The Netherlands' Adelinde Cornelissen and Parzival secured their fifth victory of the season when coming out on top at the last qualifying leg of the 2010/2011 World Cup Western European League at 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands this afternoon. They now look sure-fire favourites to scoop the title at the final which takes place in Leipzig, Germany from 27 April to 1 May, and the Dutch rider said today - "yes, we're in pretty good shape!".
Germany's Isabell Werth and Warum Nicht produced a wonderful test, but still had to settle for runner-up spot ahead of Dutchman Hans Peter Minderhoud whose mare, Nadine, was really on her toes. And fourth place went to Germany's Helen Langehanenberg and Responsible whose star has been steadily rising throughout the current season.
SET THE STANDARD
Catherine Haddad led the way at the halfway stage having set the standard with a score of 74.10 from the flashy chestnut Winymaro who seems to thrive in front of an audience. And the American rider was smiling broadly as she left the arena to the strains of the crowd singing "Happy Birthday" in celebration of her 47th year. Her score was immediately overtaken as the action re-started however, although Great Britain's Richard Davison had to work hard for his mark of 77.025. His 12-year old gelding Hiscox Artemis decided some of the greenery surrounding the arena was extremely suspicious and never fully settled throughout his test.
The Netherlands' Marlies Van Baalen presented no great threat when putting 73.925 on the board with Phoebe, but defending champion Edward Gal then forged a new lead with Next One who produced some sparkling piaffe for a score of 78.875, and this marked the beginning of the real battle for supremacy.
Denmark's Princess Nathalie zu Sayn Wittgenstein and Digby scored 77.825 to slot temporarily into second before Werth and Warum Nicht got into their stride and produced a polished, determined and quality performance that took them out in front. "He was so super!" the double FEI World Cup Dressage champion said afterwards. "This was one of his very best tests, and I can't believe it - we had no mistakes in the changes!" she added. So now the remaining three were chasing her mark of 82.050.
GROANED
The home crowd groaned with disappointment when Hans Peter Minderhoud's efforts left him trailing Werth by more than two points. His mare was on fire from the outset and her rider, never a man for taking half-measures, took all the risks as he produced lovely trot extensions and the fearlessly forward extended canter that has now become Minderhoud's trade-mark.
It was his team-mate, Cornelissen, however who knocked Werth off her perch with another stunning performance from Parzival who was simply oozing confidence. "We did make one small mistake when he did a flying change after the extended canter but otherwise he was fantastic" she commented. And the Ground Jury thought so too as they posted a massive 87.900 on the board.
Last in, Helen Langehanenberg was never going to beat that, but her partnership with Responsible is something special to watch and the 12 year old mare's charming test was good enough to secure 79.125 and fourth place in this world-class field.
SO RELAXED
"Yesterday Parzival was so relaxed and today he felt really good again" said Cornelissen who, remarkably, has claimed the honours at half of the 10 Western European qualifying rounds this season. She believes her horse's confidence has been reinforced by his training routine which includes doing a lot of things that other dressage horses may never get to do.
"He goes out in the field, I take him for rides in the woods and we go cantering on a racetrack quite a lot - that's what makes him happy. In training its about controlling him all the time, but its great to just go out and have fun together too - its all been about building up trust and he's learned to really enjoy himself now" she explained. And she added, "that's why I don't take him into the prize-giving anymore - I don't want to lose that trust because it really worries him".
She has no plans to compete Parzival ahead of the final, the line-up for which is expected to be confirmed soon. In accordance with the rules, the permitted distribution of starting places is as follows: Western European League 9 places, Central European League 2 places, Pacific League 1 place, North American League 2 places, South American League 1 place, the title defender (The Netherlands' Edward Gal), and 2 FEI starting places. Only three riders per country can compete, and this includes the host nation.
FACTS AND FIGURES:
Today's competition at 's-Hertogenbosch was the tenth and final qualifying leg in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Western European League series.
It was announced this week that the Brabanthalle at 's-Hertogenbosch, has been selected for two FEI World Cup™ finals next year - the 2011/2012 Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage and 2011/2012Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping finals.
The youngest horses in today's competition was the 11 year old gelding Winymaro ridden by America's Catherine Haddad and the 11 year old gelding Apollo Van Het Vijverhof ridden by Jeroen Devroe from Belgium. The oldest horse in the competition was the 19 year old Krawall, competed by The Netherlands' Jenny Schreven.
Today's Ground Jury consisted of : At E, Dr Wojtek Markowski (POL); At M, Mr Peter Holler (GER); At C, Mr Wim Ernes NED; At M, Mrs Mariette Sanders-van Gansewinkel (NED); At B, Mr Andrew Gardner (GBR).
Today's victory has brought Adelinde Cornelissen's victory-run to five out of the ten qualifying rounds in the Western European League series.
QUOTES:
Adelinde Cornelissen when asked about her ambitions with Parzival - "its not my dream to win Championships and Olympic Games, its my dream to become better and better with Parzival - that's all I every think of"
Isabell Werth, when asked which horse she will take to the World Cup™ Dressage final in Leipzig - "I'd love to take Satchmo, he's 17 now and I think he deserves it and it will be a highlight of his career".
Hans Peter Minderhoud, talking about Nadine - "I'm very happy with her, she's very eager at the moment and in great shape. I'd like to take her to the final but I will talk with my owners before the decision is made".
Wim Ernes, President of the Ground Jury - "the judges were very pleased today, yesterday we had a good group to judge but the standard was even higher today".
Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2010/2011 - Standings after tenth and final qualifying leg of Western European League at 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands:
1. Adelinde Cornelissen NED - 80
2. Ulla Salzgeber GER - 77
3. Isabell Werth GER - 74
4. Hans Peter Minderhoud NED - 63
5. Catherine Haddad USA - 58
6. Patrik Kittel SWE - 57
6. Richard Davison GBR - 57
8. Helen Langehanenberg GER - 56
9. Tinne Wilhelmson-Silfven SWE - 55
10. Christa Laarakkers NED - 53
10. Nathalie Zu Sayn-Wittgenstein DEN- 53
12. Jeroen Devroe BEL - 44
13. Nina Hofmann SWE - 37
14. Matthias Alexander Rath GER - 35
15. Mikaele Lindh FIN - 33
16. Sune Hansen DEN - 29
17. Aat Van Essen NED - 26
18. Stefan Van Ingelgem BEL - 25
19. Charlotte Haid-Bongergaard SWE - 24
19. Lilann Jebsen NOR - 24
19. Ulrike Prunthaller AUT - 24
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