At her first show with Mistral Hojris since the Olympics, Laura Bechtolsheimer (pictured) achieved her best grand prix special score,74.8%, and second place at Stuttgart CDI in Germany, 19-23 November 2008.

 

Bechtolsheimer, who has been training with one of Germany’s biggest names, Klaus Balkenhol, since Lyon CDI two and a half weeks ago, also finished third in the grand prix with more than 72% despite an error in the two-time tempi changes and a slightly tense walk.

 

“It was really important for us to come out with a bang after the Olympics and show him at his best. He was super extravagant and expressive in his movement and super controlled,” said Bechtolsheimer, who will now prepare for the FEI World Cup qualifier at Olympia next month.

 

Olympic team compatriots Emma Hindle and Lancet were also on good form, finishing fourth in both the grand prix (71.042%) and freestyle (74.75%). Hindle felt she rode too carefully in the grand prix, but was extremely pleased with her freestyle result.

 

“I have never managed to achieve such a high score in such strong company,” she said.

 

In the grand prix, Hindle was equal fourth with British-based Finnish rider Kyra Kyrklund and Max, who went on to take second place in the freestyle with a staggering 79.05%.

 

Bechtolsheimer also competed Andretti H in the grand prix to take 10^th place.

 

Across the border at Maastricht CDI in Holland (20-23 November 2008), Camilla Sygall was back in action after a baby break. Sygall took ninth place in both the grand prix and freestyle with DJ One More Time while Nicola McGivern and Active Walero finished 10^th in the grand prix.

 

Sygall, who gave birth to son Jack in August, had not competed since being a team member in Saumur in April, but was able to return to the international scene so quickly as Jack’s father Dries Roefs had kept “DJ” in top form.

 

For the show’s full results, go to www.stuttgart-german-masters.de and www.jumpingindoormaastricht.nl.

Read Laura Becholsheimer's Stuttgart blog here

Photo courtesy of www.lewisharding.com