CAIO Le Pin au Haras: Stefan Ulrich and Switzerland Take the Lead
SportThe second day of dressage at CAIO Le Pin au Haras featured the CAI2 Under 25 Single Pony* class, followed by the highly competitive CAI4 Single Horse* division. This competition, which also includes the Nations Cup, is an important benchmark for many French, Belgian and Swiss drivers as they prepare for the FEI World Championship for Single Horses in Munich later this year.
As mentioned previously, there were no Dutch competitors in action today.
Swiss driver Stefan Ulrich demonstrated that he is in excellent form. Scoring 40.39 penalty points, he was ranked first by four of the five judges and finished more than three penalty points ahead of fellow Swiss driver Michael Barbey, who scored 43.58. Judge Roland Morat awarded Ulrich almost exclusively marks of 8, together with several 9s, underlining the quality of his performance. French driver Fabrice Martin completed the top three with 46.31 penalty points.
Switzerland Leads the Nations Cup
It comes as no surprise that Switzerland now leads the Nations Cup standings. In addition to Ulrich’s victory, Mario Gandolfo finished fifth in the dressage.
France currently occupies second place, thirteen penalty points behind Switzerland, with Fabrice Martin (3rd), Marion Vignaud (8th) and Anne Violaine Brisou (17th) contributing to the team score. Luxembourg sits third thanks to Marie Schiltz (7th), Franz Schmitz (18th) and Nicolas Kandel (27th).
Marathon on Saturday
The marathon takes place tomorrow, with competitors starting in reverse order of the dressage results. The youth classes begin at 08:00, while François Dutilloy, currently leading the CAI3 Horse Pairs*, will be the final driver on course at 14:20.
Click here for the full results and the marathon starting orders
Click here for the photo album
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Photo: Melanie Guillamot
