Dressage World Cup finalists confirmed

After the last World Cup stage at the Dutch Masters, the nine qualified pairs for the World Cup Final in Switzerland have been determined: Charlotte Fry will start as the big favorite with her World Champion Glamourdale (Lord Leatherdale x Negro) after winning three qualifying tests and thus qualifying in s'Hertogenbosch.

Isabell Werth achieved the highest score in the qualifying tests of the Western European League with 75 points. She was followed by France's Corentin Pottier with 63 points and Bianca Nowag-Aulenbrock with 61 points. Dinja van Liere, who also qualified, will forgo her starting place, as will Nanna Skodborg Merrald, whose team Blue Hors has decided to take a three-month break from competition.

In addition to the nine Western European riders, the final round will also feature two riders from the Central European League (Anikó Komjáthy-Losonczy and Sandra Sysojeva), three from the North American League (Kevin Kohmann, Adrienne Lyle and Genay Vaughn) and one pair from the Pacific League (Mary Hanna with Ivanhoe). Another starting place goes to Renderson Silva de Oliveira from Brazil.

The awarding of the last wild card by the FEI caused discussion among dressage fans. Many would have seen Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour or Justin Verboomen as the recipient of the wild card. However, the decision was made in favor of the German-based Swiss rider Jessica Neuhauser with her horse Rockson, who had recommended herself for the spot with solid performances in Montesice and Basel.

The finalists of the FEI World Cup Dressage Final:

• Isabell Werth (Germany) - DSP Quantaz
• Corentin Pottier (France) - Gotilas du Feuillard
• Bianca Nowag-Aulenbrock (Germany) - Florine OLD
• Carina Scholz (Germany) - Tarantino
• Charlotte Fry (Great Britain) - Glamourdale
• Pauline Basquin (France) - Sertorius de Rima Z
• Larissa Pauluis (Belgium) - Flambeau
• Jessica Neuhauser (Switzerland) - Rockson
• Patrik Kittel (Sweden) - Forever Young HRH
• Anikó Komjáthy-Losonczy (Hungary) - Dior S
• Sandra Sysojeva (Lithuania/ Poland) - Maxima Bella
• Kevin Kohmann (USA) - Duenensee
• Adrienne Lyle (USA) - Helix
• Genay Vaughn (USA) - Gino
• Mary Hanna (Australia) - Ivanhoe
• Renderson Silva de Oliveira (Brazil) - Fogoso Campline

The final will take place from April 2 - 6 in Basel and can of course be watched live on ClipMyHorse.TV!