The 2017 CDI New York at the Central Park Horse Show on 22 - 23 September has been cancelled after the withdrawal of the two invited top riders, Isabell Werth and Carl Hester. Instead there will be eventing at the show.
Interesting the official press release concerning the disappointing cancellation of dressage does not mention this fact in the title! Show organizer Mark Belissimo's PR vehicle Chronicle of the Horse proudly boasted that "Innovative $50,000 Arena Eventing Competition Added To Rolex Central Park Horse Show" but the text cites the facts that dressage has been scratched from the programme.
"Recent unforeseen circumstances have impacted several competitors, forcing their withdrawal from the event," the article read.
Isabell Werth's withdrawal is based on travel and quarantine issues. “I am so sad that this one-of-a-kind show will not take place this year for dressage. It is very unfortunate that I am unable to bring Don Johnson due to the travel and quarantine situation," Werth stated. "I am still hopeful that this very special event will continue in the future.”
Werth won the New York dressage show, which started in 2014 as an exhibition show, in 2014 and 2015. Judy Reynolds won the first CDI in New York in 2016.
Ken Braddick's Dressage News broke the story about the sudden annulment of the CDI after Werth and Hester's withdrawal. America's number one Grand Prix rider Laura Graves was also scheduled to ride Verdades in New York, but now gets to stay home.
Photo © Astrid Appels
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