Engermann and Dufour Win 2018 Danish Dressage Championships

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2018 Danish Dressage Championships

Under 25 rider Sille Engermann and senior rider Cathrine Dufour became the grand champions at the 2018 Danish Dressage Championships at Grand Prix level held traditionally at Broholm Castle on 8 - 10 June 2018.

Fifteen Danish under 25 Grand Prix riders rallyed in Broholm for the big title match, and it was routinier Sille Engermann who took highest honour. Aboard her long-time partner Darius, a 15-year old German bred Donnerloh x Pik Solo offspring, she won the Intermediaire II with 68.105%, placed second in the Short Grand Prix (68.953%) and won the freestyle (74.125%). The 20-year old Engermann has not competed internationally in almost a year, with the 2017 European Under 25 Championships in Lamprechtshausen as her last international start, but at national level she continues to be a force to reckoned with renewing her title of 2017 this year.

The silver medal went to newcomer Soren Wind aboard the 10-year old Dutch warmblood bred Diego (by Valeron x May Sherif). The 24-year old, who works as a rider at Andreas Helgstrand's yard, began his quest to the silver medal spot on the podium by placing fourth in the Intermediaire II (67.316%), winning the Short Grand Prix (69.116%) and placing third in the Kur (71.225%). Nana Gajhede and the 16-year old Danish gelding Overgaard's Lawell (by Weltjunge x May Sherif) finished with bronze after scoring 67.947%, 67.860% and 69.450%. Gajhede has taken over the ride on Lawell from owner Julie Dankau who has put her competition career on the back burner and is focusing on her job as a school teacher.

The Grand Prix podium: Bachmann, Dufour, Zibrandtsen

In the Grand Prix Championship there was no avoiding Danish super star Cathrine Dufour and her 15-year old Danish gelding Atterupgaards Cassidy (by Caprimond x Donnerhall). The pair was unbeatable and led all three rounds with 80%+ scores from the all Danish panel of judges. In the Grand Prix they earned 80.480%, in the Special they got 80.255% and in the freestyle they finished their gold medal course with 86.925% for their Kur. With a total of 247.660 points they were a league of their own.

Daniel Bachmann Andersen and the 14-year old KWPN stallion Blue Hors Zack (by Rousseau x Jazz) ended up with the silver medal, even though Bachmann was scoring better on his shooting star Zepter (by Zack x Wolkentanz II) in the first two rounds. As Zepter is the young talent, Bachmann opted to ride the more mature Zack in the freestyle finals. Zack scored 72.340% in the Grand Prix (4th), 76.137% in the Special (3rd) and 82.900% in the Kur (2nd). They earned silver with 231.377 points.

The bronze medal went to Anna Zibrandtsen on the 13-year old KWPN stallion Arlando (by Paddox x Mytens xx). Coached by both Jan Brink and Diederik van Silfhout, Zibrandtsen scored 72.38à% in the Grand Prix (3rd), 72.608% in the Special (5thà and 78.775% in the freestyle (3rd) to finish with bronze on 223.763 points.