Warwick McLean and Le Special (Grey Flanell x Sir Oldenburg) were the highest scoring Aussie combination in the CDI4* Grand Prix at CHIO Rotterdam, with a mark of 67.391%. The pair had a costly mistake in the one-tempis, but received marks of 8s for their two tempis and 7s across the board for their passage.
Will Matthew and Faye 43 (Fuerst Wilhelm x Aljnao) were close behind on 66.453%. Their test started strong with 7.5s and 8s across the board for their entry, but the 11-year-old mare is still developing strength in the piaffe and passage work, and mistakes in the one-tempis and canter pirouette to the right affected their score.
Alanna Richards and Mist of Titanium OLD (Millenium x Diamonit) unfortunately had a few too many costly mistakes for a big score, to finish on 63.674%.
Dutch rising stars shone
On top of the podium was Marieke van der Putten with the 12-year-old mare Zantana RS2 OLD N.O.P (Zonik N.O.P x Sir Donnerhall). They scored an exciting 77.957% to claim first ahead of Great Britain’s Becky Moody and Jagerbomb (Dante Weltino x Jazz), who had uncharacteristic mistakes in the one-tempis and final extended trot to finish on a score of 75.282%. Rounding out the podium was Dutch combination Dinja van Liere and Mauro Turfhorst N.O.P (Zonik N.O.P x Negro) with 75.000%. At just nine years old, the young stallion is definitely one to watch with this test being only his second CDI Grand Prix start.
Jumping classes commence today
Australian Jack Barker and Bellhaven Calisco (Bellhaven Carouse x Monte Bellini) are the first combination to start in the CSI2* DHL Prize (1.40m against the clock) at 5:40pm AEST.
Dressage action continues Saturday
All three Aussies are competing in the CDI4* Grand Prix Special on Saturday.
Alanna Richards and Mist of Titanium OLD will be first down the centreline at 4pm local time (12:00am Sunday AEST), followed by Will Matthew and Faye 43 at 4.20pm local time (12:30am Sunday AEST), and Warwick McLean and Le Special at 5.15pm local time (1:15am Sunday AEST).
