Monday July 4, 2005

Damon Hill and Florencio Win 2005 World Championships in Verden

Florencio Prolongs World Champion's Title

It was no surprise that Hans Peter Minderhoud and the Westfalian stallion Florencio renewed their World Champion title in the 6-year old division. Last year, Florencio was the highest scoring horse ever at the World Championships and this year he eclipsed his peers once more. With an overall mark of 9.48 and a 10 for canter and 9.8 for trot, he showed a level of elasticity and engagement rare in a young horse.

The silver medal went to British Damian Hallam on the Oldenburg gelding Spirit Freedom (Sion x Figaro). Spirit Freedom showed great maturity for the 6-year old test requirements without looking overtrained. Their 8.90 score put them ahead off bronze medallist Carola Koppelmann on the Trakehner Insterburg (Hohenstein x Giorgio Armani), who got 8.72 placed in the Finals.