World Games dressage test event is ‘spot on’

Cristobal Belmonte has won the final dressage test event for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Testing times

Just four riders competed in the Freestyle to Music yesterday (24 June), with the Spanish rider posting the highest score of 70.017% on board Diavolo II de Laubry.

In second place was Germany’s Isabelle Steidle and Long Drink 2 with 68.928%.Just behind her was French rider Alizee Froment (68.31%) while Denise Hallion from South Africa came fourth (63.696%).

Run over two days, the dressage test event gave 15 riders the opportunity to try out the facilities and organisation at the d’Ornano Stadium in Caen, which is WEG’s main venue of the organization.

Brilliant

The reaction from the riders taking part has been very positive.

“It’s going to be brilliant,” said Carl Hester, who won the test Grand Prix Special. “It’s absolutely spot-on from a structural perspective. The footing is excellent and it will only improve for staying in place between now and the Games so that we can really ride to the maximum.

“It was definitely worth coming here and it should give the riders lots of confidence going into the Games.”

The showjumping test event kicks off today (25 June), where spectators are being invited to attend the four competitions.

Positive feedback

“Now we need to stay focused for a lot more horses in the jumping and a big crowd coming tomorrow when our goal is to welcome around 24,000 spectators to the venue,” said Fabien Grobon, CEO of the games organising committee.

“We’ve had a lot of very positive feedback so far, but although the test events are a vital part of the process, we must remember this is only a test. What really matters is August.”

Test events for endurance, eventing and driving took place in August last year. No specific test events have been held for reining, vaulting or para-equestrian, but all technical aspects have been trialled prior to the games next month.