The 2019 Global Dressage Festival (GDF) finished its first week of competition at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL, with a win for Michael Klimke (GER) and Diabolo in the Intermediate I Freestyle CDI3*.
Klimke and Harmony’s Diabolo, a nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Desparadis owned by Harmony Sporthorses, won the FEI Intermediate I Freestyle CDI3*, presented by Triple Crown Nutrition with a score of 73.425%.
Klimke said, “I was very happy today, actually all three days with Harmony’s Diabolo. I’ve had him since he was six, and what I really think his highlight is [strength mentally, with] the nerves; he’s totally rideable. The gaits are good, and the highlight at the end is his availability for piaffe and pirouettes. He can really sit.”
Looking forward, Klimke said that “[his] plan with Harmony’s Diabolo is he goes another small tour in two weeks, then I take a break, and then I will ride him in Intermediate II.”
After AGDF, Klimke returns to his hometown of Münster, Germany, “the capital of the Westphalian Horses”. “My aim is when I come back to Germany to see that he goes in the Young Developing Grand Prix. He’s ready for it,” he said.
Klimke commented, “[Diabolo] is really one of the few horses I’ve had in my life that is in the ring exactly the same ride outside. When you make no mistakes, he makes no mistakes.”
Earlier in the day Ashley Holzer (USA) and Valentine, a nine-year-old Oldenburg mare (by Sir Donnerhall) owned by Holzer, won the Intermediate I CDI1* with a score of 70.588%.
Photo © Sue Stickle
Related Links
Scores: 2019 CDI-W Wellington
Graves Rides Easy 80% at Opening Show of 2019 Global Dressage Festival
Graves Wins World Cup Qualifier with New Freestyle at 2019 CDI-W Wellington