Yesterday the first qualification of the five-year-old horses took place. The best 12 combinations placed themselves directly for the final on Saturday, the remaining pairs competed for the last three starting places in the small final today. Jeanine Nieuwenhuis and Great Lady TC (s.Bretton Woods) put the best score on the scoreboard: 83.80%. The trot was rewarded with an 8.9 and the canter and perspective received an 8.7. Following close in second place was Carina Cassoe Krüth and her DWB-bred Heiline’s Danciera (83.60%). This Fürstenball-mare stood out in her trot and this gait was deservedly marked with a 9.3. Claudia Rüscher and Baccardi (s.Belissimo M) were the third pair to earn a ticket for the prestigious final on Saturday. This German combination also followed number 1 and 2 closely with a score of 83.00%. Chairman of the judges Francis Verbeek: “We were able to add three incredible horses to the final tomorrow. It’s a pity we cannot invite today’s number 4, Rockson with Severo Jurado Lopez, as well. This is also a lovely horse. Still, the top three was clearly ahead of the rest today. The winner Great Lady TC set a much better performance than yesterday. Her rider Jeanine Nieuwenhuis was crowned European Champion of the Young Riders last week and that may have caused a lighter training for this horse in the past week. Today they were on top of their game again. Also the number 2 is an amazing horse with an incredible trot. We are excited and have a very good feeling about these three horses going to the final. Together with the 12 horses that have placed themselves yesterday, it promises to be a wonderful competition. I am looking forward to it!”
Tomorrow the final of the five-year-olds starts at 13.00 hrs in the main arena. The best 15 dressage talents will start with a clean slate in their battle for the world championship.
(Photo: Hippofoto Team/Leanjo de Koster)
