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A Victory for Patrick Kittel

Patrick Kittel and Deja (SWE)

Saturday, June 6th: CDI4* – Grand Prix Crédit Mutuel Nord Europe

13 riders met yesterday at 2:30 pm for the most important confrontation of the day: the Grand Prix Crédit Mutuel Nord Europe of the CDI4*, first event of this level organised in France. On such a sunny afternoon the public came numerous and was able to witness the highest level competition, as well as to see the Swedish rider Patrick Kittel, n° 18 world ranked, and Deja, second to last couple of the event. Unrolling a test close to perfection with his 11 year old mare (5th place by team at the London Olympics and at the last European championships) had all judges in agreement. He ultimately imposed himself with a 77.500% mark, a whole 7% in front of the Australian Briana Burgess / La Scala 3 (70.980), 2nd, and the Swiss Anna-Mengia Aerne / Raffaelo Va Bene (70.920%), who came 3rd.

Patrick KITTEL, (SWE), 1st:
“I’m really happy of our performance. When I’m riding, I always try to do my best, just like Deja. She is exceptional. She was concentrated, very competitive, fluid and easy to ride. She truly loves to work; it’s in her nature. She’s the perfect partner, very complete. In the Grand Prix Freestyle of Sunday (2:45pm), I hope that we’ll do a good test on Stevie Wonder music and I hope that the audience will enjoy it as well; that will be my aim for tomorrow. I’m not riding to be the world’s best, but if I make it to that then all the better. I ride for the pleasure, to share my passion and sport with the public.”

After Compiègne, before the announcement of the Swedish selection for the European championships in August, there will be the competition in Falsterbo (SWE). Patrick Kittel is for the moment qualified with 4 horses and considers participating with Deja if his selection for the Euro is confirmed.

Raphaël SALEH (President of the ground Jury, FRA):
“This was an interesting test to judge as we had a leading horse (Deja), quite exceptional that won the Grand Prix with a mark over 77%. There were many other couples with marks varying between 68% and 71%, which is very good. We discovered interesting horses such as Raffaelo Va Bene, the Swiss rider Anna-Mengia Aerne’s horse, and even the horses of the Australian rider that marked around 70%. We were happy to see Patrick Kittel evolve in this test. He has a new horse with which he is getting results and I think it’s good for the Internationaux de Compiègne to welcome a couple of such prominence.”

Meanwhile, in the other competitions:

At the same time as the CDI4* Crédit Mutuel Nord Europe, the Belgium rider Jeroen Devroe (Aaron) led the CDI2* by monopolising the podium, whereas the young European champion, Phoebe Peters (GBR) took the lead of the tests of the CDIP with SL Lucci. The Young Riders classes raised the Netherlands flag with 2 victories for Denise Nekeman (Boston STH), whereas the Juniors tests were under Spanish influence thanks to the performances of Juan Matute Guimon (Dhannie Ymas), sharing the tests of the CDIU25 with the Dutch rider Kim Schmid (Theodoor), winner Saturday’s Grand Prix Eurovia.

Véronique GAUTHIER / Agence Consulis – veronique-gauthier@club-internet.fr – +33 672 770 600
cdi.compiegne-equestre.com

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