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Wednesday March 19, 2008

Euro Update: Definitive Entries for the 2008 World Cup Finals

The definitive entries for the 2008 World Cup Finals are known. Anky van Grunsven will be defending her title and will face the most competition from her long-time rival Isabell Werth. The two ladies, who are befriended outside the competition ring, will be competing against each other for the first time since the 2007 European Championships in Turin, August 2007. Van Grunsven is riding her number one mount Salinero, while Werth is only riding her second Grand Prix horse Warum Nicht.

The participants are:

• Isabell Weth (GER) – Warum Nicht
• Anky van Grunsven (NED) – Salinero
• Jan Brink (SWE) – Björsells Briar
• Anders Dahl (DEN) – Afrikka
• Natalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein (DEN) – Digby
• Kyra Kyrklund (FIN) – Max
• Andreas Helgstrand (DEN) – Gredstedsgards Casmir
• Laurens van Lieren (NED) – Hexagon’s Ollright
• Jeroen Devroe (BEL) – Paganini
• Rozzie Ryan (AUS) – Donna Carrera
• Courtney King (USA) – Idocus                            
• Jane Hannigan (USA) – Maksymilian
• Imke Schellekens-Bartels (NED) – Sunrise
• Louise Nathhorst (SWE) – Isidor
• Michal Rapcewicz (POL) – Randon
• Reserve: Evi Strasser (CAN) – Quantum Tyme

Michal Rapcewicz Wins 2008 Central European League World Cup Finals

On Saturday 15 March, the Central European League Final took place in Warszawa in Poland which would decide on the participation for the World Cu Final Dressage in two weeks time in ‘s-Hertogenbosch in The Netherlands. Polish rider Michal Rapcewicz was the one to qualify aboard 11-year old Randon. The brown Polish bred Randon is looking powerful and energetic and does the passage well. Michael Rapcewicz is living in Poland but training in the Netherlands with Belgian rider Peter Spahn and is very happy to be able to compete in the World Cup™ Final.

“Although in my speciality the passage some things this time went wrong with some interruptions, I am very happy with my horse and our qualification for the Final”, Rapcewicz commented.

The last time a Polish competitor entered the final has been in 2001 in Arhus. Polish Malgorzata Morsztyn rode to the eleventh position then. Judge Wojtek Markowski commented: “It is very inspiring for the younger riders in our country to be represented in the FEI World Cup™ Final Dressage once again. After a long break we again have a rider now in the Final. This will only be the third time yet. The first time was in 1997 when Poland was represented by Anna Bienias.” (Read More)

Blue Hors Doolittle, Champion of the 2008 Danish Stallion Licensing

A Blue Hors owned stallion has been proclaimed Champion of the Danish Warmblood Stallion Licensing. Blue Hors Doolittle took home the champion's title in the 3-year old stallions' division. Twenty-five 3-year old stallions were licensed and seven of them made it into the premium ring. The best stallion according to the Danish Warmblood stallion selection committee was the black Doolittle, a Don Schufro x Lauries Crusador xx offspring, bred in Germany and owned and presented by Blue Hors Stud.

Four dressage stallions in total made it into the premium ring. They are the licensing champion Doolittle as well as Rosoff (by Romanov), Uno Don Diablo (by Don Schufro) and Tailormade Temptation (by Tuschinski). (Read More about the Danish Licensing)

More Euro News on Eurodressage.com

Related Links
Courtney King and Idocus off to Dressage World Cup and Still Making A Run for Olympics
Anders Dahl Leads 2008 Western European League World Cup Ranking
2008 Danish Warmblood Stallion Licensing Begins With a Record