Dressage Masters at Gut Aichet/Germany (21-23.4.2006) – Triumph for Olympic Champion Ulla Salzgeber

International dressage stars like Ulla Salzgeber, Olga Klimko and Uwe Schwanz gathered at the prestigious Gut Aichet venue in Thyrnau near Passau/Bavaria last weekend to compete in a series of classes up to Grand Prix.

In the Grand Prix class of Friday, Ulla Salzgeber won with her 11 year old mount Fuerst Finley, competing in what was only his fourth Grand Prix. His rider was so happy with the result that she is now considering the exceptional youngster for the German Championships. She also placed second in the same class, riding the 9 year old Piet.

On Saturday, Frank Freund, riding the Bavarian gelding Wanesco, placed 1st in the Dressage Class S, bringing great joy to his trainer Ulla Salzgeber. 6th place in the same class went to another student of one of the great masters, Dr Tina von Block, who is trained by Uwe Schwanz and rode the 15 year old Hannoverian gelding Weygand. Von Block also placed 4th in Sunday’s Intermediaire I class with the same horse and the former 3-day event champion is becoming a force to be reckoned with on the German dressage scene. Schwanz himself did owner Sissy Max-Theurer proud when he placed 3rd her 9-year old Oldenburg stallion Reve d’Amour 3rd in the Saturday afternoon S-class and the Sunday afternoon Prix St. Georges.

The Grand Prix Freestyle to Music, with a late start of after 9 pm, also went to Ulla Salzgeber, riding Piet again. Despite a minor fault in the changes at every second stride, the pair remained unbeatable. Sunday’s Grand Prix special went to Ulla Salzgeber again, with Fuerst Finley. Fourth came the Australian Matthew Dowsley with his dressage mare Cinderalla, who seems to have profited enormously from the training with Ulla Salzgeber. Olga Klimko, who did not have her best show, placed 6th in the same class with Glenn de Gaugin, followed by Uwe Schwanz, riding Salome, in 7th place.

By Tess Crebbin

Related links:
http://www.gut-aichet.de/
http://www.ulla-salzgeber.de/
http://www.uweschwanz.com/