne Lyle Wins Grand Prix Special in Debut Appearance at World Dressage
Masters Palm Beach
Adrienne Lyle and Wizard, winners of the WDM Palm Beach Grand Prix
Special
Photo credit Sue Stickle and Marie Cobb for Phelps Media Group.
Contact:
Karen Robinson for
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
at (561) 753-3389 or at pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
Wellington, FL (January 28, 2012) - At the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach
presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach, Adrienne Lyle of the United
States bested the international field to win the Grand Prix Special at the
Jim Brandon Equestrian Center on Saturday afternoon. The 26 year old
Idaho-based rider scored 73.244% riding Wizard, a 13 year old Oldenburg
gelding owned by Peggy and Parry Thomas.
"My horse handled everything beautifully. I'm really excited and happy,"
said Lyle, who placed fourth in Friday's WDM Nurnberger Grand Prix, and was
eligible to compete in the Grand Prix Freestyle, though she opted to ride in
the Grand Prix Special instead. "As much as I would have liked to ride in
the freestyle, I need a Grand Prix Special qualifying score for the Olympic
Selection Trials," she explained.
Also choosing to compete in the Grand Prix Special with impressive results
was Heather Blitz of the United States, who placed second with her nine year
old Danish Warmblood gelding Paragon. Fewer than three months ago, Blitz and
Paragon had won team gold and individual silver at the Pan American Games in
Guadalajara, Mexico, which are at Prix St. Georges and Intermediaire I
level, not Grand Prix.
Heather Blitz and Paragon, second
Photo credit Sue Stickle and Marie Cobb for Phelps Media Group.
"Who would have thought that just a few months ago I was in the small tour?"
she said. "Now I am not only in the Grand Prix, but scoring over 70 in the
Masters." Blitz and Paragon received 72.044% for their Grand Prix Special
test, which was their first in a CDI. Third place went to fellow American
Todd Flettrich and Cherry Knoll Farm's Otto, who received a score of
69.933%. The five member FEI Ground Jury consisted of Jayne Ayers (USA),
Stephen Clarke (GBR), Wim Ernes (NED), Liselotte Fore (USA), and Isabelle
Judet (FRA).
The audience for the Grand Prix Special was similarly impressive to the
previous day's Grand Prix, which may have set records for attendance in
North American Dressage. "We had probably 1,500 people today," said WDM
co-founder and CEO Anthony Kies. "I think the turn-out is fantastic, and
tonight we will see a sold out house."
The grand finale of 2012 WDM Palm Beach is the Exquis Grand Prix Freestyle
on Saturday evening, where eight of the world's top ranked horses and riders
will compete for a share of the 70,000 Euros in prize money for that
class. A total of 100,000 ($130,000) at each WDM competition makes the WDM
presented by Axel Johnson Group the richest dressage series in the world.
Todd Flettrich and Otto, third
Photo credit Sue Stickle and Marie Cobb for Phelps Media Group.
Live streaming video will continue to bring WDM Palm Beach action to fans
around the world on Saturday evening. In addition to their broadcast at
www.internationalpoloclub.com, IPC Palm Beach has created a smartphone
application that will be available at the Jim Brandon Center. The
application will provide live stream video of the competition, as well as
up-to-the-minute information about the competitors and results. USEF
Network's live streaming coverage can be found at
www.usefnetwork.com. Eurosport will also broadcast a feature about the WDM
Palm Beach on the February 22nd episode of Wednesday Selection.
Results WDM Palm Beach Grand Prix Special presented by IPC Palm Beach
1. Adrienne Lyle (USA) Wizard - 73.244%
2. Heather Blitz (USA) Paragon - 72.044%
3. Todd Flettrich (USA) Otto - 69.933%
4. Pierre St. Jacques (USA) Lucky Tiger - 66.742%
5. Per Sandgaard (SWE) Lomumba Havdal - 64.889%
6. Victoria Winter (CAN) Proton - 63.889%
7. James Koford (USA) Pharaoh - 63.089%
8. Yvonne Losos de Muniz (DOM) Liebling II - 62.911 %
Full results of the WDM Palm Beach can be found at
www.WorldDressageMasters.com.
World Dressage Masters Palm Beach Fast Facts:
What: North America's only World Dressage Masters event, part of the richest
dressage series in the world. Up to twenty of the world's top dressage stars
will compete for 100,000 (US$130,000) in prize money at the WDM Palm Beach.
When: January 26 - 28, 2012
Competition schedule:
Friday January 27:
WDM Nurnberger Grand Prix
Saturday January 28:
2 pm to 4:30 - WDM Grand Prix Special
7:30 pm to 10:30 - WDM Exquis Grand Prix Freestyle
Where: Jim Brandon Equestrian Center - Okeeheelee Park South, 7500 Forest
Hill Blvd,
West Palm Beach, FL 33413
Official Show Producer: Wellington Classic Dressage -
www.wellingtonclassicdressage.com - Noreen O'Sullivan 561-227-1570 or John
Flanagan 561-714-9058
Official Caterer: International Polo Club Catering
Past WDM results, as well as complete WDM Rider Rankings can also be found
on the WDM website: www.WorldDressageMasters.com
WDM Palm Beach Presenting Sponsor: International Polo Club Palm Beach
Additional WDM Palm Beach Sponsors: 2kGrey and Akiko Yamazaki
WDM Presenting Partner: Axel Johnson Group
WDM Official partners: team EXQUIS, Nurnberger Versicherungsgruppe
WDM Global Media Partner: Eurosport
Media Contacts: Mason Phelps 561-371-0118 or Karen Robinson 604-318-3121
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