FEI European Championships Aachen 2015: Gal Leads Netherlands To Third European Team Title

The Netherlands claimed team gold ahead of Great Britain in silver and Germany in bronze at the FEI European Championships 2015 in Aachen, Germany today. It was a cliff-hanger of a competition, with the result decided by a superb performance from Edward Gal and Glock’s Undercover NOP. However Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro produced the biggest score of the day, posting 83.229 to finish more than half a percentage point ahead of the Dutchman.

Today’s result has also decided the last three European qualifying spots for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, and it is Spain, Sweden and France, who lined up fourth, fifth and sixth respectively, that have made the cut.

The Spanish really pulled it out of the bag today, Morgan Barbancon Mestre putting in a poignant performance with Painted Black on the final event of the 18-year-old stallion’s career, while Beatriz Ferrer-Salat, silver medallist at the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004, boosted their chances when slotting into individual fifth spot with Delgado.

This was The Netherlands’ third time to take European team gold, and their first time to field an all-male side. They made history when breaking the German stranglehold on the title in 2007 and then did it again two years later, before the British broke the mold once again in 2011. Dutch Chef d’Equipe Wim Ernes said recently that he expected his side to take team bronze at these championships, so when asked this evening what he thought of that now, he replied “that was a few weeks ago, since then we just practiced and got better, and so today we won!”

Had the advantage

Team Germany had the advantage as the competition resumed this morning, but when Hans Peter Minderhoud went to the top of the scoreboard with a mark of 77.856 with Glock’s Johnson that tipped the balance in The Netherlands’ favour.

He was followed into the ring by Britain’s Carl Hester whose gelding, Nip Tuck, was a little unsettled through parts of his test. “But he’s so consistent, he’s never had under 70 percent” said the London 2012 Olympic Games team gold medallist after posting 75.400.

Three horses later you could feel the electricity in the air as Germany’s Matthias Alexander Rath and Totilas took their turn. They were expected to secure their country’s position at the top of the leaderboard, but their mark of 75.971 always looked vulnerable. The German rider said afterwards that “the piaffe could have been more active”, expressing surprise at his score. But only two horse-and-rider combinations broke the 80 percent barrier today, and the first of those was ridden by Gal, the man who produced Totilas to become the first super-star horse of the sport of Dressage before the stallion’s sale to Germany in 2010.

Sensitivity

Gal has often struggled to contain Glock’s Undercover’s sensitivity and anxiety, but today the 14-year-old stallion showed exactly what his rider always said he could do. The judges clearly relished the utter consistency of the horse’s passage and piaffe, the steadiness of his tempi changes and the smoothness of the canter work when awarding the new leading mark of 82.229. That promoted the Dutch into an even stronger position, and although British stars Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro would better that by 0.8 percent, it was the Dutchman who took centre stage at the post-competition press conference having clinched it for his country.

The final Dutch score was 235.629 but it was a close-fought affair with the British runners-up just 1.4 behind while the Germans were more than three points further adrift in bronze medal spot.

Asked how he produced such a confident test under extreme pressure today, Gal explained, “I think it’s the experience my horse has now, he’s done more big competitions, he did Las Vegas (Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final), and that was impressive for him. Here, when you are in the ring you don’t notice so much around you because there are so many judges houses that you can’t see out anyway!” he joked.

“But no” he continued, “for him it was quite a good atmosphere. The people are far away, and in the ring it was really quiet, it felt good and that gives him the confidence, and gives me the confidence that he is quiet and I can ride – and that makes an amazing test!” he explained. “I think we are the happiest team here!” Gal added, and Carl Hester responded, “I think that’s true – we have a great team too, but we’re not as happy as you!”

The Netherlands claimed the FEI European Dressage Championships 2015 team title at Aachen, Germany today. On the podium: Diederik van Silfhout, Patrick van der Meer, Edward Gal, Hans Peter Minderhoud and Chef d’Equipe Wim Ernes. (FEI/Dirk Caremans)

Happy mood

Germany’s Isabell Werth was also in a happy and sporting mood even though that 23rd FEI European Dressage team title had slipped from her country’s grasp. “It was our goal to come first, but it’s boring to win all the time and much more exciting to come third and to have to start again next year!” she joked. “To be honest we tried our best, but in the end we missed some things…we were not as good as we can be, and I think the third place was right. Congratulations to the Dutch and the British – but be careful” she warned with a smile, “we want to come back, we will do our homework and next year we will do a better performance!”

