Wednesday July 11, 2001

2001 European Dressage Championships

2001 European Dressage Championships for Grand Prix Riders

The equestrian folks who come to Verden will have the pleasant experience watching dressage on highest level. Because the leading dressage nations almost come from Europe, the European championships come close to a World championship. After its success at the CDIO Aachen the German team is the major favourite for the team gold medal, but the teams from the Netherlands, Denmark and Spain are also in marvellous form. Never the top European teams were so close together. The reason why is the retirement of the two "dressage heroes" Bonfire and Gigolo in the last year on the one hand and the other hand it has to do with the fact, that there are many good trainers in Germany who brought a lot of know-how into the neighbouring countries on the other hand. The championship will start on Thursday with the first part of the nations competition (Grand Prix), followed by the second part on Friday.

The individual title will be decided in the Grand Prix Special on Saturday and in the Grand Prix freestyle on Sunday afternoon. The decision especially becomes exciting in view of the succession of the combatants Isabell Werth and Anky van Grunsven. The role of the favourite is now up to Ulla Salzgeber and Rusty, who could win among other things the World Cup Dressage Final this year. Altogether 34 nations were invited for the European Dressage Championships. Four years ago rider/horse combinations from 20 nations attended in Verden.

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2001 European Dressage Championships