The regional park of La Mandria, covering some 3,000 hectares and located some 20 kilometres from the historical centre of Turin, provides the spectacular backdrop of the 2007 FEI European Dressage Championship. Action began today with the first 28 out of a total of 55 riders performing their Grand Prix test.
At the end of the first day, Ellen Schulten-Baumer (GER) on the 13-year old Donata S, whose beautiful extension earned her 71.667%, takes the lead. She is followed by Hans Peter Minderhoud of The Netherlands riding Exquis Nadine (70.458%). Another German, Monica Theodorescu on Whisper 128 is third (69.708%).
Where the teams are concerned, after two riders, Germany, who have won the team gold at every single European Dressage championship since 1965, are unsurprisingly in the lead (141.375). The Netherlands, who so far have won five European silver medals, are second (139) and Sweden are third (134.333). Twelve teams – Austria, Belgium, France, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, The Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland – are taking part in this year’s edition.
A European championship is under no circumstances a done deal and is never taken for granted by anyone but, admittedly, there are those with a vast international experience and those for whom La Mandria is a remarkable first. It is the first time that Anna Ross-Davis on Liebling II has made the British team. A reserve rider, she was taken on after the withdrawal of Carl Hester. Anna is a pupil of the great German champion Ulla Salzgeber, who has travelled to the championship especially for her.
Switzerland’s Veronika Marthaler is also making her debut on the big stage. She is working with Silvia Iklé and riding a horse schooled by Silvia. She performed her first Grand Prix in April this year at CDI 3* Hagen; the following month she placed third in the Grand Prix at CDI 3* here at La Mandria. She has not been under pressure for her instructor to make the European team, “but I listened to all the advice Silvia gave me and all of it worked,” Veronika explains.
It is also a special first for Denmark’s Per Sandgaard. A former Danish rider, he has followed his partner and trainer Peter Markne and is now competing for Sweden. The number of his supporters has now doubled since his performance was greeted with both Danish and Swedish flags.
Just as last week at Mannheim, there is much to hope for at this Championship. European gold is, of course, a shining price but Olympic qualification is not be neglected either. Three team slots are still available for European teams and the three best placed teams at this championship, excluding Germany and The Netherlands who qualified at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, will qualify for Hong Kong.
Actions resumes tomorrow with the second part of the Grand Prix at the end of which will be decided the team medals.
Check the results.