In their first competition since the 2017 World Cup Finals in Omaha (USA), Ireland's Judy Reynolds and Vancouver K returned to their winning ways taking the Grand Prix for Special at the 2017 CDI Fritzens on 30 June 2017. With 75.58%, Reynolds reigned supreme and left all competition far behind her.
They were followed by Dorothee Schneider, the world’s number 3, with her second Grand Prix horse, Rock’n Rose (72.34%), while Austria’s number 1, Victoria Max-Theurer, finished third on Blind Date.
“It was only our third test after nearly a year break, but our performance was really great,“ said Schindlhof Challenge Trophy record winner Victoria Max-Theurer. “Unfortunately, I made a mistake. I was not concentrated for a moment and lost count during the zig-zag. However, the piaffes were outstanding and the passage was an absolute highlight. I am really very satisfied.“
Another Austrian duo, Astrid Neumayer and her reliable Rodriguez, were able to qualify for the Special with a score of 69.22 percent.
Holzer and Radondo Win Opening Prix St Georges
Canadian born and brand new American Ashley Holzer won the opening class of the 2017 CDI Fritzens, the Prix St Georges, early in the morning of 30 June. Holzer and Radondo got in the way of an Austrian top four as she scored 72.605% to ace the class. Christian Schumach, Wolfgang Himsl, Renate Voglsang and Florian Bacher placed behind her with their respective promising 8- and 9-year-old young Prix St Georges horses.
The black rain clouds above Schindlhof disappeared in time for the start of the opening test at 8.30 a.m. Twenty rider and horse-pairs were entered for the class, which was won by Ashley Holzer and the 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding Radondo.
The 9-year-old Oldenburg stallion Sinclair Jason, owned by Petra Lisec and presented by Christian Schumach from Carinthia, received his personal best with a score of 72.158 percent and missed the victory by only 0.447 percent.
“He has got a real fighting spirit, Sinclair is developing magnificently. This performance makes us very confident about the future. Slowly it is about time for the Big Tour.“
Para Team Headed by Pepo Puch On Form
The Austrian para team and Paralympic champion Pepo Puch all proved to be on form at the start of the 2017 Austrian Para Championships in Fritzens.
"The horses look fit and on form," said Dr. Constanze Zach, veterinary director of the Austrian Equestrian Federation, who inspected the six horses at the vet check. Two new horses of high quality are on the team: Bellagio (Bernd Burgger) and Faustus (Thomas Haller).
"The performance level of Bellagio and Faustus is going upwards. They have significantly improved at the last shows," said Austrian para team captain Theres Rantner.
Bernd Brugger and his 12-year old chestnut gelding was able to prove that form in the preliminary team test by scoring 76.5%, which ranked him second behind Pepo Puch.
Puch and his Paralympic champion Fontainenoir produced a secure round and came close to the 80% barrier with their 79.848% score.
"We feel great here at Schindlhof," said Puch. "With so many great riders surrounding you, you are even more eager and precise in the warm up. This surrounding is simply motivating."
Starters- and results lists for the 2017 CDI Fritzens can be found here.
Photos © Dr. Alessandra Sarti
Time Schedule
Friday 30 June 2017
- 08.00h: #1 Prix St. Georges
- 12.00h: Austrian Para Championships, Round 1
- 13.30h: #2 Grand Prix for Special
Saturday 1 July 2017
- 08.00h: #3 Intermediaire I
- 12.00h: Austrian Para Championships, Round 2
- 13.30h: #4 Grand Prix for Freestyle
Sunday 2 July 2017
- 07.30h: #5 Grand Prix Consolation for non-qualified pairs
- 09.00h: #6 Grand Prix Special (the top 15 from #2)
- 12.00h: Austrian Para Championships, Round 3 Kur
- followed by show programme and hat contest
- 14.30h: #7 Grand Prix kur to mysic (the top 15 from #4)
Info, images, videos, starting and results lists can be found at www.schindlhof.at and on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube
Winners List Manfred & Hildre Swarovski Memorial Trophy
- 1995 Bianca Kasselmann, GER
- 1996 Austrian Championships Dressage – no CDI
- 1997 Bianca Kasselmann, GER
- 1998 Christilot Boylen, CAN
- 1999 Markus Gribbe, GER
- 2000 Thorsten Dietz, GER
- 2001 Günther Seidel, USA
- 2002 Austrian Championships Dressage – no CDI
- 2003 Anja Plönzke, GER
- 2004 Rafael Soto Andrade, ESP
- 2005 Silvia Iklé, SUI
- 2006 Victoria Max-Theurer, AUT
- 2007 Victoria Max-Theurer, AUT
- 2008 no overall winner, Music Freestyle had to be cancelled due to bad weather
- 2009 Austrian Championships Dressage – no CDI
- 2010 Ulla Salzgeber, GER
- 2011 Carl Hester, GBR
- 2012 Carl Hester, GBR
- 2013 Valentina Truppa, ITA
- 2014 Victoria Max-Theurer, AUT
- 2015 Victoria Max-Theurer, AUT
- 2016 Isabell Werth, GER
The Manfred Swarovski Trophy is given to the most successful pair of the CDI4* Schindlhof (the percentages of the GP and GP Special respectively of the GP and GP Freestyle are added together). The winner is allowed to take home this valuable Swarovski crystal piece for a year. After winning three times the winner is allowed to keep the trophy for good. in 2014, Austria’s 13-time state champion Victoria Max-Theurer achieved this.
For more information, visit www.schindlhof.at
Related Links
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2017 CDI Fritzens
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2016 CDI Fritzens
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2015 CDI Fritzens
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2014 CDI Fritens
