At the 2014 CDI Wiesbaden Semmieke Rothenberger was the unbeatable pony rider in the national trial for German team selection for the 2014 European Pony Championships. After the Preis der Besten, Wiesbaden was the second selection event in Germany and 14-year old Rothenberger led once agan.
Rothernberger is literally untouchable in Germany, whether she rides Deinhard or Golden Girl. In Wiesbaden she won the first round on Golden Girl (by Don't Worry) and the Kur she dominated with Deinhard B (79.825%).
2013 German team combination Nadine Krause and Danilo were only fifth in the 2014 Preis der Besten, making them uncertain of a team spot. In Wiesbaden, however, they set the record straight and finished third in the Kur with 77.7%
The 16-year old Maike Mende kept up her consistent form and will most likely be considered for team selection after very consistent performances in Warendorf and Wiesbaden. Both with Desert Rose and Nobel Nagano she finished high in the ranking and was fifth in the kur.
"I'm going to make a decision soon," said German team trainer Connie Endres about team selection. "Maike did very well, you can't say anything else. She has established herself as a top rider, has two good ponies and is riding really strongly."
The silver medalist of the Preis der Besten, Celine König, struggled a bit in Wiesbaden, finishing eighth on the 7-year old Daddy's Daydream on day one. "Her pony is still very young and needs some time to get acclimatised," Endres explained.
The German pony team will be announced after the CDI Vierzon in France on 3 - 6 July, where German combinations can prove final form.
Photos © Barbara Schnell
Related Links
Qualified Pony, Junior, Young Riders for Second 2014 German Team Selection Trial
Rothenberger, Abbelen, Rothenberger Win 2014 Preis der Besten