Imke Schellekens receives full winning points in Frankfurt

By Claartje van Andel dressagedirect

Pictures Julia Rau, www.rauphoto.de

Christmas atmosphere was there today in the Frankfurt Messe Hall when Christmas songs were sung and children were celebrating the gathering of the nations with lighted torches and flags. Today twice the sound of the Dutch national hymne could be heard. The first time the win of Imke Schellekens-Bartels in the World Cup qualifier was celebrated, the second time it was for Lotje Schoots winning the special World Cup Final for Young Riders.
Today Imke Schellekens and Hunter Douglas Sunrise (Singular Joter x Werther) had a very precise and accurate test. She was an example for her straight lines, her evenness and her control in the ride overall.  One small mistake occurred when Imke rode her extension in the canter for the maximum but her effort to collect Sunrise again failed a bit and she made three tempi changes instead of one. “Hunter Douglas Sunrise felt that great that I decided to take the risk. All Dutch are very strong at the moment so I need to take risks in order to reach improvements too”, Imke said. “The extended canter fekt for the ultimate 10, so it’s worth it. But it also learnd me that I even need more control than I already have.”  For her winning round 32-year old Imke Schellekens-Bartels eceived the full 20 points as the starter list of Frankfurt consisted of more than 15 riders, the reglemntary minimum for full points. Earlier this week Edward Gal only received 18 world cup points rewardringh his win in London. And in Lyon at the second world Cup qualifier of this season Anky van grusnven even had been rewarded with 14 points only for her win due to a starting list of 9 riders only. "I am happy with my points”, Imke expressed her feelings. She would not have top sport mentality if she had not set her mind on riding the World Cup Final in her own home country The Netherlands. As only three riders of one nation are allowed in the Final, she has to challenge to keep out one of her neares rivals Edward gal, Adelinde Cornelissen or Anky van Grunsven. Not an easy task. The Dutch are too strong probably, was a remark at the press conference. However Imke feels it’s motivating only to give the best herself as well.

Imke Schellekens and Hunter Douglas Sunrise (Singular Joter x Werther) had a very precise and accurate test

Motivated to give the best, that’s the attitude also Monica Theodorescu feels when riding in the World Cup qualifiers. She did a wonderful job showing her EC-teamhorse Whisper. Especially the half passes alternating between collected trot and passage were a joy for the eye. Monica Theodorescu is hapy to lead the rankings at the moment. She even joked that at least for one week until the Flanders Horseshow in Mechelen there is a German leading the rankings in the year that the Dutch are winning. Monica Theodorescu will have a small Christmas pause but will try to get some more points later to secure her place in the final.

Monica Theodorescu did a wonderful job showing her EC-teamhorse Whisper

Securing a place in the Final in the end of March at the Indoor Brabant Horseshow in the Netherlands also is Isabell Werth. Today the news was spread that after her baby pause she will do the Flanders Horse Show in a week’s time, will ride the Amsterdanm Horse Show and will compete in Gothenburg to be able to comete in the World Cup Final. This will be her 15th qualification for a Final if she will succeed.
Ranked as runner up are Adelinde Cornelissen, Edward Gal and Mattias Rath (35 pnt). Anky van Grunsven is at fifth position (34 pnt).

Lotje Schoots finishes her Young Riders job successfully

21-year old Dutch Lotje Schoots, European teamchampion and winner of the individual gold medal and Freestyle silver medal now has finished her carreer at YR level by winning the YR World Cup.  "Yes, I’m a senior now!”, she said. She was very happy with her rides showing Torricelli (Florestan x Pion) and winning all three tests. Het high degree of disfficulty was outstanding and an example for the level the YR have been growing in.

Lotje Schoots aboard Torricelli winning the YR World Cup

Result YR World Cup Final 

1.     Lotje Schoots Torricello NED 77,15%

2.     Kirsten Sieber Charly GER 75,200%

3.     Mafalda Galida Menzes dÁrtagnan POR 72,850%

4.     Diederik van Silfhout Davidoff NED 72,500%

5.     Riccardo Sanavia Uson van Essene ITA 72,500%

6.     Ann-Kristin Dornbracht Gryffindor GER 71,900%

7.     Anne Katrine Elkjaer-Holm DEN 70,100%

More on the show in Frankfurt on www.escon-marketing.de