At the World Dressage Masters in Palm Beach, Florida, the top two placings from Thursday’s grand prix were reversed in tonight’s 60,000 Euro Kur with last year’s winner Anky aboard Salinero claiming the top place on a score of 84.45% and Steffen Peters taking second on 81.7%.

Salinero looked confident and Anky’s ever impressive music complemented her floor plan. As on Thursday, the pair’s halts were better than the impatient halts the pair has become known for.

“It was good to practice with the crowd yesterday evening because that’s the problem with him – he gets a bit nervous with the atmosphere. Today he was he was concentrated,” explained Anky.

Anky’s music, called ‘Dance of devotion’ was choreographed specially for Salinero. “Tonight everything worked out how it should be. I’m really really pleased with him. I am proud to have a horse that has been at the highest level for six years and that he is still fit and likes to compete and train. He used to think ‘here I go’ and now he thinks ‘here we go.’”

Steffen’s floorplan was probably the riskiest of all and the test scored him 81.7%. His routine included one handed two time changes. “I decide when I pick up the canter on the centre line whether to do it. He has been feeling solid in the changes but I didn’t have the guts to do it in the one times. Next time I will try it.”

“I had a lot of horse underneath me. I had to be careful coming into the first piaffe so it was not so good but the rest of them were great. It is excellent to be second behind Anky – her horse looked great.”

Third place went to Isabell Werth with a score of 78.95%. Riding Satchmo, her test was expressive and fault free until a problem in the half pass. “I was too sideways and he kicked himself and fell out of the canter. I tried but I missed the last half pass. I was pleased with him though; he was so full of power and energy. Next time I have to do it better.”

Isabell’s test included the two time changes going straight into the one tie changes into a pirouette and back out into the one time changes. “He gave me a great feeling, there was really no moment when i could do something more. It is already full of difficulty.”

Mr Anthony Kies CEO of the World Dressage Masters said of the competition: “It was fantastic. We had three of the real top riders in the world together and I don’t think that happens every day. I am thrilled that we have them together.”