News at FEI
Finishing on a total of 17 points, the Dutch team edged out second-place Sweden by just 2 points, after the two nations battled it out for the top podium spot in a weekend of superb Dressage action.
Third place at Geesteren went to Great Britain, who finished on 48 points. Midway through the season’s events, participating countries are hoping to qualify for the FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ Finals at Hickstead in Great Britain, which will be held during the last week of July.
After the first day of competition with the Grand Prix test, the Netherlands were in the lead, thanks to Edward Gal’s individual number-one performance aboard Glock’s Zonik N.O.P. for a total score of 78.304 percent.
Backing up Gal was teammate Emmelie Scholtens and her mount Desperado in fourth place, with Dutch riders Anne Meulendijks and Hans Peter Minderhoud taking sixth and seventh place respectively.
Heading into Sunday’s Grand Prix Freestyle competition, Team Sweden were in first place, having taken over the leaderboard from the Netherlands in the Grand Prix Special. Whilst Scholtens and Minderhoud captured the second and fourth places in that event, the Swedish Ramel sisters, Juliette and Antonia, dominated, taking first and third on scores of 79.915 and 74.660 percent.
Not to be trounced on home turf, the Dutch Dressage team came on strong for the final Freestyle event. Once again topping the leaderboard, Edward Gal turned in a stellar performance that showcased gorgeous extended gaits on Glock’s Zonik for collected marks of 82.250 percent, demonstrating why he is always a crowd favourite.
Swedish rider Therese Nilshagen finished second on 81.495 percent, in a programme that highlighted the powerful impulsion of Dante Weltino OLD, whom Nilshagen calls “the horse of my life.”
The bronze medal in the Freestyle was awarded to Anne Meulendijks who finished on 79.825 percent. Another crowd pleaser, Meulendijks showed off MDH Avanti N.O.P.’s clean pirouettes and supple half passes to help boost her team to the win.
