Today the first medals in the JYSK FEI European Championship in Para-dressage were awarded. In grade Ib Austrian Pepo Puch defended his championship and so did British Sophie Wells in grade IV
GOLD FOR PEPO PUCH
With of score of 76.13% Austrian Pepo Puch and Fine Feeling S won the first individual para-dressage competition at the JYSK FEI European Championships in Para-dressage. The victory especially felt good because it was on that horse. Pepo Puch said after his ride:
– Wow! It is amazing to defend my title. The other one was on Good Boys Feeling and now it is Fine Feeling, my second horse and I am really pleased.
Ricky Balshaw from Great Britain and the Danish horse Lit Enggaards took silver with a score of 73.58%. He went for gold, but was pleased with silver, he said after the ride. The bronze medal went to the Danish combination Stinna Tange and Steffi Graf. They have only worked together for 4 months and Stinna was more than pleased with her result, she said after the ride:
– My goal coming here was never a medal it was just to get three good rides and teaching Steffi the environment at the big events. I am so pleased she does such a great job. I am happy and I did what I came to do.
Sophie Wells defended her title
Sophie Wells and Valerius claimed gold when scoring 75.64% in today’s individual grade IV final. The European and Olympic medallist is known for being a perfectionist, but today she was fully satisfied with Valerius’ performance, she said after the ride:
– I could not have asked more of him. Whatever the result I was going to be pleased and obviously I am ecstatic.
Dutch Frank Hosmar and Alphaville claimed silver with a score of 71.81%. After the ride Frank Hosmar expressed big satisfaction with the medal:
– I am really, really happy. I was two times bronze in London so I am very happy with today. I am really satisfied. I have to do a little bit more now for the freestyle.
As a positive surprise the debutant Danish Line Kongensgaard and Laponio took bronze with a score of 70.02%. Laponio is only 7 years old, but the combination’s performances at the competitions hold hope for the future. Before coming to the championships Line Kongensgaard had no expectations of medals, she said after her ride:
– I am surprised and happy. I am so speechless. I hoped for a ranking in the best half. This ride and my third place in the first class are so much more than I hoped for. I just came here to learn. The individual finals continue tomorrow with grade Ia, II and III.
The results from these classes define the final team results. After today’s competitions the British team is in the lead, the German team is second and the Danish team third. On Sunday the individually qualified riders ride freestyle.