Will Germany win gold at dressage Europeans?

Germany look set to take the gold medal at the European Dressage Championships in Verden (9 – 12 August)

The team of Ulla Salzgeber (Rusty), Nadine Capellmann (Farbenfroh), Heike Kemmer (Albano) and Isabell Werth (Anthony) has two exceptionally high-scoring horses in Rusty and Farbenfroh. The question is how much of a lead will they gain.

The Netherlands, silver medallists for the past three championships, has a strong team. This is despite individual Olympic gold medallist and reigning European Champion Anky van Grunsven retiring Bonfire and Coby van Baalen¨s Olympic ride, Ferro, being sidelined with injury for six months. Arjen Teeuwissen’s partner, Goliath, proved that he is back to full strength at their seasonal debut in Arnhem after a six-month break with a tendon injury.

[[ p.the british team emile faurie rascher hopes richard davison askari peter storr and laura richardson has a mix of new old faces. bring the benefit experience while will be making their senior debuts. fifth or sixth place is realistic aim. ]] While the battles between Anky and Isabell are history, this year will provide a new and fascinating head-to-head for the individual title between Ulla Salzgeber and Nadine Capellmann. The mature partnership of Ulla and Rusty is favourite, but if Farbenfroh can stay focussed for Nadine, he will be hard to beat. The combination recently scored more than 78% in the German national championships.