Sorrell and the nine-year-old stallion Turbo, owned by Sorrell and Janine Shoffner, had just completed the extended trot in the first quarter of the test when the bell was rung by judge Christof Umbach at C. The ground jury deemed Turbo to be unlevel.
A heartbroken Sorrel, who was making her championship debut, said she thought Turbo possibly bumped himself when he spooked making his way to the arena.
“There were two things just before I went in; somebody walked past and he jumped a little bit in the warm-up, and then on the way down when everyone cheered he jumped to the side again,” she said.
*Update*
In an update this evening, Sorrell told H&H Turbo has been checked and found “sound and well”.
“On review of the videos it looks as though he lost his balance around the corner resulting in him losing the rhythm of the movement,” she said.
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“The main thing is Turbo is ok.”
The elimination of Sorrell Klatzko means the Irish team – the first championship dressage team Ireland has fielded since 2019 – is now down to three riders. Alex Baker and Dutchman rode earlier today, posting 67.53% and sit in 20th. Abi Lyle and Giraldo, and Anna Merveldt and Esporim, will bid to keep Ireland’s hopes alive when they compete tomorrow in the second day of the World Dressage Championships grand prix.
Danish rider Nanna Merrald Rasmussen and Blue Hors Zack went into the lead of the World Dressage Championships results before the lunchtime break, and remain there in the latter stages of the first day of grand prix competition. Germany’s Ingrid Klimke is currently second with Franziskus, and Alejandra Sanchez del Barco sits in third on Quincallo De Indalo for Portugal.
The top 30 combinations from the grand prix will progress to the grand prix special, which takes place on Monday, 8 August.
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Since joining H&H in 2018, Becky has covered a broad range of equestrian news including welfare matters, veterinary studies, FEI Tribunal hearings and road safety campaigns. She has also interviewed top riders including Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to name just a few. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, as well as the Royal Highland and Blair Castle International Horse Trials closer to home. She was also a key part of the remote reporting team for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.
