March 31, 2018 
“Everyone dreams of that 80%,” said American Olympian Adrienne Lyle.
Last night at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, Florida, her dream came true.
Riding the 11-year-old stallion, Salvino, Lyle scored an 81.75% in the FEI Nations Cup™ Grand Prix Freestyle CDIO3* to capture the gold.
It’s the first time Lyle has ever surpassed the 80% mark.
“I’m so proud of the feeling he gave me in there,” enthused Lyle. “I’m so blessed to have him. He’s getting a lot stronger and I can keep the power and the uphill balance—and I have the most amazing coach in the world in Debbie McDonald. This was just a wonderful night.”
For the final Friday Night Stars event of the 2018 AGDF season, the pair performed a freestyle originally created for Lyle’s former top mount, Wizard, the horse she rode to a fourth place team finish at the 2014 World Equestrian Games. She is currently working on new music and choreography with Terry Gallo.
“The new freestyle will have a higher degree of difficulty; we’ve been using this new FEI system, and it will have a significantly higher degree of difficulty,” said Idaho-based rider. “We’re also using powerful and empowering music to showcase his power and gracefulness.”
Rounding out the podium, with personal bests of their own, are Americans Sabine Schut-Kery on Sanceo with a 78.145% and Olivia LaGoy-Weltz on Lonior with 77.385%.
