Hansen, Christensen, Sorensen, Zibrandtsen, Jeppesen Win 2013 Ecco Cup Finals

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2013 ECCO Cup Finals

Pony riders Henriette Hansen and Maria Fauerholm Christensen, junior rider Alexandra Sorensen, young rider Anna Zibrandtsen and Under 25 Grand Prix rider Sofie Jeppesen became the overall winners of the 2013 Ecco Cup Finals, which were held in Middelfart, Denmark, on 7 - 8 December 2013.

The Ecco Cup show circuit enables Danish youth riders to prepare themselves for international dressage sport by competing in the FEI level tests at national shows. The Ecco Cup is also an opportunity to practise the kur to music in competition. With a purse of 160,000 DKK it is Denmark's biggest dressage show circuit.

Seven combinations competing in the Finals for Kat II FEI Dressage ponies (B/C-ponies) and Henriette Hansen surfaced at the top of the overall ranking with her very experienced 22-year old Charlie. She scored a total of 138.713 points and narrowly edged out Sara Aagaard Hyrm on the 17-year old Molgarnedd Montana (by Eyarth Tomahawk) on 138.392 points.

At category I FEI pony level Danish pony team member Maria Fauerholm Christensen and her 10-year old Vegelin's Goya (by Verona's Bo Gi x Leuns veld's Darling Boy) took highest honours with a total of 146.281 points, after scoring 72.073% in the first final round and 74.208% in the kur. Victoria Vallentin and the Norwegian owned chestnut Not For Sale (by Navoy x Playback) got silver with 142.199 points, while Sandra Aagaard Hyrm and the palomino Der Harlekin B (by Golden Dancer x Dornik B) were good for bronze with 141.746 points.

Alexandra Sorensen on Camiro Mandoe Alexandra Sorensen wielded the axe of power in the junior division. Aboard her 10-year old Danish bred Camiro Mandoe (by Future Cup x Alfarvad Champion) she scored 73.640% in round 1 and 74.958% in the kur to total 148.598 points. Amanda Overgaard and the 12-year old Horsebo Smarties (by Gribaldi x Ramiro's Bube) were the strong runners-up after two second places and a total of 141.75 points. Kristine Koch Bejtrp and the 15-year old Cavaler (by Cavan x Donnerhall) were third with 141.248 points.

In the Young Riders division Swedish based Anna Zibrandtsen topped the overall ranking on the 8-year old Oldenburg stallion Detroit (by Dimaggio x Lord Liberty G). She scored a winning 72.939% in the first round and placed second in the kur with 71.583%. Her total of 144.522 points put her well ahead to win the gold medal. Henriette Dam Vestergaard and her 11-year old Danish bred Leopold (by Loudini x Temple Wind xx) finished second with 141.024 points, while the winner of the kur, Pernille Teidor Olesen on Don Dino (by Don Cardinale x Placido) ended up on the bronze step of the podium with a total of 137.603 points.

Sofie Jeppesen on Hedebo's First As Six combinations contested the Under 25 Championship and routinier Sofie Jeppesen and her 15-year old Danish bred Hedebo's First As (by First Flair x A-Dur) led the pack with 138.64 points, after scoring 70% in the first round and 68.640% in the Intermediaire II. Anne Sofie Aaen and the 14-year old Schambuca Solyst (by Schwadroneur x Alibi) were on Jeppensen's heels with 138.207 points after winning the Inter II on Sunday. Victoria Vallentin and Anna Kasprzak's Select Ecco (by Sandro Hit x Grundstein) landed third place with 136.851 points.