The freestyle finale at the 2023 World Cup Finals in Omaha is losing some of its shine with yet another combination dropping out for tomorrow's feature class. Ingrid Klimke has withdrawn Franziskus.
Normally 18 combinations compete in the annual World Cup Finals, but this year only 16 made it to Omaha.
Drop Out Race
There is no Pacific League combination as two of the qualified horses at the Pacific League finals were not vaccinated on time to enter the U.S.A. The riders (Charlotte Philipps and Kerry Mack) blamed a lack of care and help from their national federation. In their stead, the German based Australian Simone Pearce received an extra starting place but the actual pacific slot was not filled.
Two Central European League combinations are also eligible to ride in the World Cup Finals, but this year Moldovan Alisa Glinka saw her dreams dashed when the U.S. embassy refused her a visa to enter the country, seemingly because of her Russian dual citizenship. Her spot remained vacant as Glinka got a "njet" from the U.S embassy to late in the process to call up next in line, Estonian Dina Ellermann.
Dinja van Liere and Hermes, the pair that won double bronze at last summer's World Championships, were considered von Bredow-Werndl's biggest rivals, but they had to pull out before the Grand Prix as the horse was "not fit to compete". Hermes already struggled at the vet check, not delivering a smooth trot up as he was very stalliony and all over the place. He was sent to the holding box but then passed upon reinspection.
Franziskus
Today the German equestrian federation announced the withdrawal of Ingrid Klimke for the freestyle finals.
Ingrid and Wilhelm Holkenbrink's 15-year old Hanoverian stallion Franziskus (by Fuidertanz x Alabaster) were fourth in yesterday's Grand Prix class in Omaha (75.543 %) but in the trot extensions did not show the coveted regularity in rhythm.
“I'm sad that we can't compete in the freestyle here so unexpectedly. Franz's well-being comes first and we have withdrawn him in view of the coming green season," Ingrid Klimke stated on the FN website.
Only 14 pairs will therefore compete tomorrow evening for the World Cup title.
Photo © Stefan Lafrentz
Related Link
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers and Finals