DressageDaily: Euro Update: Changes to Line Up Riders for 2006 World Cup Finals

Wednesday April 12, 2006

Euro Update: Changes to Line Up Riders for 2006 World Cup Finals

Three weeks before the 2006 World Cup Finals, two changes have taken place in the field of competitors. Two of the five riders that additionally earned a place in the finals based on their ranking, have been forced to withdrawn. British Wayne Channon and Danish Nathalia Zu Saeyn-Wittgenstein won't make the trip to Amsterdam due to injured horses. Channon's Lorenzo CH hurt himself on the walker and though back in training, he won't be fit for a World Cup Finals. On Wittgenstein's Rigoletto it has been stated that the Rubinstein son is "ill". Both combinations will be replaced by Russian Inessa Potouraeva and Swedish Kristian von Krusenstierna.

The famous Swedish dressage stallion Flyinge Strauss (by Hertigen x Utrillo - breeder: John Hansson) has passed away. For many years, Strauss was one of Sweden's best dressage horses under his steady rider Anette Solmell. From 1993 to 1998 the pair took part in all the big championships and won two team bronze medals for Sweden. "It´s a fairytale that is over now," Anette told the Swedish equestrian magazine Ridsport with tears in her eyes. "Strauss was a horse that always tried his best and never said no to his rider."

Andrew Gould and Gareth Hughes have shown to be in command over their competitors at the 2006 British Dressage Winter Championships, sponsored by Horse and Hound. In the advanced medium class, Australian born Gareth Hughes beat the invincible pair Damian Hallam and Spirit Freedom. Aboard Korenbloem Sandman (by Jazz), Hughes won the Advanced Medium and Medium Open division. Hallam, who rode his 2005 World Young Horse Reserve Champion to a second place, stated that a virus kept Spirit from being his best. Andrew Gould reigned supreme on Numero Uno, winning the Prix St Georges freestyle and Intermediaire I freestyle.

More Euro News at www.eurodressage.com
Photo copyrighted: Astrid Appels/Eurodressage