The victory of the Italian Valentina Truppa in the Grand Prix special of the World Dressage Masters in Cannes is a refreshing surprise, as the German Anja Plönzke, runner-up in the Grand Prix on Thursday, had been considered the top ranger. But Valentina’s Italian horse (yes, born in Italy!) was in better shape than on Thursday.
“Yes, we did a good job today”, cheers the Carabiniera. “My horse was much more relaxed because he is better adapted to the program of the Grand Prix special, as there is more passage and extended trot, which are the things he’s good at… thus he was naturally more relaxed.”
Competing in her second WDM in a month–she finished third in the WDM CDI5* Special at Munich in May–the 24-year-old and Eremo del Castegno scored 71.042 per cent with Germans Matthias Alexander Rath on Triviant UNICEF second on 69.667 per cent and Anja Plönzke on Le Mont d'Or third on 68.792 per cent.
The two Germans were favoured as Anja and Le Mont d'Or were the defending Grand Prix Special champions from 2009 and came second in the Grand Prix Thursday behind Isabell Werth and Warum Nicht, with Matthias third and Valentina in fifth place.
In vying for prize money of €30,000 (US$36,200) in the Special that was presented by Moorlands and Massa Autopneu,
Valentina and her Italian-bred nine-year-old gelding were unfazed by the festive late night atmosphere following a day and night of Global Champions Tour jumping at this French Riviera resort that is a favorite of celebrities.
Italy is not qualified as a team for the next World Equestrian Games in Lexington, but Valentina will participate individually and intends to qualify for the final.
Results (11.06.10)
CDI5* Cannes – 3ª Serie WDM
Grand Prix Special
1º Eremo del Castegno – Valentina Truppa (ITA) – 71.042
2º Trivian Unicef – Mathias Alexander Rath (GER) – 69.667
3º Le Mont D’Or – Anja Plönzke (GER) – 68.792
4º Exquis Clearwater – Anne van Olst (DEN) – 68.625
5º Question de Lierte – Johan Zagers (BEL) – 63.292
6º Sydney – Dane Rawlins (GBR) – 62.417