Sweden’s Patrick Kittel, riding Jovian, won the PKM Logistique Freestyle Grand Prix, the grand finale of Compiègne’s Internationaux de dressage. Alongside him on the podium, Pauline Basquin (Sertorius de Rima Z IFCE) and Corentin Pottier (Gotilas du Feuillard) who put in a historic performance for France. The packed stands at the Grand Parc equestrian stadium enjoyed the show!
A familiar picture. One of Compiègne’s most loyal competitors, the Swede Patrick Kittel putting his arms around the neck of his horse at the end of his freestyle programme at Compiègne’s Internationaux de dressage. Already on the top step of the podium in 2021 and winner of the Nations Cup on several occasions with his country, the World n° 6 again dominated on Sunday in the PKM Logistique Freestyle Grand Prix. He succeeded Britain’s Charlotte Fry, the reigning World champion, winner here last year with Everdale. The 47-year-old rider, who finished second in the last two editions of the competition (with Touchdown), was the penultimate rider to start with Jovian, his ten-year-old KWPN stallion. He took the lead with a score of 80.690%, thanks in particular to a beautiful extended trot and good final overall scores. “I’m really very, very happy to win again at Compiègne,” declared the overjoyed winner of the World Cup final with Touchdown in April. ‘’My horse is really great. I haven’t been riding him for long, and this is only our third international event. I’m trying to find the right routine. There are still a few things to work on, but I’m very pleased. I’ve often come to Compiègne and I’ve been lucky enough to win a lot of classes with very different horses. It really is my favourite competition and has a very special atmosphere. The big increase of strength in French dressage seems to give this event even more scope and enthusiasm. I’m delighted!”
France, already third in the FEI Nations Cup on Saturday, could indeed rejoice with their weekend. By just four tenths, the Swede was ahead of Pauline Basquin with Sertorius de Rima Z IFCE, a 14-year-old gelding who has become the pillar of the French team. With a score of 80.290%, the rider from the Cadre Noir de Saumur broke the symbolic 80% barrier for the third time. ‘’I would have signed up for this result straight away, even though I’m not far from victory,” confided the rider from Saumur. ‘’I’m delighted with the horse, he’s very brave and gave it his all even though he was tired. He was carried by the public. I’m really proud of him. The work on his canter over the winter is starting to pay off. He was more relaxed today. That’s a real positive for the future. I’m over the 80 mark again and that’s encouraging for the future. It gives you motivation and confidence. It’s a lovely reward for everyone, the people who follow me in Saumur, the staff who put their heart and soul into it, and the French team. We’ll have a good week’s rest before leaving again for Le Mans, which will also be used to prepare for Rotterdam.’’
To have a French rider on the podium of a CDI5* is rare. To have two is exceptional, even historic. Invited at the last-minute following Morgan Barbançon’s withdrawal, Corentin Pottier and Gotilas du Feuillard achieved the feat of climbing onto the third step of the podium. ‘’It’s crazy,” he exclaimed. ‘’I should never have even been here, and the weekend ends with a podium for the team and one for me in the Freestyle. It’s completely unexpected. Especially with the field that was here. I’d said to myself that a fifth place would already be very good. It wasn’t the easiest test I’ve ridden. The horse was a bit hot. But we’ve done so many competitions together now that we’ve come to understand each other. It was hard for him, but he went for it. I’m really proud of him. The collective result is also wonderful. We all work very hard. It’s the result of two or three long years of trying to improve things little by little.’’
