Source:  News Release/Mary Adelaide Brakenridge

All Fourteen Horses in World Dressage Masters CDI5* Palm Beach Pass Inspection

Wellington, Fl - - 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* Palm Beach 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.

Adrienne Lyle and Wizard

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.

Heather Blitz and Paragon

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.

Tickets are still available to see the spectacular line-up in store for the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach January 24-26, 2013.

For more Wellington Classic Dressage/World Dressage Masters show information, log on to:

www.wellingtonclassicdressage.com 

For more Gold Coast Dressage Show information, log on to:

http://www.gcdafl.org/shows-reslts.htm 

Steffen Peters and Legolas 92

World Dressage Masters Palm Beach CDI5* Fast Facts

What: North America's only World Dressage Masters event, part of the richest dressage series in the world. Up to 20 of the world's top dressage stars will compete for €100,000 EUR (about $130,000 USD) in prize money at the WDM Palm Beach.

When:

January 23-27, 2013

Where:

Palm Beach County Jim Brandon Equestrian Center  

Okeeheelee Park South

7500 Forest Hill Blvd,
West Palm Beach, FL 33413

www.pbcgov.com/parks/equestrian/jimbrandon/
Official Show Organizer:

Wellington Classic Dressage  

www.wellingtonclassicdressage.com

Noreen O'Sullivan 561-227-1570 or John Flanagan 561-714-9058

Social media links:

Website: www.worlddressagemasters.com andwww.wellingtonclassicdressage.com/world_dressage_masters.htm 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/worlddressagemasterspalmbeach 

Twitter:  twitter.com/WldDrsgMstrPB

Ticket sales and information:

www.internationalpoloclub.com

Maria Feola: 561-282-5334 and 561-282-5301

mfeola@internationalpoloclub.com or  Debbie@internationalpoloclub.com

http://wcd.ticketleap.com/2013/

Competition schedule:   

*Gates open at 11:00 a.m. each day for WDM Palm Beach ticket holders only. Tickets will not be available for purchase at the gate. Ticket holders are encouraged to arrive for Saturday evening's Grand Prix Freestyle at 5:30 p.m.

* Friday, Jan. 26:
     2 p.m. to 5 p.m. - WDM Nürnberger Grand Prix

* Saturday, Jan. 27:
     2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.- WDM Grand Prix Special
     7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. - WDM Grand Prix Freestyle

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