After a successful launch during CDI5* Cannes 2008 the management of the Exquis World Dressage Masters (WDM) is proud to present the 2009 programme. All WDM shows will have a 5* status and carry €100,000 prize money.
The 2009 WDM Calendar
• Palm Beach USA January 28 to February 1
• Salzburg AUS 1-3 May
• Munich GER 21-24 May
• Hickstead GBR 23-26 July
Two applications for the 2010 season are currently under investigation.
Mr. Kies, CEO of WDM, is very happy with the current line up. ‘Our partners have strong shows and share a common believe that WDM can make a difference in innovating international dressage’. Several talks with representatives of FEI and IDRC have helped WDM in improving the sports concept. ‘The concept focuses on top sport, mediability and internationalization’, John van de Laar of WDM says. ‘We really appreciate the positive attitude of the many stakeholders we talked to. This positive feeling will definitely contribute to the future success of WDM, as will the presence of Olympic Champion Anky van Grunsven who announced in Cannes she will show at all WDM events in 2009’.
Camil Smeulders of WDM management points out that WDM is negotiating with a renown company to become the third partner of WDM. ‘As it looks now we should be able to close this sponsorship before the end of the year’, he says.
WDM and her partners have secured TV coverage for the domestic markets. For the international TV distribution WDM management is in the final stage of negotiations with a strong global media company.
The Exquis World Dressage Masters (WDM) is a new sports and marketing concept in dressage. WDM is an initiative of equestrian innovator Exquis, international sports marketing agency SportBizz and US company Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP). The WDM concept tries to be an answer to the problems dressage is facing e.g. prize money gap with other sports, not interesting for TV because of the long classes and lack of professionalism in
marketing.
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