Last year’s Blenheim Horse Trials winner Malin Hansen-Hotopp kicked off Germany’s effort in the European Eventing Championships dressage this morning (10 August) with a mark of 31.5.
She piloted the striking 11-year-old dapple grey Carlitos Quidditch K, owned by Bodil Ipsen, through the test with just a couple of small errors in the early work. The marks also dropped to four in the second flying change.
“He was nervous – more nervous than I expected beforehand – so when I had to halt in front of the crowds, he was a little bit afraid, so that was a bit sad,” she said. “So we just had some little faults. I know that we can do it better. But it’s okay.”
This is Malin’s senior championship debut, but she says she has a good temperament for competitive riding.
“Before dressage, I think I was calm and motivated to ride,” she said.
The first rider in, Sarah Ennis, got Ireland off to a solid start with a mark of 38.8 with Peter Cole and Susanna Francke’s championship debutant Granstown Jackson. The horse lacked some relaxation, particularly in his neck and head, throughout the test and also showed some greenness in the flying changes.
“I’m very proud of him today. He tried really hard, he stayed very level-headed,” she said. “He still doesn’t find the changes the easiest in the world. He can do everything else, but he’s better at the other two phases and he is capable of finishing on his dressage score, so that will be exciting. Hopefully the other team riders will go well.”
Although she’s an experienced championship rider, this is Sarah’s first time acting as team pathfinder. She is yet to walk the course, but with the ground on the softer side, she is confident Granstown Jackson can cope after wet going runs at Ballindenisk and Chatsworth this spring.
Meanwhile senior team first-timer Cyril Gavriloc scored 33.6 with the smart, athletic nine-year-old chestnut Elmundo De Gasco to give Belgian their first mark in this European Eventing Championships dressage.
End of day update: Malin now holds 10th place, Sarah Ennis is 28th and Cyril sits 18th. Full results here.
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