| Team Placings: |
1st - Germany - They have tremendous depth in horses and riders
and could only lose if either their horses or riders are sick or injured. |
| |
2nd - Netherlands - They did not compete with their first
string at Aachen and also have depth in horses and riders. Sweden came close to beating
their second string at Aachen, but Holland would like to bump Germany and are gaining. |
| |
3rd - USA/Sweden - Here is where the real battle will be taking
place - between Sweden and the USA. It all depends on which combinations are really on for
the day. The Swedes have a very strong horse rider combination in "Walk on Top"
and Louise Nathorst. She can make up for somewhat weaker pairs on her team. The Swedes
also have more international experience, but the US pairs still have it within their grasp
to overtake them as a team. |
| |
5th - Denmark - They are consistently good with a lovely
combination in Anne van Olst and Dempsey, just not quite good enough for a medal. |
| Individual Placings: |
1st - Isabell Werth and Gigolo - At present, unless this pair
is completely off their game, I don’t think that they can be beaten. It would at any
rate be quite an upset. |
| |
2nd - Anky van Grunsven and Bonfire - This is still a dark
horse for me because she rode Partout at Aachen, but there is no doubt that she is a
fantastic rider and Bonfire has been spectacular in the past. |
| |
3rd - Louise Nathorst and Walk on Top - This pair made a very
favorable impression on me with the special smoothness of pure gaits in supple balance. |
| |
4th - Ulla Salzgeber and Rusty - I especially like this pair
and think that (barring any unforeseen accidents or illnesses) young Rusty will become the
top star in the future. |
| |
5th - Nadine Capellman-Biffar and Gracioso - If they are
consistent, then they could be in medal contention. If he blows, then he may be out of the
placings. |
| |
6th - 12th I predict will include: Coby van Baalen
and Olympic Ferro
Guenter Seidel and Graf George
Karen Rehbein and Donnerhall
Robert Dover and Lennox
Sven Rothenberger and Without a Doubt
Kyra Kyrklund and Flyinge Amiral
Anne van Olst and Dempsey |
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