A great start for the 12th Internationaux de Dressage of Compiègne. Even though the CDIO5* and it’s FEI Nations Cup only starts tomorrow, Saturday the 6th of May, spectators have already been able to applaud the stars of the discipline with wins by the World n°2 Charlotte Fry in the CDI3* and the CDI 1*, Lilly Marie Collin in the CDI Pony and that of France’s Mado Pinto in the opening class of the CDIY, a category for under 21s. Yet again, the Grand Parc equestrian stadium is promising a weekend of top level sport and will be brought to close on Sunday afternoon with a show by the great Santi Serra.
Charlotte Fry & LARS VAN DE HOENDERHEIDE
In particular there were two riders eagerly awaited at this latest edition of the Internationaux de Dressage of Compiègne: Great Britain’s Charlotte Fry, the World n°2 (after 4 months at the top from January to May 2023) and the n°7, Sweden’s Patrik Kittel, who lead his team to victory in the Nations cup in 2022. Entered today in the CDI3*, these top of the bill riders delighted the public by taking 1st (75.783%) and 2nd (73.826%) places respectively in the Engie Solutions Grand Prix. Partnering Lars van de Hoenderheide, with whom she recently won the 3* Grand Prix and Freestyle at ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the new star of the discipline has already made her mark this year at Compiègne: “Lars was fantastic, this is his best performance to date. It’s his first outdoor international and he behaved really well. Even if it’s only the 3*, there was already a very good atmosphere, and I think he’ll have felt it. Above all I want him to gain experience and enjoy competing. As for myself I’m also looking forwards to the Nations Cup tomorrow. Everdale is in great form and we’ve lined up a team that’s younger but with lots of potential’’.
The Grand Prix also signalled the return of Well Done de la Roche CMF to Compiègne. Patrik Kittel’s favourite partner, with whom he won the 5*CDIO in 2021 as an individual and helped the Swedish team to victory in the Nations Cup here in both 2018 and 2019, was returning to the competition arena following nearly two years off. I’m so happy to be able to be back with Well Done,” said the rider. ‘’His first 5*Grand Prix victory was here at Compiègne in 2019! I love this event, I’ve been coming here for many years now, and it’s always a real pleasure. We’ve seen the site, which is really magnificent, evolve, and the public always turn-up, what more can you ask for?” Behind them, Germany’s Matthias Alexander Rath, who has been very successful in recent months, took third with his son of Totilas, the stallion Thiago GS (73.500%)
A first Marseillaise for Mado Pinto in the CDI Young Riders
Accustomed to podiums at Compiègne, France’s young riders champion (2022 & 2021), Mado Pinto, demonstrated that she is again, in 2023, a force to be reckoned with. Riding Hot Bit de la Gesse and Joolz de la Gesse, both homebred, the rider was placed 1st and 4th, leaving the arena having achieved 69.912% and 68.471%. ‘’A victory with Hot Bit is a great way to start the competition“ smiled the rider. ‘’This is our third and final season in young riders so I want to make the most of it. We know each other by heart, that’s what makes the difference. The objective is of course to continue like this tomorrow and Sunday but also to prepare for the European Championships and then the French Championships which I’ll be competing in for the very last time in this category. Joolz is equally a fantastic horse! He’s my father’s future ride (the rider Carlos Pinto) but he’s kindly lent him to me to compete with this year. I ride him less often but he has a lot of quality, he’s got that extra something, that with more work will make all the difference I think.’’ In second place was her main rival, Belgium’s Jette de Jong on Heavenly Charming (68.882%) and in third, an outsider, Great Britain’s Claudia Davis and Fergus RT (68.529%), who has shown that she is not to be overlooked this weekend.
CDI 1* – Charlotte Fry again
Not content with having already won the CDI3*, Charlotte Fry showed the extent of her talent by hoisting her young recruit Jackson to the top of the class. A son of her champion Everdale, with whom she will be competing in the 5*CDIO, the 9 year old KWPN was impressive and exited the arena on 75.529%. ‘’I’m so proud of Jackson,” said the British rider, “this is really his very first outdoor competition, everything is new for him. The weather wasn’t on our side with rain and even a storm but he was exemplary. I really enjoyed riding him’’. Switzerland’s Andrina Suter was second with Briatore NRW on 73.971% and Denmark’s Anna Kasprzak on Everian L, third having scored 72.471%.
CDI U25s – Advantage to the Netherlands with the World n°11, Daphne van Peperstraten
Few surprises in the CDI reserved for under 25s as Daphne van Peperstraten took control on this very first day with Greenpoint’s Cupido (69.205%). The 2020 European champion and World n°11 in her category , is the favourite alongside the rider ranked n°18, Spain’s Juan José Gonzalez de las Cuevas who was 3rd with Denksport (67.282%). In 2nd place, Germany’s Luca Sophia Collin was awarded the score of 68.282% with Ferrero D.
CDI Junior – A double for France
Good performances from France in the Junior category thanks to Anna Dupuy Pelardy and Ines de Koninck. Riding Jarina des Vallées, Anna Dupuy Pelardy, already victorious at Le Mans less than a month ago, took the top slot with 72.424% in front of the rider ranked n°14, Ines de Koninck who rode Feuerdorn VB (71.717%). Belgium took third with Clara Collard ranked n° 15, and Escape (71.061%).
CDI Pony, the Prix Campanile – The European champion, Lilly Marie Collin, is unchallenged.
“This first day in Compiègne went really well and allowed us to win the Team Test. I’m delighted, it’s our first time competing here, the setting is wonderful. Our goal is to continue like this. This is my last year in ponies, I really want to make the most of every competition with Cosmo,” confided the reigning European champion and World number one, Germany’s Lilly Marie Collin. With Cosmo Callidus NRW, she thad a convincing win with a score of 73.476% ahead of her compatriot Mia Allegra Lohe with Tovdals Golden Future Imperial (71.952%) and Belgium’s Emilie Herweyers on Vercingetorix VB (70.952%).