Tag Archives: Beatriz Ferrer-Salat

Competitions, Dressage, FEI

Ferrer-Salat Posts Definitive Victory as Madrid Makes Its Series Debut

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Beatriz Ferrer-Salat and Delgado. (FEI/Lukasz Kowalski)

Spanish dressage legend, Beatriz Ferrer-Salat (52), posted a definitive victory with Delgado when the FEI Dressage World Cup™ visited Madrid, Spain for the very first time. Host nation riders dominated at this fourth round of the 10-leg 2018/2019 Western European League series when Claudio Castilla Ruiz (35) finished second with Alcaide ahead of Portugal’s Maria Caetano (32) and Coroado in third.

Showing some lovely work with her 11-year-old Lusitano stallion, the Portuguese rider went to the top of the scoreboard with a mark of 77.655 when sixth to go of the 14 starters. And she stayed out in front despite the best efforts of 2016 FEI Dressage World Cup™ champion Hans Peter Minderhoud from The Netherlands when he posted 76.110 with Zinardi in the closing stages.

But Castilla Ruiz raised the temperature dramatically when next into the ring, starting out with one-handed one-tempi changes down the centre line that drew a gasp of amazement from the crowd. He smiled in delight as his impressive 13-year-old stallion showed great activity in his piaffe/passage, and when the Spanish showman completed his test with another display of one-handed control then the audience rose to their feet and roared with approval as he posted the new leading score of 78.915.

Ferrer-Salat’s style has always been more understated, but the level of excellence shown by this consummate horsewoman has brought her many great moments, including team silver and individual bronze at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games with the wonderful Beauvalais and individual bronze at the FEI European Championships 2015 with Delgado.

At 17 years of age, the Westphalian gelding is now in the twilight of his career, but he showed he’s not finished yet when placing 13th in the Grand Prix Special at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2018 in Tryon, USA in September. And he rose to the occasion once again, working in complete harmony with his rider as he pumped out his trademark clockwork passage to post the winning score of 81.285 despite a single error in canter.

When the penultimate partnership of Great Britain’s Richard Davis and Bubblingh retired after the 12-year-old Dutch gelding reared in over-excitement at the start of their test, the Spanish rider could be seen walking Delgado on a long rein in the warm-up area as they prepared to enter the arena – cool as a pair of cucumbers.

“Before he does his test, I always let him walk so he can relax and breathe, and then he’s ready to perform. I talk with him a lot and it’s always a wonderful feeling with him; he trusts me and I trust him!” — Beatriz Ferrer-Salat (ESP)

She is thinking ahead to Delgado’s retirement – “sometime next year, depending on how he feels,” she said. And she has a “very nice nine-year-old” who she hopes will begin to follow in his footsteps at the beginning of next year.

But she was delighted that he performed so well in front of her home crowd once again. “Delgado is very fresh lately and willing to perform – he’s very much with me still and I’m very proud of him!” Ferrer-Salat said.

The FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2018/2019 Western European League now moves on to Salzburg (AUT) in two weeks’ time.

By Louise Parkes

Media contact:

Shannon Gibbons
Media Relations and Communications Manager
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

Dressage, FEI, FEI

Back-to-Back Reem Acra Double for Ferrer-Salat

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Spain’s Beatriz Ferrer-Salat and Delgado won their second successive leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Western European League at Stuttgart in Germany today. (FEI/Karl Heinz Frieler)

Stuttgart (GER), 21 November 2015 – Spain’s Beatriz Ferrer-Salat and Delgado claimed their second successive victory in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2015/2016 Western European League at Stuttgart, Germany today. Impressive winners in Lyon, France three weeks ago they were even more harmonious this afternoon when pinning Germany’s Isabell Werth and Don Johnson FRH into runner-up spot.

There was a top-class turnout from the host nation, and on an afternoon of quality competition German riders also filled third and fourth places with Jessica Von Bredow-Werndl and Unee BB getting the advantage over Fabienne Lutkemeier and D’Agostino. Only three horse-and-rider combinations broke the 80 percent barrier, but there was very little separating fifth-placed Dutchman, Diederik van Silfhout (Arlando NOP), from Germany’s Dorothee Schneider (UlrichEquine’s St Emilion) in sixth and Italy’s Valentina Truppa (Fixdesign Eremo del Castegno) in seventh spot.

Target score

Schneider set the first real target score when posting 78.125. The 46-year-old rider who, with the lovely mare Diva Royal, was a member of the silver medal winning German side at the London 2012 Olympic Games has found a fabulous new prospect in the 10-year-old stallion UlrichEquine’s St Emilion. The partnership is clearly very much still in the making, but the black horse’s potential was more than evident as he produced hugely expressive piaffe and passage on his debut at World Cup level.

