Laura Graves on Verdades, pictured here at WEG 2018.

© Michelle Terlato

By Equestrian Life

The Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington kicked off this week, with the first big class – the World Cup Grand Prix – being won by Laura Graves and Verdades.

The world number two combination scored 80.065% to win from fellow Americans Shelly Francis and Danilo on 72.478%, with Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén and Don Auriello in third on 71.587%.

It will be Laura and Verdades’ sixth year at Big Tour, and this event is the first since their silver medal winning performances at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon last year. Verdades is now 17 years of age, but is still proving he has what it takes to be competitive at the highest level.

Other classes on the first day of competition includes the FEI 3* Grand Prix, won by Germany’s Michael Klimke and Royal Dancer on 68.435%, and the FEI 3* Prix St Georges, again won by Michael Klimke – this time with Harmony’s Diabolo on 70.265%.

Full results can be found here.

The Adequan Global Dressage Festival is run in conjunction with the Winter Equestrian Festival and is held at Palm Beach International Equestrian Centre in Wellington, Florida. Running over 12 weeks, there is seven CDI events – four of which are World Cup classes. The CDI events offer a total of more than $600k in prizemoney.

You can read more about the Adequan Global Dressage Festival and Winter Equestrian Festival here.

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