Cathrine Dufour riding Atterupgaards Cassidy after their recent CDI-W win.
© FEI/Lotta Brundin Gyllensten/LOTTAPICTURES
By Equestrian Life
Cathrine Dufour and Atterupgaards Cassidy may be ranked number 3 in the world, but they are not assured a start in the World Cup Final in Paris in April. In fact, it’s looking quite unlikely.
How do combinations qualify for the FEI World Cup Dressage Final?
Qualification for the World Cup Final allows for 18 combinations to take part. The 18 riders that make the final start list are selected in a number of ways — the first being via competing in geographic “leagues” that are allocated a number of places in the Final.
Western European League — 9 places
Central European League — 2 places
North American League — 2 places
Asia/Pacific League — 1 place
Last year’s World Cup Champion (who in this case is Isabell Werth and Weihegold OLD) is also assured a start, while additional starting places are allocated to those who haven’t qualified via a league (1 place), and then 2 extra starting places (with one going to a combination from the host national if none have otherwise qualified).
Who has qualified to date?
The final list is yet to be confirmed. From the Asia/Pacific League, it will be Mary Hanna and Calanta, from the Central European League it will be Russia’s Inessa Merkulova and Hanna Karasiova from Belarus. From the North American League, it will be Laura Graves on Verdades and Shelly Francis on Danilo.
Mary Hanna and Calanta winning the Pacific League Final at the 2018 Boneo Classic.
© FEI/Stephen Mowbray
The Western European League (WEL) is yet to be decided, however at present Patrik Kittel sits atop the rankings. Cathrine Dufour is in equal 12th place but isn’t scheduled to compete at the one remaining qualifying event in the Netherlands at this stage. The combination have competed at two CDI-W events — Göteborg and Herning — and won on both occasions. However, since the WEL is based on points, Cathrine and Cassidy still don’t have as many points as combinations who have competed at a greater number of CDI-W events.
Cathrine and the Danish Federation had made an application for her to be considered for one of the extra starting places in the World Cup Final, however it is reported that the FEI has rejected the application, as it’s not possible under the rules at this stage.
Stay tuned for the final World Cup Final list, which should hopefully be released next week!
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