03-08-2018 by Ermelo YH
A Dutch podium tonight for the CDI* Freestyle to Music. Kirsten Brouwer, who became Dutch National Champion in the Prix St. George a week earlier in the same arena and with the same Sultan des Paluds (Soliman de Hus x De Niro) proved invincible once again. The jury placed her and the expressive chestnut unanimously at the first place with 76.375%. “Today, Sultan was back! Yesterday we performed the least test we have ridden so far in our career. He was very tense and uncomfortable and we had some mistakes. Today, he felt a lot nicer, already in the warming-up. I am very proud, had a lovely relaxed ride. Maybe it was a bit too safe in some places, but after yesterday I was focusing on relaxation. I made a counting mistake in my changes, but I had the old Sultan back. I am happy to put a nice end to this competition!” said a proud Kirsten Brouwer.
The second place was claimed by Vai Bruntink and the appealing mare Darabel, a daughter of the previous winner of the World Breeding Dressage Championships for 6-year-olds Westpoint (ds.Don Schufro) (73.833%). Vai Bruntink was super happy with the performance of Darabel in Ermelo. “She gave me an incredible feeling yesterday and I made a few mistakes then. Now I got into trouble in my transition, which came too late and then I could not finish my last flying change in the series. I had to improvise where I could implement it in the next line. That was a shame, since I could not ride the way it was intended. Besides this, I am more than satisfied. This was her international debut and she kept her focus, Darabel is such a wonderful horse. Now on to the future!”
Veronique Roerink steered the Apache-daughter Flanell with 72.666% to the third position, above Geert Jan Raateland and his Painted Black-son Painted. Ann-Christin Wienkamp, who won gold at the five-year-olds last year with Don Martillo (Don Juan de Hus x Benetton Dream), placed fifth with Royal Classic (s.Royal Highness).
(Photo Hippofoto)
