Sunshine in Spain and Florida – flooding elsewhere

With the World Cup Finals fast approaching, the qualifiers are becoming more and more important for those riders hoping to make an appearance in Las Vegas in six weeks time. This weekend saw further qualifiers for both dressage and showjumping in Gothenburg in Sweden. The two main equestrian festivals in the USA and Europe continued with healthy competition.

Gothenburg World Cup Qualifiers

In the dressage, sponsored by Adgria, there were fourteen starters, and unusually, Isabell Werth was not one of them. The winner of the Grand Prix still remained with the Germans, Benjamin Werndl riding the Westphalian gelding Daily Mirror took the class with 77.587% with Great Britain’s Charlotte Fry coming second riding her KWPN Dark Legend with 76.413%. In third was Cathrine Dufour from Denmark riding Atterupgaards Cassidy just behind the British rider with 76.348%. In the Freestyle, there was quite a change around. The winner was Cathrine Defour with a score of 87.860% with Benjamin Werndl coming second with 86.170%. In third was Frederic Wandres from Germany riding Duke of Britain with 81.465%. He was fourth in the Grand Prix behind Charlotte Fry, but they swapped positions in the freestyle.

In the showjumping from Gothenburg, also sponsored by Adgria, there were thirty one riders attempting the 17 effort course designed by Peter Lundström (Swe). Geir Gulliksen from Norway riding VDL Groep Quatro, won and was one of the two double clear rounds, winning in 45.75 seconds. In second with the other double clear was Bryan Balsiger from Switzerland riding Twentytwo des Biches. There were three other clears in the first round with all three having a pole down each in the jump off. Kevin Staut from France was fastest in the jump off, getting round in 44.51 seconds, but with a pole down stood third overall.

Wellington Florida

The second showjumping 5 star event of the weekend was held in Wellington in Florida during their winter equestrian festival of 2020. Forty nine riders lined up at the start and there were seven clear rounds to go for the jump off. Catherine Tyree riding Bec Lorenzo was the fastest in the jump off with another clear with Martin Fuchs in second riding Stalando 2. In third was Daniel Coyle riding Farrel.

The Spanish Sunshine Tour

In Veger de la Frontier, the sunshine tour in Spain continues. The weekend saw the first CSI 3 star which was won by Gudrun Pateet from Germany riding Sea Coast Kashmire Z. There were 60 starters if which 17 got first round clears. In second and third were two British riders, Kayleigh Watts and Joseph Clayton.

Badminton Horse Trials 2020

With less than two month to go before the iconic Badminton Horse Trials, Horse View UK launched its offer for free tickets to the event this week. Members of this web site will be entered in the draw to take place on April 20^th 2020 for the chance for two completely free season tickets and two completely free tickets for Cross Country day. Badminton Horse Trials start on May 6^th and finish on May 10^th 2020.

Top German dressage stallion dies

Sadly, the German Gold medal winning dressage stallion Desparados FRH ridden by Kristina Broring-Sprehe has died. He won medals in the Rio Olympics and at WEG in 2014. The stallion died suddenly after an aortic rupture. He was also a successful sire with 35 of his sons becoming licenced and several currently competing at Grand Prix levels in both dressage ad showjumping.

New Life

We congratulate Lauren and Mclain Ward on the birth of their daughter as they announced this week.

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