Shorts are the definite attire for eventing at Strzegom (above) and France's Regis Prud'hon opted for the sleeveless look on cross country (below).
Photo courtesy Mariusz Chmieliński
Ludwig Svennerstal is one of nine nominated entries on the Swedish Rio Olympics list (and also has the Reserve horse listed) and his intention to be one of the certainties for the team was well and truly stamped at Strzegom on Saturday
Ludwig rode two faultless rounds across Marcin Konarski’s cross country course under conditions which could well eventuate in Rio in August. Despite the rest of Europe seemingly being under a huge cloud (not only metaphorically in terms of Brexit but also literally with downpours and thundery conditions across some of the UK and much of Europe) Strzegom has been sweating it out in ‘exotic’ weather for the past few days of competition
“Truly it feels like we have been relocated to Italy or Greece with temperatures well above 30 degrees and striking sunshine. The slightly cooling wind at the cross country was very appreciated at today’s event and lots of ice cream also helped!” says the press officer at Strzegom
Ludwig was the first rider on course with his experienced horse King Bob and he came home with one of the six double clear rounds of the day; he also reproduced this on his second ride, another Rio hopeful, the eight year old bay mare Aspe, putting him into the lead on King Bob (40.50) and seventh on Aspe (47.70). It was less good news for the Swedish Nations Cup team with Linda Algotsson and Niklas Lindback withdrawing their team horses before the cross country and Johan Lundin retiring on cross country
Michael Jung now is in second place on fischerTakinou (40.60), having incurred 6.4 time penalties and in fifth place on fischerRocana FST (46.70) with 8.4 time penalties. Whereas Ludwig’s team is yet to be named, Michael knows that he is heading to Rio and therefore has different priorities but it is going to be an exciting finale tomorrow
“I’m very happy about the form of fischerTakinou, I think this is my horse for Rio and he gave me a brilliant feeling. ..... we have one more competition in Aachen then we are ready to go”
“I wasn’t too fast as the ground was not perfect – the people here have done everything they can but it was really dry and hot so I’m not pushing the horses, I’m just letting them gallop and concentrate on the fence but for me it was perfect today”
Italy's Pietro Sandei on his team horse Inistioge Ohio Photo courtesy Mariusz Chmieliński
Italy’s eventing policeman Pietro Sandei on Rubis de Prere is in third place (44.20) having added just 0.40 time penalties while Britain’s Ros Canter produced a double clear round on Allstar B to move into fourth place.
The all-girl British team all put up good performances to move from fourth after the dressage into first place in the FEI Nations Cup competition. Izzy Taylor on KBIS Briarlands Matilda also produced a double clear while Laura Collett on Cooley Again had just 3.6 time penalties and Holly Woodhead on Fernhill Facetime picked up 10.8 time to be in 8th, 13th and 18th places individually
However it is very close with Italy on 157.90 behind Britain on 156.60 so it is again going to be a very exciting end to the competition tomorrow. In third place is Belgium who are way off the pace on 230.70 but Karin Donckers was an individual star for Belgium on the cross country, producing clear round on Grandioz for the team
In the CCI3* ANR Trophy another Belgian rider has taken the lead with a clear cross country ride - Hugo Laschet riding Omega de Gravelotte is leading on 46.20 with Irene Mia Hastrup of Denmark riding Constantin M in second place and the dressage leader, Italy’s Stefano Brecciaroli on Roulette B in third.
Stefano Brecciaroli and his CICO3* ride Apollo van de Wendi Kurt Hoeve Photo courtesy Mariusz Chmieliński
Finishing of the day was the CCI 1* with show jumping in the main arena. It was a long day for these 33 competitors waiting until 6pm to get started but it was finally won by Lara De Liedekerke- Meier and Jive About Wonderland
Let’s hope that today’s humid conditions hasn’t taken too much out of the horses and that all trot up well tomorrow for an exciting final day in Poland
