Danish Grand Prix dressage team rider Anders Dahl is having his best season so far aboard the bay gelding Afrikka. Quality comes of age as Dahl and Afrikka are scoring personal best marks this autumn, some at the Western European League indoor world cup qualifiers, which started three weeks ago in Odense, Denmark.
The autumn season started with two high scores of 75 % in the Kur at the CDI Fritzens and CDI Piber followed by an impressive win in the World Cup qualifier at the CDI-W Kaposvar. Three weeks ago at the CDI-W Odense, Dahl and Afrikka scored 68.708 in the Grand Prix and 72.750% in the Kur to Music finishing 8th twice. Two weeks later, he neared those marks at the CDI-W Stockholm, scoring 67.750% in the Grand Prix and 71.550% in the Kur to Music, landing a 7th and 6th place behind the world's best riders.
"I'm very pleased with these performances," a demure Dahl told Eurodressage. The friendly Dane is currently standing in the lead of the provisional Western European League ranking with 40 points ahead of Jan Brink (37 pts).
Dahl is not intentionally aiming at the 2008 World Cup Finals, but is respectful for each day his 17-year old Afrikka is giving him. "I'm pleased with what I'm getting out of him. He has never been as good as he is now. He has done so much in his life," Dahl responded.
Dahl lives with his fiancee Fiona Bigwood, a solid British Grand Prix team member, and their 1-year old daughter Mette Clare Dahl near Cologne, Germany. Fiona is focusing on the outdoor show season and hopes to qualify her top horse Mr G de Lully for the British team that will compete at the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong.
Anders is also bringing along his rising 8-year old Grand Prix horse Bukowski with the help of Danish team trainer Rudolf Zeilinger. The Briar offspring knows all the Grand Prix movements but is not ready yet to tackle the heavy world cup indoor qualifiers.
Fiona and Anders have a barn filled with outstanding young horse prospects, including, for instance, the delightful Hanoverian licensed stallion Dramatik (by Don Frederico), 70-day performance test winner Wizenzo (by Wolkentanz I), and 30-day test winner Riccochet (by Romancero).
Bigwood recently went on a shopping trip at the Hanoverian and Westfalian stallion licensing and acquired three extraordinary young colts. She purchased a Hanoverian licensed colt by Sandro Hit x Charon, the Westfalian premium stallion by Sir Donnerhall x Barsoi xx, as well as the Westfalian Raikano x Werther colt. Fiona was the owner of the talented Raikano, but the stallion passed away untimely. Raikano bred to 15 mares in total, and produced his first premium licensed stallion this year in Munster-Handorf, which Fiona bought.
Though horses are their main focus and drive, Dahl and Bigwood enjoy daily life with daughter the most. "To be a good father for my daughter," is what Anders hopes to accomplish in his life (besides riding for Denmark at the Olympic Games).
Dahl will be competing next at the CDI-W Mechelen and will give his horse a big Christmas break afterwards. "I'll pick him up again afterwards, and I'll just sit back and wait and see what he wants to give me," Anders explained.
Photos courtesy: Lotta Gyllensten - Ridehesten
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