Germany's ever growing capital city Berlin set pace for the 1999/2000 World Cup qualifiers of the Western European League during World War I memorial weekend November 12th to 14th. In addition to two national Prix St. Georges tests, the dressage program of the Concours Hippique International of Berlin was completed with the shortened Grand Prix test and the World Cup qualifying Kur to Music. Germany primarily dominated the Short Grand Prix test with prima donna Isabell Werth leading (72.54%). The Dr. Uwe Schulten-Baumer student saddled the gorgeously muscled Hanoverian gelding Nissan Anthony FRH (Argument/T x Wenzel I). European silver medallist Ulla Salzgeber followed closely with 72.43% and teammate Nadine Cappelmann captured the third spot with 72.04%. The short Grand Prix, which functions as warm up for the actual World Cup qualifying freestyle, aroused commotion as the panel of judges could not find a consensus in the performances of the riders (e.g. Salzgeber placed 3-11-1-2-2).

It was the Dutch Coby van Baalen and Olympic Ferro who eventually won the Kur to Music. The KWPN stallion Ferro (Ulft x Farn), who clearly underwent a low ebb period in 1999, gave an impeccable performance (79.21%) on his Yellow Submarine based freestyle. However Ulla Salzgeber was not outdone by Van Baalen and produced a score of 79.00%, making a clear statement that the pair should not be underestimated. Salzgeber rode the Russian Rusty, a beautiful mount that is considered to be the best competing dressage horse on the globe. Isabell Werth followed Salzgeber with a small distance, scoring 77.84%. Michael Klimke, son of the late Dr. Reiner Klimke, has the reins in hands of a new horse that can offer him the ticket to the international top ten. With the Hanoverian White Foot (by World Cup III), Klimke already scored 70.53% in the short Grand Prix and later cantered to a fourth spot in the Kur with 75.22%. White Foot was purchased at the Verden Elite Auction of 1993. Robert Dover was the only North American representative in the first Western European World Cup qualifier. With Jane Clark's massive and highly talented Hanoverian Everest, the native American came in fifth (74.09%). Dover, residing in The Netherlands till the end of November, will return to The States to join the "Dressage in Florida" Show Circuit.

by Astrid Appels
Results of Concours Hippique International of Berlin