Edward Gal's sensational run in the 2009-2010 World Cup series continued at Neumunster in Germany today where he recorded his third victory with Totilas as they continue to take this sport by storm.
Wherever he goes, the record-breaking 10-year old black stallion lights a fire of excitement, and the capacity crowd at the German venue could hardly contain their excitement when witnessing him in action on their home ground.
Neumunster is in the heart of Holsteiner country, and jumping is very much the local passion. But Totilas carries a spell-binding quality that captures the heart of every horse-lover, and the roar of approval from the 4,800 spectators in the Holstenhallen as this special horse stole the limelight once again told the full story.
Photo © Thomas Hellmann
Gal's Dutch team-mate, Adelinde Cornelisen finished second with Parzival and Germany's Isabell Werth slotted into third with Warum Nicht FRH ahead of Denmark's Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein in fourth - exactly the same positions they had all filled in Saturday's qualifying Grand Prix.
HELD THE LEAD
There were 15 starters in today's competition, and it was The Netherlands' Jeannette Haazen and the 15 year old Nartan who held the lead at the halfway stage with a mark of 75.15%. However, with just five left to go, Gal and Totilas dramatically re-set the parameters when posting 87.60% on the scoreboard.
"There were some small mistakes in the one-tempi and some mis-steps too, but I was really happy with our performance today" Gal said afterwards. "The passage and piaffe were marvellous and we did a really good extended trot - it felt even better than Amsterdam because the horse was not stressed like he was there, this time he was much happier" he added.
Denmark's Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein and Digby produced another excellent performance for a mark of 77.50% when next into the ring, while Germany's Carola Koppelmann and the 17 year old Le Bo scored 76.80% to move temporarily into third. However the final two riders would change the order once again.
NERVOUS TENSION
Second-last to go was Cornelissen with the chestnut Parzival whose brilliance can sometimes be undermined by nervous tension in the ring. At Neumunster the spectators are very close to the edge of the arena, but despite the intense atmosphere and the fact that he had never visited this venue before, the gelding rose to the challenge to achieve a score of 82.50%. And when Germany's Isabell Werth and Warum Nicht FRH were just over a point further behind it was a Dutch one-two at the top of the result sheet.
Werth was pleased with her 14 year old "Hannes". She said "in the last six months he has grown in character and in confidence, and today he was much more concentrated". Cornelissen said she was very happy with her second-place finish. "We had a few mistakes, but I think Parzival coped very well and I'm delighted with him". She no longer shares the lead at the top of the World Cup leaderboard however, as today's win has rocketed Gal way out in front with a total of 75 points. Along with his hat-trick of wins he also took second place with the mare Sisther de Jeu at the opening leg in Odense, Denmark, last October.
There is huge competition in the Dutch camp because only three Dutch riders will be permitted to compete in the final at 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands next month and just a few points separate Cornelissen - now lying second on the leaderboard with 58 - from Imke Schellekens-Bartels in third with 55, Haazen in fourth now carrying 50 and multiple-champion Anky Van Grunsven who lies fifth 47 points. The next leg in Gothenburg, Sweden in seven days time will therefore be crucial.
ROUSING RECEPTION
Gal commented today on the rousing reception that he and his winning horse received at Neumunster. "Yesterday we got a standing ovation, and today it was crazy during the prizegiving - the crowd was fantastic and its wonderful to ride a horse that is so loved by so many people." He knows that, with Totilas, he can afford to make some mistakes and yet still win a competition, but he insists he does not allow himself to become complacent. "I don't take anything for granted, we all have some difficult days and you don't know the result until after the test is over - after all he is still a horse!" he pointed out.
The last qualifying opportunity in the 2009/2010 World Cup series takes place in Goteborg, Sweden next weekend 26/27 February.
FACTS AND FIGURES:
15 horse and rider combinations competed in today's competition
8 nations were represented - Germany, The Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, Poland, Portugal and Italy.
The judging panel was : at E - Mariette Withages; at M - Katrina Wust; at R - Peter Holler; at B - Leif Tornblad and at C - Wim Ernes.
This was the 60th anniversary show at Neumunster.
The Neumunster arena was first opened in 1936.
QUOTES:
Edward Gal - "I feel that my horse (Moorlands Totilas) is getting more confident all the time:
Isabell Werth - "What is special about competing at this show in Neumunster is that every rider who comes into the ring is greeted like an Olympic champion!"
Isabell Werth - "Today I was very happy with the passage and piaffe from Hannes"
2009/2010 FEI WORLD CUP™ DRESSAGE - STANDINGS after Round 8 at Neumunster (GER) - (Provisional)
1. Edward Gal - 75
2. Adelinde Cornelissen - 58
3. Imke Schellekens-Bartels - 55
4. Jeanette Haazen - 50
5. Anky Van Grunsven - 47
6. Matthias Alexander Rath - 45
7. Isabel Werth - 44
8. Monica theodorescu - 41
9. Aat Van Essen - 38
10. Nathalie Zu Sayn-Wittgenstein - 37
10. Jeroen Devroe - 37
12. Carola Koppelmann - 36
12. Patrik Kittel - 36
14. Laura Bechtolsheimer - 32
14. Hubertus Schmidt - 32
16. Hans Peter Minderhoud - 30
17. Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven - 27
18. Peter Gmoser - 25
19. Catherine Haddad - 24
20. Ellen Schulten-Baumer - 21
View full CDI-W Neumunster scores
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