European Champion Ulla Salzgeber and Rusty lead Nadine Capellmann and Farbenfroh after grand prix special in battle of dressage giants in Aachen
Ulla Salzgeber and Rusty extended their lead over compatriot Nadine Capellmann and Farbenfroh, with a high scoring grand prix special (78.84) giving them a 55 mark lead in the quest for their second successive championship title at Aachen.
Ulla, the reigning European gold medallist rode a bold test making maximum use of Rusty’s powerful paces.
It was a tough act for Nadine to follow but she and Farbenfroh rode a brave reply and they remained focused in their task a momentary distraction causedthe more temperamental Farbenfroh to fault after the extended canter causing an expensive error in the following pirouette.
Nadine kept her cool and was able to ride out the rest of the test to maximum effect but the brief lapse cost too many marks although they still gained over 77%.
Spanish duo Beatriz Ferrer-Salat and Beauvalais rode the test of their career so far to remain in third place at this stage of the championship.
Olympic Ferro and Coby van Baalen showed strong passage and gained fourth place with Rafael Soto gaining his second fifth place so far.
German team newcomer Ann Kathrin Lisenhoff, whose mother Liselot Lisenhoff won the first championship of Aachen in 1955, moved up to sixth place with big liver chesnut Renoir.
A dynamic test from Nikolaus ridden by American Gunther Seidel impressed the judges to move up five places to eighth.
British riderLaura Richardson had an early draw in the 25 horse class and the mark of 65.0% left her in 24th place while Richard Davison and Ballaseyr Royale finished the show in 22nd with a score just short of 67%.
The top 15 now ride off in the big atmosphere of the show in Sunday’s grand prix freestyle.
Allowances have been made, for what could have been a clash of interests, for Germany who also play in the football world cup final.
The show will come to a temporary halt showing the final on the big screen.
Only after the final whistle is blown will the deciding round of the show jumping grand prix take place.
Results of CDIO grand prix special (E McMullen, S Clarke, B Burchler-Keller, Jan Peeters, Dr V Moritz).
1, Rusty 78.84
2, Frabenfroh 77.4
3, Beauvalais 75.88
4, Olympic Ferro 73.44
5, Invasor 73.366, Renoir-Unicef (AK Lisenhoff-GER) 72.68
22, Ballaseyr Royale 66.96
24, Millenium 65.0.
Read more dressage reports from Aachen:
- Nadine Capellmann claims CDI grand prix win
Read full dressage and show jumping reports from Aachen with pictures in next week’s Horse & Hound on sale Thursday (4 July)
