Sunday October 20, 2002

Ulla Salzgeber Repositions On Number One Spot After First World Cup Qualifier

Monica Theodorescu and Heike Kemmer, Come Back Kids

Making a strong come back at the end of the 2002 show season are Monica Theodorescu and Renaissance Fleur. Ever since she had to give up her ride on Tecrent Grunox in 1998, Theodorescu was never able to profile herself again as a German team rider. With her elegant Trakehner mare Renaissance Fleur (by Tuareg), Theodorescu has renewed chances to make an impression, but the competition is hard in Germany and it's highly unlikely that this dapple grey mare will give her a new ticket to success.

Nevertheless, at the CDI Dusseldorf Theodorescu was able to shine, escpecially in the freestyle. Her moderate Grand Prix ride of 70.28% (7th) was spiced up in the freestyle, clearly impressing the panel of judges who put 74.61% on the scoreboard and placed her third.

In fourth were Heike Kemmer and her Oldenburg gelding Albano (by Argentinus). While Kemmer was hot last year and got selected for the 2001 European Dressage Championships in Verden, Germany, the 2002 dressage season has became a real downfall for the duo from Celle, Germany. Kemmer and Albano sank from steadily scoring in the mid 70s range into a dip in which she was barely able to reach 65% per test. Her ninth place with 69.64% in the Grand Prix improved to a 74.02% and a fourth spot in the Freestyle.