Damon Hill (KWPN-Erkend) and Helen Langehanenberg captured the Freestyle of the 2013 Reem Acra FEI World Cup Final Dressage in Gothenburg. With her spectacular ride, Langehanenberg dethroned two-time World Cup winners Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival. The last starter, Jerich Parzival scored 86.500%, which was not enough to beat Damon Hill (KWPN-Erkend) with 88.196%.

Langehanenberg rode a fabulous freestyle with numerous highpoints. The elegant combination was the epitome of suppleness and lightness. With three years on the World Cup series, the promising combination has blossomed: the piaffes were more on the spot, as compared to the Grand Prix. However, there was a slight loss of balance in one pirouette.

Cornelissen rode her new ‘Tribute to a Knight’ freestyle by Victor Kerkhof. In a beautiful performance, Jerich Parzival danced a textbook-perfect freestyle, which included rotating piaffes.

At the end of the competition, it was difficult to tell who had won. That decision was up to the seven-member judging panel. Ultimately, Langehanenberg was declared the winner.

Edward Gal’s third place finish (84.446%) with Glock’s Undercover was a very pleasant surprise. It was apparent that the pair was very focused on their performance, even after the final salute and exit from the ring. Their trust in one another has grown, allowing Gal to ride a difficult Freestyle on the sensitive Ferro son in relatively short time.

Patrik Kittel and Watermill Scandic H.B.C., the stallion showing with length in the frame and a more natural way of going than in the Grand Prix, good for 78.393% and seventh place. Lillan Jebsen performed a fluid freestyle aboard Pro-Set to end 11th with 71.769%. The Ukraine’s Inna Logutenkova with Vian Stallone rode the long-lined Lancet son correctly and harmoniously, performing a simple freestyle to cheerful music. The duo scored 68.625% for a satisfactory 15th place finish.

1.   Helen Langehanenberg (GER) and Damon Hill – Erkend, Donnerhall x Romanze by Rubinstein I)
2.   Adelinde Cornelissen (NED) Jerich Parzival – Jazz pref x Fidora ster pref prest by Ulft keur, breeder J.M. Beijer-de Kleijn)
3.   Edward Gal (NED) Glock´s Undercover – Ferro pref x Mimosavrouwe keur pref prest sport/dr by Donnerhal, breeder M. Hendriksen-de Rijk)
7.   Patrik Kittel (SWE) Watermill Scandic HBC – Solos Carex x Noraline elite prest sport/dr by Amiral, breeder H.G. Mosman-Rohe
11. Lillann Jebsen (NOR) Pro-Set – Jetset-D x Jelesta by Flemmingh pref, breeder A.J. Tas
15. Inna Logutenkova (UKR) Vian Stallone – Lancet keur x Cera ster by Symfonie, breeder J.J. Keuninx

(Source: Claartje van Andel for KWPN. May not be republished without citing source.)