WELLINGTON, Fla.--Germany’s Frederic Wandres on Verrenberg won the gold medal in the FEI Nations Cup CDIO3* Grand Prix Freestyle on Friday,March 20 at the Global Dressage Festival.
Frederic Wandres on Verrenberg (Photo by Centre Line Medial)For Wandres it was a new personal best of 77%, and it capped an unbeaten week for the Olympic gold medalist.
Ashley Holzer on Hawtins San Floriana won the silver medal with 74.35%, and Nations Cup first-timer Emma Caecilia Lienert of Germany on Windermere J’Obei W won the bronze with 73.105%.
“I didn’t feel much pressure, because I really enjoyed the last freestyle under the lights with Verrenberg,” said Wandres, who performed to an Ace of Base soundtrack originally made for his Olympic horse, Bluetooth. “The test tonight was super. He’s still a young horse, and he competed last week. It’s unusual to do two weeks in a row."
“In Europe, we wouldn’t do it because we have to travel long distances, but here we travel 10 minutes," said Wandres. "Verrenberg is fit, and he shone bright this evening. I think he really likes the music, and it suits him.”
“WITH THE young ones, we always think about developing more strength, more power, and more self-carriage, but when it comes to the exercises, he’s already pretty secure,” he said. “He knows his job and he throws his heart into the arena—that’s what I really appreciate about him.”
Wandres also received a check for $25,000 as the winner of the Stillpoint Farm Leading International Freestyle Rider series for his consistent performances at AGDF.
“The season is now over for us, and it was super fantastic, perfect shows as always,” he said. “And it was only after I won the freestyle last week that I realized the leading rider money was so big. Thank you to Stillpoint Farm, we really appreciate it, and it’s so fantastic for our sport.”
Holzer rode to a patriotic soundtrack put together by Tom Hunt.
She rode in four Olympics for Canada before moving to the U.S., a decision the Neil Diamond music emphasized.
“It’s a beautiful freestyle that highlights her and frames the movements,” said the Wellington-based Holzer. “A lot of people come up to me and say they love the music. There is a lot of atmosphere here and the fans are amazing. I love how my mare settles once she’s in the pattern. Friday nights are a dream for anybody that wants to compete, and it’s sad that the season’s over. I’m going to miss it.”
Third-placed Caecilia Lienert was riding at her second senior CDI with Windermere J’Obei W, a 15-year-old gelding who competed in the Paris 2024 Olympics under former owner Melissa Galloway.
“This is completely insane,” said the 22-year-old. “I enjoyed riding in there so much. I came to the Nations Cup with zero expectations, because I was the youngest. My horse did so much for me. Iit was amazing, and I’m so happy. It’s very surreal.”
