Gold for Germany in Dressage Team & Freestyle European Pony Championships
12 years ago StraightArrow Comments Off on Gold for Germany in Dressage Team & Freestyle European Pony Championships
By LOUISE PARKES
FONTAINEBLEAU, France, July 23–Germany took dressage team, Sanne Vos claimed the individual title for The Netherlands, but was pipped by Germany’s Semmeike Rothenberger in the closely fought freestyle by the smallest of margins at the FEI European Pony Championship.
Semmeike Rothenberger is following closely in the footsteps of her multiple medal-winning older sister, Sanneke. Riding the brilliant and aptly-named Golden Girl, the 12-year-old produced the deciding result, and the highest score of the competition, when adding 76.744 to the 73.872 earned by Nadine Krause on Danilo and 73.616 awarded to Anna-Christina Abbelen and Dornik’s Donovan to ensure the German team victory.
Semmeike and fourth-line rider Lena Charlotte Walterschei were also members of the 2011 winning side, but the latter, who took individual double-silver 12 months ago, produced the drop score of 69.564 this time around.
A total of 13 nations contested the team honors–Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, Great Britain, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Norway, Sweden, Italy, Austria, Poland and Hungary.
The Netherlands’ Sanne Vos and the nine-year-old TC Champ of Class challenged strongly from the outset, with a score of 75.769 in the team event which helped secure silver ahead of Denmark. And the 16-year-old Dutch girl edged Semmeike out to take the individual title when racking up a mark of 78.707. Semmeike and the 10-year-old Golden Girl were close behind with a score of 78.317 while Sanne Vos’ team-mate, Rosalie Bos, claimed the bronze with Paso Double–a particularly exceptional result considering this pony is still only six years old.
When it came to the Freestyle however, Semmeike Rothenberger was back on top, although Sanne Vos was placed first by three out of the five judges. With 81.975 on the scoreboard, the prodigously talented young German had the edge by just 0.225 points, while Rosalie Bos slotted into bronze medal position with 78.125. Fourth place in both the individual and freestyle classes went to Denmark’s Victoria Vallentin and Natalina.
Results:
Team Dressage Championship: GOLD – Germany 74.744%: Golden Girl (Semmieke Rothenberger) 76.744; Danilo 80 (Nadine Krause) 73.872, Dornik’s Donovan (Anna-Christina Abbelen) 73.616; Equestricons Lord Champion (Lena Charlotte Walterschei) 69.564; SILVER – Netherlands 74.128%: TC Champ of Class DVB (Sanne Vos) 75.769, Paso Double (Rosalie Bos) 73.385, Den Ostriks Dailan (Jelle Peeters) 73.231, Boticelli (Lotte Meulendijks) 71.205; BRONZE – Denmark 72.752%: Natalina (Victoria Vallentin) 74.256, Dornick Son (Kristine Koch Bejstrup) 72.154, Vegelins Goya (Maria Christensen) 71.846, Janine We (Sille Engermann) 68.590.
Individual Dressage Championship: GOLD – TC Champ of Class DVB (Sanne Vos) NED 78.707%: SILVER – Golden Girl (Semmieke Rothenberger) GER 78.317%; BRONZE – Paso Double (Rosalie Bos) NED 75.561%.
Freestyle Dressage Championship: GOLD – Golden Girl (Semmieke Rothenberger) GER 81.975%; SILVER – TC CHAMP OF CLASS DVB (Sanne Vos) 81.750% NED; BRONZE – Paso Double (Rosalie Bos) NED 78.125%.
