It was in music that this 6th edition of the Deauville CPEDI*** drew to a close : the best riders of the weekend, qualified following the combined results of the Team Test and the Individual Championship Test, battled it out in the Freestyle.   « On the Freestyle, the technicity takes presidency over the music and the choreography » commented Anne Prain, jury president of this Deauville CPEDI***. Rhythm, energy and suppleness are expected by the jury : « We pay a lot attention to the way of which the rider applies the aids and the way in which the horse responds : he must be calm and relaxed. »The aim of this class is to bring out the best in the horses and hide their weak points. However, it was no question of hiding anything from the judges : all the arena must be used, equally on the right rein as on the left rein. It’s also the moment for the riders to leave the classical dressage choreographies by offering in the arena original floor plans. The music complements the test as it must be suitable for the horses paces and should even go as far as to perfectly match the cadence of the couple.   VALERIUS TO THE RHYTHM OF THE MUSIC What a champion ! A perfectly timed test for Sophie Wells who easily took the Freestyle on the Grade IV (77.600 %) with a very on form Valerius : breath-taking extended trots, canter half passes and flying changes seduced both the jury and the public. « What made this pair stand out is without a doubt their technical ability, their harmonious duo who offered a lovely choreography, beautifully in time with the musicx» explained Anne Prain when she was asked why the British rider systematically takes the first places. Line Kongensgaard (DEN) and Laponio, third during the Team Test and the Individual Championship Test, offered themselves the second place with a test that was both harmonious and showed good cadence (71.000 %) followed by Irish rider James Dwyer riding Fleurette Van de Kreungel (69.500 %).

  A HAT TRICK FOR PHILIPPA JOHNSON-DWYER It was with three wins in her pocket that the South-African rider, Philippa Johnson-Dwyer, finished this weekend. Partnering Lord Louis, the rider showed the jury the result of a number of years of hard work as the pair started competing on the international circuit in 2012. Lotte Krijnsen (NED) with Rosenstolz took second thanks to a Freestyle scoring 73.550 %. Third, with the excellent score of 72.400 %, Deborah Criddle (GRB) with her long standing partner LJT Akilles, a 16-year-old chestnut gelding.

RIXT VAN DER HORST BOUNCES BACK Rixt Van der Horst (NED) worked hard to take back the winners crown in Grade II that Rebecca Hart (USA) stole from her in the Individual Championship test. Thanks to a perfectly riden musical choreography  with Uniek Nop, she obtained the amazing average of 76.400 % and relegated her rival to third place (71.150 %). Orange riders were in good form as Demi Vermeulen and Burberry retained a place on the podium taking silver medal with a final grade of  72.300 %.    GREAT PERFORMANCE FROM PEPO PUCH IN GRADE Ib The Austrian Pepo Puch riding Fontainenoir obtained 81.150 % from the jury and unrestrained applause from the public after a very energetic test. The Netherlands were placed second and third in the class thanks to the performances of Nicole Den Dulk (75.950 %) who rode Faust and a new face of para-equestrian dressage : Estée Guerritsen (74.650 %) riding the very experienced Exquis Onassis.   SOPHIE CHRISTIANSEN & ATHENE LINDEBJERG, UNBEATABLE ? Another victory for Sophie Christiansen whose scores progressed in each class: she obtained in the Freestyle today her highest score of this weekend, 77.150 %, after a brilliant test of para-dressage in the Grade Ia. The second step of the podium was taken by another well known British rider, the long time campaigner in para-equestrian dressage, Anne Dunham and her famous stallion LJT Lucas Normark.Laurentia Tan (SIN) and Ruben James 2 took the third step on the podium during this last class which brought to a close this international competition.