The World Dressage Masters (WDM) at Hickstead (22-26 July) will have a high class turnout, with many top combinations already confirmed.

From the UK, Laura Bechtolsheimer will be partnering Mistral Hojris - a Danish gelding by Michellino - the horse with whom she scored 78.04%, the highest ever British International Grand Prix score. Reining National Champions Maria Eilberg with Two Sox (by Ehrentusch) and Beijing Olympian Jane Gregory awith Lucky Star (by Lucky Light) are surely worthy of attention too.

Stiff competition comes from the unstoppable Holland in the form of Hans Peter Minderhoud riding Carl Hester's former partner Escapado. The pressure will be on this combination after Carl's success with the horse. Adelinde Cornelissen will be aiming to replicate her superb Olympia 2008 form, where she definitively won the Kur with Parzival, a Dutch gelding by Jazz, with 75.75%.

The combination that many will fear is Edward Gal's young stallion Moorlands Totilas, a son of the legendary Gribaldi. Totilas comes fresh from his first ever Grand Prix Special - where he scored a staggering 80.41%, beating Anky van Grunsven and Salinero into second place.

The World Dressage Masters series showcases the highest quality dressage and helps stimulate the popularity of this Olympic sport around the globe.

Anky van Grunsven said: "Dressage is a very demanding sport, not only for the horses but also for the rider. This has not always been rewarded in terms of prize money and professionalism. A challenge that the WDM has picked up and that wants to change."

Confirmed combinations are:

Imke Schellekens-Bartels NED Hunter Douglas Sunrise
Hans Peter Minderhoud NED Escapado
Adelinde Cornelissen NED Parzival
Edward Gal NED Moorlands Totilas
Leslie Morse USA Tip Top 962
Catherine Haddad USA Cadillc 35
Daniel Pinto POR Galopin De La Font
Ashley Holzer CAN Pop Art
Wayne Channon GBR Lorenzo
Vicky Smits-Vanderhasselt BEL Daianira vande Helle
Stefan Van Ingelgem BEL Whitney Van Genthof
Marc Boblet FRA Whitni Star
Jane Gregory GBR Lucky Star
Maria Eilberg GBR Two Sox
Laura Bechtolsheimer GBR Mistral Hojris
Fiona Bigwood GBR Wie Atlantico
Michal Rapcewicz POL Randon

H&C will be exclusively covering the event online and programmes will be on TV on 8 August 2009. You'll only be able to watch the event with us. Keep your eyes peeled for our special event page online coming soon, with exclusive blog from Hans Peter Minderhoud, and our coverage on TV.