Abby and 11-year-old mare Espe (Escolar x Dimaggio) contested the CDI Young Rider classes during week one of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (GDF), finishing their debut outing with placings ranging from first to third. As the pair settled into the Florida circuit, their scores have continued to climb. During week seven of the GDF, they posted personal bests in two of the three tests (i.e. CDI-Y Team, Individual and Freestyle tests), scoring 69.500% in the Team Test and 69.118% in the Individual Test. Both performances were highlighted by scores of nine for the extended walk.
Abby also made a strong impression in the CDI Pony classes with 14-year-old Reitland’s Obama (High Flow’s Oxford x Diamond), opening their campaign with a clean sweep at the first competition with all scores above 68%. Unfortunately, coming into week three, Obama sustained an accidental eye injury in his stable and was therefore rested from competition to ensure full recovery
Since returning to the arena in week seven, Obama has delivered consistent results, finishing second in the CDI-P Team Test with 67.762%, second in the CDI-P Individual Test with 68.135%, and second again in the CDI-P Freestyle, where the pair achieved a personal best score of 73.408%.
Read more: WEELS ON FIRE: FLORIDA HERE WE COME – Equestrian Life, November 2025
Back home, Abby’s Australian coach Matthew Dowsley has been keeping a close eye on her progress and, travelled to Florida for a week to watch Abby compete as she embarks on this important chapter of her international dressage career.
