GERMANY LEADS AT WORLD SINGLE DRIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS IN PRATONI

Germany’s Thorsten Zarembowicz has set a new standard in the Single Horse Driving scene by putting down a wonderful score of 35,20 penalty points and taking the lead at the FEI World Single Driving Championships in Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy. The German Team is leading the Nations Cup after the first phase of the combined driving competition.

After two days of dressage in which the best 72 Single Horse drivers in the world showed their skills, Thorsten Zarembowicz is the new man to beat in dressage.
Zarembowicz bettered the score of the title defender Jan van den Broek from the Netherlands by over six penalty points. The 31-year old manager of the driving stable of former World Champion Michael Freund drove a wonderful test with the 8-year-old Holsteiner mare Sunrise. His test thrilled both the spectators and the judges.

The 2008 World Champion Jan van den Broek drove a somewhat careful, but nice test. Jan normally drives with more risk, but this time opted for a cautious  Dressage Test in the wonderful arena of Pratoni del Vivaro and came second with 41,73 penalty points.

Third and fourth places in the dressage rankings are held by German drivers as well. Zarembowicz’ team member Mareike Harm, who is also the owner of the leading horse Sunrise, came third with a score of 43,90, ahead of German individual driver Christoph Dieker with 46,72.

With two team drivers in the Top Three, Germany is leading the Nations Cup with 79,10 points, ahead of The Netherlands with 95,00 points and Austria with 106,20 points.

The competitors are now preparing themselves for the next phase. The marathon is the next large hurdle to overcome in order to win a World Championship medal. World Champion course designer Christian Iseli from Austria has prepared a big mission for the single drivers with and a wonderful but hilly marathon course with eight challenging obstacles. The weather and ground conditions are excellent for a big day for the single horse driving sport, which will result in a fantastic marathon battle.

Quotes:
Thorsten Zarembowicz (GER):
“It is simply a wonderful feeling to compete with this horse. Sunrise has developed amazingly during the season. To enter the stadium here in Pratoni and not to hear the carriage anymore on the grass, the spectators silent on the stands and to drive a horse with these qualities was just amazing.“

Jan van den Broek (NED):
“Oscar was wonderful to drive, he went super. I had a very good feeling about my test. I did not take any risks and drove safely so I did not make any mistakes.”

Mareike Harm (GER):
“It went super for me today. It could not have been better for me personally and for the German Team. My dressage test was good, without faults and I am very happy about it. I am very proud with Thorsten and Sunrise, they were both fantastic and to win the dressage at a World Championship with 35 points is quite something!“

Results dressage/individual standings:
Thorsten Zarembowicz (GER) 35,20
Jan van den Broek (NED) 41,73
Mareike Harm (GER) 43,90
Christoph Dieker (GER) 46,72
Cristiano Cividini (ITA) 50,18
Arja Mikkonen (FIN) 50,69
Detlef Bohlmann (GER) 51,58
Bartolomiej Kwiatek (POL) 51,97
Rudolf Pirhofer (AUT) 52,35
Saskia van Heesch (NED) 53,25
Christiaan Provoost (NED) 53,25

Standings Nations Cup after dressage:
Germany 79,10
The Netherlands 95,00
Austria 106,20
Poland 109,10
France 111,70