Dutch Masters Including Dressage World Cup Qualifier to Go On in March Raising Prospects for Final
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Feb. 1, 2022
The Dutch Masters that includes the final dressage World Cup qualifier in Western Europe will go ahead in s’-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands Mar. 11-13, increasing the prospects of the Final to be staged in April after being canceled for two years because of coronavirus.
The organizers of the Dutch Masters that includes the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping and the World Cup Western European League dressage qualifier announced the decision Tuesday.
Marcel Hunze, director of The Dutch Masters said: “It is extremely important for the equestrian sport, the fans, the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping and the events industry that TDM can take place. We are delighted to be back together with the fans cheering on the world’s best riders.”
The dressage Grand Prix will be held Friday Mar. 11 and the Freestyle Saturday Mar. 12.
To meet current restrictions, spectators will be limited to 1,250 for each session. Ticket holders who could not use their purchased ticket in 2020 will be the first to get the chance to use it this year.
The decision to go ahead means that six of the Western European calendar of 11 indoor qualifiers will have been staged for the Final in Leipzig, Germany in April. Western European is allocated at least nine of the 18 starting places in the Final with two set aside for Central Europe and two for North America.
The Neumünster, Germany qualifier that organizers announced earlier would be held without spectators, a costly undertaking aimed at improving chances that the Final will be staged this year after cancellation in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid. Isabell Werth, the defending champion from Gothenburg in 2019 when the Final was last held, will have a chance of completing the required minimum of two qualifiers required to seek a start in the Final. World No. 1 Jessica von Bredow-Werndl of Germany is also expected to compete at Neumünster.
Frederic Wandres of Germany, competing at the winter-long Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Florida, is atop the Western European standings for what could be his first Final.
Ashley Holzer of Wellington has clinched one of the two starting places for North America with Codi Harrison also of Wellington standing second with two more qualifiers scheduled at Global.
Alisa Glinka of Moldova is atop the Central European standings with Katarzyna Milczarek of Poland second.
The Pacific League that is allocated one starting place has had no qualifiers Down Under but Simone Pearce, an Australian based in Germany, is the top ranked of Pacific riders in the Western European League.
