Opening Ceremonies, Vegas Style

California-based dressage rider Sabine Schut-Kery was once again given the honor of carrying in the American flag for the opening ceremony that was followed with entertainment by Simply Ballroom. Adding to the pressure was perhaps the fact that riders were vying for approximately $300,000 in prize money – the actual amount was in Swiss Francs – the most ever allocated in a dressage competition anywhere in the world. Of that prize, Werth earned approximately $110,000 of it, Schellekens-Bartels received around $50,300 and Peters got about $25,500.

Before Saturday’s competition began, the competitive field had been narrowed by one when Tinne Vilhelmson of Sweden withdrew the 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Solos Carex from competition. But word is the physical problem is minor and it was reported that both Solos Carex and Andreas Helgstrand’s mount, Blue Hors Matine, which was withdrawn before competition even began because of a minor injury sustained in shipping, were expected to be back on the European competitive circuit soon.

First to face the pressure of the final World Cup Dressage competition was Iryna Lis from Belarus and the 17-year-old Trakhener gelding Problesk (Bek x Oreol). Ride to classical music, much use of pirouettes. First part of the test done completely in half of ring by C. It’s never easy going first and the gelding seemed a tad tense. But she set the stage for the night and spectators loved her. She finished with a score of 68.85 percent.