Thibault Coudry takes his first international success in 4-in-a-hand
Sunday, May 03, 2009
4 horses (Horses Team): Thibault Coudry wins his first international show!
The young driver, who trains in Conty since several seasons, managed to keep his nerves cool to win his very first event in this category. The Dutch driver Herman Ter Harmsel, who finished 2nd at the dressage and marathon tests, ended the competition at the 2nd rank. Stéphane Chouzenoux kept his 3rd place from dressage to cones test.
2 horses (Horses Pair): Riny Rutjens undaunted
The Dutch drivers, who started the competition with a lot of ambition, had some problems after dressage but thanks to Riny Rutjens, The Netherlands remained at the top place in 2 horses category. Rutjens, 8 times Dutch Champion and former World Champion (in 2003), realized a clear round on the cones test which let him with more than 10 points before his fellow-country woman Saskia van Heesch (2nd). Due to 2 balls down, Alfons Egbers (NED) slip from the podium and let German driver Karin Schitterle climbing on the 3rd step.
1 horse (Horse Solo): two Frenchies at the top!
After the eliminaton of the current individual World Champion Jan van den Broek on fence n°5 during the marathon, the French drivers could hope to keep the trophy home. Thanks to a perfect cones test, Anne-Violaine Brisou, current World Reserve Champion, remained at the 1st place 10 points before Michael Sellier (FRA). Jacqueline de Groote-Apon (NED), who won the marathon, finished 3rd.
Ponies: Villanueva (FRA) and Hainisch (GER)
Whereas Laurie Astegiano offered the victory to USA in 4 ponies category, the German Patrick Hainisch calmly dominated the 1 pony section. Beside him on the podium, two French drivers Cyril Baeckelandt 2nd and Sophie de Longcamp 3rd. 2 ponies was the keenliest contested category. Jean-Marie Villanueva (FRA), in the lead after dressage and marathon phases, was only 1 ball from his direct opponent. Hopefully, the French nice driver realized a clear round in the time allowed, which meant the victory. The youngest driver of the show, Australian’s Jessica Meredith, finished 2nd before Franck Grimonprez 3rd.
Filed Under
Driving Trials
