Silva Martin and Michael Bragdell In the Winner's Circle at inaugural Mid-Atlantic Dressage Festival

Shows

2022 CDI Lexington, VA

The inaugural Mid-Atlantic Dressage Festival hosted at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, Virginia on 20 - 22 May 2022, featured a CDI 2* as well as national classes. The event is considered a resounding success by the organizer.

The CDI had 31 entries, while the national show grew from previous years to over 140 entries. Total prize money offered in the CDI was $8,000.

Silva Martin on Christine Capano’s Esperanto (by Jazz x Negro) ruled the small tour, which featured 8 combinations in total after two pairs dropped out. She won the PSG with 68.775%, the Inter I with 68.824% and the Inter I kur to Music with 73.408%. Martin's biggest rivals in the division were Siobhan Byrne on her own Hans (by Sir Donnerhall x Fabuloso) and Christian Garweg on Karen Meyer’s Excalibur RS (by Johnson x Lancer II) who stayed closely on Martin's heels.

Barbie Asplundh on her own Gorgeous (by Charmeur x Special D) captured the win in the Amateur Intermediate II with a 66.667% and the Inter A with 68.265%, while Donna Gatchell was the sole entry in the regular Inter II and posted 60.686% on her 9-year old Oldenburg bred Reflection (by Ridley x Farmer).

The junior division was dominated by CDI debutante Lucas Garvey on his 13-year old KWPN bred Everest (by Charmeur x Special D), who was originally named G'Naldo VE at birth. Garvey won the team test with 63.187% and the individual test with 65.735% . He withdrew from the freestyle, where the win was taken by CDI first-timer Emily Bansky on Vincento, a 20-year old KWPN gelding by Obelisk x Amor.

Only one Young Rider contested the international classes: Mia Mata Blake on the 13-year old Australian bred Hanoverian Hannah Lu W (by His Highness x Regardez Moi). Mata Blake, who first competed in eventing before switching to dressage, scored 59.902% in the team test, 66.961% in the individual and 67.333% in the Kur.

There was only one Grand Prix class and professional Michael Bragdell took top honour aboard the 14-year old Oldenburg stallion Qredit Hilltop (by Quaterback x Dream of Glory). They received a winning 68.768% from the panel of judges, consisting of Lee Tubman, Janet Foy and Clive Halsall. Abraham Pugh and the 16-year old American bred Trakehner Elfenperfekt (by Peron x Zauberklang) was the runner up with 68.587%.

“We are grateful to all our sponsors of the CDI and National Show, without whom this show would not be possible. We would also like to recognize our wonderful manager, Heather Peterson, our show Secretary, Bettina Longaker, our volunteers, the staff at the VHC, and the dedicated individuals at Horse Show Office. Go Team MADFest! We are already looking forward to 2023," said Gardy Bloemers, Virginia Horse Center Foundation Board of Directors.