World class dressage comes to West Palm Beach, Florida!
The World Dressage Masters Palm Beach presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach will be officially under way at 12:30 pm on Thursday, January 26th, when 15 of the world’s top international dressage horses are presented at the FEI horse inspection. The Jim Brandon Equestrian Center is, for the second consecutive year, the venue for this unique and exciting event, which is organized by Wellington Classic Dressage.
“The International Polo Club team has come into the Jim Brandon Center and created an environment that rivals that of any international equestrian venue anywhere in the world,” said Mason Phelps Jr. of Phelps Media Group.
The World Dressage Masters presented by Axel Johnson Group is the world’s richest dressage series and the only series that holds the highest classification of FEI dressage competition, at the five star level. In the coming days, 17 of the world’s top ranked horses and riders from Europe and North America will compete for €100,000 ($130,000) at the only WDM event to take place outside of Europe. IPC Palm Beach became the presenting sponsor just a few weeks before the 2011 WDM Palm Beach after the previous sponsor cancelled its support. The 2011 WDM Palm Beach was a spectacular, sold out event, but the 2012 WDM is expected to exceed even last year’s success.
WDM Managing Director John van de Laar arrived at the Jim Brandon Center from Europe on the morning of January 25th, as final touches were being made at the venue. “I’m very impressed with what’s been done,” he said. “It’s beautiful, and the only thing left to imagine is that it will be packed on Saturday evening.” Van de Laar is delighted with the results achieved by IPC and IPC Catering at the Jim Brandon Center. “I’m very happy with the improvements we can see compared to last year, when it was organized at the last minute,” he said.
An even better spectator experience than last year is further guaranteed by the world class field of horses and riders that have been attracted to the WDM Palm Beach. Defending 2011 Champions, American Steffen Peters and Ravel, will face stiff rivalry from Europe and North America in Friday’s Grand Prix and again on Saturday night, when the top eight placed pairs from the Grand Prix will face off before a sold out audience in the Grand Prix Freestyle.
“I think people are starting to realize how important our event is for this part of the world,” said van de Laar. “You can see it in the field of competitors. I’m very happy with that.” Every year, more dressage riders flock to South Florida with their horses to enjoy an unbeatable climate and densely packed competition schedule. The WDM Palm Beach is, without a doubt, the dressage event of the season, and the most prestigious competition of the year in the United States.
The 2012 WDM Palm Beach is completely sold out, but for those who are unable to attend in person there will be several online video options. IPC Palm Beach will live stream the WDM Palm Beach competition at www.internationalpoloclub.com. IPC will also provide a smartphone application that will be available to people at the Jim Brandon Center. The application will have live stream video, as well as up-to-the-minute information about the competitors and results. USEF Network will also provide live streaming coverage at www.usefnetwork.com. Eurosport will broadcast a feature on the WDM Palm Beach on the February 22nd episode of Wednesday Selection.
World Dressage Masters Palm Beach Fast Facts:
What: North America’s only CDI5*, and part of the richest dressage series in the world. Up to twenty of the world’s top dressage stars will compete for 100,000 Euros in prize money at the WDM Palm Beach.
When: January 26 – 28, 2012
Competition schedule:
*Gates open at 11:00 am each day for WDM Palm Beach ticket holders only. Tickets will not be available for purchase at the gate. Ticket holders are encouraged to arrive for Saturday evening’s Grand Prix Freestyle at 5:30 pm.
Thursday January 26:
12:30 pm – CDI 5* (WDM) Horse Inspection
2 pm to 5 – CDI 3* Grand Prix (top two horses to receive invitations to CDI5*)
Friday January 27:
2 pm to 5 – CDI5* Grand Prix
Saturday January 28:
2 pm to 4:30 – CDI5* Grand Prix Special
7:30 pm to 10:30 – CDI5* Grand Prix Freestyle
Who:
Confirmed entries for WDM Palm Beach presented by IPC Palm Beach:
Jacqueline Brooks (CAN) – Gran Gesto
Charlotte Dujardin (GBR) – Valegro
Todd Flettrich (USA) – Otto
Carl Hester (GBR) – Wie Atlantico
Adrienne Lyle (USA) – Wizard
Ashley Holzer (CAN) – Pop Art
Tina Konyot (USA) – Calecto V
Yvonne Losos de Muñiz (DOM) – Dondolo Las Marismas
Steffen Peters (USA) – Ravel
Anja Plönzke (GER) – Le Mont d’Or
Pierre St. Jacques (USA) – Lucky Tiger
Per Sandgaard (SWE) – Lomumba Havdal
Minna Telde (SWE) – Deinhardt
Tinne Vilhelmsson-Silfven (SWE) – Favourit
Victoria Winter (CAN) – Proton
2011 WDM Palm Beach Champion shares the podium with Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven of Sweden and Tina Konyot of the US – photo credit Sue Stickle for Phelps Media Group
Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro, European contenders for the WDM Palm Beach title – photo credit Leslie Bliss
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