The 2014 CDI Deauville has turned out to be an important step in qualification for the 2014 World Equestrian Games for riders from France, Australia and Portugal. "Dress'in Deauville" takes place on 25 - 27 July 2014 and has a record number of riders from 18 nations attending. One month before the Games, Deauville will be a deal maker or braker for many dressage riders this month.
French WEG Qualifier
Under the supervision of national trainer Jan Bemelmans, chef d'equipe Alain Francqueville and Technical Director Emmanuelle Schramm, eight short listed French combinations will go head to head in Deauville. France will only nominate its official team on the deadline date of 14 August but Deauville is the mandatory show where all will compete against each other.
France's three top riders have to prove form. Jessica Michel and Riwera de Hus (by Welt Hit II) have only shown lightly this 2014 season as they have been focusing on re-training the piaffe and passage with coach Bemelmans. The pair won the Grand Prix in Vierzon and will attempt to achieve the same in Deauville. Marc Boblet and his elegant mare Noble Dream (by Caprimond) have not been able to show consistent form with a below par performance in Rotterdam in June and a good one in Vierzon two weeks ago. Boblet will now have to deliver stability at top level. Arnaud Serre had a disappointing performance in Saumur, where they only got 61.680% but since then has climbed the ladder and consistently been scoring great marks at big show such as Rotterdam (69.860%) and Vidauban (69.940%), as well as at the small B-show sin San Giovanni in Marignano (72.380%).
The difficulty with French WEG Team nomination is that most other candidates are currently all achieving the same scores, approximately 66-67%, making it hard on the selectors to pick the best one for the fourth spot. Short listed riders Claire Gosselin, Ludovic Henry, Alexandra Ayache, and Anne Sophie Serre are involved in that battle, as well as new comer to the race, Alizee Froment with the British owner Ehrendorf (by Ehrentusch). Froment was only matched to Ehrendorf in June, but in six weeks time obtained both the national criterium as well as two 66-67% scores at the CDI Pompadour and Caen WEG test event.
"We're already very proud of the achievement of being nominated with the final eight. We did our best and we wish all the other riders the best no matter what the team outcome will be," said Jochem Arl who is managing Froment and Ehrendorf towards WEG. Froment will most likely compete at the 2014 CDI Cappeln in August, either as preparation for WEG or to further consolidate their partnership in the show ring.
Australian Riders Have to Give it Their All in Deauville
The five Australian WEG short listed dressage riders will have to give it their all at their final nomination event in Deauville. The Australian equestrian federation selected Fritzens and Deauville as two European based WEG Selection trials and the average score for each combination from the Grand Prix at both events, will determine the team of four.
Mary Hanna and Sancette are currently in the lead with a Grand Prix average of 70.420%, followed by Kristy Oatley on Ronan (by Riccione) with 69.300. Rookie Brianna Burgess and La Scala (by Lancer II) are making a strong shot at the team as well with their 68.820%. Lyndal Oatley and Sandro Boy struggled a bit in Fritzens, but their 68.820% is still high enough to secure a spot on the team.
Maree Tomkinson and Diamantina (by Diamond Hit) will have to up their game and achieve a season highlight score to capture a team spot in Deauville. The pair is coached by Christoph Koschel in Germany.
18 Nations Competing
Portuguese Carlos Pinto was for a long time a horse trainer for the well-known entertainment park Puy du Fou in France alongside being an international competitor. With Soberano III he has proved great form this 2014 show season and is already qualified for the WEG together with national champion Maria Caetano (Xiripiti) and seasoned competitors Filipe Canelas (Der Clou) and Luis Principe (Washington). A large Portuguese delegation will be competing in Deauville, including Manuel Veiga (Ben-Hur da Broa), Joao Moreira (Live Luar K) and Antonio Vale (Vicomte).
A large international field is gathering in Deauville including several individual riders. German born Christian Bruhe, who rides for Palestine and trains with Henri Ruoste, is already qualified to compete at the 2014 World Equestrian Games with his Holsteiner bred Cinco de Mayo. He will use Deauville to improve his personal best score and as preparation for the Games which are one month later, one hour drive further south in Normandy, France.
Two American riders will travel to France on their Euro tour. Arlene Page and her 16-year old Danish warmblood mare Alina (by Michellino x Diamant) are seeking a repeat performance after their produce a personal best in Hagen in April. Page is also bringing along her rising Grand Prix horse Woodstock, though he's not entered to compete. The German based Jennifer Hoffmann will be showing her young Grand Prix horse Rubinio (by Rubin Royal).
The 18 nations represented in Deauville are Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Germany, Georgia, Great Britain, Ireland, Netherlands, Palestine, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden,
Thailand, Ukraine, United States of America and France.
Photos © PSV - Astrid Appels - Leanjo de Koster
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Sole Aussie Based Australian Maree Tomkinson in Europe and Ready for WEG Qualifier in Fritzens