28 January, 2009
Top Horses, Riders Arrive in Wellington for Exquis World Dressage Masters
Equestrian News Release
WELLINGTON, Fla., Jan. 27--Some of the world's top horses and riders have arrived in Wellington in preparation for this week's $132,000 (USD) Exquis World Dressage Masters at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.
Triple Olympic gold medalist Anky van Grunsven arrived with her husband and two young children Monday night, fresh from last week's World Cup qualifying victory in Amsterdam. The black stallion, IPS Painted Black, that she has been campaigning this winter in Europe, was in quarantine in Miami and scheduled to arrived at PBIEC Tuesday.
Edward Gal and Hans Peter Minderhoud of The Netherlands also arrived Monday night and worked their horses under lights late at night.
The USA's Steffen Peters and Ravel, and Jan Ebeling and Rafalca arrived Sunday night and took the opportunity Monday to walk the completely remodeled show grounds.
"The show grounds are very beautiful," Peters said. "We can't wait to ride into the International Arena with it's fantastic footing before what we hope will be huge crowds.
"This is the kind of major event that we are so enthusiastic and happy to be a part of and that we hope the fans will be, too."
Many of the North American riders, including Canadian Olympian Ashley Holzer and Pop Art, and USA Olympic reserve rider Michael Barisone and Neruda have been in the Wellington area for several weeks. So, too, has Denmark's Lars Petersen and Success, who are among the combinations from six nations competing.
The schedule for this week is the veterinary jog on Thursday afternoon of the horses invited to participate in the event that kicks off the Exquis World Dressage Masters global tour. Three other events scheduled in 2009 are in Europe.
The Grand Prix will start at 1 p.m. Friday.
A clinic by van Grunsven, who is also a nine-time World Cup champion, with a handful of invited riders will be held under lights in the International Arena Friday night.
The Grand Prix Special is scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday.
The highlight Grand Prix musical kur begins at 7 p.m. Saturday.
A special event never before seen in the Americas is planned after the awards ceremony Saturday night. Details will not be disclosed until Saturday night.
In addition to the world class competition, $10,000 worth of Back on Track products will be given away to spectators whose ticket numbers are drawn randomly Friday and Saturday nights. The $10,000 worth of Back on Track products to be distributed to spectators are 23 horse blankets, 22 pairs of leg wraps and 22 saddle pads.
Tickets for WDM are available online at http://www.equestriansport.com and clicking on Buy Tickets.
Because of high demand for the limited seating at both the Friday clinic and the Saturday competition, tickets will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis. Online ticket sales will be allocated first based on the date and time of purchase.
Ticket options for WDM are:
-International Club $750 for a table of six per night on Friday night or Saturday night, or $1,350 for both nights. Dinner and open bar included.
--International Club individual seats $125 per night on Friday night and Saturday night, or $225 for both nights. Dinner and open bar included.
-VIP boxes $50 for individual seats on Friday night and Saturday night, or $90 for both nights.
-Reserved General Admission is $20 per night, or $35 for two nights.
For more information, call Annette Goyette at 561 793 5867.
The Wellington competition is the inaugural and only U.S. event in the WDM series. The other competitions are Salzburg Austria, (May 1-3), Munich, Germany, (May 21-24) and Hickstead, Great Britain (July 23-26).
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