Medals with a twist

It was yet again a close battle with a lot of spicy ingredients: three top riders losing their way, overwhelming emotions of happiness and relief, and competitive ladies with a sense of humour. We give you gold winning Charlotte Dujardin (GBR) with Valegro, silver star Helen Langehanenberg (GER) on Damon Hill NRW and Dutch Amazon and bronze medallist Adelinde Cornelissen (NED)

It was an exciting Grand Prix special, a battle for individual medals in the Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships. The excitement rose because the riding and sport weas more than great according to head judge Isabelle Judet. The tension in the competition was in place all the way to the last rider Edward Gal.

The thirty best riders from the Grand Prix on Wednesday and Thursday representing fourteen nations were greeted into the MCH Arena by an almost full house and a lovely August sun with a cool breeze, perfect conditions for horses, riders and spectators.

The level in today’s Grand Prix Special was high and the results were very close for many of the riders, just fractions of percentage and single points separating between a place in the final Freestyle on Sunday and the rankings below place fifteen.

You can ring my bell

Swedish rider Patrik Kittel seemed to start a new trend in today’s Grand Prix Special.

– I had such a good feeling with Toy on the course. When I heard the bell ring I nearly panicked, but then realised I had ridden the wrong programme and I went back on automatic, but the mistake probably cost me my freestyle spot. Taking the wrong way in front of seven judges is costly with two points each, in total 14 points.

The next to fall into the pit was the silver medallist to be, Helen Langehanenberg on Damon Hill NRW.

– I had a great feeling and was so pleased with “Damie” as we had managed all the difficult parts. I remember thinking we were doing so well… and then the bell rang, and “oh no”! We got back on track but I was really angry with myself afterwards.

Next rider to go was Charlotte Dujardin, individually the best rider in the Grand Prix with a world record. She gave a breathtaking performance with the audience mesmerized and she was quite pleased herself. Valegro, also called “Blueberry”, was on his best behaviour. …and then the bell rang yet again.

– I honestly do not know what happened. I was focused on my two’s and had Carl’s voice in my head when the bell rang. I saw Andrew Gardner saying “half-passes” and remembered the right program. The audience was really loud, a lot of turmoil, but we got back on track.

Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival has previous experience from riding the wrong way, she did so in the Grand Prix at the EC in Rotterdam but still came out as number one.

– I felt that Parzival was even more with me, a bit sharper and more alert today so I could give it all. A good feeling all along… but then the bell rang. I thought I was going to have an ace up my sleeve, but all the others already caught up with my little Rotterdam-trick.

Overwhelmed by emomtions

The three medallists were a happy constellation on the podium. Charlotte Dujardin expressed gratitude to compete Valegro again at a championship.

– It was very hard after the Olympics, he is my best friend and I never expected to be able to ride him in a championship again so this is huge for me.

Adelinde Cornelissen “only” won bronze but this medal probably means more to her than all the others together. It has been a tough year for the Dutch Amazone with losses of her future prospects in different ways and above all Parzival’s heart problem. The medal made all the emotions overflow at once, and she cried of happiness and relief and most of all with a sense of gratitude for what Jerich Parzival has given her once again.

Much suspense, much emotion, beautiful rides and poetry in motion equal great sport and the Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships.

See alle results HERE

www.european-herning.dk

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