WELLINGTON, Florida, Feb. 3–All 16 horses that were presented for veterinary inspection passed Wednesday to start in the €100,000 (US$138,000) Exquis World Dressage Masters at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.
Germany’s Ulla Salzgeber on her 10-year-old mare, Wakana, will start the €10,000 (US$14,000) Nürnberger Versicherungsgruppe Grand Prix at 1 p.m. to kick off the second year of the globe’s richest lineup of dressage events.
The Canadian combination of Jacqueline Brooks and Balmoral scratched before Thursday’s veterinary inspection.
Three German combinations, three Dutch, six from the U.S. three from Canada and one pair from Denmark will perform in the only CDI5* competition–the highest level–in the Western Hemisphere.
Eight pairs will go on to the €30,000 (US$42,000) Moorland Grand Prix Special on Saturday afternoon and the other eight will compete in the €60,000 (US$84,000) Exquis Grand Prix Freestyle to Music under the lights on Saturday night.
A gala celebration will be held in the centerpiece International Arena on Friday night featuring the training of the freestyle horses and riders along with equestrian entertainment.
WHDT World Sports that televises major equestrian events from Palm Beach will broadcast the Grand Prix, the Grand Prix Special, the Grand Prix Freestyle and highlights of the Friday night gala in prime time in high definition to an estimated five million residents of South Florida. The broadcasts will be aired one day after the event.
The World Dressage Masters organization printed 5,000 copies of a full-color souvenir program as a gift to spectators.
Spectators will also be able to participate in the $10,000 Back on Track product giveaway that was popular in 2009.
The start list for Thursday’s Grand Prix:
