Belgian Grand Prix rider Claudia Fassaert returned to the show ring aboard her 13-year old Oldenburg mare Donnerfee (by De Niro x Rosenkavalier) at the 2013 CDI-W Amsterdam to finish 11th in the Grand Prix and 14th in the Kur to Music. The combination was two months out due to an injury.
In November 2012 Donnerfee sustained an injury in training when she stepped on her own coronet band. The pair was supposed to compete in the World Cup qualifiers of Stockholm and London but had to wait until Amsterdam to make their show come back.
Fassaert and her refined and lightfooted dark bay mare Donnerfee scored 70.191% in the Grand Prix but struggled a bit with the electric atmosphere in the freestyle and received 67.875% in the Kur.
"I was very happy with my Grand Prix score because the feeling was good," Fassaert explained. "Donnerfee is always a bit scared indoors and it's always wait and see."
Lacking show routine, Donnerfee was impressed by her surroundings and still not optimally fit for the challenge. "On Saturday morning I felt that Donnerfee wasn't fresh when I took her out of her stall," Fassaert explained. "I think her fitness is not yet optimal and she moved with less bravura. The transitions were harder to ride and I couldn't make her shine. In general I was pleased with this first show."
Fassaert and Donnerfee have ended their indoor show circuit and will first appear at a competition again in March at the outdoor CDI Vidauban with as goal to qualify for Belgium for the 2013 European Championships in Denmark.
Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Scores 2013 CDI-W Amsterdam
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