![Germany's Anja Plönzke competes against the backdrop of a sold-out house at the World Dressage Masters. (Susan J. Stickle)](/images/articles/3811/008101.jpg)
Germany's Anja Plönzke competes against the backdrop of a sold-out house at the World Dressage Masters. (Susan J. Stickle)
Always one of the Florida dressage scene's must-see events, the WDM Palm Beach features top riders from around the globe competing for the richest prize money show series in the dressage world.
The World Dressage Masters, presented by the Axel Johnson Group, offers more than €450,000 EUR (about $580,000 USD) in total prize money over the several World Dressage Masters shows hosted worldwide, including past shows in Falsterbo, Sweden, Munich, Germany, Hickstead, England, Cannes, France and, new this year, Jumping Mechelen in Belgium. The WDM Palm Beach CDI5* is the only WDM CDI5* competition hosted in North America, and boasts €100,000 EUR (more than $130,000 USD). This year's line-up is sure to feature some of the world's elite riders.
Plan to see invited top riders like reigning two-time WDM Champion and U.S. Olympian Steffen Peters (USA), considered the most successful U.S. dressage rider of all time, or Edward Gal (NED), the Netherland's second top rider, ranked No. 8 in the FEI World Ranking on Glock's Undercover. Or Olympian Tinne Vilhelmsson-Silfven (SWE), Sweden's second top rider ranked No. 15 in the world on Don Aurilio or Hans Peter Minderhoud (NED) and Glock's Tango. Or Olympian Minna Telde (SWE) and Spain's No 1 rider Morgan Barbancon Mestres (ESP), who trains with Anky van Grunsven and rides Anky's former horse, Painted Black. Or Victoria Max-Theurer (AUT), Austria's No. 1 rider, currently ranked No. 9 in world with Augustin. Or Imke Schellekens-Bartles (NED) and Toots and Canadian Olympians Jacqueline Brooks (CAN) and David Markus (CAN). Or Olympian Lars Petersen (DEN), named Danish National Champion five times, and Italy's Silvia Rizzo on Donnerbube.
There are additional pending invitations for our U.S. Olympic riders and other nations as well. Stay tuned for updates to the exciting line-up for this year's WDM Palm Beach as athletes make their final plans to ride in the 2013 World Dressage Masters Palm Beach CDI5*.