The CDI Hansbeke is the first outdoor CDI held in Belgium since the "death" of the CDI Schoten. It was a small, intimate competition with one show ring and one warm up ring with outstanding footing.
The show ring was created in a pasture with a big white tent on the long side and stands on the short side. The Hansbeke ring is probably one of the prettiest rings I have ever photographed besides the major Championships. Because there is a big pasture behind it, you get great depth in your photos and the beautiful trees with green and purple leaves just give your photos a water colour look. I loved it.
Winners the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special: Anky van Grunsven aboard Painted Black. It was Painted Black's first international CDI victory. The 9-year old KWPN stallion by Gribaldi. It's interesting to watch Painted Black's progression. At the Zwolle International Stallion Show in March he put down a very cool performance, but in the Hansbeke Grand Prix he was constantly leaning against the bit and his hind legs were out in the passage all the time. He passaged with his hocks up and out instead of stepping under. The extensions were lovely though. For her Grand Prix, Anky scored 71.833%, while a not-so-famous riders would get a maximum of 65% for the same performance.
Imke Schellekens-Bartels aboard her second Grand Prix horse Melvin. This KWPN gelding by Flemmingh is hot to trot and Imke had her hands full steering him through the Grand Prix. However, there were some nice moments in the test, especially in the passage.
Carl Cuypers was the best performing Belgian in the big tour. Aboard Sven Rothenberger's Barclay II, Cuypers scored 69.167% in the Grand Prix.
Dane Joachim Thomsen is riding himself in the picture aboard Mikado Envang. With his 67.458% Grand Prix score, Thomsen is now being considered for the CDIO Aachen.
Dane Anders Dahl is selected for Aachen with two horses, Mr G de Lully and Afrikka. Both horses are owned by Dahl's partner Fiona Bigwood who is taking a baby break.
Japanese Toshihiko Kiso and Esko rode his qualification score for the 2006 World Equestrian Games in the Grand Prix in Hansbeke.
Brit Paul Hayler aboard Martinique II. Hayler rides with much feeling and it is fun to watch him in action.
Spanish Team trainer Jan Bemelmans talking seriously to Enrique Cruces Fernandez, who is preparing his horse RMS Keops at Bemelmans' stable in Germany for the CDIO Aachen (and WEG).
A very interesting new Grand Prix horse on the scene is Lord and Lady Harris's Wily Earl, ridden by Brit Dane Rawlins. With some more mileage, this young Grand Prix horse could become really good.
All photos copyrighted Astrid Appels/Eurodressage - No Reproduction Allowed without Permission/Payment
Eurodressage was on the scene taking photos. Eurodressage photographer Astrid Appels shot on Thursday May 11 (Group 1 of the Grand Prix). We took pictures of Van Grunsven, Cuypers, Dahl, Thomson, Hologne Joux, Sidneva, Larsson, Schellekens, Staub, Lis, Hayler, Baetens van Lent, Rawlins, Kiso, Takahasi, Dunphy, White. If you want to order pictures, email us at info@eurodressage.com
Related Link
Scores 2006 CDI Hansbeke
