Mikala Munter Gundersen broke her streak of third place finishes with a victory on Thursday at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF). Gundersen and Janne Rumbough's My Lady finished first in the FEI Grand Prix, presented by Today's Equestrian & GF Enterprise LLC during the AGDF 10 CDI W and CPEDI 3*, presented by Today's Equestrian, GF Enterprises LLC, and Mike and Roz Collins.
The week's feature event, the “Friday Night Stars” FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI W, presented by Today's Equestrian & GF Enterprise LLC, will take place on Friday, March 14, at 7:00 p.m. at The Stadium. An impressive fifteen horse and rider combinations are expected to take part in the class as every rider aims to earn valuable qualifying points for the FEI World Cup Dressage Finals.
Gundersen topped an impressive field of 32 riders from eight countries around the world with My Lady, a 14-year-old Danish Warmblood mare out of Marion by Michellino. My Lady and Gundersen were the final pair to go, edging out fellow Dane Lars Petersen with a score of 73.120%. Petersen finished second with Mariett on a 72.700%, while American Catherine Haddad-Staller and Mane Stream Hotmail rounded out the top three with a 71.560%.
Gundersen was also the recipient of the Champion Equine Insurance Dressage Style Award, presented by Laura Fetterman.
Olympian judge Dr. Wojtek Markowski (POL) was highly complementary of the class, describing the caliber of riders as greater than what he may see in Europe.
RESULTS – GRAND PRIX
1 Mikala Gundersen, DEN, My Lady, 14-year-old Danish Warmblood mare owned by Janne Rumbough, Marion x Michellino: 73.600%, 72.900%, 71.300%, 73.800%, 74.000%, 73.120%
2 Lars Petersen, DEN, Mariett, 16-year-old Danish Warmblood mare owned by Marcia M. Pepper, Zendi x Comeback II: 74.900%, 74.600%, 73.000%, 72.200%, 68.800%, 72.700%
3 Catherine Haddad-Staller, USA, Mane Stream Hotmail, 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by rider, Rederna x Michellino: 73.600%, 69.800%, 71.400%, 71.000%, 72.000%, 71.560%
4 Shelly Francis, USA, Doktor, 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Patricia Stempel, Gurena x Diamond Hit: 74.000%, 72.800%, 70.600%, 70.600%, 69.500%, 71.500%
5 Belinda Trussell, CAN, Anton, 14-year-old Sachsen gelding owned by Robyn Eames, Shirley x Anteaus:72.1000%, 72.400%, 72.700%, 68.200%, 69.100%, 70.900%
6 Cesar Parra, USA, Van the Man, Van the Man, 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Michael Davis, Lady x Obelisk: 69.800%, 70.600%, 73.00%, 67.600%, 72.200%, 70.640%
7 Megan Lane, CAN, Caravella, 13-year-old KWPN Mare owned by rider, P. Riviera x Contango: 69.800%, 70.600%, 69.600%, 70.500%, 68.500%, 69.800%
8 Lisa Wilcox, USA, Denzello, 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Betty Wells, Romina x De Niro: 68.900%, 68.800%, 68.800%, 69.700%, 68.300%, 68.900%