Sunday, 19 May 2013 CDI4* CDI3* CDIU25

GLOCK Perfection with Hans Peter Minderhoud (NED) in the CDI3* Intermediate I Freestyle

What a tremendous finish for the Dutch GLOCK rider Hans Peter Minderhoud. Having already stood out this weekend with four second and one third place, he crowned his appearance at the show with an outstanding victory in the CDI3* Intermediate I Freestyle. He and his gifted young mount GLOCK’s Ziesto, which the three-time World Champion for Young Horses has only been riding for six months, were the second last of the total of 12 pairs to enter the ring. 

The only nine-year-old stallion may have looked slightly nervous at the start of the international competition, but improved from day to day and began to display his extraordinary potential in the arena. An approved stallion from a Dutch stud, GLOCK’s Ziesto can hardly be surpassed in terms of impulsion, elegance, expression and enjoying the movements. Even his trot on the way to the salute took the audience’s breath away. The harmonious duo performed the freestyle at a high level of difficulty and technical precision showing both artistry and accuracy, which the five-strong jury acknowledged with high marks.

A 79.650% at the end of the test meant a terrific win for Minderhoud. “I think Gloria Gaynor’s live performance last night was the perfect preparation for me — I could still hear the rhythm in the arena,” grinned the World and European Champion and Olympic team silver medallist at the winner’s interview with presenter Dorian Steidl. “I’ve ridden many very, very good horses, but GLOCK’s Ziesto is truly exceptional. He’s a wonderful horse for the future and my dream is to ride him in Rio. I’m so grateful to Gaston and Kathrin Glock for letting me ride this unbelievable horse and for hosting this incredible show here in Carinthia!” 

Twice the winner this weekend, Allan Skov (DEN) and his large-framed Walk Of Life again pulled off a top performance, showing perfect half-passes and pirouettes. Slight unsteadiness in a few passages of today’s kur however cost him valuable percentage points and in the end he had to settle for second (77.575%).

It was Martina Knill (Styria) on her Rohdiamant son Robbespiere that produced Austria’s best result in this test. The experienced pair moved round the arena, a picture of elegance and concentration. What they showed then earned them 73.400%. Also placed for Austria were Karin Kosak (Styria) and Florentino, GLOCK rider Timna Zach (Carinthia) on GLOCK’s Federleicht and Tatjana Svehla (Lower Austria) riding Donaublick.

10 CDI3* Int’l Dressage Competition - Intermediate I Freestyle
Test: FEI Intermediate I Freestyle, 2009
1. Glock’s Ziesto - Minderhoud, Hans Peter (NED) 79.650%
2. Walk Of Life - Skov, Allan (DEN) 77.575%
3. Robbespiere - Knill, Martina (AUT/Styria) 73.400%
4. XXXL Ramon - Hoffmann, Jennifer (USA) 72.700%
5. Florentino - Kosak, Karin (AUT/Styria) 70.825%
6. Accountancy Ultimo - Goes, Christianne (NED) 70.725%
7. Fixdesign Ranieri - Truppa, Valentina (ITA) 70.500%
8. Wobelisk - Reija, Laura (ESP) 70.150%
9. Glock’s Federleicht - Zach, Timna (AUT/Carinthia) 68.700%
10. Toermalijn - Boschman, Seth (NED) 68.150%
11. Donaublick - Svehla, Tatjana (AUT/Lower Austria) 67.125%
Results link