Anabel Balkenhol, Fabienne Lütkemeierand Bianca Kasselmann have dominated the Grand Prix test at the 2013 CDI Hamburg, which serves as qualifier for the final of the German Dressage Derby. Anabel Balkenhol achieved the ultimate feat - first and second place with her Olympic horse Dablino FRH and 11-year-old Diamonds Forever.
Balkenhol answered the burning questionwhether Dablino FRH will go forward to the horse exchange on Sunday with a cool "we’ll see." In fact the chestnut horse still has a pretty full programme ahead of him this season, so it will probably be Diamonds Forever who takes on the ‘horse swap’.
23 year-old student Fabienne Lütkemeier has achieved her run to the final in her first time competing at the Derby and is absolutely delighted. “I have been here before as a spectator when my mother rode here (Gina Capellmann-Lütkemeier), but this is my first time competing.” The reserve rider from the German Olympic team secured the third place.
Behind her came two-time German Professional Dressage Riders' Champion Bianca Kasselmann from Hagen am Teutoburger Wald with her horse Weltclassiker, a highly trusting and reliable horse even with unfamiliar riders. “I’ll have to sleep on it, he’s only just had the horse exchange in the championship” said Kasselmann, “I’ve got the opportunity to use Limited Edition, who is qualified too.”
Organiser Volker Wulff and Dressage director Rainer Schwiebert are also looking forward to the horse exchange of the 55th German Dressage Derby. Schwiebert took seventh place with his stallion Carabas in the Grand Prix. Competitors from eleven countries took part in the Grand Prix.
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