Tension is rising at the DHL Prize. Yesterday, the second group of the 87 participating riders completed their Dressage tests. Ahead of today's Cross-Country phase, Germany's Julia Krajewski leads the individual standings, whilst Great Britain heads the team classification.
«When things go like this, Dressage is fun,» declared an enthusiastic Julia Krajewski after leaving the arena aboard her Holsteiner gelding, Uelzener's Nickel. The spectators packing Stadium 2 at Allianz Park were able to see for themselves exactly what the Olympic champion had felt in the saddle. The twelve-year-old son of Numero Uno executed the demanding Olympic Dressage test—newly introduced this year—flawlessly, displaying great impulsion, balance and perfect contact. «Without doubt, it has been our best Dressage test of this year,» stated Krajewski, «And perhaps even the best of all.» This was reflected not only by her score of 22.0 points, but also by the provisional standings: first position.
However, her international rivals are making their presence felt. Two-time European champion Laura Collett occupies second place after the dressage with her experienced championship horse, London. «My horse loves to show off,» commented the British rider. And that is precisely what the 17-year-old Holsteiner did: «He responded very well to my aids.» The judges awarded the pair a score of 22.8 penalties, enough to place them second.
Very close behind is the triple individual Olympic champion Michael Jung, on 23.0 penalties. Aboard his experienced fischerChipmunk FRH, competing in his eighth championship here, Jung produced an expressive and harmonious performance, although a small inaccuracy in the flying changes cost him a few tenths. «That had never happened to us before, or at least not in recent years,» explained Jung. Nevertheless, the German rider was very pleased with the overall performance: «I'm super happy with his rideability today. It's still a good result,» he emphasised, before adding with a smile: «I hope that was the last mistake we make this weekend.».
In the team standings, Great Britain leads with 72.8 points, followed closely by Germany with 73.6, still well within reach, while France occupies third position with 84.5 points.
However, everyone involved is well aware that this ranking is merely a snapshot of the current situation. Or, in the words of Laura Collett: «We can enjoy it for five minutes, but after that the focus is on the cross-country test.».
And today comes the Cross-Country, the second test of the DHL-Prize. Course designer Giuseppe Della Chiesa has created a technically demanding track that both riders and teams describe as «fair». «There are many options and it won't be easy to come inside the optimum time,» noted Julia Krajewski. «But there will be enough riders capable of solving the course well, and I hope we are among them.».
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Photograph ALRV/Camille Peter – MovingMemories
