2001
European Dressage Championships for Grand Prix Riders
The
equestrian folks who come to Verden will have the pleasant
experience watching dressage on highest level. Because
the leading dressage nations almost come from Europe,
the European championships come close to a World championship.
After its success at the CDIO Aachen the German team
is the major favourite for the team gold medal, but
the teams from the Netherlands, Denmark and Spain are
also in marvellous form. Never the top European teams
were so close together. The reason why is the retirement
of the two "dressage heroes" Bonfire and Gigolo in the
last year on the one hand and the other hand it has
to do with the fact, that there are many good trainers
in Germany who brought a lot of know-how into the neighbouring
countries on the other hand. The championship will start
on Thursday with the first part of the nations competition
(Grand Prix), followed by the second part on Friday.
The
individual title will be decided in the Grand Prix Special
on Saturday and in the Grand Prix freestyle on Sunday
afternoon. The decision especially becomes exciting
in view of the succession of the combatants Isabell
Werth and Anky van Grunsven. The role of the favourite
is now up to Ulla Salzgeber and Rusty, who could win
among other things the World Cup Dressage Final this
year. Altogether 34 nations were invited for the European
Dressage Championships. Four years ago rider/horse combinations
from 20 nations attended in Verden.
The
equestrian folks who come to Verden will have the pleasant
experience watching dressage on highest level. Because
the leading dressage nations almost come from Europe,
the European championships come close to a World championship.
After its success at the CDIO Aachen the German team
is the major favourite for the team gold medal, but
the teams from the Netherlands, Denmark and Spain are
also in marvellous form. Never the top European teams
were so close together. The reason why is the retirement
of the two "dressage heroes" Bonfire and Gigolo in the
last year on the one hand and the other hand it has
to do with the fact, that there are many good trainers
in Germany who brought a lot of know-how into the neighbouring
countries on the other hand. The championship will start
on Thursday with the first part of the nations competition
(Grand Prix), followed by the second part on Friday.
