Two Brits qualify for freestyle in Aachen; Germans dazzle with all plus-80% scores
Germany confirmed their win in the Lambertz dressage Nations Cup in Aachen today (Saturday, 16 July), with their top three riders again scoring over 80% in the special after achieving that feat in the grand prix on Thursday.
Kristina Bröring-Sprehe on Desperados FRH led the charge this time with 83.725%, despite an extra flying change just before the first halt.
“Obviously I had a big mistake early on, but I had a great feeling in the piaffe and passage and in my hand,” she said.
Dorothee Schneider took second on Showtime FRH, scoring 81.902%.
“It’s the first time he’s been in such a big arena and he did a good job,” she said. “We messed up our one-time flying changes, but I’m very happy with him.”
Thursday’s winner, Isabell Werth with Weihegold OLD, did not have quite such a great ride this time, but still clocked in 80.686% for third.
Fourth team member Sönke Rothenberger was fifth again on Cosmo 59 (76.412%) and the Germans confirmed after the class that their Rio team will be the same horses and riders as they fielded in Aachen.
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The USA’s Steffen Peters repeated his fourth place on Legolas 92. The USA finished second with Denmark third.
Two Brits will ride to music
Britain finished in sixth place and two riders, Michael Eilberg and Emile Faurie, have qualified for tomorrow’s freestyle.
Michael was the best performer today on his father Ferdi’s Marakov. They were 12th on 72.216%.
“He rode a blinder of a test,” said chef d’equipe Richard Waygood.
Emile landed 20th with 69.843% on Ulli and Bianca Kasselmann’s Weekend Fun, a new ride for him who excelled for ninth in the grand prix on Thursday.
Daniel Watson was 26th on 66.588% on Nicola Naylor’s Amadeus, who has shown a lot of potential here in Aachen, with Sarah Millis just one place behind on her own and Katja Kuistilla’s Hofjuwel (65.784%).
Full report of Aachen in next week’s H&H, out Thursday, 21 July.
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Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.