2011 WDM Palm Beach defending Champion Steffen Peters presents Ravel to the FEI ground jury at the 2012 WDM Palm Beach. (Photo: Sue Stickle for Phelps Media Group)

Wellington, FL – The World Dressage Masters Palm Beach presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach got off to an auspicious start on Thursday, when all 15 horses presented at the FEI horse inspection were accepted as fit and ready to compete in the WDM Palm Beach CDI5*, which will begin with the Grand Prix test at 2 pm on Friday at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Centre. The World Dressage Masters presented by Axel Johnson Group is the world’s richest and most prestigious dressage series, with prize money totalling €100,000 ($130,000) at each individual event. The list of entries for the WDM Palm Beach includes several of the world’s top ranked dressage horses and riders. Defending 2011 WDM Palm Beach champions Steffen Peters of the US and Ravel will attempt to repeat their record breaking performances of last year. Among their stiffest rivals is Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin, who was a member of Britain’s gold medalist team at the 2011 European Championships riding the young but incredibly talented 10 year old gelding Valegro.The WDM Palm Beach is a completely sold out event with 1,700 spectators filling the Jim Brandon Center to capacity over the next two days of competition. Live streaming video will bring the action to fans around the world. In addition to their live stream broadcast at www.internationalpoloclub.com, IPC has created a smartphone application that will be available at the Jim Brandon Center. The application will provide live stream video of the competition, as well as up-to-the-minute information about the competitors and results. USEF Network will provide live streaming coverage at www.usefnetwork.com. For the first time ever, the USEF live feed will run on smart phones as well as tablet devices and computers. Eurosport will also broadcast a feature on the WDM Palm Beach on the February 22nd episode of Wednesday Selection. World Dressage Masters Palm Beach Fast Facts:What: North America’s only CDI5*, and part of the richest dressage series in the world. Up to twenty of the world’s top dressage stars will compete for 100,000 Euros in prize money at the WDM Palm Beach.When: January 26 – 28, 2012 Competition schedule: *Gates open at 11:00 am each day for WDM Palm Beach ticket holders only. Tickets will not be available for purchase at the gate. Ticket holders are encouraged to arrive for Saturday evening’s Grand Prix Freestyle at 5:30 pm. Friday January 27:2 pm to 5 – CDI5* Grand PrixSaturday January 28:2 pm to 4:30 – CDI5* Grand Prix Special    7:30 pm to 10:30 – CDI5* Grand Prix FreestyleWho: Confirmed entries for WDM Palm Beach presented by IPC Palm Beach:Jacqueline Brooks (CAN) – Gran GestoCharlotte Dujardin (GBR) – Valegro Todd Flettrich (USA) – Otto Carl Hester (GBR) – Wie AtlanticoAdrienne Lyle (USA) – Wizard Ashley Holzer (CAN) – Pop ArtTina Konyot (USA) – Calecto VYvonne Losos de Muñiz (DOM) – Dondolo Las MarismasSteffen Peters (USA) – RavelAnja Plönzke (GER) – Le Mont d’OrPierre St. Jacques (USA) – Lucky TigerPer Sandgaard (SWE) – Lomumba HavdalMinna Telde (SWE) – Deinhardt Tinne Vilhelmsson-Silfven (SWE) – FavouritVictoria Winter (CAN) – Proton In addition, the two top placed horses from Thursday’s CDI3* Grand Prix will be invited to compete in the WDM Palm Beach CDI5* (See related story below on schedule change for the WDM!)Where: Jim Brandon Equestrian Center – Okeeheelee Park South, 7500 Forest Hill Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33413Official Show Producer: Wellington Classic Dressage – Noreen O’Sullivan 561-227-1570 or John Flanagan 561-714-9058