Nanna Merrald Rasmussen on Blue Hors Zack Puts Denmark in Early Lead in World Championships, Germany 2nd, Netherlands 3rd, USA 4th

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Nanna Merrald Rasmussen riding Blue Hors Zack to a personal best score to put Denmark in the lead midway thrugh the first day of the World Championship team competition. © 2022 Ken Braddick/DRESSAGE-NEWS.com

By KENNETH J. BRADDICK

HERNING, Denmark, Aug. 6, 2022–Nanna Merrald Rasmussen and Blue Hors Zack put Denmark in the early lead at the world championships midway through the first day of two days of the Grand Prix team competition. Germany was standing second, Netherlands third and USA fourth.

Nanna and the 18-year-old KWPN stallion scored 76.724% for the ride that the crowd celebrated the final centerline with clapping in unison as the result set the tone of a widely predicted first time championship gold for the home team. Nanna took over the ride on Zack 18 months ago and the result was the highest ever in international competition including when the horse was ridden previously by Daniel Bachmann Andersen.

“It is completely wild, I cannot really believe what we have done, deliver Zack’s highest score ever in international competition,” she said. “He is so special, and he is totally amazing. Sure, there was a bit of nerves involved but this what dreams are made of, I am so, so happy.”

Ingrid Klimke and Franziskus, a 14-year-old Hanoverian stallion, posted a personal best score of 75.683 for the German team to stand second. Ingrid has been on teams with two Olympic and two world championship gold medals in eventing.

“I am very proud of my horse Franziskus,” she said. “Sometimes I have been just a passenger but today we were really one and I was in the driver’s seat. I am so happy with our result, it feels great.”

The Netherlands was third following the ride of Thamar Zweistra on Hexagon’s Ich Weiss, a nine-year-old Dutch stallion, that was awarded 72.376%.

Katie Duerrhammer and Quartett in the world championship team Grand Prix. © 2022 Ken Braddick/DRESSAGE-NEWS.com

Katie Duerrhammmer on the 14-year-old German Sport Horse gelding Quartett in their first championship for the U.S., scored 70.839% to place the American team fourth so far.

Katie of the Denver area community of Greenwood Village and loving the cold weather in Herning, and the 14-year-old German Sport Horse gelding, said: “I am super proud to be the pathfinder for the US team. Me and my horse are doing our first championship, and the arena feels amazing, so beautiful. We really did a solid trot tour; this is where my horse shines.

Betsy Juliano, owner of Salvino and long-time supporter of US dressage, Adrienne Lyle, rider of Salvino and coach of Katie Duerrhammer, Debbie McDonald, an icon of American dressage, Kylee Lourie, owner of Quartett, Grace Casto and groom Emily Bender applauding the performance by Katie and Quartett. © 2022 Ken Braddick/DRESSAGE-NEWS.com

Mary Hanna of Australia, the oldest competitor, scratched Calanta after the horse pulled a muscle in the back. Three other combinations remain on the team.