The Netherlands takes Team Gold once again
The defending European Championship team from 2019 in Rotterdam have just reclaimed their title here at the FEI Para Dressage European Championships in Riesenbeck. For a long time, it looked like it could be German gold but then the European championship debutant Demi Haerkens (Grade IV) and her super mare EHL Daula entered the arena. The pair absolutely smashed it in the Grand Prix B and were rewarded with outstanding 79.730%.
Not only did they have the highest score of the day but more importantly they put the Netherlands in gold position. Before her Frank Hosmar (Grade V) riding Alphaville N.O.P. and Lotte Krijnsen (Grade III) on Rosenstolz N.O.P. had laid a strong fundament for the gold. Finally, Sanne Voets (Grade IV) and Demantur RS2 N.O.P. sealed the deal and brought the team score up to an impressive 232.637%.
In the end, the German team consisting of Heidemarie Dresing (Grade II) on Horse24 Dooloop, Melanie Wienand (III) on Lemony's Loverboy, Martina Benzinger (Grade I) on Nautika and Regine Mispelkamp (Grade V) on Highlander Delight's took the silver medal with a total score of 226.979%.
On bronze, we have the super ladies from Great Britain, Georgia Wilson (Grade II) riding Sakura, Gabby Blake (Grade I) on Strong Beau, Charlotte Cundall (Grade V) on FJ Veyron and Sophie Wells (Grade V) on LJT Egebjerggards Samoa finishing with a total score of 222.663%.
National trainer for the Netherlands Joyce Heuitink Speaking after the final result:
“I am incredibly happy, and I am more than proud. I think from most of them it was a pure masterclass! It gave me goosebumps and tears during the test already, because it was so nice and effortless and beautiful and mistake-free. I have riders that perform under pressure and they have to show it every show, which is never a guarantee, but once again they have proven that they can perform under pressure which also makes me extremely proud that you can rely on such good riding”