Tomas tops in Altenfelden

Tomas Eriksson from Sweden has won the fifth FEI World Cup™ Qualifier in Altenfelden, Austria. Eriksson was too strong for Jiri Nesvacil sr. from the Czech Republic and Rainer Duen from Germany. Eriksson herewith enters the Top Five of the World Cup™ standings, which are led by Boyd Exell from Australia.
 
Competition statistics
- 11 four-in-hand drivers from 8 nations competed
- the field included 1 former World Champion: Tomas Eriksson (SWE)
- eldest competitor Franz Schnider, age 67
- youngest competitor Piotr Mazurek, age 35

Dressage
Double World Champion Tomas Eriksson was unanimously awarded with the first place in the dressage by the five international judges. Poland’s Piotr Mazurek, a former horse pair driver, was runner up with 7 points difference, followed by Jiri Nesvacil senior.

Slippery marathon
The competition in Altenfelden, which is kindly hosted by the Union Reit- und Fahrverein Altenfelden, faced some very sunny moments, but also some very heavy rain showers over the weekend, which made the marathon obstacles very heavy and slippery. Germany’s Josef Zeitler with his mixed team of Dutch, Russian, German and Polish horses won the marathon. Tomas Eriksson took advantage of his lead in the dressage and put a new horse in the lead to test. Eriksson came second, ahead of Louis Basty from France.

Obstacle driving
After dressage and marathon, Tomas Eriksson was 18 points ahead of Jiri Nesvacil and the very few penalties in the obstacle driving competition did not endanger his final victory. Nesvacil had moved up to the second place in the standings after his fourth place in dressage and secured this second place, driving his team of Kladruber horses. Rainer Duen was the only driver in the horse teams class who drive a double clear round and this made him climb to the third place in the final standings. Duen competed in Altenfelden with his second team, existing of three horses of his sponsor and one horse of his own to spare his major team for the CHIO in Aachen in two weeks. Duen will compete there individually.

Farewell
It was the 18th time that the CAI-A in Altenfelden was organized and Austrian course designer Helmut Rath has been the course designer from the first edition. Rath, who is struggling with his health, was honoured during the event and much appreciation was shown for his contributions in the past 18 years.

Next event
The sixth World Cup Qualifying event takes place at the CHIO in Aachen, Germany, from 1 to 4 July. The last Qualifier is in Donaueschingen, Germany, from 17 to 20 September. The four best results are counted and the Top Ten after Donaueschingen qualify for the FEI World Cup™ Driving season 2009-2010.
 
Results:
1. Tomas Eriksson (Swe) 139.25
2. Jiri Nesvacil sr. (Cze) 158.23
3. Rainer Duen (Ger) 158.73
4. Louis Basty (Fra) 160.13
5. Josef Zeitler (Ger)164.76

Provisional standings (NON-OFFICIAL) after 5 competitions:
place  Driver    NF  total
1 Boyd Exell AUS 42
2 József Dobrovitz HUN 38
3 IJsbrand Chardon NED 37
3 Koos de Ronde NED 37
5 Tomas Eriksson SWE 32
6 Lajos Móró HUN 29
7 Werner Ulrich SUI 27
8 Jiri Nesvacil sen. CZE 25
8 Mark Weusthof  NED 25
8 Daniel Würgler SUI 25

Qualifying venues for the 2009-2010 FEI World Cup™ Driving season:

1. Fabiansebestyen (HUN), 30 April-2 May 2009
2. Windsor (GBR), 13-15 May 2009
3. Vecses (HUN), 4-7 June 2009
4. Saumur (FRA), 11-14 June 2009
5. Altenfelden (AUT), 18-21 June 2009
6. Aachen (GER), 1-5 July 2009
7. Nebanice (CZE), 16-19 July 2009
8. Beekbergen (NED), 23-26 July 2009
9. Riesenbeck (GER), 31 July-2 August 2009
10. Breda (NED), 4-6 September 2009
11. Donaueschingen (GER), 17-20 September 2009