PRESS RELEASE
It was a ‘home win’ for Emmelie Scholtens and her stallion Desperado (Vivaldi x Havidoff) in the CDI3* Grand Prix presented by Helgstrand Dressage at the WC for Young Dressage Horses in Ermelo. 71,80% meant they narrowly pipped Germany’s Dorothee Schneider and her Vivaldi offspring Vainqueur that received 71,63% for their test.
The sixteen-year-old Desperado, by now declared Preferent by the KWPN, is bred by the family Andeweg and owned by the breeders and Ad Valk Dressage Horses. It was the first time Desperado stepped foot into the ring after his comeback this spring and the stallion showed to be fit and happy. Number two Vaingqeur (Vivaldi x Rubioso), bred by Marten Hillman and owned by Eva-Maria Mann and Gabriele Kippert), performed his only third test at CDI3* level and obtained his best international score so far. The third place was claimed by Gerdine Marree and Holiday (Dream Boy x Michelango) bred by Roskam and owned by Fleur and Claire Marree and Wouter Plaizier. This combination also scored a personal best with 71,60%.
Proud and happy
Emmelie Scholtens beamed with pride in her lap of honour aboard Desperado: “Desperado was so excited he could come to a competition again and he is super fit and happy right now. That’s the most important to me. Together, we have achieved so many wonderful results already that I now just want to have fun with him. And we had a great time today!” Despite the long-standing partnership with her horse, the Olympic rider remains ambitious once she enters the arena. “I am always eager, and I don’t go to a show when it’s not good enough. I am satisfied with our test and the fact Desperado was moving through the ring with his ears pointed forward, means even more to me than the win.” Emmelie Scholtens and Desperado return to action on Friday in the CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle presented by Helgstrand Dressage.
Photo credit: Stefan Lafrentz