What a competition at the start of the 24th international four-star tournament at Achleiten Castle! The Grand Prix of the Freestyle Tour was won on Friday morning by Australian Olympic rider Simone Pearce with Amandori and 73.479 percent – only razor-thin 0.435 percent points ahead of Austria’s Olympic equestrian team rider Florian Bacher and Fidertraum with a score of 73.043. Third place was taken by Tyrolean Amanda Hartung with Dresscode Black (68.261).
The current national champion Florian Bacher and his 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding Fidertraum topped their 72.26 percent shown in Ornago with a score of 73.034 at their successful performance in Achleiten. “He is in a very good mood, motivated but not too wild, you can always rely on him,“ the Tokyo candidate praised his sport partner, with whom he has been working together for 8 years.
Speaking of Tokyo: “If we were allowed to participate in Japan, it would be extremely nice. It is a great pleasure for me that I have been allowed to be part of the Austrian team as a competition rider for many years. This is an honor. But I am not particularly nervous about it. I am not this type of person. It is important for me to deliver beautiful rounds, no matter in which arena and no matter at which competition,“ said 36-year-old Viennese Florian Bacher, who probably benefits from his 18 years of experience as a professional rider at the Spanish Riding School.
Grand Prix winner Simone Pearce was jubilant about her victory with the Olympic candidate Amadori, a 10-year-old stallion from the Sprehe Stud in Lastrup near Cloppenburg, “This was only the fourth Grand Prix for Amandori at this level and he presented himself really well despite his tiredness from the journey. I am in the fortunate position of being able to ride Destano as well, a second horse that has already qualified for the Olympic Games in Tokyo. He has more experience, of course, but Amandori is catching up.“
Achleiten seems to be a good ground for the 28-year-old from Melbourne. Last year, she achieved two Australian records here with Destano (74.152 percent in the Grand Prix and 74.617 percent in the Grand Prix Special).
Tyrol’s current vice champion Amanda Hartung was also very satisfied with third place and 68.261 percent achieved with her one-eyed “pirate“ Dresscode Black, “It’s our first international show in a year. Nationally we competed twice in Stadl-Paura this year. I am very happy with this nice round.“
N°1 FEI Grand Prix (CDI4*, Qualification for N°3)
1. Simone Pearce (AUS), Amandori 73,478 Prozent
2. Florian Bacher (AUT), Fidertraum 73,043
3. Amanda Hartung (AUT), Dresscode Black 68,261
4. Oliver Valenta (AUT), Valenta’s Fantast 68,174
5. Timna Zach (AUT), Chico 68,13
6. Akane Kuroki (JPN), Zuidenwind 67,174
7. Sascha Schulz (LUX), Dayman 67,63
8. Isabella Willibald (AUT) Richterhof’s Farbenfroh 67,456
9. Judy Reynolds (IRL), Leroy Naeldeborg 63,565