Out of the Running
Denmark’s Andreas Helgstrand announced in an afternoon press conference that his horse would not compete due to lameness. One of the favorites leading into the dressage competition, Blue Hors Matine, the striking 10-year-old grey Danish Warmblood that entertained and surprised the crowds at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany, by taking the Individual Bronze and Silver in the grand prix special and the freestyle respectively, was pulled after the mare showed fluid gathering around her front left pastern.
The trouble began as the horse reached the ground from her transport to the venue. “The ground was slippery,” said Helgstrand. It was then that the horse twisted her front left leg’s pastern. After exhibiting some “twisting,” an ultrasound was performed and it confirmed the malady.
The horse looked good on Monday and Tuesday according to Helgstrand, but in the initial jog, the horse was held for reinspection. The horse’s veterinarian said the horse might be good by competition time; however a decision had to be made prior to the draw.
“When we trotted the horse today, going up she was trotting 100%, and when we trotted her back, she was twisting again,” said Helgstrand. “So, there is no chance to compete with her.”
Such disappointment comes at times when dealing with horses and the Danish rider said, “When you work with horses, there are ups and downs. This happened at the wrong time of course…but it’s better to keep it down now and let the vets look at her and do what is best for the horse.” Helgstrand pointed out that the prognosis for the mare, according to the veterinarians, was good.
Paracco, a U.S. entry in the Las Vegas International Dressage competition, was also withdrawn by his rider Jeremy Steinberg. Steinberg cited similar reasons as not wanting to take any chances with his horse as the reason for his decision.
This news leaves fans of the sport begging a few questions. With the dynamic duo of Helgstrand and Matine out of the running, who will step up to fill a possible top-placed spot?
Team USA Ready to Go
There are four Americans who are hoping to stand upon the medal podium when all is said and done. Steffen Peters and Floriano (a 17-year-old chestnut Westphalian gelding owned by Stephen and Laurelyn Browning) led the way for the American contingent coming into the World Cup and have high hopes riding on their steady and talented backs. California’s Leslie Morse and Tip Top 962 (a 13-year-old Swedish gelding owned by Beverly Hills Equestrian Partners, LLC, and David Saperstein) is another pair of contenders joined by Courtney King aboard Idocus (a 17-year-old Dutch stallion owned by Christine McCarthy) and Catherine Haddad aboard Maximus (a 12-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding owned by the Janet S. Schneider Trust). The first three riders earned their berths at the World Cup after a long series of competitions to determine the top three horse-and-rider combinations to represent the U.S. at this international gathering of dressage stars. Haddad, who lives and trains in Germany, received a wild card slot and invitation to represent the U.S.
Standing in their way to claiming the championship title is a host of other riders including Germany’s Isabell Werth (riding Warum Nicht FRH), Sweden’s Jan Brink (riding Briar 899) and Holland’s Edward Gal (riding Group 4 Securicor IPS Gribaldi).
Joining the dressage riders this week are the jumpers who are poised to begin their work on Thursday evening with the FEI World Cup Jumping Final I. At press time, a field of 42 riders from across the globe have made the journey to Las Vegas, all with the same hopes of taking home to their respective country a World Cup win.
Americans have qualified a host of riders from the East and West Coast Leagues giving the U.S. a total of 12 riders competing, including the wild card spots.
Leading the U.S. team at the World Cup is New York's Beezie Madden and Authentic (a 12-year-old KWPN Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Abigail Wexner). Coming off their lead in qualifying for the World Cup, the pair stands poised to tackle their competition. In 2006, at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany, the pair was the top-placed Americans with their unforgettable string of fault-free rounds coming into the final. Their performance gained them a new legion of worldwide fans, and it solidified them as serious contenders for the 2007 World Cup title.
Joining Madden in the race for the title is another New Yorker, McLain Ward, and his Sapphire (a 12-year-old BWP Belgian Warmblood owned by Ward and Blue-Chip Bloodstock). The pair competed alongside Madden at the 2006 WEG as a part of the U.S. team and put down some serious runs to challenge the best international riders in the world. Heading into this year's competition, the pair has performed beautifully and is eyeing the ultimate prize in Las Vegas.
Standing in the way of an American win are some of the world's best known jumpers. Brazil's Rodrigo Pessoa has brought two mounts to Las Vegas (Oasis and Coeur). Germany's Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum has returned with her 2005 mount, Shutterfly, aboard whom she took the 2005 World Cup title. In addition to these competitors, there is a long list of standouts and any one of them is able to step up to the challenge.
Let the Competition Begin
All of the U.S. riders in dressage and show jumping share one thing in common – they've come to America's "Entertainment Capital" to win. And it is fitting that these challenges are taking place again in Las Vegas. They were first held together here in 2005 and the results made the equestrian world stop and take notice as some 90,000-plus spectators witnessed the series of events. With the excitement and promotion surrounding this year's event, that number is sure to be exceeded, and organizers and riders couldn't be more excited about displaying their work to such large and appreciative crowds.
With one of the most competitive fields ever posted for a pair of World Cup titles, the resulting display of horsemanship and talent are sure to thrill. Thursday begins the official business with the Rolex FEI World Cup Dressage Final I (the grand prix) in addition to the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Final I (speed class).
For news and results from the 2007 Rolex FEI World Cups in dressage and show jumping, visit www.usef.org or www.worldcuplasvegas.com .