Friday August 15, 2003

Germany Take Gold, Spain Win Silver, But What a Battle for Bronze at 2003 European Dressage Championships

Yesterday, with Rusty ridden by Ulla Salzgeber for Germany gaining 78%, it did not look as though they would be challenged for the top spot individually. But in day two of these championships had a mouth watering line up of pretenders. From the British perspective, would the remaining two combinations be able to maintain the bronze medal position ahead of The Netherlands?

The Dutch had one particularly formidable rider in Arjen Teeuwissen riding Gestion Goliath T. The pair produced a slightly disappointing performance and obtained a score of 67.58%. The second Dutch pair were Antoinette Falandt riding Jarwo who also gave a positive professional performance with a mark of 71.30%.

The first British combination was Nicola McGivern riding in her first major championships on her own Active Walero. She gained 70.50% and was thrilled with her score. At the lunch break, her score had put Great Britain up a place into silver position. Finally, just after the final Dutch rider, Richard Davison of Great Britain needed a superb effort from his mount Ballaseyre Royale to secure the first medal for a British dressage senior team for ten years. This he managed with a score of 70.04%. Therefore the bronze medal went to the host nation, Great Britain.

The Spanish as expected, took the silver medal, with a further excellent performance particularly from Beatriz Ferrer Salat on Beauvalais, who was awarded 74.00% and placed third individually.

The Team Gold Medal went to Germany as expected, who as usual had a superb team. Today, the two other German riders were Klaus Husenbeth riding Piccolino who gained 71.96% for his efforts, and the world famous former number one Isabel Werth riding Satchmo for the first time in a major championship.

This combination was awarded 68.00% by the judges.

One other notable rider, riding as an individual, and not as a team member was Lisa Wilcox on Relevent, representing the United States. She gained 77.04% and finished in 2nd place individually.

by Bernard Simpson
Photos copyrighted: Goldeneye Photos

Related Links
Convincing Start of 78% for Salzgeber at 2003 European Championships
Eurodressage Scores of the 2003 European Dressage Championships
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2003 European Dressage Championships