Tag Archives: Patrik Kittel

Glory in Gothenburg for Kittel and Toy Story

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Patrik Kittel recorded his third success of the 2011/2012 Reem Acra FEI World Cup series when winning tonight’s last qualifying round at Gothenburg (SWE) riding Toy Story. Photo: FEI/Roland Thunholm.

Gothenburg (SWE), 25 February 2012 – Patrick Kittel was the crowd-pleaser on home ground in the Scandinavium Arena at Gothenburg, Sweden tonight when steering Toy Story to victory in the last qualifying leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage 2011/2012 Western European League series.  It was a nervous wait for the 35 year old Swede however, as the result was delayed due to an electrical fault that disrupted the scoring system.

In the absence of his marks, it was Great Britain’s Richard Davison and Hiscox Artemis who were heading the scoreboard in the closing stages, with Denmark’s Lone Joergensen and FBW de Vito close behind.  But these two were relegated when Kittel’s score of 78.525 was eventually confirmed, leaving him well clear of all challengers.

Today’s success brought Kittel’s tally for the season to three, following previous wins at Stockholm, Sweden in November and at Mechelen, Belgium in December.  He has pipped Germany’s Helen Langehanenberg for the 2011/2012 league title – a first for Sweden according to the FEI’s Director of Dressage, Trond Asmyr.  “I’m really pleased about that, this has been a good day!” Kittel said tonight.

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Swedish Riders Hold the Reins at the Top of Reem Acra Rankings

Lausanne (SUI), 28 November 2011 – Previously lying in equal-seventh position, Sweden’s Patrik Kittel has now moved into second place on the Western European League table following his superb victory with Toy Story in the third leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage 2011/2012 series in Stockholm, Sweden yesterday.

His Swedish colleague, Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven, who was only 0.1 point behind Kittel’s winning score when filling runner-up spot yesterday, continues to head the leaderboard going into the next round at Olympia in London, Great Britain on 14 December.

Please find below the updated leaderboard.

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Kittel Wins Out in Super-Tight Battle in Stockholm

Patrik Kittel and Toy Story won the third leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage series on their home turf in Stockholm, Sweden this afternoon. Photo: FEI/Roland Thunholm.

Stockholm (SWE), 27 November 2011 – Patrik Kittel headed up a Swedish one-two in the third leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage 2011/2012 series in Stockholm, Sweden today.  But it was a close-fought affair as the 35-year-old rider and his 11 year old gelding, Toy Story, only pipped Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven and Don Auriello by 0.1 of a percentage point, while Germany’s Isabell Werth (Warum Nicht FRH) and Helen Langehanenberg (Responsible) had to settle for third and fourth places respectively.

In a weekend full of interesting twists and turns, multiple champion Werth finished well down the line in seventh place in Saturday’s Grand Prix won by Vilhelmson-Silfven. And, adding to the litany of surprises, was a very pleasant one for Norway’s Siril Helljesen who steered her lovely mare, Dorina, into Grand Prix runner-up spot.

But Kittel’s latest Freestyle victory underlines his great strength in depth.  He has 13 Grand Prix-level horses now at the base in Muenster, Germany which he has been operating for the last 15 years.  “I’m very lucky to have so many right at the moment,” he said this afternoon. “Toy Story does not have a great amount of experience but he is very talented and he really took me by surprise today!” he pointed out.

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FEI European Dressage Championships 2011 Day 4, Freestyle

CORNELISSEN IS THE FREESTYLE QUEEN by Louise Parkes

On the podium after the Grand Prix Freestyle: L to R - silver medallist Carl Hester (GBR), gold medallist Adelinde Cornelissen (NED) and bronze medallist Patrik Kittel (SWE). Photo: FEI/Peter Nixon.

Rotterdam (NED), 21 August 2011 – The Netherlands’ Adelinde Cornelissen was in a class of her own as she claimed her second gold medal in two days when winning the Grand Prix Freestyle at the FEI European Dressage Championships 2011 in Rotterdam (NED) this afternoon.

Yesterday she was super-cool when topping the Grand Prix Special, despite an error of course that might have unhinged many others, but today she was simply super-confident, ultra-professional and totally concentrated as she steered Jerich Parzival to a flawless performance that left the Freestyle result beyond any doubt.  “She did a wonderful job, and was the clear winner of the day,” said Ground Jury President Ghislain Fouarge afterwards.

In a gripping competition filled with all kinds of possibilities, the spectators engaged with every competitor that came into the ring and expressed their opinion each time a result went up on the board. There was a huge roar from the home side when Cornelissen was awarded the winning mark of 88.839, but it was almost matched by the approval registered for the 84.179 achieved by silver medallist Carl Hester from Great Britain who has stolen the hearts of a whole new generation of dressage fans. Bronze went to Sweden’s Patrick Kittel whose foot-perfect test with Watermill Scandic was awarded 83.429.

These Championships have provided a refreshing boost for the sport of Dressage, as a rising tide is exposing a wealth of new human and equine talent while also highlighting the quality of the current stars.

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