Day 3 brings exciting battle for team medals
On day three, the European Para Dressage Championships continued with the team competition, which also counts as second individual qualifier for the freestyle. On this day, riders in the lower Grades I to III entered the arena in Ermelo. The individual winners were the same as after the first competition, and the battle for the team medals promises to be an exciting one.
Grade III opened the competition and Rixt van der Horst with Eisma’s Royal Fonq N.O.P. took the highest score. However, her 75.634% was lower than in the individual test and, in addition, Danish competitor Tobias Thorning Joergensen with his Jolene Hill came closer, when focusing on the team competition.
In Grade II, it was Germany’s turn to take a first serious step towards a medal, thanks to Heidemarie Dresing’s 77.533% with Poesie 143 (photo). Denmark took second place again, this time with Katrine Kristensen and Goerklintgaards Quater (74.533%).
The second test in Grade I was again won by Rihards Snikus, who scored 78.375. The Latvian is not competing in the team competition but is focusing on the freestyle with King of the Dance. Here too, he can expect to battle it out with Italy’s Sara Morganti, who put her country on course for a good team ranking with 77.458%. The two British riders in this Grade clinched third and fourth place, putting their country second after the first day of team competition, led by the Danes and the Dutch in third.