Media updates

2005 FEI European Eventing Championship

Media updates
07 September 2005 Author: webmaster
Brilliant Bettina 
 
The first Dressage day of the FEI Blenheim Petplan European Eventing Championship was one of elegance and balance. The level of Eventing Dressage has dramatically improved over the last years and today some truly inspiring performances took place. But the best of them all was unquestionably Bettina Hoy’s on Ringwood Cockatoo who scored an outstanding 31.3, which puts the pair in the lead by a comfortable margin. Unexpectedly, Pippa Funnell’s Ensign, who is not exactly a hardworking Dressage star, performed his best test to date and was rewarded by an impressive 37.8. The two ladies are followed by France’s Didier Willefert on Escape Lane*Mili with 40.2.

Bettina’s test was lightness itself. A footperfect Cockatoo went for what seemed effortless half passes coupled with some very good extensions. The canter work was also appreciated and the transition between medium to collected canter was deservingly rewarded by a 10.

Pippa Funnell’s Ensign, who was not deemed reliable enough to be on the British team, has proved everyone wrong so far. The 10-year old gelding is fairly inexperienced in Eventing as he has been competing in the sport only for three years. He began his career as a racehorse but as he was too layback he could not continue in that direction. Pippa bought him with the plan to train him and sell him but nobody seemed to want such a lazy horse so she was forced to keep him. Blenheim has got off to a promising start for Pippa and Ensign but much is yet to come especially since steering on the Cross Country course is the horse’s weakest point.

Frenchman Didier Willefert was delighted with the performance of Escape Lane*Mili. “I’m not well known internationally and I’m thrilled to be here with the stars,” a smiling Willefert commented. The pair who had performed even better on home ground three weeks ago felt the pressure but stood it well. They are looking forward to the Cross Country especially since Escape Lane is a mentally strong and generous horse who likes speed.

Dressage will resume tomorrow morning at 9h30 with the remaining 34 riders to go.


Contact:
Winnie Murphy, press officer
Phone (landline):             + 44 1993 810 103      
Email: winnie.murphy@britisheventing.com

Official website with live results http://www.blenheim-horse.co.uk/
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

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