Carl Hester to Compete Bigwood's Wie Atlantico at 2012 World Dressage Masters Palm Beach

With the dropping out of Anky Van Grunsven and Salinero and Mathias Rath and Totilas, the 2012 World Dressage Masters' star-studded cast took a hit although VIP tables and tickets continue to sell with the promise of three days of top notch competition, entertainment, food and drink in the intimate setting created at the popular Palm Beach County Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. The WDM organizers have put in an extra effort to convince #2 World Ranked Dressage star Carl Hester (GBR) to compete Uthopia there as well, but Hester decided to bring Fiona Bigwood's Wie Atlantico instead. While Charlotte Dujardin will blaze the US trail with Carl Hester and Roly Luard's 10-year old phenomenon Valegro (by Negro x Gershwin), Carl will partner Penny and Fiona Bigwood's WEG team silver medallist gelding, Wie Atlantico. This will be Carl's first outing on the 13-year old Hanoverian gelding (by Wie Weltmeyer), which has only been in his stable for a week. Wie Atlantico' owner Fiona, who is expecting her third child this spring,  said, "Carl offered to keep Atlantic ticking over for me until the baby is born, but if he can fit in one or two shows before that, then that’s even better.”
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