Today in Aachen, Germany won their ninth World Team title in Dressage with a total score of 223.625. Silver goes to
The Netherlands (217.917) and bronze to the USA (213.917).
These definitely were two unforgettable days of exertion and emotion. For the first time ever, the Dressage competition took place in the main Aachen arena. An impressive crowd of 32,000, who clearly understood Dressage, supported, cheered and felt for each and every one of the competitors.
The German victory is due to a great extent to the German ladies, Heike Kemmer (on Bonaparte – 75.792), Aachen born Nadine Capellmann (on Elvis VA – 72.833), and Isabell Werth (on Satchmo – 75.000). Wansuela Suerte, the 16-year old Hanoverian mare of the fourth team member Hubertus Schmidt, was rather impressed by the extraordinary space which left the pair with the unusually low score of 69.208, which was dropped from the team total. Heike Kemmer believed that the secret of the team’s victory lay in their spirit. “We laugh together, which helps us relax.
The good surprise of the day came from Danish rider Andreas Helgstrand on Blue Hors Matine who performed the best test of the day (76.333). He is the individual leader, followed by Heike Kemmer in runner-up position, and Isabell Werth and Anky van Grunsven tied up in third.
The individual competition will continue on Friday with the Grand Prix Special which is only for the 30 best riders of the Grand Prix. But nothing is decided yet as today’s results will be erased and the fight for the individual titles will start from scratch. As 12 years ago in The Hague, separate medals will be awarded for the Grand Prix Special and the Freestyle. So the door success is still wide open.
Results (23.08.06)
World Equestrian Games – Aachen
Grand Prix – Individual – 1ª Qualifyer
1º Andreas Helgstrand (Den) / Blue Hors Matine / 76,333
2º Heike Kemmer (Ger) / Bonaparte / 75,792
3º Isabel Werth (Ger) / Satchmo / 75
3º Anky van Grunsven (Hol) / Keltec Salinero / 75
5º Nadine Capellmann (Ger) / Elvis VA / 72,833
6º Steffen Peters (USA) / Floriano / 72,708
7º Jan Brink (Sue) / Bjorsells Briar 899 / 72,167
8º Imke Schellekens-Bartels (Hol) / Sunrise / 71,542
9º Debbie McDonald (USA) / Brentina / 71,417
10º Edward Gal (Hol) / Lingh / 71,375
Tem Results
1º Germany (223,62 pts)
2º Holland (217,91)
3º USA (213,91)
4º Denmark (208,87)
5º Sweden (208,75)
6º Great Britain (206,29)
7º France (204,12)
8º Switzerland (203,7)
8º Australia (199,25)
10º Spain (197,75)
11º Austria (194,45)
12º Poland (191,04)
13º Belgium (189,13)
14º Italy (189,04)
15º Portugal (183,08)
16º Japan (173,95)