Ulrike Prunthaller on a Roll at the 2017 CDI Caselle di Sommacampagna

Shows

2017 CDI Caselle di Sommacampagna

Austrian Grand Prix rider Ulrike Prunthaller won on a roll at the 2017 CDI Caselle di Sommacampagna near Verona, Italy, on 17 - 19 March 2017. Not only did she sweep the small tour with her two Quaterback son, but she also dominated the big tour on her long-time ride Duccio.

The 32-year old Prunthaller brought three horses along to Italy, all owned by her loyal sponsors Edda and Wenzel Schmidt of Bartlgut in Austria. Her Prix St Georges horses are the 9-year old German Sport Horse Quarz (by Quaterback x Rubinstern Noir) and the 8-year old German Sport Horse Quantum (by Quaterback x Paradiesvogel). Her Grand Prix mount is Duccio, a 12-year old Austrian warmblood bred stallion by Dimaggio x Coriograf B.

"It was great for me that Duccio, Quarz and Quantum got such good scores in Italy," Prunthaller told Eurodressage. "Each of them is extraordinary! Quantum and Quarz were first timers at an international competition and I was interested in which way the judges would like them. And as you see, it worked!"

Quarz In the Prix St Georges Ulrike placed second with Quarz (68.853%) and third with Quantum (68.711%). In the Intermediaire I she won with Quarz (72.316%) and was second with Quantum (69.737%). In the Kur to Music she opted to ride Quarz and won the class with 71.700%.

"The first day the two were a bit irritated because of the show ground," said Ulrike about her small tour partners. "It was really difficult for the horses. The "Quarterback-youngsters" are extraordinary horses. They learn very quickly with a lot of power in their movement. Each day I have fun to train them again! I'm so thankful to Family Schmidt that I have so beautiful horses."

Coached by Alois Goldberger, Ulrike also won the Grand Prix on Duccio with 70.700% and topped the board in the Grand Prix Special with 69.353%.

Quantum "Duccio was great to ride," Ulrike added. "He is always with me and gives his best."

Prunthaller's next show stop will be the CDI Mariakalnok, followed by the CDI Wiener Neustadt and CDI Hamburg. As any ambitious European rider, Ulrike also has hopes for the 2017 European Championships in Gothenburg.

"Naturally it's a dream for each rider to compete there, but we have a lot of very good riders here in Austria. We will see what our FN will decide. I definately will try to do my best."

Photos courtesy Bartlgut