Friday, the Grand Prix Special started with fog and almost cold temperatures but by the first 10 minute break, the sun came out. The Special was held starting at 10 a.m. with only 10 minute breaks after 5-7 rides straight through until the last ride at 230. By 100 p.m., it was hot. Our camera crew was dressed in the required black for tv crews and believe me, we can attest to how hot it was. The final group started at 140 with Ferro and Coby van Baalen (NED), 6th after the Grand Prix, finished 16th in the Special but 12th combined to make the Freestyle finals on Sunday.

Rusty and Ulla Salzgeber (GER) were next and put in a nice test, but with a couple of surprising mistakes including the tempis where they had earned 10s at Aachen, scoring 74.120% to finish 5th combined GP and GPS. This opened the door for Farbenfroh and Nadine Capellmann (GER) who put in a great test, but again with a few mistakes, scoring 75.880 in the Special which combined with their 77.960 in the GP, put them in first.

Brentina and Debbie McDonald followed Rusty and had the best Special of their career with 76.120, taking the lead in the Special from the fabulous Farbenfroh.

Relevant and Lisa Wilcox were next, 75.680 in the Special to finish 4th in the Special and combined.

Only the Spanish team of Beauvalais and Beatriz Ferrer-Salat remained. Entering to the staccato flamenco clapping of the home town crowd, they settled into the Special with marked determination, fired by their team Bronze. Putting in a flawless test, they won the Special with 77.000% and stand second only to Farbenfroh going into the Freestyle final on Sunday.

Beauvalais & Beatrice Ferrer-Salat, ESP
by Bonnie Rombach

Farbenfroh (GER) leads with 153.840, Beauvalais (ESP) is second with 151.560 and Brentina (USA) is third with 150.760. Relevant (USA) is in 4th with 149.880, just ahead of Rusty (GER) with 149.760. The newest member of the German team, Piccolino and Klaus Husenbeth are 6th with 145.600.

Stay tuned for Sunday's finale!

To send emails to your favorite competitors, just email WEG@Dressage.com. We will print and deliver your emails on Sunday morning.

Dressage un Ltd (www.Dressage.com) will have a series of videos from the WEG, filmed, edited and produced by our camera crew. We brought our video editing computer to Spain and will edit the freestyle on Monday. Orders received by Monday, September 17, will ship before September 30 and be available at Dressage at Devon and the CDS Regional Championships. Team medals, Individual Medals (GP, GPS, GPF of the top contenders), Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special, Best Moves, Opening Ceremony, Spanish Exhibitions --- each video is two hours, multi camera positions, filmed with television quality cameras.

Rider Quotes:

Beatriz FERRER-SALAT, Spanish dressage rider (1st, G.P.S)- On her feelings after the win and on her prospects for the Grand Prix Freestyle :

“The test was nice and the horse went really well – I risked everything to win.”

“I hope everything will continue to work well although my horse may be a little tired. After the win today, I would like to remain in the top three. I have kept my music the same as used in my World Cup Qualifiers this year – modern with a Spanish flavour.”

2002-09-13 18:13:56
Deborah MC DONALD, North American dressage rider (2nd, G.P.S.)- On why it was extra special to place second on Friday:

“Today is the 55th wedding anniversary for the owners (the Thomases) of my horse, BRENTINA, so they are extra excited – what a lovely present for them. After I made a huge mistake on my first extended trot and broke into canter, I thought that was it but then I decided to grit my teeth and go on. I can’t believe I’m sitting here!”

Nadine CAPELLMANN, German dressage rider (3rd, G.P.S.)- On her test:

“I was very pleased with FARBENFROH but he was better in the first half of the test as there were mistakes in the flying changes. After all, he is only a horse and I am only a rider, we went well together today.”

Ky

Kyra Beth Houston