
Keeping the public glued to their seats until the very end, Grischa Ludwig of Germany laid down an outstanding run riding Coeurs Little Tyke to a 225.5 which slid him straight to the highest step of the podium after Adrienne Speidel of Switzerland and her Arc Walla Smart had set the bar leaving the pen with a 221.5 to beat. Once the curtain fell on the CS Ranch arena, the lady reiner firmly clinched the Silver medal a half-point in front of Italy’s Lorenzo De Simone who settled for the Bronze atop The Cocked Gun.
Provided by Simona Diale – Grischa Ludwig and Coeurs Little Tyke had scored a 220 securing Team Germany’s Gold medal. In the Individual Competition, the duo closed their run with a final score of 225.5 which secured them the individual gold medal in the SVAG FEI European Reining Championship. “I asked and he tried as hard as he could,” said Grischa about the 9-year-old stallion owned by Georg Hozwarth. “He is a small horse who was there for me all the way in this big arena. We started our pattern really well, his spins were great and his ‘trademark’ maneuver, the circles, were truly special. I could not be any prouder of him and our nation’s double gold.”
Adrienne Speidel and her 7-year-old mare ARC Walla Smart had performed to a 218 in the Team Competition pushing Team Switzerland to the third step of the podium. I the individual competition, they raised their score to a 221, enough to earn them the silver medal. “I still cannot believe this,” said an enthused and teary-eyed Adrienne following the awards presentation. “Bringing home these medals is a dream come true and I cannot thank my mare and my team enough for this great result.”
Early in the draw, Italian Lorenzo De Simone and The Cocked Gun, a 14-year-old stallion owned by Gildo and Giuliano Mercuri, burst into the arena performing a great stop and back required by pattern #10. The pair continued their great performance paid back by the judges with a 220.5, score which earned them the Bronze medal. It was a magnificent way to close the stallion’s career as this was the talented sorrel’s last show arena and his life now will be between the pasture and the breeding barn. “I could not be any happier and am thrilled and honored to have closed his career this way,” said an emotional Lorenzo.
The SVAG FEI European Reining Individual Competition, run with the FEI World Reining Championship for Juniors & Young Riders closed the 2019 edition of yet another great edition of the Championships held in the beautiful CS Ranch owned by Corinna Schumacher who was proud, yet again, to be able to be host to the prestigious FEI Championships.
For complete results: www.showmanager.eu
The CS Ranch is the biggest and most modern private reining facility in Switzerland and is ideally situated and equipped for professional reining training and showing. The covered arena measures 95×50 meters and can accommodate over 1400 spectators.
For further information: www.cs-classic.com
Photo by Tom Hautmann – For further photo requests please send email info@tom-hautmann.de
Relive the 2019 FEI World and European Reining Championships on our specially dedicated Facebook page: www.facebook.com/CSClassicReining
By Simona Diale