The FEI World Cup dressage season kicks off in earnest this weekend at the Danish National Equestrian Centre, Vilhelmsborg, Aarhus, with the first of seven Western European League qualifiers. Aarhus, hosting the largest dressage event on Danish soil this year, is preparing to welcome a host of international talent.

Heading the home side's entries Andreas Helgstrand, who placed fifth at this year's stellar final in Las Vegas, has opted to ride Blue Hors Don Schufro in an attempt to reclaim the prize he won here last year on Blue Hors Cavan.

In his first outing since the European Championships in Hagen, German team rider Klaus Husenbeth will enter the World Cup fray for the first time here with Piccolino. Compatriot Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff, one of the stars of last season's league starts her points' hunt with the lovely mare Wahajama. They are joined by Ellen Schulten-Baumer and World Cup stalwart Gina Capellmann-Luetkemeier.

The Netherlands also fields some young talent here with 2005 European team debutante Laurens van Lieren riding Hexagon's Ollright and Kirsten Beckers on the stallion Broere Jazz.

It will be welcome back Kristy Oatley, who returned to international competition last month after the birth of her baby son Oskar in February. Oatley gained sixth place here in Aarhus at her first Final in 2001. The Germany-based Australian will ride Quando-Quando, on whom she placed 13th at the 2004 Final.

For Britain, Fiona Bigwood has opened her points' card already with second place at the Central European League qualifier CDI-W Kaposvar with Mr G de Lully, while the new - and youngest ever at 20 years of
age- national champion Laura Bechtolsheimer has a win from CDI-W Marianska-Lazne under her belt with Douglas Dorsey.

Timetable
Saturday October 22nd 13.00
Sapa Kontorcenter A/S
FEI World Cup Grand Prix qualifier

Sunday 23rd October 13.00
Ecco
FEI World Cup Qualifier, Freestyle to Music

(contact details below)

And Around The World……

The Central European League Final will take place in Warsaw, Poland on 17and 18th March 2006. Currently leading the standings is Zsofia Dallos, daughter of Hungary's most prolific World Cup representative Gyula Dallos.

The USEF 2006 U.S. League Final will take place March 16-19 in Wellington, Florida. Currently top of the ranking is Las Vegas finalist Leslie Morse, in pole position with Kingston and third with Tip Top. In between, George Williams and Rocher, now back better than ever after her year's injury break, set a new record freestyle score to win at Devon recently.

Canada's participation will be decided at the League Final Toronto, which takes place from 9-13 November 2005

The Pacific League Final will be held at Werribee, Australia from 18-19 November 2005.

FEI World Cup Dressage Western European League Qualifiers

CDI-W Aarhus 21-23.10.05
Media Contact:
Niels Hobolt Jensen
Mobile: +45 51 24 02 33
Email: nhj@vilhelmsborg.dk
Website : www.vilhelmsborg.dk

CDI-W Maastricht 24-27.11.05
Press Officer: Fred Lubbers
Tel(general): +31 40 844 76 44
Email: jim@bcm.nl
Website: www.jumpingindoormaastricht.nl

CDI-W Stockholm 25-27.11.05
Press officer: Lotta Amnestal
Mobile: +46 709 79 56 35
Email: lotta.amnestal@ridsport.se
Website: www.stockholmhorseshow.com

CDI-W London 13-19.12.05
Media officer: Candy Burnyeat
Tel: +44 1753 847 900
Email: candyb.hpim@easynet.co.uk
Website: www.olympiashowjumping.com

CDI-W Mechelen 26-30.12.05
Secretary's office tel: +32 3 455 95 53
Press Officer: Paul Debie
Email: paul.debie@skynet.be
Website: www.jumping-mechelen.com

NOTE : CDI-W Duesseldorf has been cancelled

CDI-W Neumuenster 16-19.2.06
Press Contact: Susanne Sager
Mobile: ++49 171 971 5790
e-mail (general): trs.nms@t-online.de
Website: www.reitturnier.de

CDI-W 's-Hertogenbosch 23-26.3.06
Press Contact: Gerrit Jan Swinkels
E-mail: info@indoorbrabant.nl
Tel (general): +31 73 621 82 79
Web site: www.indoorbrabant.nl

CDI-W Amsterdam (FEI World Cup Dressage Final, 20-23 April 2006) Event Director/Media contact: Chris van Dam
Mobile: ++31 6 539 33 150
Email: mail@jumpingamsterdam.nl
Website: www.jumpingamsterdam.nl

For further information on the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) www.horsesport.org

All the FEI World Cup news will shortly be available on one dedicated
website:
www.feiworldcup.org