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2003
CDIO Aachen
Germany Renews its Subscription to Nations' Cup
Victory at CDIO Aachen
 A
real WEG atmosphere settled itself in the dressage arena
during the CDIO Nations' Cup Grand Prix on Thursday
at the CHIO Aachen. The German Dressage Team won the
Nations Cup in Dressage at the CDIO Aachen for the 27th
time in a row. The American riders, however, were able
to put direct pressure on the German A-team and with
two phenomenal rides by Lisa Wilcox and Debbie McDonald,
the American dressage team was only 49 points short
from a golden victory. Aachen truly became "Jerez
revisited".
Winner of the CDIO Grand Prix was Ulla Salzgeber, who
once again presented a super fit Rusty. No rider is
currently able to show his horse with such lightness
and ease as Salzgeber. Entering the ring in a posting
trot with the horse deep and relaxed, Salzgeber him
picked up within seconds after the bell rang and put
him into the correct classical dressage frame. Rusty
excelled in the traversal movements, receiving 9's and
10's for his flying changes, and his piaffe did not
show the occasional right hind leg twitch. Rusty was
solid, Rusty was electric and Rusty is still the best
dressage horse in the world. The judges vowed for that
with a 75.88% score and a first place.
Although Salzgeber and Rusty hold a firm grip on that
number one position, the crowds were overwhelmed by
Lisa Wilcox' performance. Remembering and impressive
Relevant at the World Equestrian Games in September
2002, he is now twice the mount he was before. His piaffe
and passage, movements which turned him into a firecracker,
have developed into a perfect picture of quietness,
balance and impulsion. Relevant flows over the footing,
bouncing off the ground with grace and strength in each
pace. Wilcox was completely flawless in her test and
scored 73.54%, which placed her second.
 In
third position were Debbie McDonald and Brentina, whose
score would have equaled Ulla and Rusty's, if the error
in the tempi changes every two strides and one small
blurb in the changes every single stride had not happened.
Although Brentina's engagement is not visualized by
hind legs touching her belly -- as some people prefer
to see -- the mare is constantly responding to her rider's
aids and she accelerates from behind with ease. Wonderful
extensions and a balanced piaffe and passage stand proof
for the mare's super impulsion and her great work ethic.
With 73.25% they followed in the wake of Ulla and Lisa
and delivered an important contribution to the American
silver medal position in the Nations' Cup.
Germany claimed the number one spot in the team competition
with great rides from Salzgeber, Husenbeth (71.67%),
Linsenhoff (69.63%) and Kemmer (68.58). Finishing first
with 5212 points, Germany beat the USA (5163) and Spain
(4875) and The Netherlands (4875) who tied for third
place. Holland lost valuable points with a unfulfilling
ride from Marlies van Baalen on Idocus. The bay stallion
threw up his head in the first piaffe and the communication
between rider and horse was from then on disturbed.
Some mistakes in the flying changes and in the pirouette
pushed Marlies' score down to 61.54%. "Idocus is
a man with a will of his own," Hinnemann commented.
Marlies was obviously disappointing, as she had just
finished eighth in the Dutch Dressage Championships
the week before.
by Astrid
Appels
Related Links
Back to the Eurodressage 2003
Aachen Index
Scores Aachen: CDIO
Grand Prix - Group 1 & 2
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