Sweden takes command of Compiègne
Sweden takes command of Compiègne
FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ 2022
written by Catie Staszak
Before the last day of competition at the FEI Dressage Nations Cup ™ in Compiègne (FRA), it was obvious that a monumental change in speed would be required for Sweden to give up the lead.
Still, the dominance with which the squad Juliette Ramel (Buriel KH), Antonia Ramel (Curiosity) and Patrik Kittel (Touchdown), led by Chef d’Equipe Jo Bena, carried the victory eye-opening. When Kittel and Touchdown got 82.025 percent for their Freestyle, it left Sweden’s final victory margin of 32 points. Spain (48 points) finished second, with Belgium (51 points) third.
The win was the third for Sweden in Compiègne in the last five years, after also winning 2018 and 2021.
“We were a little ahead of the others this time, and I’m very happy about that. They do so well in the ring and also in their training, and it looks very promising for the future. ”
Team Leader Jo Bena (SWE)
Each point was equal to an athlete’s ranking, with lower numbers reflecting top performance. All athletes competed in Saturday’s Grand Prix before taking part in Sunday’s Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle tests, with the three best results counted. No Swedish rider got double-digit points, all three took the podium in at least one test. After scoring only 10 points from the Grand Prix, Sweden was even more dominant on Sunday and only added six points to their score. While Kittel was the highest-ranked Nations Cup rider in the Grand Prix Freestyle, Juliet Ramel finished second in the Special (75.277%), with Antonia Ramel just behind her in third place (72.043%).
“The horses have done a lot of flawless tests, and if there have been small mistakes we have still been able to pick it up with high scores,” said Kittel. “I think that’s what I’m most happy with. The thing is, all the horses have only been there for us all weekend.
Sweden presented a squad of veteran riders – each an Olympic veteran – but the horses that were produced were mixed in experience. Touchdown had only performed two previous Freestyle tests at the CDI5 * level and had never competed in a CDIO event before. Curiosity, who was previously trained in jumping, is also new to the level, having represented Sweden in a previous Nations Cup event in Aachen (GER).
“He has been with me for a long time “, said Antonia. “He was initially a show jumper, which he did until he was six. I have trained him on my own and I have had him now for seven years. ”
With three appearances in the Olympic Games and a bronze medal from the European Championships, Buriel KH stood tall as the horse veteran in the group. The gelding performed with remarkable consistency and noted only 3 points in the Grand Prix (75.391%) and two points in the Grand Prix Special.
“He’s a great character. He always has my back, Juliette said. “I’ve had him since he was 7; now he is 16. So we have had a long collaboration. ”
Sweden’s win placed them in the top list for the season 2022 FEI Dressage Nations Cup ™ with 15 points. Spain is second with 13 points, two ahead of Belgium (11 points). FEI Dressage Nations Cup ™ returns June 23-26 in Rotterdam (BEL).
“It means a lot [to start the season strongly]. It is always good to have a victory in a five-star Nations Cup to begin with, and then we can continue with the rest, says Bena. “And we’ve been lucky and also good, I would say, [in previous years], as we have won in Compiègne before. We thrive very well here.“