2009 CDIO Aachen

Nathalie zu Saeyn-Wittgenstein Triumphs in CDI Grand Prix Special

July 5, 2009 - Aachen press release

Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein and Rigoletto collected the trophy again. The pair won the Lindt Prize, the Grand Prix Spécial, at the CHIO Aachen 2009. "Rigoletto was totally nervous on the warm-up arena, so I had to tire him out a bit, which I noticed a little towards the end of the test, but he performed well, although he did make two silly mistakes in the one-tempi and two-tempi flying changes," explained the Danish rider, who achieved a score of 71.91 percent.

Many of the horses were rather spooky in the floodlit arena, including Hiroshi Hoketsu's charismatic Hanoverian mare, Whisper. She broke into a canter before the extended trot, but nevertheless managed to convince because of her impressive piaffe/passage tour.

"Whisper was very nervous, but she still mastered the test very well. Coming second here is a great success for us," commented the 68-year-old Japanese rider, who trains in Aachen with Ton de Ridder. The judges awarded the pair a score of 71.208.

Third place went to the Swedish rider Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfen on the Rhineland-bred Fidermark son, Favourit. The chestnut horse bolted into the ring as the audience applauded, but managed to pick up courage again and then gave a convincing performance, which was rewarded with 69.542 percent.

Carola Koppelmann finished fourth on her 16-year-old Hanoverian, Le Bo, with a score of 69.417, ahead of the winner of the Hamburg Derby, Christoph Koschel on Donnperignon.

Back to the Aachen Index