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2003
European Dressage Championships
Germany Wins 20th Golden Team Medal at European
Dressage Championships
August 15, 2003
 For
the 20th time did the German Dressage Team win team
gold at the European Dressage Championships. Located
at Hickstead, England, the 2003 European Dressage Championships
was the scene for an overwhelming victory of the German
"Mannschaft" in the Grand Prix team championship
test. After three rides, the Germans were already certain
of their gold medal and no country was able to pose
a threat.
Winning the Grand Prix with an astonishing score of
78.29% was Ulla Salzgeber on Rusty. Despite being tormented
by the legal lawsuit about Rusty having tested positive
to doping use at the 2003 World Cup Finals, Ulla rode
one of her best tests ever. Feeling confident about
herself and her horse, Ulla offered to ride first for
the German team on Thursday August 14, 2003. Salzgeber
and Rusty excelled in their usual fortes such as the
flying changes. Judge Stephan Clarke even gave a 10
for the tempi changes every single stride.
 Second
best German rider was new comer to the team, Heike Kemmer
on the elastic Hanoverian gelding Bonaparte (by Bon
Bonaparte). With a 73.917%, Kemmer and Salzgeber turned
out to be the anchor riders for the team. Klaus Husenbeth
was a little more stressed than his female team mates.
"Piccolino arrived at Hickstead with a fever. Fortunately,
we were able to ride on Friday, giving Piccolino an
extra day to recuperate," Husenbeth said. Husenbeth
finished sixth with 71.958% "I am so happy, because
I was so nervous before the test," Husenbeth stated.
The German scratch score was 68.000% and ridden by
Isabell Werth on Satchmo. The Hanoverian gelding traveled
to Hickstead slightly injured, as the bay had slipped
in his stall and sustained a small wound on his leg
which had to be stitched. Fortunately, Werth and Satchmo
had to ride on Friday as well. The inexperienced Satchmo
ran his first major championships and appeared a bit
unconfirmed in the ring.
Germany won team gold with a total of 5380 points,
beating the Spanish team who were the recipients of
the silver medal with 5101 points and the bronze British
team who gathered 5079 points in total.
Isabell Werth's trained Wolfram Wittig commented that
"we [Germany] are not so far ahead, but the other
countries are just so far behind."
Image copyrighted: David
Charles
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