
The annual spring CDI Zakrzow in Poland had a lot to fight up against with three major internationals scheduled on the same weekend - Hagen, Opglabbeek and Abrantes. The Polish show was able to appeal to the Central European based riders and filled a good field. Several regulars from Germany also decided to make the trip.
The Oatley family is a regular in Zakrzow with mom Kristy claiming the trophies there in 2016 and 2018. The Australian Olympic team rider chose this competition as the big return event for her top ride, Grand Prix horse Du Soleil (by De Niro x Caprimond). The 17-year old Hanoverian gelding last competed at the 2019 CDI-W Stuttgart after which he had a long break. Kristy underwent two back operations in seven months time and couldn’t ride. The pair has now returned to the arena with a clean sweep.
The liver chestnut wielded the axe of power in Zakrzow, winning the Grand Prix with 72.174% and the Special with 73.298%. The Grand Prix Kur was won by Polish Zaneta Skowronska on the 12-year old Saxonian bred Romantic P (by Rosenstein x Furst Heinrich) with 75.150%.
The Children's category was a hattrick for Czech Johana Vasaryova with the 11-year old Dutch warmblood bred Firestone (by Johnson x Florencio).
In the Young Riders division two Polish riders battled it out for top honours. Aurelia von Mauberg and her 10-year old Oldenburg Diamo Dream (by Diamo Gold x Furst Heinrich) won the team and individual test, but in the freestyle they were edged out by Julia Rogowska on the 17-year old Da Capo (by De Niro x Caprimond), who has the same pedigree as Oatley's Du Soleil but are unrelated.
Photos © Lukasz Kowalski - More photos in the gallery at the bottom of this page
Related Links
Scores: 2021 CDI Zakrzow
Photo Report: Boaventura Freire In Winner's Circle at 2019 CDI Zakrzow
Photo Report: German, Sweden, Poland and Austria On Top at 2018 CDI-W Zakrzow
Frederic Wandres Bags First International Victory at 2018 CDI-W Zakrzow
Photo Report: Kristy Oatley Sweeps Big Tour at 2018 CDI Zakrzow
Ebbesen and Mira Persevere in World Cup Qualifier at the 2017 CDI-W Zakrzow
Photo Report: Kristy Oatley Bags World Cup Victory at 2016 CDI-W Zakrzow
Hungarian Berill Szoke Toth Makes a Clean Sweep at 2016 CDI-W Zakrzow
Beata Stremler and Rubicon D Make Their Break Count at the 2015 CDI Zakrzow
Photo Report: Scandinavian Triumph at the 2015 CDI Zakrzow
Photo Report: 2014 Polish International Dressage Season Concludes with 2014 CDI Zakrzow
Photo Report: Scene Shots from the 2014 CDI Zakrzow
Photo Report: Scene Shots from the 2013 CDI Zakrzow