February 8, 2025 
Adrienne Lyle has outdone herself. Literally.
After pulling off the win in the FEI World Cup Grand Prix on Thursday, she and her Paris Olympic mount Helix put in a new personal best in the FEI World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle Friday with a score of 80.325%.
With these one-two wins, Lyle has earned her place in contention for the FEI World Cup Final in Basel, Switzerland in April.
“That is, hands down, the best feeling he’s ever given me,” said Lyle, who rode to a Terry Gallo music compilation.
“He was able to replicate the work that I’ve been getting at home—the lightness, harmony, and self-carriage. Tonight, he was able to take that into an electric environment and stay relaxed and in his own balance. It felt effortless and I didn’t have to push for anything. To feel that kind of confidence from him is really exciting.”
During the third rendition of Friday Night Stars so far this winter season, Lyle and Helix, the 13-year-old KWPN gelding (Apache x Jazz) were able to add 2.7% to their previous best score which was set in December.
“When I saw the score, I was so excited. It’s not many times in your life you’re going to see an 80%; it’s a huge thrill,” said Lyle. “We added a high degree of difficulty to the floorplan by adding combinations, like pirouettes into the changes and the piaffe full pirouettes.”
On Thursday, Lyle and Helix earned a score of 73.283% in the FEI World Cup Grand Prix, which included several eights for the gelding’s piaffe from five different judges.
Lyle said Helix will take a well deserved short break before training will resume ahead of the World Cup Final. Then the summer schedule will take the pair to Europe along with other American dressage riders. Lyle said her longer-term goal is the 2026 FEI World Championships in Aachen, Germany.
Florida-based Anna Marek rode the 15-year-old gelding Fayvel (Zizi Top x Houston) to a second place finish in the freestyle with a 78.785% score. Fan favorites P.J. Rizvi and the 14-year-old Lusitano stallion Vanilla Ice finished third with their ice-themed freestyle on a score of 76.585%.
Friday night’s class was a qualifier for the new U.S. Equestrian Open of Dressage, which features 23 qualifiers—seven of which are at AGDF—before the final in California in November. The Adequan Global Dressage Festival hosts seven weeks of CDI competition through March 30.
Stay tuned for more coverage from Wellington this season at horsenetwork.com
