Tell me again how competitive dressage is all about the horse's welfare?
A huge increase in prize money to well over $650,000 (€523,000) with a $200,000 CDI5* as a highlight of Florida’s Global Dressage Festival will make next winter’s circuit the richest in the world.
It's good to remember that top competitors aren't merely competing for the love of the sport. They participate in certain events based on the prize money, naturally.
Should competitors compete at every level without a chance at prize money?
The schedule for the 2015 Global Dressage Festival:
- Jan. 7-11–$50,000 CDI-W World Cup qualifier;
- Jan. 21-25-$50,000 CDI World Cup qualifier;
- Feb. 4-8-$200,000 CDI5*;
- Feb. 17-22-$120,000 CDI4*;
- Mar. 4-8-$50,000 Palm Beach Dressage Derby World Cup qualifier;
- Mar. 11-15-$50,000 World Cup qualifier, and
- Mar. 24-29-$35,000 CDIO3* Nations Cup.
The headline events for the seven international weeks total $555,000 in prize money, but purses for other classes held simultaneously such as lower rated CDIs or junior and young rider classes will bring total prize money close to to $700,000. That is up from the 2013 total purse of $594,000.
No. But don't pretend competitive dressage is for the good of the horse and has no moneyed interests.
Source: Global Dressage Festival Prize Money Over $650,000 in 2015 For World's Richest Circuit
Image Credit: Franz Venhaus
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