Clash of the Titans

As the only CDI5* in Wellington’s winter circuit—and the only 5-star qualifier in the Series—Adequan Global Dressage Festival 10 promises a night of top-tier competition, featuring a star-studded cast of horses and riders. The staggering $150,000 prize pool has drawn competitors from around the globe, with nearly every entry boasting an international championship appearance on their résumé.

With a stacked field, we could see some of the highest scores and narrowest margins of the season so far.

The Midseason Leaderboard Battle

With four qualifiers behind her, Anna Marek holds a comfortable 11-point lead as the Series reaches its midway mark. She has a solid margin, but it’s not untouchable. German riders Evelyn Eger and Felicitas Hendricks have a chance to overtake her this weekend, but everything would have to go right for them—and very wrong for Marek. If either of them wins the class and Marek finishes outside the top ten, they would overtake her lead—an unlikely but not impossible scenario. After all, Marek and Fayvel retired from Qualifier 5 back in January.

Still, Marek has been the most consistent rider in the series, placing first or second in all four of her qualifier performances. Her lead is likely safe this weekend, but the gap could shrink dramatically if she finishes outside the top five.

Breaking 80%: The Riders on the Brink

Adrienne Lyle and Helix are the only pair to score above 80% in a freestyle this year. That result came in Qualifier 6, when Lyle won with 80.325%. While Julio Mendoza Loor is the only other rider in this field who has hit that mark in the past, four more combinations are knocking on the door:

• Kevin Kohmann (PB 79.240%)
• Felicitas Hendricks (PB 79.105%)
• Anna Marek (PB 78.995%)
• Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén (PB 78.080%)

With so many riders on the cusp of 80%, expect at least one new PB this weekend. 

Momentum, Pressure, and the Fight for a Repeat Win

A win this weekend would make Mendoza Loor the first rider to claim back-to-back victories in the series—a feat no one has achieved in 11 qualifiers. His 84% personal best makes him the statistical frontrunner, and after outscoring Marek in Ocala last week, he has momentum on his side.

But Mendoza Loor isn’t the only one peaking at the right time. Kevin Kohmann, fresh off securing his World Cup Final ticket, is another major contender. His win in AGDF 8 showcased his ability to deliver under pressure, and with a 79.240% PB, he has the scoring power to challenge for another podium. 

Meanwhile, Eger has been a Wellington fixture, competing in each qualifier at this venue. The Friday Night Stars atmosphere can be electric, with lights, music, and a high-energy crowd. Both she and Tabledance 3 are well-adjusted to these conditions, which could give her an advantage over series newcomer Pablo Gomez Molina.

So far, five riders have won here this season—proof that no single competitor dominates Wellington. That trend could continue, or we could see the season’s first repeat winner.

Every Tenth Counts

One thing is certain—nothing at Wellington comes easy. Every win is earned. Nothing is guaranteed, and the fight for the top is relentless.

The data says Mendoza Loor is the frontrunner, but as we learned in Week 8, sometimes the numbers don’t tell the whole story.

With 13 combinations in the Freestyle and so many clustered in the high 70s, every tenth of a percent is going to matter. Watch Friday Night Stars live at 7:00 p.m. Eastern on the USEF Network—sign up for free as a fan to stream the action.