Wandres and Bluetooth OLD Extend Winning Streak In Week Five ‘Friday Night Stars’
Frederic Wandres (GER) and Bluetooth OLD lit up the capacity crowds on a balmy Florida evening for the ‘Friday Night Lights’ FEI World Cup™ Grand Prix Freestyle, presented by Havensafe Farm. The barnstorming duo captured the week’s showcase class with over 80% at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, FL. AGDF 2023, which hosts seven weeks of CDI competition, runs through April 2.
Last to go of the 11 starters, Wandres and Hof Kasselmann’s 13-year-old gelding (Bordeaux x Riccione) demonstrated a rhythmic, powerful and balanced test that was brimming with expression and elasticity. As a three-year-old in Germany, Bluetooth OLD sold for €1 million ($1.3 million USD), and his quality, talent and consistency at Grand Prix justify that price tag. This result represents the pair’s fourth straight victory at the 2023 AGDF and the audience began to cheer wildly before the final halt. Wandres finished on 80.565%, with a high score of 82.2%.
Two American ladies joined Wandres on the podium. Ashley Holzer rode her own 13-year-old Sir Donnerhall mare Valentine in just her fourth international Grand Prix Freestyle, filling second place with 77.4%. Just behind Holzer, with 77.27%, came Sarah Tubman on Summit Farm’s stallion First Apple — another 13-year-old.
Wandres, who works for Kasselmann and is an AGDF regular, said, “It was the second Friday Night Lights this season for me and I really love the atmosphere — it’s always so crowded and the people are cheering for everyone. I am very happy with Bluetooth; he gets more and more consistent and the important things are getting better and better. I am really looking forward for what’s coming next.”
Bluetooth OLD — who was bred by Paul Schockemöhle’s Gestüt Lewitz — was formerly ridden at national Grand Prix by Ingrid Klimke, and Wandres took over the reins almost two years ago.
“In the beginning we needed time to come together as he’s a very sensitive horse,” added Wandres, who is eyeing the CDI5* show in Week 10 for Bluetooth OLD. “He needs routine and it took a little while to figure all that out. Now I know him and he knows me and we know what we can risk and what we can’t — that’s the positive thing about a partnership. Coming down the centerline is what the spectators see, but behind that there is so much more to think about and do; it’s a 24/7 passion for all of us and if it all comes together in the arena, then even better.”
Holzer was particularly emotional about Valentine’s performance as she had a very difficult ride at the World Championships in Denmark in August 2022, where the mare had a major loss of confidence in the ring. This was their first big tour international since then.
Wandres, who works for Kasselmann and is an AGDF regular, said, “It was the second Friday Night Lights this season for me and I really love the atmosphere — it’s always so crowded and the people are cheering for everyone. I am very happy with Bluetooth; he gets more and more consistent and the important things are getting better and better. I am really looking forward for what’s coming next.”
Bluetooth OLD — who was bred by Paul Schockemöhle’s Gestüt Lewitz — was formerly ridden at national Grand Prix by Ingrid Klimke, and Wandres took over the reins almost two years ago.
“In the beginning we needed time to come together as he’s a very sensitive horse,” added Wandres, who is eyeing the CDI5* show in Week 10 for Bluetooth OLD. “He needs routine and it took a little while to figure all that out. Now I know him and he knows me and we know what we can risk and what we can’t — that’s the positive thing about a partnership. Coming down the centerline is what the spectators see, but behind that there is so much more to think about and do; it’s a 24/7 passion for all of us and if it all comes together in the arena, then even better.”
Holzer was particularly emotional about Valentine’s performance as she had a very difficult ride at the World Championships in Denmark in August 2022, where the mare had a major loss of confidence in the ring. This was their first big tour international since then.
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