Dutch Rider Edward Gal Steals Grand Prix Win from Dressage Queen Anky van Grunsven

with files from Jan Mansfield

Despite the obvious disadvantage of riding first, and the fact that they were only confirmed to ride in the FEI World Cup Dressage Final yesterday, Evi and Quantum Tyme put in a very respectable performance in today’s Grand Prix,  earning a score of 67.333 and the appreciative applause of the huge audience at the Thomas and Mack Centre. 

However Leslie Reid probably wishes she could re-ride her test with Mark, who showed tension throughout.  Several small mistakes throughout the test and a disobedience in the transition to passage and at the halt resulted in a score of 65.083, placing them 17th in the field of 18. 

2003 World Cup winners Debbie McDonald and Brentina received a standing ovation from the crowd for their faultless presentation.

Edward Gal and Geldnet Lingh put in a brilliant performance, earning them a standing ovation and first place marks of 78.625 edging out fellow Dutch rider Anky Van Grunsven and Keltec Salinero who showed tension in there test and came in with 78.625. 

Today’s Final got off to a flamboyant kick off with all the flair and theatrics expected in Las Vegas.  Entertainer Clint Holmes performed during the opening ceremonies and sang the American national anthem.

The judging panel included Uwe Mechlem (E), Jean-Michele Roudier (H), Hanne Valentin (C), Mariette Whithages (M), Stephen Clarke (B)

1 GELDNET LINGH -  Edward GAL (NED)     78.625      
79.583 (E)
78.750 (H)
76.458 (C)
77.916 (M)
80.416 (B)

2 KELTEC SALINERO - Anky VAN GRUNSVEN (NED)       78.000    
75.416 (E)
77.500 (H)
77.083 (C)
79.583 (M)
80.416 (B)

3, BRENTINA - Debbie MCDONALD (USA) 75.958
75.833 (E)
75.833(H)
75.625 (C)
75.000 (M)
77.500 (B)

4,FBW KENNEDY - Robert DOVER (USA) 75.625
76.458 (E)
75.000 (H)
77.291 (C)
74.166 (M)
75.208 (B)

5, BJORSELLS BRIAR 899 - Jan BRINK (SWE)  75.583
75.208
76.041
73.541
74.375
78.750

6, BLUE HORS CAVAN - Andreas HELGSTRAND (DEN)  73.000    
74.375 (E)
72.083 (H)
73.958 (C)
71.875 (M)
72.708 (B)

7, KINGSTON - Leslie MORSE (USA)  72.791     
73.750 (E)
72.083 (H)
72.708 (C)
71.041 (M)
74.375 (B)

8, ARAMIS - Oldenburg Hubertus SCHMIDT (GER) 71.708
72.916 (E)
70.625 (H)
72.708 (C)
70.416 (M)
71.875 (B)

9, ESCAPADO - Carl HESTER (GBR)   71.666   
72.500 (E)
71.666 (H)
70.833 (C)
70.208 (M)
73.125 (B)

10, BARCLAY II - Sven ROTHENBERGER (NED)    71.1666  
70.416 (E)
70.625 (H)
70.416 (C)
71.458 (M)
72.916 (B)

11, HARDTHOF'S LUDEWIG G - Lone JOERGENSEN (DEN) 71.125
71.250 (E)
71.458 (H)
71.250 (C)
70.000 (M)
71.666 (B)

11, ARAGON - Guenter SEIDEL (USA)   71.125   
72.916 (E)
71.875 (H)
70.208 (C)
69.375 (M)
71.250 (B)

13, RENOIR-UNICEF - Ann Kathrin LINSENHOFF (GER)  70.458
72.083 (E)
68.958 (H)
69.583 (C)
69.791 (M)
71.875 (B)

14. ARTAX CONDOR RBB - Elena SIDNEVA (RUS)  68.000    
67.291 (E)
67.083 (H)
66.875 (C)
67.916 (M)
70.833 (B)

15. OLE PRIMEUR 2 - Marie-Line WETTSTEIN (SUI)   67.833   
67.500 (E)
68.125 (H)
66.041 (C)
68.750 (M)
68.750 (B)

16. QUANTUM TYME - Evi STRASSER (CAN)    67.333
69.791 (E)
66.041 (H)
64.791 (C)
66.041 (M)
70.000 (B)

17. MARK - Leslie REID (CAN)     65.083   
66.041 (E)
64.375 (H)
62.708 (C)
63.333 (M)
68.958 (B)

18. GALANT DU SEREIN - Cesar PARRA (COL)  61.250   
60.000 (E)
59.166 (H)
60.416 (C)
63.541 (M)
63.125 (B