2004 World Cup Finals

Elena Sidneva and Artax Condor Worth Mentioning

April 5, 2004

Winner of the central European League, Russian Elena Sidneva, has been a strong presence on the international show scene. Though this rider has never really posed a threat to the German or Dutch hegemony, Sidneva has been a consistent top fifteen rider these past few years.

At the World Cup Finals, Elena Sidneva finished sixth in the Grand Prix with 69.625%. In the freestyle, Sidneva rode to Russian music, featuring Prokofiev's renowned Peter and the Wolf for the canter work. Sidneva's mount Artax Condor is a 12-year old Latvian bred Hanoverian by Vdumchivy out of Veldre (by Vagner). The horse is well muscled and sturdy built and excels in his consistency. He has gorgeous flying changes and pirouettes and although he's not an electric bolt flashing through the ring, he's always rhythmically moving through the ring.

Sidneva's freestyle had one of the most beautiful canter reprises at the Finals. The soft melodies of Peter and the Wolf fit Condor's canter perfectly and especially the flying changes are breath taking. Every single change is perfectly matched with the music, which makes the whole even more impressing. Not surprisingly, the judges awarded Sidneva eights and nines for that part of her test. Sidneva scored 75.800% for her kur and finished 8th overall.

The Russian born 39-year old Elena Sidneva has been living in Austria for years. She is married to her trainer Dima Polonskiu and is mother to a 15-year old son. Sidneva has been riding horses for 24-years but confessed to love tennis too. She has also trained with Elena Petushkova (1972 Olympic Silver Medal Winner) and Dr. Reiner Klimke. Her sponsor Artax is an international milk production and distribution company in Austria.

Related Link
Download Elena Sidneva's music (mp3 file)

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