2006 World Cup Qualifier

Elena's Regal Victory Books Ticket To Amsterdam

March 23, 2006

Russian rider Elena Kalinina triumphed in the FEI World Cup Central League Final in Warsaw to ensure her place at the FEI World Cup Final in Amsterdam next month. Kalinina and her 11-year-old black gelding Royal Black Label, having previously won the grand prix, scored over 75 per cent for their rock and roll freestyle pleasing an enthusiastic crowd at the Torwar Hall.

The 34-year-old rider is based at the Moscow Riding Club Pradar, but is temporarily stabling in Dusseldorf close to her trainer Jan Bemelmans. Vita Koslova, her sponsor through the club, was in Warsaw to see the win together with all the family. After the Central League win, and good placings for the combination at Olympia and Neumuenster, Kalinina and her connections are all hoping for a good placing at the Final.

"Their performance was very smooth, with the passage, flying changes, extended trot and transitions all highlights", said Poland's Wojciech Markowski, who was judging at H. " Royal Black Label showed a very balanced character and the music fitted perfectly to the test."

Markowski also commended the performance of second placed Matthias Rath who ran a close second on Renior UNICEF, the horse his stepmother Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff competed at last year's Las Vegas Final. The 21-year- old German rider did a great job to run just a fraction of a point behind the victors.

For the home side, Katarzyna Milczarek placed highest of three Polish riders in sixth place on Lecantosie.

FEI Dressage Committee Chairman Mariette Withages was at C for the freestyle, and commended the organisers for a very good show. For this, the second ever FEI World Cup Central European League Final, a sell-out crowd of mostly young people confirmed that dressage has won the hearts of spectators in the Polish capital.

This weekend the Western European League concludes with what promised to be a tooth-and nail finale at Indoor Brabant. All the riders in with a chance are entered at the Dutch show for this last-ditch opportunity to win a place at the 2006 FEI World Cup Final.

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