Germany's number one Grand Prix rider Kristina Bröring-Sprehe made her return to the show ring on stallion Desperados FRH after a seven month break and put scores on the board that renewed German hope for a medal in this 2016 Olympic year. At the 2016 CDI Dortmund, Sprehe and Desperados won the Grand Prix and Special with 80% scores.
The 15-year old Hanoverian stallion (by De Niro x Wolkenstein II) got a long show break from competition since the 2015 European Championships to recover and focus on his breeding duties during the winter season. He returned to the ring in Dortmund and had not lost his flair. The pair scored 80.880% to win the Grand Prix and 82.569% to capture the Special and the Meggle Cup title for the fourth time in a row.
"I had an incredible feeling today," said Bröring-Sprehe. "I'm totally proud that he was so focused after such a long break. He wasn't hot or distracted (in the Grand Prix), except for the prize giving."
Isabell Werth and her youngest Grand Prix horse, the 10-year old Westfalian gelding Emilio (by Ehrenpreis x Cacir AA), still had a few mistakes in the canter work in the Grand Prix (75.120%) but in the Special the horse stood out even more with the rhythmical piaffe work. They were second with 78.647%.
Dorothee Schneider and Gabriele Kippert's 10-year old Hanoverian Showtime (by Sandro Hit x Rotspon) slotted in third with 76.314% after impressive the judges with his expressive passage, for which he earned 9s. Hubertus Schmidt and the 13-year old Trakehner stallion Imperio (by Connory x Balfour) were fourth after producing stand out trot extensions in the Special. The piaffes were a bit small, so the score got stuck at 74.02% in the Special.
Photos © LL-foto
Related Links
Scores: 2016 CDI Dortmund
Sprehe Wins CDI Dortmund Big Tour for Third Time
Photo Report: Langehanenberg Bags the Bucks at the 2014 CDI Dortmund
De Niro Offspring Rule at 2013 CDI Dortmund
A New Star is Born: Sprehe Beats Bechtolsheimer at 2012 CDI Dortmund
Debbie McDonald Reigns Supreme at 2004 CDI Dortmund