With another sensational performance, Germany took the Dressage team title at the FEI European Pony Championships 2013 at Arezzo in Italy today. This was Germany’s 23rd victory in the history of the event which was first staged at San Remo, Italy in 1986. The Netherlands claimed silver medal spot today, while it was also an historic moment for the British who stood on the third step of the podium as they had not won a medal since 2007 when they also stood third on the podium.


With another sensational performance, Germany took the Dressage team title at the FEI European Pony Championships 2013 at Arezzo in Italy today. This was Germany’s 23rd victory in the history of the event which was first staged at San Remo, Italy in 1986. The Netherlands claimed silver medal spot today, while it was also an historic moment for the British who stood on the third step of the podium as they had not won a medal since 2007 when they also stood third on the podium. And the British had even more to be excited about today, as fourth-line rider, Phoebe Peters, produced the highest score of the entire competition with SL Lucci when posting 77.795.
The Germans already held the lead at the halfway stage yesterday thanks to excellent rides for Nadine Krauss (Danilo) and Sophie Kampmann (Voyager), and although Semmieke Rothenberger and the great Deinhard B didn’t show their usual sparkle when scoring 71.846 today that would still be good enough for gold. But last-line rider, Hannah Cichos, extended their margin of advantage over their Dutch rivals with a strong 74.590 from Equestricons Lord Champion.
The German total came to 225.795, with the Dutch combined score 221.513 and the British total 219.667. Fourth place went to Denmark (212.33) with France in fifth (204.000) and Belgium in sixth place (203.700). A total of 13 teams competed.
Everyone commented on the standard of competition at this year’s Championships. German Chef d’Equipe, Conny Emdres, said “it’s amazing to see the great quality of the ponies and the riding improving year after year. All the teams were really good and it will stay exciting in the Individual competition - there were so many riders scoring over 70 per cent today!” she pointed out.
Dutch Chef d’Equipe, Tineke Bartels, agreed - “the level (of competition) is very high so it is very challenging and exciting for the riders. I’m very happy with four of my riders scoring over 70 per cent, a big experience for everybody, but now we have to do better than that. Congratulations to Germany, but one day soon we will do better, although we still don’t know how!”
And British Chef d’Equipe, Elizabeth Mills, said she was “very proud” of her side. She had plenty to be pleased about where Peters was concerned, as this young lady looks set to make a big impression in the Individual and Freestyle competitions over the coming days.
Peters reflected on the test that left her with the highest score. She said her 11-year-old gelding “was a little tight when he first went in and I had to work hard. I think the canter work was the highlight (of the test) and the rhythm, balance and the simple changes were also good” she explained.
Sammieke Rothenberger’s Deinhard is one of the most sensational pony dressage protagonists of all time, setting a new world record score of over 80 per cent at Hagen, Germany earlier this year . The experienced and multi-medalled 14-year-old palomino, one of three stallions in the German side, was inattentive and not at his best during some of his test today, But gold medallist Rothenberger said “I’m proud of him no matter what!”. And she knows that things could be very different when the Individual competition gets underway tomorrow (Friday) morning. Rothenberger helped her team to victory in Hagen with a score of 79.359 before setting the new world record with Deinhard in the individual classes that followed.
And as Judge at C, Freddy Leyman from Belgium, pointed out at the post-competition press conference today “they all start on zero again in the Individual tomorrow so who knows what can happen!”. Leyman also expressed his appreciation for the organisation of the event at Arezzo. “On behalf of the all the judges I’d like to say how happy we are. This is a very happy and relaxed event”. He too couldn’t disguise his delight with the level of sport on show at these FEI European Pony Championships. “Throughout the competition we are seeing all of the riders producing very high-quality performances. The standard just gets better and better every year and there are so many top combinations. It’s different for the judges than it was five years ago. Now it is a bigger challenge for us because the difference between the riders is in every little detail”.
There is a lot more great sport ahead as first the Individual medals will be decided on Saturday after two days of competition, and then the Freestyle title will be awarded on Sunday morning.