You didn’t need airpods to be connected to Fredric Wandres & Bluetooth OLD’s ‘Friday Night Lights’ FEI World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle, just a seat at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, FL.

On Friday, the pair’s immersive musical freestyle kicked off with a high-tempo instrumental remix of ILoveMakonnen’s “Club Going Up on a Tuesday.” But at ‘Friday Night Lights’ the true delights are in the dressage, and Wandres trendy house music set the tone for a beautifully rhythmic test with high impulsion and the right balance of relaxation. Their performance elicited thunderous applause even before the final salute, and the top score of 80.565% put a number to the emotion.

Wandres was the only rider of the 11 starters to break 80%, and his high score of 82.2 came from the Austrian judge at E, Alice Schwab. Ashley Holzer (USA) and 13-year-old mare Valentine took the second place position on the podium with a score of 77.4%. Sarah Tubman and 13-year-old stallion Sir Apple weren’t at all far behind them, finishing third with a 77.2%.

In dressage, no element of training happens overnight, and for Wandres and Bluetooth this was especially true for the concepts of consistency and relaxation. Yet, Bluetooth is a horse who has shown exceptional promise dating back to his young horse years, selling for a $1.3 million price tag as a three-year-old. Previously campaigned by German dressage star Ingrid Klimke, the now 13-year-old Bluetooth was always destined for success. All he needed was time.

“In the beginning we needed time to come together as he’s a very sensitive horse. 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,” said Wandres.

Safe to say they walk (or passage) that fine line with expert precision, because Wandres and Bluetooth have been on a winning streak. The pair took multiple international wins at Aachen this past season, and also conquered Thursday’s Grand Prix special in Wellington. They’re celebrating the highlights because it’s a result of the synergy they’ve built in the hours at home.

“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.

“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.”

And what’s next? At present, they have their sights set on Week 10 for the CDI5*.

Feature Image: Frederic Wandres & Bluetooth OLD in the FEI World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle. Photo © SusanJStickle.com.