Rotterdam, Netherlands – June 21, 2018 – The first leg of the CDIO5* Nations Cup in Rotterdam kicked off today with a strong performance by the Dutch team, who is now currently sitting in the lead of the team competition with a total score of 224.218 (13 points based off placement). Edward Gal, aboard the 10-year-old Danish Warmblood stallion Glock’s Zonik N.O.P., claimed the top spot of the Grand Prix with a total score of 76.957 percent to contribute to the team’s lead. Following closely behind into second place was Sweden’s Therese Nilshagen on Dante Weltino with a 76.152 percent, and fellow Swedish rider Patrik Kittel and Well Done de la Roche earned a 75.739 percent to round out the top three.
Joining Gal on the team from the Netherlands was Emmelie Scholtens and the 13-year-old KWPN stallion Apache. The pair rode into fourth place with a total score of 74.261 percent to help secure the team’s lead in the Grand Prix. Hans Peter Minderhoud and Glock’s Dream Boy, a 10-year-old KWPN stallion, completed their test with a score of 73 percent and an eighth-place finish.
The Swedish team was determined to defend their overall Nations Cup series title win in 2017 with their all-star team. With rider’s individually claiming both second and third place in Thursday’s Grand Prix, the Swedish team currently sits in second place after the first day of competition with a total team score of 223.348 (15 points based on placement). Therese Nilshagen and the 11-year-old Oldenburg stallion Dante Weltino Old, took second place in the class with a total score of 76.152 percent. Fellow team member Patrik Kittel and Well Done de la Roche, a 10-year-old Swiss Warmblood mare, earned an individual third-place finish with a score of 75.804 percent.
The team from the United States pulled out a third-place finish in the team competition after the opening day with their performance in the Grand Prix, earning a combined score of 221.108 (18 points based on placement). Steffen Peters and Rosamunde, an 11-year-old Rhinelander mare, claimed a strong fifth-place finish, impressing the judges with a total score of 74.130 percent. Following closely behind Peters, fellow U.S. team rider Adrienne Lyle and the 11-year-old Hanoverian stallion Salvino secured a sixth-place finish with a total score of 73.913 percent. Rounding out the top seven placings, the third U.S. team rider, Kasey Perry-Glass and the 15-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding Goerklintgaards Dublet, finished their Grand Prix with a total score of 73.065 percent. Olivia LaGoy-Weltz and Lonoir, a 14-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding, completed their test with a score of 70.304 percent.
The team placings for the Nations Cup will be determined by adding up the three results per team in the Grand Prix, the two best results in the Grand Prix Special and the best result in the Grand Prix Freestyle. In case of a tie, the team with the best result in the Grand Prix Freestyle will be ahead.
The CDI3* Grand Prix will take place on Friday, June 22, and Nations Cup competition will continue on Saturday, June 23 the Grand Prix Special and the Grand Prix Freestyle.
Results: CHIO Rotterdam Grand Prix
Rider / Country / Horse / Total Score
1. Edward Gal / NED / Glock’s Zonik N.O.P / 76.957
2. Therese Nilshagen / SWE / Dante Weltino / 76.152
3. Patrik Kittel / SWE / Well Done de la Roche / 75.739
4. Emmelie Scholtens / NED / Apache / 74.261
5. Steffen Peters / USA / Rosamunde / 74.130
6. Adrienne Lyle / USA / Salvino / 73.913
7. Kasey Perry-Glass / USA / Goerklintgaards Dublet / 73.065
8. Hans Peter Minderhoud / NED / Glock’s Dream Boy / 73.000
9. Anabel Balkenhol / GER / Heuberger TSF / 71.500
10. Juliette Ramel / SWE / Buriel K.H. / 71.457