Patrik Kittel’s Top 10 Dressage Show With Big Prize Money Wins Rider Support
7 years ago StraightArrow Comments Off on Patrik Kittel’s Top 10 Dressage Show With Big Prize Money Wins Rider Support
GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Aug. 24, 2017–A Top 10 dressage competition of the world’s best horses and riders with big prize money that Swedish Olympian Patrik Kittel is developing for Stockholm in December has won growing support from riders.
The CDI5* event scheduled for Dec. 1-3 and patterned after the annual Top 10 jumping event will have prize money of €158000/US$188,000 sponsored by Saab plus an SUV. Prize money will increase to €250,000/US$300,000 plus the vehicle in 2018.
The show will focus on the freestyle in a format similar to the World Cup with the Grand Prix followed by the musical performance.
Isabell Werth, the world No. 1, and Cathrine Dufour who earned team, individual and freestyle bronze at least week’s European Championships joined Patrik in promoting the event to be staged at the Sweden International Horse Show.
The top 10 will comprise the seven highest ranked combinations in the world as of the end of October, plus two wild cards with goal of including up and coming partnerships and one Swedish pair, Patrik told a news conference.
The aim of bringing together the world’s best, he said, means that horses and riders from outside Europe that are ranked at the top will have their transportation costs covered to enable them to take part.
“The main thing is to have the top, top riders showng,” said Patrik, a three-time Olympian for Sweden.