Aachen, August 24th

Brentina will not compete in the Grand Prix Spéciale

As a result of the withdrawal of Brentina, the mare ridden by Debbie McDonald/USA, (please see following press release by the United States Equestrian Federation), there is an amendment to the list of the competitors qualified for the Grand Prix Special. The two riders in joint 31st place, Marie-Line Wettstein (Switzerland) with Le Primeur and Alexandra Korelova (Russia) automatically take the vacant place left by Debbie McDonald.

Statement:

Brentina and Debbie McDonald withdraw from Dressage Competition at the World Equestrian Games

The United States Equestrian Federation announced today that Brentina and Debbie McDonald will withdraw from the remainder of the dressage competition at the World Equestrian Games due to a veterinary concern.

Team vet Dr. Tim Ober said, "Brentina had a slight swelling after the competition on Wednesday. While a diagnosis is pending further evaluation by USEF veterinary staff Debbie McDonald and Klaus Balkenhol have decided it is not the best interest of Brentina to ask her to continue in the individual competition at these games."

"It was in the last extended trot yesterday when I felt her take some tentative steps. I rode conservatively in the competition and she went fine, but it was a concern. She seems okay today, but in conferring with our vets, the best decision for Brentina is to withdraw her. We came here to compete for the Team, we have achieved that goal, and we´re very happy."

Chef d´Equipe Klaus Balkenhol added, "Brentina is a fantastic mare and a true treasure, to do anything but take the conservative route and withdraw her would be very wrong. I´m so proud of Debbie´s ride yesterday, and I´m proud of her decision to withdraw. We look forward to the Special and potentially the Freestyle with Steffen Peters and Floriano and Guenter Seidel and Aragon, both very solid horse and rider teams."