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Ashley Holzer and Pop Art Score Top Marks in Florida Masters

February 1, 2026

Ottawa, Ontario—Three-time Canadian Olympian Ashley Holzer of Toronto, ON, finished in fourth place in the Grand Prix Freestyle on January 30 with her 2008 Olympic mount, Pop Art, at the $130,000 Exquis World Dressage Masters, held January 29–31 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, in Wellington, FL, USA.

Holzer and Pop Art (Amsterdam x Cabochon), a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Rusty Holzer and Ian and Moreen Nicoll, earned an excellent score of 76.350% in the Grand Prix Freestyle. In the overall scores, the duo was awarded marks that had them tied for second (American judge Liselotte Fore) and third (American judge Janet Foy) from two members of the panel. For the second day in a row they bettered the score they posted in the Freestyle a week ago at the Gold Coast Opener where they were awarded a 76.250%.

“I’m very happy with my freestyle. I unfortunately made a few little rider mistakes tonight but I was extremely pleased with Poppy’s consistent strong effort, especially in his piaffe and passage tour,” remarked Holzer, who rode to music from Disney’s Millennium Celebration and the film National Treasure for her Freestyle. “Many people even commented on the big improvement since Hong Kong.”

First place went to the reigning Olympic gold medalist Anky van Grunsven of the Netherlands, who earned a score of 79.600% % on IPS Painted Black. Hans-Peter Minderhoud, also of the Netherlands, and Exquis Escapado finished in second with 76.600%. The third spot was awarded to American Olympian Steffen Peters and his Olympic mount Ravel with a score of 77.750%.

Complete results for the Exquis World Dressage Masters may be found at http://www.palmbeachworlddressagemasters.com/scores.html.

The international judging panel including Stephen Clarke (FEI O­­­—GBR), Wim Ernes (FEI O—NED), Evi Eisenhardt (FEI O—GER), Janet Foy (FEI I—US) Liselotte Fore (FEI I—USA), and Sarah Geikie (FEI C—USA).
About Dressage Canada
Dressage Canada, as a committee of Equine Canada, is the National governing body for Dressage in Canada. Dressage Canada’s objective is to foster the growth of Dressage and the pursuit of excellence in the sport at the local, national and international levels. Dressage Canada provides support and guidance to both amateur and professional through the following programs: coaching education and programs, officials’ education and programs, rules & qualifying criteria, sport development, publications & awards. For more information about Dressage Canada, please visit the Dressage section of the Equine Canada site.
About Equine Canada
Equine Canada is a member-based association that represents, promotes and services Canada’s equine community and industry. Its core areas of activity involve sport, equine health and welfare, education and safety, governance and marketing, representation and communication. Equine Canada is recognized by Sport Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Coaching Association of Canada as the national organization representing equestrian sport and equine interests in Canada. For more information about Equine Canada, please visit www.equinecanada.ca.

Written by Julie Cull · Filed Under Canada, Julie Cull 
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