The last set of 16 sets of medals at the ECCO FEI European Championships in Herning has been awarded this afternoon. In the Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championship three sets of medals have been awarded with the last one being the individual Grand Prix Freestyle on Sunday afternoon.
Dutch Adelinde Cornelissen and her handsome chestnut Jerich Parzival pulled off a beautiful performance with tremendous highlights such as superbly executed piaffe-pirouettes which are a speciality of this pair. Parzival looked relaxed, and their school book performance was rewarded with a score of 86.393%.
– It has been a great week. I came to fight for the team, and then I got two individual medals on top of the team medal. I am very happy, and it has all been very emotional, says Cornelissen after claiming her second individual bronze medal in Herning.
Valegro and Charlotte Dujardin rode their London 2012 freestyle where Charlotte shows Valegro’s strength in difficult transitions and not least his extraordinary extended trot. Her routine has a high degree of difficulty, and yet, she and Valegro make it look so easy. The audience absolutely loved it and cheered Charlotte and Valegro with standing ovations as they left the arena. The applause rose to new heights when the score of 91.25% was announced. Judge at C Mr. Leif Törnblad said that this was the highest score he had ever given.
– I had a fantastic ride today. Carl had decided that I should give Valegro a day off yesterday. Normally I would hack him but I think it worked really well. Today he came out and felt really on form. Going into the arena I felt so relaxed, and I was probably the best on key with the music I have ever had, on timing with everything. It was really perfect and I could not have asked for anything more from my horse, said Charlotte, the new European Freestyle Champion.
Last rider Helen Langehanenberg had initial problems with the piaffe but repaired it and showed lovely lateral trot work with her stallion Damon Hill NRW who has three gaits of a rarely seen high quality. The walk was regular, through the body and ground covering and the canter work fluent and uphill though. The German pair scored 87.286% which secured them the silver medal.
– I had a great feeling again today. I am just so proud and thankful that “Damie” gave everything once again. He has had a brilliant week in Herning, we both had so much fun and despite two little mistakes we really enjoyed our freestyle.
The sport at the ECCO FEI European Championships 2013 has been outstanding, and a total of 61,500 spectators have visited the showgrounds in Herning. The show is over now, and it has been showered with praise from all directions.
–We can look back on a fantastic championship here in Denmark. On behalf of the FEI I thank the artists: horses and riders, and of course the team around them, as well as the organisers of the show, said Frank Kempermann, chairman of the FEI Dressage Committee.
Gold – Freestyle – Charlotte Dujardin/GBR and Valegro – 91.250%
Silver- Freestyle – Helen Langehanenberg/GER and Damon Hill – 87.286%
Bronze – Freestyle – Adelinde Cornelissen/NED and Jerich Parzival – 86.393%