The saying goes ‘what happens in Las Vegas, stays in Las Vegas’, but if what happened here in the FEI World Cup Dressage Final spreads further abroad, the sport of dressage will be hitting the jackpot, big time.

Anky van Grunsven won her seventh World Cup title, but she was chased to the wire by pupil Edward Gal on Geldnet Lingh while no less than four riders scored over 80 per cent denoting the highest standard ever seen. Van Grunsven’s score of 86.725 may not have rung up a new level – she’d achieved that mark with the legendary Bonfire – but four of the five-strong ground jury awarded artistic totals over 90 per cent. And that was not just for the winner – Gal rung up three 90 per cent plus marks and the USA’s Debbie McDonald hit the big ‘90’ twice from the judges at E and B.

The winner, who rode to her evocative ‘L’Esprit Chanson’ music, said: “ It is the most special win for me as I am not only proud of my own horse but also of Edward and Lingh. I was shocked when they beat us in the grand prix but after today, they can stay in training with me. It’s very special to have two Dutch riders at the top here.”

For the crowd, Edward Gal was the special favourite as they clapped and cheered to the high points in his freestyle. He said: “ When the crowd did that Lingh really felt it and gave even more – he loved it.”

The USA riders put on a fabulous show. Debbie McDonald and Brentina wowed the crowd to Aretha Franklin’s Respect and that’s what they got in return. “It was my goal to have fun out there’, said McDonald, “ and it was pretty obvious that we did.”

In fourth place, Robert Dover and FBW Kennedy glided through a fine performance to a freestyle programme Dover had adapted from way back in 1987 when he won the Western European League on Federleicht. With the help of Marlene Whitaker, Dover “resurrected” music he has always loved including ‘Hey Big Spender’ to accompany an expressive programme that was adored by the crowd from the minute the pair walked in the joint.

Judge at ‘C’ Uwe Mechlem commented: “The level was unbelievably high, each rider would come in and we’d think that test could not be beaten, but it kept getting higher. It was a hard job to find the winner for us, especially when the public anticipated, and we had to try hard not to be influenced by that, but we were so busy giving our marks.”

After the public appeared to expect Gal to emerge victor, Mechlem explained: “Anky has the most fascinating choice of music for her freestyle. I awarded a ‘10’ for her music as I can’t imagine it could be better. Edward showed an example of effortless and elegant dressage – the rider always together with his horse – but for me the choice of music was slightly heavy for this horse.

FEI Dressage Committee Chairman Mariette Withages stated: “ That was the best ever FEI World Cup Dressage Final. To have all the top riders score so high is unique.” Las Vegas will be a hard act to follow.

Results
FEI World Cup Dressage Final 2005, presented by Offield Farms Freestyle to Music

1, Keltec Salinero (A van Grunsven NED) 86.725
2, Geldnet Lingh (E. Gal NED) 85.225
3, Brentina (D. McDonald USA) 83.450
4, FBW Kennedy (R. Dover USA) 80.10
5, Blue Hors Cavan (A. Helgstrand DEN) 78.50
6, Kingston (L. Morse USA) 78.475
7, Bjorsells Briar (J. Brink SWE) 77.375
8, Aramis (H. Schmidt GER) 77.20
9, Barclay II (S. Rothenberger NED) 75.25
10, Escapado (C. Hester GBR) 73.475
11, Hardthof’s Ludewig G (L. Joergensen DEN) 72.275
12, Aragon (G. Seidel USA) 70.65

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