Kittel and De Winne Win on Day One of Covalliero Dressage Days at 2024 CDI Hagen

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2024 CDI Hagen - September Edition

Belgian Flore de Winne and Swedish Patrik Kittel became the winners of the two Grand Prix classes on the first day of international competition of the Covalliero Dressage Days at the CDI Hagen on 27 September 2024.

New Duos in the 3*

With a 3* Grand Prix featuring 16 riders on the menu, the morning started in fifth gear. The autumn show at Hof Kasselmann is known to be a popular opportunity for riders to present young horses or try something new. This was also the case today in the Prize of Performance Sales International, CDI 3* Grand Prix.

Kittel topped the leader board on new ride, 13-year old Westfalian Zoulmate (by Zack x Donnerhall), which he took over from Norwegian GP rider and owner Cathrine Rasmussen. Judges Monique Peutz - Vegter, Nicole Nockemann, Marietta Almasy, Magnus Ringmark, and Katrina Wüst rewarded the test with a winning 73.236% although it was obvious they are not used to seeing this new pair as individual marks ranged from 70.326% (Peutz) to 76.196% (Ringmark).

"Wowsers," Kittel took to Instagram. "Winning our first ever international Grand Prix and our only second outing. So so happy, lots to approve, but he feels very honest and amazing to ride in the ring."

The runner-up was another new duo, although Isabell Werth is certainly a familiar face in the show world. For Hagen she saddled her student Lisa Muller's 12-year old Hanoverian stallion D'Avie (by Don Juan de Hus x Londonderry) to put more miles, experience and higher scores on. The brand new duo posted 72.957%, with individual marks ranging between 71.304% (Nockemann) and 74.674 (Wust).

When asked why she took over the ride on D'Avie, Werth replied, "because sometimes it's easier to support and help when you've got the feeling in the test. Simply to be able to give Lisa a few more crucial tips and to stabilise D'Avie even more. That was a good result."

Sixth International Win for De Winne

Belgian Olympic team rider Flore de Winne scored her sixth international Grand Prix victory aboard 10-year old Flynn FRH with a personal best score in the 4* Grand Prix this afternoon.

Judges Thomas Keßler, Dr. Evi Eisenhardt, Janet Lee Foy, Hans Voser, and Elisabeth Max-Theurer put the Belgian pair at the top of the ranking with 73.196%. The individual marks went from 71.087% (Foy) to 74.457% (Eisenhardt, Max Theurer). This win takes Flore's tally to two Grand Prix victories, two in the Special and two in the Freestyle since the pair debuted at international Grand Prix level in June 2022 in Jardy.

"The King is eager to get back on stage," De Winne took to Instagram right before her ride.

Kittel and his and Arlette Jasper-Kohl's 12-year old Westfalian mare Forever Young HRH (by Furst Fugger x Don Bosco) were right on Flynn's heels with a 73.065%. The marks went from 70.870 (Foy) to 75.326% (Voser).

Sönke Rothenberger was out and about again with his number one, 10-year old Danish warmblood Kjaerholms Fendi (by Franklin x Diamond) since their last start at the CDIO Aachen. In Hagen they put 70.761% on the score board for third place.