With the KWPN recognized Blue Hors Don Olymbrio (Jazz), Nanna Skodborg Merrald rode to a second-place finish for Denmark in the World Cup Final in Riyadh. The top 3 were within three-tenths of a percentage point: Patrik Kittel won the World Cup Final with Touchdown (s.Quaterback) with 81.661%, Merrald received 81.429%, and Isabell Werth and DSP Quantaz (s.Quaterback) 81.404%.

A regrettable end came for Charlotte Fry and Everdale (s.Lord Leatherdale) in the World Cup Final. After a magnificent performance dominating the Grand Prix on Wednesday, World Cup victory seemed within reach. Unfortunately, Everdale had a small amount of blood in his mouth just before their freestyle, resulting in disqualification even before they began their performance.

Plenty of power
The final remained exciting until the last starter. Nanna Skodborg Merrald had been at the top for a few combinations until Kittel had to go in. With the KWPN recognized Blue Hors Don Olymbrio (Jazz out of Olymbria keur pref prest by Ferro, breeder J. Lamers from Oss), Merrald steered flawlessly through the test. Don Olymbrio presented a beautiful upward picture and showed great closing power, with plenty of power right up to the final halt. Merrald was delighted with the now 16-year-old stallion: "I can hardly believe that, just like last year with Zepter, I'm second again with Don Olymbrio. He felt truly amazing today." The duo performed a new freestyle to Spiderman music.

Great Escape Camelot
Great Escape Camelot another KWPN horse finished in the top 5: Great Escape Camelot (Johnson TN out of Amie Camelot stb prest by Turbo Magic, breeder C.C. Kerssens-Rademaker) with his German rider Raphael Netz. With a score of 76.4825, they finished fifth in their first World Cup Final, where Netz was also the youngest participant (24 years old), along with the American Benjamin Ebeling. Great Escape Camelot showed great enthusiasm and, together with his rider, presented a beautifully harmonious picture.

Also finishing in the top ten was Fayvel (Zizi Top out of Ofra Elite Pref Performance PROK Sport-dres by Houston, breeders R and I Veninga) under the American Anna Marek. The duo had to be the first on the course but delivered a skillful and smooth freestyle with a high level of difficulty. "The harder it gets, the easier he finds it. He's very clever and handles the difficult exercises with ease," laughed his rider afterwards.

Mediaguide World Cup Final

Text: BvH for KWPN
Photo: Dirk Caremans / Hippofoto.be