Next year is on everyone’s mind as today’s result has given all of the teams an indication of what they need to do if they want their Olympic dreams to come true. And this evening sthe judges for the Rio 2016 Olympic Dressage competitions were confirmed. Brazil’s Maribel Alonso was already named as President and today’s draw means that she will be joined by Stephen Clarke (GBR), Gary Rockwell (USA), Edward de Wolff van Westerrode (NED), Peter Holler (GER), Thomas Lang (AUT) and Susanne Baarup (DEN). First reserve for the Rio Ground Jury is Annette Fransen-Iacobaeus (SWE) with Isabelle Judet (FRA) as second reserve.

For more information on the FEI European Championships 2015 in Aachen visit http://www.aachen2015.de.

Facts and Figures:

The Netherlands claimed the FEI European Dressage Team Championship title today for the third time in the history of the event.

Great Britain took silver and the defending champions from Germany claimed the bronze.

All three medal-winning nations are already qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games so the teams placed fourth, fifth and sixth – Spain, Sweden and France – have earned the three available qualifying spots on offer at these Championships.

The highest score of the day today was produced by the British star partnership of Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro who posted a mark of 83.029.

Only two riders scored over 80 percent – Dujardin and Gal who earned a mark of 82.229 with Glock’s Undercover.

This was The Netherlands third FEI European Dressage Championships team title. They previously topped the podium at La Mandria, Spain in 2007 and again in 2009 in Windsor, Great Britain.

FEI YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M56XiTxS5dg&feature=youtu.be

Louise Parkes

REEM ACRA FEI WORLD CUP™ DRESSAGE 2014/2015 – Dujardin And Valegro Produce Another Amazing Performance In Amsterdam

Dujardin and Valegro produce another amazing performance in Amsterdam
by Louise Parkes

Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro swept to victory with the greatest of ease at the sixth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Western European League series in Amsterdam, The Netherlands today. The 29-year-old rider only returned from New Zealand a few days ago after presenting Masterclasses in Hamilton and Christchurch, and admitted to feeling “seriously jet-lagged”. But such is the exceptional relationship she has with the 13-year-old Valegro that she only fell 0.4 points short of the world-record Freestyle score the pair set at Olympia, London in December when coming out on top by a considerable margin again this afternoon.

Today’s result sheet reflected that of yesterday’s Grand Prix, with exactly the same horse-and-rider combinations filling the top five places. The Netherlands’ Danielle Heijkoop (Siro NOP) filled runner-up spot ahead of Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (Unee BB) in third, and Dutch riders Diederik van Silfhout (Arlando) and Hans Peter Minderhoud (Glock’s Flirt) claimed fourth and fifth places. However, despite the quality of the field, Dujardin’s absolute supremacy was unmistakable as her nearest rival finished more than 11 marks behind her winning score of 93.900.

Great day of sport

Two-time series champions, Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival NOP, won the second leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Western European League at Lyon, France tonight. (FEI/Pierre Costabadie)

The Amsterdam crowd were treated to a great day of sport, with Germany’s Isabell Werth and El Santo NRW lighting up the arena with a powerful and expressive test that just oozed with fun. When you have a trophy cabinet filled to the brim with Olympic and World Championship gold medals you are entitled to have as much fun as you like, and with her 14-year-old gelding grooving to the sound of David Bowie, the 45-year-old veteran swept into the lead on a mark of 76.775 just before the judging break.

However Denmark’s Agnete Kirk Thinggaard, who has rocketed to prominence this season, went out in front as soon as the action resumed when posting 78.050. This pair are exciting to watch, showing great balance and rhythm in passage in particular, and demonstrating tremendous harmony between their music and their floorplan.

