2006 CHIO Aachen

State-owned stallion wins Warsteiner Prize
Laurent Goffinet takes revenge

Aachen press release - posted May 20, 2006

His first appearance at the CHIO Aachen was a direct success: The 30-year-old French rider, Laurent Goffinet from Normandy, didn't give his fellow competitors a chance in the Warsteiner Prize: He rode clear in the jump-off in the best time (50.47 seconds) with the French stallion, Flipper D'Elle by Double Espoir, owned by the French National Stud. "I wanted to get my revenge in Aachen, because in the Grand Prix of La Baule, the stallion knocked a pole down on the last fence in the jump-off, which meant Marcus Ehning won," said Goffinet. And he succeeded in taking his revenge: This time Marcus Ehning collected four faults in the jump-off, which resulted in fifth place for him.

The small stallion, Flipper D'Elle, likes big rings. His rider explained that the long canter stretches are ideal for the horse. The bay, state-owned stallion is however not easy to handle. In order to improve his rideability, Laurent Goffinet took dressage lessons with the famous French trainer, Patrick le Rolland - and it obviously helped. He noted that he now has the stallion much more under control and can "subdue" his impetuous forward impulse.

The Swedish rider, Rolf-Göran Bengtsson finished second in the Warsteiner Prize with the Holstein gelding, Chianti La Silla by Caretino (50.61). The Celle-owned stallion Argelith Stakkato by Spartan saddled by Eva Bitter came third (52.60).

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