The seventh leg of the FEI World Cup Dressage in Amsterdam was won by Edward Gal and his black pearl Totilas. "I can’t describe what it is like to sit on such a fantastic horrse. It is an amazing feeling," according to Gal who left the opposition behind with over 7 per cent.
Imke Schellekens-Bartels, who finished third with Hunter Douglas Sunrise, rode a very good test, but, just as in the Grand Prix, the performance could have had a bit more expression and be a more sparkling. "My Freestyle, which I showed for the first time in Amsterdam three years ago, fits us so well that it all looks naturally," explained Imke.
The 5,000 spectators got value for their money, because the world’s top riders all performed very good tests. Last year’s winner Anky van Grunsven finished in fourth. Her test wasn’t less than last year’s, but the three combinations who were placed ahead of her, Gal, Becholsheimer and Schellekens-Bartels were even better. "We have enjoyed the sport and adrenaline was running regularly as the performances were of such high level," according to the experienced international judge Wim Erned.
Six Dutch riders in the top 10 in the World Cup standings shows the current supremacy of the Netherlands is this discipline.This means a problem for qualification for the Final, which is held during Indoor Brabant. Edward and Imke share the lead with 55 points each. Jeannette Haazen is in third with 48 points and Anky van Grunsven in fourth with 47 points. Adeline Cornelissen takes fifth place with 41 points. Only three Dutch combinations are allowed in the final and there are only two qualifications left.
During the press ocnference Imke and Edward said jokingly that they had a solution. Ëdward and I will make a deal and will not start in Neumunster and Gothenburg. If Adelinde and Anky do go they will pass us in the standings and Edward and I will finish equal third. Then they will have to accept all four of us," explained a smiling Imke. Technical director of the Dutch Federation Maarten van der Heijden does not have a solution yet. "I will study the regulations first and then we will decide who goes to Neumunster and Gothenburg," said Van der Heijden.
(Source: KNHS / Acedemy Bartels)
Tussenstand FEI World Cup 2009/2010, Western European League:
1) Edward Gal (NED) – 55
1) Imke Schellekens-Bartels (NED) – 55
3) Jeannette Haazen (NED) – 48
4) Anky van Grunsven (NED) – 47
5) Adelinde Cornelissen (NED) – 41
5) Monica Theodorescu (GER) – 41
7) Aat van Essen (NED) – 38
8) Matthias Alexander Rath (GER) – 35
9) Hans Peter Minderhoud (NED) – 30
10) Isabell Werth (GER) – 29
Uitslag FEI World Cup Kür Amsterdam:
1) Edward Gal (Harskamp) – Moorlands Totilas (Gribaldi x Glendale) – 87.000%
2) Laura Bechtolsheimer (Dui) – Mistral Hojris – 82.300%
3) Imke Schellekens-Bartels (Hooge Mierde) – Hunter Douglas Sunrise – 82.050%
4) Anky van Grunsven (Erp) – IPS Painted Black (Gribaldi x Ferro) – 81.200%
5) Isabell Werth (Dui) – Warum Nicht FRH – 79.800%
6) Hans Peter Minderhoud (Harskamp) – Exquis Nadine (TCN Partout x Roemer) – 76.700%
7) Patrick Kittel (Zwe) – Watermill Scandic HBC – 75.500%
8) Jeannette Haazen (Neeroeteren B.) – Nartan (Jazz x Le Faquin) – 74.750%
10) Christa Laarakkers (Winschoten) – Ovation (Cabochon x Apollonios) – 73.550%
11) Aat van Essen (Heerde) – Premier (Jazz x Ulft) – 72.700%
12) Jenny Schreven (Weert) – Krawall (Focus x Roemer) – 72.400%
13) Manon van Hylckama-Vlieg (Ned) – Poko Loko (Kennedy x Erik) – 69.100%