Glinka Takes the Lead in 5 Arenas Cup after First Leg at 2023 CDI-W Mariakalnok

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2023 CDI-W Mariakalnok

Moldovan Alisa Glinka dominated the big tour classes at the 2023 CDI-W Mariakalnok on 25 - 28 May 2023 and took an early lead in the 5 Arenas Cup, a show circuit of five CDI's competitions in Central Europe to promote international dressage sport in those countries.

The 5 Arenas Cup is an initiative of the Central European Dressage Working Group backed by the Polish Equestrian Federation.

5 Arenas Cup

The 5 Arenas Cup is intended for competitors of any nationality competing in small tour and big tour at international level at these shows. It was founded to attract a larger entry field at competitions in Hungary, Czechia, Slovakia, Poland and Austria.

They five shows that are part of the 5 Arenas cup are Mariakalnok (HUN) 25-28.05.2023 ; Brno (CZE) 01-04.06.2023 ; Achleiten (AUT) 15-18.06.2023 ; Šamorín (SVK) 24-27.08.2023 ; and Wrocław (POL) where the final takes place on 27-29 October 2023.

The final classification of the 5 Arenas Cup is determined by highest percentage sum of the two best results in Grand Prix or Short Grand Prix (big tour) or Intermediate I (small tour). In order to be considered in the final classification a pair is obliged to finish the final test during CDI Wrocław on 27 - 29 October 2023. The three highest ranked athletes in the small tour and big tour will receive prizes in kind, sponsored by Albert Riele watches.

Sweep Compensation

For Alisa Glinka a quadruple victory at Mariakalnok was sweet compensation for missing out on competing at the 2023 World Cup Finals in Omaha (USA). The French based Glinka, who has Russian roots, was denied a visum to enter the U.S.A. in the wake of the War in Ukraine.

The talented rider brushed off this set-back and headed to the CDI Ornago in Italy instead, where she took a triple victory. In Mariakalnok in Hungary she took out four with her two big tour horses, Aachen and Abercrombie. With her long time partner Aachen (by Ampere) she won the World Cup qualifier, while with the rising star, the 9-year old DSP bred Abercrombie (by Ampere x Wolkentanz II) she won the 5 Arenas Cup leg. Glinka won the Grand Prix with 70.152%, the score which put her in the lead of the 5 Arenas Cup ranking. She went on to win the freestyle with 76.125%.

"I'm proud, proud, proud of my super-boy," Glinka took to Instagram after wrapping up her conquest in Hungary. "He (Abercrombie) catches eyes, and loves to do it. We slowly step confidently towards our dream."

Austrians Follow

Austrian Diana Porsche and her own KWPN bred Douglas (by Johnson x Lancet), the horse which took her from Under 25 into the senior Grand Prix ranks, placed second in the Grand Prix with 69.435%.

Austrian country mate Katharina Haas and Maja Seiferft's 14-year old Westfalian Damon's Dejaron (by Damon Hill x ) were third with 69.261%.

Puschmann In Front in Small Tour

The 5 Arenas Cup is also ridden at small tour level and the Intermediaire I is the class that counts towards the ranking.

German Stefan Puschmann and the Hungarian owned 10-year old DSP bred Bentley (by Bordeaux x Quaterman) had a successful weekend in Mariakalnok, winning the Prix St Georges, the Intemediaire I and placing second in the freestyle. Bentley is originally named Boo K.B. and is owned by Zsolt Gyula Hoffer. The horse was previously competed by Nikolett Szalai and Robert Acs before the 39-year old Puschmann took over the ride.

Placing second in the Intermediaire I was the Czech Michal Knoflicek aboard the 12-year old Oldenburg bred Dublin (by Desperados x Rubin Royal). The 29-year old rider scored 67,912%.

The Dutch based Thai rider Suphakamol Vuntanadit followed in third place aboard the 16-year old DSP bred Quadroneur (by Quaterback x Sandro Hit) on 67,735%

Ranking 5 Arenas Cup after Mariakalnok: Big Tour - Small Tour