Heather Blitz and James Koford are completing the line-up of riders that will compete in the 2012 World Dressage Masters in West Palm Beach on 27 - 29 January 2012. By finishing at the top in the CDI 3* Grand Prix on Thursday, these two riders were eligible to compete in the 5-star event. However, because three riders in the WDM line up have not achieved their two mandatory 64% scores to compete in a CDI 5-star, it was decided to lower the star status of the WDM Palm Beach to a 4-star level.
The 3* CDI Grand Prix was actually won by Ashley Holzer on Pop Art, with Blitz in second place, Tinne Vilhelmson third and James Koford fourth. The top two pairs were eligible to be invited for the 5* WDM Palm Beach, but as Holzer and Vilhelmson are already competing in the WDM Palm Beach on other horses and are not permitted to enter with a second horse. Invitations were therefore extended to Blitz, who placed second in the CDI3*, and James Koford of the US, who finished fourth on Pharaoh.
Blitz, who won team gold and individual silver with Paragon at the 2011 Pan Am Games, does not have the prerequisite two scores of 64% in a Grand Prix CDI to compete in the WDM 5* competition. Additionally, WDM Palm Beach entries Carl Hester (GBR) with Wie Atlantico and Yvonne Losos de Muñiz (DOM) with Liebling II, while nominated by their federations, are brand new combinations that also don't meet the five star qualification requirements.
After extensive discussion among the organizers, riders, ground jury and representatives of the FEI, it was decided that in the interest of the sport the only equitable solution would be to amend the schedule to reflect a four star FEI designation, while keeping the five star conditions intact. This solution was the most effective way to avoid a change in the line-up of the WDM Palm Beach, which has become a highlight on the calendar that the US dressage community looks forward to as the not-to-be-missed event of the season.
Blitz and Koford will compete in tomorrow's WDM Palm Beach Grand Prix, as will Hester and Losos de Muñiz, along with the remaining field of international riders that was previously announced.
A similar situation happened last year at the World Dressage Masters in Munich where Matthias Rath and Totilas hoped to make their international show debut. Because the pair had not produced their two preresquisite 64% scores, Rath was ordered to compete in the 3* CDI in Munich instead of the World Dressage Masters. At the time, the designated star-level of the competition was not altered to accommodate Rath.
"Wellington Classic Dressage and the WDM Management would like to thank the FEI, the ground jury and the WDM Palm Beach riders for their positive approach in solving the situation at hand within the strict competition rules that apply to an international competition of this caliber," the organizers of WDM wrote in a press release.
Photos © Jim Koford Fundraiser - WDM
Related Links
All Horses Pass FEI Inspection at 2012 World Dressage Masters Palm Beach
European Horses Arrive in Florida for 2012 World Dressage Masters Palm Beach