Clean Sweep for Merrald in Big and Small Tour at 2022 CDI Le Mans

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2022 CDI Le Mans

There was no passing by Nanna Skodborg Merrald at the 2022 CDI Le Mans on 10 - 13 February 2022. The Danish Olympian had her employer Blue Hors trailer two of its horses - Zatchmo and Znickers - to France and she won all four entered classes with them.

Blue Hors Zatchmo and Znickers

The 2022 CDI Le Mans was the first international dressage competition in West Europe of 2022 after a string of cancellations from indoor shows due to covid restrictions. It came a no surprise that Le Mans' field of entries was packed as riders grabbed the opportunity to finally compete again and obtain qualification scores and routine.

The Grand Prix boasted a field of 33 competitors and Merrald topped the ranking on the 13-year old Oldenburg bred Zatchmo (by Zack x Donnerhall), bred in Germany by Inge Bastian and owned by Agnete Kirk Thinggaard, who competed him from 2018 until she hung up her tails in 2020. Le Mans was Nanna's first CDI on the dark bay gelding and the pair won the Grand Prix with 75.456% and repeated that score in the Special (75.383%), collecting another trophy.

"I’m over the moon about this horse," said Nanna who was thrilled to post 75% marks on her international debut.

In the small tour she saddled the 9-year old Oldenburg gelding Znickers (by Zack x De Niro), who is bred in Germany by Hans Rode. The chestnut has been produced to small tour level by Daniel Bachman Andersen and Nanna took over the ride in 2020. After a double second place at the 2021 CDIO Compiegne last year, French soil seems to suit Znickers as in Le Mans he produced a hattrick, winning the Prix St Georges with 73.353%, the Intermediaie I with 73.765% and the Inter I Kur with 78.365%.

"Blue Hors Znickers did such a great job today, actually the whole week," said Nanna. "But today he just gave the must incredible feeling (in the Kur)."

Quater Boy Joins the Party

Nanna brought a third ride, the 13-year old Gorklintgaards Quater Boy (by Quaterback x Don Schufro), with whom she rode their first CDI in a year time and scored 69.413% in the Grand Prix (13th) and 74.545% in the Kur (4th).

For the past three years; Quater Boy has done just one CDI per year, each time collecting scores above or just below the seventies market.

"I’m very very proud of Quater Boy, he just showed that he is a true gentleman," said Nanna. "It was our debut in the Grand Prix freestyle and he got 74,5% and a 4th place in a very strong field."