Italy’s Valentina Truppa, continuing her remarkable return to the top end of the sport after a career-threatening head injury sustained in June, presented a lovely clean test from the 14-year-old Fixdesign Eremo del Castegno. The picture looked a little different, with the 14-year-old gelding showing no tension and relaxing into his work to earn 78.000 which slotted them into second spot temporarily. However, two horses later, The Netherlands’ van Silfhout forged out in front with a mark of 78.700.

The 27-year-old rider, who made a strong contribution to Dutch team gold at this summer’s FEI European Championships in Aachen (GER) produced power and drama from the 10-year-old Arlando NOP, another young horse filled with promise.

Demanding floorplan

But it was Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Unee BB who posted the first over-80 percent score, helped by a demanding floorplan that included a testing transition from piaffe to canter pirouette. With big artistic scores the pair put 80.150 on the board to go into the lead, only to be immediately demoted by German Dressage queen Isabell Werth with Don Johnson.

Werth produced one of her very best performances with the 13-year-old gelding who can be notoriously naughty but who, today, was on his very best behaviour. “Johnny” was clearly enjoying himself in Stuttgart’s Schleyer Halle, his big ears pricked from the outset and paying maximum attention all the way he shot to pole position with a mark of 82.975, and now it was up to the remaining two to better that.

Ferrer-Salat wasn’t to be intimidated, however. “I thought I could do a little better than Isabell,” she said afterwards, and she was right, her chestnut gelding who has overcome multiple setbacks throughout his career clearly demonstrating once again that persistence pays off. The lightness, the cooperation, the confidence and the amazing ebb and flow of the silent conversation being played out between horse and rider was once again a joy to witness, and the judges rewarded another fabulous test from this pair with the winning score of 83.300 – last to go, Lutkemeier, proving no threat with her mark of 79.900.

Good feeling

Ferrer-Salat was delighted with her own performance today. “I had a very good feeling; my horse was really listening to me. He did super pirouettes, and I was very happy with the half-passes; they were much better than in the Grand Prix,” she said. She admitted however that “at one point I was too quick and I got ahead of my music today, but I still had a great feeling and I was so happy with my horse.” Even though she also won yesterday’s Grand Prix, she said Delgado was much happier in the arena this afternoon. “Yesterday he wasn’t so easy; he was edgy, but the great thing about this horse is that he completely trusts me. Even in the prize-giving this evening he was nervous and afraid, but I asked him to trust me and then he was fine – that is how we are together,” she explained.

Runner-up Isabell Werth was pleased too. “Today was as good as in Aachen (European Championships) and that was the aim. Johnny did an excellent job,” she said. And President of the Ground Jury, Dr Dietrich Plewa, said, “We had very good sport today.” Commenting on the top performances of the afternoon, he pointed out, “Delgado is so elastic and does such great passage and piaffe and Don Johnson has so much power while Jessica (von Bredow-Werndl) is very much in harmony with her horse.” He added, “It was a great competition to judge and the result was so close it could have gone any way, but I think we got the right winner.”

Event Director, Gotthilf Riexinger, had the last laugh at the Ground Jury’s expense, however, when he commented on the accuracy and consistency of the marks submitted by spectators who, at this event, also get the opportunity to award points for each rider’s test. “It’s wonderful to have spectators also judging the competition – it really gets them involved, and here in Stuttgart they really know their sport. In fact I’m thinking I can start saving money next year if the spectators can do the judging for me instead,” he joked.

For further information on the third leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Western European League series at Stuttgart (GER), visit www.stuttgart-german-masters.de or contact Press Officer Jörg Klopfer, joerg.klopfer@in.stuttgart.de, +49 71195543128.

The next leg will take place in Stockholm (SWE) on Sunday 29 November 2015. For details of the Swedish fixture, visit www.swedenhorseshow.se or contact Press Officer Lotta Amnestal, LottaAmnestal@ridsport.se, +46 709 7956 35.

Detailed result here.

Facts and Figures:

Stuttgart in Germany played host to the third leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2015/2016 Western European League today.

The competition was won by Spain’s Beatriz Ferrer-Salat and Delgado who also topped the second leg of the series in Lyon, France three weeks ago.

5 of the 15 starters represented the host nation.

German riders filled three of the four top placings.

The Ground Jury consisted of: At E, Francis Verbeek van Rooy (NED); At H, Christoph Umbach (LUX); At C, Dr Dietrich Plewa (GER); At M, Isobel Wessels (GBR): At B, Peter Holler) GER.

