Rusty crowned king at Aachen
Dynamic German duo Ulla Salzgeber and Rusty snatch the Aachen title from Nadine Capellmann and Farbenfroh in dramatic climax at Aachen
Nadine Capellmann and Farbenfroh stole the show on the final day of the CHIO in Aachen winning the grand prix freestyle, but it was not quite enough to match three-day total of team-mate Ulla Salzgeber and Rusty who for the second year claimed the individual championshiptitle.
Nadine and Farbenfroh had the advantage of riding the penultimate test. The foot-perfect routine was technically difficult with Nadine opting for a brave ride.
The risks paid off and Frabenfroh, who looks to have come of age, was attentive throughout giving his all and daring with his breathtaking off-the-floor paces.
The score of 83.75% put the pressure on Ulla, but she responded with a cool ride to the now well known routine set to Carmina Burana.
The score had to be good and the mark of 83.49 ensured the crown of Aachen remained with her although she had to concede the class to Nadine.
For three days Ulla and Nadine have been in a contest of their own, the two German giants finishing well ahead of the rest of the field.
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Spanish rider Beatriz Ferrer Salat continued to impress putting in mistake-free routine scoring nearly 80% and remaining third and overall third place.
A technically convincing routine moved German-based American rider Lisa Wilcox and the impressive chesnut breeding stallion Relevant up the ranks finishing the freestyle in fourth place.
British rider Richard Davison unexpectedly found himself with a place in the final freestyle as the competition which is run under championship rules means that any one country can only contest the final with no more than three riders.
This immediately removed five German combinations and when the combined scores of the grand prix and special were taken together Richard then moved into 15th place.
A score of 70% meant they finished the three days in 15th position.
Results
Grand prix freestyle
1, Farbenfroh (N Capellmann) 83.75
2, Rusty (U Salzgeber) 83.49
3, Beauvais (B Ferrer-Salat) 79.69
4, Relevant (L Wilcox) 78.72
5, Jonggor’s Weyden (G Rothenberger) 76.76
6, Invasor (R Soto) 76.67
15, Ballaseyr Royale (R Davison) 70.72.
Overall titleRusty 239.05; 2, Farbenfroh 237.21; 3, Beauvalais 228.29.
Read more dressage reports from Aachen:
- Nadine Capellmann claims CDI grand prix winRead full dressage and show jumping reports from Aachen with pictures in next week’s Horse & Hound on sale Thursday (4 July)
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