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At the end of the first day of dressage German team rider and former 1997 European Champion, Bettina Hoy has a strong lead in The FEI Blenheim Petplan European Eventing Championships. Bettina and the elegant Irish bred grey, Ringwood Cockatoo, winners at the Luhmuhlen four-star earlier this year, set the competition alight after their test scored 31.3 penalties. They gained an average good score of 79% from the three judges. “It was the best event test, on grass, that I have ever seen and he has to be the only dressage horse in the competition,” said Blenheim dressage commentator, Carl Hester. (Bettina and Ringwood Cockatoo are pictured at the right leaving the Dressage Ring. Photo courtesy of the Blenheim Petplan European Championships.)

British individuals Pippa Funnell and the 10 year old Ensign came closest. Pippa and the former racehorse gained an average good mark of 74.78%, which translated to 37.8 to finish their dressage test in second place.

The twice European champion, was delighted with his (Ensign'a) performance, which was a career best. “He is always a fairly relaxed type – sometimes too relaxed – but the atmosphere just gave him that extra lift,” said Pippa who bought the Thoroughbred by Mandalus off the track when he was deemed to slow for racing. “He was bought to sell; but, I never found a buyer." said Pippa. “As far as cross country is concerned he is one of the least experienced in the field and it will be a proper test for him. But, as we are not in the team, the pressure is off and I thought why not try him out.” (Pippa and Ensign are pictured at the left. Photo courtesy of Blenheim Petplan European Championships.)

French team member and army officer, Didier Willefert and Escape Lane *Milli, currently stand third. “I am delighted with the horse. He has a great temperament and is very generous in his attitude.” (Didier and Escape Lane *Milla are pictured at the right below. Photo courtesy of the Blenheim Petplan European Championships.)

After two riders, Bettina Hoy and Anna Warnecke (Twinkle Bee – no 6), for Germany,
currently head the team placings on 87.4 Great Britain are in second place on 93.5 after tests from William Fox-Pitt (Tamarillo) and Jeanette Brakewell (Over To You) and the French are in third on 98.9.

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Team Standings after Two Riders:

1. Germany - 87.4

2. Great Britain - 93.5

3. France - 98.9

4. Belgium -119.1

5. Ireland - 122.4

6. Italy - 124.1

7. Sweden - 125.9

8. Poland - 130.9

9. Portugal - 149.1

10 Austria - 61.1 (Only one rider has competed.)

Current CCI*** Dressage Results (34 of 68 competitors having completed):

Judges :
Mr Christian Landolt (SUI)
Mr Martin Plewa (GER)
Miss Judy Bradwell (GBR)

1. Bettina Hoy # (GER), RINGWOOD COCKATOO - 80.00 77.83 79.57 = 31.3
2. Pippa Funnell (GBR), ENSIGN - 73.91 73.91 76.52 = 37.8
3. Didier Willefert # (FRA), ESCAPE LANE *MILI - 73.04 72.17 74.35 = 40.2
4. William Fox-Pitt # (GBR), TAMARILLO 68.70 70.43 74.35 = 43.3
5. Jean Lou Bigot (FRA), DERBY DE LONGUEVAL - 72.17 67.83 71.30 = 44.4
6. Didier Dhennin (FRA), ISMENE DU TEMPLE -70.00 70.00 70.87 = 44.6
7. Oliver Townend (GBR), TOPPING - 69.57 67.39 72.61 = 45.2
8. Daisy Dick (GBR), SPRING ALONG - 69.57 67.83 68.26 = 47.2
9. Kitty Boggis (GBR), FIVE BOYS - 66.96 64.35 70.00 = 49.4
10. Jeanette Brakewell # (GBR), OVER TO YOU - 66.09 66.52 66.96 = 50.2
11. Polly Stockton (GBR), TOM QUIGLEY - 62.61 64.35 67.83 = 52.6
12T. Luaksz Kozmierczak # (POL), OSTLER - 64.35 61.74 66.09 = 53.9
12T. Alberto Giugni # (ITA), THE NIGHTFLIGHT - 61.74 62.61 67.83 = 53.9
14. Constantin Van Rijckevorsel # (BEL), WITHCOTE NELLIE - 62.17 65.65 63.48 = 54.3
15. Polly Jackson (GBR), TWO FOR JOY - 63.91 61.74 65.22 = 54.6
16. Lisa Deghe (ITA), NARCISO 2 - 62.17 63.91 64.35 = 54.8
17T. Susan Shortt # (IRE), JUST BEAUTY QUEEN - 63.48 61.74 64.78 = 55.0
17T. Matthew Wright (GBR), PARK PILOT - 64.35 60.87 64.78 = 55.0
19. Anna Warnecke # (GER), TWINKLE BEE - 61.74 61.30 64.78 = 56.1
20. Gilles Viricel # (FRA), BLAKRING *MILI HN - 61.30 59.57 61.74 = 58.7
21. Sarah Wardell (IRE), TEST FLIGHT - 59.13 59.57 62.17= 59.6
22. Andrey Grishin (UKR), SKAMPOLO, 58.26 58.26 62.17 = 60.6
23T. Viktoria Carlerback # (SWE),BALLYS GERONIMO - 59.13 61.30 57.39 = 61.1
23T. Christoph Heide # (AUSTRIA), BALLYSCARTAN HERO - 60.87 57.83 59.13 = 61.1
25T. Carl Bouckaert # (BEL), RAMPANT LION - 55.65 57.39 57.39 = 64.8
25T. Dag Albert # (SWE) WHOS BLITZ - 55.22 57.83 57.39 = 64.8
27. Geoffroy De Jamblinne (BEL), IRIS W - 56.96 52.61 59.57 = 65.4
28. Michael Ryan # (IRE), OLD ROAD - 55.22 55.22 54.78 = 67.4
29. Finanziaria Srl Guappa # (ITA), AXIA - 11 53.91 51.74 53.91= 70.2*
30. Duarte Seabra # (POR), ZEBEDEE VIII- 54.78 51.74 50.43 = 71.5
31. Pawel Rutkowski # (POL), FORDANSER - 51.30 45.22 49.57 = 77.0
32. Frederico Mexia # (POR), PEGASO - 50.87 46.09 47.83 = 77.6
33. Katerina Tumpachova (CZECH), INCHAGREINE - 49.13 46.96 47.39 = 78.3
Withdrawn: Andriy Senin (UKR), FORSING

* - denotes errors of course

# - denotes Team Member

Time: 1659 Thu 8 Sep 05