last updated on September 27, 2010 21:58

Excitement is building as the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games kick off in Kentucky in just five days time. After reining and endurance, dressage is the next discipline to get underway on 27 September 2010.

Final preparations for the four members of the British team could not have gone better; Laura Bechtolscheimer nailed her last minute preparations with the 15 year old Michellino Gelding Mistral Hojris. The pair proved untouchable in both classes at Cappeln CDI, Germany 20 August 2010 scoring top marks to secure a double win, taking the grand prix for kur on 76.64% and going on to seize the grand prix freestyle with 81.45%.

Temporarily gifted back the ride on his 2009 European Championship silver medal partner Liebling II, Carl Hester won his final competitive outing at Hickstead CDI5*. The pair were a respectable fourth in the grand prix and went on to win the grand prix special, on 72.41%, 1 August 2010. Since then they have also appeared at the Dressage Deluxe National Dressage Championships where they trained through a grand prix test infront of a capacity crowd. Here they proved they were every bit ready for the challenge ahead in Kentucky.

Maria Eilberg has enjoyed a consistent 2010 season with the family’s 16 year old Westphalian gelding Two Sox. Aside from a blip at Aachen CDI they have placed unfailingly throughout the season finishing on a third in the grand prix special at Hickstead CDI 5* with 69.87%. They too benefited from a training appearance at the Dressage Deluxe National Dressage Championships 9-12 September 2010 and Maria says Two Sox, or Ed as he is known at home, has never felt better.

At just 11 years old, Fiona Bigwood’s ride Wie Atlantico is the least experienced of the team but nevertheless the pair is showing promise in their second year at big tour together. They impressed at Saumur CDI May 2010 recording three plus 70% scores in the grand prix, grand prix special and grand prix freestyle and also placed at Wiesbaden CDI, finishing the freestyle on a score of 72.20%. Since selection they have schooled through a grand prix test at Hickstead, winning the class on 71.06% with Fiona announcing that he feels fit and well.

The GB dressage horses – Alf [Mistral Hojris], Lenny [Liebling II], Ed [Two Sox] and Atlantico [Wie Atlantico] are all now stateside having made the 9 hour journey to Kentucky this weekend. They are reported to have travelled well and are now in post arrival quarantine ready to begin their final preparation for the competition.

> View a full competition timetable here
> View more information on the dressage format for WEG here
> For more information on Equestrian Team GBR's full squad click here

GB will send six other teams to compete in the equestrian disciplines of para dressage, eventing, show jumping, reining, vaulting and endurance. Our seven para dressage horses depart Britain on 26 September with their riders following out on 29 in good time for the competition which takes place 5-10 October - ready to defend their World Championship title. More information on our para squad and their most recent form coming soon!

BBC Red button coverage from the WEG is available on the days of the second day of the dressage grand prix team competition and grand prix special events as shown below: 

Tuesday 28
Equestrian
1900-2300 Live coverage of the World Equestrian Games, Kentucky.

Wednesday 29
1930-2230 Live coverage of the World Equestrian Games, Kentucky.

Service available on interactive television including Freeview, digital and BBC Red Button for more information click here.