It was ten years ago, in 1999, that Jan Brink and Briar took the first steps together in an international Grand Prix. The FEI World Cup(tm) Final esta semana em Las Vegas will be the 18-year old stallions last dance at the dressage circuit.
To end their career in Las Vegas has been in the mind of the Swedish dressage kings for a long time.
“It feels just right and delightful to have Briar end his career while still on top”, says Jan Brink.
The combination has had over ten years together at Grand Prix-level. And their last challenge seems to be one of the toughest. However Jan Brink is not gambling on a top position in Las Vegas. “The most important thing is to have a last good round without any undue pressure on Briar. It is important for me that we will continue to have a good feeling together until the end.”
For Brink and Briar the final now will mark the third time they will enter the very special Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The best result so far for Brink and Briar in a world cup final is a third place in Amsterdam 2006, Holanda.
After the Final on Monday April 20th Briar will board the flight back home as a pensioner. But he will not idle away his time. Maybe some lucky student will learn the secrets of dressage from the experienced master Briar and he will continue with his stud duties.
Later on this year Briar will say goodbye to his Swedish fans at Falsterbo Horse Show and at Stockholm International Horse Show.