Gal on Winning Streak at 2018 CDIO Rotterdam, Wins 3* Grand Prix on Voice

Sat, 06/23/2018 - 11:38
2018 CDIO Rotterdam
Edward Gal and Voice at the 2017 CDIO Rotterdam :: Photo © Astrid Appels

Edward Gal continued his winning streak at the 2018 CDIO Rotterdam on Friday 22 June 2018. After taking out the win in the 4* CDIO Grand Prix on Zonik, the former World Champion also bagged the 3* Grand Prix on his 2016 Rio Olympic ride Voice. 

The 3* Grand Prix in Rotterdam featured a field of 23 international riders, mainly Dutch as this event is a WEG team observation trial. Although an experienced panel of five 5* judges officiated (Colliander, Holler, Hoevenaars, Sanders, Gardner) the coming of brand new combinations or return of past stars proved to be a pickle for them as the discrepancies between the individual scores were staggering!

Gal and his 16-year old Dutch warmblood stallion Voice (by De Niro x Rohdiamant) topped the board with 74.261% after a 10-month break from international competition. The pair's last start was at the 2017 European Championships last August. In Rotterdam, the black scored high with his energetic trot half passes and bouncy passage, even though the piaffe underwhelms with the hocks moving out from the under the body.

Swedish Tinne Vilhelmson made her come back after one year on her top ride Don Auriello, a 16-year old Hanoverian gelding by Don Davidoff x White Star. The long-legged and elegant bay has recovered from an injury and returned to the arena with a second place on 73.174%. The judges marks ranged from 71.413% to 76.196%!

American Steffen Peters has both his Grand Prix horses in Europe at the moment. On Rosamunde he rode the CDIO leg and with Akiko Yamazaki's latest acquisition Suppenkasper, Helen Langehanenberg's former 10-year old KWPN gelding by Spielberg x Krack C, he rode the 3* leg and landed third place on 72.630%. His scores ranged from 69.674% to 74.891%.

Diederik van Silfhout's young Grand Prix horse Expression (by Vivaldi x Vincent) still lacks power behind but some judges loved the test (74.022%) while others were more conservative with the points and kept it at 69.130%. Show routiniers Patrick van der Meer and Zippo (who are now at their 19th CDI in 18 months time) made a mistake in the changes. The judges were off guard and one had hum at 66.630%, the other at 71.304%.

The most striking score wobble was with new duo Madeleine Witte-Vrees and her rather frisky KWPN stallion Charmeur (by Florencio x Jazz) who finished on an overall of 67.848% and 18th place, but their marks went from 63.261% to a baffling 71.413% !

Irish Dane Rawlins and the 9-year old Westfalian Espoire closed the ranks in 23rd place with 62.348%. His marks went from 59.891% to 65.978%.

Complete results with score breakdown

Related Links
Scores 2018 CDIO Rotterdam
Team Holland Takes the Lead in 2018 CDIO Rotterdam Nations' Cup