A Mixed Result for British at Saumur CDI
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Saumur CDI (JYRP) ended up being a show of mixed fortunes for Britain’s riders with Richard Davison going down with a mystery virus on his arrival in France and Emile Faurie (Racit) and Emma Hindle (Lancet) both having to retire from the grand prix special for different reasons.
Fortunately Richard felt much better on the last day of the show and managed to score a respectable 71.1% with the 13-year-old 17.1hh German-bred gelding Hiscox Karachi to finish fourth in the grand prix kür, having only managed just over 63% in the grand prix.
British Dressage international teams director David Trott said: “Richard was like a zombie when he rode the grand prix – he really was very poorly – so much so that he nearly forgot to salute at the end of his test.”
Davison said: “It was a surreal experience. I only got out of bed for three days to ride. Karachi was on automatic pilot in the grand prix, but needed my help towards the end of the test, but I was not with it. I was probably more of a hindrance than a help. On the last day, it all came together and he was relaxed, which is a big thing for him.”
Sandy Phillips and 17hh 12-year-old German-bred mare Lara impressed the judges to finish fifth in the grand prix special with nearly 70%, which will have done her chances to get a place on the team for the World Equestrian Games no harm.
Trott said: “The judges loved the horse; she is light and elegant and has power with it.”
In the small tour, Henriette Andersen rode the 12-year-old 16hh Dutch-bred stallion Louis d’Or to finish fifth in only his fourth prix st georges. Then they performed their first intermediaire I to take third and went one better in the intermediaire I kür with a second place on 71.65%.
Trott and British Dressage Pony Team chef d’equipe Islay Auty were also most impressed by pony rider Alice Thompson and her new mount for the season, the striking 14.2hh nine-year-old dun stallion Donnerblitz. Alice, who celebrated her 15th birthday during the show, won a team bronze at the 2005 European Pony Championships.
Trott said: “They had good scores in all three classes and this bodes well for our chances in this year’s Pony European Championships
