German based Benjamin Werndl is leading the ranking of the FEI Waldfried Euro Future Cup ahead of Jessica Werndl and Thamar Zweistra at the end of the outdoor season.
After five qualifying shows of the FEI Waldfried Euro Future Cup a German-Dutch single combat can be seen to emerge. In the last two qualifiers of the outdoor season dominated the Werndl sister and brother of the Bavarian city of Aubenhausen (GER). While the reigning Double European Champion Juniors, Jessica Werndl, has won all three classes of the FEI Waldfried Euro Future Cup including the Prix St. Georges Kür to music at CDIJYR Neubeeren (GER), the 17-year-old rider became third in all three tests at CDI/CDIJYR Brno (CZE) and victory in the for the rankings counting kür was taken by her two years older brother Benjamin. The current European Team Champion Young Riders won ahead of the Dutch rider Thamara Zweistra, who had been already runner-up in the kür of CDIJYR Saumur (FRA).
With his victory at Brno and his second place at Neubeeren Benjamin Werndl leads the rankings of the FEI Waldfried Euro Future Cup with 37 points ahead of his sister Jessica (35). Third place (34) is covered by Thamar Zweistra ahead of her countryman Tommie Visser (30). In the places five (28) and six (22) follow the two British riders Jodie Lister and Maria Eilberg. After the cancellation of the show at Mesikon (SUI) it will have ahead of the final to be held during the International Frankfurt Horse Show on December 12 - 14, 2003, still the indoor qualifier at Wanroij (NED) on November 19 - 23, 2003.
The FEI Waldfried Euro Future Cup has become a firm figure in the international dressage sport for Young Riders and Juniors and receives Europe-wide enormous reception. In the five shows in 2003, so far, riders from 15 nations were able to gain valuable points for the rankings and therefore for a qualification for the final. Only the twelve riders receive points for the rankings, which have been qualified through two preliminary classes for the kür to music on Prix St. Georges level. In 2003 already more than hundred riders have participated in the FEI Waldfried Euro Future Cup.
Of the Western European countries seven riders can qualify for the final, of the former Eastern European countries two riders. Additionally up to three riders can participate per wildcard in the final to be held at Frankfurt on December 12 - 14, 2003, plus one rider of the U.S.A. and one rider of Canada. This makes the Euro Cup for the first time to a World Cup. Manfred Louven, who is with his Waldfried Dressage Stables at Frankfurt am Main (GER) the title sponsor since 2000, is very satisfied with the development of the series, "With our commitment we want to help that more nations become interested in top level dressage sport and we want to offer the 16- to 21-year-old dressage riders the possibility to compete across national borders in top-level horse shows."
by Birgit Popp (FEI Press release)
Related Links
Scores 2003 CDI Brno
Scores 2003 CDI Neubeeren