Marina Köhncke, a member of the German squad at the Sydney Olympics, led from start to finish to win the HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing at Malmo Horse Show (SWE) on Calma Schelly. Her compatriot, Olympic gold medallist Peter Thomsen, was second on Parko 4 and, following this fifth leg of the HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing, the two German riders have qualified for the Final at Strzegom (POL) in August.
Competition statistics
– 17 started the competition
– 6 nations represented: Belgium, Finland, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden
– 6 scored under 50 in Dressage
– Ground Jury: Jutta Koivula (FIN), Anne Mette Binder (DEN) and Hedwig von Knorring-Albertson (GER)
– Course-Designer: Per Magnusson (SWE)
– 5 clear Cross-Country
– 0 inside optimum time
– 7 eliminated Cross-Country
– 1 retired Cross-Country
– 10 completed Cross-Country
– 1 clear Jumping
– 9 completed competition
Köhncke retains lead
Köhncke, well known as a gifted exponent of Dressage, and the 10-year-old Calma Schelly by Chambertin held an advantage of a mere 1.2 penalties over Niklas Lindback on Mister Pooh, but they fell between the elements at fence 7.
This allowed Karin Donckers (BEL) and Lamicell Charizard to move into 2nd, but 12 faults in the Jumping relegated them back to 4th, behind Peter Thomsen (GER) and the upward-moving Finn, Sanna Kiltakorpi.
Köhncke had two Jumping fences in hand to win and when she hit the fourth, the audience held their breath, but she kept her dark bay Holsteiner mare balanced for 3 time penalties and victory was hers.
Young star emerges
Sanna Kiltakorpi (FIN) rose from 12th after Dressage to eventual 3rd on Lucky Accord, having completed the fastest Cross Country (5.6 penalties) and produced the only clear Jumping round. Kiltakorpi, 22, represented Finland at the 2007 FEI Young Rider European Championships. The 10-year-old Lucky Accord, a Swedish warmblood by Acacio, has already won at 1* and 2* level.
Quotes
Marina Köhncke: “This is only my second 3* start on Calma Schelly, so I’m really pleased with the way she performed. I don’t know yet about the Final; I shall see how it goes.”
Peter Thomsen: “I rode Parko here last year and I’m very pleased with the way he’s matured. He went very well.”
Niklas Lindback: “It all happened so fast that I don’t really know what happened. But Mr Pooh has been checked out by the vet and he is fine.”
Results
1 Marina Köhncke/Calma Schelly (GER) 42.8 + 6.8 + 4/3 = 56.6
2 Peter Thomsen/Parko 4 (GER) 48.0 + 7.6 + 4 = 59.6
3 Sanna Siltakorpi/Lucky Accord (FIN) 58.8 + 5.6 + 0 = 64.4
4 Karin Donckers/Lamicell Charizard (BEL) 46.2 + 7.6 + 4 = 59.6
5 Katrin Norling/Pandora Emm (SWE) 48.4 + 16.4 + 4 = 68.8
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