DressageDaily: Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff and Wahajama Unicef Win Nurnberg Burgpokal 2002

Friday December 27, 2002

Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff and Wahajama Unicef Win Nurnberg Burgpokal 2002

Winner of the 2002 Nurnberg Burgpokal was the magical pair Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff and Wahajama Unicef. The Nurnberg Burgpokal is the unofficial German Prix St Georges Championship which runs over a series of qualifiers with a final at the CDI Frankfurt. The 2002 Pokal Finals were an exhilirating battle between Germany's top Prix St Georges combinations, but it was soon clear that only two riders were bound for the ultimate duel in the Siegerpreis. The challenge was on between Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff and Birgit Finken.

The Finals run over two tests, a Prix St Georges Special and the top three goes to the Siegerpreis - the "Winner's Prize" Finals. It were Linsenhoff and Wahajama Unicef that reigned supreme in both tests. Wahajama Unicef, an 8-year old Hanoverian mare by Warkant, excelled in her wonderful balance in all three gaits and in her correctness in the two tests. Scoring 74.56% and 90.00 points, Linsenhoff and Wahajama became the 2002 Nurnberg Burgpokal winners. Birgit Finken and Diamond Fritz finished second with 74.11% and 88.00 points, while Anja Plonzke and her Trakehner Solero RBS was third with 72.83% and 75.00 points.

Expected to be a top three finallist was Lisa Wilcox with her dapple grey stallion Royal Diamond. Errors in both the tempi's every three and four strides, prevented this dream story to come true. Wilcox finished fourth with 72.78% and missed out on the Siegerpreis.

Text by Astrid Appels
Image copyrighted: Jacques Toffi