Wandres and Verrenberg Win Freestyle at 2026 CDIO Wellington

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2026 CDIO Wellington

-- GDF press release, edited by Eurodressage - Photos © Centre Line Media

A new personal best of 77% for Germany’s Frederic Wandres and Verrenberg secured the top placing in the FEI Nations Cup CDIO3* Grand Prix Freestyle, the centerpiece of Week 11 - the final week of competition - at the 2026 Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, FL.

The result capped an unbeaten week for the Olympic gold medalist and Hof Kasselmann’s impressive 10-year-old Vilancio x Johnson gelding.

Ashley Holzer (USA) rode Hawtins San Floriana into the second place with 74.35%, sandwiched between two Germans in the final “Friday Night Stars” gala evening of the 2026 GDF. Freestyle bronze went to Nations Cup first-timer Emma Caecilia Lienert on her own Windermere J’Obei W with 73.105%.

Of 12 riders in the CDIO tour, only five rode the freestyle

Little Pressure

“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enjoyed the last freestyle under the lights with Verrenberg,” said Wandres, who performed to an Ace of Base soundtrack originally made for his Olympic horse, Bluetooth.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. Verrenberg is fit, and he shone bright this evening. I think he really likes the music, and it suits him,” continued Wandres.

“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 added. “He knows his job and he throws his heart into the arena—that’s what I really appreciate about him.”

Wandres was also handed a check for $25,000 as the winner of the Leading International Freestyle Rider series for his consistent performances at GDF. While his horses stayed in Florida for the winter, he flew three times back and forth to compete in Wellington. He is a regular on the Wellington circuit, showcasing horses owned by his employer Hof Kasselmann with much success over the years.

“The season is now over for us, and it was super fantastic—perfect shows as always,” he added. “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.”

Wandres’s partner Lars Ligus—also a member of Germany’s Nations Cup team—was presented with the Lövsta-sponsored grooms award of $500 for his care and preparation of Verrenberg.

Holzer Sandwiched by Germans

Holzer was sandwiched by two Germans in the top three. She rode her own and Diane Fellows’s 14-year-old Hawtins San Floriana (San Amour x Florestan) to a patriotic soundtrack put together by Tom Hunt. She rode in four Olympics for Canada before declaring for 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, who scooped the Leading Lady Freestyle Rider Award for Week 11. “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 Emma Lienert was riding at her second senior CDI with Windermere J’Obei W, a 15-year-old gelding who contested the Paris 2024 Olympics under former owner Melissa Galloway.

“This is completely insane,” said the 22-year-old of the individual medal hanging around her neck. “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—it was amazing, and I’m so happy. It’s very surreal.”

**3* Freestyle Win for Vilhelmson**

Earlier in the evening, seven pairs competed in the 3* Freestyle, which was won by Swedish seven-time Olympian Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén on Lövsta Stuteri’s 14-year-old Hyatt. She logged a win with 76.64%.

Jennifer Williams finished second with a 75.455% ride on the 12-year-old Rousseau gelding Joppe K. P.J. Rizvi got the crowd clapping along to her Vanilla Ice-themed test on her charming Lusitano of the same name, taking third with 73.5%.

“The atmosphere here is always something special,” said Vilhelmson Silfvén. “But today was extraordinary. It was a huge feeling in the arena, and the audience was super today. Hyatt was on fire, but in a good way, we had good cooperation. Now she goes back to Europe, and I’m aiming for the CDI3* in Aachen in May.”

Both the night’s freestyle class were qualifiers for the US Equestrian Open of Dressage series, with seven of this year’s 24 qualifiers being held at GDF before the final in California in November.