Laura Bechtolsheimer has set two new British international record scores with Mistral Hojris (pictured) at ’s-Hertogenbosch CDI-W in Holland, 19-22 March 2009.

 

Bechtolsheimer and the 14-year-old 17hh Danish Trakehner gelding “Alf” won the CDI grand prix with 76.553% and the CDI grand prix special with 75.25%. The combination smashed their own records: the former GP record score was 75.33%, which they set at Olympia CDI-W in 2007, and 74.8% was the best British GPS international score, which they set at Stuttgart CDI in 2008.

 

“To beat Anky [Holland’s Anky van Grunsven riding Painted Black, with whom she is ranked five in the world] on any horse is breaking a barrier, especially when competing in Holland,” said Bechtolsheimer.

 

“Alf was so easy in the grand prix; I didn’t have to do anything. In the special, he was a little tense and demanded more effort on my part. We had a couple of mistakes and didn’t do one halt, but he was beautiful to ride and I was happy to be rewarded with such high marks.”

 

Bechtolsheimer also took part in the FEI World Cup qualifier with Andretti H. Competing in a top-class field, they finished 11^th in the qualifying grand prix round with 69.191% and 10th in the freestyle on 74.95%. This put her 11^th in the Western European League.

 

“Andy was first to go in the grand prix and was a little unsettled as a horse and cart were just leaving the arena when we were about to go in. He didn’t go to the best of his ability, but was faultless. He then performed his best freestyle test ever, again without mistakes. Hopefully there’s lots more to come,” she said.

 

This means that no British riders have qualified for the 2009 FEI World Cup Final, which takes place in Las Vegas, 15-19 April, as this required finishing in the top seven of the Western European League or being awarded one of the two wild cards.

The 15 who are through are: Anky van Grunsven (Painted Black), Isabell Werth (Satchmo/Warum Nicht), Adelinde Cornelissen (Parzival), Hans Peter Minderhoud (Exquis Nadine), Monica Theodorescu (Whisper), Jan Brink (Briar), Jeanette Haazen (Nartan), Minna Telde (Don Charly), Michael Rapcewicz (Randon), Heath Ryan (Regardez Moi), Steffen Peters (Ravel), Ashley Holzer (Pop Art), Marco Bernal (Diamore), Leslie Morse (Kingson) and Jan Ebling (Rafalca).

 

To find out more about the final, click www.worldcuplasvegas.com. Visit www.indoorbrabant.com for the full results from ’s-Hertogenbosch CDI-W.