Alex van Silfhout takes Hickstead CDIO hat-trick

The Netherlands’ Alex van Silfhout completed his hat-trick at Hickstead CDIO 26-29 July by taking the grand prix kür with plus-75% riding Luxform’s Nimbly.

“He behaved superbly, even though he was a little more tense than the past two days,” said Alex.

The pair’s expressive passage and extensions put them ahead of Laurens van Lieren (NED) — second on Hexagon’s Ollright — and Jessica Werndl (GER) — third on Duke — despite Laurens and Jessica’s more complicated floorplans.

Maria Eilberg was once again best of the British in seventh place aboard the Westphalian Two Sox. Maria tried out her new more complicated freestyle for the first time.

“I was having to concentrate a little more on the music than on Two Sox,” she admitted. “But he is in top form at the moment and has felt fantastic all weekend.”

Nicola Cooper took the Berkeley Homes International Six-Year-Old Final riding Falcao, while young rider Joanna James triumphed in her freestyle with Cavallino.

Don’t miss Horse & Hound 2 August for a full report and pictures from dressage at Hickstead

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