Neumunster Delighted As Helen Takes Victory

Langehanenberg thrills home crowd with win

Germany’s Helen Langehanenberg emerged victorious at the FEI World Cup™ Dressage event in Neumunster today, delighting the home crowd with a top score of 83.88%.

Dorothee Schneider came in second to her countrywoman with a score of 81.565%, while Daniel Bachmann Andersen of Denmark finished just behind in third on 81.47%.

Neumunster played host to some wonderful dressage, with plenty of combinations putting in very solid performances.

Faurie impresses on new partner Delatio

The home nation came out on top, with Great Britain and The Netherlands coming away from the seventh round of the FEI World Cup™ Dressage empty-handed.

At the halfway point, France’s Marie Emilie Bretenoux and Quartz of Jazz had taken the lead with Australia’s Kristy Oatley and Du Soleil in second place. They were followed by Great Britain’s Hayley Watson-Greaves and Emile Faurie, the latter forming a fairly new partnership with Delatio, a stallion by De Niro.

Watson-Greaves couldn’t quite knock the Frenchwoman off the top of the leaderboard, but Faurie’s test impressed the judges enough to move him into first place. However, with both the German and Dutch contingent still to go, the competition was only just getting started.

“Langehanenberg and Damsey FRH had a great comeback after having to retire in Amsterdam”

Damsey FRH completed a great comeback

Faurie’s lead didn’t last long as young Danish rider Andersen on Blue Hors Zack followed him into the arena and delivered a superb test for an 81.475%. With three to go, all of them German, the only question was to how many podium finishes the home nation could muster up at home in Neumunster.

Langehanenberg and Damsey FRH had a great comeback after having to retire in Amsterdam and the nines were flowing. Schneider and her European Championships mount Sammy Davis Jr couldn’t quite outperform their teammates so had to settle for second place.

Last to go was Fabienne Lutkemeier and Fabregaz, but the horse appeared somewhat distracted leaving them in fifth place – this combination is one to watch in future though.

Text by Sophie Baker

Images by FEI