Morgan Barbançon Tops the Grand Prix Special CDI4* Presented by Palm Beach Equine Clinic

Morgan Barbançon (FRA) piloted her own Habana Libre A to the top of the podium in the Grand Prix Special CDI4* presented by Palm Beach Equine Clinic at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, FL, on Saturday, January 28, 2023.

Barbançon and the 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding received an unbeatable score of 74.404%. The victory was special to Barbançon who has had Habana Libre A since he was four years old.

*Morgan Barbançon and Habana Libre A in their lap of honor after winning the Grand Prix Special CDI4* presented by Palm Beach Equine Clinic at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, FL.*
**Photo by** **Susan J. Stickle Photography**

“When I came out and saw the score, I started crying because he has come a long way,” commented Barbançon. “Today I had such a floaty and fluid ride, and I didn’t push. My goal was to give him confidence in the ring and have a fault-free test. That was my goal, and that’s what I had. There were a few hiccups here and there, and there are things that can get better, but it felt like such a nice ride.”

Barbançon is looking forward to continuing her success during the rest of the AGDF season with Habana Libre A.

“I’m looking at the five-star with him,” explained Barbançon. “He’s going to tell me when he’s ready, and I’ll just take it week by week. I’m here until the end of March so there is no rush and no pressure. I’m here to compete as much as I can. I want to give him the confidence in the ring, where he really wants to go and really wants to do it.”

*Morgan Barbançon and Habana Libre A in their winning presentation with Kurt Christensen and Dr. Christina Braun of Palm Beach Equine Clinic.*
**Photo by** **Susan J. Stickle Photography**

Anna-Christina Abbelen (GER) and Sam Donnerhall, owned by Abbelen and Silke Abbelen-Mooren, finished in second place with a score of 71.234%. Pablo Gómez Molina (ESP) and Ulises de Ymas, owned by Javier Bacariza, Cristina Danguillecourt, and Yeguada de Ymas S.L., rounded out the podium after receiving a score of 69.915%.

The FEI Young Horse 7 Year Old Preliminary and FEI Young Horse 7 Year Old Final presented by Palm Beach Equine Clinic took place on Saturday, January 28, and Sunday, January 29. Juan Francisco Fernandez Muñoz (ESP) took top honors in both classes aboard Fraggle Rock, owned by Precision Sport Horses. Muñoz and the seven-year-old gelding received a score of 72.482% on Saturday and a 72.643% on Sunday.

Palm Beach Equine Clinic is the Official Veterinarian of the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, FL. The third week featured the Grand Prix Special CDI4*, the FEI Young Horse 7 Year Old Preliminary, and the FEI Young Horse 7 Year Old Final presented by Palm Beach Equine Clinic. View results, live stream replays, and more at gdf.coth.com.