Canada Finishes First Day of Dressage Competition - USA 2nd behind Germany

Source :  Equestrian Connection

Ashley Holzer & Imperioso

Canada finished their first day of competition in the Dressage Grand Prix Team event at the World Equestrian Games.

Ashley Holzer, riding Tess Gilder's Dutch chestnut stallion Imperioso, was rewarded a score of 64.08% for a steady test. This placed the pair 17th out of the 33 competitors who started in the first phase of the Grand Prix Team competition.

The second rider in the ring for Team Canada was Belinda Trussell riding Royan II, a 12-year old Oldenburg purchased from Christilot Boylen earlier this year. The eyecatching gelding also performed a consistent test for a score of 63.96%.

Belinda Trussell & Royan II

The winner of today's first leg was one of the heavy favourites, Germany's Nadine Capellmann & her extraordinary horse Farbenfroh. The judging panel rewarded the pair with a high score of 77.960, over 3 percentage points over second place finisher Debbie McDonald & Brentina from the USA. The judges' decision were unanimous on Farbenfroh's test, with individual scores ranging from 76.40% to 78.80%.

“Farbenfroh was concentrating really hard," said Capellmann. "All his extensions were good and I had a very good feeling. There were many people clapping before we went into the arena but thankfully they were quiet when I did my test.”

The US Team were in complete excitement today as their riders finished in 2nd (McDonald & Brentina) and 5th position. Sue Blinks and Flim Flam were the early leaders with a score of 72.240%, good enough to finish the day in 5th. This puts the US Team in second position after the mighty Germans with a total score of 3672, trailing by only 35 points. The host country Spain are third with 3575.

Nadine Capellmann & Farbenfroh

The Grand Prix Team medal will be decided following the second leg of competition to be held Thursday September 12th. Canadians Nancy MacLachlan & Davis Cup along with Shannon Dueck & Korona will strive to continue Canada's good showing in the ring and improve the team's standings.





STANDINGS AFTER DAY 1
1. Nadine Capellmann & Farbenfroh - GER 77.960
2. Debbie McDonald & Brentina - USA 74.640
3. Beatriz Ferrer-Salat & Beauvalais - ESP - 74.560
4. Coby Van Baalen & Olympic Ferro - NED - 72.520
5. Sue Blinks & Flim Flam - USA 72.240
6. Lone Jorgensen & FBW Kennedy - DEN 71.920
7. Ann-Kathrin Lisenhoff & Renoir Unicef GER 70.320
8. Christian Plage & Regent SUI 69.120
9. Ignacio Rambla Algarin & Granadero ESP 68.440
10. Gonnelilen Rothenberger & Jonggor's Weyden NED 68.200
11. TINNE WILHELMSSON & SOLOS CAREX DVH SWE 67.000
12. FRANCOISE CANTAMESSA & ALBFUEHREN´S LAUDATIO SUI 66.920
13. NATHALIE ZU SAYN WITTGENSTEIN & FANTAST S DEN 66.800
14. ALEXANDRA KORELOVA & BALAGUR RUS 66.120
15. MATIAS JANSSON & MORELL SWE 65.840
16. HEATH RYAN & GV STIRLING STILTON AUS 64.960
17. ASHLEY HOLZER & IMPERIOSO CAN 64.720
18. OLHA KLYMKO & BOSPORUS-S UKR 64.440
19. YVETTE TRUESDALE & ACCOLADE IRL 64.320
20. PETER GMOSER & WILLIBALD`S CANDIDAT AUT 64.080
21. BELINDA TRUSSELL & ROYAN II CAN 63.960
22. HUBERT PERRING & DIABOLO ST MAURICE FRA 63.360
23. RACHAEL SANNA & YARDLEY APHRODITE AUS 63.240
24. EMILE FAURIE & INSTERBURG GBR 63.160
25. PETER ANDREW STORR & GAMBRINUS GBR 63.040
26. HEIKE HOLSTEIN & WELT ADEL IRL 62.840
27. STEFAN PETER & ACARTENANGO AUT 62.800
28. KALLISTA FIELD & JAMAHL NZL 61.880
29. YURIY KOVSHOV & WELKOME UKR 61.840
30. KURANOJO SAITO & HE MAN JPN 60.600
31. INNESSA POTURAEVA & TARGIM RUS 60.600
32. ELISABETH EHRNROOTH & ANGARD FIN 59.720
33. MICHELINE IVETT SCHULZE & FRAPE BRE 54.200