German Sönke Rothenberger and his German Reitpony stallion Deinhard B (by Dornik B) swept the board in the individual finals at the 2008 European Pony Championships in Avenches, Switzerland, July 27, 2008.
Only one week earlier, his sister Sanneke was invincible at the European Junior Riders Championships in Portugal, racking in three gold medals; brother Sönke did the same winning both of two gold medals to be win for pony riders.
The individual podium at the 2008 Europeans was a family affaire as Sönke's cousin Antoinette te Riele produced a peak performance to finish in a second, silver medal winning position with her 6-year old German Reitpony Golden Girl. The biggest surprise of all came from Swedish Elin Aspnas, who slotted in bronze medal position after a very daring, energetic ride on her chestnut gelding Tim.
This exotic podium with riders from three different nations was a huge relief and added to the fun factor of the 2008 European Pony Championships. Finally German supremacy was breached as in the individual test, they were no longer the unbeatable, overscored riders of the show. Mistakes in the rides of two German top riders caused them to drop down in the ranking.
Riding error-free tests proved to be the biggest challenge in the individual medal finals on Sunday. Sönke Rothenberger and Deinhard were the only combination to stay absolutely faultless. All five judges were unanimous in placing him first with an overall score of 75.100 %. There was no question about the correctness and clarity of rhythm of Sönke's test, but some minor issues meddled with a perfect presentation and 75% could have been considered too generous in comparison to the scores of the other riders and their performances. The difference in presentation and harmony between Rothenberger and let's say the top five was not so big, even though the others made one or two mistakes.
Deinhard B entered the ring quite tight in the neck and with his nostrils flared and vibrating as if the noseband was too tight. The rhythm and impulsion in trot was good and Deinhard did not loose his balance, neither in the shoulder in, nor in the half passes, nor in the voltes. The walk pirouette to the left could have been a bit more tiny and the extended walk could have showed even more overtrack.
The rein back was ok and the canter was fantastic. Lovely transitions from collected to extended canter and good simple changes in which the walk came to clear expression. The total image was one of perfect control over the rhythm and frame of the pony. Job well done for the 13-year old Sönke.
Text and Photos copyrighted Astrid Appels/Eurodressage - No reproduction allowed without permission