CDI 5* OF THE PRINTEMPS DES SPORTS ÉQUESTRES: EMMELIE SCHOLTENS WINS THE GRAND PRIX CHEVAL TV
© PSV. J.Morel
FRANCE’S PAULINE BASQUIN RECORDS A NEW PERSONAL BEST
Everyone expected Britain’s Charlotte Fry, the third-ranked rider in the world, to win this CDI 5* at the Printemps des Sports Équestres. But, it was the Dutch rider Emmelie Scholtens and her Indian Rock, who took first place in this Grand Prix Cheval TV with an average score of 75.478. The current world number 9, who gave one of her best ever Grand Prix performances this morning, finished ahead of Lottie Fry and Everdale, who were joint second with the highest-placed French rider in the world rankings, Pauline Basquin. The Cadre Noir de Saumur rider and her faithful Sertorius de Rima Z IFCE left the arena with a personal best: 73.543! As the fourth top-level riding discipline to be showcased at the third Printemps des Sports Équestres in Fontainebleau, the dressage competition will continue tomorrow with the Grand Prix Freestyle to music.
Emmelie Scholtens (NED), 1st with Indian Rock – 75.478
“Indian Rock was in truly fantastic form and had great feeling. I think that we both put in one of our best Grand Prix performances. Even after the awards ceremony, you could still see that he looked as fresh and enthusiastic as ever. That’s the main thing for me. Along with the result in the arena, of course (smile). It’s an overall package! And I have to say, I couldn’t be prouder! I really enjoy riding the freestyle to music, and I think the horse likes this test too; so I’m really looking forward to tomorrow.
Am I thinking about the Games? Naturally, I’m thinking about them, but anything could happen between now and then! However, I know that Indian Rock is rock solid; he’s a horse you can truly count on, and that’s very important. Especially since we’ve been competing together since he was three; we know each other well. So, I’m confident, even though I know perfectly well that we need to make sure we don’t let things slip.
This is the first time I’ve taken part in the CDI 5* at the Printemps des Sports Équestres and I’ve already been completely won over by this competition. There’s a lot of space and everything is really simple; sometimes you notice that there are horses everywhere, but that doesn’t bother Indian Rock. He loved being able to go for a walk in the forest. I think he feels perfectly at home here! (smile)”
Pauline Basquin (FRA), joint 2nd with Sertorius de Rima Z IFCE – 73.543
“I’m absolutely delighted! Sertorius de Rima Z IFCE was very relaxed and easy to ride; he was really with me. He had a little look at the arena when we went round just before we went in to do our routine, but then he was really in step with me and didn’t look at anything. As usual, he was very focused. At the moment, I feel like he’s really loosened up; we worked hard on his canter this winter to improve the quality and it’s starting to show in the arena. I can’t always get him to piaffe as well as he can at home, but he’s improving on that too. We know it’s not his strong point, but it’s coming together. Slowly but surely.”
Press release PRINTEMPS DES SPORTS ÉQUESTRES
