
The first CDI3* at 2015 BCN Dressage Tour on 17 - 22 March 2015 is up and running. The two Big Tour Grand Prix tests have already taken place but the action continues throughout the weekend. Michael Eilberg and Marakov (by Rufs) scored a 71,57% to win the Grand Prix for Special.
Breathing down their neck were Ulrik Molgaard and Michigan (by Michellino). "Michael, I'll be back on Sunday' were the words of the Danish riders who spoke with a twinkle in his eye when he saw the scores a 71,331% that placed him second. Stella Hagelstam and her Chopin III (by Contendro x Almox Prints J) from Finland were third with a 69,786%.
In the Grand Prix for Freestyle on Thursday evening a Spanish combination won: Lauro Aguiló and his Hierro, the CDE spanish crossbred by Ferro and out of PRE dam Babieca XII, achieved their personal best score with 70,600%. Lauro couln't be happier!
Six out of seven judges were in agreement on thursday, placing Lauro and @Hierro first in the test. Lauro was very happy with his win we all could see the big smile on his face. This personal record in an international competition is a good seasoning opener for this rider, who is aiming to gain a place on the national team for the European Championship at Aachen in 2015. They received good marks for their passage a usual highlights. However, there is still scope for them to improve their scoring, as Hierro showed some tension. English rider Hayley Watson-Greaves with RUBINS NITE (Rubin Royal x Limbo) became second behind this couple with a 68,586%.
Grand Prix for Special
Michael Eilberg and Marakov entered their 5th season together at Grand Prix level. They bay gelding showed nice piaffe, expressive passage and some very good transitions. The 14-year old gelding, owned by the Eilberg family was the winner of last year's British Championships.

Another true fan of the BCN Dressage Tour was back on the scene: Stella Hagelstam, the German based Finnish rider presented several of her horses again. In the Grand Prix for Special she showed Chopin III, which she competed at the World Equestrian Games in Caen. Passage and piaffe showed good quality and a lot of expression. The combination has improved much since last year when they started the season around 63% - 64%. Yesterday they reached 69,357%.

Universalis (by Ferro x Accord II) was back competing on Spanish soil, now under the Ukrainian rider Inna Logutenova. They became fifth. We used to see Universalis under Spanish rider José Raga in the past. Now Inna and the impressive KWPN scored 68,514%. Jordi Domingo and his mare Wonder (by Waterford) were the best Spanish combination, finishing 6th place with 68,371%. The mare showed strength and their presentation showed harmony.
Intermediaire I

Five year Old Finals
The winner of the 5-year old Finals test was a son of Damon Hill, Der Zauberer (79,200) ridden by the young Russian competitor Polina Afanasieva. These two had achieved their top score earlier behind San Diego in the preliminary FEI test with an 8.2, in the trot, leading to a total score of 80.800%. Der Zauberer is owned by Andrey Gloriozov and was acquired at the 2014 PSI Auction for 400,000 euro.

Russian Regina Isachkina and Pimpollo (by Sandro Hit) had already finished third in the Preliminary test (76,200%) and became second in the Final with 76,400%. The best Spanish combination in the Final was Sarotti (by Sarkozy) presented by Juan Carlos Díaz Amor. Beatriz Ferrer Salats lovely First Lady (by Sir Donnerhall x Johnson) became 4th presented under Villa Equus rider Laura Turbeau with 73,600%.
Six year old Finals
Wilma Wernsen from The Netherlands presented two promising KWPN horses in this class, the winner Estupendo (Prel: 80,400% Final: 83,600%) a son of Ziesto x Scandic and Elmar (by Serano Gold x Jazz) with a 78% in the final and a third place. They are two promising horses that show very elastic gaits. Spanish rider Judith Sarda Mañe presented Don Pimus (Prel.77,800 Final: 80,200) were second twice.
Under 25 Intermediate B

Classica 3
Local hero Nuria Vila and London Pride had a hattrick in the Classica tour. Barcelona Horses ruled the podium of the Classic 1, 2 and 3 during the first three days of competition as all three members of the host-team achieved great results.
Nuria won throughout the three days with the marvellous London Pride (70.147%), owned by Marta Gonzalez. Annabelle Collins and Dimacho BCN (68.480%) once again followed in second place, beating Agustí Elias with the Spanish bred Joyero F (by Corinto) with a 66.127% who climbed up to the 2nd position in the Classica 3. French rider Corentin Pottier also stood out at this level with Dewi M and scored a fourth place with 65.539%.

The event is live streamed on www.topiberian.com with comments from Bobby Fernandez de Bobadilla, the former director of Dressage at the Royal Spanish Federation. For any additional information please go to eventos.topiberian.com. Scores can be followed in real time on scores.topiberian.com. Very soon more to come on BCN Dressage Tour 2015.
by Katharina Braren - Photos © Top Iberian
Related Links
Scores: 2015 CDI Barcelona
Michael Eilberg and Woodlander Farouche Impress at 2015 BCN Dressage Tour
2015 Barcelona Dressage Tour Ready for Kick Off
The 2015 Barcelona Dressage Tour is Around the Corner