Swedish Jeanna Hogberg scored a double whammy on the Finnish owned stallion Duendecillo P a tthe 2017 CDI Helsinki International Horse Show in Helsinki, Finland, on 20 - 21 October 2017. In a small field of just 8 riders, Hogberg won the Grand Prix and Kur to Music.
On Friday afternoon was time for the first international dressage class in Helsinki. Swedish Jeanna Högberg with Duendecillo P took the first place with 70.40% performance. Högberg has competed in Helsinki a few times before and now renewed her win from two years ago.
"This place is lovely and there is just something in this competition. I’m very happy with today’s performance and I enjoy competing here," said Hogberg. "The horse is now much more confident with the arena and also more concentrated and stronger. It is a very special horse for me in many ways and I really like it. It never feels exactly the same and has a mind of his own so you need to get him work together with you. As for tomorrow, it is a completely new day and we’ll see what will happen."
Högberg’s win pleased especially the Finnish audience as well because her horse is owned by Finnish Anne Niemi who was also naturally very happy with the result.
Hogberg and Anna Niemi's 13-year old Finnish warmblood stallion Duendecillo P (by Don Romantic x Midt West Ibi Light) also took the win in the Grand Prix Kür with 73,125%.
"I’m really happy with our performance, “Peikko” was even more with me today and didn’t do any mistakes," Hogberg said after the freestyle. "He was excited this morning and he really likes the arena and the audience here, Högberg praised her horse. The whole program went well today but I’m especially happy with the changes and passage."
The judges praised Höbgerg’s performance but found some room for improvement as well.
"I liked the performance and she really seemed to enjoy the atmosphere and people here at the arena," said German judge Peter Holler. "Sometimes though the program was not as good as the horse and for example the choreography could be better and there were times when the music didn’t really match the program."
The second place in the Grand Prix and the hird spot in the Kur to Music went to Estonian Dina Ellermann on Landy’s Akvarel. After sweeping a double victory at the CDI-W Tallinn two weeks ago, the Estonian duo scored 67.78%% in the Grand Prix and 68.475 % in the Kur.
In the Grand Prix Finnish Mia von Schantz with the 13-year old Dutch warmblood Zatal (by Florencio x Maykel) placed third with the result 66.10%. Swedish Per Duvefelt and his 18-year old Swedish warmblood Edvin (by Tip Top x Amiral) scored the second place in the Kur to Music with
"I haven’t seed the videos of our performance yet, but I’m very happy with how the horse felt today. I had thought that I wanted at least 63% but I never would have thought that I would be the best home rider. Especially I’m happy with the fact that Peter Holler gave us over 68%," said von Schantz after the Grand Prix.
Photo © Satu Pirinen
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