For the first time ever in the history of Dressage, a member of a royal family has become a national champion in dressage. Danish princess Nathalie Zu Saeyn/Wittgenstein was the best scoring rider at the 2002 Danish Dressage Championships
in the Vilhelmsborg Equestrian Facility in Aarhus, Denmark.
Aboard her trusty mount, the Hessian bred Fantast S, Zu Saeyn/Wittgenstein won the Grand Prix with 68.16%, beating Michael Sogaard aboard Finale (66.64%). In the Grand Prix Speciale, the royal duo was second with 69.60%, only letting Sogaard and Finale pass them with a minimal advantage of 69.68%.
Sogaard reigned supreme again in the final Kur to Music, riding a test of 72.37%, while the Danish princess was second with 71.84%. Fortunately, Zu Saeyn/Wittgenstein had built up a reserve of points thanks to her good performance in the Grand Prix, that she was still able to catch her first national dressage title.
Zu Saeyn/Wittgenstein, who is trained by the German Klaus Balkenhol, won the gold medal with an overall of 209.60 points, while Sogaard claimed silver with 208.69 points. The bronze was for Susie Fastrup aboard Another Marguis.
Images copyrighted: Dirk Caremans - No production without payment
Related Link
Lone Joergensen 2001 Danish Dressage Champion