After the immediate success of the World Cup for Jumping Riders, created in 1978, the Dressage community also wanted its World Cup. They could, however, not agree in what format such a Dressage World Cup should run.

Many within the Dressage family saw it as a project to support Dressage – others felt a Dressage World Cup should popularise Dressage.

Prince Philip, President of the FEI at that time, arranged a meeting of the FEI Dressage Committee with Max E. Ammann, Director of the Jumping World Cup. The meeting, held in December 1984 in Brussels (BEL) agreed to a formula which combined the support of Dressage (qualification for the World Cup based on the classical Grand Prix) and the popularisation (the World Cup competition was based on a freestyle program to music).

In May 1985 the World Cup Dressage began with a competition in Rome (ITA), followed by Lipica (SLO), Schoten (BEL) and Goodwood (ENG). The first World Cup Final Dressage took place in April 1986 in ‘s-Hertogenbosch (NED).

Max E. Ammann was well over ten years observer in the World Cup Committee Dressage and close advisor to the World Cup Director, Joep Bartels.

network4events (former Editions Hippiques) published an annual media guide.

> 01.12.1984 – 30.04.1995: Advisor and observer in the World Cup Committee Dressage

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