The competition continued at the 2016 European Pony Championships in Vilhelmsborg, Denmark, on Friday 19 August 2016 with the first group of riders contesting the individual test for the first set of individual medals. Germany drew unfavourably and all four riders had to go in the first group, but they performed above par. The 12-year old pony sensation Lucie-Anouk Baumgurtel took the lead once more.
The German team riders are covering places 1, 2, 3 and 5 in the provisional ranking after the first group went in the individual test. The judges panel included Bo Jena (SWE), Sharon Rhode (RSA), Sandy Phillips (GBR), Leif Tornblad (DEN) and Ulrike Nivelle (GER) and today there were not as unanimous as in the team test.
However there was little doubt about Baumgurtel's superior ride on the 11-year old Massimiliano (by Monsun N x Cap Cennedy N), who scored a 76.244% to top the ranking. Her marks ranged from 75.000 to 78.049%. Team mate Inga Katharina Schuster and the 10-year old Cyrill (by Champion de Luxe x Power Man) were one percent behind them with a 75.293% but her marks went fro 72.927% to a 78.049%! Tabea Schroer and the 13-year old Danilo (by Dornik B x Power Boy) were third so far with 73.878. Her scores were quite 'n sync.
The best performing non-German today was Dutch Zoe Kuintjes on the 14-year old grey Elin's Noncisdador (by Nostradamus x LP Nixen), who landed fourth place with 72.585%. Her scores, however, went from 69.878% to 75.366%. Germany's team test scratch score Eileen Henglein and the pretty 13-year old dark bay mare Cinderella M (by Constantin x Donnerhall) were fifth with 72.366%
Great Britain pushed for more power today and had Maddy Whelan slot in 6th aboard her 8-year old Ode to Shannon (by Washington Postman x Buckland Belle). The pair posted a score of 71.854%
Home team Denmark, which won team silver yesterday, had the luck of drawing only one rider in the first group, their scratch score rider from the team test. Victoria Cecilie Bondefeld Dahl on the 7-year old Gambys Hanneken (by Don't Worry x Brillant). They improved a fraction on their score and got 70.244% to place seventh so far.
A pony rider from one of the more "exotic" countries, Grecian Theodora Livanos on the 8-year old Cognac IX (by Chambertin x Waldemar) finished 13th in the team test out of 61 competitors with 69.846%. In the individual they earned 68.463% and are 8th so far.
The second group of riders in the individual test will compete on Saturday 20 August 2016 after which the individual medals will be decided. A last set of medals will be awarded to the top three riders in the Kur to Music finals on Sunday 21 August 2016.
by Astrid Appels - Photos © Digishots
Related Links
Scores - 2016 European Pony Championships
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2016 European Pony Championships