For the first time dressage will be one of the main attractions at the 5th edition of the Oi Athina Onassis Horse Show in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2 - 4 September 2011. This show is considered the largest equestrian event of Latin America and holds the semi-finals of the Global Champions Tour for show jumpers this year.
The dressage part of the event will include two dressage tests carrying a purse of 100,000 euro. The invited riders and horses are all flown in for free to this event.
The first dressage class is the 30,000 euro Grand Prix and will take place on 2 September 2011 at the Brazilian Equestrian Society with. The freestyle will be Saturday afternoon 3 September and carries a purse of 70,000 euro.
Seven countries have already confirmed their attendance: Holland, Sweden, Austria, Denmark, Germany and Brazil. The list of participants includes Hans Peter Minderhoud (NED) with Whitney van 't Genthof, Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein (DEN) with Horsebo Smarties, Isabell Werth (GER) with Warum Nicht FRH, Edward Gal (NED) with Next One, Patrik Kittel (SWE) with Toy Story and Victoriai Max-Theurer (AUT) with Eichendorff. German Christoph Koschel (GER) is the first reserve as only six European riders are invited.
Brazil will have four participants: Luiza Almeida, Marcelo Alexandre, Rogério Clementino and Rodolpho Riskalla.
The luxurious Windsor Atlântica is the official hotel of Oi Athina Onassis Horse Show. Located in Copacabana, the five star hotel has a panoramic view of Copacabana and Leme beach and is situated in a 39-story building on Atlântica Avenue.
Jack Vartanian, a famous jewelry designer, will create the trophy and medals collection for the show.
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