Today’s win has promoted Ferrer-Salat to second place on the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2015/2016 Western European League leaderboard which is now headed by Switzerland’s Marcela Krinke Susmelj who finished ninth this evening.

The Swiss rider leads with 41 points, including 20 collected for a win in the Central European League leg staged in Lipica (SLO) earlier this year.

Full standings here.

Quotes:

Gotthilf Riexinger, Event Director Stuttgart: “We have just seen some fantastic performances! I’m very happy to have so many top riders and such great spectators at this event. The spectators love Dressage, they love Driving and they love Jumping, and we are always sold out for dressage which is fantastic for the sport!”

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl GER (3rd): “I had a good feeling again today; it’s my first time doing my new Freestyle routine which meant I had to think a bit while I was riding – it was a good ride but not my best.”

Isabell Werth GER (2nd): “My aim was to improve on last year’s performance. I gave more attention to warm-up this time around; I took it more seriously and it paid off.”

By Louise Parkes

Media Contacts:

At Stuttgart:

Joerg Klopfer
Press Officer
joerg.klopfer@in.stuttgart.de
+49 711 955 43128

At FEI:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
Email: ruth.grundy@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 145

Shannon Gibbons
Manager Press Relations
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, FEI

Spain’s Ferrer-Salat Steals Reem Acra Limelight in Lyon

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Beatriz Ferrer-Salat and Delgado registered a convincing victory at the second leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2015/2016 Western European League at Lyon, France. (FEI/Pierre Costabadie)

Lyon (FRA), 30 October 2015 – Riding the crest of the wave that saw them take Freestyle bronze at the FEI European Championships in Aachen, Germany two months ago, Spain’s Beatriz Ferrer-Salat and Delgado registered a convincing victory at the second leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2015/2016 Western European League at Lyon, France this afternoon. They sent a warning shot across the bows of their rivals when topping yesterday’s Grand Prix with a personal-best mark of 79.250, and today all five members of the Ground Jury were in complete agreement when awarding them the winning Freestyle score of 82.875.

However, the spectators held their breath after a spectacular performance from Patrik Kittel who was last to go in today’s thrilling contest. If there had been extra marks on offer for pure excitement, then the Swedish rider would definitely have had it in the bag because, with the willing assistance of his lovely mare Deja, he threw down a test that was nothing short of funky. The crowd couldn’t resist moving to the sound of his Stevie Wonder-themed musical score, but his final mark of 81.175 left him in second spot ahead of Germany’s Fabienne Lutkemeier and D’Agostino in third. Switzerland’s Marcel Krinke Susmelj lined up fourth with Smeyers Molberg, Ireland’s Judy Reynolds finished fifth with Vancouver K and the sole French representative, Pierre Volla, claimed sixth spot with his young mare Badinda Altena.

High standard of competition

There was a high standard throughout the entire competition today. As Judge at C, Isabelle Judet from France commented afterwards, “On paper you had one group at the very top who were clearly at a high level, but even the performances of those in the second group were of a very good standard – it was a great competition to judge,” she said. The Ground Jury, which also included The Netherlands’ Ghislain Fouarge, Belgium’s Jacques van Daele, Luxembourg’s Christof Umbach, and Germany’s Katrina Wuest, had the 72.125 earned by Denmark’s Rikke Svane and the eye-catching black stallion Finckenstein TSF as their leading score at the halfway stage.

However, much to the delight of the home crowd, Pierre Volla and his charming chestnut mare, one of three hugely promising nine-year-olds competing in today’s class, bounced well into the lead with a mark of 74.150 when first into the arena after the break. But Krinke Susmelj raised the target all the way up to 78 percent when Smeyers Molberg got into the swing, and Reynolds and Vancouver K slotted in behind the Swiss pair on a mark of 77.425 for temporary runner-up spot when next into the ring. It might not have been the winning score today, but there were big smiles all round in the Irish camp, as this is a new Irish Freestyle record, Reynolds also setting the previous one at Hagen, Germany in April.

Raised the bar

With three left to go, Germany’s Fabienne Lutkemeier and D’Agostino raised the bar even higher, the big chestnut’s powerful and expressive movement complemented by great lightness as they marched out in front for a mark of 79.850. But the team gold medallists from the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy (FRA) and the FEI European Championships 2013 in Herning, Denmark were immediately relegated by the foot-perfect performance from Ferrer-Salat and Delgado.

This pair is a picture of symmetry, and as they easily worked through their floorplan in complete harmony with their music, it was clear a new lead would be established. Putting 82.875 on the board, it was now up to Kittel to dethrone the Spanish partnership when last to go. And the crowd watched with amazement as he gave it his very best shot, his 11-year-old mare, Deja, seemingly dancing with delight as the excitement built to a climax. The arena erupted when they drew to a halt, but the scoreboard showed 81.175 for second place. However, Kittel now stands at the top of the Western European League leaderboard at this early stage of the series when adding today’s 17 points to the maximum 20 he picked up when winning the Central European League qualifier at Kaposvar in Hungary two weeks ago.

