CAI & Dutch Championships Harich: German Drivers Dominate Opening Dressage Day
SportThe opening day of dressage at the CAI Harich-Gaasterland and the Dutch Driving Championships was dedicated to the single horse and single pony classes. German drivers claimed victory in both divisions.
With 34 competitors, the CAI3 Single Horse* class is the largest of the event. Claudia Lauterbach (GER) won the dressage with 46.78 penalty points. She particularly impressed the judges during the canter work at the end of her test, earning several high marks.
Germany also claimed second place through Marie Tischer, who delivered a consistent performance and received multiple scores of 7.0 from the judging panel.
The best Dutch performance came from Cindy Benschop, who finished third on 48.56 penalty points, putting herself in a strong position for the remainder of the competition. Just behind her, Saskia Siebers and Nulleke placed fourth with 48.89 penalty points.
World Champion Tobias Bücker Takes the Lead
In the Single Pony class, reigning World Champion Tobias Bücker (GER) topped the standings with his outstanding pony Double Dream 8. The pair scored 42.45 penalty points. On the final lengthened trot across the diagonal, they were even awarded a 9 by Ground Jury President Pieter Coudijzer.
Second place also went to Germany, with Lisa Maria Tischer scoring 45.12 penalty points. Mette Grimbühler (DEN)completed the top three.
The highest-placed Dutch competitor was Desiree van Lambalgen, who finished fourth on 48.56 penalty points. She currently leads the Dutch National Championship standings.
Best Score of the Day for Daniel Pineda Andic
The Four-in-Hand Pony class produced the highest dressage score of the day. Daniel Pineda Andic (ESP) took the lead with 41.92 penalty points, giving him a margin of two and a half penalties over Marijke Hammink, who sits second.
Joris Wouda is currently third overall with 55.86 penalty points, while also holding second place in the Dutch Championship standings.
Friday’s Programme Finishes Before the Heat
Dressage continues on Friday. Due to the expected high temperatures, the organisers have added an extra grass arena, allowing competition to start as early as 7:00 a.m.
Friday’s programme features the Pair Pony and Pair Horse classes. The final competitor of the day, Athanasios Hatzopoulos (GRE), is scheduled to start at 10:39 a.m., meaning the entire programme will conclude by 10:48 a.m. so that horses and drivers can avoid the hottest part of the day.
Click here for today’s results and tomorrow’s starting lists
Today’s photo gallery will be published later
Source: Hoefnet. Reproduction without permission via info@hoefnet.nl is not permitted
Photo: Gerben Olthof
