Lone Bang Larsen Wins 2014 Danish Dressage Championships

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2014 Danish Dressage Championships

In a Danish Senior Championship with just five points separating the gold, silver and bronze medals, Lone Bang Larsen took the top spot at these sunny Nationals held in Broholm, Denmark, on 7 - 9 June 2014. Scoring 226.362 points and claiming gold, Bang Larsen did miss a promised proposal for marriage from her boyfriend by just a fraction.

Lars Petersen was just behind on 226.362 points to take silver and Mikala Munter Gundersen claimed bronze with 224.036 points.

Gold medalist Lone had a really great weekend, filled with a lot of nerves. Her boyfriend has promised to propose to her if she rode an 80% test, and with a score of 79.5%, she felt that she stated shy of that proposal!

"My boyfriend has always said that if I ride 80% on Fitou he will propose, so it was really close to a proposal this time," a thrilled brand new Danish champion told Eurodressage. "I think he got a bit nervous this weekend. So I am still waiting for the 80% and a proposal.”

Lone felt that Fitou L (by Florestan) was very fresh and happy for the nationals and that the horse was with her the whole test on the Friday. “On Saturday I had an ok test but with some big mistakes," she explained. "Sunday was the final and Fitou was fantastic again. He was very fresh but still under control. Otherwise we had a super nice kür with 79,5%, and I am really happy for the score.”

Gold medalists Lone Bang Larsen and Fitou L Finding Fitou at his breeder Karsten Bundgaard's place when he was just one year old, Lone has been with the horse ever since. They were members of the Danish team at the 2013 European Championships and the pair has only cemented that partnership. “He has a fantastic temperament but is still very electric and very powerful. It is such a pleasure to ride him," she said. "My trainer Hasse Hoffmann is a big part of all our success, and I am very greatful for all his help.”

Looking forward to her next show, Lone enjoys the fantastic ride in Aachen very much and still has her sights set on the big one. “About the WEG, it is always a dream to get on the team, so I am crossing my fingers," she added.

Silver placed Lars Petersen also had a joyous weekend and felt his Danish Warmblood mare Mariett was super all weekend.

“In the Grand Prix we had expensive mistakes in the left pirouette and 1 tempi’s, but in the special she was right on," said Petersen. "In the freestyle she was a bit tired and her piaffe was not as big and she sneezed during my tempi line from 1's to 2 tempi's which caused me to loose my rhythm and led to a mistake.”

Discovering Mariett in Denmark seven years ago, Lars found the mare for her current owner Marcia Pepper. He says Mariett knows all the tricks. “She just needs to be supple and in front of me, so that is what I will work on until our next show," he explained.

Lars Petersen and Mariett win silver Lars is based in Wellington, Florida, where the trains with the help of his wife Melissa Taylor. Danish team trainer Rudolf Zeilinger is a long time friend and has helped Lars on his European team including the last three shows in Hagen, Hamburg and the Nationals. In Denmark, Lars is based at Blue Hors, which is his former employer before Petersen moved to the USA.

"It's nice to be "home" again," Lars said about being at Blue Hors. “The Danish WEG team is not yet selected. The selectors will not make their final decision until after Aachen our next show.”

After having a great experience finishing second at the 2014 Hamburg Dressage Derby, Florida based Mikala Gundersen clinched bronze at the Danish Nationals. Aboard Janne Rumbough's Danish warmblood mare My Lady (by Michellino), Gundersen is taking Europe by storm and becoming a serious contender for a spot on the Danish team for the 2014 World Equestrian Games.

"I am very happy with our bronze medal at the Championships," Mikala told Eurodressage. "My Lady has found an extra gear these past weeks and she was literally dancing through her tests. I had some mistakes in the Special and that was expensive for the final score but overall My lady was better than ever."

Mikala Gundersen and My Lady Citing the piaffe and passage as highlights of her tests, Mikala was very pleased with having her horse elastic and off the ground. "She had plenty of energy for all three days which is good to know in case we make it to the Freestyle in Aachen."

Gundersen is very appreciative of having received the ride on My Lady two and a half years ago from her owner and fellow Danish Floridian Janne Rumbough. The trio of ladies have become a real partnership and get help from German coach Ernst Hoyos.

"My Lady has a huge personality and is what we call an Alfa mare," said Gundersen. "I usually say that she has us trained well. As long as we do what she wants us to do -- mostly in regards to feeding -- thaen she will do anything for us. She is a Danish warmblood elite mare by Michellino out of a Ritterstern mother. The Michellino's are known to be hot and difficult but if you can get them on your side they will work very hard for you. I don't think I have ever ridden a horse that was so willing to work hard in the arena. My lady is better in the show ring than in the warmup. She just loves to show off."

Gundersen is aiming for the 2014 World Equestrian Games but is keeping both feet on the ground until the team is decided. She works on keeping her horse healthy, happy and fit. "The team for WEG hasn't been decided yet, but my plan is to do what I have done the whole time which is building strength and condition and through that get more expression in the test every time. My favorite exercise is shoulder fore-shoulder in which is the foundation for the work I do with all of my horses. This movements builds strength, suppleness and straightness throughout the body."

Gundersen usually speaks in the we-form when referring to Team My Lady. "Our main focus is to keep My Lady happy and healthy for a long time and nothing will get in the way of that. Our program has worked well so far so there is no need to make any changes now."