Monica Theodorescu's Third World Cup Qualifier Victory of the Season

The CDI-W San Patrignano, the Western European League World Cup Qualifier competition of the weekend, resulted in a quadruple German victory. The show took place in Milan, Italy, at the San Patrignano Equestrian Facility, which also has a rehabilitation centre for drug abusers. The winner of both World Cup qualifier classes was German Monica Theodorescu aboard her Trakehner mare Renaissance Fleur (by Tuareg). Theodorescu scored 70.76% in the Grand Prix and 77.84% in the Freestyle, giving her the double victory at the CDI-W San Patrignano.

Finishing second in the Grand Prix were Isabell Werth and her Hanoverian gelding Anthony FRH (by Argument/T). San Patrignano was Werth's second competition since she recouperated from a broken shin bone almost three months ago. Anthony FRH scored 70.24% and put Albano, ridden by Heike Kemmer, in third position, as that German pair scored 69.72%. The Grand Prix Freestyle produced much higher scores than the "mediocre" results in the Grand Prix. Theodorescu won her third World Cup class of the season; the first one at the CDI Maastricht and the second one, the Grand Prix at San Patrignano. Heike Kemmer and her Oldenburg Albano (by Argentinus) spiced up their act and with 74.64% they placed second. Isabel Werth and Anthony came in third with 74.36%

At Prix St Georges level, Heike Kemmer reigned supreme aboard Ferragamo, a Westfalian gelding by Florestan. Scoring 71.40% in the Prix St Georges and 74.61% in the Intermediaire I Kur, Kemmer was undefeatable. Irish Anna Merveldt Steffens and Hera, who are trained by Johan Hinnemann, placed second twice with 67.05% and 70.87%.

Although Monica Theodorscu had her third World Cup victory of the season, she is currently standing second on the provisional rankings, behind Anky van Grunsven aboard Gestion Salinero. Van Grunsven dominated the Freestyle at the CDI-W Maastricht in December, but her World Cup Season 2002/2003 has come to an early end. Last week, the Dutch rider took a spill from Gestion Joker and fractured her leg. She was operated on in the hospital of Veghel, The Netherlands, and will need to rest for at least three months. This rules out any chance for Anky to ride the World Cup Finals which are held in Goteborg, Sweden, at the end of March 2003.

Text by Astrid Appels of Eurodressage.com

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