Adrienne Lyle guided Zen Elite Equestrian Center’s Helix to a new personal best score of 80.60% to top the Havensafe Farm CDI5* Grand Prix freestyle during “Friday Night Stars” at the 2025 Adequan Global Dressage Festival (Florida).

Lyle and her Paris Olympics partner Helix—winners of the qualifying Grand Prix on Thursday—executed a demanding floorplan that included 15 one-time changes right into a tiny double pirouette and a full piaffe pirouette on the final centerline. Lyle, who will head next to the FEI World Cup Final in Basel, Switzerland, in April, has been diligently working on Helix’s relaxation and finding a longer neck during the test.   

“It felt easy, which is exactly what I was hoping for,” said Lyle, who opted to walk into the ring on a long rein before starting her test. “Not only is this a five-star and a fabulous competition, but I wanted one more chance to get in an environment like this before we head to the World Cup. My main goal was to have a quiet, harmonious ride, and he felt like he did the whole thing effortlessly—didn’t even break a sweat—and walked calmly back to his stall.”

Watch their freestyle, courtesy of Wellington International:

Lyle has been prepping for Friday Night Stars by riding the 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood (Apache—Zeester T, Jazz) in the evenings, getting him accustomed to being tacked up and ridden in the dark, and playing applause music because Helix is “not a horse who likes surprises.” Her groom Marina Lemay was awarded the $500 grooms prize from Lövsta Future Challenge. 

“We’re at a place now where we’re showing harmony and relaxation, and the frame’s getting better,” said Lyle, who rode to an upbeat Terry Gallo music compilation of popular songs ranging from “Stand By Me” to “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” “I still think there’s a lot more in there.”

Lyle has been riding with a pool of local trainers including Katie Duerrhammer, Ali Brock and Christine Traurig, as well as with remote assistance from her long-time coach Debbie McDonald, who lives in Idaho. Lyle is enjoying their collective wisdom.

“I have a whole group of people helping me, which is fantastic,” she said. “We have a great wealth of knowledge here, and it’s fun to draw on it. It’s been a really cool group effort.”

Ecuador’s Julio Mendoza Loor put down a 78.52% performance aboard the 14-year-old Jewel’s Goldstrike—a horse he bought for $20 and who took him to the 2024 Paris Olympics—to finish second. Anna Marek rode Cynthia Davila’s gelding Fayvel to a third-place finish with 77.13%.  

The class was also one of the 23 qualifiers held around the country for the inaugural season of the US Equestrian Open of Dressage, with the final set for November in California. Seven of the qualifying classes are being held at AGDF. Marek currently sits atop the rankings with 88 points, with Germans Evelyn Eger (76 points) and Felicitas Hendricks (64 points) in second and third.  

See complete results here.