FEI World Championship for Single Horses in Munich: Laure Philippot Leads After First Day of Dressage

Sunshine, clouds and wind alternated throughout the day in Munich. The dressage began at 9:00 a.m. The first Dutch individual competitor, Kim de Groot, was third to start and finished with a score of 58.97 penalties. There were a few mistakes in the canter movements and, in the final extended trot, Nareska broke into canter for one stride.

Strong start for the Dutch, with three drivers in the top eleven

Saskia Siebers, also competing as an individual, produced a solid, mistake-free test with Nulleke, which she rode neatly and safely. She was the first competitor to break the 50-penalty barrier, scoring 49.64.

Xander Tuitjer also showed that his mare Luna is a well-trained horse. He produced an attractive test for 53.11 penalties, with the mare remaining very attentive and showing plenty of impulsion and power from behind. The lateral movements still need some attention, but overall it was a very pleasing test to watch.

The first TeamNL driver, Larissa Jansma, showed many beautiful movements, with Dandy Jane’s experience clearly visible. Unfortunately, she lost marks in the halt and in the preparation for the rein-back, which meant the rein-back itself did not come off as intended. There was also a mistake in the final halt and salute: the mare did not stand still and jumped forward. Larissa finished with 52.37 penalties.

Germany’s Marie Tischer moved another step closer to the 40-penalty mark with her expressive horse Fortino. A mistake in the final left canter on the short side raised her total to 44.05 penalties.

Defending World Champion Mario Gandolfo needed some time to settle into his test. Relaxation took a while to come and his mare Favela reacted sharply to the aids, making some of the movements appear slightly hurried. Nevertheless, the Ground Jury rewarded the test with 47.65 penalties, and Mario was very pleased with the result.

A perfect 10 for Wilbrord from Pia Skar

After the lunch break, individual competitor Wilbrord van den Broek produced a fantastic test with his Gelderlander Love to Dance. The Danser offspring showed excellent balance in all three gaits, with plenty of impulsion without ever appearing hurried. Apart from the lateral movements, everything seemed to come easily to him.

Wilbrord even received a perfect 10 for the halt from President of the Ground Jury Pia Skar. With a final score of 43.32 penalties, he finished third after the first day of dressage.

The final two team drivers, Switzerland’s Michael Barbey and Belgium’s Laure Philippot, also showed at the end of the day just how beautiful driving dressage can be. Both produced elegant, light-footed tests, with Michael scoring 43.12 penalties and Laure 42.38. It was a well-deserved top three at the end of the first day, with Laure Philippot in the lead and another full day of dressage still to come.

Second half of the dressage tomorrow

This evening, all teams will come together for the traditional Nations Evening. Each year, the teams bring a wide variety of delicacies, snacks and drinks from their home countries, giving everyone the opportunity to sample some of their favourite national specialities. The evening is all about togetherness and enjoying each other’s company.

Tomorrow at 9:00 a.m., Norway’s Kristine Steine Sund will be the first competitor from the second half of the field to enter the arena. Only one TeamNL driver competed today, which means that the standings in both the individual and team competitions can only be properly assessed at the end of tomorrow’s competition.

Tomorrow’s competition can once again be followed live via ClipMyHorse, as well as via FEI Driving on Facebook and YouTube.

Click here for all of today’s results

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Photo: Marleen van Straaten