The winning score of 80.550 points was given by the judges for the display by Kyra Kurklund at the Grand Prix Freestyle. Kyra excited equestrian fans in the Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle in Stuttgart, with her perforamance on the eleven-year-old gelding Max.
Resident in West Sussex, England, the Finnish rider secured her second win this year and consequently crowned her return to the Neckar after 17 years.
Behind Kyrklund, the runner’s up spot went to double World Champion Isabell Werth (Germany). Riding Polano, the 37-year-old was given 78.900 points and it was enough to relegate Sonja Bolz (Germany) to third place. The latter was awarded 75,850 points for her display on Cockney 75.850.
“Chapeau and congratulations to Kyra. She’s a worthy winner and she made the crowd happy,” commented Show Director Gotthilf Riexinger when showing his respect for the winner’s performance. And the 54-year-old reckoned, “80 per cent is actually a bit of a dream score. One has to be happy when one tops it. I’m especially happy after I altered the freestyle music recently.” Kyrklund was full of praise for her horse when saying: “That was one of the best gallops I’ve ever done.” She was excited by the commitment of her horse and promised: “I’ll definitely be back to Stuttgart again.”
Results (19.11.06)
CDI-Stuttgart
Grand Prix Freestyle
1º Kyra Kyrklund – Max – 80,550% (Fin)
2º Isabell Werth – Polano – 78,900% (Ger)
3º Sonja Bolz – Cockney – 75,850% (Ger)
4º Ellen Schulten Baumer – Donatha S – 75,550% (Ger)
5º Emma Hindle – Lancet – 74,150% (Gbr)
6º Simonne Staub – Robespierre – 73,100% (Swi)
7º Marie Line Wettstein – Le Primeur – 72,450% (Swi)
8º Carola Koppelmann – Le Bo – 71,850% (Ger)
9º Catherine Haddad – Maximus – 71,700% (USA)
10º Victoria Max Theurer – Falcao – 71,200% (Aut)