- Steffen Peters has been riding in the same shadbelly for 26 years. “This coat has brought me a lot of luck,” he said. “I was 18 years old when I showed in it the first time. It’s been patched up a bunch of times, but it’s still the same coat. In Hong Kong [at the Olympic Games] somebody offered to make me a beautiful tailcoat for free, but I said, ‘I really appreciate it, but I can’t go there.’ I’m not sure how long I can do this in the sport, but it will be in this tailcoat for sure.”
- Peters thanked Rolex for the company’s sponsorship of the sport with an amusing story. “On Friday morning I woke up, and I was still dreaming about the success of the previous night. I wasn’t quite sure if this really happened,” he said. “When I checked my time, I had this beautiful watch on my arm. It was a Rolex. I remembered that the previous day I hadn’t gone shopping, so I knew I won it. This is incredible support from the sponsor Rolex, and we really appreciate the support.”
- Winning the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix freestyle netted Steffen Peters $127,900 as well as two Rolex watches.
- Brentina wasn’t the only horse to retire at the 2009 Rolex FEI World Cup Dressage Final. Jan Brink decided it would be Briar 899’s last competition. The beloved Swedish Warmblood stallion (Magini—Charis) contested eight World Cup Finals, three Olympic Games and three World Equestrian Games. At 18, he could be excused for being a little naughty in his final World Cup. Briar decided he’d rather gallop off instead of passaging, and a big smile spread across Brink’s face to feel his horse still so fresh and fit. The pair finished ninth (71.65%) and took an extra lap of honor at the end of the competition to celebrate their distinguished career.
