After a few tense moments, including a second inspection of Hans Peter Minderhoud’s Withney van ‘t Genthof, all 14 horses entered in World Dressage Masters (WDM) CDI5* were determined fit and ready to compete.
One horse, Sentimiento I, who was to be ridden by Australia’s Nicholas Fyffe, was scratched before the jog. The jury, which was comprised of the foreign judge, the FEI veterinarian, and the president of the ground jury, evaluated the horses at today’s 11 a.m. jog.
After Minderhoud’s initial presentation of Withney van ‘t Genthof, the jury chose to send the 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding to the holding area until the completion of the WDM jog. Minderhoud then presented Withney a second time, and upon this second inspection, the jury declared him fit to compete.
The horses were impeccably turned out and gleamed in the Florida sun. Donnerbube II, who will be ridden by Silvia Rizzo, sported sparkles in his mane and tail.
American riders are poised for a strong showing at WDM, with three of the four members of the 2012 Olympic team competing this weekend. Adrienne Lyle, on Wizard, and Tina Konyot, on Calecto V, will ride their Olympic partners, while Steffen Peters will ride Legolas 92. Heather Blitz and Paragon, who placed second in last year’s Grand Prix Special CDI4* at WDM, and James Koford and Rhett round out the American pairs.
They will face a formidable contingent of international competitors. Three pairs will represent Canada: Jacqueline Brooks and D-Niro, David Marcus and Chrevi’s Capital, and Diane Creech and Devon L. The Netherlands will field a small, but powerful, team: Edward Gal and Inter Floor Next One along with Minderhoud and Withney.
Two Swedish riders, Patrik Kittel and Tinne Vilhelmsson-Silfven, warmed up for WDM with successful performances at the Gold Coast Opener CDI3* Jan. 18-20, where Kittel won both the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Freestyle with WDM mount Watermill Scandic. Vilhelmsson-Silfven, who was second in the Grand Prix and third in the Freestyle with Divertimento, will ride Don Auriello at WDM.
Italy’s Silvia Rizzo, riding Donnerbube II, and Denmark’s Lars Petersen, riding Mariett, complete the top-notch international field. World Dressage Masters kicks off with the Grand Prix CDI5* at 2 p.m. on Friday.