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Sport, Top Stars open FEI World Cup Final
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The
nineteenth FEI World Cup Dressage Final opened today at Duesseldorf's
Phillipshalle. Finalists from across the world competed in stage
one of the competition, the FEI Grand Prix, which decides the
starting order for the Freestyle finale on Sunday.
Holland's Anky van Grunsven, the record-breaking five-time winner
of the World Cup title on her star horse Bonfire, set down the
gauntlet with a win on her up and coming ten-year-old Gestion
Salinero. " I was very happy with Salinero today" said
van Grunsven. " He was more relaxed in the warm up and he
just wants to do the job. He cruised through the test - he doesn't
want to make mistakes." As van Grunsven spent most of last
year out of the saddle due to a fractured thigh, she is even more
astonished at the progress of the young Hanoverian. For Sunday's
freestyle, she has perfected her new programme entitled 'L'Esprit
Chanson', which she has already shown to be a winner during the
qualifying season.
In second place, Germany's Heike Kemmer rode Bonaparte, the lovely
chestnut gelding her father Joachim picked out as a foal. Kemmer
said of the now eleven-year-old gelding: " Bonaparte is a
happy horse and wants to do his best, but he needs a bit of time
to get used to the indoor atmosphere. Although there were small
mistakes I felt he was working at a very high level."
Kemmer has covered every detail in her preparation. Bonaparte
used not to eat up when staying in show stables, but here in Duesseldorf
that potential problem has been solved as Bonaparte's stable-mate
Ferragamo is next door to him to keep him company.
Anky van Grunsven's pupil Edward Gal shone here also as he rode
Gestion Lingh to third place. This eleven-year-old stallion by
Flemmingh showed moments of brilliance in an exciting and dramatic
test.
US rider Guenter Seidel produced Dick and Jane Brown's Nikolaus
beautifully for fourth. " There are always places we could
improve, especially in the first ride at an indoor show, but I
am very happy with this start" said the California-based
professional trainer.
The top twelve from this class will go forward to contest the
FEI World Cup Freestyle on Sunday, which will be televised live
in Germany, Holland, Sweden, Russia and France, followed by a
highlights programme to be broadcast by Eurosport on April 14th.
The winner will receive a car donated by Ssan Yong Motors Germany.
The FEI World Cup Final 2004, presented by Yorn Fashion, is scheduled
to begin at 11.20 on Sunday after the 'B' final (for the riders
placed 13-18 in today's grand Prix).
Tomorrow evening at 21.00 (Saturday), there will be a presentation
for the League winners.
Results
FEI World Cup Dressage Final 2004 Grand Prix
1,
Gestion Salinero (Anky van Grunsven NED) 75.79
2, Bonaparte (Heike Kemmer GER) 74.87
3, Gestion Lingh (Edward Gal NED) 72.66
4, Nikolaus (Guenter Seidel USA) 71.33
5, Wansuela Suerte (|Hubertus Schmidt GER) 70.00
6, Artax-Condor (Elena Sidneva RUS) 69.25
7, Wahajama UNICEF (Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff GER) 68.87
8, Just Mickey (Tinne Vilhelmson SWE) 68.75
9, Blom's Idocus (Marlies van Baalen NED) 68.29
10, Apache (Isabell Werth GER) 68.25
11, Wie Weltmeyer (Emma Hindle GBR) 67.458
12, Guinness (Louise Nathhorst SWE) 66.75
13, Rosemount Quando Quando (Kristy Oatley-Nist AUS) 66.45
14, Kingston (Leslie Morse USA) 65.87
15, Barclay II (Sven Rothenberger NED) 65.62
16, Royan II (Belinda Trussell CAN) 64.66
17, Esprit (Nicole Ahlefeldt Laurvig-Lehn DEN) 62.41
18, Problesk (Iryna Lis BLR) 60.37
For
further information
www.duesseldorf-masters.de
www.horsesport.org
.
