This inaugural CDI competition in Oliva Nova, Spain, on 15 - 17 April 2016 had a great beginnin with 500 horses competing on the show grounds in the two disciplines of dressage and jumping. Spanish number one Grand Prix rider Beatriz Ferrer-Salat aced the big tour aboard her European Championship kur bronze medal winning Delgado.
Everything went smoothly over the first few days of this event and towards the end of last week temperatures even reached summer levels, which was a treat and an extra surprise for participants, as well as providing them with the opportunity to enjoy hacks along the beach. Smiling faces and happy people have set the overall tone for the event, as the families, athletes, and dressage and jumping fans have enjoyed the excellent facilities, sharing the venue peacefully and cheerily.
The Big Tour had its highlights in the evenings with the lights offering a little extra magic. Beatriz Ferrer-Salat was without any doubt the queen of the night with her top Grand Prix horse Delgado (by De Niro x Weltmeyer). The performance by this pairing has confirmed that they are, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the candidates for the Spanish team for Rio, if everything continues as planned. She won the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special with a personal best score for this season.
In this class we also were also able to see, for the first time on Spanish soil, Morgan Barbançon-Mestre competing with her new mount Girasol (by Gribaldi x Landioso). She is also definitely aiming for a spot on the Spanish Olympic Team. Her results are getting better and better and she won a place on the podium every day with personal best scores of above 70%. One truly interesting aspect about this combination was how their performance and Morgan’s technique evolved as the days went by. She rode Girasol with feeling and intelligence and however, they still seem to have room for improvement.
Ton de Ridder has taken over as the new trainer of the Barbançon sisters and it is evident that they fit well together. Alexandra rode BOLERO in the Grand Prix U25 in their first competition together, a horse and rider who are still getting to know each other.
Great Britain was also represented on the podium, with Richard Davidson. He has returned to Spain after competing successfully in Jerez with Bubblingh (by Lingh x Picandt).
For Spain, there was more good news and a surprise with another personal best score from Juan Manuel Lucena and Wolk (by Rhodium). This pair has been competing at Grand Prix level for some years now. Here in Valencia they really made a breakthrough, and were rewarded with a personal best score of 68.745% and fourth place. The future looks very bright for this combination.
by Katharina Braren for Top Iberian - Photo © Clicphoto
Related Links
Scores: 2016 CDI Oliva Nova
Richard Davison Turns Up the Heat at 2016 CDI Oliva Nova in Spain