Laura Bechtolsheimer and Andretti H have made a promising start to the year by taking sixth place in both the grand prix and FEI World Cup freestyle qualifier at Amsterdam CDI-W in Holland, 23-25 January 2009.

 

Bechtolsheimer and the German-bred 14-year-old 16.3hh gelding broke the 70% barrier for the first time internationally in the grand prix with 70.297% and went on to score 75.05% in the freestyle.

 

“We had a dodgy moment in the freestyle when someone dropped a tray of cutlery and ‘Andy’ spooked, but I patted him and he relaxed back into the zone. He did a faultless test and we were given our first nines for two piaffes. I am so happy to have started the year on such a buzz,” said Bechtolsheimer.

 

Emma Hindle and Lancet were also on excellent form among the top-level combinations, finishing seventh on 73.9% in the freestyle qualifier and eighth with 69.234% in the grand prix.

 

Anky van Grunsven won the freestyle with a personal best score of 81.25% on her Dutch stallion Painted Black while Isabell Werth and Warum Nicht headed the grand prix with 75.744.

 

For the full results, visit www.jumping-amsterdam.nl.