German 2012 Olympic individual pair Anabel Balkenhol and Dablino captured the trophy in the 4* Grand Prix class at the 2015 CDI Frankfurt on Friday morning 18 December 2015. The duo won the Grand Prix with a score of 75.380% and was a full two percent ahead of second placed Beatrice Buchwald on Weihegold.
Balkenhol and the 15-year old Hanoverian gelding Dablino (by De Niro x Wanderbusch II) convinced the panel of five judges, consisting of Rockwell, Alonso, Eisenhardt, Fransen-Iacobaeus and Plewa. Balkenhol's marks ranged from 74.100% to 77.200% for the class victory.
"Dablino has not yet reached his peak. He is really fit. We give him regular breaks and never overtrain him. He gets a lot of walk breaks at home so he keeps his power," Balkenhol explained about the power her horse continues to show in the arena. "Three weeks before a competition we work him a bit more so that he goes full strength into a show."
The sensitive Dablino kept his cool in the difficult Frankfurt indoor arena where there are a lot of distractions for the horses.
"I think age helps. I believe two years ago I wouldn't be able to ride him that relaxed. Now he has the experience, he's an old fox and he has the trust. It's fun to ride him like that," said Anabel. "I was able to familiarize him with the arena here twice before the show. I only hand-walked him this morning."
Beatrice Buchwald and Christine Arns-Krogman's Oldenburg mare Weihegold (by Don Schufro x Sandro Hit) were second with 73.300%. The rising pair is hyped in Germany and in Frankfurt their Grand Prix ride was liked by the European members of the judging panel (scores from 73.000 - 75.400%) but American judge Rockwell rewarded her with 69.400%.
Hubertus Schmidt and the 12-year old Trakehner stallion Imperio (by Connery x Balfour) landed third place with 72.980%. Their marks veered between 70.900 and 74.200%.
Photos © LL-foto
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