CHIO Aachen press release - “The girls rode brilliantly here. Each of them had worked hard on the Grand Prix exercises that had shown room for improvement. The horses are in top form and the riders all put in a strong performance. They were absolutely fantastic,” said Germany’s national coach Johnny Hilberath euphorically after the CDIO Grand Prix Special on Saturday 7 July 2012.
Anabel Balkenhol got off to a great start too, but then she made a mistake that cost her dearly. "Until then her score was around 80 percent, but after that she dropped down to tenth place with a score of 73.978 percent."
I had a great feeling, I felt very confident. Desperados went really well and I think we have both made huge progress. I’d never have thought that I could be so successful here in Aachen,” said Kristina Sprehe, who after winning the Grand Prix, celebrated her second victory in Aachen today. Her black stud stallion Desperados was awarded 81 percent for their ride.
Helen Langehanenberg finished second (80.622 percent), just “a fraction of a second behind Kristina”, as the national coach, Johnny Hilberath, put it. “I am totally satisfied with Damon Hill. We have never reached the 80 percent mark at an international show before, he was fantastic and I really can’t complain about anything. The score was great, we will just have to wait and see about everything else,” Langenhanenberg reported.
Third place went to the Austrian rider Victoria Max-Theurer, who scored 77.600 percent with her stallion, Augustin OLD.
Dorothee Schneider was delighted at coming fourth with the 10-year-old Hanoverian mare Diva Royal. The pair received a score of 77.378 percent. “We found a super, consistent rhythm, today’s ride was perfect and we harmonised well. I am absolutely thrilled,” reported Schneider, who runs the St. Stephan Stud in Framersheim, Rhineland-Palatinate.
Anabel Balkenhol was disappointed. “Dablino was in great form, then a few mistakes crept in. It shouldn’t have happened, I can’t explain what went wrong. I wasn’t under pressure, but Dablino was a little hotter than in the Grand Prix.”
-- CHIO Aachen press release
Photos © Astrid Appels
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