The inaugural Exquis World Dressage Masters CDI 5* to be held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington Florida at the end of this week Jan. 29-31 is near. Friday and Saturday will present two days of unprecedented dressage festivities in the United States. On Friday the Grand Prix takes place and triple Olympic gold medallist Anky van Grunsven will host a clinic with a group of selected riders in the International Arena.
Both Van Grunsven and her black stallion IPS Painted Black have arrived safely in Florida, as have all other European horses. “It’s amazing that more than 3000 tickets have been sold already for the clinic only!”, Van Grunsven said. “Dressage no doubt is inspiring and popular in the USA. I’m very much looking forward to the clinic and the Exquis World Dressage Masters!”.
Anky van Grunsven has just won the WC qualifier in Amsterdam aboard her stallion IPS Painted Black. It can be seen as the best rehearsal for the Exquis World Dressage Masters this week. “We had a personal record of 81,25% in the Freestyle Amsterdam. This was the very first time that IPS Painted Black showed in the arena what he is capable of at home. I am curious to see whether he will stick on this attitude and show this in Florida as well!”, Van Grunsven said.
Some Florida residents had their rehearsal in West Palm Beach last weekend. Canadian Olympian Ashley Holzer took the win aboard Pop Art receiving 76,250%. However American Steffen Peters aboard Ravel being ranked fourth at the OG 2008 probably will give Anky and all others the hardest battle.
Exquis sponsored riders Dutch Hans Peter Minderhoud, ranked fifth at the Olympics, and Danish Anne van Olst, being in the Danish bronze medal team at the Olympics, are looking forward to celebrate the inaugural event in Wellington with their sponsor. Moorland’s Edward Gal from The Netherlands has joined them. US company Equestrian Sport Productions partners the Exquis World Dressage Masters and is proud to host the inaugural event.
Moorland Stables is another partner. The WDM concept combines top sport, top events and top price money to help dressage develop to an even more attractive and understandable spectacle.
The Grand Prix is Friday at 1 p.m. before the Anky clinic which is 7 p.m. under lights, in an environment that is similar to the 2008 Olympic equestrian venue in which van Grunsven won her third straight Olympic individual gold medal. Saturday will be the WDM highlight with the * €30,000 ($40,000) Grand Prix Special and, €60,000 ($80,000) Grand Prix Freestyle.
The other events of the 2009 Exquis World Dressage Masters CDI 5* series are Salzburg, Austria (May 1-3), Munich, Germany (May 21-24) and Hickstead, Great Britain (July 23-26).