Lier's CDI 4*: Germany in control, Belgium lying in wait

After a 3* Grand Prix largely dominated by Germany (see HERE), today no less than 27 combinations took part in the 4* Grand Prix, with again some serious German contenders but also Larissa Pauluis and her Flambeau who were expected to play spoiler against this possible hegemony!

Katharina Hemmer & Denoix are back in action: the German rider working with and for Hubertus Schmidt finished 4th yesterday with Special Gold PCH. Not perfectly square in his halt before the rein back, the chestnut by Destano showed a canter start that could have been cleaner, but also an easy and fluid zig-zag, like his times by the way ; a solid and fault free test scored at 75.587%.

Expected in Frankfurt where they withdrawn, Ingrid Klimke and Vayron also returned to competition today after the European Championships in Crozet. Sometimes a little short in the front and with a resistant contact, the gigantic 15-year-old son of Vitalis displayed, as usual, spectacular extended trots, elastic half passes, but also some pirouettes still a bit difficult. With a score of 72.848%, they finished second.

Almost assured of securing her place at the Fort Worth World Cup Final, Larissa Pauluis remains loyal to Lier this year again, where her First Step Valentin now ridden by Charlotte Defalque made their CDI debut yesterday with an encouraging 69.891%, placing them 5th. The smiling Belgian rider and her 16-year-old KWPN started their test cautiously. More stable in the front than sometimes in the trot, passage, and piaffe, the son of Ampere nevertheless made a mistake at the time and left the arena with a score of 72.435%.

Full results HERE

Picture : Digishots