Victory for Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén as the 2018 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival Kicks Off

Victory for Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén as the 2018 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival Kicks Off
The 2018 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) opened the winter season at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, Florida, with Swedish competitor Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén and the 15-year-old Paridon Magi posting a new personal best of 75.87% in the FEI Grand Prix CDIW, presented by Adequan®. AGDF, which hosts seven weeks of CDI competition, runs through March 31.



“It was the best ride I’ve had on him and I was happy that he was open minded and really working with me,” said Vilhelmson Silfvén of her 2017 European Championships partner.  She first came to Wellington for the AGDF in 2011 and was so impressed that she has come back every year since.


“It’s such a super preparation for my horses and the best way to keep them in the winter,” added Vilhelmson Silfvén, who was second in this class last year. “I gain so much to ave them train over here. To have the opportunity to compete again and again, as much as you like, is fantastic.”




It was seven months ago when Shelly Francis (USA) and Doktor last set foot in a competition arena, but the pair were on form to win the MTICA Farm-presented FEI Grand Prix CDI3* with 72.543%, earning over 71% from all five judges. The duo, who are ranked 54th in the world, were last to go, and took over the lead from the penultimate competitor, Susan Pape (GBR) on Harmony’s Don Noblesse.


“Doktor was a bit tight to begin with, chewing and clanking his teeth, so I had trouble finding the rhythm in the early trot work, but I was pleased with him,” said the 59-year-old of her 15-year-old Oldenburg by Diamond Hit. “He’s been a bit of a project; I didn’t do the award ceremony with him because I usually put ear plugs in, but as I was last to go I didn’t have time. Some people might think I’m a chicken but I’d like to live a bit longer; he runs flat out in there.”


The pair has been together since Francis found the horse at Michael Klimke’s barn in Germany. They now progress to the grand prix special on Saturday, where Francis plans to “press for a little more”.