Lebek and Potomac win WDM Grand Prix Special in Munich

Sun, 05/16/2010 - 13:06
2010 CDI Munich

WDM press release -- Overcoming his first day show nerves, Potomac was ridden by Susanne Lebek to win the €30,000 World Dressage Masters Grand Prix Special on Saturday, the first time the German has competed in the globe's richest lineup of dressage shows.

Susanne and the 15-year-old stallion put in an inspired ride to score 75.542 per cent and first place prize money of €8,250 with Christoph Koschel on Donnperignon second on 72.792 per cent and €6,050 and Italy's Valentina Truppa on Eremo del Castegno third with 72.187 per cent and €3,840.

The 41-year-old rider said she had a lot of fun competing in the WDM, finishing fourth in the Grand Prix on Friday behind the top two Dutch combinations of Edward Gal and Moorlands Totilas and Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival and the number one German, Isabell Werth.

"But I am mainly doing my own thing," said the self-effacing rider who makes light of making the German team at the 2009 European Championships--"it was just because so many of our horses had to drop out; it is difficult for us to be on the team."

Consequently, she said that making the German team for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky this year "is not a priority."

The €60,000 Grand Prix Musical Freestyle will be held Sunday with Edward and Totilas the hot favorites, and a victory would clinch the €25,000  Nürnburger Versicherungsgruppe WDM Rider Rankings.

The rider award was launched after the inaugural Exquis WDM in Munich in 2009, and includes scores from the other venues, Cannes, France; Hickstead, England, and Palm Beach, Florida.

Related Links
Scores 2010 CDI Munich
Totilas Wows the Crowds in Munich Grand Prix