Patrik Kittel and Watermill Scandic HBC were the superior winners in the € 70,000 Exquis WDM Grand Prix Freestyle presented by Axel Johnson Group. Vidauban was the first competition of the pair after Scandic suffered a small injury in November last year. Scandic showed a superb trot and passage and the canter exercises had some real highlights: powerful extensions and off the ground flying changes in the two tempi. In the one tempi changes they had a few small problems but the rest of the test was smooth and fully controlled.
The judges awarded their performance with 81.025 per cent which earned them € 18,000. This win keeps Patrik in the lead in the Nürnberger WDM Rider Rankings.
Italy’s Valentina Truppa had quite some mistakes in her test today and her horse Fixdesign Eremo del Castegno was a bit spooky near ‘A’. The pirouettes were not as on the spot as usual but the half passes in trot and the final piaffe tour were very good. The music was beautiful and emotional and they received 78.800 per cent.
Ulla Salzgeber (GER) had real issues with the changes today with Herzruf’s Erbe. However, the trot and passage were excellent as well as the piaffe. Compared to yesterday Ulla had more control and her horse only showed some tension in the walk. They scored 76.325 to finish in third place.
Arlando, the horse of Holland’s Diederik van Silfhout, impressed everybody. The test had a high level of difficulty but the young horse, nine-years-old, coped well. Arlando’s has a world class trot, only his canter could have been a bit more relaxed.
Fifth placed Tommie Visser forms a beautiful combination with this horse Vingino and was one of the crowds favourites. Vingino made a show with his piaffe, passage and trot. The canter exercises need some improvement and be more relaxed but it is a promising combination for the future.
Results Exquis WDM Grand Prix Freestyle presented by Axel Johnson Group
1. Patrik Kittel / SWE / Watermill Scandic HBC 81.025 € 18000
2. Valentina Truppa / ITA / Fixdesign Eremo del Castegno 78.800 € 12000
3. Ulla Salzgeber / GER / Herzruf's Erbe 76.325 € 9000
4. Diederik van Silfhout / NED / Arlando 76.200 € 8000
5. Tommie Visser / NED / Vingino 75.425 € 6500
6. Lyndal Oatley / AUS / Sandro Boy 9 72.950 € 6000
7. Julie De Deken / BEL / Lucky Dance 72.800 € 5500
8. Laurens van Lieren / NED / Ulysses la Haya 71.250 € 500
Video clip of Patrik Kittel and Scandic winners of the Grand Prix