Las Vegas or Bust! Werth, Schmidt and Brons Are In

In a dramatic climax to the FEI world Cup Dressage Western European League, the final places for the 2005 FEI World Cup Final in Las Vegas have been decided in Dusseldorf.

Reigning champion Anky van Grunsven, who won the first of her record six World Cup titles ten years ago on US soil in Los Angeles, confirmed her unrivalled status by winning this final qualifier on 84.42 per cent on Keltec Salinero. She now goes to Las Vegas having fulfilled the rule to ride two qualifiers, with victory in both cases.

Germany's Isabell Werth, another former title holder, leapt to the top of the Western European League standings to finish on 67 points, relegating the long term leader Ann- Kathrin Linsenhoff to second. Werth rode the sensitive Satchmo superbly to the runner up position. " I was so happy with him today", she said. " In the past few months he has developed so much. He still needs more confidence, but today he could produce the power without going over the top. The most important thing for him now is to be more consistent."

While 11-year-old Satchmo will be concentrated on this year's European championship, it will be Neumunster winner Antony FRH who goes to Las Vegas in a swansong for the 19-year-old veteran who holds the record for World Cup participation. "After sixteen years together I can't imagine competitive life without Tony", Isabell commented, " but this will be a beautiful way to end his career."

Hubertus Schmidt booked his Las Vegas ticket with third place here to finish fourth in the standings. Schmidt plans to ride his partner here Aramis in the Final. He first rode Aramis as a six-year-old taking him to win at small tour level. Then the horse departed for the US with his owner until last October, when Schmidt again took up the reins. " Aramis was so relaxed and good to ride in both tests" said Schmidt, " He does not have much experience at this level, and I was not so happy with his piaffe today having to compromise to keep him relaxed, but I know the key to getting it better."

Fourth place secured Sweden's Jan Brink his Las Vegas start with Bjorsells Briar. " He's in great shape and I'm especially pleased that he has been really good in the grands prix in his four qualifiers," said the Swedish number one who is currently keeping Briar fit and interested with plenty of riding in the forest before the long trip to the USA.

For Denmark's Lone Joergensen and Holland's Sven Rothenberger, the trip to Duesseldorf paid off with confirmation that both had won through to the Final, in eighth place on equal points.

Judge at C Dr Volker Moritz commented: " The winner produced a breathtaking, world class performance and with eleven horses scoring over 70 per cent in the freestyle, we saw excellent dressage sport."

Roll on Las Vegas!

Results
FEI World Cup Freestyle to Music
1, Keltec Salinero (Anky van Grunsven NED) 84.42
2, Satchmo (Isabell Werth GER) 80.70
3, Aramis (Hubertus Schmidt GER) 78.10
4, Bjorsells Briar (Jan Brink SWE) 77.70
5, Hardthof's Ludewig G (Lone Joergensen DEN) 75.40
6, IPS Gribaldi (Edward Gal NED) 74.75
7, Barclay II (Sven Rothenberger NED) 74.52
8, Aurigeno (Nicole Glaser-Kappler GER) 72.15
9, Amando (Gina Capellmann-Luetkemeier GER) 71.97
10, Broere Jazz (Kirsten Beckers NED) 71.02
11, Douglas Dorsey (Laura Bechtolsheimer GBR) 70.55

Western European League Final Standings after 9 competitions (plus 3 Central European League)

1, Isabell Werth GER 67
2, Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff GER) 65
3, Andreas Helgstrand DEN 64
4, Hubertus Schmidt GER 61
5= Carl Hester GBR and Edward Gal NED 60
7, Jan Brink SWE 57
8= Sven Rothenberger NED and Lone Joergensen DEN 50

(Note: Sylvia Ikle SUI, will not start in Las Vegas)

The US League Final Freestyle takes place at Burbank, California,
tomorrow April 3rd.
With nine riders qualified through the Western European League, three wildcards will now be allocated on or after Monday April 4th
.
Media contact:
Helga Raue
Tel: +49 (0) 211 73 7765 32
Fax: +49 (0) 211 73 7765 34

For further information visit
www.duesseldorf-masters.de

For further information on the FEI World Cup
www.horsesport.org

For further information on the FEI World Cup Dressage Final, presented
by Offield Farms (April 20-24)
www.worldcuplasvegas.com

The FEI World Cup Dressage, initiated in 1985, is the only worldwide series in this discipline. It comprises qualifying leagues encompassing Western and Central Europe, North America, Canada and Australia. Each FEI World Cup Dressage qualifier comprises a Grand Prix test, which in turn is a qualification for the Freestyle to Music competition, where League points are accumulated towards places in the Final. Judged on both technical and artistic merit, the FEI World Cup Dressage combines art, sport and partnership between horse and rider at the highest level and consistently proves a winning formula with audiences all over the world.