Patrik Kittel & Scandic Post Personal Best in Winning Falsterbo CDI5* Kür
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By KENNETH J. BRADDICK
FALSTERBO, Sweden, July 9–Patrik Kittel and Watermill Scandic H.B.C. posted their personal best score Saturday to win the World Dressage Masters Grand Prix Freestyle before an adoring home side crowd of 3,500.
Patrik and the 12-year-old KWPN stallion that competed at the 2010 World Equestrian Games, two World Cup Finals and the 2009 European Championships, scored 82.775 per cent to eclipse their previous best of 81.17 per cent just two months ago at the CDI5* in Munich, Germany.
Anky van Grunsven was second on her Olympic gold medalist gelding, Salinero, scoring 76.925 per cent in a ride that was marred by the 17-year-old horse’s tongue coming over the bit that the Dutch superstar said was the first time in Salinero’s show career.
Fellow Swede and WEG team mate Tinne Wilhelmson-Silfvén on the nine-year-old Don Auriello were third on 75.875 in the first freestyle for the Hanoverian gelding whose Grand Prix career was launched on this year’s Florida winter circuit.
Patrik’s victory in the €60,000 (US$85,000) freestyle followed the pair’s win in the €10,000 (US$14,000) Grand Prix Friday.
The feeling he had for the ride, he said, was “unbelieveable” and fit into the category that there are perhaps four or five rides that are the best in the partnership.
The prime goal for this year, he said, are the European Championships in Rotterdam late next month where Sweden will have the last chance to win a team berth for the 2012 Olympics in London.
Anky said that unlike Friday’s Grand Prix, she was not disappointed with the freestyle performance with Salinero and she felt that the tongue over the bit occurred because of a “lack of routine” as he has not been ridden in an international show for 15 months.
Salinero injured his withers and Anky said she thought she would retire him last summer but he felt so good when he recovered from the injury that she wanted to compete him again.
She has ruled out seeking a place with Salinero on the Dutch team for the European Championships and has no definite show schedule. “My horse will tell me what to do,” she said.
Tinne rode Don Auriello to music by Abba that she borrowed from her Olympic freestyle.
She said she plans to compete at the World Equestrian Festival CHIO in Aachen, Germany next week and then give the horse a break.
Germany’s Anja Plönzke on Le Mont d’Or was four on 75.050 per cent and the German-based Catherine Haddad-Staller of the United States on Winyamaro was fifth on 71.375 per cent.
The €30,000 (US$42,500) Grand Prix Special was won by Poland’s Michal Rapcewicz on his Olympic and WEG mount Randon with a score of 67.563 per cent.
The Netherlands’ Jenny Schreven on Krawall was second with 67.021 per cent and Denmark’s Siril Helljesen on Dorina was third on 66.729 per cent.
Grand Prix Kür Results:
1. Watermill Scandic H.B.C. – Patrik Kittel SWE 82.775%
2. Salinero – Anky Van Grunsven NED 76.925%
3. Don Auriello – Tinne Wilhelmson-Silfvén SWE 75.875%
4. Le Mont d’Or – Anja Plönzke GER 75.050%
5. Winyamaro – Catherine Haddad-Staller USA 71.375%
6. Fabriano 58 – Renate Voglsang AUT 70.950%
7. Divoza Horseworld Ovation – Christa Laarakkers NED 69.950%
8. Bocelli 1044 – Rose Mathisen SWE 68.050%
