Laura Graves & Verdades Could Move to No. 2 in World As Aachen to Bring Rankings Shake-up

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Laura Graves and Verdades in the Deutsche Bank dressage stadium preparing for the Nations Cup at Aachen, Germany. © 2017 Ken Braddick/dressage-news.com

By KENNETH J. BRADDICK

AACHEN, Germany, July 18, 2017–The biggest shakeup in a year at the top of the world rankings could see American Laura Graves and Verdades move up to No. 2 behind Isabell Werth and Weihegold OLD based on results of the World Equestrian Festival that has drawn the best horses and riders in the world.

Isabell and Weihegold will remain at the top of the standings based on their Olympic team gold and individual silver along with other results in the past year but her Rio team mates Kristina Bröring Sprehe and Desperados FRH and Dorothee Schneider and Showtime FRH will drop from their second and third places. Neither pair has competed this year and both will lose the three scores picked up at this show a year ago.

Laura Graves of Geneva, Florida and her 15-year-old KWPN gelding Olympic team bronze medal partner could climb into second place if they perform well on the U.S. Nations Cup team, one of eight countries entered in the CDIO5*. She will be joined by her Olympic partners Kasey Perry-Glass and Dublet and Rotterdam Nations Cup gold medal pair Olivia LaGoy-Weltz and Adrienne Lyle and Salvino.

This event is regarded as the best in the world and as close without being named as such as world championships of dressage, driving, eventing, jumping and vaulting–it does not include endurance, reining or para dressage.

Laura won’t be alone in seeking to vault up the rankings.

Isabell Werth and Emilio at the CDI4* veterinary check at Aachen, Germany. © 2017 Ken Braddick/dressage-news.com

Isabell is also competing Emilio in the CDI4* that could boost the pair from their sixth spot, but she is not riding Don Johnson FRH on whom she is ranked seventh.

Also vying to move higher spots is the fourth German Olympic pair of Sönke Rothenberger and Cosmo currently ranked ninth in the world and Danish champion Cathrine Dufour and Cassidy.

The CDI4* is scheduled to start Wednesday and the CDIO5* Nations Cup Thursday.