Two rides later however, Dujardin and Valegro set the new target so high that there was never any doubt about the final outcome. The Olympic, European and World champion was smiling even before she began, and Valegro just settled to his job, drumming out that now familiar perfect piaffe and passage and sitting steady and low in canter pirouette as the scores came tumbling in thick and fast. Britain’s Stephen Clarke and Dutch judge Eduard de Wolff van Westerrode each awarded the pair artistic marks of 98.00 while Isabelle Judet from France gave them 96.00, and when their final total of 93.900 went up on the scoreboard it was very definitely a done deal.

Confident performance

Heijkoop wasn’t intimidated however, following with a smooth, confident performance that highlighted her black gelding’s exceptional piaffe for a mark of 82.375. And Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, who continues to lead the Western European League standings after today’s leg, once again presented her courageous floorplan that embraces difficult transitions including canter to piaffe/pirouette to walk, for a strong score of 80.900.

Penultimate performer, Diederik van Silfhout with Arlando NH, posted 79.950 for fourth place while fellow-Dutchman, Hans Peter Minderhoud, brought the competition to a close with a calm and elegant test from Glock’s Flirt for fifth spot.

Winning result

Reigning champions, Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro, strutted to victory once again at the sixth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Western European League in Amsterdam, The Netherlands today. (FEI/Arnd Bronkhorst)

Dujardin was quick to thank her trainer, friend and mentor, Carl Hester, after today’s winning result. “Carl kept Blueberry (Valegro) ticking over while I was away in New Zealand, I’m always so grateful to him” she said. She wasn’t too pleased with her ride in yesterday’s Grand Prix however, even though she won that by more than a seven-point margin. “I was really jet-lagged and I was terrible, I was so angry with myself for the way I rode!” she insisted this afternoon.

She talked about what Valegro has been doing since re-setting the Grand Prix and Freestyle world records at Olympia last month. “He had a couple of weeks off over Christmas and then I started riding him for a couple of days before heading off (to New Zealand). But I only had three days to ride after I got back this week, so he’s a pretty amazing horse!” And looking ahead to the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Final where they will be defending their title she said, “he won’t be doing anything until then. He isn’t the kind of horse that needs competition all the time, so our next outing will be Las Vegas, and after that we’ll be concentrating on getting ready for the European Championships”.

Reflected

Runner-up, Danielle Heijkoop, reflected on her performance, saying “we had a bigger score at Mechelen (BEL) in December, but I’m very happy with how we went today”. Talking about her trainer, Anky van Grunsven who is a nine-time winner of the FEI World Cup™ Dressage title, 27-year-old Heijkoop said “we think alike, our attitude is that things can always be better, but for me the most important thing right now is that you can see our score is getting a little higher everywhere from last year, it’s all improving”.

Now riders are already thinking ahead to how their horses will respond to the bright lights and electric atmosphere of the Thomas & Mack Arena in Las Vegas in just over two months’ time. “I’m so excited about it!” said Dujardin today, “I know the crowd starts clapping before the finish, and the place is buzzing all the time, but hopefully Blueberry will be OK with all that and will put on a great show”.

Runner-up, Danielle Heijkoop, says that her gelding, Siro, can be “a little bit crazy” during the prize-giving ceremony and after he comes out of the arena, but that he is usually a thorough professional during his test. “Actually I think he will love it in Las Vegas, when he’s doing a test he really enjoys the crowd, and I hope it won’t be a problem for him”.

The next leg will take place Neumuenster, Germany on Sunday 15 February 2015.

Result:

1, Valegro (Charlotte Dujardin) GBR 93.900;

2, Siro NOP (Danielle Heijkoop) NED 82.375;

3, Unee BB (Jessica von Bredow-Werndl) GER 80.900;

4, Arlando NH NOP (Diederik van Silfhout) NED 79.950;

5, Glock’s Flirt (Hans Peter Minderhoud) NED 79.250;

6, Jojo Az (Agnete Kirk Thinggaard) DEN 78.050;

7, Favourit (Sonke Rothenberger) GER 77.325;

8, El Santo NRW (Isabell Werth) GER 76.775;

9, Uzzo (Patrick van der Meer) NED 75.725;

10, Axis TSF (Terhi Stegars) 75.675;

11, Ulysses la Haya (Laurens van Lieren) NED 73.950;

12, Biggles 1015 (Kristian von Krusentierna) SWE 73.775;

13, Eres DI (Jeroen Devroe) BEL 73.275;

14, Sunny Boy (Juan Antonio Jimenez Cobo) ESP 73.175;

15, Thriller (Katja Gevers) NED 72.050.

