Today in Aachen, Germany won their ninth World Team title in Dressage with a total score of 223.625. Silver goes to The Netherlands (217.917) and bronze to the USA (213.917).
These definitely were two unforgettable days of exertion and emotion. For the first time ever, the Dressage competition took place in the main Aachen arena. An impressive crowd of 32,000, who clearly understood Dressage, supported, cheered and felt for each and every one of the competitors.
The Germany victory is due to a great extent to the German ladies, Heike Kemmer (on Bonaparte – 75.792), Aachen born Nadine Capellmann (on Elvis VA – 72.833), and Isabell Werth (on Satchmo – 75.000). Wansuela Suerte, the 16-year old Hanoverian mare of the fourth team member Hubertus Schmidt, was rather impressed by the extraordinary space which left the pair with the unusually low score of 69.208, which was dropped from the team total. Heike Kemmer believed that the secret of the team’s victory lay in their spirit. “We laugh together, which helps us relax. Today we rode together without taking too many risks,” she said.
“I would like to congratulate the German team on their great achievement,” Dutch chef d’équipe Sjef Hanssen said. “They have some difficult horses just as we do and what they did today is truly remarkable.” Anky van Grunsven was very happy with Salinero and unhappy with herself. The bad news was that despite some remarkable extended trot and good transitions, there had been unusually weak flying changes due to miscommunication resulting in a score of “only” 75.000. The good news was that Salinero had been very relaxed throughout the day, so much so that he had to be prevented from enjoying himself too much during the prize giving ceremony which followed the competition by the police horses taking part in it. Edward Gal, who was the last rider in the arena today, finished on 71.375 with Group 4 Securicor Lingh. “It wasn’t my best ride,” he commented, “but I’m happy nevertheless. It’ll be better next time round and I’m very happy with today’s medal.” Laurens Van Lieren aboard Hexagon’s Ollright – drop score with 68.500 was happy too. But the happiest of them all was Imke Schellekens-Bartels (Sunrise – 71.542), for whom today’s medal is the first ever.
For bronze medallists Team USA – Steffen Peters on Floriano (72.708), Debbie McDonald on Brentina (71.417), Guenter Seidel on Aragon (69.792) and Tip Top 962 (64.250 – drop score) being in Aachen and being cheered by so many who understood so well was a celebration in itself. Perhaps today’s performances were not the best ever, but what a blast!
The good surprise of the day came from Danish rider Andreas Helgstrand on Blue Hors Matine who performed the best test of the day (76.333). He is the individual leader, followed by Heike Kemmer in runner-up position, and Isabell Werth and Anky van Grunsven tied up in third.
The individual competition will continue on Friday with the Grand Prix Special which is only for the 30 best riders of the Grand Prix. But nothing is decided yet as today’s results will be erased and the fight for the individual titles will start from scratch. As 12 years ago in The Hague, separate medals will be awarded for the Grand Prix Special and the Freestyle. So the door success is still wide open.
All in all it was a wonderful day of sport. And as Satchmo – the musician, not Isabell Werth’s horse – used to sing “I think to myself .....what a wonderful world”.
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