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World Cup Las Vegas
April 15-19, 2009

World Cup Dressage Final at a Glance

· The 2009 World Cup Dressage Final will be the 24^th. The first was held in 1986.

· It will be the third to combine Dressage and Jumping; it will also be the third to be held in Las Vegas.

· Fifteen competitors from the following eight nations will compete: Australia; Canada; Columbia; Germany; Poland; The Netherlands; Sweden; and the USA.

· The 15 horses originate from six studbooks: KWPN (7); Hanoverian Studbook (1) Swedish Warmblood (3); Baden-Württemberg (1); Oldenburg Studbook (2); and Polish Warmblood (1).

· 15 horses: four stallions (Briar, Don Charly, Kingston, Painted Black); two mares (Nadine and Rafalca); nine geldings.

· Last official show appearance of 18-year old stallion Briar showed by Swedish Jan Brink.

· Most experienced competitor: Anky van Grunsven (NED) with 13 participations and nine victories.

· Newcomers: Adelinde Cornelissen (NED); Marco Bernal (COL); Heath Ryan (AUS); and Jan Ebeling (USA) who will participate in their first World Cup Final.

· Oldest participant: Dutch Jeannette Haazen (54)

· Youngest participant: Dutch Adelinde Cornelissen (29).

· An Open Ending

Looking back at the 2008/2009 season in the Western European League, the four victories of Isabell Werth and the three victories of newcomer Adelinde Cornelissen and stand out. However, there are some serious contenders who should definitely be taken into consideration and the Final looks very open. It will certainly have more to offer than the traditional duel between Anky and Isabell.

Steffen Peters of the USA and Ravel have significantly improved since last summer’s Olympic debut. They are in great form and in February scored a record result in the Grand Prix at Wellington. Olympians Hans Peter Minderhoud (NED) and mare Nadine and Canadian Ashley Holzer and Pop Art also demonstrated growing expertise. The latter pair scored impressive wins in Florida this spring. Germany’s Monica Theodorescu, one of the early participants in the World Cup which she won twice, in 1993 and 1994, is back in full strength with the talented Whisper.

The Best Final Ever

Isabell Werth (GER) has won the Final twice, in 1992 with her great mare Fabienne and in 2007 at Vegas riding the big chestnut Warum Nicht (Hannes). For the 2009 , she will compete on her individual Olympic silver medalist Satchmo and is delighted to take up the challenge. “And I like it! Anyone who really knows me would have seen that I never walk away from challenges in competition. Satchmo and I have built up mutual trust and form and we’ll see what that will bring.”

In accordance with the rules, title defender Anky van Grunsven was not allowed to bring Olympic gold medalist Salinero to Las Vegas. However, although a stallion and probably not as imperturbable as most geldings, Painted Black can in fact set top performances and is certainly not to be ignored. “Due to a lengthy break for Salinero after the Olympic Games and to some sudden problems I had with my back, I wasn’t able to compete aboard Salinero in two World Cup qualifiers. Although I was disappointed, we can’t argue about this. But you can count on me to give the very best I can! I love going back to Vegas!” Anky explained.

Youngest finalist Adelinde Cornelissen still can’t believe her luck. “I left for my first World Cup qualifier in Stockholm without any special expectations. But Parzival and I won and took home a new a car! It was far more then I had ever dreamt of, absolutely superb!” Adelinde said. She has no special expectations for the Final either but will do her very best. “I live one day at a time and try and do as well as possible.”

German judge Katrina Wüst expects the Final in Las Vegas to be the strongest Final ever. “Look at the field of competitors! I am looking so much forward to this Final. Beautiful Dressage is also about sharing emotions. And we love paying tribute to our heroes. The farewell ceremony for American heroine Brentina and the last show appearance of European hero Briar will also make the Final an unforgettable Dressage party where top sport and its heroes will be celebrated!”

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