First competition since Europeans

“This was only our first competition since the Europeans, so I’m very happy!” said winning rider Ferrer-Salat tonight. It has been quite a year for the 49-year-old who, during her highly-successful career with her former ride, Beauvalais, finished third at the FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final in s’Hertogenbosch (NED) in 2002, claimed individual silver at the FEI World Equestrian Games on home turf in Jerez (ESP), and won individual bronze at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens (GRE).

Her partnership with Delgado has been beset by injury problems for the horse over the last eight years, but somehow she kept faith with to the 14-year-old gelding and that faith has being repaid handsomely over the last nine months. The pair re-emerged onto the international stage in March and had just two competitions under their belt before taking that bronze medal in Aachen in August where she also helped her country qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Together they present a beautifully balanced, forward-going picture. She said this evening, “With him it is always very harmonious; there is an understanding between us; I know how he is feeling and he knows me very well also.” When asked to compare Delgado to Beauvalais, she said, “Delgado is better in piaffe, but they are both special because they give me everything they can. What they have in common is that they are both very good in their heads and they have big hearts, always wanting to go forward, always wanting to be with me, and that’s a very wonderful feeling for any rider,” she said. Ferrer-Salat plans to compete at the next leg of the Reem Acra series in Stuttgart, Germany in three weeks’ time.

Kittel, meanwhile, recognised that this had been an afternoon of great sport, and complimented the Lyon organisers on opening the doors to the public free of charge this afternoon. “The more of the general public we have in the audience the better if we want our sport to progress. The crowd was great, they really enjoyed the competition and supported us all, and the horses were fine in the prize-giving even though the spectators were really noisy. It was a lot of fun!” he said.

For further information on the second leg of the series at Lyon, France, go to website www.equitalyon.com or contact Press Officer Daniel Koroloff, Email daniel@blizko-communications.com, Tel +33 611 021812.

The third leg will take place at Stuttgart (GER) on Saturday 21 November 2015. For details of the German fixture, visit www.stuttgart-german-masters.de or contact Press Officer Jörg Klopfer, joerg.klopfer@in.stuttgart.de, +49 71195543128.

Detailed result here.

Facts and Figures:

Lyon in France staged the second leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2015/2016 Western European League today.

15 horse-and-rider partnerships competed in the Grand Prix Freestyle won by Spain’s Beatriz Ferrer-Saslt and Delgado with a score of 82.875.

The Spanish pair also topped yesterday’s Grand Prix at the French fixture with a personal best score of 79.260.

Runner-up today was Sweden’s Patrik Kittel with Deja.

The sole competitor for the host nation was Pierre Volla riding the nine-year-old mare Badinda Altena

9 nations were represented – Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

The panel of judges was: At E, Ghislain Fouarge (NED); At H, Jacques van Daele (BEL); At C, Isabelle Judet (FRA); At M, Christof Umbach (LUX); At B, Katrina Wuest (GER).

The next leg of the series take place in Stuttgart, Germany on Saturday 21 November 2015.

Full standings here.

Quotes:

Fabienne Lutkemeier GER (3rd) – “It was such a great atmosphere here and I’m really happy with D’Agostino. I had one mistake in the flying changes but in general I’m very happy!”

Pierre Volla FRA (6th) – “Being in front of the home crowd and in my first World Cup for me and horse there was a bit of pressure on me, so I was happy to qualify for today and happy with the performance.”

Patrik Kittel SWE (2nd) – “This is the first time I have finished in the top 3 in Lyon and it is a great honour. The organisers here are lovely people; they take great care of us and that’s why we always want to come back year after year. Lyon is one of the best shows on the circuit!”

Beatriz Ferrer-Salat ESP (1st) – “We will go to Stuttgart (in November), but after that I don’t know. Maybe we will do another World Cup show, but from Spain, the trip to Gothenburg is a very long way for the Final. We will wait and see.”

Sylvie Robert, Director GL Events – “We had great sport and a great crowd today. We opened the doors to the public today for Dressage in the afternoon and they really enjoyed it. It’s good to help people discover the discipline. And it was great to have Pierre do so well – hopefully we will have more French riders competing here next year.”

By Louise Parkes

Media Contacts:

At Lyon:

Daniel Koroloff
Press Officer
daniel@blizko-communications.com
+33 611 021 812

At FEI:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 787 506 145

Shannon Gibbons
Manager Press Relations
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46