The world cup final in Omaha is the climax of this season. The Grand Prix dressage had some surprises in stock, including the absent KWPN-approved stallion Hermès N.O.P. His rider Dinja van Liere withdrew him right before the start of the Grand Prix.

Besides Hermès (Easy Game out of Bukkie keur pref prest EPTM-dres by Flemmingh, breeder G. Gijsbers of Loosbroek), the 15-year-old Suppenkasper (Spielberg out of Upanoeska keur prest IBOP-dres by Krack C, bred by F. van der Poel of Haps) was one of the other contestants on the entry list. He seemed as fit as always and is certainly one of the crowd-pleasers this competition. Even during the training, the Spielberg-son was awarded with an enthusiastic round of applause. 

 “Mopsi’, as Steffen Peters has nicknamed his star, “was in great form and I had a few minor issues, but to become fifth in such a fierce competition is incredible. Especially since I am the oldest rider here, after 15 years of top sport it is still fantastic to be a part of it. Mopsi will do some light training to prepare for the freestyle and we will practice the parts that could have gone better one more time,” quips Steffen Peter happily afterwards. 

USA’s Peters is riding on home soil: “During the nations cups there is always so much pressure since your score also affects the team. When I ride for an individual result, it feels more relaxed. So, I truly enjoy this world cup final like I did during the Olympic Games.”

Saturday night at 1.15hours the Freestyle to Music starts. Because of the withdrawal of Hermès N.O.P., Suppenkasper is the only KWPN horse on the entry list. In addition to Hermès, Ingrid Klimke announced her withdrawal from the Grand Prix with Franziskus FRH. In the Grand Prix it was title defender Jessica von Bredow-Werndl that grabbed the lead aboard TSF Dalera BB. Isabell Werth and DSP Quantaz placed second, followed by the Danish rider Nanna Merrald-Skodberg and her Blue Hors Zepter. 

Results

Photos: Stefan Lafrentz