— FEI Press Release: Louise Parkes, Edited by Euro Dressage – Photo © Dirk Caremans
Great Britain’s Charlotte “Lottie” Fry and her ride at the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games during the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2023/2024 Western European League Round 6 in Mechelen, Belgium, Friday, December 29, 2023 Everdale won with a bang.
With a score of 84.980, they took the top spot ahead of Dutchman Marlies van Baalen and Habibi DVB, Belgium’s Flor de Win with Flynn FRH, and Germany’s Lapael with Great Escape Camelot. – Two rising stars named Nets filled the 3rd and 4th spots.
International lineup
The event attracted a truly international crowd, with Singapore’s Caroline Chew (Blue – Hawes Zatchmo) and India’s Anush Agarwala (Sir Caramelo Old). Jacques van Dale (Belgium), Freddie Reimann (Belgium), Isobel Wessels (UK), Christoph Umbach (LUX).
For them, this was their last chance to earn Olympic ranking points and earn an individual spot for their country at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Although the final tally has not yet been officially announced, Chew is likely to successfully represent Singapore and qualify for the country’s second consecutive year.
show stealer
He was a rookie on the Belgian Riesenbeck team. Flor de Winne And her superb nine-year-old colt Flynn (Fahrenheit x Sir Oldenburg) stole the show in the first half, setting himself apart from the rest of the field with a great performance that added to his goals in the second half. It was over 80.330 percent, much to the delight of the local crowd. De Wine accentuated the horse’s movements over very catchy electronic music.
The lead was threatened until the final three players, but marlies van baalen And 11-year-old Habibi (out of Johnson x Don Shufro) put in a great test with a score of 81.160 to take the lead, but was quickly overtaken by Fry and his 14-year-old colt. ring.
fly and everdale
Running with precision, supreme confidence and class, the pair threw in powerful half passes and canter pirouettes, multiple big-scoring flying changes, and, of course,… fryHis particular specialty is an extended canter that lives up to his name. The audience cheered as the score went up and knew they had seen something special.
Fry posted a winning score of 84.980% riding to the music of the brand new Moulin Rouge, which premiered at CDI-W in London two weeks ago.
Lottie won the Grand Prix on Thursday with a score of 76.152%, but Belgian judge Van Dahlé was very satisfied with his score of 78.043%, while Luxembourg’s 5-star judge Christophe Umbach pointed out a problem with his score of 71.848%. The judges’ opinions were divided as 1st place was sufficient. All five judges awarded her her first Grand Prix award.
minimal assistance
The 24-year-old German entered the ring at the end of the freestyle. rafael netz Lottie’s top score didn’t make him or his new partner Great Escape Camelot (by Johnson x Turbo Magic) nervous. With his multiple U25 gold medalist, Esther of Switzerland he led Wettstein’s former rider to the end where he scored over 80%. He is a 12-year-old horse who has competed internationally since March this year, and his highest score of the day was 80.215 points. Riders were outstanding with their seats and aids. He was motionless in the saddle, his hands quiet, and his aids appeared minimal. He trains with and works for Jessica Werndl and Benjamin Werndl.
Netherlands’ Tamar Zweistra Hexagon’s Ich Weiss (by Hexagon’s Rubikil x Negro) took fifth place ahead of Belgium. charlotte defalk Botticelli (Vivaldi x Cos) in 6th place morgan barbanson In 7th place was France’s Havana Libre A (Gigi Top x United). Belgium came in 8th place Larissa Parui She came very close to making a miraculous recovery from the 13-year-old gelding Flambeau after he had a bit of a tantrum shortly after the start of the test, but in the end he performed admirably, taking his score to a very respectable 77.905. I got it back on point. .
Belgium historical score
At the post-competition press conference, there was great joy at Belgium’s result, with coach Jeroen van Lent saying that Flor de Win’s score was “a new record for the first time in Belgian dressage competition history to score 80 points (percentage). So, as a director,” he declared. Belgian Dressage I’m a happy man! ” he said.
De Wine agreed. “Yes, here we are again! I can’t believe it, no one would have dared to dream of such a thing!” she said.
The excitement around her and her very elegant stallion Flynn grows with each outing. Just a few weeks ago in London (GBR), the pair had already made a big impression, finishing 6th in freestyle. At just nine years old, the horse is still developing, and the partnership he has formed with his 28-year-old jockey suggests there is much more to come. Flore trains with Carmen de Bont.
Asked if he thought he could reach the level of today’s winners Fry and Everdale, de Winn answered honestly and confidently: “It’s everyone’s childhood dream and mine too!” We are growing slowly and we are both green at this level, but in the future we will grow closer to it or even better. I would like to. ”
Furthermore, when asked if he found the atmosphere created by a packed arena to be unwieldy, he said: “We came from London, and London was already huge, but Mechelen is definitely on the same level as London.” It was even more emotional when I entered the arena, my hair stood on end and I can’t wait to come back!” said the third place rider.
Full house
Runner-up Van Baalen said: “The crowd here was amazing. It was packed and there was a great atmosphere!”
And today was a special day for the Dutch star.
“Habibi and I rode a great freestyle. He was on vacation after the European Championships so we did our first indoor run again at Kronenberg (NED). Very good warm-up for Mechelen “And I was really happy that I was able to set a new personal best in freestyle today!” she pointed out. Marlies trains with her mother, Coby Van Baalen, and Western rider Leakie Young.
And, of course, Lottie Frye was also a happy woman. “It’s my third time coming to Mechelen, but it’s my first time winning, so it’s more fun than usual!” We had a great run in Everdale yesterday and today. I think these two tests were his best so far and he’s always improving. And the atmosphere at the venue today was truly amazing!
Lottie continued: “Even for the Grand Prix, there were so many spectators that we wouldn’t normally be able to come, so it was really great to see and the award presentation was incredible. It was like the roof was taken off. It was like being able to do it,” he said. The 27-year-old, who is ranked second in the world and won a double gold medal at the 2022 World Championships, said:
Kittel tops Western Europa League World Cup rankings
As 2023 draws to a close, Sweden’s Patrick Kittel still leads the Western European League standings, with French rider Morgan Barbanson in second place and young German Nets following today’s result. He moved up to 3rd place, and Fry also moved up to a tie for 6th place. .
With five qualifiers remaining before the series final in April 2024, there’s still plenty of action scheduled, with the new year starting in two weeks’ time with the next race in Basel, Switzerland.
Related Links
Score: 2023 CDI-W Mechelen
2024 World Cup Final Euro Dressage Coverage