Charlotte Dujardin to fly British flag in Vegas

A total of 59 athletes from 21 nations have so far confirmed their place in the Longines FEI World Cup Final in Las Vegas (15-19 April) – with just one rider flying the British flag.

Pressure is on

The pressure is on Charlotte Dujardin who will be hoping to defend her 2014 title with her World, European and Olympic champion Valegro.

She faces opposition from 17 other riders, with top combinations including Edward Gal and Glock’s Undercover (NED), Isabelle Werth with either Don Johnson or El Santo (GER) and Jessica Von Bredow-Werndl on Unee BB (GER).

There are also three riders from Russia, two from the USA and one from Finland.

Who’s who

In the showjumping final defending champion Daniel Deusser (GER) will compete against 40 other riders from 18 nations. Notable in their absence are any riders from Britain – Robert Whitaker was the highest placed British rider in 30th place.

The list of riders from the Western European league reads like a who’s who in showjumping. Names include Steve Guerdat (SUI), Bertram Allen (IRL), Marco Kutscher (GER), Marcus Ehning (GER), Martin Fuchs (SUI), Sergio Alvarez Moya (ESP), Luca Maria Moneta (ITA), Gerco Schröder (NED) and the league’s only female entry, Pénélope Leprevost (FRA).

Female contingent

Australia’s Edwina Tops-Alexander will be joining her, but the biggest female contingent comes from the USA in the guise of Laura Kraut, Beezie Madden, Kirsten Coe, McLain Ward, Lucy Davies and Katherina A Dinan.

There are also riders from Canada, Quatar, Brazil, Russia, Latvia, New Zealand, South America and Mexico.