Valentina Truppa won the fifth leg of the World Cup Dressage 2011/2012 series in Frankfurt, Germany today with a great performance from Eremo Del Castegno. The 25-year old rider from Monferrato in Northern Italy, a prolific winner already in her career, pinned Germany's Monica Theodorescu and Dorothee Schneider into second and third places respectively, while Sweden's Patrik Kittel finished fourth ahead of The Netherlands' Hans Peter Minderhoud in fifth.
It was a disappointing day for German super-star Isabell Werth who threw down the gauntlet with victory in yesterday's preliminary Grand Prix, but who had to settle for sixth place this time around in the Grand Prix Freestyle to Music. While her flamboyant nine-year-old, Don Johnson, showed flashes of brilliance, the accumulation of mistakes during their lively test proved too expensive.
Today's result has boosted Truppa to runner-up spot on the World Cup Western European League 2011/2012 leaderboard which is now headed by Kittel, but it is very tight at the top. Just three marks separate the three leading riders going into the next leg of the series at Mechelen in Belgium after Christmas.
HEADING THE SCOREBOARD
Dutchman, Minderhoud, was heading the scoreboard at the judging break that followed the first nine of the 14 starters this morning. The 2011 European individual bronze medallist won the opening leg of the winter-long series at Odense in Denmark in October riding the 11-year old chestnut stallion, Tango, and this time set the target with the same horse when posting a mark of 75.825.
That was instantly dismissed when the action resumed however, as Dorothee Schneider and Diva Royal lifted German hearts with a lovely test on their World Cup series debut. The handsome black 9-year-old by Don Frederico produced crisp, clear movements with considerable panache to create a very pleasing picture for a score of 77.025. Schneider, from Framersheim in Germany, has trained several horses to Grand Prix level and Diva Royal looks full of potential.
LEAD CHANGED
But once again the lead changed when Theodorescu and Whisper raised the bar with a mark of 78.200, the 48-year old triple-gold Olympian stamping her authority with a good ride on her powerful chestnut. With just three left to go however, Truppa then took her turn, and with lovely extended trot and a programme that included some daring one-handed one-tempi changes, she took over at the top with a score of 79.950.
And she couldn't be caught, despite a great effort from Stockholm winners Patrik Kittel and Toy Story and the final partnership of Werth and Don Johnson. Werth's horse produced some sparkling moments, including lovely two-tempi and one-tempi changes and graceful pirouette, but it was testament to his rider's supreme skill and experience that he quickly recovered his equilibrium after some naughty moments of disobedience.
FAVOURITE VENUES
For Truppa, it was yet another in a series of successes at one of her all-time favourite venues. "I'm very happy with my riding and with my horse who felt really good today" she said afterwards. "Frankfurt is a very special place for me because I won the World Cup Dressage Final for Young Riders here on three occasions," she added.
Earlier this year she showed just how much her riding has matured when placing 13th individually at the European Championships in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. And at Frankfurt this weekend, the next generation of Dressage stars were making their presence felt, just as Truppa did at this important fixture in previous years.
ROTHENBERGER WINS 2011 YOUNG RIDERS WORLD CUP FINAL
At just 19-years of age, Germany's Sanneke Rothenberger is already a phenomenal success with 10 Championship gold medals under her belt. And yesterday she added the 2011 World Cup Dressage for Young Riders A-Final title to her tally with a clear win when scoring 79.100 with Deveraux to finish ahead of Denmark's Carina Neverman-Torup and Blue Boy who scored 76.650 when slotting into second while Sweden's Elin Aspnas and Donna Romma racked up 72.525 for third place.
In the B-Final, Switzerland's Simona Aeberhard and Active Private Dancer came out on top with America's Isabelle Leibler (Watson) in second and Italy's Riccardo Sanavio (Lullaby) in third.
Quotes:
Trond Asmyr, FEI Dressage Director - "It is good to see such a young rider developing so quickly. Already Valentina is capable of competing against the best riders in the world".
Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2011/2012 - Standings after Round 5 at Frankfurt, Germany:
1. Patrik Kittel SWE - 54
2. Valentina Truppa ITA - 53
3. Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven SWE- 52
4. Hans Peter Minderhoud NED - 44
5. Isabell Werth GER - 43
6. Richard Davison GBR - 38
7. Monica Theodorescu GER - 32
8. Helen Langehanenberg GER - 30
9. Catherine Haddad USA - 26
10. Marc Peter Spahn BEL - 24
11. Sebastian Dupardu FRA - 23
12. Christa Laarakkers NED, Siril Helljesen NOR - 22
14. Jeroen Devroe BEL, Rose Mathisen SWE, Aat van Essen NED, Lone Jorgensen DEN - 21.
Text © Louise Parkes/FEI
Photos © Barbara Schnell - Karl Heinz Frieler
Related Links
Scores 2011 CDI-W Frankfurt
Isabell Werth Shows Off Golden Helmet in Frankfurt and Makes a Statement