The popular Falsterbo Horse Show saw an audience record this year with approximately 60 000 visitors. The record audience saw the Swedish dressage team win the Nations Cup on home ground on Sunday afternoon.
The Nations Cup was decided in the Freestyle, a novelty presented for the first time. All riders took part in the Grand Prix on Friday and after that their chef d’équipes could make up their choice for the three riders that where to represent their nation in the team competition Freestyle to music on Sunday. The remaining riders were able to compete in the Grand Prix Special on Saturday.
Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén had two horses to choose from for the Falsterbo Horse Show. She picked Favourit for the Grand Prix Special and got on to win both the GPS and the Swedish Dressage Derby (Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special counted together).
The Nations Cup happened to be an exciting and close battle between the teams.
Patrik Kittel was the last one to go and the win for the Swedish team was in his hands. “I was a bit nervous as I knew the team result depended on me. The Dutch were close! I really wanted to do well on home ground and win in front of my home audience!”, Patrik said. Patrik Kittel and the chestnut stallion Scandic won the Grand Prix Freestyle and brought the victory home for the Swedish team.
Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén with Solos Carex, the now gelded father of Scandic, and Minna Telde with Don Charly who showed himself well recovered from
his injury from Las Vegas shared the victory of the Swedes.
The Netherlands were a close second with Aat van Essen, Christa Laarakkers and Stéphanie Peters in the team. Stéphanie Peters became the runner up in both Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle riding Jeff. “He was e bit distracted in the Freestyle but I didn’t offer him a chance to turn away!”, said Stéphanie.
Germany was third with Wieger de Boer, Hubertus Schmidt and Carola Koppelmann.
Shared emotions around Briar
Emotions were shared when the ever popular Briar said good bye to his audience at the Falsterbo Horse Show. At the same time the Swedish Equestrian Federation and the Swedish Warmblood Association presented their appreciation to Briars breeder and owner Hans Yngve Göransson. As a nice gesture Briar's four grooms of Briar were presented with flowers.
Resultads (19.07.09)
CDI3* Falsterbo (Suécia)
Nations Cup Freestyle
Results July 19 2009
1º Patrik Kittel – Scandic (SWE) – 76.15%
2º Stephanie Peeters – Jeff (NED) – 75.55%
3º Sune Hansen Gredstedgards – Casmir (DEN) – 73.95%
4º Tinne Vilhelmson – Solos Carex (SWE) – 72.50%
5º Christa Laarakkers – Ovation (NED) – 72.15%
6º Minna Telde – Don Charly (SWE) – 71.95%
7º Carola Koppelmann – Insterburg TSF (GER) – 71.55%
8º Hubertus Schmidt – Hinnerk TSF (GER) – 70.45%
9º Wieger De Boer – Cosmopolitan 3 (GER) – 68.60%
10º Anne Troensegaard – Seduc (DEN) – 67.40%
11º Aat van Essen – Premier (NED) – 67.15%
12º Helene Melsen – Akeem (DEN) – 65.70%