Facts and Figures:

Amsterdam, The Netherlands presented the sixth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Western European League today.

15 riders from 8 nations, including six from the host country.

Today’s winners were the defending series champions and World No 1 combination, Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro from Great Britain, who re-set both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle world records at the previous fixture at Olympia in London last month.

Their winning Freestyle score of 93.900 today was just 0.4 percentage points short of the world record they set in London at 94.300.

The British partnership also won yesterday’s Grand Prix at the Dutch fixture, with a winning mark of 86.140.
Today’s Ground Jury consisted of: At E, Stephen Clarke (GBR), At H, Isabelle Judet (FRA), At C, Eduard de Wolff van Westerrode (NED), At M, Adriaan F. Hamoen (NED), and at B, Peter Engel (GER).

There are three further qualifying legs left to run in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Western European League – at Neumuenster (GER) on 15 February, At Gothenburg, Sweden on 28 February and at ‘s-Hertogenbosch (NED) on 14 March.

The series Final will take place in Las Vegas, USA from 15-19 April.

Quotes:

Charlotte Dujardin GBR, talking about Valegro: “He was just fantastic today. It’s always such a pleasure to ride him, he’s so great!”

Danielle Heijkoop NED: “My next competition will be at Den Bosch I think, but I have to talk to Anky (van Grunsven) about it first”.

Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Western European League 2014/2015 – standings after Round 6 at Amsterdam (NED):
1. Jessica von Bredow-Werndl GER – 71
2. Danielle Heijkoop NED – 60
3. Fabienne Lutkemeier GER – 54
4. Hans Peter Minderhoud NED – 50
5. Agnete Kirk Thinggaard DEN – 49
6. Sonke Rothenberger GER – 47
7. Edward Gal NED – 40
7. Isabell Werth GER – 40
9. Adelinde Cornelissen NED – 37
10. Valentina Truppa ITA – 34

REEM ACRA FEI WORLD CUP™ DRESSAGE 2014/2015 – Round 4, Tinne tops Reem Acra leg at Stockholm

Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven steered Don Auriello to victory in today’s fourth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Western European League at Stockholm in Sweden. In yesterday’s Grand Prix it was Hans Peter Minderhoud who came out on top with Glock’s First when posting a personal best score. In today’s Freestyle however the Dutchman had to settle for runner-up spot while Sweden’s Minna Telde and Santana sealed third spot.

“I’m really pleased” said six-time Olympian Vilhelmson-Silfven this afternoon. “He (Don Auriello) was in over-drive yesterday in the Grand Prix because this is our first show since the World Championships and he was a feeling a bit too happy! Today I was maybe a little bit careful, but anyway I’m delighted with our result!” she said.

New venue

The fixture was staged at a new venue, the Friends Arena which is the Swedish national football stadium located just north of the city of Stockholm. With its retractable roof and vast amount of space it converted into an excellent equestrian sports arena that accommodated a wide range of activity throughout this week’s Swedish International Horse Show, including a thrilling indoor cross-country competition.

The atmosphere for Dressage is always expected to be considerably more reserved, but the home crowd couldn’t contain their delight with Minna Telde’s performance from the great Santana who really turned on the style. The 13-year-old horse is always a favourite for the courage he has shown since losing an eye following an accident some years ago. And with a Christmas-themed musical score and a real spring in his step he strutted his way through a lovely test that finished with his rider doing one-handed passage up the centre line to the rhythm of spectator’s applause. When the judge’s score of 75.550 went up on the board there was an even bigger explosion of excitement, but there was plenty more to come.

Fourth-last to go was Vilhelmson-Silfven, and the elegant Don Auriello raised the bar by a long margin when earning a mark of 80.875 as three of the four Ground Jury members put the pair in pole position. And Grand Prix winners, Minderhoud and Glock’s Flirt, couldn’t out-do them this time, posting 79.250 for runner-up spot.