With two couples on the podium, France had an excellent competition and above all a very promising one ahead of the Olympics. ‘’Things are progressing well,” explained Jean Morel as he watched his two riders complete their laps of honour. ‘’We’re obviously pleased. We were hoping for a podium finish this season, we didn’t know where we’d get it and we’ve achieved it at Compiègne. Now we’ve got to go and get some more. We’ve worked hard and it’s paying off. But we mustn’t get carried away. It’s good, we’re climbing slowly and people are talking about us. They all rode well and did what was asked of them. Now we’re going to go to Le Mans, we’re also bringing out other horses elsewhere. You must analyse the competitions one by one. For the moment, we’re not yet in the Games, even though they’re approaching. I’m also pleased to have had the riders for a fortnight. It allows us to live together, the riders and the staff, and that’s very important for me. Now we have to stay calm and be ready for the big day, not the day before, nor the day after.“
CDI 5* Grand Prix Spécial Eurovia – Denmark’s Daniel Bachmann Andersen convinces the judges
Winner of the Nations Cup, Denmark also came away with victory in the Eurovia Special Grand Prix. Riding his huge 13-year-old stallion Vayron, Daniel Bachmann Andersen (World n°14) gained the unanimous approval of the judges in the Eurovia Special Grand Prix. With a score of 75.915%, very close to his GPS record (76.149%), the rider put in a superb performance, scoring particularly high points for his extended trot and his passage sequences. At almost 34 years of age, the Dane, already second in Friday’s Grand Prix, was obviously delighted with his performance and that of his horse, previously ridden by Germany’s Helen Langehanenberg. ‘’He was fantastic,” he enthused. ‘’I’m so proud of my horse. He has done two incredible tests. Today, he was a little more distracted and I had to be very careful to make sure he was with me. There are still a few details to sort out but I’m very confident because he’s progressing very well. I’m also very happy to have come to Compiègne for the first time. The site is superb, the public numerous and enthusiastic. What’s more, the food is good. I really hope to return!’’. He finished ahead of Great Britain’s Becky Moody on Jagerbomb (74.298%) and Denmark’s Carina Cassøe Krüth (World n°12) on Heiline’s Danciera (73.745%).
A very positive conclusion
Heading the organisation since its very beginning, Monique Marini, chairwoman of the Compiègne Equestre Association, was very satisfied with how the event went. ‘’I’m delighted with this 2024 edition,” she confided. ‘’Once again, the big dressage nations and riders have shown their loyalty to Compiègne’s Internationaux de dressage. It’s great recognition for the work carried out by our entire team and for everything we’ve done over the last few years to provide ideal conditions for riders and horses. The French team’s third place in the Nations Cup and the presence of two French riders on the podium of the PKM Logistique Grand Prix is also a great sporting achievement. This gives us great hope with just a few weeks to go before the Olympic Games. Finally, the stands were packed once again. We created this competition to make people enjoy dressage. This popular success is proof that we have succeeded in winning the loyalty of spectators and making them appreciate this wonderful sport. For all this, I’d like to thank all those who have made this rendezvous such a success for so many years. The organising team, all the private and institutional partners and all the volunteers. Without them, nothing would be possible.’’
Among the younger generations
CDIJ : God save the King in the juniors
With Vagabond de Massa, Great Britain’s Isla Sully, second on Friday and Saturday, this time went one better in the Junior Freestyle. Awarded a final score of 75.220% and a first place from the five judges, she beat the Dutch rider Kebie Raaijmakers on Kevita (72.885%) and the French rider Ines de Koninck on Feuerdorn VB (72.440%), who was unable to repeat her success of Saturday.
CDIY: A hat trick for Denmark’s Ludvigsen !
Riding her stallion DWB Blue Hors Touch of Olympic L, usually ridden by Nanna Skodborg Merrald (World no. 4), Denmark’s Sophia Ludvigsen (20 years old), last year’s European team champion and World no. 3 in her category, successfully left no stone unturned to her bid to win her third class in three days in the Freestyle. Scored at 75.755%, she was well ahead of Belgium’s Jette de Jong on Heavenly Charming (72.670%) and Great Britain’s Claudia Davis on Fergus RT (72.150%). France’s Louisa Valkyser (21years old ) took fifth place with Zenario (71.350%) and finished in fine style a weekend also marked by her third place on Friday.
CDIP: A double for the Netherlands
Already victorious on Saturday with her pony FS MR. Magic, Holland’s Kate Jansen was once again victorious in the freestyle on Sunday. With a score of 75.065%, she beat her compatriot Esmae Niessen on Strandgaards do it my Way (74.795%), Friday’s winner, and Azerbaijan’s Agata Zakhrabekova on RM Golden Shwoman (74.085%), who showed constancy this weekend with two second places in the previous tests. It is worth noting the presence of four representatives from the Netherlands in the top 5 of this freestyle.
Results – click here
Pictures selection : click here
|
|
|