Dorothee Schneider and her new ride Faustus have bagged their first victory on their show debut in the Intermediaire II at the 2017 CDN Ankum on Saturday 4 February 2017. Twenty international riders contested the class at the highly popular winter indoor show circuit, organized by Hof Kasselmann.
Aboard Professor Heicke's 9-year old Hanoverian gelding Faustus (by Falsterbo x Forrest xx), Schneider posted a solid 73.421% on the board to top the ranking, just a fraction ahead of the second placed pair. Dorothee premiered Faustus for the first time in public at the 2016 Global Dressage Forum in Hagen, Germany, in October 2016 where she schooled the horse under the supervision of German co-team trainer Jonny Hilberath. In Ankum the strapping gelding proved he has picked up the Grand Prix work smoothly.
Swedish Malin Nilsson, who works as an assistant trainer at Patrik Kittel's yard in Germany, landed second place aboard Gard Frösaker's 11-year old Dutch warmblood Bon Ami (by Johnson x Fidermark). The black gelding, who has been competed up to small tour level in Sweden under Philippa Ral, stayed closely on Faustus' heels and scored 73.158%.
Nilsson also captured third place aboard Gransbo stutteri's 10-year old Dutch warmblood stallion Carlton Hill (by Uphill x Vincent). The three judges were not entirely unanimous on their score and the stallion finished on 69.518%
The Intermediaire II featured more interesting combinations. Spanish Olympic team reserve rider Borja Carrascosa has lost the ride on his top horse Wonder (by Waterford x Regazzoni) to the 29-year old Nicole Vazquez Garcia, who purchased the horse but who continues the train the chestnut with the Krefeld based Spanish team rider. Although riding for Germany Vazquez Garcia has Spanish roots herself. She finished fifth with 68.509%. Swedish Therese Nilshagen brought along Dressage Performance Centre Lodbergen's 10-year old Hanoverian stallion Sean Connery (by Sir Donnerhall x Rotspon) and earned 67.061% for 10th place.
Related Links
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2016 Global Dressage Forum - Day Two: Strong Horse Talent Holds the Olympic Future of Dressage