The Lambertz Nations’ Cup at the CHIO Aachen 2007 was exciting up to the very last minute: As the last dressage rider to go Isabell Werth with Satchmo had to uphold the honour of the host nation.
“I was under quite a bit of pressure,” the 37-year-old rider noted, playing down the tension. “I am completely satisfied with my horse. Satchmo gave a fantastic performance without a quiver. I am very proud of him and hope that he retains this top form over the next few days,” said the elated rider from Rheinberg after her victory.
The German team has won the Nations’ Cup every year since 1977, with the exception of 2005, when the Dutch team were at the top of the winners’ rostrum.
The German riders, Isabell Werth/Satchmo (77.333 percent), Ellen Schulten-Baumer/Donatha S (71.375 percent) and Nadine Capellmann/Elvis VA (70.083 percent) took the lead with an end result of 218.791 percent. Hubertus Schmidt delivered the discarded score (68.083 percent), unfortunately he had to withdraw his horse after the competition due to an injury.
Second place went to the team from the Netherlands with a total score of 216.417 percent.
“Our riders performed very well here, although it wasn’t our strongest team. Because Imke Schellekens-Bartels was so successful with Sunrise during the indoor season, it was time for her to take a break now. Laurens van Lieren and Hexagons Ollright haven’t competed for a while now either: It was Hans-Peter Minderhoud’s first time here in Aachen and it was only Salinero’s third competition since the FEI World Equestrian Games,” commented Van Grunsven, mother of two.
Her Hannoverian gelding, with whom she won the Freestyle World Championship title in Aachen last year, finished the competition in second place with 75.29 percent. He made a few tension mistakes in the Grand Prix, starting off the two-tempi's croupe high and throwing in a small buck at the first transition to canter.
“We have still got to get back into the rhythm of competing again and made a few small mistakes. He struck off in counter-canter after the passage and there were also mistakes in the walk tour. The atmosphere in Aachen is always very difficult for Salinero. However, overall I had a good feeling when I left the arena.”
The Swedish team came third with 211.875 percent. We have got a good team that is very motivated and always delivers consistent results,” noted Sweden’s best rider, Jan Brink, happily, who finished fourth with the 16-year-old stallion Briar. The teams from France and Great Britain followed in fourth and fifth place respectively.
Third place in the individual classification of the MEGGLE Prize went to Switzerland – Silvia Iklé and the 13-year-old Sinclair son, Salieri CH, gave a solid performance with highlights and was rewarded with a score of 74.708 percent.
“She even scored a ten for the piaffe/passage transition. Aachen is by no means easy for the riders and judges, but we have seen very good performances here today,” summarised the Italian judge, Vincenzo Truppa.
Ellen Schulten-Baumer delivered the second best result for the German team. “The weather gods may not have been on my side, but in spite of which Donatha gave her very best,”stated her 28-year-old rider.
The day after her ride, her 81-year old trainer Dr. Uwe Schulten-Baumer fainted and had to be transported to the hospital where he stayed for one night under observation. He returned home to Rheinberg on Thursday while Ellen will receive further coaching at Aachen by the German chef d'Equipe Holger Schmezer.
Nadine Capellmann wasn’t totally satisfied: “The first half was terrific, the best its been in ages, but then a noise frightened Elvis and all of a sudden we lost the thread for a moment. Then I didn’t have him in front of me during the two-tempi flying changes, which was a shame,” reported the rider from Würselen.
In an interview with the Dutch press, Dutch team coach Sjef Janssen commented on the second place of the Dutch team right before the 2007 European Dressage Championships. "I think the Germans have more of a stomach ache now than we," Janssen said, pointing at the fact that The Netherlands did not bring its strongest team with an absent Imke Schellekens, while Germany had lined up its best riders for the nations' cup (Heike Kemmer's Bonaparte is still recovering from an injury).
Photos copyrighted: Barbara Schnell
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