At the Dutch national competition in Almelo, The Netherlands, Christa Laarakkers has dominated the Grand Prix with a winning score of 69.93%, just missing out on an A-team qualifying score.
To qualify for the Dutch A-team, a Grand Prix rider has to score twice internationally 68% or nationally 70%. Laarakkers rode Mr van Norel's Dutch warmblood Ovation (by Cabochon x Appolonius xx).
"I got a good feeling from Almelo. I also placed first here in September, even though I have been riding less because of my busy life as a chef d'equipe for the national pony team," Laarakkers explained after her Grand Prix win. "Such a victory gives you extra pleasure especially because of the strong field of competitors. Ovation was very well on form and worked very concentratedly till the end of the ride. Highlights were his piaffe and passage and his pirouettes. It felt great."
Placing second in the Grand Prix were Edward Gal and the Dutch warmblood mare Sisther de Jeu (by Gribaldi x Amor). Riding their very first Grand Prix in competition, Gal was extremely pleased with his 69.38% score.
"She danced through the test with great ease, as if she's been doing it for years," Gal commented. "There were a few disruptions in the contact with the bit, which held us from getting 70%, but with a big 69% for a first Grand Prix test, I'm more than happy."
Jeanette Haazen and her impressive Dutch warmblood Nartan (by Jazz x Le Faquin) slotted in third place with 69.38% followed by Coby van Baalen on the black Dutch warmblood Ojay (by Jazz x Formateur). Coby van Baalen celebrated her birthday there en and received a bouquet of flowers from her trainer Johann Hinnemann, who was at the show coaching her
In the Prix St Georges, Gal won aboard one of Holland's most exciting FEI horses, Moorlands Totilas (by Gribaldi x Glendale). Despite some big mistakes in the right canter half pass and both pirouettes, Gal still scored 71.50% and nailed the victory with Mrs Visser's (Eurocommerce) black gelding.
The Almelose Ruiterdagen show was the first outdoor competition of the Dutch show season. In the summer, Almelo will also host the 2008 Dutch Dressage Championships for the subtop level classes (ZZ classes as well as the small tour). The Dutch Grand Prix championship takes place May 1-3, 2008 in Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
Photos copyrighted: Caroline Finch and Astrid Appels/Eurodressage.com
Results
Prix St Georges
- 1. Gal, Edward - Moorlands Totilas - 71,50%
- 2. Vroom, Joyce - Nysing Ramanaz - 68,63%
- 3. Veeze, Bart - Stefano - 65,88%
- 4. Strous, Ria - Slegro - 65,75%
- 5. Verheij, Jaron - Sweet Sensation - 65,00%
- 6. Marijnissen, Sander - Sander -64,88%
- 7. Fessem, Sarah van - Randy Star - 64,38%
- 8. Visser, Tommie - Monte Castello - 64,25%
- 9. Silfhout, Alex van - Nifango - 63,50%
- 10. Ploeg, Linda van der - Cool Cracker S - 63,25%
- 11. Schaft, Inge van der - Odurin - 63,00%
- 11. Wernsen, Wilma - Oklarette - 63,00%
- 13. Kamper, Liseon - Special Gift - 62,13%
- 14. Silfhout, Diederick van - Special D - 61,75%
- 15. Brink, Lorraine van den - Orlandus - 60,75%
- 16. Niessink, Carla - Ojazz - 59,88%
- 17. Kwakkel, Engie - Randy - 59,75%
- 18. Vliet, Chantal van - Murphey - 58,63%
- 19. Zwart, Laura - ZAV Kenny - 57,63%
- 20. Gottmer, Nars - Askalon - 57,25%
- 21. Brinksma, Gwen - Nirwana S - 56,38%
- 22. Penterman, Elisabeth - Obsession - 55,38%
- 23. Zwart, Laura - ZAV Ionus - 53,00%
Grand Prix
- 1. Laarakkers, Christa - Ovation - 69,93%
- 2. Gal, Edward - Sisther de Jeu - 69,44%
- 3. Haazen, Jeannette - Nartan - 69,38%
- 4. Baalen, Coby van - Ojay - 68,82%
- 5. Uytert, Anne van - Lucky-Times - 67,57%
- 6. Gal, Edward - Next One - 67,57%
- 7. Beckers, Kirsten - Broere Ohio - 66,46%
- 8. Visser, Tommie - Blue Ocean - 66,04%
- 9. Gal, Edward - Gribaldi - 65,83%
- 10. Schaft, Rien van der - Madorijke - 65,56%
- 11. Haazen, Jeannette - Quicksilver - 65,14%
- 12. Visser, Tosca - Moorlands Opportunity - 64,51%
- 13. Mens, Ilona - Pionier - 62,36%
- 14. Bax, Petri - Oriento - 60,83%
- 15. Soek, Karin - Picasso SV - 59,58%
- 16. Boucher, Olga - Merudin - 58,78%
- 17. Gottmer, Nars - Palmarino - 58,05%
Related Links
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