Wiesbaden CDI4* Grand Prix Special Canceled Due to Non-Stop Heavy Rain

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This image by Terri Miller of Isabell Werth on Der Stern perfectly csptures the atmosphere of the Grad Prix Freestyle in heavy rain under lights at Wiesbaden Sunday night. Terri, a photographer and artist known around the world, is traveling with her husband, the American 5* judge Axel Steiner who was a mmber f the ground jury at Wiesbaden, his birthpace. © 2013 TerriMiller.com
This image by Terri Miller of Isabell Werth on Der Stern perfectly captures the atmosphere of the Grand Prix Freestyle in heavy rain under lights at Wiesbaden Sunday night. Terri, a photographer and artist known around the world, is traveling with her husband, the American 5* judge Axel Steiner who was a member of the ground jury at Wiesbaden, his birthpace. © 2013 TerriMiller.com

WIESBADEN, Germany, May 20–More than 15 hours of heavy rain forced cancelation of the traditional Pentecost Monday competition at the Wiesbaden Pfingstturnier including the CDI4* Grand Prix Special “Prize of the city of Wiesbaden.”

“We regret this very much but the safety of horse and rider comes first,” the organizers said in a statement.

The sand footing over rubber mats on the lawn of the park was so soft after 15 hours of continuous rain that horses and riders, it said, “were exposed to a great risk of injury. As it continues to rain, it was decided not to conduct such tests.”

Cancelation of events in Germany because of rain is extremely rare and riders typically do not mention weather conditions but accept it is a factor of outdoor sport.

However, after Sunday night’s Freestyle under lights, Isabell Werth who rode Der Stern to victory said: “The rain, flood lights, the reflective puddles were factors but he performed amazingly well. But the ground is so uneven and soft the horses do not know where the soft spots occur and how deep it will sink. This happens in several places and scares them.”

“Since Pentecost Monday is the last day of the tournament,” organizers said, “unfortunately no substitute date is available. We deeply regret this and apologize for this decision.”

Wiesbaden is one of the premier competitions in Germany and is in its 77th year. In addition to CDI4* dressage, the show attracts riders from around the world for CSI5* Global Champions Tour jumping.  The featured jumping Grand Prix was held Saturday night and won by Laura Kraut of the United States on her 2008 Olympic gold medal mount Cedric.