Following the final Austrian WEG selection trial at the CDI Fritzens, the Austrian Equestrian Federation (FENA) announced the team that will represent Austria at the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany, August 20 - September 3, 2006.
The Austrian team includes:
- Victoria Max-Theurer with Falcao, an Oldenburg gelding by Feiner Stern
- Nina Stadlinger with Egalité, a Westfalian gelding by Ehrentusch
- Caroline Kottas-Heldenberg with Exupéry, an Oldenburg stallion by Ex Libris
- Evelyn Haim-Swarovski with Chopin, a KWPN gelding by Pele
Max-Theurer, Stadlinger and Kottas-Heldenberg already qualified for the team after the CDI Achleiten, but the battle for the fourth spot was still open. The thrilling duel was between Evelyn Haim-Swarovski and Isabella Willibald. At the CDI Fritzens, Swarovski scored overall 0.55% points better than Willibald.
"I can hardly believe it. It's a dream come true for me," Evelyn Haim-Swarovski said. "I can compete in Aachen and at a World Equestrian Games. I owe everything to my horse and my trainer, Georg Wahl."
The young Isabella Willibald is of course disappointed for not making it on the team, but she's looking forward to the future. Her next goal is the 2007 European Dressage Championships that will be held in Falsterbo, Sweden.
Photo copyrighted: Astrid Appels / Eurodressage
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