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van Grunsven and the 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding, Keltec Salinero, performed before a sold-out crowd of more than 11,500. The pair scored a total 86.725% with four artistic scores in the 90s. “I was proud of my horse,” she said. “It’s great to have two Dutch riders here. I’m really happy.”

van Grunsven’s score was possibly a freestyle record, beating her previously held 86.05% achieved at the 2000 Olympic Games riding Bonfire. “The scores are slowly getting higher,” she commented. “A lot of riders are now on this high level. I can’t sit back and think it’s easy.” (Anky is pictured at the right on the Victory Podium.)

Edward Gal, also of the Netherlands, came in second to his trainer riding Geldnet Lingh. Gal and the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion received artistic scores in the 90s from three of the five judges for a final score of 85.225%. The crowd uncharacteristically broke out in applause during his one-tempis on a circle. “I don’t remember the clapping,” he said. “However, it made Lingh go even better. I liked it!”

U.S. favorite and 2003 World Cup Champion, Debbie McDonald, of Hailey, Idaho, and the 14-year-old Hanoverian mare, Brentina, came in third with an 83.45%. McDonald broke out in a huge grin as she rode down centerline to “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” with the crowd clapping along with the music. The audience was out of their seats before she could even make her final salute. “Obviously I was having fun,” she said. “My goal was to bring fun, not only for myself but for the audience. I think I achieved my goal.”

American Robert Dover, of Wellington, Florida, riding FBW Kennedy, came in fourth place with an 80.1%. Leslie Morse, of Beverly Hills, California, riding Kingston, took sixth place with 78.475%, and Guenter Seidel, of Del Mar, California, riding Aragon, placed 12th with a 70.650%.

President of the ground jury, Uwe Mechlem, of Germany, said, “It was very difficult to find the winner. The level of riding was unbelievably high. After seeing each ride, you think it can’t be beaten, then the next and the next. It is frustrating but exciting.”

Judge Mariette Withages said, “I thought this was more difficult to judge than in Athens because of the level and the small differences between riders.”

Mechlem said van Grunsven’s music and choreography set her apart from the rest. “In the end, I gave her a 10 for music. The combination of horse and music couldn’t be better. The style of the music fit the horse and the movements were in the right moment. Anky did it perfect.”

Results—FEI Offield Farms World Cup Final:

1. Anky van Grunsven (NED), Keltec Salinero 86.725

2. Edward Gal (NED), Geldnet Lingh 85.225

3. Debbie McDonald (USA), Brentina 83.450

4. Robert Dover (USA), FBW Kennedy 80.100

5. Andreas Helgstrand (DEN), Blue Hors Cavan - 78.500

6. Leslie Morse (USA), Kingston - 78.475

7. Jan Brink (SWE), Bjorsells Briar 899 - 77.375

8. Hurbertus Schmidt (GER), Aramis - 77.200

9. Sven Rothenberger (NED), Barclay II - 75.250

10. Carl Hester (GBR), Escapado - 73.475

11. Lone Joergensen (DEN),Hardthof’s Ludwig G - 72.275

12. Guenter Seidel (USA)Aragon - 70.650

More than 100,000 tickets have been sold with tickets purchased by individuals in 13 countries and all 50 of the United States. Better than 96% of the ticket sales have been to people who live outside Nevada.

The FEI Offield Farms World Cup Dressage Final will be televised on Monday, June 6 at 4:00 p.m. EDT on the Outdoor Life Network (OLN).

For more information on the 2005 FEI World Cup Jumping and Dressage Finals, please call Las Vegas Events, Inc. at (702) 260-8605 or visit the official website at www.worldcuplasvegas.com.

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