The nineteenth FEI World Cup Dressage Final opened today at Duesseldorf Phillipshalle. Finalists from across the world competed in stage one of the competition, the FEI Grand Prix, which decides the starting order for the Freestyle finale on Sunday.

Hollands Anky van Grunsven, the record-breaking five-time winner of the World Cup title on her star horse Bonfire, set down the gauntlet with a win on her up and coming ten-year-old Gestion Salinero.  I was very happy with Salinero today said van Grunsven.  He was more relaxed in the warm up and he just wants to do the job. He cruised through the test he doesnt want to make mistakes.As van Grunsven spent most of last year out of the saddle due to a fractured thigh, she is even more astonished at the progress of the young Hanoverian. For Sundays freestyle, she has perfected her new programme entitled LEsprit Chanson, which she has already shown to be a winner during the qualifying season. In second place, Germanys Heike Kemmer rode Bonaparte, the lovely chestnut gelding her father Joachim picked out as a foal. Kemmer said of the now eleven-year-old gelding:  Bonaparte is a happy horse and wants to do his best, but he needs a bit of time to get used to the indoor atmosphere. Although there were small mistakes I felt he was working at a very high level.

Kemmer has covered every detail in her preparation. Bonaparte used not to eat up when staying in show stables, but here in Duesseldorf that potential problem has been solved as Bonapartes stable-mate Ferragamo is next door to him to keep him company.
Anky van Grunsvens pupil Edward Gal shone here also as he rode Gestion Lingh to third place. This eleven-year-old stallion by Flemmingh showed moments of brilliance in an exciting and dramatic test.
US rider Guenter Seidel produced Dick and Jane Browns Nikolaus beautifully for fourth. There are always places we could improve, especially in the first ride at an indoor show, but I am very happy with this start said the California-based professional trainer. The top twelve from this class will go forward to contest the FEI World Cup Freestyle on Sunday, which will be televised live in Germany, Holland, Sweden, Russia and France, followed by a highlights programme to be broadcast by Eurosport on April 14th.

The winner will receive a car donated by Ssan Yong Motors Germany. The FEI World Cup Final 2004, presented by Yorn Fashion, is scheduled to begin at 11.20 on Sunday after the B final (for the riders placed 13-18 in todays grand Prix). Tomorrow evening at 21.00 (Saturday), there will be a presentation for the League winners.

Results
FEI World Cup Dressage Final 2004 Grand Prix

1, Gestion Salinero (Anky van Grunsven NED) 75.79
2, Bonaparte (Heike Kemmer GER) 74.87
3, Gestion Lingh (Edward Gal NED) 72.66
4, Nikolaus (Guenter Seidel USA) 71.33
5, Wansuela Suerte (|Hubertus Schmidt GER) 70.00
6, Artax-Condor (Elena Sidneva RUS) 69.25
7, Wahajama UNICEF (Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff GER) 68.87
8, Just Mickey (Tinne Vilhelmson SWE) 68.75
9, Bloms Idocus (Marlies van Baalen NED) 68.29
10, Apache (Isabell Werth GER) 68.25
11, Wie Weltmeyer (Emma Hindle GBR) 67.458
12, Guinness (Louise Nathhorst SWE) 66.75
13, Rosemount Quando Quando (Kristy Oatley-Nist AUS) 66.45
14, Kingston (Leslie Morse USA) 65.87
15, Barclay II (Sven Rothenberger NED) 65.62
16, Royan II (Belinda Trussell CAN) 64.66
17, Esprit (Nicole Ahlefeldt Laurvig-Lehn DEN) 62.41
18, Problesk (Iryna Lis BLR) 60.37