The Road to Duesseldorf - Into The Home Straight

February 19, 2004

The penultimate qualifying round of the FEI World Cup Dressage Western European League takes place at Neumunster, Germany this weekend, where fans are due another top quality 'dressage feast'.

As expected, entries are dominated by a strong German contingent. Heike Kemmer can sit this one out as she is still sitting pretty at the top of the points standings after two wins, one second and a third place this season. Berlin winner Hubertus Schmidt, former title winner Isabell Werth and Ann-Kathrin Linsenhof are all out to increase their hold, as only two more German riders will be able to compete at the Duesseldorf final (a maximum of three per nation are eligible).

Talented Danish rider Nicole Ahlefedt Laurwig-Lehn, currently in ninth place in the standing, and Sweden's Louise Nathhorst, another former titleholder in eighth, are entered for Neumunster and can take advantage of the opportunity to gain points and move up the standings past the absent contingent of strongly placed Dutch riders. For British star Emma Hindle, the Dutch absence should enable her to regain second place in the standings, as she restarts her season after giving her horses a rest.

Russia's Elena Sidneva is having a run here, but as the winner of the FEI World Cup Central European League, she is already qualified for the Final, which takes place in Dusseldorf from 1-4 April.