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CDI
Donaueschingen - CDI Hickstead
WEG
Fever Influences Performances at European CDI's
 On
the European continent two international dressage competitions,
the CHI Donaueschingen and Dressage at Hickstead, were
the scenes for an interesting rally between Europe's
top FEI dressage combinations, who are feverishly preparing
for the World Equestrian Games.
At
the CHI Donaueschingen in Germany, Ulla Salzgeber and
Martin Schaudt became the grand champions of the show.
Struck by immense water floods, Germany and the neighbouring
Czech Republic, were finally relieved by a first weekend
of sunshine after weeks of continuous rain. At Donaueschingen,
the footing and temperature for the dressage show was,
therefore, optimal. Donaueschingen Organizer Gotthilf
Riexinger was extatic about his weekend filled with
sun rays and tropical temperatures.
In
the Riders Tour Competition, a series of Grand Prix
competitions in which points can be accumulated in order
to win one of the largest purses ever offered to dressage
riders, Ulla Salzgeber maintained a firm grip on her
number one position. Scoring 76.60% in the Grand Prix
aboard her Latvian gelding Rusty (by Rebuss), Salzgeber
overpowered second placed Hubertus Schmidt with Wansuela
Suerte. The latter pair received 70.60% from the judges.
Floridian
Oded Shimoni ranked seventh with 61.68%. Riding his
chestnut Dutch bred Glenstern, Shimoni has qualified
to compete at the World Equestrian Games for his native
country Israel and is currently training in Europe to
get into shape for the WEG. In the Grand Prix freestyle,
a similar ranking was produced with Salzgeber taking
the lead with 78.52%. Schmidt scored obviously lower
than the Bavarian Salzgeber and put 72.76% on the score
board but still claimed second place.
 In
the CDI Grand Prix competition, Martin Schaudt has finally
made the come back he has been waiting for since 1996.
After the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Schaudt was
no longer able to impress the judges with his Westfalian
gelding Durgo and needed a substitute horse to put him
back in the frontline of German dressage. Loesdau's
Loriot seems to be the mount who can offer Schaudt once
again fame and recognition, and maybe a place on the
short list of the German dressage team. The Grand Prix
for Kur was won by Nadine Capellmann and Farbenfroh
(77.20%) and Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff placed second with
Renoir Unicef (71.56%). Martin Schaudt came in third
with 70.48%.
In
the Grand Prix kur to Music, Schaudt aimed for the maximum
and with 77.40% he received the trophy and blue ribbon.
Schaudt's growing confidence on Loesdau's Loriot was
already noticeable by his achievements at the 2002 CDI
Aachen, but it took until the CDI Donaueschingen for
him to get really n'sync with his Hanoverian gelding
who is by Loredo x Wenzel II. Schaudt produced another
interesting result in the Prix St Georges. Riding the
former Verden auction horse Weltall, he got 70.40% out
of his Hanoverian and claimed victory.
At
the more modest international dressage competition in
Hickstead, England, more dreadful weather was still
dominating the country. Despite the difficult and uncomfortable
conditions of heavy rain, to the credit of all the horses
not one demurred throughout the competition. Carl Hester
kept a solid hold on every trophy in the small tour
classes. Riding Ecapado, Hester won the Prix St Georges,
Intermediaire I and placed second in the Intermediaire
I freestyle.
 The
CDIO Grand Prix competition turned out to be a duel
between resident rider Richard Davison and German visitor
Falk Rosenbauer. Riding his gorgeous mare Dona Castania,
Rosenbauer won with 69.28%. Richard Davison had to settle
for 5th place with 67.32% but spiced up his act in the
kur to music. Davison rode the 12-year-old mare, Ballasayr
Royale, to the familiar tunes of his previous winning
kur used in the past with former team horse Hiscox Askari
with whom he won this title in 1998 and 2000.
Scoring
73.39%, Davison claimed the 2002 Grand Champion's title
at Dressage at Hickstead. "I was particularly pleased
with her, especially as she never lost her concentration
under the testing circumstances," Richard told Horse
and Hound. Davison's next test will be in the main stadium
in Jerez.
Related
Links
Scores
CDI Donaueschingen
Scores
CDI Hickstead
Photos copyrighted: JJ
Hathaway - Jacques
Toffi - Dirk
Caremans
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