Sille Engermann, Maya Jorgensen, Anna Zibrandtsen, Cathrine Dufour and Anna Kasprzak were the grand champions of the 2011 Ecco Cup Finals in Middelfart, Denmark, on 9 - 11 December 2011. The Ecco Cup Finals are the culmination of the season during which Danish pony, junior, young riders and Under 25-year olds get to compete and practise their kur to music on a national level.
The FEI pony division in Denmark is divided into two groups based on the size of the ponies. Sille Engermann and the Dutch bred gelding Lasco were the winners in the smaller pony category while Maya Jorgensen and the highly experienced FEI pony Modderbeeks Flo (by Vita Nova's Golden Boris x Bokkesprong Czardas) were the high point scorers in the D-category. Jorgensen and her liver chestnut won round 1 with 71.316% and the Kur with 72.667%. The winner's pair had Danish team rider Caroline Bording Smidt breathing down their neck. Smidt saddled her second FEI pony PSW Desperado and scored an average of 72.333% over two rounds.
Swedish based Danish junior Anna Zibrandtsen also brought her second horse to the Ecco Cup Finals, Gørklintgårds Domello (by Diamond Hit x Lavallo). The 8-year old had no problem facing his competitors and while he and his rider were third in the first round (67.105%), the pair stepped up to the plate in the freestyle and won the class with 71.500%. The scores of the top two to five juniors were very close together and Sabrina Barnekow became the runner up, after finishing second in the first round and sixth in the kur.
At young riders level Cathrine Dufour and her European championship silver medal winning Atterupgaards Cassidy (by Caprimond) were unbeatable. They twice scored well ahead of their peers, winning round 1 with 71.404% and the kur with 74.083%. Camilla Orloff and her chestnut Dutch warmblood Utah were the reserve champions.
The 2011 Ecco Cup Finals also featured Under 25 Grand Prix classes. In Denmark the riders competed in a more difficult version of the Intermediaire I followed by the Intermediaire II. Anna Kasprzak and her brand new Grand Prix horse Donnperignon (by Donnerhall x Mozart II) made their competition debut in Middelfart and won twice with 72.540% and 72.719%.
Hanni Toosbuy Kasprzak, ceo of the Ecco shoe company and sponsor of the Ecco Cup Finals, also announced that she will continue to sponsorship of the show circuit for another three years. She officially signed a contract for an Ecco Cup circuit in 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Photos © Caroline Aarosin - Helene T Lyholm Christensen - Ridehesten.com
Related Links
Scores 2011 Ecco Cup Finals in Middelfart
Smidt, Skodborg Merrald, Kasprzak Win 2010 Ecco Cup Finals
Maya Jørgensen Wins 2010 Danish Pony Championship
Skodborg Merrald, Tange, Dufour and Kasprzak Win 2008 ECCO Cup Finals
The Ecco Cup Prepares Danish Youth Riders for the International Show Scene
