Sunday January 27, 2002

Ferrer-Salat Continues World Cup Success-Story

2001 Spanish Dressage Champion Beatriz Ferrer-Salat is continuing her World Cup Qualifier success-story. In order to provide a sequal for her victory at the CDI-W Mechelen, Belgium, Ferrer-Salat knew she had to be present at the next event-to-be: the CDI-W San Patrignano in Rimini, Italy. Supreme reign in both World Cup Qualifiers strenghtened her position in the provisional rankings of the Western European League of the World Cup Circuit.

The exclusive location of San Patrignano definitely needs further explanation. San Patrignano is the leading community in Europe for the rehabilitation and social re-integration of drug addicts. It is located next to Rimini, on the Adriatic coast, in the Northern part of Italy (Bologna is the nearest International airport) and it extends on 250 hectares.

Top equestrian events are not new to San Patrignano. Every year in July the community organizes a show jumping show, the CSI-A Challenge Vincenzo Muccioli, that in the past few years has given San Patrignano the opportunity to promote on an international level the community's activity. Furthermore, San Patrignano is hugely involved in the horse world with its jumping team and first class stud.

Giacomo Muccioli, youngest son of the community's founder, the late Vincenzo, and president of San Patrignano's equestrian events commented that, "the Italian Equestrian Federation offered us this opportunity after the smooth running of the National Dressage Freestyle Championships that, for the first time, were held at San Patrignano last November." Laura Conz and Fibrin were the winners of this event.

Ferrer-Salat, who is trained by the German Klaus Balkenhol, claimed victory in both Grand Prix and Freestyle. With her Hanoverian gelding Beauvalais, which she purchased from Heike Kemmer two years ago, Ferrer-Salat scored 71.46% in the Grand Prix and 75.56% in the freestyle, beating Italian Dressage Champion Laura Conz twice.

Aboard Fibrin, Conz put 69.80% and 74.96% on the scoreboard. “It is a very important result,” Conz declared afterwards, “because it confirms the rising level of my horse”. Swiss Dressage Champion Daniel Ramseier settled for third place twice. His Rali Babi helped him to score 69.56% and 74.09%.

In the Open Grand Prix, the Dutch Gonnelien Rothenberger-Gordijn proved to be in shape with C'est Bon. This 14-year old bay Oldenburg mare (by Contender x Futuro) has never been Rothenberger's top choice in her vast horse collection, but as a combination, the two are able to show some nice dressage. The moderate 66.60% was good for a first place in that class.

At Prix St Georges level, the Dutch Stephanie Peters reigned supreme aboard her 10-year old Dutch mare Kelian (by Bentley). 66.60% in the Prix St Georges and 70.28% in the Intermediaire I freestyle handed her the overall championships at that level.

Text by Astrid Appels

Related Links
Scores CDI San Patrignano at eurodressage.com
San Patrignano Official Website