Germany's Loss is Canada's Gain at the World Cup Finals

Photos - Jan Mansfield

Following the surprising withdrawal of Isabell Werth's Anthony FRH, Canada's Evi Strasser and Quantum Tyme have been given the nod to fill in. This will mark the first time in World Cup Finals history that Canada has had two riders in the dressage portion of the competition.

Things started to go wrong for Werth during the inspection jog when the 19-year-old veteran was not passed and called for a rejog thenext morning at 6am. After consultation with Germany's team veterinarian Dr. Nolting, Werth decided to withdraw Anthony FRH and did not present him. This was to be the successful Hanoverian gelding's swan song, as Werth had announced she would be officially retiring him from competition following the Finals. "But the health of her horse was more important", said Werth during a press conference. "That's why we decided not to compete him,"

The unfortunate turn of events allowed for Evi Strasser and Quantum Tyme to move into the competition. Not only was she the latest entry to the Final, but now she will ride first in Thursday’s Grand Prix, having drawn that starting position at the riders’ draw. Leslie Reid and Mark also got an early time, and will start third. The draw was conducted by first breaking the roster of competitors into groups of 6 based on their World Ranking.

(Photo - Evi Strasser in a training session with Quantum Tyme in Las Vegas. Photo courtesy of Jan Mansfield)

Grand Prix Order of Go - Thursday April 21, 2005

1. Evi Strasser
2. Debbie McDonald
3. Leslie Reid
4. Marie Line Wettstein
5. Leslie Morse
6. Dr Cesar Parra
7. Carl Hester
8. Elena Sidneva
9. Andreas Helgstrand
10. Sven Rothenberger
11. Guenter Seidel
12. Lone Jorgensen
13. Robert Dover
14. Jan Brink
16. Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff
17. Edward Gal
18. Anky van Grunsven

Dressage Canada co-Chair Ali Buchanan, Leslie Reid, Eva van Laak and Evi Strasser enjoy the extravagant party following the Riders' Draw. Photo courtesy of Jan Mansfield