The British dressage quartet selected for round five of the FEI Nations Cup Dressage series taking place at the 2014 CDIO Aachen in Germany (17 – 20 July) is:
- Nikki Crisp (36) f- Pasoa (Bay, M, 17hh, 17yrs, s. Damocles)
- Charlotte Dujardin (28) - Valegro (Bay, G, 16.2hh, s. Negro)
- Michael Eilberg (27) - Half Moon Delphi (Grey, M, 16.3hh, s. Dimaggio)
- Daniel Watson (37) - Fideramber (Dk Bay, G, 16.2hh, 14yrs, s. Fidermark)
Supported by the UK Sport National Lottery funded World Class Programme, the team heads to Germany in high spirits. Nikki and Daniel were in the team for Rotterdam CDIO last month which finished fourth to give Britain our first points of the season and we head to Aachen lying seventh overall.
Michael was in good form last weekend with ‘Maggie’ at Hickstead’s Premier League fixture with a third in the grand prix and a win in the GP special.
This will be a return to competition for Charlotte and ‘Blueberry’ since taking a rest following their resounding victory in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Final in Lyon at Easter. Charlotte reports; “Blueberry is in great form at home but is looking forward to doing what he does best - competing. Aachen is a huge competition for us; the crowds are supportive, the competition fierce and it’s an amazing show. It will be a good run before the World Equestrian Games and I’m really excited to get into the arena with him again.”
With Aachen the penultimate leg of six, the competition is hotting up to finish top of the World in the pilot FEI Nations Cup competition. After the last round in Norway, the Netherlands hold the advantage on 30 with Sweden hot on their heels with 28. Denmark lie third on 20 with the USA and Belgium tied for fourth with 15. France is four behind on 11 with Britain completing the top seven on nine points.
The final round takes place at Hickstead’s international fixture 31 July to 03 August.
Michael also travels his father Ferdi’s Marakov to Aachen to contest the CDI4* while Alexandria Barr will compete in the U25 CDI with Romanoff II, owned by mum, Beverley.
Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Link
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2014 CDIO Aachen