Very happy

“I’ve scored 84 before in Freestyle so this isn’t our biggest result ever, but I’m very happy!” said Vilhelmson-Silfven afterwards. The 47-year-old Swede spent much of last winter in America, and she’s planning to do the same this time around. “I’m leaving for Florida on 21st December again so I’m not sure about qualifying for the Final” she pointed out. “I can only count one World Cup qualifier over there and I missed Odense (the first leg of the current Western European League series) so I’m not sure it’s going to happen” she explained.

Second-placed Minderhoud said he was very pleased with his ride today. “I knew it would be difficult to beat Tinne if she was on form, even though I made no mistakes” he pointed out. Talking about Glock’s Flirt he continued, “he is very easy to train and not spooky so that always makes them easier to deal with”, and he’s hoping to make it to the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final 2014/2015 in Las Vegas, USA next April. “I’d really like to get there, but only three riders from each nation can compete and we have quite a few good ones!” he said.

Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven and Don Auriello stepping it out in style on their way to victory in today’s fourth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Western European League series at Stockholm (SWE). (FEI/Roland Thunholm)

Reaction

Minna Telde was delighted with the reaction of the crowd today. “Yesterday Santana was more tense but today he stayed calm and listened to me. This new music is great and I will ride it again in London if I can” said the 39-year-old who, however, definitely doesn’t have the Las Vegas Finals in her sights as she is expecting a new addition to the family next April.

Today’s winner was also very pleased with the result achieved by young German rider, 20-year-old Sonke Rothenberger, who lined up fourth with Favourit, a horse she took to two European Championships before selling it on to the German family two years ago.

“I’m very happy that Sonke is doing so well with him (Favourit) and that he is in a good place and being well cared for” Vilhelmson-Silfven said.

Meanwhile Minderhoud has now moved up to fifth in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Western European League standings which are headed by Germany’s Fabienne Lutkemeier followed by two-time champion Adelinde Cornelissen from The Netherlands who shares second place with Denmark’s Agnete Kirk Thinggaard and Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl.

The next leg takes place at Olympia, London (GBR) on Sunday 21 December.

Result:

1, Don Auriello (Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven) SWE 80.875;

2, Glock’s Flirt (Hans Peter Minderhoud) NED 79.250;

3, Santana (Minna Telde) SWE 76.550;

4, Favourit (Sonke Rothenberger) GER 75.225;

5, Darcia VH (Jeanna Hogberg) SWE 74.850;

6, Toy Story (Patrik Kittel) SWE 74.275;

7, Diamonds Forever (Fabienne Lutkemeier) GER 73.700;

8, di Lapponia T (Paulinda Friberg) SWE 72.475;

9, Zircoon Spring Flower (Jennie Larsson) SWE 71.825;

10, Volstrupgaards Cassiopeia (Allan Skov) DEN 70.675;

11, Wilco V (Mario van Orshaegen) BEL 70.150;

12, Le Beau (Philipp Jorissen) BEL 70.075;

13, Vosk (Marina Aframeeva) RUS 68.500;

14, Kartsevo Upperville (Tatiana Dorofeeva) RUS 67.450;

15, Fleetwood (Malin Hamilton) SWE 63.925.

Full result here http://online.equipe.com/sv/class_sections/141483/live

Facts and Figures:

Stockholm in Sweden presented the fourth round of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Western European League series today.
A total of seven Swedish riders competed in the field of 15 in today’s Grand Prix Freestyle.
The winner was Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven riding Don Auriello who topped the leader board with a score of 80.875.
The Stockholm fixture was staged at a new venue, the Friend’s Arena which is the Swedish national football stadium located just north of Stockholm.
The stadium has a retractable roof to accommodate sport in all weather conditions.
Today’s Ground Jury consisted of: at B, Jo Graham; At M, Liselotte Fore; At C, Gustav Svalling; At H, C Matthiesen; At E, Fransen Iacobeaus.
The next leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Western European League will take place on 21 December at Olympia, London where the multiple record-breakders and World No. 1 partnership of Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro are scheduled to compete.
Quotes:

Ground Jury, Gustav Svalling: “Minna’s (Minna Telde) music was lovely and put everyone in a good mood!”

Louise Parkes