Jerez, Spain - Jan 20-21 - Representatives of Jerez 2002 WEG Organising Committee and an FEI Delegation met on the 20 and 21 January 2003 for a debriefing meeting in Jerez de la Frontera (ESP).

Jerez 2002 was represented by Mr Antonio Ortiz, General Manager, Ms Begona Merello, Mr Jaime de La Calle, Mrs Pilar Maldonado, while the FEI Delegation was composed by the FEI Treasurer, Mr Guillerme Sarmento, the Secretary General, Mr Bo Helander, Michael Stone and Catrin Norinder.

During the meeting the financial situation of Jerez 2002 was reviewed and further to some cash flow problems it was confirmed by the OC that all outstanding payments would be finalised by the end of February 2003. It was noted that 95% of all sports costs had been covered by the Organising Committee within four months following WEG 2002. The final financial statements shall be released as soon as all accounts are closed. The expenses and income were within budget. The OC and the FEI are pleased to announce that the event took place without loss.

The final report on Jerez 2002 WEG was presented to the FEI: 300’000 visitors in total attended the event. 1048 accreditations were issued for the media. 25 television stations broadcasted a total of some 150 hours of the WEG in around 100 countries. The economical impact for the city of Jerez and for the whole equestrian world has been extremely positive.

The CDI-W San Patrignano, the Western European League World Cup Qualifier competition of the weekend, resulted in a quadruple German victory. The show took place in Milan, Italy, at the San Patrignano Equestrian Facility, which also has a rehabilitation centre for drug abusers. The winner of both World Cup qualifier classes was German Monica Theodorescu aboard her Trakehner mare Renaissance Fleur (by Tuareg). Theodorescu scored 70.76% in the Grand Prix and 77.84% in the Freestyle, giving her the double victory at the CDI-W San Patrignano.

Finishing second in the Grand Prix were Isabell Werth and her Hanoverian gelding Anthony FRH (by Argument/T). San Patrignano was Werth's second competition since she recouperated from a broken shin bone almost three months ago. Anthony FRH scored 70.24% and put Albano, ridden by Heike Kemmer, in third position, as that German pair scored 69.72%. The Grand Prix Freestyle produced much higher scores than the "mediocre" results in the Grand Prix. Theodorescu won her third World Cup class of the season; the first one at the CDI Maastricht and the second one, the Grand Prix at San Patrignano. Heike Kemmer and her Oldenburg Albano (by Argentinus) spiced up their act and with 74.64% they placed second. Isabel Werth and Anthony came in third with 74.36%

We got this e-mail from Katja Eilers in Connecticut today, and thought we'd share it with our readers. " Since I can not join the Florida Circuit I always try to make the most out of Winter Work-Outs."

After not having long lined her mare BABE for four years (she had 2 babies in between) they decided to go Ski Joring. With plenty of snow at her Lost Island Farm, in Falls Village, Connecticut, this will be a good way to get fit for spring.

We are chilly here in Florida too, where competitors at recent dressage shows look more like they are at a ski resort, than in southern Florida.

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The 2003 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) will host three exciting dressage events at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, FL. The competitions, including qualifiers for the selection trials to determine the U.S. Dressage Team for the Pan-American Games to be held in the summer of 2003 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, will begin January 30. The dressage events at the 2003 Winter Equestrian Festival attract world champion and Olympic veteran riders such as Wellington resident Sue Blinks and include: · Wellington Dressage, January 30 – February 2 · Florida Dressage Classic, February 13-16 · Zada Enterprises, LLC WEF Dressage Classic, March 13-16

Throughout the three weeks of competition, elite competitors will be vying for championship titles. In addition to the Pan-American Games Selection Trials qualifiers, WEF will also serve as a qualifier for the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Grand Prix Dressage Championship and the USET Intermediaire I Championship, and as the official Region 3 United States Dressage Federation (USDF) qualifying competition for the 2003 North American Young Riders’ Championships.