Laurens van Lieren’s Hexagon’s Ollright sustained a minor injury before  ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the last CDI-W in the Western European League.

Van Lieren hoped the 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood would be sound enough for the Rolex FEI World Cup Final in Las Vegas, Nev., but veterinarians advised against competing him until the injury to the ligament had completely healed.

The 25-year-old from the Netherlands was disappointed not to go to his second Final.  “But the most important thing is the well being of my horse,” he said in a press release.  “Both he and I are too young to be sidelined yet. We hope for many more chances to come.”
   
Marlies van Baalen will replace van Lieren. She qualified in the WEL but couldn’t go unless a higher-placed Dutch rider withdrew, because only three riders may compete from any nation (unless that nation is the host country).
   
Van Baalen will ride BMC Kigali at the Final.  This 15-year-old, Dutch Warmblood stallion was a former show jumper in his youth under Nathalie van der Mei.
   
Although van Baalen was sorry for van Lieren, she was thrilled with the opportunity to go to Las Vegas.  “BMC Kigali is very fresh and well,” she said.  “By coincidence we just had an extra check yesterday by our vet. I am looking forward to our Frank Sinatra freestyle in the USA!”

Van Baalen also said she looks forward to seeing her former Olympic mount, Idocus, with Courtney King at the World Cup Final.  “We’ve had a nice mail contact several times a year, and it will be very special to compete together now,” she said.