2002 WEG Selection Trials at Gladstone Begin

Traurig Pleasantly Surprised

Christine Traurig was recently reunited with her Olympic partner, Etienne, who was purchased in July 2001 from former owners Mr. and Mrs. Robert Haas by new owners Dan and Kelly Trierweiler. The 14-year-old Westphalian gelding earned 68.440%, the duo's best score since teaming up again.

But Traurig, who arrived from Germany on Tuesday, was surprised that she placed third. "I didn't come in qualifying very high," she said, pointing out that the pair had only begun training together in September with Jo Hinneman in Germany. Traurig said that Etienne "had it a little bit rough" during the eight months he spent in Europe when he was for sale, and that she is working on "getting his confidence back in the ring" and "getting back to where he can rely on me and me on him." Traurig said the highlight of her test was that there were no mistakes.

"That's really important for my confidence and his," she said, adding that Etienne gets shaken by mistakes and wonders what the consequences will be. After her final salute, she patted him exuberantly during the entire walk out of the arena. She plans to return to Germany following the Trials and continue training with Hinneman.

The Trials continue on Sunday, June 2, with the Grand Prix Special, and resume next weekend (June 8-9) with the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle. For the upcoming Special, Seidel said that the second day is "a little easier" and he did not have any particular strategy planned except to stay tuned up for the second Grand Prix; he said he would warm up less and risk a little more overall in the Special. Traurig said her strategy would be basically the same. "Since the Special is a real hard test, it's strength-consuming" so it is "too late" to work on improving any parts of the test at this point. She will have a short warm-up to keep Etienne fresh. Blinks agreed; in the Special there are "miles of passage to get through."

Mary Hilton for DressageDaily.com