Polinya (Barcelona), 22th March 2014. The French rider Jessica Michel and Riwera presented a very nice Grand Prix Freestyle with a 73’232% they made it to the top of their class on the fourth day of the CDI3* of the Barcelona Dressage Tour sponsored by Banc Sabadell, Mango, Audi Superwagen. In the U25 Grand Prix, Erik Balasch and Dorado 69 from BCN Horses Team repeated success winning another day while his pupil Joan Llargués and his Pure Spanish Horse (PRE) “Obvio F” claimed victory one more in the Children’s category with 70’747%. Sofia Argelich dominated the Pony class with Desparo (71’068%). The Junior category saw young Russian rider Ksenia Milyukova and her nice horse “Saturday Night” (70’658%) winning.
In the Superwagen Grand Prix Freestyle of Barcelona Dressage Tour, the French rider Jessica Michel and her mare Riwera (Welt Hit II, his is dam Riconess) took the lead with 73’232%. Her test showed high quality in all exercises, especially in the trot and canter half-passes. In second place, we find Australian rider Hayley Beresford with Jaybee Alabaster (72’929%) the half-passes and the changes in the canter work were the highlights of their test. In the third place a young Dutch couple Wilma Wernsen and “Oklarette”(72’286%), showed a nice piaffe and passage as well as very correct transitions.
The Spanish rider with the best results was Lauro Aguiló, who placed 6th with Spanish crossbreed “@Hierro C” scoring a 72’018%. The ride was very expressive and harmonic; their outstanding musical composition received the highest artistic marks of the night. Andalusian rider Cristóbal Roldán Belmonte followed in 8th place with his young Belgian warmblood Diavolo II de Laubry (Alibi de Laubry x Dimandra de Laubry) and a 70’929%, Victor Álvarez presented the highest placed PRE “ANCCE Curioso XXV JLE” (69’696%) in 10th place.
Dutch rider Remy Bastings wins the Intermediate I Freestyle sponsored by Albany Trusty Company
Remy Bastings & Zecchino (75’425%) a son of Krack C claimed victory in this Freestyle on Saturday afternoon. Their ride was consistent in quality and expressive in spite of confronting a failure in the music due to 5 minutes of sudden hard rain. But Remy with a positive winning attitude - seldom could there have been a better example - he was so concentrated that he continued his test by singing the rest of the song out-loud himself, which made the crowd go crazy. Nice performance of this winning couple! And then the sun came out again.
Great Britains Paul Friday with Christine Trendells Winston Bond (00Seven x Metall) last year’s absolute Small Tour Champion at the GB Nationals, follow in second place. The pair showed a very harmonious test, scoring a 73’650%. Another Dutch rider took third, Joyce Lenaerts and her Show Boy (72’100%). The trot work of her test was very good, some mistakes in the canter pirouttes and changes were expensive. Anabelle Collins and Alfa (A-Dur x Rossi) were breathing up their neck with a 72’050% with such a correct test and riding. The 15-year-old brown mare has found her rider with Annabelle who drives her calmly through the test.
Spanish Cristina Torrent topped the Young Rider Individual test with De Vic
In the YR class, Spanish Cristina Torrent from Menorca a pupil of Rafael Segui, placed 1st with De Vic (70’342%). The highlights of her test were the lovely tempi changes and the lateral work, we saw nice crossing. Germany´s Esther Brühe and Quebec (son of Quatro B) winner of the team test were left behind, placed second with an average of 69’447% good extended walk and tempi changes looked flawless. In third place Mios Moncayola and her Zchufro C” (Don Schufro x Gicara) scored a 66’211%. Her test was very well ridden, knowing her horse well, she choose a conservative presentation. This grandson of the great “Donnerhall” is not always easy to handle. Well Done!
In the morning the Intermediate A MONDEPRA TROPHEE was held, in which Jordi Domingo and his Ferro offspring “Hecom’s Ventoux” won with a 69’029%. This half brother of his former mount “Prestige” reminds us with some of his strong points. Their expressive and ground-covering canter work was very nice to watch. Claudio Castilla and Alcaide (Lobito x Novilheiro) the Lusitano stallion from Stud La Perla finished second with a 68’800%. Their piaff and passage was very good, as well as the flying changes another Spanish pair on its way to the Gran Prix. In third place with 66’371% is the British rider Kirsty Mepham and Calderon (Come Back II x Libelle Aalykke) a student of Dane Rawlins, their highlights were impeccable trot halfpasses.
In the U25 Grand Prix sponsored by VILLA EQUUS Erik Balasch claimed victory once again with Dorado 69 scoring a 63’488% in their debut in this category. Their passage will improve. It was still not at their best, but the piaff was very expressive with good rhythm. The Swedish rider Sanna Nilson and Don Dorn (Don Schufro x Kamelia) placed second breathing up their neck with a 63’326%. The horse presented a very uphill tendency with expressive trot work, although there was tension in the poll and superior line in the lateral work. In third position Estefanía Ríos with Casparo (60,302%), also this Young rider is part of the host team. Her extended trot had a very good rhythm but the neck was very short. The passage was quite rhythmic, although it needed more expression and jump.
The Children’s class was dominated by Spanish riders. In the winning place, the actual Spanish National Champion, Joan Llargués, with the Pure Breed Spanish horse Obvio F scoring a 70’747%. These two train with Young Erik Balash who claimed victory in the U25. Maria Comas with 15 year old pony Jockers-Golden Boy” (69’598%) came close in the second place. In third position Abril Serdà and Actor VI scored a 65’287%.
Sofia Argelich from the CAVA and Desparo claimed again victory scoring a 71’068% a very correct ride from this young pupil of CAVA riding center. Second placed was Diego Martínez with Picachu who scored a 70’299%, and in third place Italian rider Alice Campanella scored a 69’829% with Flamenco Star.
The Young Rider from Petersburgo, Ksenia Milyukova, with Saturday Night scored a 70’658%. This time she won the category. She had started her season in Vidauban as some other Russian riders did. Kevin Roegele placed second with Wieske and come close with 69’693% Carlos Torrells Young student is now in his second season with his mare a daughter of Obelisk, he had won the team test where the pair showed his best side. In third position the Danish rider, Signe Andersen from Denmark and A Larming Charm (68’816%) followed the two.
This has been the fourth competition day of the CDI3* of the Barcelona Dressage Tour sponsored by Banc Sabadell, Mango and Superwagen.
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