Equestrian event will begin today at T&M

The Equestrian World Cup begins today at the Thomas & Mack Center with competition in dressage and show jumping.

Forty-six horses and riders qualified for the show jumping competition from 11 leagues around the world. Seventeen competitors from Europe and North America will take part in the dressage ring. Seven-time World Cup champion Anky Van Grunsven of the Netherlands withdrew from the dressage competition after giving birth to a daughter last month.

Denmark's Andreas Helgstrand, the silver medalist at last year's World Equestrian Games astride Matine, was forced to withdraw after the mare apparently injured an ankle on the van ride from the airport to the stabling area Monday.

Matine failed the veterinary exam Tuesday when, according to Helgstrand, she jogged OK one way but wasn't good coming back.

Beezie Madden of Cazenovia, N.Y., and Jill Humphrey of Sacramento, Calif., were the top qualifiers in the USA East and West Leagues.