The
newly formed duo Guenter Seidel and Nikolaus went full
blast at the CDI*** Del Mar National Horse Show in California.
This USET Qualifier for the Festival of Champions took
place from April 26 to April 29, 2001. Taking the lead
in the Grand Prix with a score of 69.33%, Seidel dominated
a group of 17 riders. His Kur to Music was even more
fruitful than his Grand Prix performance. By putting
72.79% on the score boards, Seidel and Nikolaus just
missed the winner's trophy, finishing second in the
freestyle. It was Idaho citizen Debbie McDonald aboard
Brentina who reigned supreme in the musical test with
73.08%.
Seidel's show debut on his Westfalian Nikolaus was
actually made at the CDI-W*** Rancho Murieta, CA, April
12 to 15, 2001. In Nevada City, CA, Seidel rode a 68.60%
Grand Prix ranking again in second place behind River
Grove Farm's Debbie McDonald. The winning score of 68.42%
in the Special, however, was the ultimate coronation
for these "debutants".
Nikolaus was sold in March 2001 and transported to
Guenter Seidel's stable in Rancho Santa Fé, CA, to become
the talented successor and stable mate of Foltaire.
Nadine Capellmann trained the bay gelding by Weinberg
x Exponent up to Grand Prix level under the guidance
of Klaus Balkenhol. As Nikolaus was Capellmann's third
Grand Prix horse, there was no need to refuse the excellent
offer of sale to the United States.
The
newly formed duo Guenter Seidel and Nikolaus went full
blast at the CDI*** Del Mar National Horse Show in California.
This USET Qualifier for the Festival of Champions took
place from April 26 to April 29, 2001. Taking the lead
in the Grand Prix with a score of 69.33%, Seidel dominated
a group of 17 riders. His Kur to Music was even more
fruitful than his Grand Prix performance. By putting
72.79% on the score boards, Seidel and Nikolaus just
missed the winner's trophy, finishing second in the
freestyle. It was Idaho citizen Debbie McDonald aboard
Brentina who reigned supreme in the musical test with
73.08%. 
