Champions Collide: Hendricks vs. Lyle at U.S. Open of Dressage Qualifier

Week one of the twelve-week Adequan^® Global Dressage Festival (Global) kicks off today with a field of thirteen entered in the FEI World Cup Grand Prix. While the festival spans 12 shows, it isn’t strictly consecutive—there are breaks from January 17–21 and January 29–February 2. From February onward, the schedule continues weekly until the finale at the end of March.

Global, which takes place in Wellington, Florida, is a prestigious circuit frequented by top dressage riders from around the world. Among this week’s headliners are Germany’s Felicitas Hendricks, the 2023 Under-25 European Champion, and Adrienne Lyle, a three-time U.S. Olympian and top-ranked American at the Paris Olympics.

Felicitas Hendricks: The Rising Star

Hendricks will enter the ring on her 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Drombusch OLD. The pair has been together since the gelding was six, and they have progressed up the levels as a team. “I couldn’t wish for a better dance partner,” Hendricks said. “It’s even more special because we’ve gone all the way together.”

The pair had a dominant showing in Wellington last year, winning seven of their eight starts, including a clean sweep of all freestyle tests. The pair boasts a personal best freestyle score of 79.11% and maintains an impressive average of 77.54%.

“I feel like the sky really is the limit for this horse because he wants to do it, and I know he will,” Hendricks said.

Hendricks and Drombusch are known for their high degree of difficulty in freestyle tests– averaging a stunning 8.83 in their last 5 competitions. With last year’s track record and consistently high scores, Hendricks and Drombusch are undoubtedly a pair to beat this weekend.

Adrienne Lyle: The U.S. Olympian

Facing off against Hendricks is three-time Olympian Adrienne Lyle (2012, 2020, 2024) with her Paris partner, Helix, a 13-year-old KWPN chestnut gelding. Lyle took over the ride on Helix in early 2024 after her Tokyo mount, Salvino, retired in 2023. Despite having less than a year to prepare for the games, Lyle and Helix delivered a strong 72.593% in the Grand Prix at the Paris Olympics, making them the highest-ranked U.S. combination.

Lyle’s first ride on Helix was just under a year ago, on January 21, 2024. Since then, the pair has averaged a freestyle score of 75.09%.

“I always commend his character because there aren’t many horses so game to handle so many changes. He’s always willing to work and try something new,” Lyle said.

Known for his playful nature, Lyle describes Helix as a “goofball” and a “people’s horse.” “[If he were human] he would go to the spa and relax with cucumbers on his eyes. He loves having people’s hands on him—massages and treats are his idea of heaven,” she shared.

Helix’s most recent outing also produced his personal best in the freestyle with a stellar 77.61% in December 2024 in Ocala, Florida. With this upward trajectory, Lyle and Helix are a formidable combination to watch.

Depth of the Field

While Hendricks and Lyle are the marquee names for the second U.S. Open of Dressage qualifier, the competition features several other strong contenders. Below, rounding out the Top 5, are the other riders who have the best averages in their Grand Prix Freestyle tests:

• Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén (SWE): The seven-time Olympian and her 16-year-old Holsteiner gelding, Devanto, hold the second-highest freestyle average of 75.46% with a personal best of 78.08%.

• Camille Carier Bergeron (CAN): The 25-year-old Olympian from Quebec and her 15-year-old mare, Finnlanderin, boast a freestyle average of 74.20% with a personal best of 77.28%.

• Evelyn Eger (GER): Riding Tabledance 3, Eger helped Team Germany secure victory at the Nations Cup finale in Falsterbo last July. The pair averages 73.55%, with a personal best of 77.09%.

This depth of talent ensures the Grand Prix will be a fiercely competitive showcase.

Wellington’s Legacy

Wellington has long been an equestrian mecca, drawing riders from around the globe to winter in Florida’s warm climate. The Global Dressage Festival consistently attracts talent, making it no surprise that the Top 10 highest-scoring tests at the venue are in the 80s.

While this week’s horse and rider combinations have yet to hit the 80% mark, the potential is undoubtedly there. Will someone break into the 80s this weekend? Can Hendricks maintain her undefeated freestyle streak in Wellington? Or will one of the four Olympians (Lyle, Hendricks, Vilhelmson Silfvén, and Kelly Layne) seize victory? Tune in live to USEF Network to watch the freestyle action Friday night.

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