HERNING, Denmark, Oct. 22, 2023–Patrik Kittel of Sweden and Touchdown captured the opening round of the Western European World Cup with a Grand Prix Freestyle victory Sunday.
Patrik and the 11-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding were awarded 84.065% in the first of Western Europe’s 11 qualifiers for the Final in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia next April. The victory puts Patrik at the top of the Western European standings in his quest for a ninth World Cup Final start going back to 2010.
The Swedish partnership was the unanimous choice to top the results to make this competition a double win after taking the Grand Prix Saturday.
Danish combinations took second through fifth places on their home ground.
Nanna Skodborg Merrald on the 19-year-old Blue Hors Zack was runner-up on 82.820%. Nanna took over the ride on Zack in early 2021 in time to compete at the Tokyo Olympics. Daniel Bachmann Andersen, the previous rider, rode Zack in the 2018 and 2019 World Cup Finals.
Fellow Dane Lone Bang Zindorff on Thranegaardens Rostov, 13-year-old Hanoverian mare, placed third on a personal best 81.760%.
The next Western European qualifier is in Lyon, France later this week.
Results:
| Rank | Competitor | Score | E | H | C | M | B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |
Patrik Kittel (SWE)
Touchdown
|
84.065% | 84.075 | 82.725 | 84.100 | 83.075 | 86.350 |
| 2. |
Nanna Skodborg Merrald (DEN)
Blue Hors Zack
|
82.820% | 82.500 | 81.175 | 84.075 | 82.225 | 84.125 |
| 3. |
Lone Bang Zindorff (DEN)
Thranegaardens Rostov
|
81.760% | 80.225 | 80.975 | 82.300 | 82.100 | 83.200 |
| 4. |
Andreas Helgstrand (DEN)
Queenparks Wendy
|
81.160% | 80.250 | 80.900 | 82.150 | 79.350 | 83.150 |
| 5. |
Anna Zibrandtsen (DEN)
Quel Filou
|
78.685% | 77.800 | 80.325 | 78.650 | 77.250 | 79.400 |
| 6. |
Felicitas Hendricks (GER)
Drombusch OLD
|
78.415% | 80.100 | 77.550 | 77.650 | 77.700 | 79.075 |
| 7. |
Raphael Netz (GER)
Great Escape Camelot
|
77.690% | 78.050 | 78.575 | 76.075 | 75.975 | 79.775 |
| 8. |
Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén (SWE)
Devanto
|
76.525% | 77.200 | 77.575 | 76.575 | 75.800 | 75.475 |
| 9. |
Denise Nekeman (NED)
Boston STH
|
76.180% | 76.250 | 77.550 | 74.975 | 75.525 | 76.600 |
| 10. |
Corentin Pottier (FRA)
Gotilas du Feuillard
|
75.930% | 75.400 | 74.875 | 75.300 | 75.575 | 78.500 |
| 11. |
Anna Kasprzak (DEN)
Addict De Massa
|
75.460% | 75.375 | 73.900 | 76.750 | 75.025 | 76.250 |
| 12. |
Caroline Darcourt (SWE)
Lord Django
|
74.450% | 73.275 | 75.750 | 74.325 | 73.700 | 75.200 |
| 13. |
Nadja Aaboe Sloth (DEN)
Favour Gersdorf
|
74.175% | 75.375 | 74.425 | 74.300 | 73.675 | 73.100 |
| 14. |
Justina Vanagaité (LTU)
Nabab
|
74.140% | 75.100 | 74.000 | 75.050 | 73.275 | 73.275 |
| 15. |
Devenda Dijkstra (NED)
Hero
|
73.545% | 73.275 | 74.500 | 71.925 | 74.325 | 73.700 |
 Find details on Equestrian Hub |
