Page 6 - World Cup Online Program

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Foreword

by the FEI President

Welcome to the 32nd season of FEI World Cup™ Olympia in London (GBR) in 2014, beating their
Dressage which once again brings together own previous world record of 93.975 set at the
wonderful horse-and-rider combinations from same venue a year earlier.
all around the globe. This is a sport that has
experienced an explosion in popularity over Defending champion is Germany’s Isabell
the last decade, and this indoor series brings it Werth, the most medalled athlete in equestrian
up close and personal at venues across three sport who first won the FEI World Cup™
continents with a total of 28 qualifiers taking Dressage title in 1992 in Gothenburg (SWE)
place in Western and Central Europe, North where she partnered Fabienne. She won again
America and the Pacific region. at Las Vegas (USA) in 2007 with Warum Nicht,
and at the 2016/2017 Final in Omaha (USA)
Grace, precision, skill and a special kind of she simply sparkled with her Rio 2016 Olympic
harmony between horse and rider are a huge team gold and individual silver medal winner,
part of the appeal, but there’s also a strong the wonderful mare Weihegold. This brought the
element of entertainment, particularly in the number of German wins to nine, but the Dutch
Freestyle to Music competitions which are a big continue to head the roll of honour with 13.
draw for spectators. It was The Netherlands’
Anky van Grunsven who was the first to really This season’s Western European League visits
tap into that entertainment value during her Herning (DEN), Lyon (FRA), Stuttgart (GER),
spectacular career, the three-time individual Salzburg (AUT), London (GBR), Amsterdam
Olympic gold medallist posting nine FEI World (NED), Neumunster (GER), Gothenburg (SWE)
Cup™ Dressage victories over a 13-year period and ’s-Hertogenbosch (NED) before the
between 1995 and 2008 with two brilliant Final in Paris (FRA). More than a quarter of a
horses, Bonfire and Salinero, a record that is century has passed since the Final was last
unlikely ever to be beaten. staged in the French capital, where Finland’s
Kyra Kyrklund and Matador were crowned
The horses are often the show-stealers, champions.
the fabulous black stallion Totilas, ridden
by Anky’s compatriot Edward Gal, was a On behalf of the Fédération Equestre
superstar in his own right when taking the Internationale I wish everyone, including the
title in ’s-Hertogenbosch (NED) in 2011 and horses and their owners, the riders and officials,
the now-retired Valegro, ridden by Great the organisers, volunteers and the growing
Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin, drew massive number of enthusiastic fans, an enjoyable
crowds wherever he appeared. His ability to season filled with many more great sporting
perform the most demanding movements with moments.
consummate ease saw this pair break record
after record, and in 2014 they scored 94.300 to Ingmar De Vos
win the FEI World Cup™ Dressage qualifier at FEI President

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