Kristy Oatley-Nist and Clive

Written by Kelly Bauer Wednesday, 24 February 2010

Last weekend saw the VR CLASSICS 60th International Riding competition take place in the Holstenhalle in Neumunster, Germany. 

The start list saw names like Gal, Cornelissen, Werth, Schmidt and Haddad starting in both the National and International dressage classes.  Aussie ladies Kristy Oatley-Nist and Hayley Beresford were also both in amongst the fields.

On Friday morning the GP as qualification for Neumunster Dressage Championships was under way.  Kristy started with her 11 year old Caletto I gelding Clive.  The pair produced a super test that landed them in 4th place with a score of 65.3%  and saw them qualify for the final, however, with three sick kids at home, Kristy decided not to compete on Sunday.

It was Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein and her 14 year old Rubinstein Gelding Rigoletto, who took the lead.  Sadly, there is a discrepancy between the actual scores and those on the website, so I am unable to give you the exact scores.  However, I can tell you that Ellen Schulten-Baumer and River of Joy were second with Carola Koppelmann and Insterburg TSF finishing in third.  You can see Nathalie & Rigolettos test by clicking here.

Saturday morning saw the International World Cup qualifier for the Kur take centre stage, with 4,000 spectators packed tightly into the indoor arena.  The spectators were not disappointed in what was a great opportunity for more people to witness the magic that is Gal & Totilas!  The Dutch pair were placed first by all five judges, taking the lead with 82.851%.  You can see their winning GP here by clicking here.

The judges also unanimously placed Dutch rider Adelinde Cornelissen and the spectacular chestnut gelding Jerich Parzival in second place with 80.468%.  It was German Isabell Werth, who managed to display her dominance by taking third with her 14 year old chestnut gelding Warum Nicht FRH.  This pair was awarded 77.915% and again were unanimously placed 3rd by all 5 judges.  Isabell later mentioned that Hannes has really matured over the last few months, however, he was still not impressed with all the flower pots around the edge of the arena!!

Hayley and her Lusitano stallion

Aussie Hayley Beresford started her Beijing Olympic partner, the charismatic Lusitano stallion Relampago do Retiro.  In a tough field they finished admirably in 17th place with 64.128%.

Sunday saw both the GP Special for the Neumunster Championships and the Eastern European World Cup Kur. Nathalie zu Sayn Wittgenstein and Rigoletto continued on with their success from the GP on Friday to take the title in the GP Special with a score of 72.167%.   You can watch their winning performance from the Special by clicking here.

Carola Koppellmann and her 11 year old stallion Insterburg TSF improved on their GP effort to overtake Ellen Schulten Baumer and slip into 2nd place with a score of 71.375%.  Ellen Schulten Baumer and River of Joy were then third with 68.083%.
Another triumph for team Totilas

Was there really ever a question as to who was going to win the World Cup Kur?  Most of us could definitely have guessed the outcome. Yet again Gal & Totilas wowed both the judges and the audience to take the lead with a score of 87.60%.   Edward Gal & Totilas’ GP Kur can be seen by clicking here.

Second place was awarded to fellow Dutch rider Adelinde Cornelissen and her magnificent chestnut gelding Jerich Parzival with 82.5%.  Third going to Isabell Werth & Warum Nicht with a score of 81.40%.   A super result for the new mum! 

Full results can be found here

Photos Courtesy of Dressage Photography. To take a look at many more photos, including those from Edward Gal & Totilas. www.dressagephotography.com
 http://www.equestrian.org.au/